Democratic candidate for Congress in Michigan’s Sixth District Matt Longjohn stopped by Benton Harbor City Hall on Monday to speak with the Benton Harbor City Commission. Longjohn, a doctor, promoted his healthcare credentials to commissioners, saying his experience as a public health official puts him in a good position to better serve citizens.. ...Read Full Story
Sales of existing homes in July surged 18% over last year according to the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors. Average and median sales prices were nearly unchanged. The inventory of houses for sale rose slightly from a 5.9 month supply in June to a 6.29 month supply in July. Year-to-date, the total dollar volume of homes sold is up 5%, while that volume was higher by 20% compared to July 2017. The number of bank-owned or foreclosed homes as a percentage of all transactions in July dropped to 4%, which is a low for the year and even with the level last July and August. The highest percentage for the month was 35% in July 2009.. ...Read Full Story
At least 143 Michigan school districts have asked for waivers to begin school before Labor Day this year, the largest number since a law was passed requiring the later start. The tourism industry argued the later start gave them more summer weekends, despite arguments from educators that it was bad for kids. Michigan State University economist Paul Ballard says he doubts the economic bump is worth the damage it does.. ...Read Full Story
A beach hazards advisory is still in effect until 8 tonight from the National Weather Service for the Lake Michigan shoreline all the way from Indiana to Manistee. While there have been people surfing the big waves today in South Haven, NWS meteorologist David Cook says it’s recommended people don’t swim, especially if they’re not too experienced.. ...Read Full Story
A water main break is impacting service in the city of South Haven. City officials are working on a boil water notice for the area of East Wells Street northward to include Casco Township. The notice will be from the Lake Michigan shore to I-196. They don’t have an estimate as yet as to when the repairs will be complete and the boil notice lifted.. ...Read Full Story
There could soon be an effort to beautify areas of Benton Harbor with murals. At this week’s city commission meeting, Anna Russo-Sieber with ARS Arts and Culture Center in Benton Harbor and Detroit-area artist John Sauve made their initial pitch to commissioners. They had no details; just a proposal that murals be painted on buildings throughout the city. Sieber told WSJM News public art has been shown to be a boost for communities.. ...Read Full Story
An effort in Chikaming Township to raise money for the expansion of a popular beach is now in its home stretch. Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte tells WSJM News the Cherry Beach Project seeks to raise about $1 million for the purchase of three acres adjacent to the beach.. ...Read Full Story
There will be a debate or more between Congressman Fred Upton and Democratic opponent Matt Longjohn in the race for the Sixth District congressional seat. Upton tells WSJM News he’ll make it a priority. Longjohn has called for six debates.. ...Read Full Story
Preparations are already underway for next year’s Berrien County Youth Fair now that the 2018 event is all wrapped up. Berrien County Youth Fair Director Karen Klug tells WSJM News about 105,000 people walked through the fairground gates last week. That’s compared to 121,000 the previous year. The biggest attractions?. ...Read Full Story
Benton Harbor City Commissioners continue to discuss the status of City Manager Darwin Watson. At Monday’s meeting, they emerged from a closed session, requested by Watson, at which they considered his employment agreement. In the end, commissioners voted to amend the city manager’s contract without specifying in what way. Mayor Marcus Muhammad said an ad hoc committee consisting of Commissioners Ron Singleton, Duane Seats, and Sharon Henderson would work out that amendment. Muhammad said they would have ten days. In February, the commission voted against an extension of Watson’s contract while still leaving him in place. The discussion is expected to resume at the next city commission meeting.. ...Read Full Story
The duties of some of the most detail-oriented, safety minded engineers in the area were on display at the Silver Beach Center in St. Joseph Tuesday, as the resident inspectors from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission who oversee the safety efforts at Bridgman’s Cook Nuclear Plant met with the public. One of them is John Ellegood, who has been at Cook for six-and-a-half years and tells WSJM News he enjoys being able to share what they do with people.. ...Read Full Story
STEM education in Bridgman is getting a boost. The Bridgman Foundation for Educational Excellence gave the final $150,000 of $300,000 raised to support the F.C. Reed Middle School STEM Lab during this week’s school board meeting. Superintendent Shane Peters tells us the school’s approach is a little different than others when it comes to the science, technology, engineering, and math lab as all 5th through 8th graders can participate in the STEM lab.. ...Read Full Story
With concerns about the safety of Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, Senator Gary Peters held a U.S. Senate hearing in Traverse City today. He took testimony from officials from the Coast Guard, NOAA, and Skip Elliott, administrator of the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.. ...Read Full Story
A tax tribunal case between Harbor Shores and the city of Benton Harbor will continue. At a Monday meeting, the city commission rejected a settlement with Harbor Shores regarding its 2017 and 2018 assessments. The golf course wants its taxable value adjusted lower. The settlement, if accepted, would have caused a loss of about $33,000 to the city. The city assessor warned commissioners the fight could drag out for years with little chance for the city. Mayor Marcus Muhammad liked the situation to “an indecent proposal.”. ...Read Full Story
A new kind of class is being offered this upcoming academic year at Lake Michigan College. The college tells us it’s holding a course to teach students how to run a political campaign. LMC political science professor Tiffany Bohm tells WSJM News Campaigns and Elections will cover several election-related topics, like public speaking, data analysis, and voter registration.. ...Read Full Story
State Senator John Proos has saluted the Edwardsburg Ambulance Service for reaching its 50th anniversary. Proos on Friday presented the service with a special tribute during a visit to Dowagiac. He tells us first responders “are supremely dedicated people who work night and day to save lives and help make Southwest Michigan a great place to live.” He also commended the community for supporting the ambulance service and making sure it has the latest training and equipment. Proos presented the service’s Jenn Hartzell and Alyssa Cox with the tribute, which was signed by himself, Governor Rick Snyder, state Representtaive Dave Pagel, and Congressman Fred Upton.. ...Read Full Story
Teachers in the St. Joseph Public Schools are getting a raise this year. Superintendent Ann Cardon says they’re in the middle of a three-year contract, and the negotiations over the past few months were just for the wage opener.. ...Read Full Story
The campaign of Congressman Fred Upton has indicated it is interested in scheduling debates between Upton and Democratic opponent Matt Longjohn, although it’s not being more specific than that. Longjohn last week challenged Upton to six debates, one in each of the district’s counties. After we contacted the Upton campaign to ask for a response, we were sent a statement attributed to campaign manager Nate Henschel. It says the campaign “will participate in public forums, discussions, and debates surrounding the issues. We plan on working with our opponents to ensure voters can see and hear for themselves our contrasting visions for the future of Southwest Michigan.” The Longjohn campaign says Upton called for debates after he secured the Republican nomination for the Sixth District seat this month.. ...Read Full Story
Another round of car break-ins is under investigation by the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety. The department posted on its Facebook page Monday, saying the culprits are going through unlocked cars. There was also an attempted home break-in Sunday night, although the city isn’t saying exactly where it was. Everyone’s reminded to keep their house and car doors locked, and to remove valuables from their vehicles. Anyone who has security cameras that captured suspicious activity is asked to contact the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety. ...Read Full Story
Detroit native Garlin Gilchrist II is the pick of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gretchen Whitmer as her running mate. She introduced him at a campaign event in Lansing Monday morning.. ...Read Full Story
AAA Michigan reports that the average price for a gallon of gas has dipped about 10¢ in the last week on average, from just under $3 to $2.89 per gallon. But, they also say that price is nearly 50¢ higher than last year at this time. They also expect prices to spike again as we approach the Labor Day holiday weekend two weeks from today. The Benton Harbor-St. Joseph average is down a nickel to $2.90 per gallon, but if you go into Van Buren County, GasBuddy notes there are good bargains to be had, with prices in Gobles down to $2.68 and South Haven’s prices are around $2.81. Triple-A says gasoline inventories in the Midwest increased last week for the first time since the end of June, and that helped to stabilize the market and even bring the prices down. Michigan’s lowest prices according to the auto club are in Traverse City at $2.75.. ...Read Full Story
Benton Township police are looking for suspects in a triple shooting. They were called to a home around 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 800 block of Eastern Avenue for a report of shots fired and found three Benton Harbor women injured. All three were outside at a party when they were shot. According to police, 31-year-old Tiera Clark was shot in the chest and throat area, 31-year-old Holli Meridy was shot in the shoulder, and 30-year-old Alicia Watson was shot in the neck. There is no word on their conditions. Police have not identified any suspects or motive as yet.. ...Read Full Story
A move is in the works for Berrien County Cancer Service. Organization CEO Nancy Church tells WSJM News they’re relocating from their building on Red Arrow Highway near Stevensville to the second floor of the Marie Yeager Cancer Center in Royalton Township. She says this will put Berrien County Cancer Service closer to many patients.. ...Read Full Story
School districts around Berrien County have seen their revenues jump dramatically since the closure of a property tax loophole last year. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News legislation from state Representatives Dave Pagel and Kim LaSata made it possible to revoke the homestead exemptions of property owners making that claim on more than one property. Since the crackdown, Witkowski says nearly a million dollars more has been collected for Berrien County schools.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton has announced a couple of grants for Berrien and Van Buren counties. His office tells us the first USDA Rural Development grant in Berrien is $95,000 for the village of Baroda. It will be used to build a road through the industrial park. The park has 14 lots, 12 of which are sold to businesses looking to construct facilities. However, there isn’t road access to all of the sites. The grant will change that. It’s expected to lead to the creation of 20 jobs. The other grant is for $41,000 for Van Buren County to conduct a comprehensive countywide economic development plan. It will focus on three areas — transportation, workforce housing, and internet connectivity. Congressman Upton says the two USDA Rural Development grants will “directly help boost our local economy and create local jobs.”. ...Read Full Story
The Ojibway Correctional Facility in the western Upper Peninsula will close in December. The Michigan Department of Corrections announced the closure today as the prisoner population continues to decline statewide. State Representative Scott Dianda, who represents the western Upper Peninsula, tells Michigan News Network it’s bad news.. ...Read Full Story
The Bangor Historical Society is looking to purchase its museum Museum on West Monroe Street. The society tells us it’s had a generous landlord for years, but now, the landlord would like to sell the building in the next year. So, that means the museum will have to purchase the building or move. Bob Emmert, president of the museum, spoke with WSJM News about the issue.. ...Read Full Story
There will not be any public art on the sidewalks in the city of St. Joseph next year. The program is being paused for a year, partly due to the retirement of communications director Susan Solon, and partly because she says it’s been successful in bringing people and families downtown and helping to fill storefronts that had been empty when it began as an economic development tool 15 years go.. ...Read Full Story
Horizon Bank has announced a new milestone. The bank that serves northern Indiana and southwest Michigan has surpassed $4 billion in total assets. Horizon Bank CEO Craig Dwight says this is the first time the institution has passed that mark in its 145 year history. He adds the bank is proud of reaching that level, believing the growth “helps us to continue on our mission of serving local communities.” He credits the latest news to “profitable acquisitive and organic growth.” Horizon Bank has more than 50 locations throughout Indiana and Michigan.. ...Read Full Story
Cornerstone Alliance is looking at all options to help Benton Township replace the Target store in the Fairplain Plaza, which closed earlier this year. To that end, they’ve hired an organization called The Retail Coach to study the market. The company’s Will Kline talked about the work with 98.3 The Coast.. ...Read Full Story
Anyone interested in learning more about police work will soon have a chance to take part in a Michigan State Police Citizens Academy. Trooper Alan Fitzpatrick of the Paw Paw post tells WSJM News the next academy will start September 24, and they’re taking registrations now. He says each Monday session looks at different aspects of the work state police do.. ...Read Full Story
The state of Michigan will begin collecting sales taxes on online purchases from out of state sellers next month. The Michigan Department of Treasury tells us a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has prompted it to change the state’s sales tax administration. Shoppers were previously required to track and annually self-report uncollected taxes from mail order and online retailers physically located outside of Michigan. Treasury says this week’s announcement allows for the more efficient collection of the sales tax by collecting from businesses rather than individuals. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a more than 30-year precedent allowing the Michigan Department of Treasury to collect sales tax from retailers physically located outside the state if the retailer exceeds $100,000 in sales or 200 or more transactions in Michigan within the previous calendar year. The state Treasury Department estimates more than $200 million in additional state revenue will be collected each year under the new sales tax rule.. ...Read Full Story
National Parks in Michigan and around the nation could get some TLC if Congress Acts. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is promoting bipartisan legislation that would address the $12 billion maintenance backlog at parks across the country. Yaron Miller with the Pew Charitable Trusts Restore America’s Parks campaign says many of the problems at the parks impact access and safety.. ...Read Full Story
Some southwest Michigan wineries have come out on top in a statewide competition. Held in Lansing on August 9 was the 2018 Michigan Wine Competition. Out of 415 wines entered, wineries of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail were awarded 125 medals, including three in the Best of Class category. Among them were St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw, which took home the top honors in the categories of Dessert Wine and Fruit Wine. Winning in the Semi-Dry Red Wine category was Lawton Ridge Winery out of Kalamazoo. The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is a collaboration of 20 member wineries all located in Southwest Michigan. You can find out more about them at MIWineTrail.com.. ...Read Full Story
This is the time of year to keep an eye out for Japanese knotweed. The Berrien County Conservation District’s Jared Harmon tells WSJM News the invasive plant just started sprouting its most distinctive feature last week.. ...Read Full Story
The Van Buren County Road Commission is going to try again. After a ballot proposal asking the public for a millage increase to improve the roads was shot down last week, Road Commission Engineer Manager Larry Hummel says they’re now going to put it on the November ballot. He told The Herald Palladium trying again in November will allow more time to promote the millage proposal. The goal is 3 mills over 12 years, generating about $10 million per year. The ballot language will be revised to better explain how the money will be shared with local governments. The millage proposal was rejected last week with about 44% voting in favor. The Van Buren County Road Commission tells us it needs extra money in order to get the county’s roads in better shape. Hummel says about 67% of them are in poor condition.. ...Read Full Story
An Elkhart, Indiana man has been found guilty of murder in Cass County. The Cass County Prosecutor’s Office tells us 33-year-old Joseph Craigo’s trial wrapped up Friday after about a half hour of deliberations. The trial included testimony from 19 witnesses about the night in March of last year when Craigo’s father was killed. The prosecution said a methamphetamine-addicted Craigo went to his parent’s house with the intention of taking what he wanted and then killing his father. It tells us Craigo used a homemade knife to try to slit his father’s throat before plunging it into his neck. Criago’s 66-year old-mother testified he threatened to kill her as he fled the scene. Craigo had claimed self-defense, and later, that we was covering for his mother, who he said actually committed the murder. In court, though, he admitted to the stabbing. Craigo will be sentenced on September 14. The penalty for murder in the first degree is mandatory life in prison without parole.. ...Read Full Story
Deputies with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department will now be carrying anti-overdose drug Naloxone as part of their regular equipment. Naloxone is a simple nasal spray that can get a person breathing again when they experience an opioid overdose. The sheriff’s department tells us a grant helped to buy enough doses for all of its divisions to keep on hand. The Grand Rapids Red Project came to Allegan and Saugatuck to provide Naloxone training to staff of the sheriff’s department. The drug has become a common piece of standard police equipment in southwest Michigan as the opioid epidemic continues to cause overdose deaths.. ...Read Full Story
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has completed a project to protect one of its K9s from excessive heat. Last fall, the Bow Wow Bakery and Bath in Dowagiac started the “Keep Nellie Cool” campaign, aiming to raise money for a heat sensor in the patrol car used by K9 Nellie and her handler, Deputy T.K. Grave. The sensor could alert Grave when the car gets too hot so she can respond to protect Nellie. The sheriff’s department says last year there were seven Police K9s killed nationwide from overheated vehicles. A total of $12,000 was raised by the Keep Nellie Cool campaign, and a used Tahoe was purchased with it and to be outfitted for proper use with Nellie. The car that was being used by the Nellie, a bloodhound, and her handler was scheduled to be taken out of service. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department thanks everyone who chipped in to the campaign.. ...Read Full Story
Even without much rain in northern Michigan lately, the CEO of one vineyard says they’re doing just fine so far. Maria Dalese is the CEO of Chateau Chantal on Old Mission Peninsula and told Michigan News Network the grapes are doing well.. ...Read Full Story
The future of the Line 5 oil pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac will be the topic of two hearings in Traverse City, one Saturday, and the other on Monday. Liz Kirkwood, executive director of the group For Love of Water, tells us Line 5 has surpassed its lifetime in terms of safety. Her group believes it risks the health of the Great Lakes every day that it continues to carry oil.. ...Read Full Story
In case you’re wondering if Wallace Avenue in St. Joseph will be back open in time for next Friday’s season opening football game at St. Joseph High School, part of it will be. St. Joe City Engineer Tim Zebell tells us the city is well aware of the upcoming football action, and crews will have traffic open on Wallace between South State Street and Stadium for the game, making access to the school from the east possible on Wallace. Access from the west will have to be on Kingsley. The road surface will still be rough as the reconstruction project on Wallace is still weeks away from being finished, but it will be available for game traffic next Friday. Otherwise, Zebell says the plan is to have the paving done and Wallace back open in time for the start of school. You can follow all of the latest on the Wallace Reconstruction project at the city’s website. You can find it right here.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is going to work with New Buffalo Area Schools on security. At this week’s meeting, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved an arrangement that will have a sheriff’s deputy stationed at the schools. Sheriff Paul Bailey spoke with WSJM News about the arrangement.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Authorities have positively identified a couple whose remains were recovered from the wreckage of a small plane that crashed more than 20 years ago in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Mackinac County Sheriff Scott Strait said Thursday the remains have been positively identified as those of missing couple Mark and Janet Davies. The single-engine Piper PA-28 that 45-year-old Mark Davies was piloting took off Sept. 14, 1997, from Drummond Island in Lake Huron and was headed to Howell, about 300 miles (480 kilometers) to the south. A four-day search at the time failed to find the remains of the couple or the plane. The wreckage was discovered July 11 in the Hiawatha National Forest near St. Ignace. Strait says the National Transportation Safety Board has completed its on-site investigation.. ...Read Full Story
A work requirement for able-bodied adults with no dependents who are receiving food assistance will go into effect across Michigan in October. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News those affected will have to work an average of 20 hours per week to continue getting food aid.. ...Read Full Story
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is appealing a decision that allowed Ibrahim Parlak to stay in the United States. Last month, an immigration judge approved Parlak’s application for deferral of deportation under the Convention Against Torture. Homeland Security has asked the decision to be reconsidered, meaning the fight for Parlak now goes to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Congressman Fred Upton spoke with WSJM News on Thursday about the issue.. ...Read Full Story
The upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend will have a lot of us on the road for a final summer trip. As has been the case for years, extra police patrols will also be out there. Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit says multiple agencies around the county are taking part in another Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over campaign.. ...Read Full Story
No direct answer from Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Schuette to a question on the future of Governor Snyder’s Healthy Michigan program if he’s elected. The Medicaid expansion provides health insurance for 680,000 people in the state. At the Oakland County Republican Party headquarters Wednesday, Schuette gave a rambling answer to a yes or no question, saying he prefers a private-sector focus on healthcare instead of expanding Medicaid. He also said children should be able to stay on their parents’ plan until the age of 26 and he favors keeping pre-existing conditions covered.. ...Read Full Story
How many prisons does the state need? The Michigan Department of Corrections and state lawmakers say not as many as we currently have, and the announcement was made this week that the Ojibway Correctional Facility in the far western Upper Peninsula will close in December. Senator John Proos of St. Joseph says it makes sense to close down facilities rather than keep them open and pay for empty beds.. ...Read Full Story
The music world has lost an icon. The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has died at her home in Detroit at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer. Franklin has been in hospice care for much of the past week at her home on the Detroit River. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee to Barbara and C.L. Franklin, a Baptist minister. After moving to Detroit, she became active musically and recorded her debut album at the age of 14 in 1956. Franklin won 18 Grammy awards and was the first female solo artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She performed at two presidential inaugurations: 1993 for Bill Clinton and 2009 for Barack Obama. Along with her storied music career, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 from President George W. Bush and Yale University awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in Music in 2010.. ...Read Full Story
Coming up next week is the second annual Trolling with the Troops event in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. Organizer Scott Mann tells WSJM News it’s a fishing trip for veterans out in Lake Michigan. The local Steelheaders recruit boat captains to take the veterans out, and then a celebratory lunch is held after. Last year, they had 67 veterans and 17 boats.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is pushing for an increased vaccination rate in the state. Spokesperson Angela Minicuci tells WSJM News this is the time of year to do that.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton has announced a $180,000 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant for the Allegan Conservation District. It’s specifically for the Allegan Conservation District Project, intended to encourage the implementation of best management practices to reduce sediment runoff in the Gun River Watershed. The Great Lakes Commission says the program protects the lakes by helping communities reduce the sediment and nutrient runoff. Upton’s office says every year, tons of pollutants enter the Great Lakes Basin, causing economic and environmental losses, along with contributing to the formation of Algal Blooms and dead zones. The GLC aims to fight that by working with local organizations like the Allegan Conservation District. The grant funding is provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative under an agreement between the GLC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.. ...Read Full Story
Some southwest Michigan wineries have come out on top in a statewide contest. Held in Lansing on August 9 was the 2018 Michigan Wine Competition. Kathy Sturm with the Lake Michigan Wine Trail tells WSJM News out of 415 wines entered, wineries of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail received a good deal of medals.. ...Read Full Story
The Allegan Area Educational Service Agency is being sued by the U.S. Justice Department for failing to protect two female teachers who were subjected to sexual harassment by a supervisor. The department says the suit, filed Wednesday in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, alleges the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency discriminated against the two teachers when they were repeatedly subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace by a former principal at the school where they worked. The principal was later convicted of criminal assault of the teachers. The Justice Department lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the teachers, and also a requirement that AAESA develop and implement policies that would prevent sex discrimination and harassment in the future.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Michigan’s unemployment rate fell by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.3 percent in July.
Figures released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget show Michigan’s jobless rate was four-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 3.9 percent last month and two-tenths of a percentage point higher than the state’s July 2017 rate of 4.5 percent. The agency says total employment in Michigan increased by 6,000 during the month while the number of unemployed fell by 7,000. Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives Director Jason Palmer says Michigan’s July jobless rate was the lowest since 2000, but total employment remains about 250,000 below the level achieved then.. ...Read Full Story
If you’re a resident of Bangor or thinking of moving to Bangor, you’re invited to the End of Summer Bash and Fire Prevention Fun Day on Wednesday, starting at five at the Bangor High School and Middle School lot. Hot dogs, burgers, and chips will be available for free. Backpacks and school supplies will be given to the first 100 kids. Police will display how the Jaws of Life work, and firefighters will be on hand. The event is sponsored by the Bangor Community Fire Department, Bangor Police Department, and Bangor Public Schools. The school district will have informational booths for those families interested in attending Bangor Public Schools.. ...Read Full Story
Court proceedings in a Dowagiac murder trial are being pushed back to next month. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz says the preliminary exam for Rolandis Russell has been rescheduled from tomorrow until September 10. Russell is facing eight charges for the shooting death of Fabian Wesaw outside the Beeson Street Bar on July 29. He’s accused of getting an AK-47 out of his car and firing at a man with whom he was arguing, but missed the intended target. Wesaw was part of a group that followed the men outside and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police had been sent to the bar for the fight, and say they heard the gunshots while they were en route.. ...Read Full Story
One ticket is complete in the governor’s race, as Republican Bill Schuette has named Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons as his running mate. He said several factors went into the choice.. ...Read Full Story
The state of Michigan will begin collecting sales taxes on online purchases from out of state sellers next month. The Michigan Department of Treasury tells us a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has prompted it to change the state’s sales tax administration. Shoppers were previously required to track and annually self-report uncollected taxes from mail order and online retailers physically located outside of Michigan. Treasury says this week’s announcement allows for the more efficient collection of the sales tax by collecting from businesses rather than individuals. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a more than 30-year precedent allowing the Michigan Department of Treasury to collect sales tax from retailers physically located outside the state if the retailer exceeds $100,000 in sales or 200 or more transactions in Michigan within the previous calendar year. The state Treasury Department estimates more than $200 million in additional state revenue will be collected each year under the new sales tax rule.. ...Read Full Story
