Local News Archives

Annual Health Department Report Now Online

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The Berrien County Health Department has released its report for 2018. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the department gave its report to the Berrien County Board of Health earlier this month. She says some people might not realize how many things the county health department does around the community in a given year.. ...Read Full Story

Police Investigate Thefts From Vehicles In Van Buren County

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Several thefts from parked vehicles are under investigation in Van Buren County. The sheriff’s department says the thefts occurred in the village of Bloomingdale in the early morning hours of Friday. In all, eight vehicles in the north end of the village were entered. They were unlocked, and police say valuables were taken from them. So far, police have identified no suspects. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department reminds all residents to lock their vehicles. Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to contact police.. ...Read Full Story

Two Dead In Lake Township Crash

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Two people are dead following a Saturday crash in Lake Township. The Baroda-Lake Township Police Department says the crash happened at Jericho Road and Linco Road around 12:45 p.m.  It was between a 2011 Chevy Silverado that had been westbound on Linco Road and a 2010 Ford Fusion that had been southbound on Jericho. The driver of the Silverado, a 21-year-old man from Stevensville, was not hurt. The driver of the Fusion was a 59-year-old man, and his passenger was a 70 year old woman from Rochester, Indiana. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not said what caused the crash, and the names have not yet been released. The crash remains under investigation with assistance from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.. ...Read Full Story

Recycling Event Set For September 21

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The Berrien County Parks Department will hold a community recycling event this month at Silver Beach. It says now is the time to clean out your garage and basement, and also take a look at what’s under your sink. The county will take unwanted household chemicals and electronics at the September 21 event. Items that get dropped off will be disposed of and recycled responsibly. They’ll take yard and garden chemicals, used oil, old gasoline, unused medication, medical needles and sharps, spent batteries, spray cans, oil-based paint, and electronics. TVs come with a $20 fee and computer monitors will be $10. Latex paint will not be accepted, but you can drop that off at Ace Hardware in St. Joseph and Stevensville for a small fee. The community recycling event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Silver Beach County Park on September 21. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

Growing Popularity For SJ Senior Center

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The St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center is seeing increased attendance as word of mouth gets around and the county’s population ages. The center’s board president, Rick Freridge, gave some numbers to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners this month. He said about 260 individuals use the center on Lincoln Avenue each day, with attendance going up by about 17 to 19% each year. Freridge told WSJM News that new software, installed after the county asked for attendance numbers, has enabled the tracking.. ...Read Full Story

Near Record Water Level In Lake Michigan In August

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Lake Michigan did not break its all-time high water level record in August, but it was very high when compared to average. That’s according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which recently released its Great Lakes water level report for the month. Forecaster Deanna Apps tells WSJM News Lake Superior tied its record high for the month while Lakes Michigan and Huron were about three inches below their record highs. She says the water levels have been trending up for a few years.. ...Read Full Story

M-139 Work Getting Underway

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Drivers should note the Michigan Department of Transportation is doing some work on M-139 in Benton Township. It starts Monday and will continue for the rest of the month. MDOT says it’s doing concrete patching between I-94 and Napier Avenue. Anyone who’s driven that stretch of road knows it certainly needs something. Those who commute through the area are advised to give themselves just a little extra time due to lane closures that are coming with the work. You can stay on top of all MDOT construction projects at Michigan.gov/Drive.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Declares Sunday “Hunting And Fishing Day”

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This Sunday is Hunting and Fishing Day in Michigan, thanks to a proclamation from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She says declaring the day is a way to draw attention to an industry that generates $11 billion each year in Michigan and supports more than 171,000 jobs. Whitmer says the state has a rich tradition of hunting and fishing. Her proclamation also notes Michigan’s sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitat. You can read the governor’s proclamation right here. . ...Read Full Story

Attorney General Intervenes In I&M Power Plan

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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is intervening in an Indiana Michigan Power filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission to determine if the utility is following an energy plan that will protect the state’s natural resources. Her office says Nessel on Thursday intervened in I&M’s Integrated Resource Plan, currently under review by the MPSC. I&M’s Integrated Resource Plan details the five, ten, and 15 year projections for its energy needs and how it plans to meet them. I&M is required to review its current generation, forecast its future energy needs, and outline what power plants might retire and how it will make up that lost energy supply. Nessel says she intends to “review every detail of I&M’s IRP application and engage other environmental and consumer advocacy partners to ensure affordable, reliable and renewable energy products are the company’s top priority.”. ...Read Full Story

LMC College Night To Feature More Than 50 Representatives

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Just in time for the fall is Lake Michigan College’s annual College Night, set for September 23. LMC Admissions and Recruitment Director Jeremy Schaeffer tells WSJM News it’s a chance for students interested in pursuing post-secondary education to meet directly with representatives of more than 50 institutions in the region. Schaeffer says hundreds of people come out for the event.. ...Read Full Story

Andrews University Planning Third “Change Day”

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Andrews University is gearing up for its next Change Day, when students and staff will fan out across the community to make a difference. The university says the big day is September 24, and its teams will collaborate at about 70 sites around the community to spruce things up. The first Andrews University Change Day was in 2017, and the second was last year. On those days, Andrews cancelled classes so its volunteers could do things ranging from painting a mural in a school to cleaning beach areas and parks to offering hundreds of high school students information about career choices. Locations last year included the Therapeutics Riding Center, the Area Agency on Aging, and Habitat for Humanity. Andrews says the students who take part learn valuable lessons about how just a little effort can make a big difference to others. You can find out more about Change Day at Andrews.edu/ChangeHub.. ...Read Full Story

Naloxone Being Given Away Statewide Saturday

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The fight against opioid overdose deaths continues Saturday with the statewide distribution of almost 52,000 Naloxone kits. That is the medicine used to reverse an opioid overdose. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has sent out the medication to more than 1,000 pharmacies, which will give it away for free and without a prescription all day. Twenty-three pharmacies in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties will have Naloxone available as part of the effort. In 2017, the last full year for which stats are available, state health officials say Michigan had 2,053 opioid overdose deaths. Here is the link to a map with all the participating pharmacies.. ...Read Full Story

Cass County K-9 Finds Missing Man

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The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says a Cassopolis man is safely back home after being missing for several hours on Thursday. Deputies were called to the 26-thousand block of M-60 in Jefferson Township shortly before 9 p.m. by the caretaker for 70-year-old Michael Cox, who had gone on a walk and hadn’t returned. The caretaker was concerned due to incoming storms and Cox’s medical issues, noting he’d been missing since 6 p.m. Almost 5 hours after he had last been seen, Deputy Graves and K-9 Nellie found him in a swamp behind his home. Cox was cleared by Life Care Ambulance medics.. ...Read Full Story

Lawton Man Dies From Crash Injuries

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Injuries from a crash on Wednesday in Van Buren County have claimed the life of a 60-year-old Lawton man. The sheriff’s department says he was not wearing a seat belt when a Paw Paw woman ran a stop sign at the intersection of 64th Avenue and 30th Street in Antwerp Township and hit his SUV, causing it to flip. His passenger was not hurt. The driver who hit his vehicle spun into a tree, but she was buckled in and deputies did not say if she was hurt. The man died yesterday at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Police are still investigating the crash.. ...Read Full Story

Cook Plant Conducting Siren Tests This Month

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Indiana Michigan Power says it will be testing the emergency sirens near the Cook nuclear power plant starting this month. The tests will begin the week of September 16 and continue through the week of September 30. The 70 sirens within a ten mile radius of the plant in Bridgman will be sounded by the Berrien County Emergency Management Department. Each siren will be activated three to four times for about 30 seconds to obtain readings and make adjustments to ensure proper coverage and reliability. Maintenance will also be performed. In order to avoid confusion, the tests will not be done if there is severe weather. The Cook plant notes in the event of an actual emergency, the early warning sirens are all sounded continuously for three minutes. The testing is expected to take place in different locations Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the three-week period.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien Officials Honored For Crisis Intervention Support

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Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey and 911 Director Dave Agens have been honored by the Riverwood Center for their efforts to help ensure those experiencing a mental health crisis get help instead of winding up in the criminal justice system. At Thursday’s Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting, Riverwood Jail Diversion Supervisor Gretchen Carlson presented the two officials with awards. Carlson told us 911 dispatch can be helpful when to comes to crisis intervention.. ...Read Full Story

Health Officials Praise Vaping Regulations

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Local health officials are giving high marks to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s action last week to ban flavored vaping products in Michigan. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News not enough is known about e-cigarettes to say they are safe. In fact, the evidence points to otherwise.. ...Read Full Story

LMC College Night This Month

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Lake Michigan College has scheduled its next College Night for Monday, September 23. It’s a chance for LMC students to meet with representatives of four-year universities around the region and learn about enrolling. LMC says there will be more than 50 colleges represented at the event. They’ll include Andrews University, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, Northern Michigan University, and the University of Michigan. LMC staff also will offer financial aid sessions during the event, and help students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the next academic year. College Night will be on the 23rd from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Upton Hall at LMC’s Mendel Center on the Benton Township campus. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Ranked 23rd On List Of 50 Best Cities In U.S. To Live

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St. Joseph is getting some national recognition this week, landing at number 23 on the list of the 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. on the website 24/7 Wall Street. The city lands right behind the much larger Rochester, Minnesota in 22nd, while Traverse City is the only other Michigan city at 48. St. Joseph Mayor Pro Tem Laura Goos says its a good thing for the entire region, not just the city.. ...Read Full Story

State Budget Talks Break Down Over Road Money

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Budget talks have broken down between Republican legislative leaders and Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer just days after they agreed to sideline negotiations over a long-term road-funding plan. The issue that caused the negotiations to hit a pothole the size of a Buick on Wednesday is the amount of money to be included in the coming budget for roads.. ...Read Full Story

SMC Announces Four Candidates For College President

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Southwestern Michigan College has announced there are four internal candidates in the running to be the next college president. On August 6, SMC President David Mathews announced he’ll be retiring at the end of this year after 22 years with the institution. The SMC Board of Trustees voted to conduct an internal search for a new president first. With the deadline now passed, the four candidates who have put in for the job are Dr. David Fleming, Dr. Lucian Leone, Dr. Joseph Odenwald, and Dr. Stacy Young. SMC says Fleming has served as SMC’s Vice President of Instruction since 2011, Leone serves as SMC’s Director of Admissions, Odenwald has served as SMC’s Vice President of Student Services since 2017, and Young has served as SMC’s Dean of the School of Business and Advanced Technology since 2013. Now that the four candidates are known, the board of trustees is taking public input. Those with comments are invited to the next regular board meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on September 16 at the Dowagiac campus. It’s likely the board will talk about interview at that time.. ...Read Full Story

Rotary Holding Bed Race This Month

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Coming up on Friday, September 20 will be the Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary’s Great Bed Race. It’s a team competition in which several local businesses race each other on wheeled beds down Lake Boulevard in downtown St. Joseph. The Rotary’s Bryan Tutton tells WSJM News the event is more than just good fun. It’s also a fundraiser that sends dollars to Slumberland Furniture’s 40 Winks campaign. It buys beds for children in need, and Tutton says there is great demand.. ...Read Full Story

Weekend Symposium To Focus On Closing Of Predominantly Black Schools

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There will be a symposium this weekend in Detroit for supporters of predominantly black school districts in Michigan to talk about the fight to keep those schools open. “Fighting Back Against the Dismantling of Predominately Black School Districts” will feature a panel discussion with experts from communities all across Michigan, including visitors from Benton Harbor, Inkster, Albion, and Highland Park. Organizer Thomas Pedroni, a professor at Wayne State University, tells WSJM News he wants everyone to share their experiences, but also come out with recommendations to prevent school closings.. ...Read Full Story

State Lawmakers Mark 9/11 In Lansing

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The Michigan House marked the anniversary of 9/11 with a ceremony on Wednesday. Southwest Michigan lawmakers invited guests to take part. Among them were Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey and Niles Fire Department Chief Larry Lamb, invited by state Representative Brad Paquette of Niles. Paquette said the occasion called for a salute to first responders.. ...Read Full Story

Heritage Museum Offering Spooky Fall Tours

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The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph is planning some spooky tours for this fall. The museum’s Sandra Spiering tells WSJM News there will be two kinds of haunted tours. First will be the cemetery tours on Saturday, October 5. They’ll run from 4 to 9 p.m. and each will be about 45 minutes. They’ll provide information on some of the people buried at the city cemetery. For example…. ...Read Full Story

Hartford Police Release New Info On Monday Incident That Prompted School Lockdown

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Hartford police are providing more information on a situation that resulted in a lockdown of Hartford Public Schools on Monday. Police Chief Tressa Beltran tells WSJM News they were contacted by the mother of an 18-year-old man that afternoon, telling them he was distraught over his girlfriend “possibly being in a volatile situation at her home” north of the city. Due to previous concerns, the mother told him to stop at a relative’s home and pick up his shotgun, which he did and put it in the trunk of the vehicle. She then called police for help finding him to ensure he didn’t harm himself. He was found in the parking lot of Hartford High School with his girlfriend and his girlfriend’s mother, and was taken by police to a hospital for a psychological evaluation. The incident happened after school was out for the day, but there were still students and staff at the building.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Public Safety: Two Shootings Under Investigation

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Benton Harbor Public Safety officers are investigating a pair of Tuesday night shootings. In the first, a 29-year-old man was shot at a home in the 900 block of Ogden Avenue just before 9 p.m. and is in critical condition at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. Benton Harbor officers, however, weren’t called to that scene until about an hour later. He had initially been taken to Spectrum Health Lakeland and was later transferred. The second shooting happened around 1:20 a.m. Wednesday in the 900 block of Lavette, where a 44-year-old man was shot. He is in stable condition at Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph. No arrests have been made, and police have not identified any suspects in either shooting. Michigan State Police Major Crime Unit detectives are assisting.. ...Read Full Story

Chief Justice McCormack Calls Van Buren Courthouse Murals “Jarring”

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The chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court says it’s “jarring” to see violent paintings in the Van Buren County courthouse. But Bridget McCormack says it’s not her job to tell local leaders how to manage the building. McCormack was there last week participating in an effort to observe and assist judges. One mural in a stairwell shows a bare-breasted woman holding a decapitated head and a spear. Another painting above a judge’s bench shows a nude man and nude woman begging for mercy. Local judges want the paintings covered up or removed, but county commissioners have said no. McCormack says the painting with the decapitated head could traumatize a crime victim. She says the old paintings might be appropriate for a museum but seem out of place in a courthouse.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Shooting Under Investigation

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A shooting is under investigation in Benton Harbor. Our partners at WSBT-TV report a 29-year-old man was shot one time in the stomach shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday in the 900 block of Ogden Avenue, but no one called police for a little over an hour. The victim underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. There’s no word on any suspects at this time. The victim did not live at the home where he was shot, but was apparently visiting relatives there.. ...Read Full Story

Chamber Of Commerce Pleased Government Shutdown Avoided, Confident On Roads

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The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is glad to hear Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders in Lansing have reached a deal to have a state budget in place by the end of September even if it doesn’t include money to fix the state’s roads. Michigan Chamber of Commerce President Rich Studley tells WSJM News getting road money in place shouldn’t take priority over avoiding a state government shutdown.. ...Read Full Story

School Board Signals Support For Advisory Committee

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The proposed Community Engagement and Advisory Committee to draft a plan for turning around Benton Harbor Area Schools is a step closer to becoming a reality. The state has proposed the creation of the autonomous committee that would have six months to issue recommendations for the district, and at a Tuesday meeting, the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education signaled initial support. Vice President Joseph Taylor spoke with us after the meeting.. ...Read Full Story

Health Department Issues Annual Report

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The Berrien County Health Department has released its report for 2018. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the department gave its report to the Berrien County Board of Health last week. She says some people might not realize how many things the county health department does around the community in a given year.. ...Read Full Story

Man Pleads Guilty To Cass County Shooting

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The Cass County Prosecutor’s office says a man charged in a shooting outside of a bar last year has pleaded guilty to second degree murder. Rolandis Russel was charged with first degree murder in the death of Fabian Wesaw, and the plea deal reduces the charge to second degree murder while also dropping charges of assault with intent to murder, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, and four felony firearm counts. The prosecutor’s office says Russel admitted to leaving the Beeson Street Bar in the early morning hours of July 29, 2018 and getting a loaded AK-47 out of his SUV. He then fired 13 shots at a man with whom he’d been arguing. Instead, he hit and killed Wesaw, who had been standing nearby. Russell will be sentenced to a minimum of 43 years in prison on October 25.. ...Read Full Story

State Promoting Trails This Month

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging everyone to check out some of the state’s trails this month. DNR Trail Coordinator Paul Yauk tells WSJM News many people don’t even know about the recreation opportunities that pass by their own homes.. ...Read Full Story

Rep. Wendzel “Relieved” By Budget Agreement Without Road Solution

State Representative Pauline Wendzel is pleased the showdown between majority Republicans in the Legislature and Governor Whitmer is over for the time being regarding road funding. A deal was announced this week that the next fiscal year’s budget will not include the $2.5 billion Whitmer had been seeking for road work, as the leaders were unable to figure out where that money would come from.. ...Read Full Story

Hartford High School Threat Made But No Arrest

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An investigation is underway into a possible threat against Hartford High School students. On Facebook, the high school said they were called by Hartford police a little after 5 p.m. Monday to be told someone was headed to the school with plans to harm either himself or students. The district was locked down, with all athletic teams, the band, and middle school students sheltering in place with the doors locked. The suspect was questioned by Hartford police, but no arrest was made. No other information has been released about that person. Everyone was safe, and the lockdown was lifted after the arrest. WSJM News has reached out to the Hartford Police Department for more information.. ...Read Full Story

Restoring Lighthouse Keepers’ House Carries $1M Price Tag

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Renovations to the former lighthouse keepers’ dwelling in St. Joseph on North Pier Street to get it fully restored will be expensive. City Manager John Hodgson gave an update to the city commission on the possible purchase of the home by the city from the federal government, putting the price tag at around $1 million over the course of several years above and beyond any purchase price. He says the city does have experience now in renovating old structures with the lighthouses, but this is different.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Seeking Rotary Foundation Grants For Accessibility Improvements

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A grant of just over $9600 is being sought by the city of St. Joseph’s Public Works Department to make three public recreation areas much more accessible. The city commission approved applying for the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Foundation grant, which would purchase weather-resistant wheelchairs for the Whirlpool Compass Fountain, replace the swingset at Kiwanis Tiny Tots Park with one which includes a harness swing, and purchasing mobility sleds for the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena to allow those in wheelchairs to get on the ice. Mayor Mike Garey likes what he heard.. ...Read Full Story

Recycling Event His Month In Berrien County

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The Berrien County Parks Department will hold a community recycling event this month at Silver Beach. It says now is the time to clean out your garage and basement, and also take a look at what’s under your sink. The county will take unwanted household chemicals and electronics at the September 21 event. Items that get dropped off will be disposed of and recycled responsibly. They’ll take yard and garden chemicals, used oil, old gasoline, unused medication, medical needles and sharps, spent batteries, spray cans, oil-based paint, and electronics. TVs come with a $20 fee and computer monitors will be $10. Latex paint will not be accepted, but you can drop that off at Ace Hardware in St. Joseph and Stevensville for a small fee. The community recycling event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Silver Beach County Park on September 21. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

I-94 Repaving Project Starts This Week

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The Michigan Department of Transportation will begin a repaving project on I-94 this week. It says the work will be on three miles of I-94 between M-239 and Kruger Road near New Buffalo, and it starts on Thursday. The project will mean daytime single-lane closures and nighttime double-lane closures in both directions. Drivers are advised to give themselves an extra few minutes if they are headed through the area. The project is expected to wrap up on October 24. You can stay on top of all MDOT construction projects at Michigan.gov/Drive.. ...Read Full Story

Police Investigate Bank Robbery In Three Oaks

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Police are looking for a suspect after a bank was robbed in Three Oaks on Monday. Police Chief Dennis Buller tells us it happened at the New Buffalo Savings Bank on West Ash Street around 11:45 a.m. A man walked into the bank flashing a revolver and told the clerks to put the money up on the counter. They did so, and then the suspect told them to get down. That’s when he ran out, heading east on Ash in a dark blue Chrysler with a rusty patch at the bottom of the driver’s side door. The suspect is described as being about 5’6 to 5’8. He was wearing a mask, gloves, and a zip-up sweater. Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to contact police.. ...Read Full Story

Motorcycle Crash Kills Reserve Sergeant For Niles Police Department

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A reserve sergeant for the Niles Police Department is dead following a motorcycle crash on Sunday. Police say the crash happened on 17th Street near Broadway in Niles around 6:50 p.m. 44-year-old Kenneth Ray was riding a motorcycle with a female passenger when he tried to avoid a cat that ran across the road in front of him. His bike tipped over, and he was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. His passenger was taken by ambulance to a hospital where she was treated and released. Police say neither was wearing a helmet. Ray had been with the Niles Police Department for 24 years.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan’s Average Gas Price Up Slightly; Twin Cities Have 2nd Lowest Average

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AAA Michigan says average gas prices statewide have risen 5¢ from a week ago to about $2.66 per gallon. The auto club says the average for regular unleaded has fallen 27¢ a gallon over the past year. The state’s highest average was in the Ann Arbor area at around $2.73. The lowest prices were in the Traverse City area at $2.38
per gallon. Benton Harbor and St. Joseph have the state’s second-lowest average price $2.54. According to GasBuddy, South Haven’s prices are in line with the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area.. ...Read Full Story

Whitmer, GOP Leaders Will Proceed On Budget Without Road Fix

(Lansing, MI – AP) – Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Republican legislative leaders have agreed to enact a state budget without including a long-term funding plan to fix deteriorating roads. The trio said Monday they talked over the weekend and will immediately work to set spending targets to get the budget passed by October 1, avoiding a partial government shutdown.. ...Read Full Story

Board Could Vote This Week On Advisory Committee

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The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is considering who will serve on the Community Engagement and Advisory Committee the state has proposed for turning the district around. At work session this past week, board President Stephen Mitchell said the Michigan Department of Treasury has been talking with trustees about the makeup of the committee, and the board has seen a couple of resolutions to establish it. However, trustees added some suggestions. Vice President Joseph Taylor said the state should listen.. ...Read Full Story

Police: Talk To Your About Cyberbullying

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With a new school year now started, Michigan State Police are telling parents and students about the stiff penalties that can come with cyberbullying. Trooper Holly Higgs with the Niles post tells WSJM News cyberbullying is using a public media forum, or social media, to intimidate someone.. ...Read Full Story

Home Heating Assistance Credit Deadline This Month

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As the days start to cool in Michigan, some people might be able to offset the cost of summer utility bills with the Michigan Home Heating Credit. Eligible households that paid for heat last winter have until September 30 to apply for the 2018 Home Heating Credit. Ross Yednock with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan says both homeowners and renters can apply.. ...Read Full Story

Police, Schools Look To Help Traumatized Kids

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A new partnership between the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and Berrien RESA has been announced to help children dealing with trauma. The sheriff’s department says Handle with Care is designed to ensure a child who experiences a traumatic event has support in school. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey says his deputies meet kids struggling with everything from a death in the family to neglect every day. He says in these situations, the sheriff’s department can work with RESA so the schools attended by such kids are aware. RESA Superintendent Kevin Ivers says the new program will help schools protect students and “help them be successful in the midst of chaos and trauma.” Handle with Care was launched in West Virginia in 2013, and since then has been adopted by several police departments, schools, and states. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story