Local News Archives

The St. Joseph Department of Public Works has been able to save thousands of dollars in recent years thanks to work done to increase energy efficiency. Public Works Director Tom MacDonald told city commissioners this week the department has switched to LED lighting and fixed problems with its heating system. That’s led to more than $4,000 in rebates from AEP and Michigan Gas. He tells WSJM  News commissioners voted to allow the work a few years ago.. ...Read Full Story

Martin Luther King Day is this coming Monday, and the United Way of Southwest Michigan is encouraging everyone to do some community service for the occasion. The United Way’s Julee Laurent tells WSJM News the organization has heard of a variety of community service efforts planned for MLK Day.. ...Read Full Story

The explosion in flu cases reported in some parts of the United States this winter hasn’t quite come to Michigan, although flue cases have been up. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News there was a jump in local flu cases toward the end of December. Still, the state is still doing better than many others.. ...Read Full Story

Heading into the new year, the west Michigan economy is on solid footing. That’s according to a new report out of Grand Valley State University. Economist Dr. Brian Long told Michigan News Network this week many areas are at or near full employment:. ...Read Full Story

Police have identified the victim of a weekend murder in Benton Harbor. Public Safety Chief Dan McGimnnis tells WSJM News 38-year-old Novena P. Mathis of Benton Harbor was found dead in her car on at Hayward Wells Apartments on Sunday. The suspect, 38-year-old William “Coonie” Edwards of Benton Harbor, was quickly identified and arrested in Kalamazoo later. A warrant for open murder and some gun charges has been authorized against him, and he’s still being held in Kalamazoo County. McGinnis tells us Mathis and Edwards had been in a relationship for about 20 years and shared two children. He adds there was a history of domestic violence in the relationship. An autopsy performed on Mathis Tuesday confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot.. ...Read Full Story

U.S. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan is making self driving cars a priority this year. His bill to advance the development and deployment of self driving vehicles was approved by the Commerce Committee in October and he’s working to move it forward in the Senate this year.. ...Read Full Story

A 40-year-old Edwardsburg woman is dead after crashing her vehicle into a tree in Jefferson Township in Cass County. The sheriff’s department tells WSJM News Jennifer Johnson was killed just before 7 last night in the crash on Calvin Hill Street near North Shore Drive. Investigators say she lost control of the car on an icy road and was the only one in the vehicle. Johnson had not been drinking, and was wearing her seat belt. The crash is still under investigation.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A federal judge says some Michigan lawmakers must sit for interviews about a law that bans straight-party voting. The questions will be limited to what they might have said about their motives to people outside their offices. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mona Majzoub says communications between lawmakers and their staff are protected. The depositions are part of a lawsuit. Straight-party voting means making a single mark on a ballot to pick candidates of one party. Critics of the ban say it violates the rights of black voters in urban areas who typically vote for Democrats. A judge suspended the law in 2016, but the litigation is ongoing. Majzoub’s decision affects Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, Senator Marty Knollenberg, Sen. David Robertson, Rep. Michael McCready, and former Rep. Lisa
Lyons.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder’s administration is proposing legislation so taxpayers can continue claiming Michigan’s personal exemption in the wake of the federal tax overhaul, and also is calling for a large state exemption increase. The plan was first unveiled Monday by Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, who is running for governor. The administration has warned that state taxes will rise if nothing is done. Calley tells The Associated Press that while 98% of the potential tax increase is because of how Michigan’s exemptions are linked to the U.S. tax code, Michigan’s personal exemption should be raised to address other issues such as the elimination of deductions for moving expenses. Calley says the “simplest, most fair answer” to protect people is to increase Michigan’s $4,000 personal exemption to $4,500 by 2021.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan rang in 2018 with a 35 cent hike to the minimum wage, but some say that doesn’t go far enough and want voters to have the final word. This week marked the last of three scheduled increases under a law passed in 2014, taking the state’s minimum wage to $9.25 an hour. The group Michigan One Fair Wage is circulating petitions to put a measure on the November ballot to raise it to $12 an hour by 2022. Alicia Renee Farris chairs the campaign and tells us the state’s lowest earners still need more money.. ...Read Full Story

The Red Cross is hoping more people will step forward to make a blood donation after recent severe weather caused a major drop. Spokesperson Todd Kulman tells WSJM News the situation is dire.. ...Read Full Story

Property inspections are about to begin in the city of St. Joseph. Code Enforcement Officer Joan Ross tells WSJM News staff goes around checking each property every five years.. ...Read Full Story

With the annual Consumer Electronics Show underway in Las Vegas this week, Whirlpool is showing off some new tech. The appliance maker tells us it’s using the event to showcase its Apple Watch and Honeywell thermometer compatibility. Whirlpool says starting this year, its smart and connected appliances will be controllable with the Apple Watch. You can also use the wrist device to check the status of an appliance. That’s including ovens, washers, and dryers. Additionally, this year Whirlpool is rolling out a new collaboration with Honeywell that will enable customers to connect smart appliances to Honeywell’s line of connected thermostats. That means remote management of their appliance operating modes and energy outputs. Whirlpool Vice President of Brand and Strategy in North America Brett Dibkey says the company’s “consumers are sophisticated and expect their appliances to work smarter, not harder.”. ...Read Full Story

Indiana Michigan Power is warning customers about the latest phone scam. The company’s Tracy Warner tells WSJM News I&M was flooded with calls Monday from customers who said they received calls supposedly from the utility.. ...Read Full Story

A Berrien County woman is the latest big-time lottery winner in Michigan. The Michigan lottery tells us the 65-year-old has chosen to remain anonymous after she won $1 million from a scratch-off last week. She picked up her prize money on Friday, opting to take a lump sum payment of $634,500 instead of a 30 year annuity. The woman bought her winning Triple Millions instant ticket at the Exit 76 Auto Truck Plaza in Byron Center. She told the Michigan Lotto she’s been playing lottery games for years and still can’t believe she really won. She plans to pay bills, donate to her church, buy a brand new car, and then save the remainder of the money.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Attorney General’s office has announced its OK2SAY tip line has received its 10,000th call. The AG’s office launched OK2SAY In 2014 as a way to help Michigan students report concerns in their schools about bullying or potentially dangerous situations. Spokesperson Andrea Bitely spoke with OK2SAY last year.. ...Read Full Story

A woman who was reported missing in Benton Harbor over the weekend has been found dead, and police suspect foul play. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety tells us a young woman was reported by family as missing on Sunday. Police later found her vehicle and body outside the Hayward Wells apartment complex in Benton Harbor. A suspect was quickly identified, and he was later arrested in Kalamazoo on unrelated charges. A warrant request is pending in Berrien County for open murder, and an autopsy is planned on the victim for Tuesday. Police have not released the victim’s name.. ...Read Full Story

AAA Michigan says gas prices statewide have declined by about 6¢ per gallon in the past week. The Dearborn-based auto club says late Sunday the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline was about $2.63 per gallon. Michigan’s lowest average price was about $2.55 per gallon in the Bay City, Midland and Saginaw areas. The highest was about $2.66 per gallon in the Jackson area. We’re at $2.64 in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area, down 5¢ in the past week.. ...Read Full Story

The Niles Salvation Army could use some extra help this winter. Salvation Army Lieutenant Joseph Hixenbaugh tells WSJM News the chapter’s Red Kettle donations this holiday season were drastically down. He says that hurts because the organization heavily relies on the Red Kettle campaign.. ...Read Full Story

A new report out of Grand Valley State University shows West Michigan’s economy finished 2017 on solid footing. Economist Dr. Brian Long says the recovery from the Great Recession has relied heavily on the automotive industry, but sales dropped in December and for all of last year:. ...Read Full Story

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash between a snowmobile and a car in Silver Creek Township. The sled was piloted by Joseph Vantuyle of Dowagiac, who didn’t yield at a snowmobile crossing to the vehicle driven by a San Antonio man. Vantuyle was taken to Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac to be treated for minor injuries. Deputies tell WSJM News that helmets and seat belts were worn, and alcohol isn’t believed to have been involved. The crash happened around 5 p.m. Saturday.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Blood could use some help. Due to the recent weather, the organization has seen blood donations drop drastically. Spokesperson Mariya Morbach tells WSJM News they’re not far away from being in a dire situation.. ...Read Full Story

On sale now are tickets to one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven. The organization’s Jennifer Nuernberg tells WSJM News the bi-annual Fur Ball fundraiser will be in late February, but you’ll want to reserve your spot now. They’ll be pitting some top chefs from South Haven against each other in a competition.. ...Read Full Story

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi has announced the opening date for its new Four Winds Casino. The new one in South Bend will open to the public on Tuesday, January 16 at 4 p.m. The casino is located on 166 acres of tribal trust land and will be the first casino in Indiana owned and operated by a Native American tribe. It’s the latest addition to the Pokagon Four Wind brand, with the other locations being in New Buffalo, Hartford, and Dowagiac. The tribe tells us Four Winds South Bend will have 175,000 square feet and 1,800 games, four restaurants, a players lounge, a coffee shop, three bars, a retail outlet, and about 4,500 parking spaces. When complete, the casino will employ about 1,200 people. John Warren, Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, says the new location will “generate revenue to fund services and programs that will create additional economic opportunities for Pokagon Citizens, the city of South Bend, and also fund community projects, local organizations and schools.”. ...Read Full Story

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is working to better train its officers to deal with the public. Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis told city commissioners this week the department is working with the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety to be part of a program with Western Michigan University and Ball State University.. ...Read Full Story

A new mayor and three new council members sworn in at Tuesday night’s South Haven City Council meeting. Mayor Scott Smith, Councilmen Joe Reeser, Chris Campbell, and George Sleeper. City Manager Brian Dissette told WSJM News there is a lot of training that new council members must go through.. ...Read Full Story

Continued cold weather means you still have to give extra care to your car. AAA of Michigan this week sent out another Arctic Advisory, with spokesperson Susan Hiltz telling WSJM News it cost you a few bucks to keep your car in proper working order.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott has a warning for everyone taking in the great outdoors this week. He tells WSJM News the ice is still too thin to walk on in many cases.. ...Read Full Story

Tickets are now on sale for the next St. Joseph Winter Beer Festival. St. Joe Today’s Daniele Crevier tells WSJM News 16 local and regional breweries will be on hand offering samples. The event isn’t until January 27, but tickets are limited, and they may go fast.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad is planning to deliver a State of the City address. The mayor announced this week he’ll be discussing Benton Harbor as it is heading into its first year of total local control after a long period of state intervention while previewing goals for the future. Muhammad’s State of the City speech will be at the Benton Harbor Public Library on Tuesday, January 23 at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and listen.. ...Read Full Story

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety will be getting some new radios. City Commissioners on Tuesday approved the purchase of 22 police radios at a cost of $31,500. A $25,000 grant pays for most of it, with Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis telling commissioners the extra money makes these replacements a lot easier.. ...Read Full Story

This frigid weather so far has not damaged southwest Michigan crops. Michigan State University Extension Fruit Educator Mark Longstroth tells WSJM News it needs to get down to about ten below zero before our crops are in trouble. He says most of them now are well dormant for the winter.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton is maintaining that much was accomplished in Washington throughout 2017. His office has released a 2017 year in review report, which can be found on its website. Upton says, “2017 was a transformational year but my focus never wavered from local initiatives such as helping constituents with problems big and small, and on bipartisan policies that create jobs and improve our economy.” He then predicts both parties can work together throughout 2018 to solve problems everyone cares about. Among accomplishments Upton wants to highlight for last year are helping South Haven’s Jim McCloughan get a Medal of Honor, his role with the Fuel Economy Harmonization Act, a plan that’s designed to reduce manufacturing costs for cars, and the FDA Reauthorization Act. You can see Upton’s report right here.. ...Read Full Story

With more snow being dumped on southwest Michigan this week, the Berrien County Road Department is plenty busy. Traffic Safety Supervisor Mike Juengling tells WSJM News the crews are out and about doing their best.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A bald eagle that was injured in southern Indiana has a new home at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. The Detroit Zoological Society says Thursday that the eagle named Mr. America could not be released back into the wild because one of its wings had to be amputated after the bird possibly flew into a power line. A licensed rehabber in Vincennes, Indiana, cared for the eagle. It arrived at
the zoo in mid-November and has been recovering from its injury. Mr. America is believed to be between 5 and 6 years old. He joins another rescued bald eagle, Flash, at the zoo’s American Grasslands habitat. The zoological society operates the zoo.. ...Read Full Story

Allegan, Van Buren and Berrien Counties were hit hard over the past few days as winds out of the north put a steady lake effect tendril over our area. Some areas received up to a half a foot of new snow overnight, on top of the foot that fell just the day before. Buchanan is reporting 29-inches and they will be spending the weekend digging out. The story inland has been the blistering cold with temperatures well below zero. We could see a high of near 30 tomorrow and actually see highs above freezing and a melt off this coming work week.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is advising state residents about how to be smart when signing up for gym memberships. His office tells us there was an increase in consumer complaints about fitness centers in 2017 with 595 coming in. In 2016, that number was 84.. ...Read Full Story

Horizon Bank has a new leader. The chairman and CEO of Horizon Bancorp announced on Wednesday James D. Neff has been named president of both Horizon and Horizon Bank. In addition, Neff will serve on Horizon Bank’s board of directors. The promotion was effective January 1. Neff has worked in banking since 1978, and has been part of Horizon’s executive management team since 1999. He serves on the Purdue University Northwest Advisory Board, the Sinai Forum Board, and is a member of the Michigan City Rotary Club. Horizon Bancorp says Neff’s “expanded authority and responsibilities will ensure Horizon’s continued commitment to excellence and profitable growth.”. ...Read Full Story

The Niles Salvation Army could use some extra help this winter. Salvation Army Lieutenant Joseph Hixenbaugh tells WSJM News the chapter’s Red Kettle donations this holiday season were drastically down. He says that hurts because the organization heavily relies on the Red Kettle campaign.. ...Read Full Story

Looking back on 2017, state Representative Kim LaSata can identify several things accomplished by the Michigan Legislature. She tells WSJM News a big one from last year is a reform plan for teacher pensions.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is asking state lawmakers to use 2018 as an opportunity to do away with driver responsibility fees. The fees are charged to drivers on top of their normal fines when they commit offenses like drunk driving or reckless driving. They were created in 2003 to fill a budget hole, but many drivers, especially those with low incomes, have lost their licenses and jobs due to being unable to pay them. Secretary of State spokesperson Fred Woodhams spoke with WSJM News about Ruth Johnson’s position on the issue.. ...Read Full Story

Our cold weather spell has spelled problems with freezing and sometimes bursting water pipes around southwest Michigan. Covert Fire Department Chief Doug Myers tells WSJM News that happened at his department’s fire station Thursday evening.. ...Read Full Story

Details of the settlement agreement between Lake Michigan College and former President Jennifer Spielvogel have been released. Spielvogel sued LMC in 2016 after she was fired after about five months on the job. LMC President Trevor Kubatzke tells WSJM News the college has agreed to a settlement of $145,000.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police are pointing to a Friday highway crash in Berrien County as an example of what happens when drivers don’t slow down in winter conditions. The state police post in Niles tells us troopers were sent to I-94 near the 36 mile marker and found a crash between three semis. One of the drivers was pinned in the vehicle and responders couldn’t reach him. Troopers called in a heavy duty wrecker from Hasse’s Towing and the Benton Township Fire Department to remove a trailer blocking that driver. The 38-year-old from Plano, Illinois received serious but non-life threatening injuries. Police say the crash was caused by the injured driver going too fast in the snowy conditions. The drivers of the other two semis were not hurt, and were able to drive from the scene with damage to their trailers.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator John Proos is saluting conservation and sportsman groups as he promotes the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Proos last month met with the St. Joseph County Conservation and Sportsman Club in Sturgis to talk up some of the trust fund’s latest parks projects. He tells WSJM News he always listens to the thoughts of such organizations.. ...Read Full Story

If you’re looking for an after school program for your daughter, one option is Girls on the Run. The southwest Michigan program is now taking registrations for its 2018 program. Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan Director Julie Boss tells us girls between the third and eighth grades can sign up to learn life skills and self-esteem, leading up to a 5K run in the spring.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott has a warning for everyone taking in the great outdoors this week. He tells WSJM News the ice is still too thin to walk on in many cases.. ...Read Full Story

A new mayor and three new council members sworn in at Tuesday night’s South Haven City Council meeting. Mayor Scott Smith, Councilmen Joe Reeser, Chris Campbell, and George Sleeper. City Manager Brian Dissette told WSJM News there is a lot of training that new council members must go through.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor City Commissioners will interview a candidate to the position of assessor. After much discussion Tuesday, they voted to schedule an interview with the lone candidate for the position. Some questioned why the applications were sent to the city manager and not the clerk or mayor. City Manager Darwin Watson said, in the end, who to hire is the commission’s decision.. ...Read Full Story

There have been at least three cases in the past two days in Michigan where people with dementia or early onset dementia walked out in the cold and died. Psychologist Dr. Peter Lichtenberg, the director of the Institute of Gerentology at Wayne State University, tells Michigan News Network many people with dementia do some kind of wandering. ...Read Full Story

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is working to better train its officers to deal with the public. Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis told city commissioners this week the department is working with the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety to be part of a program with Western Michigan University and Ball State University.. ...Read Full Story

Residents of Benton Harbor who are interested in learning more about their city’s finances will have a chance to do so at a meeting this month. Set for Tuesday, January 16 at 7 p.m. will be a meeting at city hall for the annual audit presentation. City Manager Darwin Watson tells us it covers the 2016-2017 fiscal year. It’s the first audit presentation for Benton Harbor since the city regained total local control of government. Everyone is welcome to the meeting.. ...Read Full Story

Tickets are now on sale for the next St. Joseph Winter Beer Festival. St. Joe Today’s Daniele Crevier tells WSJM News 16 local and regional breweries will be on hand offering samples. The event isn’t until January 27, but tickets are limited, and they may go fast.. ...Read Full Story

The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors is launching a Placemaking Challenge Grant Program. It’s offering local groups a chance to apply for grants between $500 and $3,500 to create small, inexpensive, and incremental community projects. Their goal is to help improve neighborhoods. The association tells us the grant program is being called the “Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Placemaking Challenge.” The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors is now accepting applications for the grants. All your group has to do is submit a description of the project you have in mind along with a photo of the area you’re hoping to improve. A local realtor must also serve as a group’s sponsor. You can find out more by contacting the Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors. You can also find information on the program right here.. ...Read Full Story

A father and daughter have been found dead in Niles. Police were called to their home in the 600 block of Woodruff Street Wednesday night after neighbors noticed snow piling up on their cars. Police say the man in his 80s and woman in her 50s were found deceased inside. Firefighters tested the home for carbon monoxide, but did not find elevated levels. Police told NewsCenter 16 WNDU the home was cold, although there was a working pilot light in the furnace. The cause of death is under investigation, but police say they have found no evidence of foul play. The names of the victims have not yet been released.. ...Read Full Story

The National Weather Service says the winter storm warning now in effect for Berrien and Cass counties will continue through Friday evening. Meteorologist Christopher Roller tells WSJM News the snow will keep coming in bands of lake effect.. ...Read Full Story

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi has announced the opening date for its new Four Winds Casino. The new one in South Bend will open to the public on Tuesday, January 16 at 4 p.m. The casino is located on 166 acres of tribal trust land and will be the first casino in Indiana owned and operated by a Native American tribe. It’s the latest addition to the Pokagon Four Wind brand, with the other locations being in New Buffalo, Hartford, and Dowagiac. The tribe tells us Four Winds South Bend will have 175,000 square feet and 1,800 games, four restaurants, a players lounge, a coffee shop, three bars, a retail outlet, and about 4,500 parking spaces. When complete, the casino will employ about 1,200 people. John Warren, Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, says the new location will “generate revenue to fund services and programs that will create additional economic opportunities for Pokagon Citizens, the city of South Bend, and also fund community projects, local organizations and schools.”. ...Read Full Story

A Benton Township man is facing a variety of charges following a crack bust this week. The Southwest Enforcement Team tells us officers raided a home in the 1,100 block of East Main Street in Benton Township on Tuesday. They say the 42-year-old suspect tried to destroy evidence by flushing it down the apartment toilet. Detectives say they were able to recover several grams of crack and marijuana from the apartment plumbing. Palmer is charged with possession with intent to deliver crack-cocaine, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, maintaining a drug house, and tampering with or destruction of evidence. The Southwest Enforcement Team is made up of several police agencies from all over southwest Michigan.. ...Read Full Story