The American Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter for those who were displaced by a motel fire in Sodus Township early Saturday morning. Six people were killed in the blaze at the Cosmo Extended Living Motel on M-139. They were a 26-year-old woman and her five children. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey spoke with WSJM News at the scene.. ...Read Full Story
The city of Buchanan has opened its first dog park. City Manager Bill Marx tells WSJM News the Field of Dreams Dog Park, located at the south end of Clark Street and is part of the McCoy Recreation Area, is the result of a four year campaign by the dog park committee.. ...Read Full Story
Whirlpool stock took a hit after the release of second quarter earnings this week. The appliance maker reported a loss in the quarter of $657 million, and fell short of Wall Street expectations with just $3.20 earnings per share. CEO Marc Bitzer says there were several macroeconomic factors going against them in the last three months, notably the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imported steel and aluminum.. ...Read Full Story
Six members of one family have been killed in an overnight fire at the Cosmo Extended Living Hotel in Sodus Township. The fire started just before 2 a.m. Saturday, firefighters and other first responders immediately began to evacuate the building when they arrived to see it filled with fire and smoke. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department estimates 90% of the rooms had fire, smoke, or water damage. The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined. The sheriff’s department has identified the victims as:. ...Read Full Story
The city of South Haven isn’t the only municipality having to deal with the short-term rental issue. Casco Township has seen a rising number of homes being acquired by investors to rent out as short-term vacation homes. Some year-round residents say they have had to repeatedly call police to report rowdy behavior. Casco Township officials have been working on a zoning ordinance for residents to approve or disapprove on August 7. The ordinance limits the number of guests allow in a vacation rental, stating guests must follow the township noise ordinance. The ordinance also set up a home inspection program that requires smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Already in place is a 24-hour hotline for short term rental complaints.. ...Read Full Story
Chikaming Open Lands is looking to set up a new nature preserve, and it’s raising money to make that happen. Executive Director Ryan Postema tells WSJM News the conservation group wants to purchase 49 acres in Chikaming Township on Warren Woods Road between Warren Woods State Park and the Chikaming Township Preserve.. ...Read Full Story
The summer Berrien County Land Auction is Tuesday. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News it’s a chance for anyone to bid on recently-foreclosed properties. Although the number of available properties is down, Witkowski says the variety is wide.. ...Read Full Story
Bottled water was handed out Friday in the city of Parchment and Cooper Township in Kalamazoo County following contamination of the water supply by the chemical PFAS. Parchment Mayor Robert Britigan spoke with Michigan News Network about the situation.. ...Read Full Story
A former officer for the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is heading to trial for running a man down with his squad car during a chase in May. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells us 51-year-old Patrol Officer Steven Johnson ran over a man who was trying to escape police in Benton Harbor the night of May 10. Officers were investigating a report of a stolen lawnmower when it happened. The man, 25-year-old Ronald Glover, Jr., recovered, and was later sentenced to a year in jail for resisting and obstructing as well as possession of marijuana. In court last week, prosecutors showed dashcam video taken from that night as Johnson pursued Glover into an alley and struck him with his squad vehicle. Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic tells us the footage makes it appear the collision was intentional. The video shows Glover get up after being hit, pause, and then continue fleeing. Judge Arthur Cotter last Thursday set Johnson’s trial on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon for October 16. Johnson faces up to four years in prison if convicted.. ...Read Full Story
Berrien County could be lending a hand to Cass County when it comes to managing transportation services. This week, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners tabled a proposal to have the county’s transportation planner and coordinator work for Cass County one day per week. Berrien County Administrator Bill Wolf spoke with WSJM News about the matter.. ...Read Full Story
