Local News Archives

As Drivers Fume Over Fee Increase, Whitmer Orders Audit Of MCCA

govwhitmerinauguration2-5

A quick check of Facebook will show you Michigan drivers are livid by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association announcement that the annual fee charged per vehicle to pay for the unlimited medical coverage of people hurt in crashes is going up by $24 a year in July. Governor Whitmer is also questioning the increase, which comes amid what is believed to be the best chance to reform the auto insurance system to date in the Legislature. Whitmer is ordering an audit into the MCCA following the association’s announcement that the fee is going up to $220 per vehicle in July.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Auto Fee Rising To $220 Per Vehicle In July

cars2-21

Michigan’s mandatory fee to cover unlimited medical benefits for injured drivers is rising to $220 a year in July, which is a record high. When implemented, the fee will be more than double what it was 10 years ago. Currently, drivers pay $192 per vehicle every year, so the increase will be $2.33 per month on a monthly auto insurance bill.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven Needs To Move Pipes From Under Hale Buildings

southhaven150logo-3

As the city of South Haven works on attracting new businesses downtown, some things the public doesn’t see or think about have to be changed. Those things include the sanitary sewer main that is underneath the Hale Building instead of under the street, and that dates back to the early 1900s. Progress is being made to sell the Hale Block and Mayor Scott Smith tells us grants will help rebuild the water and sewer lines.. ...Read Full Story

Elkhart Man Drives Into Pond While Having Medical Issue

police564-82

An Elkhart man is recovering from a medical issue that caused him to go off the road and into a pond in Cass County this week. The sheriff’s department says 51-year-old Alfred Hooker told officers he felt dizzy while driving north on M-40 north of Bair Lake Street Wednesday morning and tried to pull off to the side. Hooker went right into a pond, and was helped to shore by a passerby after getting out of his vehicle. A tow truck pulled out the car, and he was taken to the hospital to be checked out. Police say they don’t believe alcohol or drugs were involved, and say Hooker was wearing his seat belt when he drove into the pond.. ...Read Full Story

Conservation District Holds Farming Conference

garyzimmer3

The Van Buren Conservation District has held its annual Farming for the Future conference. Nearly 170 southwest Michigan farmers attended the event last Wednesday in Lawrence. The conservation district holds the forums to teach local ag producers about ecologically-friendly ways of growing. The meeting was opened by Congressman Fred Upton, who discussed tariffs and immigration issues. The guest speaker was agricultural consultant Gary Zimmer. His keynote focused on carbon-based farming and how to incorporate biological practices into a farm. The Van Buren Conservation District’s Collen Foestieri says the discussions are “a good reminder to not be married to one system,” telling us she hopes the farmers “came away with inspiration to try something new on their farms this year”. ...Read Full Story

Mental Health First Aid Training Planned For Next Month

help-3

The Healthy Berrien Consortium in partnership with Riverwood Center is offering free mental health first aid training next month. The eight hour course will be on Thursday, April 18. Riverwood Center Mental Health First Aid Instructor Kimberly Sparkmon tells WSJM News the program has been in the community for several years, and as many as 1,000 people in Berrien County have received the training. She calls it “first aid for the brain.”. ...Read Full Story

Senator LaSata Sued By Campaign Consulting Firm For Breach Of Contract

senatorlasata

State Senator Kim LaSata is being sued for breach of contract. MIRS News in Lansing is reporting Sterling Consulting Corporation filed the lawsuit in Ingham County Circuit Court last Wednesday, alleging LaSata has $37,600 in unpaid campaign bills with the firm. The lawsuit says the Berrien County senator agreed to pay Sterling $5,200 per month along with a 15% commission on the gross cost of media placement during the 2018 campaign but still owed $36,600 plus interest at the end of February. A statement from Senator LaSata to MIRS, which WSJM News has requested, says “A good faith effort was made by the campaign team and our legal counsel to resolve this dispute prior to a lawsuit being filed. We look forward to resolving this private business matter as quickly as possible.” MIRS also reports LaSata’s Senate campaign committee has 224 outstanding debts listed by the Secretary of State’s Michigan Campaign Statement Debts and Obligations site.. ...Read Full Story

More Measles Cases In Oakland County, One In Wayne County

syringe2323-9

The number of measles cases in southeast Michigan is now up to 22 since March 13. 21 are in Oakland County, and one is in Wayne County. It’s all because of an outbreak initially caused by one person who had traveled internationally. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Angela Minicuci tells WSJM News measles is so contagious that state health officials are telling people who may be infected to use caution when so much as seeking medical attention.. ...Read Full Story

Statewide Tornado Drill Tomorrow

storm7

There will be a statewide tornado drill this Wednesday. Dale George with the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division tells WSJM News nearly all state offices will participate, and you’ll also hear the drill at 1 p.m. on weather radios, TV, and radio stations.. ...Read Full Story

Area Home Sales Emerge From January’s Deep Freeze With Strong February

swmirealtors-12

The area’s housing market is beginning to thaw out after a snowy and slow January. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says existing home sales in February were up 34% from January with 235 homes sold. It was also the most active February, with the most sales for that month going back to 2006. The average sales price rose a modest 1% year-over-year to $199,433, while the median price was up 5% to $140,000. That’s the price at which 50% of home were sold above and below. Association Executive Alan Jeffries says inventory in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties was down 6% from a year ago, and the market has just four-point-eight months supply of homes for buyers. The area had just 1229 homes on the market compared to 1313 a year ago and almost 31-hundred a decade back in February 2009.. ...Read Full Story

Niles Twp Man Sentenced For Wife’s Murder In Marijuana Grow Room

johnlewis-3

A man convicted of killing his wife inside a marijuana grow room in their Niles Township home is now locked up in a Michigan prison for the rest of his life with no chance of parole. John Lewis was sentenced Monday in a Berrien County courtroom following his conviction in February. He killed his 55-year-old wife, Carla Lewis, in 2017. In his 9-1-1 call, Lewis told dispatchers two men broke into their home, shot her, and stole her car.. ...Read Full Story

Permits Available April 1 To Cut Firewood On State Lands

dnrmichigan-5

(Lansing, MI – AP) – Michigan residents who heat their homes with wood can get permits to cut dead and fallen trees on designated state forest lands beginning April 1. The Department of Natural Resources says individuals can cut up to five standard cords of firewood for personal use. The DNR manages 4 million acres of state forest land in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. Some wood also may be available in state game areas where forests are managed to create habitat. Fuelwood is for personal use only and cannot be re-sold or traded. Wood must be dead and down within 200 feet of a road. Permits cost $20 and are good for 90 days after they are issued.. ...Read Full Story

Officials: 18 Measles Cases In Detroit Area Since March 13

healthcare2-10

The number of measles cases in an outbreak in suburban Detroit continues to get larger. State health officials have confirmed 10 more cases, bringing to 18 the number of measles cases in Oakland County since March 13. The highly contagious disease has been linked to a person who was visiting from Israel and had stayed in New York, where there’s a measles outbreak.. ...Read Full Story

Better Business Bureau Warns About Check Scam

money1-50

The Better Business Bureau of west Michigan is advising everyone of a scam that involves classified ads published in a newspaper. It says this is a car-wrapping scam that got a Hastings woman. The classified ad promises people can make $300 to $400 per week by simply driving their car. According to the victim, after responding to the email address in the ad, she was sent a check. The instructions were for her to cash the check, keep several hundred dollars, and then forward the rest to a third party. The Better Business Bureau says the check turned out to be fake, and the woman is now responsible for paying back the bank for the full amount withdrawn. Investigators have found the same email address used in the ad was used in others posted in newspapers around the country. Check scams were among the riskiest scams reported to the BBB ScamTracker in 2018.. ...Read Full Story

Owner Of St. Joseph’s “Tarp House” Trying Supreme Court Appeal

blighthouse-11

If you were among the area residents expecting to see bulldozers or other equipment knocking down the so-called “Tarp House” at the corner of Niles and Hoyt in the city of St. Joseph at the end of this week, set aside that expectation. The owner of the home is continuing to fight the city in court over the demolition order, as an appeals court ruling earlier this year in favor of the city set March 29 as the deadline for the demolition. St. Joseph City Attorney Laurie Schmidt says the homeowner and his attorney are petitioning the Michigan Supreme Court for yet another appeal.. ...Read Full Story

LECO Gets Industrial Development District Approval

leco-3

LECO Corporation is planning an expansion on the south end of the city of St. Joseph. The company secured an Industrial Development District designation from the St. Joseph city commission Monday night for its headquarters on Lakeview in St. Joseph along with several adjoining properties. Cathy Tilley is the business development manager for Cornerstone Alliance, and spoke on behalf of the firm.. ...Read Full Story

Lawmakers Addressing Snow Day Questions

kidsinsnow2-2

Legislation to help Michigan schools recover from the large amount of snow days this year is being discussed in the Michigan House. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells WSJM News the House Ways and Means Committee currently has the package. She says there are two parts to the discussion.. ...Read Full Story

Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament In Round Two

rtghdfkljhkj34

Round two of state Senator Kim LaSata’s Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament has begun. LaSata is keeping alive the tradition started by her predecessor to have schools compete to show who has the most pride by submitting photos to her Facebook page. The bracket-style competition takes place alongside the March Madness basketball action. This year’s Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament started last week, and now advancing on to round two are 16 districts including Niles, Bridgman, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, and Berrien Springs. Also still in is last year’s winner, Coloma. Anyone looking for more information on the tournament can check out LaSata’s Facebook page.. ...Read Full Story

Secretary Of State Launches Redistricting Website

fdhjsghfdrj4444

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has announced a new website that will track progress on the redistricting process in the state. She tells WSJM News her office is preparing to put out applications to serve on the new 13 member redistricting commission created by a ballot proposal last year. This commission will replace the old system of having state legislators set up voting districts. Benson says anyone interested can check RedistrictingMichigan.org.. ...Read Full Story

Task Force Aims To Stop Elder Abuse

medicalcareforseniors-4

From the Associated Press — A new task force has been formed to help stop physical abuse, financial exploitation, emotional abuse and neglect of elderly people in Michigan. The state’s Attorney General Dana Nessel joined with Michigan Supreme Court Justices Richard Bernstein and Megan Cavanagh and others Monday to announce the formation of the Michigan Elder Abuse Task Force. More than 30 organizations including law enforcement, state agencies and advocacy groups have committed to being part of the effort. Michigan residents are urged to report signs or concerns about elder abuse to Nessel’s office, which has established an elder abuse hotline for anonymous tips, 800-24-ABUSE (800-242-2873) or online. Past state efforts to curb elder abuse included a 1998 Supreme Court Task
Force on Guardianships and Conservatorships and a 2007 Governor’s Task Force on Elder Abuse.. ...Read Full Story

Another Sign Of Spring: Oberon Day Arrives

oberon-3

For craft beer lovers, today is nearly a holiday: Oberon Day, the release for the year of Kalamazoo County-based Bell’s Brewery’s popular wheat ale. Bars started tapping this year’s kegs at midnight on Monday to celebrate the official release. Bell’s founder Larry Bell says in most of the country, Oberon is only available during the warm months because it’s the type of beer that pairs well with sunshine and baseball games. But Bell’s operations director John Mallett says it has a different meaning for others.. ...Read Full Story

New Michigan Task Force Seeks To Stop Abuse Of Elderly

wsjmnewsgeneric-19

A new task force has been formed to help stop physical abuse, financial exploitation, emotional abuse and neglect of elderly people in Michigan. State Attorney General Dana Nessel joined with Michigan Supreme Court Justices Richard Bernstein and Megan Cavanagh and others Monday to announce the formation of the Michigan Elder Abuse Task Force. Nearly three dozen organizations including law enforcement, state agencies and advocacy groups have committed to being part of the effort. Michigan residents are urged to report signs or concerns about elder abuse to Nessel’s office, which has established an elder abuse hotline for anonymous tips, 800-24-ABUSE (844-242-2873) or online .. ...Read Full Story

Upton Responds To What’s Been Released Of Mueller Report

fredupton73473737-18

“We had to get to the bottom of it, and the conclusions had to take us to where we are today,” says Congressman Fred Upton on the release of the report by special counsel Robert Mueller into the Trump administration and Trump campaign. The St. Joseph Republican supported the investigation and told Michigan’s Big Show there are more documents that are yet to be released.. ...Read Full Story

Lory’s Pace Run, Walk, and Rock Coming Up

running-8

Registrations are being taken for the next Lory’s Place Run, Walk, and Rock. This is the 15th year for the event, which raises money for Lory’s Pace, a St. Joseph-based program that helps people cope with grief. The Run, Walk, and Rock will be Saturday, May 18. The timed 5K run and walk course will take runners and walkers through St. Joseph’s Edgewater area and into Tiscornia Park. Meanwhile, rocking chairs will be available for spectators throughout the morning along the edge of the course. Individuals or groups can sponsor a rocker. That money goes to Lory’s Place, along with the registration fees paid by runners and walkers. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

Mayor Talks Priorities In Annual Address

bhcityhall2-8

Benton Harbor is building forward. That was the message of Mayor Marcus Muhammad as he delivered his annual State of the City address this past week. Speaking at the Benton Harbor Public Library on Tuesday, Muhammad said the city has come a long way since being under state control, pointing to five years of positive fund balances.. ...Read Full Story

Drive-By Shooting In Benton Township Meijer Parking Lot

bentontownshippolice-7

Benton Township police are reportedly looking for a suspect in a drive-by shooting in the parking lot of the Meijer store on Pipestone Road. A 34-year-old Benton Harbor man says he was walking in the grass between the store and a car wash when someone in a dark four-door sedan fired four shots at him out the window of the car. The man was not hurt in the incident, which happened around 4 p.m. Saturday.. ...Read Full Story

Website Lists Conditions Of 11,000 MI bridges

dhfkjdhgdfkjhdfkjghk

The Michigan Department of Transportation has launched a new online dashboard to make information about the condition of bridges around the state known to the public. MDOT Deputy Chief Bridge Engineer Beckie Curtis tells WSJM News the site includes data on more than 11,000 bridges. It goes over the state of each.. ...Read Full Story

Record Year For United Way

money47-38

The United Way of Southwest Michigan has marked a record fundraising year. At its annual celebration at Lake Michigan College th9is month, the organization announced it raised more than $4.2 million with its 2018 campaign. United Way of Southwest Michigan President Anna Murphy tells WSJM News the region cares.. ...Read Full Story

BH Police Focus On Illegal Dumping

bentonharborpublicsafety-12

An effort is underway in Benton Harbor to crack down on the illegal dumping of trash. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety tells us discarded tires, mattresses, and other junk have become a major problem. Word went out Thursday about a new tip line that has been set up for people to report the practice. Police say the situation has gotten so bad the city has spent more than $169,000 on extra dumpsters to remove the illegally dumped material over the past three years. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety has made four arrests as part of its illegal dumping investigation since last week. To report the illegal dumping of trash in Benton Harbor, call or text 269-944-7929.’. ...Read Full Story

Tax Proposal Gets Attention Statewide

taxes54-26

A tax credit being floated by Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland is getting some attention statewide. Cleveland tells WSJM News he came up with the idea for the HUGE credit while brainstorming with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It would give an income tax break to recent college graduates in Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

Tuition At LMC Is Going Up

lakemichigancollege-17

A tuition increase is coming for students at Lake Michigan College. At this week’s LMC Board of Trustees meeting, an increase of 1.5% for in-district students was approved. LMC President Trevor Kubatzke tells WSJM News the move is in response to increased operating costs.. ...Read Full Story

Man Shot Through Window In Cass County

policetape-109

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a Saturday shooting in Mason Township. It says deputies were called out to a home on Starbrick Street near Tharp Lake Road shortly before 12:30 a.m. and learned a 57-year-old man had been shot through a window. He told deputies some unknown subjects had come to his home and demanded to speak with him. He said that when he refused to come outside, the subjects fired a gun through a window, injuring him. The man was taken to to Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart Indiana, and police say he was listed in stable condition as of 11 a.m. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.. ...Read Full Story

Upton Visits School Robotics Facility

fredwithrobots

Just a few weeks after it was dedicated, Congressman Fred Upton has paid a visit to the new robotics facility at St. Joseph High School. He stopped by the Edward J. Todd Innovation Center Monday. Upton tells WSJM News FIRST Robotics is a program that helps kids apply their science, technology, and math skills.. ...Read Full Story

Town Hall Planned At Benton Harbor Area Schools

bentonharborhighschool-47

There will be a town hall meeting on April 3 for the public to learn more about problems currently faced by Benton Harbor Area Schools. The board of education has scheduled the town hall for 6 p.m. at the high school cafeteria. There are several questions about the district’s future as declining enrollment is making its borrowing power go down. Meanwhile, the district’s cooperative agreement with the state is set to end on July 1, likely returning control of the schools back to the board of education. Everyone is welcome to attend the April 3 meeting.. ...Read Full Story

Measles Outbreak In Oakland County

syringe89808-8

State health officials are responding to a measles outbreak in Oakland County. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Angela Minicuci tells WSJM News it all started with one person who got the measles while traveling. Since then, the total number of cases as a result of the one infection is up to eight. Minicuci says Michigan also had a high rate of measles last year.. ...Read Full Story

Bill Designed To Help Prevent Suicides

State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan is a co-sponsor of legislation designed to help prevent suicides in Michigan. She tells WSJM News the proposal would create the Suicide Fatality Review Act, allowing Michigan counties to establish a review task force. Those panels would include doctors, police, mental health experts, and others who have been affected by suicide. They would look for trends and patterns locally in an effort to address the situation, and meet following a student’s suicide. Griffin’s bill exempts the local panels from Open Meetings Act laws.. ...Read Full Story

Effort To Combat Abuse Launched At Andrews University

andrewsuniversitygoodforuse-17

Andrews University is rising up to fight abuse. Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Michael Nixon tells WSJM News the university hosted its first-ever Rise Up Against Abuse Rally last week, launching the Rise Up Against Abuse initiative. It’s to help people use awareness, intervention, and prevention to take action against all forms of abuse.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Girl, Family Raise $1,600 For Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

devyn

A St. Joseph girl is turning a bit of personal heartbreak last summer into something positive. Seven-year-old Devyn Whitney has a prosthetic right leg and is missing some fingers due to being born with a condition called Fibular Hemimelia, but didn’t feel like she was different from anyone else until last summer at the Krasl Art Fair according to her mom, Stephanie Watkins. Devyn noticed people staring and whispering for the first time and became upset, with her mom taking her down to the Whirlpool Compass Fountain to get away.. ...Read Full Story

Driver Killed In Bloomingdale Township Crash

police564-81

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly crash Thursday afternoon in Bloomingdale Township. A 57-year-old Paw Paw man was killed when his pickup went off the road on 24th Avenue west of M-40 and hit a tree. The crash happened just after noon. The driver was the only one in the truck, and he was not wearing a seat belt. The man’s name has not been released.. ...Read Full Story

Senator Nesbitt Wants Auto Insurance Reforms Before June 27

nesbitt020719

State Senator Aric Nesbitt wants major changes to Michigan’s auto insurance system passed and on the desk of Governor Whitmer before lawmakers head out on their summer break at the end of June. He announced the self-imposed deadline this week in an effort to spur action after the House and Senate have tried for years to make changes. Lawmakers from both parties have said it was one of the top issues they heard about from voters during last year’s campaign, especially as more studies show Michigan’s insurance premiums are the highest in the country. To blame for that is the mandate that policies include lifetime health coverage for catastrophic injuries in crashes. Nesbitt says one of the biggest issues they’re looking at is giving drivers choices for the coverage levels they want, and adds everything is on the table. His Senate Bill 1 is pretty open-ended in order to make modifications.. ...Read Full Story

Today Is World Water Day

gr-65862-1-1

Michiganders plan to show their support for the right to clean drinking water with the 26th annual World Water Day on Friday. The event highlights the importance of clean drinking water across the globe. Grand Rapids Water Protectors chief Shannon Abbott tells us several battles over water are going on across Michigan, including fights against chemical contamination and keeping water affordable. Abbott notes low-income communities and people of color face the brunt of those battles.. ...Read Full Story

Lincoln Township Police Department Receives K9

lincolnpdk9

A new officer is about to start at the Lincoln Township Police Department. Echo is a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois recruited to be the department’s K9, and she just arrived in the United States from Poland last week. Lincoln Township Police Chief Gary Soper tells WSJM News the department collected $30,000 from the public to get the K9. That support came in from businesses and individuals.. ...Read Full Story

Talons Out Honor Flight Announces Student Essay Contest

talonsout2-3

A student essay contest has been launched by Talons Out Honor Flight. The organization takes veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to their memorials in Washington, D.C. for free, and the two winners of the essay contest will get to go along on the June 1 trip. Talons Out Honor Flight President Bobbie Bradley tells WSJM News the essays should be about the experiences of a World War II or Korean War vet from the student’s community.. ...Read Full Story

Police Launch Tip Line To Report Illegal Dumping In Benton Harbor

trsh3343

An effort is underway in Benton Harbor to crack down on the illegal dumping of trash. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety tells us discarded tires, mattresses, and other junk have become a major problem. Word went out Thursday about a new tip line that has been set up for people to report the practice. Police say the situation has gotten so bad the city has spent more than $169,000 on extra dumpsters to remove the illegally dumped material over the past three years. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety has made four arrests as part of its illegal dumping investigation since last week. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is also assisting. To report the illegal dumping of trash in Benton Harbor, call or text 269-944-7929.. ...Read Full Story

New Boating, Fishing Laws Take Effect

boat-2

If you boat or fish in Michigan, some new laws go into effect today. Boaters are now required to take steps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. That includes things like draining all water from any live wells and bilges and ensuring that the watercraft and trailer are free of all aquatic organisms, including plants.. ...Read Full Story

State House Bill Would Lower Drunk Driving Threshold

Newly introduced legislation would make Michigan the second state to lower its drunken-driving limit to a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.05%. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is supporting the House bill that was proposed by Democrats Thursday. It would drop the limit to 0.05% from 0.08%, which is the limit in all other states except Utah. Utah dropped to the 0.05% threshold in December.. ...Read Full Story

Gas Price Jump Due To Variety Of Factors

gaspump-70

You likely noticed a big jump in gas prices this week, going from $2.56 in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor on Monday to $2.71 now according to AAA Michigan. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan says factors include crude prices being up, refineries doing spring maintenance and the turmoil in Venezuela, but the main reason is the end of the supply for relatively cheap winter blends.. ...Read Full Story

Ford Repackages Factory Investment Plan, Will Add 900 Jobs

fordy-21

(Dearborn, MI – AP) – Ford is repackaging a previously announced manufacturing investment in the Detroit area and now says it will spend $900 million and create 900 new jobs over the next four years. Most of the new workers will build a new generation of electric vehicle at a Ford factory in Flat Rock, Michigan, south of Detroit. It will see an $850 million investment. The company also plans a $50 million autonomous vehicle manufacturing center at an undisclosed site near Detroit that will add hardware to existing vehicles.. ...Read Full Story

Engler, AG Butt Heads Over Interview In Nasser Probe

johnenglermsu-2

(East Lansing, MI – AP) – A lawyer for John Engler is accusing a prosecutor of misconduct and wants her removed before the former Michigan State University president speaks to investigators. The attorney general’s office and Engler’s attorney, Seth Waxman, are in a war of words over his willingness to speak to investigators about campus changes after the Larry Nasser scandal.. ...Read Full Story

Tuition Increase At LMC

lakemichigancollege2-40

A tuition increase is coming for students at Lake Michigan College. At this week’s LMC Board of Trustees meeting, an increase of 1.5% for in-district students was approved. LMC President Trevor Kubatzke tells WSJM News the move is in response to increased operating costs.. ...Read Full Story

One Arrested For Meth In Dowagaic

policelightsgood3-135

A traffic stop in Dowagiac this week led to the arrest of a 34-year-old Granger, Indiana man on meth and other charges. The Dowagiac Police Department says an officer pulled over a vehicle Tuesday night for having an improper registration. There were three people in the vehicle, and one of them provided the officer with a false ID. A further check revealed the Granger man had a warrant out. Police say a K9 then searched the vehicle and found 22 grams of meth. The Granger man was arrested on multiple charges, and taken to the Cass County Jail.. ...Read Full Story

Website Lists MI Bridges And Their Conditions

badbridges

The Michigan Department of Transportation has launched a new online dashboard to make information about the condition of bridges around the state known to the public. MDOT Deputy Chief Bridge Engineer Beckie Curtis tells WSJM News the site includes data on more than 11,000 bridges. It goes over the state of each.. ...Read Full Story