Local News Archives

A landmark smokestack that’s among the last signs of Kalamazoo’s Gibson guitar-making history is coming down for possible preservation and inclusion in a redevelopment plan on the property. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports Thursday crews expect to finish dismantling the top of the white-lettered brick smokestack within about a week. Officials say they are removing 30 feet of the 85-foot stack and will determine if more needs to go. The top was deemed unstable. The building is getting a $12 million renovation, and the plan includes observation areas to view the smokestack through lights. A fundraising campaign is planned to preserve and reconstruct the stack. Although Gibson Guitar Co. decamped for Nashville in 1984, Heritage Guitar Co. was started by some ex-Gibson employees and makes instruments on the site.. ...Read Full Story

The man killed in an early Sunday morning car accident in Royalton Township has been identified as 36-year-old Jason Ransom of Niles. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says the driver who ran off from the scene of the crash on Scottdale Road near Rockey Weed Road has also been identified, and a report is being sent to the prosecutor’s office for review. It’s not clear if that person has been arrested as yet.. ...Read Full Story

In this week’s WSJM Week in Review, for September 16, 2016, the owners of the St. Joseph Dunkin Donuts are picking up the pieces after an SUV crashed into the front of the store Wednesday, Benton Harbor athletic teams could join a new conference next year, and more.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash that killed the driver of a 1998 Buick on Scottdale Road near Rockey Weed Road in Royalton Township early Sunday morning. Deputies tell our newsroom the driver of a 1999 Honda involved in the crash ran off and has not yet been found. The two passengers in the Honda stayed at the crash scene, and police have not said if they were hurt. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the accident, which happened just before 3:30 a.m. Authorities are withholding the name of the driver who was killed until the victim’s family has been notified.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad has met with Governor Rick Snyder to discuss the future of the city and its relationship with the state. The meeting on Tuesday took place at the Romney Building in Lansing, and Muhammad tells WSJM News he talked to the governor about the city’s needs.. ...Read Full Story

The American Red Cross of Southwest Michigan is offering everyone a chance to learn about how to respond to disasters with a training day this month. On Monday, September 26, the session will be held at the Red Cross St. Joseph office, and folks can get information on how to become a disaster services volunteer. Those trained volunteers are sent into disaster areas to provide recovery services, shelter, and food, and also to conduct assessments of the damage. To find out about signing up, call the American Red Cross of Southwest Michigan at 556-9619 and ask for the training coordinator.. ...Read Full Story

More than $2,500 has been raised for the Bohn-Stewart Children’s Education Fund by the Rock Alliance with its annual 3 Day Ride. A caravan of 16 motorcycles left St. Joseph on Thursday, returning to Stevensville on Saturday for a party at Coach’s Bar and Grill. The ride, organized by Rock 107 WIRX, took riders throughout the northern part of the lower Peninsula. One rider told us it was the best 3 Day Ride he’s taken.. ...Read Full Story

More than 1,800 people have had a chance to chat with state Senator John Proos about issues on their mind with a tele-town hall he held on Monday. Proos tells our newsroom he took the call as an opportunity to warn people about the latest phone scam, and also field some questions.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department will be holding some women’s self defense classes starting this month. The training is in the Rape Aggression Defense, or RAD, System. RAD is designed to teach any woman, regardless of age or physical ability, how to fend off a would-be rapist using simple techniques. The classes are free, and involve three four hour sessions. They’ll be offered in Eau Claire, Sawyer, St. Joseph, and Coloma beginning September 29, and going through November 1. To find out more or to sign up, call the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department at 983-7141, extension 7302.. ...Read Full Story

September is National Preparedness Month when everyone’s urged to make a household plan for emergencies. The Van Buren County Office of Domestic Preparedness says it’s important for each family to take the time and create a plan that outlines who to call, what to bring, and where to go when there’s a situation like a tornado or winter storm. The whole family should be clued in to the plan, and each home should have an emergency kit at the ready. The kit should contain food, medicine, blankets, water, important documents, a flashlight, and a weather radio. The sheriff’s department says a good place to go for guidance is Michigan.gov/MIReady.. ...Read Full Story

Andrews University will be celebrating its annual homecoming this month. From September 29 through October 2, a variety of events will be held at the Berrien Springs campus, and the public is invited to come and take part. Among other things, they’ll have a 5K Harvest Run, the 30th annual parade, a classic car show, and a concert. Andrews holds the celebration each fall as a way of welcoming the students in for another year. A complete schedule of the homecoming events can be found at alumni.andrews.edu/homecoming.. ...Read Full Story

With strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate, the Water Resources Development Act was passed Thursday afternoon — though it has an uncertain future in the House. The legislation is worth $10-billion, including $100-million to replace and repair lead water pipes in Flint. Senator Debbie Stabenow says the legislation will benefit several communities.. ...Read Full Story

Set for this weekend in Van Buren County is a pesticide and tire recycling event. It’s being offered by the Van Buren Conservation District, and will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Collection will be at the South Haven Public Works building on 8th Avenue. They’ll take household chemicals, pesticides, and tires and make sure they’re properly disposed or recycled. There is a fee to drop off certain items. Latex paint will be $2 per gallon, and household chemicals $1.10 per pound. However, it’ll be free to drop off passenger tires. You can find out more at VanBurenCD.org/recycling.. ...Read Full Story

It will be 70 colleges in one place on one night this month as Lake Michigan College holds its annual College Night. High school kids planning to head to a four-year university can go and meet with admission reps from all over the country. LMC’s Barbara Craig tells WSJM News the event is a great resource for those students about to enroll in college.. ...Read Full Story

Volunteers for the Alliance for the Great Lakes will be hitting hundreds of beaches this Saturday as part of the group’s annual September Adopt a Beach cleanup. The alliance’s Jennifer Caddick tells WSJM News those volunteers make a big difference.. ...Read Full Story

Information on what the public wants added to their communities has been gathered by Wightman and Associates as part of its annual PARK(ing) Day events in southwest Michigan. The engineering and architectural firm set up temporary parks in parking spaces in Benton Harbor, Watervliet, and Benton Township Friday to talk with folks about development. Wightman’s Shelby Kintz told WSJM News they started PARK(ing) Day three years ago.. ...Read Full Story

A $7.2 million expansion is being planned for the Berrien County Jail. On Thursday, the county board of commissioners approved moving forward with finalizing plans for the work. It will mean the addition of new cell areas at the jail, new kitchen equipment, a medical area, and holding areas. The work is intended to extend the jail’s lifespan by decades. Plans are being drafted now, and construction could start next year.. ...Read Full Story

A Van Buren County man has been convicted of first-degree murder in the beating death of his wife. A jury found Brent Bogseth guilty on Friday. Bogseth will be sentenced November 7. 32-year-old Kimberly Bogseth’s body was found September 9, 2015 on a trail in Columbia Township. She was reported missing about a week earlier. During the search for her, police found Kimberly Bogseth’s cellphone and a hammer in her husband’s SUV. The newspaper reports that a medical examiner ruled that she had died from blunt-force trauma.. ...Read Full Story

In this week’s WSJM Week in Review, for September 16, 2016, the owners of the St. Joseph Dunkin Donuts are picking up the pieces after an SUV crashed into the front of the store Wednesday, Benton Harbor athletic teams could join a new conference next year, and more.. ...Read Full Story

A Niles man is now charged with a pair of counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of assault and resisting police in Cass County. 44-year-old Marty Ray Gipson was arrested while wielding a machete this week at a home in Howard Township. His girlfriend called police and said he was drunk, had taken a bunch of pills and was acting crazy. An officer used rubber bullets to subdue Gipson, allowing for him to be arrested and taken to the Cass County Jail. He’s locked up with bond set at $10,000. Police were called to the home shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday. They found the woman and a six-year-old child hiding from Gipson in a car outside the house. He warned her that if police came for him, quote, “I’m not going out alive.”. ...Read Full Story

Beer taxes won’t be jumping by 200% in Michigan if state Representative Al Pscholka has anything to say about it. Republican Rep. Tom Hooker of Byron Center, near Grand Rapids, is proposing the increase and wants to put the money toward substance abuse courts. Pscholka tells Michigan’s Big Show, heard on News/Talk 94.9 WSJM that Hooker doesn’t drink.. ...Read Full Story

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling more than 1.9 million vehicles worldwide because their air bags might not deploy in a crash. The recall affects certain Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Lancia vehicles from the 2010-2014 model years. Most are in the U.S., but 224,860 were sold in Canada and Mexico and 284,051 were sold outside North America.. ...Read Full Story

The murder trial of a Van Buren County man is now in the hands of the jury. The prosecutor’s office claims that Brent Bogseth was angry over his wife’s affair with a neighbor, crushed her skull with his favorite hammer and then hid her body in the woods near their home in northern Van Buren County, just over a year ago. The body of 32-year-old Kimberly Bogseth was found by the same neighbor who confirmed their affair on the witness stand this week. The defense claims the evidence is circumstantial and that others also had motive. Bogseth’s hammer has never been found. The jury met behind closed doors for a short time yesterday and will resume deliberations this morning.. ...Read Full Story

A man who made threats while wielding a machete is in custody in Cass County, thanks to quick action by sheriff’s deputies armed with rubber bullets. The department says deputies were called to a home on Little Street in Howard Township around 1:15 a.m. Thursday and found a woman who told them her boyfriend was inside screaming and swinging around the large blade. She also said he was on pills. The deputies forced their way into the home and the man came at them with the knife, so they shot him with “less than lethal” rubber bullets. That gave them a chance to cuff the man and he was arrested. After a trip to a hospital, he was then lodged in the Cass County Jail on a slew of charges.. ...Read Full Story

A cleanup event planned for this Saturday at Benton Harbor’s Jean Klock Park has been rescheduled. Friends of Jean Klock Park says due to expected rain, they’ve bumped the volunteer event back to Sunday. It was supposed to happen on Saturday. Everyone’s welcome to show up to Jean Klock Park to pick up trash and log it for the Alliance for the Great Lakes database. Sunday’s cleanup will take place between 9 a.m. and noon. If you go, bring along a pair of gloves.. ...Read Full Story

Legislation designed to improve phone service in rural areas is making its way through Congress. The House Energy and Commerce Committee held discussions this week on the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2015. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News it would add new requirements on carriers.. ...Read Full Story

Friday is the big day for fans of the St. Joe Bears and Lakeshore Lancers. The two football teams square off at Lakeshore’s Al Stockman Stadium for their annual rivalry game. Lakeshore Head Coach Brian Keim tells WSJM Sports it’s been an exciting week of practicing.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad has met with Governor Rick Snyder to discuss the future of the city and its relationship with the state. The meeting on Tuesday took place at the Romney Building in Lansing, and Muhammad tells WSJM News he talked to the governor about the city’s needs.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Board of Education has issued new guidelines to districts on how to treat LGBT students. The guidelines are voluntary, but have spurred criticism from conservative lawmakers, especially over restroom and bathroom policies for transgender students. State Representative Jon Hoadley says the policy is needed because LGBT students are more likely to face bullying.. ...Read Full Story

Nine cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed in west Michigan, specifically in Ottawa County. Kristina Wieghmink, with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, says they’re all travel-related cases in people ranging in age from a teen to 50, but there are no pregnant women. She has advice for anyone traveling to countries where Zika is prevalent.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Rick Snyder has ordered that flags be lowered Friday in the state Capitol complex and within the northern Michigan legislative
district of a lawmaker who was killed in a traffic accident. Flags will be lowered to half-staff for third-term Republican Representative Peter
Pettalia. He died Monday when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck whose driver turned into his lane on southbound M-33 in Montmorency County. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday afternoon at the Presque Isle Lighthouse. Pettalia’s 106th House District includes all or parts of five counties along Lake Huron in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. Snyder says an outpouring of condolences for Pettalia from across Michigan “show how much his commitment to public service was respected and how much he will be missed.”. ...Read Full Story

A 2-year-old boy is being treated at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo after he was struck by a car in Sodus Township Thursday. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells our newsroom deputies were called to Meadow Springs Trailer Court around 12:40 in the afternoon. When they arrived, they found a car stopped in the road and the boy being held by his father. Medic One took the boy to Lakeland Hospital, and he was airlifted from there to Bronson in Kalamazoo. Police say alcohol was not a factor in the crash. It’s still under investigation.. ...Read Full Story

A suspected drunk driver has turned out to be the cause of a power outage that affected parts of Lincoln and St. Joseph Townships overnight Thursday. The Lincoln Township Police Department says 72-year-old Thomas Zabadal, of St. Joseph, rolled his 2005 Buick near 500 Glenlord Road around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday. Police say he sheared an American Electric Power pole while doing so which caused a transformer to catch fire. That led to a power outage that shut down Upton Middle School and hit other businesses on Thursday. Officers found Zabadal’s blood alcohol level to be over the legal limit, and he’s been charged with drunk driving. He suffered minor injuries in the crash.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan’s jobless rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent in August from July, remaining at its lowest level in 15 years. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says that total employment recorded a reduction of 7,000 in August as the state’s labor force decreased by 5,000. The number of unemployed in Michigan rose by 2,000. Michigan seasonally adjusted jobless rate in August was below the state’s
August 2015 rate of 5.1 percent. The U.S. jobless rate was unchanged at 4.9 percent in August. Jason Palmer, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, says Wednesday the state’s labor market situation was stable. Governor Rick Snyder says in a statement Michigan needs to “continue our efforts to strengthen our workforce and create more opportunities for all Michiganders.”. ...Read Full Story

The for-profit college ITT Technical Institute says in a federal filing that it will stop operating Friday. Carmel, Indiana-based ITT Educational Services Inc. said in a Wednesday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it would stop services about a week after it announced it would close its campuses. The company’s main lender recently seized ITT’s bank accounts. The college chain is shutting down all 130 of its U.S. campuses. The move affects more than 35,000 students and more than 8,000 jobs. Federal education officials banned the company last month from enrolling new students who use federal financial aid. The Education Department said the company had become a risk to students and taxpayers. ITT has laid off at least 660 Indiana workers. It had about 1,900 students in Indiana.. ...Read Full Story

At least one Michigan lawmaker wants to raise the state’s beer tax by 244%, and the organization that represents wine and beer sellers is crying foul. State Representative Tom Hooker, of Byron Center, introduced the plan on Wednesday. The beer tax hasn’t been raised since 1966, but Brett Visner, with the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, tells WSJM News that’s no reason to mess with a growing industry.. ...Read Full Story

A plan from state Representative Dave Pagel to help people in rural and urban areas get access to fresh fruits and veggies is getting high marks from the American Heart Association. The legislation had a hearing in the state House Wednesday, with the association’s Dave Hodgkins speaking in favor. He tells WSJM News folks in certain areas just don’t have any grocery stores in their towns, and have to buy food at little corner shops.. ...Read Full Story

The city of Flint is again making national headlines this week as Donald Trump has paid it a visit. On Wednesday, Trump toured the city’s water plant, and spoke at an historically black church. He said Flint can be helped.. ...Read Full Story

A suspect has been arrested in a string of burglaries in Dowagiac. The police department tells our newsroom the home break-ins happened between between last Wednesday and Monday of this week. Homes on Orchard Street, Oak Street, and Florence Street were broken into, and the stolen items included guns. Police say they spoke with several witnesses, leading them to a suspect in Berrien County on Monday. 20-year-old Brett Adam Gibson, of Dowagiac, is now facing a variety of charges. Police say he’s confessed to all three of the break-ins, and is now in the Cass County Jail on $75,000 bond.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College’s wine and viticulture program has gotten a big boost from the state. A $1 million grant from the Michigan Talent and Economic Development Agency announced on Wednesday will enable it to open a new building, says the wine program’s Mike Moyer.. ...Read Full Story

50 graves markers honoring veterans have been damaged by vandals at a cemetery in Bangor. Police Chief Tommy Simpson tells WSJM News the graves of veterans at Arlington Hill Cemetery are given special markers with American flags on them. Someone broke the markers and took the flags. It was discovered Wednesday morning.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan House has approved a plan to offer health benefits to the families of fallen first responders. State Representative Al Pscholka tells our newsroom it’s the right thing to do.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan House gave final approval to bills Wednesday that would further regulate medical marijuana nearly eight years after its use
was first authorized by voters. The main legislation, which passed 83-22, would impose a new tax and establish a state licensing system to grow, process, sell, transport or test marijuana. Non-smokable forms of the drug such as food and lotions would become legal under a bill that was approved 93-12, surpassing the constitutionally required three-fourths needed to amend a voter initiative. Another measure, OK’d 85-20,
would create a monitoring system to track marijuana from “seed to sale” and flag excess purchases.. ...Read Full Story

One person is nursing a minor injury after an SUV crashed into the St. Joseph Dunkin’ Donuts on Wednesday. It happened around 11:30 a.m. when the Chevy Traverse drove right over the concrete parking barriers, going through the window. There was a lot of broken glass, but damage to the inside of the store was small, and no one suffered any serious injuries. We’re told one person who was sitting close to the window at the time had a cut to his leg. The St. Joseph Department of Public Safety had the crashed vehicle removed from the scene by 12:30, and now the owners of the store are working to repair it.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor School athletic teams could join the BCS conference next year. WSJM’s Michael Arney reports.. ...Read Full Story

(Lansing, MI – AP) – The Michigan attorney general’s office is asking a federal appeals court to reopen a dispute over Michigan’s sex-offender registry. The court recently said Michigan is illegally treating many sex offenders as “moral lepers” by putting additional restrictions on them long after their convictions. But in a new filing, the state says the court overlooked a key decision from 2007 that should have led to a different result.. ...Read Full Story

(Lansing, MI AP) – Michigan’s education board is set to vote on guidance to schools on creating an inclusive environment for LGBT students. The guidelines are voluntary but have spurred criticism from conservative lawmakers, particularly over restroom and bathroom policies for transgender students.. ...Read Full Story

Democratic congressional candidate Paul Clements claims Congressman Fred Upton is refusing his request to have four debates before the November 8 election. He says he received a letter this week saying his request was denied, and isn’t happy about it.. ...Read Full Story

The Democrat challenging Congressman Fred Upton is upset that the incumbent Republican won’t debate him. Paul Clements is a Western Michigan University professor and asked to have four debates last week, only to be told it wasn’t going to happen. He’s not happy.. ...Read Full Story

The state of Michigan is being sued over the poor reading skills of Detroit students at five schools, including two charter schools. The lawsuit says the schools are in “slum-like conditions” and “functionally incapable of delivering access to literacy.” The case, filed Tuesday in federal court, accuses Governor Rick Snyder, the state school board and others of violating the civil rights of low-income students. The governor’s office declined to comment. The lawsuit says the state of Michigan is responsible for complying with constitutional mandates in education. The lawsuit seeks literacy instruction at all grades, screening for literacy problems and regular oversight. In 2012, a similar lawsuit was filed in Wayne County court on behalf of Highland Park students. It was ultimately dismissed in favor of the state.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor School athletic teams could join the BCS conference next year. At Tuesday’s school board meeting, a plan to apply to join BCS was approved. Trustee Joseph Taylor thinks it will be a good fit.. ...Read Full Story

A Michigan rock band is mixing music and a message about financial literacy for kids. The band Gooding is performing a few shows in the state this week as part of a 60 date nationwide tour at high schools. The idea is to get a message to kids about saving money and avoiding payday or “same-day” loans to get by. Frontman Gooding says the earlier kids learn how to handle money, the less likely they are to make life-altering mistakes.. ...Read Full Story

12 surplus properties belonging to Benton Harbor Area Schools will be sold according to a plan approved Tuesday by the board of education. Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker tells WSJM News the facilities are too expensive to continue maintaining when they’re not being used.. ...Read Full Story

If the Trans-Pacific Partnership comes to a vote anytime soon in the U.S. House, don’t expect it to get support from Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News he thinks the trade deal with 12 Pacific Rim countries will harm Michigan’s economic interests.. ...Read Full Story

Everyone’s invited to head out to Jean Klock Park in Benton Harbor this Saturday for an Alliance for the Great Lakes Adopt a Beach cleanup. Carol Drake, with Friends of Jean Klock Park, tells WSJM News they’ll be picking up trash that’s accumulated throughout the season.. ...Read Full Story

This Thursday is the departure day for this year’s Rock Alliance 3 Day Ride. Motorcyclists from all over will leave from the St. Joseph Holiday Inn Express for a ride throughout the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Tom Woltman, with the Berrien Riders tells WSJM News it’s always a great experience.. ...Read Full Story

Images Courtesy: BedAndBreakfast.com. ...Read Full Story