Another public hearing will be held on the question of the Berrien County Road Commission. Board of Commissioners Chair Jon Hinkelman tells WSJM News the board is thinking about creating a new county roads department to take over the functions of the road commission. Commissioners wanted to hear from the public at the Thursday session. There’s one more to go, set to be held in the evening.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is hoping to see the situation in the White House stabilize with recent changes in staff. He tells us he’s optimistic about the job new Chief of Staff John Kelly can do. Congressman Upton tells WSJM News there’s real work that needs to get done.. ...Read Full Story
A bill is being pushed in Lansing to allow parents to listen in on the phone calls of their children. State Representative Pete Lucido told Michigan’s Big Show this week that eavesdropping on phone calls is a crime in Michigan that could land someone in jail for two years. He thinks there should be exceptions to the law.. ...Read Full Story
Benton Harbor City Commissioners have tabled a proposal to install some police cameras in key areas of the city to help with crime prevention. At a meeting this past week, the commission was asked to approve a $67,000 bid for the system, $25,000 of which would have been reimbursed via a grant. Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats said they weren’t provided the answers to several questions he had about the system.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan Gas Utilities has awarded a $2,000 grant to the Sodus Township Fire Department. Spokesperson Matt Cullen tells WSJM News the money is for the purchase water rescue equipment. The grant comes as part of the Michigan Gas annual safety grants.. ...Read Full Story
The sheriff in Kalamazoo County is hoping to reduce the number of mentally ill individuals who wind up incarcerated. Sheriff Rick Fuller tells WKZO News he’s implementing the national Stepping Up Initiative in his county.. ...Read Full Story
A new survey from AAA Michigan shows the average cost of owning and driving a car is nearly $8,500 per year. AAA spokeswoman Susan Hiltz tells Michigan News Network the type of vehicle can make a big difference.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is hoping to see the United States get more help from other countries in Afghanistan. Following President Trump’s announcement this week more troops will be sent there, Upton told WSJM News he’s glad the president is allowi5ng for flexibility in the overall plan.. ...Read Full Story
A push will be made by libraries all over Michigan to sign up kids for cards next month. Kay McAdam, with the Van Buren District Library, tells WSJM News the American Library Association declared September Library Card Sign Up Month 30 years ago. At the Van Buren District Library, they want kids and parents to know they do more than just lend out books.. ...Read Full Story
Volunteers from the American Red Cross in Michigan are heading to Texas to help out as Hurricane Harvey is bearing down on that state. Mike Mitchell, executive director of the Red Cross in West Michigan, says two volunteers are there, three are going today, and 100 more are on standby.. ...Read Full Story
More Michigan school districts are contracting out support services these days in order to save money, and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy says that’s a good thing. Director of Fiscal Policy James Hohman tells WSJM News it’s more efficient for schools to hire private companies for transportation, food, and custodial services.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is reminding everyone of some safety tips ahead of the start of a new school year. Deputy Kelly Laesch tells WSJM News drivers need to mind their manners around school buses.. ...Read Full Story
A St. Joseph Girl Scout is making good in the community by encouraging young people to read. Elise Voglewede is about to enter the ninth grade at St. Joe High School, and she’s built a Little Free Library as she pursues a Girl Scout Silver Award. Elise tells WSJM News her Little Free Library will be stationed outside of E.P. Clarke Elementary School in St. Joseph starting on September 12.. ...Read Full Story
A candlelight vigil for suicide victims will be held next month in St. Joseph. September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, and the local event will take place on the veranda of the Whitcomb from 8 to 8:30 p.m. Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition Vice Chair Trent Watford tells WSJM News everyone is welcome to come out for the event. He says, too often, those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts do not talk about them, perhaps because of a perceived stigma.. ...Read Full Story
Two charges of assault with intent to murder are now faced by a 47-year-old man from Missouri for a stabbing attack on two people in a vehicle near Paw Paw late Sunday night. Boyd Hicks is in the Van Buren County Jail on a one-million dollar bond. The sheriff’s department has not released any details on what led up to the attack on M-43 near Hidden Pines Drive in Almena Township. The two victims have been released from the hospital after undergoing surgeries. Hicks is due back in court on September 6. In addition to the attempted murder charges, he’s also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan restaurant owners are optimistic that the second half of the year will be better than the first half. That’s according to a survey by the Michigan Restaurant Association. Justin Winslow is its president and CEO.. ...Read Full Story
AAA of Michigan is awarding some scholarships to high school graduates around the state. Spokesperson Gary Bubar tells WSJM News the AAA Student Safety Patrol Scholarships go to kids who not only perform well in the classroom, but who serve their communities in the AAA School Safety Patrol.. ...Read Full Story
Another public hearing has been held on the question of the Berrien County Road Commission. Board of Commissioners Chair Jon Hinkelman tells WSJM News the board is thinking about creating a new county roads department to take over the functions of the road commission. Commissioners wanted to hear from the public at the Thursday session. There’s one more to go, set to be held in the evening.. ...Read Full Story
Plans are already being made for next year’s Berrien County Youth Fair now that the 2017 edition has wrapped up. The attendance numbers are in, and Berrien County Youth Fair Director Karen Klug tells WSJM News more than 121,000 people showed up this year.. ...Read Full Story
State Representative Kim LaSata is planning an energy town hall. Her office tells us the meeting is specifically about clean energy issues. LaSata notes there are more than 80,000 clean energy jobs right here in Michigan, and on hand for her town hall will be speakers from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. They’ll talk about where clean energy in Michigan is heading and what people can do to help. The meeting will be at the Kinexus building on Main Street in Benton Harbor on Thursday, August 31. It will start at 5:30 p.m. and everyone’s invited.. ...Read Full Story
Higher wages for people in Michigan are just some of the expected benefits of the recently-enacted “Good Jobs for Michigan” law. Business Leaders for Michigan’s Doug Rothwell tells WSJM that he’s proud of state lawmakers for passing the bills this summer, and says the law will help people who feel left behind by the state’s economic recovery since the recession.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — A Republican strategist has filed a complaint against Michigan’s elections bureau, alleging staff improperly gave advice on the wording and legality of an anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative. The Board of State Canvassers approved the petition form last week, and the group Voters Not Politicians is collecting signatures to qualify for a 2018 statewide vote. But Bob LaBrant, a longtime GOP political adviser, said in a complaint Thursday that elections staffers “engaged in mission creep” and ignored rules that
limit them to reviewing petition formatting and other technical issues. The secretary of state’s office could not immediately be reached for comment. The redistricting initiative would create an independent commission to draw congressional and legislative seats. The Legislature and governor currently control the once-a-decade process.. ...Read Full Story
A new television spot will soon be airing around the region to attract more tourists to South Haven. South Haven-Van Buren County Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Scott Reinert tells WSJM News the ad shines a light on all of the attractions the community has to offer in the fall.. ...Read Full Story
Set for next month is the third annual Berrien County Area Law Enforcement Torch Run. Michigan State Police Lieutenant Melinda Logan tells WSJM News the run and walk in St. Joseph is about one mile, and it’s to raise money for the Special Olympics of Michigan.. ...Read Full Story
Tax reform will on the agenda of Congress when it gets back to work next month. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the Trump administration is expected to send a proposal to the House soon.. ...Read Full Story
More information is now available on some vandalism done at a couple of Benton Harbor schools in the past week. Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Michael Clark tells WSJM News the damage was found Saturday afternoon at the STEAM Academy and the Discovery Enrichment Center.. ...Read Full Story
Southwestern Michigan College President Dr. David M. Mathews is celebrating 20 years with the school. He received a service pin from the board of trustees on Monday. Mathews tells us when he joined the school in July 1997, SMC had 45 faculty and a replacement value of $26 million. Today, he says they have 60 full-time faculty and a replacement value of $116 million. SMC Chairman Thomas Jerdon tells us, “David checks all the boxes we could ever want in a president.” Mathews joined SMC as the dean of arts for science and instructional innovation. He was appointed Vice President of Instruction in 1998 and became the college’s seventh president in 2001.. ...Read Full Story
A second suspect has been charged in a shooting death in Benton Harbor this month. 32-year-old Nathaniel Lee was shot twice and killed outside of the River Terrace apartment complex on August 15. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells WSJM News police believe Lee was killed during a robbery attempt. Already charged in the case is 19-year-old Davion Turner of Conyers, Georgia. The newest charges are against 21-year-old Antonio Hall of Benton Harbor. He was arraigned Wednesday on charges of Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, and Felony Firearm. He’ll be back in court on September 1. Police believe there were two other suspects involved in the robbery. They continue to investigate.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — A 24-year-old man has been charged with reckless driving in the death of a fire chief who was hit while responding to a crash in southwestern Michigan. Brandon Clevenger of Springfield was charged Tuesday with reckless driving causing death. The Kalamazoo County sheriff’s office says he was driving nearly 90 mph and distracted by his phone just seconds before hitting a cement median wall. The car then crossed lanes on Interstate 94 and struck Ed Switalski. Switalski served as chief of Comstock Township Fire and Rescue for four years. The 55-year-old Switalski worked at the Kalamazoo-area department after more than three decades at the Pleasantview Fire District in suburban Chicago. WOOD-TV reports a judge Wednesday set Clevenger’s bond at $5,000. It wasn’t immediately known if he has an attorney.. ...Read Full Story
A wild overnight incident for Michigan State Police along with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and police from the city of St. Joseph, St. Joe Township and Lincoln Township. All of those departments were involved in the search for six young people out of the Chicago area after troopers tried to pull over what turned out to be a stolen car from Chicago on I-94 just before 2 a.m. Wednesday. The driver took off, got off on M-139, and crashed into a house. Three people were arrested there, but the others ran and stole a second car in the Wyndwicke neighborhood. They then crashed that one trying to get away, and were caught after a search of the area. Three of them, all girls 17 and younger, were released, while three juvenile boys are going to be facing multiple charges including possessing a stolen vehicle, hit and run, and theft of a motor vehicle. Somehow, no one was hurt.. ...Read Full Story
Some traffic changes are coming to I-94 in Berrien County this week as a result of construction. The Michigan Department of Transportation tells WSJM News the ramps to both east and westbound 94 from Pipestone Road in Benton Township will be shut down starting this Wednesday. They’ll stay that way through November 30 while MDOT does bridge repairs. Also, it notes there will be some lane closures in effect on Pipestone under the highway. Additionally, lane closures on the I-94 Business Loop at exit 23 in Stevensville take effect Wednesday as a result of bridge work in that area. Once again, the project will run through November 30.. ...Read Full Story
The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing is now up to $700 million. That’s the second highest it’s ever been. The Michigan Lottery’s Jeff Holyfield tells WSJM News he’s met Lotto players who have won some of those massive jackpots, and they tend to have something in common.. ...Read Full Story
A Cass County man could get life in prison in a case involving a total of 59 charges, many of which are child porn related. The Cass County Prosecutor’s office tells us 44-year-old Jason Ryans is charged with using a computer to commit a crime, possession of child sexually abusive material, habitual child sexually abusive activity, and possession of meth, among other things. He’s accused of committing those crimes between the start of this year and mid-July. Bond for Ryans has been set at $200,000, and police ask anyone with additional information on the case to contact them.. ...Read Full Story
The St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education has released the results of Superintendent Ann Cardon’s annual evaluation. The board this week congratulated Cardon on what it called an outstanding performance with highly effective outcomes for the 2016-17 school year. The board writes, “Ann is a leader who cultivates an inclusive, caring and supportive school community that promotes academic success for each student in our district.” The board also applauded Cardon for presenting what it called sound methodologies in regards to staff development, school improvement, and instructional practices. Trustees say they forward to a continued partnership with Cardon.. ...Read Full Story
City leaders in St. Joseph expect more than $80 million will be needed over the next 20 years for infrastructure like streets, the water system and sewers, and they need to figure out how that money will be raised. At a meeting Monday night, civil engineer Shawn Keough told WSJM News roads pose the biggest problem for towns everywhere.. ...Read Full Story
An employee of a water supply company is facing charges in Van Buren County after police say he used his position to break into the homes of customers to steal prescription drugs. Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the 27,000 block of Second Avenue in Pine Grove Township on Monday to investigate a breaking and entering complaint. That led them to the 35-year-old suspect. They say he’d been breaking into customers’ homes during his shift, and they’re looking for other possible victims. The name of the suspect has not yet been released. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department.. ...Read Full Story
One man is facing felony charges following a break-in to a utility payment drop box in Dowagiac this month. The police department tells us 53-year-old Garry Means was picked up on a warrant August 13 while charges were pursued in the theft case. Means is accused of stealing money from a drop box located along Pennsylvania Ave and New York Ave south of Commercial Street. He’s in the Cass County Jail with bond set at $200,000. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Dowagiac Police Department.. ...Read Full Story
Benton Harbor Areas Schools has suffered a blow just ahead of the start of a new academic year. Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker tells WSJM News two of the district’s buildings were vandalized over the weekend, with “significant” damage done to them. Walker says it happened either late Saturday or early Sunday at the STEAM Academy at MLK on East Britain and the Discovery Enrichment Center on South McCord. She couldn’t tell us exactly what the vandals did, but says they damaged about 15 classrooms at STEAM and also damaged some modular classrooms at Discovery. The district is taking donations for anyone who wants to help it recover. They can be given to the Berrien Community Foundation. Also, anyone who knows anything about the crime is asked to contact the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety. ...Read Full Story
You may want to avoid a day at the beach for the next day or so. National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Jeruzal tells Michigan News Network there’s a beach hazard advisory in place through Wednesday afternoon.. ...Read Full Story
A motorcyclist is dead after a crash with a car on eastbound I-94 in Coloma Township Monday night. The Coloma Township Police Department tells WSJM News the crash happened around 9 p.m. The motorcyclist has been identified as 66-year-old Michael Feller of Wellston, Michigan. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the passenger vehicle, 23-year-old Hannah Joseph of Grand Blanc, suffered minor injuries. The cause of the crash is still being investigated by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.. ...Read Full Story
Paw Paw is the latest southwest Michigan community to get a Biggby Coffee. The new establishment opens for business Tuesday at the corner of Kalamazoo Street and Berrien Street just off of I-94. Owner Linda Marcon says she thought a Biggby would be the perfect fit for her as an business owner, as well as for her hometown. Macron is active with several community organizations, and adds she looks forward to tying them in with her new venture. Biggby Coffee opened in 1995 in East Lansing, and has since expanded to 254 locations in nine states.. ...Read Full Story
Benton Harbor City Commissioners have honored a local Michigan State Police trooper with a key to the city. Trooper Maurice Burton retired this year after serving the state police since 1986. He’d been the city’s community service trooper since the Granholm administration and told WSJM News he’s seen the community’s police presence change a lot since then.. ...Read Full Story
Crowds around southwest Michigan have had their chance to check out this week’s solar eclipse. Viewing parties were held around the region on Monday as the sun was totally obscured by the moon for a few minutes. The Lincoln Township Library held one party, with organizer Vicki Rausch telling WSJM News she was pleased with the turnout.. ...Read Full Story
A detour will be in place all week on part of Shawnee Road near Berrien Springs while some repairs are made to a failed catch basin. The Berrien County Road Commission’s Brian Berndt tells WSJM News crews noticed the problem last week.. ...Read Full Story
With a new school year about to start, the office of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is reminding everyone of the OK2Say tipline. AG spokesperson Andrea Bitely told WSJM News earlier this year it’s an anonymous way for anyone to report suspicious activity in a school.. ...Read Full Story
Set for Tuesday is the Berrien County Treasurer’s annual summer land auction. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News they’ll have 211 foreclosed properties available for purchase.. ...Read Full Story
Since the state of Michigan enacted its Safe Delivery law in 2001, 200 newborn babies have been safely dropped off with emergency service providers. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton told WSJM News earlier this year the law is designed to let parents anonymously give up an infant without facing legal repercussions.. ...Read Full Story
If you have business to do at the Berrien County Administration Center in St. Joseph, then be advised that parking will be temporarily limited starting later this week. The county tells us they’re replacing the parking lot, meaning fewer spaces until the project is done on Monday, September 4. Handicapped parking spaces are being marked off along Pearl Street while the project is underway. The county also reminds everyone many of its services area vailable online. They include ordering a copy of a birth certificate, paying taxes, veterans forms, soil and erosion permits, and job applications. The website is BerrienCounty.org.. ...Read Full Story
A Missouri man is likely to be facing attempted murder charges for a triple stabbing near Paw Paw late Sunday night. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says the man is accused of stabbing three people in a car on M-43 near Hidden Pines Drive in Almena Township. Investigators haven’t been able to determine what led up to the attack, and have not given information on the conditions of the victims. The suspect is in the Van Buren County Jail awaiting arraignment, and the incident is still being investigated.. ...Read Full Story
Chances aren’t great that we’ll get a really good look at today’s eclipse. Cloud cover in the Lower Peninsula is forecast to be around 70 to 80% according to the National Weather Service, while in the U.P., it’s only going to be around 40-to-50% obscured by clouds. If the clouds break, we’re expected to get about 80% of the eclipse, as totality will be much further south. The next solar eclipse that will be visible throughout all of North America will be in 2024, and this is the first for us since 1979.. ...Read Full Story
Three people are hospitalized with stab wounds following what police call a domestic violence incident near Paw Paw. Police were called to a vehicle on M-43 at 30th Street just before 11 last night. The three victims are expected to recover. The circumstances leading up to the stabbings have not been disclosed yet by police. The incident closed M-43 for several hours, and it reopened shortly before 3:30 this morning.. ...Read Full Story
This coming Tuesday will bring the second annual Berrien County Health Department Back to School Bash. The department’s Courtney Davis tells WSJM News parents can bring their school-age kids over to the health department office on Napier Avenue in Benton Township for a variety of services before the kiddies head back to class.. ...Read Full Story
A new campaign is aiming to convince Michigan parents to get their kids vaccinated ahead of the new school year. A coalition which includes the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is hoping everyone goes to the “I Vaccinate” website. Andrea Poole, a spokesperson with the campaign, tells us too many parents aren’t getting their kids fully vaccinated.. ...Read Full Story
Benton Harbor Area Schools will be holding a back to school fair this coming Tuesday. This is the second time they’ve held such an event, with organizer Julie Earle telling WSJM News they’ll have representatives of all sorts of groups on hand to provide information to parents.. ...Read Full Story
Whirlpool Corporation has been given LEED certification for two of its Benton Harbor facilities. Whirlpool Director of Real Estate Lee Utke tells WSJM News the headquarters on M-63 has been given LEED Silver status, while the new Riverview campus has received LEED Gold status. Utke tells us that’s not easy to get.. ...Read Full Story
A new report takes a look at how Girls on the Run affects the young ladies who take part, finding the program has long-term benefits for them. Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan Director Julie Bos tells WSJM News the organization caught up with individuals who took part in Girls on the Run all over the country.. ...Read Full Story
An accidental drowning is being investigated in Wayland Township. Just before midnight Saturday night, Allegan Central Dispatch received a call of a missing swimmer at Selkirk Lake. The caller reported that two older females were swimming in the lake when one of them did not come back to shore. Road Patrol and Marine Patrol deputies were dispatched to the scene as well as the Sheriff’s Office Dive / Rescue & Recovery Team. A search was conducted and the woman was located near a floating raft which was anchored in the lake. She was brought to shore to awaiting EMS personnel who attempted to revive her however were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The preliminary investigation indicates that the incident is accidental in nature and medical issues along with alcohol may have been contributing factors. The woman was missing for approximately 45 minutes and was found in approximately 10 feet of water. She was not from the area however did have friends who reside on the lake. Her name has not been released.. ...Read Full Story
A Buchanan woman is the latest Berrien County resident to win a big Michigan Lottery prize. Rachel Tidey is one of five state residents to have won the Cruisin’ instant game second chance drawing. She’ll now get a five-night western Caribbean cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean “Brilliance of the Seas.” The state lottery tells us her trip will also include round trip airfare to Tampa, Florida and a hotel stay before the cruise departs. Another $150,000 in cash prizes will be awarded throughout the trip. The other winners of the cruise hail from Warren, Byron, Chesaning, and Almont. Those who don’t win on their $2 Cruisin’ lotto tickets can go to the state lottery website and enter a code for a chance to get those second prize trips.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Department of Transportation is asking drivers to be extra careful during Monday’s total solar eclipse. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the agency is concerned about people pulling over along the sides of roads to gawk.. ...Read Full Story
Mattawan state Representative Beth Griffin is inviting community leaders around Van Buren County to an economic development forum she has planned for this month. Griffin tells WSJM News she’ll host the meeting at Mattawan High School next Wednesday.. ...Read Full Story
