The Michigan Department of Transportation has updated its Drive website to be more user friendly. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News MDOT recently discontinued the MI Drive phone app, and redesigned the website to work better with mobile devices.. ...Read Full Story
A couple of new principals have been hired at Niles Community Schools. Superintendent Dan Applegate tells us the district has hired Jeron Blood as the new Ballard Elementary principal and Jennifer Shabazz as the principal of Northside Child Development Center. Blood has previously served as the assistant principal and associate principal at Edison Middle School in the Unit 4 School District of Champaign, Illinois. Shabazz joins the Niles Community Schools from the South Bend Community School Corporation where was the assistant principal at Brown Intermediate Center. Blood says he looks forward to working collaboratively with the Ballard Elementary teachers and staff, and contributing to a positive learning environment. Shabazz says she wants to support the needs of teachers, staff, and families. Applegate says the district is excited to welcome both.. ...Read Full Story
A medical marijuana producer out of Colorado could soon own the vacant Alreco Industrial property in Benton Harbor. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells us NoBo Partners recently came to the Berrien County Land Bank with an offer of $450,000 for the 11-acre site. That’s after the same offer had been made by the Harvest Group, another medical marijuana producer, earlier this spring. At a Thursday meeting, the land bank voted to tell the two prospective buyers each had ten days to come up with a $20,000 deposit and a letter of support from the city. Whichever could do it first would be able to buy the property.. ...Read Full Story
The local response to the PFAS contamination in Parchment and Cooper Township in Kalamazoo County is getting high marks from Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News when the harmful chemical was detected at high levels in the water there, the locals acted quickly to solve several problems.. ...Read Full Story
A new report looks at the effects immigrant entrepreneurs have on Michigan’s economy. The Michigan League for Public Policy report says immigrants account for 12% of business owners in the state, and 20% of Main Street business owners. These are smaller-sized, local-oriented stores and services. Report author Victoria Crouse tells us these businesses are important to the fabric of Michigan.. ...Read Full Story
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is hoping to attract public interest in its efforts to improve the Ox Creek Watershed. It tells us a new website has been launched specifically for the Ox Creek Watershed Improvement Plan, which outlines steps being taken to improve the water quality, a vision for development of the area, resources, and contact information. The Ox Creek Watershed is in Benton Township around the general area of the Orchards Mall. It flows into the Paw Paw River, and is part of the far west section of the larger St. Joseph River Watershed. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission tells us its plan focuses on a revitalized Orchards Mall with mixed use developments and public gathering spaces. The plan is intended to deal with pollution. You can find out more at the new project website, SustainOxCreek.org.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale is underway this weekend. Taking place through Sunday, the US-12 Heritage Trail Garage Sale is a series of sales taking place all the way from New Buffalo to Detroit. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission’s Kris Martin helps to organize the event and spoke with WSJM News about it.. ...Read Full Story
The number of concussions suffered by high school athletes in Michigan continues to fall. In its third annual report, the Michigan High School Athletic Association says concussions were down 10% in the most recent school year compared to the one prior, and they were down 19.6% from the first year of the study. Football had the most per 1,000 athletes, but the MHSAA notes girls reported three-times more concussions than boys in the same sport. Boys, though accounted for two-thirds of all the head injuries due to playing more contact sports. Varsity athletes suffered 56% of the concussions, and the MHSAA says the majority happened during games.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Department of Treasury is warning all students to watch out for loan and scholarship scams. Acting Deputy State Treasurer Anne Wohlfert tells WSJM News this is the time of year when many college-bound students are getting their financial ducks in a row. They may get offers for bogus loan programs.. ...Read Full Story
Set for this Sunday is the 16th annual Maytag IronMan 70.3 Steelhead, an endurance triathlon that starts at Jean Klock Park in Benton Harbor. Race Director Mike Ryan tells WSJM News about 2,000 people will take part in the event. It will take the triathletes on a mile swim in Lake Michigan, followed by a bike ride to South Haven, and then back to Benton Harbor. They’ll have a 13 mile run through the Whirlpool campus. Ryan says the participants were streaming into Benton Harbor on Friday.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Land Bank is hoping to close a deal soon with a buyer for the vacant Alreco industrial property in Benton Harbor. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the land bank has received two offers from medical marijuana producers for the 11 acre site on Alreco Road. They are the Harvest Group out of Okemos, and NoBo Partners out of Colorado. The Harvest Group has already secured support from the city of Benton Harbor to buy the site, but has not moved forward.. ...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
From the Associated Press– A January trial date has been set in the case of an Uber driver charged with killing six people in Michigan after a prosecutor said he won’t appeal a decision that keeps a lid on parts of a police interview. Kalamazoo County prosecutor Jeff Getting says it’s time to bring the “matter to trial without further delay.” The shootings occurred in February 2016. The state appeals court recently threw out some statements made by Jason Dalton. Getting says he won’t appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court. Dalton is charged with killing six people and wounding two others while driving for Uber. He’s not accused of shooting customers. Dalton told police that a “devil figure” on Uber’s app was controlling him. Jury selection will start January 3.. ...Read Full Story
The University of Michigan marching band will perform at Lakeshore High School next month. The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation tells us Lakeshore High School will host the U of M band on September 1, before the university band goes on to play at the University of Notre Dame as the Wolverines take on the Fighting Irish. The public is invited to come out on Saturday, September 1 at 2:45 p.m. to see the U of M band’s pregame and halftime performance free of charge at Al Stockman Stadium on Cleveland Avenue in Stevensville. Donations will be accepted with all of the proceeds going to the United Way of Southwest Michigan.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Youth Fair gets underway Monday in Berrien Springs. This year’s theme is “Passport to Adventure,” and the first day of the fair features several animal judging events including horses, goats, cats, and rabbits. The evening entertainment Monday is the 98.3 The Coast Talent Show at 7 pm. As normal, Tuesday will be Kids Day, with all children up through high school getting in for free. Wednesday night, the country duo LoCash performs in the grandstand at 7 p.m, sponsored by 97.5 Y-Country and United Federal Credit Union. Thursday night features the truck demolition derby sponsored by 957 & 1400 WSJM Sports and Honor Credit Union. The car demolition derby is Friday night, and the fair wraps up Saturday night with Bullmania. The full schedule is available online at BCYF.org.. ...Read Full Story
As many as 100 new jobs are coming to Hagar Township. Cornerstone Alliance tells WSJM News that Dicastal Logistics Group will be opening a new operation in the township. The Chinese-based company is the largest manufacturer of aluminum wheels for the auto industry in the world, and distributes those to 46 assembly plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. DLG will be making what the Alliance calls a “significant investment” in the 423,000 square foot facility at 4412 Coloma Road.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Retailers Association says back-to-school sales numbers are expected to be strong, just like last year when $83 billion was spent nationwide. The Association’s Meaghan Holland expects sales to be near a record high this year.. ...Read Full Story
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission has big hopes for the Ox Creek Watershed in Berrien County. Deputy Executive Director Marcy Hamilton tells WSJM News it’s an area of Benton Township.. ...Read Full Story
A well-used privately owned road in South Haven may be closed if repairs are not made. The road runs off of Blue Star Highway just south of Phoenix and along the south side Walgreens. The road serves a several businesses, allowing traffic to bypass busy Phoenix Street. The private road looks like an air force bombing range along the Walgreens parcel. It’s important to note that Walgreens does not own the property they occupy. Phoenix Crossing LLC of Holland is the owner and they have been notified of the need for repairs of the road dating back to 2013, the latest notice was sent out July 31st. No phone listing could be found for them. City officials say not repairing the road could lead to its closure until repairs are made.. ...Read Full Story
The Van Buren Conservation District will be doing free water testing for residents next week. The district’s A.J. Brucks tells WSJM News anyone can bring by a sample of their well water to have it checked for nitrates and nitrites.. ...Read Full Story
The Live Mannequins event held in downtown St. Joseph each December is being rebranded and moved to the spring. St. Joe Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News Live Mannequins, which featured displays of people dressed as mannequins with different themes, has been a success in the winter as part of Light Up the Bluff. However, there are always huge crowds downtown for the December event, whereas there are other times of year that could use a boost downtown.. ...Read Full Story
One key Republican in Michigan is not getting behind the party’s nominee for governor quite yet. That man is Rick Snyder, the term-limited current governor who had backed Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley’s bid for the party’s nomination. Snyder did not show up at a Wednesday evening unity rally in Grand Rapids at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, with the headliner being Vice President Mike Pence, who is backing Bill Schuette for governor and John James for the U.S. Senate. Pence spoke for the two at Wednesday’s rally.. ...Read Full Story
The American Red Cross shelter set up at Upton Middle School for displaced residents of the Cosmo Extended Stay Motel is no longer needed. The Sodus Township motel was shut down due to a fire late last month, and about 27 of its residents were staying at the shelter set up in St. Joe at the shelter’s peak. However, as of Thursday morning, the final shelter resident had moved out. Red Cross of Southwest Michigan Director Breeze Ettl spoke with WSJM News about the situation.. ...Read Full Story
A massive dairy processor is going to set up shop in Clinton County, north of Lansing. Nearly 300 jobs are set to be created following the announcement of the facility in the city of St. Johns, where Jon Stoppels is the city manager. He spoke with Michigan News Network about the new project.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton and the other members of his House Problem Solvers group continue to push for new House rules when the next House Speaker is chosen. The group recently announced it wants rules in place to ensure amendments or bills supported by a certain number of representatives are guaranteed consideration. Upton tells WSJM News many members are frustrated with pointless gridlock.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan State Police post in Niles and the Niles Police Department are the first law enforcement agencies in Berrien County to be picked for a statewide program to help identify vulnerable adults or impaired children. MSP Lieutenant Melinda Logan tells WSJM News the VIP program was created by legislation to protect those individuals.. ...Read Full Story
The number of concussions suffered by high school athletes in Michigan continues to fall. In its third annual report, the Michigan High School Athletic Association says concussions were down 10% in the most recent school year compared to the one prior, and they were down 19.6% from the first year of the study. Football had the most per 1,000 athletes, but the MHSAA notes girls reported three-times more concussions than boys in the same sport. Boys, though accounted for two-thirds of all the head injuries due to playing more contact sports. Varsity athletes suffered 56% of the concussions, and the MHSAA says the majority happened during games.. ...Read Full Story
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is hoping to attract public interest in its efforts to improve the Ox Creek Watershed. It tells us a new website has been launched specifically for the Ox Creek Watershed Improvement Plan, which outlines steps being taken to improve the water quality, a vision for development of the area, resources, and contact information. The Ox Creek Watershed is in Benton Township around the general area of the Orchards Mall. It flows into the Paw Paw River, and is part of the far west section of the larger St. Joseph River Watershed. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission tells us its plan focuses on a revitalized Orchards Mall with mixed use developments and public gathering spaces. The plan is intended to deal with pollution. You can find out more at the new project website, SustainOxCreek.org.. ...Read Full Story
With the failure this week of a road millage in Van Buren County, it’s back to the drawing board for the road commission. The body had asked voters for an additional three mills for 12 years to fix up the county’s roads. That would have generated more than $10 million per year. Van Buren County Road Commission Engineer-Manager Larry Hummel tells WSJM News the talks now begin on what to do next.. ...Read Full Story
A couple of new principals have been hired at Niles Community Schools. Superintendent Dan Applegate tells us the district has hired Jeron Blood as the new Ballard Elementary principal and Jennifer Shabazz as the principal of Northside Child Development Center. Blood has previously served as the assistant principal and associate principal at Edison Middle School in the Unit 4 School District of Champaign, Illinois. Shabazz joins the Niles Community Schools from the South Bend Community School Corporation where was the assistant principal at Brown Intermediate Center. Blood says he looks forward to working collaboratively with the Ballard Elementary teachers and staff, and contributing to a positive learning environment. Shabazz says she wants to support the needs of teachers, staff, and families. Applegate says the district is excited to welcome both.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Ford Motor Co. marked the production of the 10 millionth Mustang with celebrations at the automaker’s headquarters and at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant where the iconic sports car is made. A parade of Mustangs from 1964 to the present day rolled into the HQ’s parking lot in Dearborn, Michigan, Wednesday morning before making the 30-minute drive – complete with police escort – to the Flat Rock complex. There, the cars were organized into a configuration that spelled out, “10,000,000.” The commas were represented by the first Mustang produced and the 10 millionth, a 2019 Wimbledon White GT V8 six-speed manual convertible. Mustang is the best-selling sports car of the last 50 years in the U.S. and the world’s top-selling sports car for three years in a row.. ...Read Full Story
The local response to the PFAS contamination in Parchment and Cooper Township in Kalamazoo County is getting high marks from Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News when the harmful chemical was detected at high levels in the water there, the locals acted quickly to solve several problems.. ...Read Full Story
Voters in Allegan County’s Casco Township have approved a zoning ordinance referendum for short-term rentals by a vote of 517-407. The ordinance regulates vacation rental home owners and address some of the concerns of residents in Casco Township. Owners of vacation rentals need to register their properties and pay a $200 fee, or face a fine. There will also be limits on the number of guests that can stay in the rental home, and those renters must follow the township’s noise ordinance. The approved ordinance also sets up a home inspection program and requires homeowners to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The township already has a 24 hour hotline for short-term rental complaints.. ...Read Full Story
A Niles teacher and Upper Peninsula native is the choice of Republicans for the state House in the 78th District. Brad Paquette won Tuesday’s primary and tells WSJM News he has many of the same ideas as a lot of candidates in wanting to get roads fixed and reform no-fault auto insurance to make it more affordable, but his classroom experience also has him wanting to make changes to the education system to get more people interested in being in front of students.. ...Read Full Story
Ironman is coming to Michigan. The triathlon will be held in Traverse City in 2019 and 2020. Traverse City City Commissioner Michele Howard told Michigan News Network this week she is excited. She’s competed in a couple of Ironman races, the last one four years ago in Syracuse.. ...Read Full Story
The matchup is set in the race to succeed term-limited Senator John Proos in the 21st state Senate District. After just one term in the House, Republican Representative Kim LaSata decided to make a run for the Senate, and defeated fellow Representative Dave Pagel in yesterday’s primary. WSJM News asked her about why she chose to shoot for the upper chamber now instead of running for two more terms in the House.. ...Read Full Story
In addition to political races going on Tuesday, Van Buren County voters in several communities were asked to approve ballot proposals. Biggest among them was a countywide road proposal. The Van Buren County Road Commission asked voters for an additional three mills for 12 years, and they were shot down. Van Buren County voters rejected the request for more funding. Elsewhere, a variety of local proposals for things from roads to senior services were approved. Most of them were renewals. Voters in Hamilton Township did say no to a senior services proposal by a narrow margin. Mattawan Schools also had a ballot proposal, asking voters for .45 mills over 20 years. The purpose was to seek $19 million for facility improvements. Voters said yes. They also approved the district’s request for a millage renewal.. ...Read Full Story
We now know who will face Congressman Fred Upton in November. Coming out on top of the Democratic primary on Tuesday was Kalamazoo County doctor Matt Longjohn. He told WSJM News when launching his campaign that he decided to run because he has the experience as a doctor and former public health official to reform the nation’s healthcare system. He said Tuesday night he thinks he has a serious chance of defeating Upton.. ...Read Full Story
Former state Representative Aric Nesbitt has another win under his belt. He defeated two challengers for the Republican nomination in the 26th state Senate District, as Senator Tonya Schuitmaker is term-limited. Nesbitt called for party unity in the fall and recapped the accomplishments of the Legislature while he was in the House.. ...Read Full Story
Berrien County voters have green-lighted nearly all the local proposals on the ballot on Tuesday. Many were millage renewals for schools and public safety. A bond proposal to build a new fire station in Baroda Township is the only one that appeared to have lost as of early this morning, going down by just 16 votes, with 324 no and 308 yes. A new millage is going to be levied on Lincoln Township residents for the next decade to operate, maintain and equip the township library. The operating millage for the North Berrien Historical Society was also approved in the city of Coloma and the townships of Bainbridge, Coloma, Hagar and Watervliet.. ...Read Full Story
An ongoing study on the future development of the riverfront in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor will result in some workshops to seek public input next month. At this week’s Benton Harbor City Commission meeting, commissioners heard from Don Carpenter, a consultant working on the Twin Cities Harbor Visioning Charrette. It’s a grant-funded effort to plan for riverfront development in a sustainable way.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Department of Transportation has updated its Drive website to be more user friendly. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News MDOT recently discontinued the MI Drive phone app, and redesigned the website to work better with mobile devices.. ...Read Full Story
No dogs allowed. The Benton Harbor City Commission on Monday voted to clarify that is the case with Jean Klock Park. Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis told them his department has gotten complaints about people taking their pooches to the beach.. ...Read Full Story
An agreement has been finalized so residents of the city of Parchment and Cooper Township who are dealing with chemical contamination in their water will get clean water. The Kalamazoo City Commission and the Parchment City Commission approved an agreement Monday for Kalamazoo to provide a year’s worth of water to Parchment’s water system, which also serves parts of Cooper Township. Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell says local, state and federal agencies came together to help.. ...Read Full Story
Somebody shot up a house in Vandalia Monday evening, and got caught a short time later. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, a suspect fired several shots at a home in the 17-thousand-800 block of State Street around 6:45 last night. Nobody was shot, and the suspect was caught by police a short time later. Deputies were helped out by Pokagon Tribal Police and troopers from the Michigan State Police. They aren’t saying what prompted the shooting, and have not released any information on the suspect, pending that person’s arraignment.. ...Read Full Story
Tonight brings the 35th annual Police National Night Out as local police departments look to mingle with the public and establish good relations. St. Joseph Township Police Officer Rick Knapp tells WSJM News there will be a gathering at St. Joseph’s Riverview Park featuring demonstrations for the public.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is running unopposed on the Republican primary ballot today for another term in the U.S. House, but there are four Democrats vying to be his opponent in November. Voters in the 6th District will pick from David Benac, Rich Eicholz, George Franklin, and Dr. Matt Longjohn. None of the four has previously held elected office.. ...Read Full Story
Applications to open a medical marijuana business in Benton Harbor will become available on September 1. That’s following a Monday meeting of the city commission. The commission previously had set the application date about a month later, but a shift in state rules prompted bumping the local dates up. Commissioner Mary Alice Adams on Monday pushed for an even earlier date, but Mayor Marcus Muhammad didn’t want to overwhelm city staff.. ...Read Full Story
Preparations are underway for what’s called Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale. Set for this weekend, the US 12 Heritage Trail Garage Sale is a series of sales taking place all the way from New Buffalo to Detroit. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission’s Chris Martin helps to organize the event and spoke with WSJM News about it.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — New voting machines in Michigan may cause problems for residents with a visual disability.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Tuesday’s primary will feature $40 million of new equipment that replaced aging voting machines. Blind voters in the state have used AutoMark Voter Assist Terminals for more than a decade. The terminals have a touch screen and a keypad with Braille. Most Michigan counties will now use Dominion Voting Systems. The equipment
doesn’t have keypads with Braille and feature verbal instructions that can be difficult for a blind person to follow. Fred Woodhams is a spokesman for the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office. He says the device is federally certified and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A 2015 survey estimates that about 221,000 Michigan residents have a visual
disability.. ...Read Full Story
A brand new 14 by 12 foot mural has been painted on the outside brick wall of the St. Joseph Welcome Center downtown. St. Joseph Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News the organization hired Houston-based artist Anat Ronen to spruce up the alley wall that faces Main Street. The mural was finished on Friday.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Members of a northern Michigan resort community have eliminated a bylaw being challenged in court that requires homeowners to be of “Christian persuasion.” The Petoskey News-Review reports members of the Bay View Association voted 69% to 31% Saturday to strike down the decades-old requirement. A newly adopted rule states applicants for membership must support the Bay View mission and “respect the principles of the United Methodist Church.” It eliminates a requirement that applicants submit a letter of recommendation from their pastor or church leader. A group of residents have filed a federal lawsuit to overturn the rule, alleging it violates the First Amendment. The U.S. Department of Federal Housing
notified the associated in May that it failed to prove it’s exempt from a law prohibiting discrimination.. ...Read Full Story
There is plenty to be decided tomorrow at the ballot box. Along with state races for governor and the U.S. Senate primary, Berrien County voters are choosing candidates for the state House, state Senate, and county commission along with the Democratic race for Congress. In the races for state House in the 79th District, five Republicans and two Democrats are running. The Republicans are Joann DeMeulenaere, Bruce Gorenflo, Maria Moen, Troy Rolling and Pauline Wendzel. On the Democratic side, Joey Andrews faces Marletta Seats. The seat is currently held by Representative Kim LaSata, who is trying to make the jump to the state Senate after less than one term in the House. She faces fellow state Representative Dave Pagel in the Republican primary in the 21st District. Southern Berrien County voters have six Republicans to choose from in the primary to succeed Pagel, who is term limited. They are Steve Bury, Dana Daniels, Daniel Hinkle, David Mann, Brad Paquette and Kelly Priede. Only one Democrat in the race, so Dean Hill will be on the ballot in November.. ...Read Full Story
Residents of Van Buren County are invited to come to Lawrence for the National Night Out. Reserve Captain Rodney Bridgeforth of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department told WSJM News what’s happening.. ...Read Full Story
When you cast your ballot today, the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office is reminding you to stick to just Republicans, Democrats, or Libertarians. Spokesman Fred Woodhams says any ballot with more than one party selected will be tossed out and you’ll have to vote again.. ...Read Full Story
This year’s summer auction of property tax-foreclosed properties by Berrien County is one of the most successful ever in terms of selling parcels of land that had homes or vacant businesses. Treasurer Bret Witkowski says they had a first during the Tuesday morning auction.. ...Read Full Story
Next Tuesday is the National Night Out and the first ever held in Allegan County. You’re invited to Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park Tuesday, August 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. for food and drink, giveaways, and demonstrations of fire district and safety equipment. The Saugatuck-Douglas Convention and Visitors Bureau will be sponsoring a free parking shuttle bus. It will run between Saugatuck High School and Coghlin Park from 5:30 to 8:30. More information available at Saugatuck’s City Hall and on Facebook.. ...Read Full Story
Two men in their 50s are recovering with just minor injuries after a plane crash in Dowagiac this weekend. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the Saturday evening incident, which happened around 7 p.m. The 54-year-old pilot was treated at the scene, while his 51-year-old passenger was taken to Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital. He was treated and released from there. The plane was taking off when it crashed at Dowagiac Municipal Airport.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan’s latest water crisis is coming from a chemical used in manufacturing, fire suppression foam, and other uses. PFAS has turned up in wells north of Grand Rapids, near Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, and most recently, rendered the city of Parchment’s water system unusable in Kalamazoo County. State Representative Peter Lucido of Macomb County wants an immediate ban on the substance enacted. He spoke with Michigan News Network about it.. ...Read Full Story
