Local News Archives

From the Associated Press — Three Michigan universities are teaming up with Spectrum Health to tackle the state’s opioid crisis through physician training. The University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University are working with the Grand Rapids-based health system on training more physicians as addiction medicine specialists. Officials say there aren’t enough specially trained doctors to meet demand – fewer than 200 statewide and only one in the Upper Peninsula – as the number of opioid-related deaths has
reached an all-time high. Program organizers say they will help physicians fulfill the requirements through online courses, clinical experiences and leadership opportunities. The doctors also will receive training to treat other addictions, including methamphetamines and alcohol. The program has received a two-year, $1.5 million grant from federal and state sources.. ...Read Full Story

Plans for an Arby’s restaurant in Benton Township are moving forward. The Benton Township Planning Commission on Monday approved the preliminary site plan for the Arby’s to be located on the southwest corner of M-139 and Napier Avenue. Ken Knuckles with DMG Management group of Nashville, Tennessee tells WSJM News things could be moving soon.. ...Read Full Story

The Krasl Art Center has announced it’s naming the East Garden of its new Sculpting Community after a local supporter. The East Garden on the Krasl grounds is to be named for the late Maria “Lupe” Hopp due to her commitment to the community, education, and the arts. Krasl tells us Hopp and her husband Dan served as Honorary Sculpting Community Chairs for the center’s outdoor redevelopment, saying their early feedback ensured elements of universal design were incorporated into the site plan. The East Garden will host alternating sculptures intended to inspire a sense of play, wonder, and reflection, says the Krasl. The first sculpture installation and signs celebrating Hopp’s legacy will arrive this spring. Krasl tells us Hopp passed away after a battle with cancer in 2017, just three days before her 70th birthday. ...Read Full Story

With tax season now well underway, the Michigan Department of Treasury has some tips for those looking to hire a tax preparer. Spokesperson Ron Leix reminds everyone that hiring the wrong person or service could harm you.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski has an advisory for anyone who still owes their 2017 property taxes. He tells WSJM News the deadline to pay is soon, and a fee could hit some of those who owe.. ...Read Full Story

A Van Buren County man will spend 7 to 15 years in prison for shooting and killing his ex-wife’s new boyfriend during a heated argument last year. Troy Taylor pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in December after a mistrial had been declared in his trial when the jury couldn’t reach a verdict. He shot and killed Timothy Henley at the home of his ex near Gobles in June after his daughter caught Henley and her mother having sex in a nearby vehicle. The two men got into an argument, and Taylor opened fire after Henley punched out a window in his BMW. He claimed self defense, but said he did not want to put his children through another trial when he agreed to plead guilty.. ...Read Full Story

If you liked getting your cider and donuts from Jollay Market in Coloma, you need to find somewhere new. The family-owned market is shutting down, with the announcement being made on Facebook Monday morning thanking customers for “a great 9 years.” The post goes on to say the business “must take pause and see what life brings us,” leaving a possible return open-ended. When contacted by WSJM News, the response received was “We are looking forward to a fantastic U Pick season at Jollay Orchards.”. ...Read Full Story

Indiana Michigan Power expects most customers in southwest Michigan to have their electric service restored by 11 pm. The utility says there will likely be a small number in the Buchanan area, however, who will be in the dark a little longer and no estimate has been released as yet for them. I&M says as of 9 a.m. today, power had been restored to almost 80% of the roughly 27,000 who lost service due to Sunday’s wind storm. Around 45-hundred in southwest Michigan are still without the lights at mid-day, along with 11-hundred in Indiana. The utility has over 400 employees and contractors making the repairs.. ...Read Full Story

A violent train-car collision just west of Kalamazoo in Oshtemo Township has killed everyone on board the vehicle. Michigan State Police say there were three people in the car when Amtrak’s Wolverine 355 train slammed into it around 10 p.m. Sunday. The train was already 45 minutes late headed to Chicago at the time. No one on the train was hurt. Police have not released the names of the victims as yet, and there’s no word why the car was on the tracks at the time. The crash remains under investigation.. ...Read Full Story

When President Trump this month signed a funding package to avoid another partial government shutdown, one thing that was not included was a re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Congressman Fred Upton, a longtime supporter of the act, tells WSJM News it was removed last minute from the deal. Now, he expects action on just that issue. He says there is time.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Today has announced rhythm, blues, and rock singer JD McPherson will be the headliner for this year’s BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival. To be held at Whirlpool Centennial Park in St. Joseph on May 18, the festival will be a chance for anyone to take in live music with Lake Michigan serving as the backdrop. St. Joe Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News McPherson is a retro rocker.. ...Read Full Story

High lake levels and winds along with constant wave action within the Black River Channel in South Haven have caused increased erosion between the channel and the north parking area at South Beach. South Haven Director of Public Works Bill Hunter told WSJM News what is happening and what the city is doing about it.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced it will issue March and April food assistance benefits early to reduce the gap between benefits payments that resulted from the partial federal government shutdown. The department tells us food assistance recipients can expect to get next month’s benefits on March 3, 4, or 5. April benefits will be issued between April 3 and 12, and May payments will be issued as normally scheduled. The department made the changes so families don’t have to go more than 45 days without food assistance. The department issued February benefits early beginning in January at the direction of the federal government due to the shutdown that was happening at the time. About 1.2 million Michiganders receive food assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administered by the state health department. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren District Library is putting a different spin on March Madness with a bracket competition called March Book Madness. The library’s Kay McAdam tells us they’re putting 64 works of literature up against each other, and the theme is old versus new. For example, the public can vote on things like The Lord of the Rings versus Game of Thrones or Fahrenheit 451 versus The Hunger Games. McAdam says this is the first time they’ve tried such an event.. ...Read Full Story

The Consumers Energy Foundation has announced it’s providing $1.5 million to non-profits around Michigan this year for projects aiming to preserve, restore, and protect natural resources. Consumers spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the first Planet Awards will go to two or more Michigan non-profits looking to make a positive impact on the state’s land, water, or air.. ...Read Full Story

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning to begin at 7 a.m. Sunday and continue through 1 a.m. Monday. The service says it expects sustained west winds of 35 to 40 miles per hour with frequent gusts of up to 50 miles per hour. They are expected to start early Sunday morning and persist into the evening hours of Sunday. Periods of sustained winds up to 45 miles per hour and wind gusts to 60 miles per hour are also expected, especially during the day on Sunday. This could mean downed tree limbs and small trees blocking roads along with power outages and minor structural damage. The National Weather Service says driving in high profile vehicles, especially on north-south roads, could become hazardous, while unsecured outdoor objects will be blown around. The high wind conditions are expected throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.. ...Read Full Story

A Decatur man is in custody following a chase with police in Van Buren County on Friday. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us a deputy tried to pull over a Pontiac Grand Prix for a traffic violation on Paw Paw Road near M-51 in Paw Paw Township around 1:15 p.m. The Grand Prix took off, but its driver crashed while trying to turn on to 40th Street. The driver then fled on foot, but was caught by the pursuing deputy. A search of the Grand Prix turned up meth-related contraband, and it was also learned the 30-year-old suspect was wanted on two warrants. When the suspect was taken to the Van Buren County Jail, police say they found meth in his sock. He’s now facing several charges, and his name has not been released.. ...Read Full Story

Manufacturing in southwest Michigan remains strong. Kinexus CEO Todd Gustafson tells WSJM News the latest state report for the region shows the manufacturing industry grew by 5% in 2018. Gustafson says the industry is southwest Michigan’s economic driver, employing more than 18,000 people.. ...Read Full Story

Legislation from Senator Gary Peters is aimed at boosting protections for the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act would give the U.S. Geological Survey the authority to support the Great Lakes Science Center with funding. Peters tells WSJM News Great Lakes research does not receive regular funding renewals.. ...Read Full Story

A dispute between Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative Republicans over the reorganization of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality was resolved this week with a compromise, something being hailed by state Representative Beth Griffin. The Mattawan Republican tells WSJM News the governor had issued an order to reorganize the DEQ while also eliminating three review commissions set up last year by the Legislature. On Tuesday, Griffin says she introduced a resolution asking the governor to resubmit the plan without dropping the commissions, and that’s just what happened.. ...Read Full Story

Bronson South Haven Hospital has been designated a Level IV Trauma Center by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Bronson Trauma Program Director Rita Cox tells WSJM News the state has different levels of trauma designations to determine the best course of action when someone is injured.. ...Read Full Story

Power companies around Michigan are taking steps to prepare for high winds on Saturday night and Sunday. Consumers Energy tells us they’re closely watching the weather and mobilizing resources in advance in case of power outages due to winds that are expected to gust up to 50 miles per hour. Indiana Michigan Power says you can stay on top of outages in your area at IndianaMichiganPower.com/Outages. All utilities remind everyone to stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines. If you see a line down, report it to the power company or to 911.. ...Read Full Story

Flick Pick is a podcast about movies. In today’s episode, Andrew Green reviews Happy Death Day 2U, which is the sequel to last year’s Happy Death Day. Andrew also reviewed that film, and loved it. Does this crazy sequel live up to the original. Scroll down and click the Play button to find out what our reviewer thinks.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is now taking registrations for the next Sky Warn training sessions. They’re looking for volunteers who can help keep the community safe by providing reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. Anyone can be a severe weather spotter, and the information provided by them has helped the National Weather Service track tornados, floods, and storms. Sky Warn volunteers who go through the training are taught things that include the basics of thunderstorm development, the fundamentals of storm structures, identifying potential severe weather features, how to report, and basic safety. The next Sky Warn training session will be on Saturday, March 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. at South Haven High School. Those who attend are encouraged to register by calling the Office of Domestic Preparedness of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department.. ...Read Full Story

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch for Saturday night and Sunday. The watch covers Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, says weather service meteorologist Kyle Brown.. ...Read Full Story

Following up on a story WSJM News broke earlier this week on our Moody On The Market digital site, the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area will soon have an Arby’s restaurant for the first time in years. The Benton Township Planning Commission will consider a site plan application Monday night from Browning Properties II LLC to build the restaurant at the southwest corner of East Napier Avenue and M-139 across from Walgreens. The two lots are currently occupied by a closed dry cleaning and tuxedo rental business. Arby’s had been considering a return to the Twin Cities for at least the past year. The new location will be close to where the area’s last Arby’s was torn down in July 2018.. ...Read Full Story

Authorities say a pilot has died after a small plane hit power lines and crashed in a farm field in northern Indiana. The plane crashed Thursday night about 2 miles east of Goshen Municipal Airport. Elkhart County Sheriff Jeff Siegel says the pilot was believed to be the only one aboard. Witnesses reported seeing the plane dive into the field, hitting the power lines on the way down. Emergency crews at the crash site had to use extreme caution because of high-voltage lines on the ground. Siegel says his office was handling the crash as a death investigation and awaited investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a review.. ...Read Full Story

Good news for local blueberry growers, as Vietnam is reportedly opening its border for fresh blueberry imports from the United States this month.. ...Read Full Story

2019 is starting off a little quieter than the past few years for sales of existing homes in the area. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says sales fell 8% last month compared to 2018. Association Executive Alan Jeffries says a drop in January numbers is not unusual given the normal push to close by the end of December for both buyers and sellers. Prices are also down, with the average sales price slipping 6% from January 2018 to just over $199,000 and the median price falling 8% compared to last year to $137,500. Jeffries notes the inventory of available homes on the market fell 4% last month year-over-year, and there is just a 4.9 month supply.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Ford says it has launched an investigation into whether a flawed mathematical model caused it to overstate gas mileage and understate pollution from a wide range of vehicles. The company says a group of employees reported possible problems with the model in September. It has hired an outside firm to test the 2019 Ford Ranger. If problems are found, then Ford will start looking at models going back to 2017. Ford says it has no evidence yet that mileage or pollution numbers are wrong, but the investigation has just started. The company says it’s too early to tell how many and which models might be involved. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California regulators have been informed about the situation, according to the automaker.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan voters can start casting an absentee ballot without giving a reason. Thursday is the first day residents can request to vote by mail in the May election. It is the first election since voters last fall approved no-reason absentee voting as part of a ballot initiative. Previously, absentee voters had to be at least 60 years old, be out of town when the polls are open or be unable to vote on Election Day due to a physical disability, religious tenets or incarceration. Requests for an absent voter ballot can be submitted in writing to the local city or township clerk. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Flint Township Clerk Kathy Funk are holding a news conference Thursday to welcome the new era of no-reason absentee voting.. ...Read Full Story

Indiana Michigan Power has announced two economic development grants for Berrien County. I&M spokesperson Tracy Warner tells us the first one is to expand access to broadband internet in the Niles area.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has agreed to pursue a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Waterways Grant to develop four public access points along the St. Joseph River in St. Joe and Benton Harbor. Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News the idea is to spend about $350,000 on new infrastructure so the river can be used for travel by anyone.. ...Read Full Story

Two Cassopolis residents are facing charges in the meth-related death of a 10-year-old girl in northern Indiana. Prosecutors say the girl and her 9-year-old sibling were taken to an Elkhart home last June by 34-year-old Brandon Hobbs and his 30-year-old girlfriend, Erica Reschke. Hobbs is the father of the children. The 10-year-old girl died at the home as a result of methamphetamine ingestion. Toxicology tests revealed high levels of the drug in her body. Hobbs and Reschke are now charged with neglect of a dependent, and Reschke is also charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Their trial is scheduled to start May 6 in Goshen.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says an investigation into possible sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in Michigan may last two years, and she has asked the state’s seven dioceses to suspend their own internal review processes until the probe is complete. She said Thursday there ultimately could be more than 1,000 victims, and there are hundreds of thousands of pages of documents to review. Nessel’s predecessor last year opened an investigation after a Pennsylvania grand jury report said more than 1,000 children had been molested there since the 1940s. The Archdiocese of Detroit says Nessel has not asked it to stop its internal review process, which it says is used to restrict or remove from ministry anyone who has committed sex abuse.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have opted to give a break to some property owners, along with the city’s own assessment department. At Tuesday’s meeting, the commission narrowly approved a request from City Manager Darwin Watson to waive some old fees faced by property owners who did not file paperwork with the assessor in a timely fashion when their property changed hands. Watson said there are a large number of fees going back years in those cases.. ...Read Full Story

The murder trial for the widow of US Army Sergeant Tyrone Hassel III and her lover will start April 30 in St. Joseph. Kemia Hassel is accused of using Snapchat to plan her husband’s murder and sending boyfriend Jeremy Cuellar to St. Joseph Township while they were all on leave over the New Year’s holiday to carry out the killing. Army Specialist Jaquan Hamilton testified yesterday that Cuellar admitted to the crime.. ...Read Full Story

Vail Rubber Works is set for an expansion in Royalton Township. The St. Joseph manufacturing firm is planning to build a 58,000 square foot production facility on 30-acres it owns at the southwest corner of Hollywood Road and Glenlord Avenue near Rogers Foodland. Pearson Construction will handle the build, and Vail is partnering with Abonmarche for the development. Construction will start this spring and is expected to be complete early next year. The expansion will create about 10 new jobs, and Vail will continue to operate its facility on Langley Avenue near downtown St. Joseph along with another near Mobile, Alabama. The family-owned company was founded in 1892.. ...Read Full Story

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has placed Congressman Fred Upton on its retirement watch list for 2020. The committee, which bills itself as “the official campaign arm of the Democrats in the House of Representatives,” said Tuesday many House Republicans “are slowly coming to the realization that life in the minority, with no end in sight, just isn’t worth the hassle.” It says it won’t be surprised if Upton winds up among them. WSJM News asked Congressman Upton if he had a comment.. ...Read Full Story

A new grant program at Cornerstone Alliance aims to help St. Joseph and Benton Harbor area businesses save energy and spruce up their facades. The Small Business Facade Grant program will provide funds for the repair, maintenance, or rehabilitation of exterior faces on commercial buildings. Additionally, Cornerstone tells us combining facade enhancements with I&M’s energy efficiency upgrades will ensure a “universal approach to business improvement.” By implementing energy saving proposals, businesses can then become eligible for up to $100,000 in rebates through I&M’s Prescriptive and Custom programs. The facade grants are targeted at downtown Benton Harbor, the Arts District, Niles Road between Napier Avenue and Hilltop Road in St. Joe, and the M-139 Corridor in Benton Township. Grant applications can be found on the website of Cornerstone Alliance.. ...Read Full Story

Starting this Thursday is 97.5 Y Country’s annual Country Cares for Kids St. Jude Radiothon. That’s when the Y Country staff broadcasts live from the Shadowland Ballroom in St. Joseph raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Morning host Matt Malone.. ...Read Full Story

A new forum series on the transgender community in southwest Michigan will begin this Thursday at Lake Michigan College. Organized by the OutCenter’s League of Extraordinary Genders, “Southwest Michigan VOICES: Real Stories of Transgender Life” is all about understanding. The league’s Paula Camp spoke with WSJM News.. ...Read Full Story

Anyone interested in running for elected office in the city of Benton Harbor can now submit nominating petitions to the city clerk’s office. The clerk says primaries for five positions will be held on August 6. The offices to appear on the ballot will be mayor, two commissioner at-large seats, and the seats for city commission in Wards 1 and 2. All of the positions have four-year terms. The clerk says those who submit petitions need at least 25 valid signatures from residents within the relevant jurisdiction. The deadline to turn in petitions is 4 p.m. on April 23.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has blocked the sale of a former Michigan prison that was proposed as the site of a privately operated federal immigration detention center. Immigration Centers of America was the sole bidder for the former Deerfield Correctional Facility in Ionia, which closed in 2009. A spokeswoman for the Democratic governor says concerns included whether
adults who had been separated from their children might be held there. Plans for the facility had moved forward last year under then-Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican. The $35 million facility was proposed to house adult immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement who hadn’t been charged with or convicted of criminal offenses. Immigration Centers of America had planned to house 500 to 600 detainees and employ more than 250 workers.. ...Read Full Story

He tried to blame his wife’s murder on two men who broke into their Niles Township home, but a jury wasn’t buying it. John Lewis has been found guilty of killing his wife, Carla Lewis, in 2017. Jurors returned with the conviction Tuesday after starting deliberations last Friday. She was shot and killed inside a marijuana grow room in their home. Lewis called 9-1-1 after the shooting to report two suspects had broken in, shot her, and left in her car. The vehicle was found a few days later in a Cass County cornfield. He will be sentenced to life in prison without parole on March 25.. ...Read Full Story

It’s going to be a while before a popular Hagar Township restaurant is serving again. North Berrien Fire and Rescue Chief Mike Mattix says there is a lot of smoke damage inside DiMaggio’s Pizza on M-63.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren District Library is putting a different spin on March Madness with a bracket competition called March Book Madness. The library’s Kay McAdam tells us they’re putting 64 works of literature up against each other, and the theme is old versus new. For example, the public can vote on things like The Lord of the Rings versus Game of Thrones or Fahrenheit 451 versus The Hunger Games. McAdam says this is the first time they’ve tried such an event.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have heard plenty from residents frustrated with the state of local streets, and they say some relief will come but patience is needed. At a Tuesday meeting, City Manager Darwin Watson said some work has been underway to address potholes.. ...Read Full Story

When President Trump last week signed a funding package to avoid another partial government shutdown, one thing that was not included was a re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Congressman Fred Upton, a longtime supporter of the act, tells WSJM News it was removed last minute from the deal. Now, he expects action on just that issue. He says there is time.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is advising drivers of a traffic disruption to occur this week due to the movement of a house. It tells us the house move will begin on Main Street in Mattawan just south of the Shell station Thursday. The route will be north on Main Street, over the I-94 overpass to Red Arrow Highway. From there, the route will be Red Arrow Highway into Paw Paw, then north on Hazen Street to just north of Paw Paw on County Road 665. Due to the size of the house being moved, the entire road will be inaccessible while it’s going by. The move will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday and is expected to take about an hour. Drivers who take part of the affected route during that time are advised to pick a different route.. ...Read Full Story

High lake levels and winds along with constant wave action within the Black River Channel in South Haven have caused increased erosion between the channel and the north parking area at South Beach. South Haven Director of Public Works Bill Hunter told WSJM News what is happening and what the city is doing about it.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Today has announced rhythm, blues, and rock singer JD McPherson will be the headliner for this year’s BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival. To be held at Whirlpool Centennial Park in St. Joseph on May 18, the festival will be a chance for anyone to take in live music with Lake Michigan serving as the backdrop. St. Joe Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News McPherson is a retro rocker.. ...Read Full Story

A Michigan State Police trooper assigned to the Niles post is facing a felony charge of embezzlement. Michigan State Police tell us Jesse Binns was arraigned in the Cass County District Court on a charge of embezzlement between $1,000 and $20,000 from a non-profit or charitable organization on Tuesday. The charge was authorized by a special prosecutor assigned out of Kalamazoo County. The criminal charge results from Binns’ employment as the assistant chief at Cass Central Fire Department. However, state police suspended Binns without pay in September of 2018. In a statement, Michigan State Police say the department has a “long-standing tradition of demanding the highest possible standards of professional conduct from its enforcement and civilian members.” Binns will remain on suspension pending the outcome of the case.. ...Read Full Story

The Consumers Energy Foundation has announced it’s providing $1.5 million to non-profits around Michigan this year for projects aiming to preserve, restore, and protect natural resources. Consumers spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the first Planet Awards will go to two or more Michigan non-profits looking to make a positive impact on the state’s land, water, or air.. ...Read Full Story

A two-hour documentary will air on ABC TV stations Friday night diving deeper into the mass shooting that shattered Kalamazoo and other southwest Michigan communities three years ago tomorrow. ABC News has released a preview of the “20/20” program called “The Deadly Ride” about convicted killer Jason Dalton’s murderous spree during which he killed six people and injured two while still picking up fares for Uber.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police are looking for a man missing out of Allegan County. They say Todd Lilge was last seen Monday around 10 a.m. at the Plainwell Police Department. His vehicle was later found in Allegan County at a state gaming area on 125th Avenue near 43rd Street. Lilge is described as a white male, about 5 foot 11 inches and 240 pounds. He has gray and brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone who knows where he is should contact Michigan State Police at the Paw Paw post.. ...Read Full Story

After a weekend closure, Secretary of State offices and self-serve kiosks are open today after a computer upgrade. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says the old system was based on 1960s mainframe computer technology.. ...Read Full Story

The Kent County Sheriff’s Department is investigating what has the looks of a triple-murder-suicide that has left 3 young children and an adult woman dead in a home near Cedar Springs in northern Kent County. Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young says it’s believed the children were killed somewhere else and then taken to a home on 19 Mile Road, where the woman took her own life.. ...Read Full Story

President Trump has triggered bipartisan opposition in Congress by attempting to bypass lawmakers to fund his border wall. Congressmen Fred Upton and Dan Kildee both say that only Congress can spend money. Upton says to look for Congress to possibly try to block the order.. ...Read Full Story

No recreational marijuana businesses will be allowed in the city of South Haven for at least six months following the adoption of a placeholder ordinance. The ordinance gives the Planning Commission six months to work out local regulations, and Mayor Scott Smith says they want a full study on the who, what, and where of weed businesses. He talked to our newsroom about what would have happened had the city council not hit the brakes on the issue Monday.. ...Read Full Story