This is the month to talk about the vaccine for Human papillomavirus, or HPV. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and the vaccine for HPV will help protect against that disease. It’s better to make sure a child gets that vaccine young.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan House has approved legislation from state Representative Kim LaSata to re-name part of Red Arrow Highway in Berrien County after a fallen state police trooper. She tells us under her bill, Red Arrow between Glenlord and Hilltop roads will be called the Trooper Robert J. Mihalik Memorial Highway. Mihalik was shot and killed on September 9, 1984 while arresting a suspect for failing to pay for gas at a Shoreham area station.. ...Read Full Story
There is a wave this year of members of the U.S. House and Senate deciding they will not seek re-election. Congressman Fred Upton had weighed running for the Senate instead of the House, but recently decided to go after a 15th two-year term instead. He tells us he’s not too shocked by the number of colleagues deciding they’re done.. ...Read Full Story
How many elk are in Michigan? That’s what the Michigan DNR is attempting to find out with an elk count over the next week in northeast northern Michigan. 2018 is also the 100th anniversary of elk in the state. The DNR’s Katie Keen spoke with Michigan News Network about the history of Michigan’s elk population.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan League for Public Policy is calling for several changes to the state’s unemployment insurance system. League Policy Analyst Peter Ruark tells WSJM News the maximum benefit hasn’t been raised since 2002, low-income workers don’t even qualify for help, and the legislature in 2011 reduced the amount of time someone could receive benefits.. ...Read Full Story
The Niles Scream Park has announced a new memorial scholarship. Scream Park Manager Matt Herm tells WSJM News the Niles-area attraction gives out thousands of dollars in scholarships each year as part of its mission to support the community.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — A group pushing to repeal Michigan’s law that requires higher “prevailing” wages on state-financed construction projects may be short signatures – again. The state elections bureau said Tuesday that of 535 signatures sampled, 370
are valid. That’s shy of the 373 required by a statistical model. Officials will next pull a larger sample of 4,000 signatures to review.
A ballot committee backed by the nonunion Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan says it turned in more than 380,000 signatures for the veto-proof legislation. About 252,000 signatures must be valid. The group’s previous repeal push in 2015 faltered due to invalid signatures gathered by paid circulators. The group’s leader, Jeff Wiggins, says the initial sample shows there are 10,000 more signatures than needed and he’s confident the number will grow.. ...Read Full Story
Two Indiana men are in the Cass County Jail awaiting breaking and entering charges. The sheriff’s department tells WSJM News they were called out to help Silver Creek Township police for a possible burglary in progress in the 31-thousand block of Magician Lake Terrace. Police had noticed a suspicious vehicle and a house that had been broken into around 2:30 this morning, and the sheriff’s department called for K9 officer Faust to track the two. They were hiding in the nearby woods. One man is 26 and from Michigan City, while the other is 29 and from Elkhart. Their names are being withheld until they’re arraigned.. ...Read Full Story
Tourism professionals testified in front of the Senate Commerce Committee in Lansing on Wednesday. The focus was on how to expand tourism and the benefits of the Pure Michigan campaign. The Executive Director of the Sault Ste Marie Convention and Visitors Bureau, Linda Hoath, testified in front of the committee.. ...Read Full Story
A man is hospitalized after falling on the ice under the Bi-Centennial Bridge on Main Street overnight between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard had to go into the water in cold water ice rescue suits to help rescue the man. The St. Joseph Firefighters Local 1670 says on Facebook the incident happened overnight, but no details have been released as to how the man got onto the ice on the St. Joseph River to begin with. The Coast Guard used a stokes basket to bring the man to shore, and Medic 1 rushed him to the hospital. There’s no word on his condition.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan is one of the top states in the country for craft breweries, and brewers are meeting in Kalamazoo this week for the Michigan Brewers Guild Annual Conference. Guild Executive Director Scott Graham spoke with Michigan News Network about the event.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Officials plan to divide $25,000 into small grants to support local river, stream and creek cleanups in Michigan. The state Department of Environmental Quality and Great Lakes Commission are offering the grants to local governments, which can partner with nonprofit groups or other volunteers to do the work. Local recipients must match at least 25 percent of the funding.
Michigan’s Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup Program is supported by fees from the sale of specialty water quality protection license plates. The deadline to apply for the grants is Feb. 20. The grant application package is available online. Decisions are expected in early May.. ...Read Full Story
Applications for the Heart of Cook grants are now available. The Berrien Community Foundation tells us Heart of Cook is a program funded by Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook nuclear plant to help non-profit programs in southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana. Educational projects, human services programs that support families, and environmental protection and preservation projects are the focus areas for Heart of Cook. The grant review committee, comprised of Cook plant employees, gives special consideration to projects that involve I&M staff. The program is administered by the Berrien Community Foundation, and applications are available at its website. The deadline to apply is February 9. Last year, the Heart of Cook program gave out more than $52,000 to 36 non-profits. You can find the webpage to apply right here.. ...Read Full Story
Don’t drive a snowmobile on ice. That’s the advice of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Law Enforcement Division Lieutenant Tom Wanless spoke with WSJM News about snowmobile safety.. ...Read Full Story
A replacement for the federal DACA program could be coming by the end of the month. That’s according to Congressman Fred Upton, who tells WSJM News a meeting this week on immigration reform with President Trump was promising. Upton says most are on the same page when it comes to helping out the young dreamers in the DACA program.. ...Read Full Story
Drivers on I-94 and I-196 are having an easier time seeing Michigan Department of Transportation plows this winter. In addition to the flashing yellow lights, flashing green lights have been added to the trucks. MDOT’s Jeff Cranson tells WSJM News the state now allows them on maintenance vehicles.. ...Read Full Story
Lake Michigan College is planning a week filled with activities to mark Martin Luther King Day starting next Monday. LMC Diversity Consultant Danny Sledge tells WSJM News it is important for an institution of learning like LMC to celebrate the lessons taught by Dr. Martin Luther King.. ...Read Full Story
St. Joseph City Commissioners are considering ways they can get the public more involved in local committees and boards. At this week’s meeting, Commissioner Peggy Getty said she would like to see different city boards receive attention at regular city hall sessions, and maybe also highlight them in the newsletter.. ...Read Full Story
Federal tax reform has eliminated the personal exemption at the state level, and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley have developed a proposal to restore the exemption. Calley spoke with Michigan News Network about it.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan State Police are teaming up to reduce the number of people who drive onto the wrong ramp and cause high speed head-on crashes that usually result in fatalities. MDOT Traffic Safety Engineer Josh Carey tells us they will be improving signage on ramps, installing cameras that will detect wrong way drivers earlier and posting alerts on highway information signs.. ...Read Full Story
A new poll shows fixing Michigan’s roads and other infrastructure is the top problem facing the state. EPIC-MRA President Bernie Porn told Michigan News Network the poll shows an alarming number of Michiganders are worried about fresh water.. ...Read Full Story
January is School Board Recognition Month, and Berrien RESA Superintendent Kevin Ivers is calling on everyone to salute their school board. Ivers tells WSJM News school board members put in countless hours of work attending meetings and training just so they can help ensure the children of their community receive a quality education.. ...Read Full Story
Brace yourself for the coming of some new potholes. Van Buren County Road Commission Engineer Manager Larry Hummel tells WSJM News when the snow melts, his crews can always expect to find new things to be patched.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education starts off a new year with a new president. Marletta Seats was picked for the post at the board’s re-organizational meeting Tuesday. Seats told WSJM News the new board leadership aims to continue following the district’s partnership agreement with the state.. ...Read Full Story
The Van Buren County Trial Court is set to graduate eight enrollees from the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program this Thursday. Van Buren County Specialty Courts Administrator Rachel Lindley tells WSJM News Swift and Sure is a way to help an offender avoid jail time while turning their life around through intense probation. She notes going through the program can be tough.. ...Read Full Story
The St. Joseph Department of Public Works has been able to save thousands of dollars in recent years thanks to work done to increase energy efficiency. Public Works Director Tom MacDonald told city commissioners this week the department has switched to LED lighting and fixed problems with its heating system. That’s led to more than $4,000 in rebates from AEP and Michigan Gas. He tells WSJM News commissioners voted to allow the work a few years ago.. ...Read Full Story
Martin Luther King Day is this coming Monday, and the United Way of Southwest Michigan is encouraging everyone to do some community service for the occasion. The United Way’s Julee Laurent tells WSJM News the organization has heard of a variety of community service efforts planned for MLK Day.. ...Read Full Story
The explosion in flu cases reported in some parts of the United States this winter hasn’t quite come to Michigan, although flue cases have been up. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News there was a jump in local flu cases toward the end of December. Still, the state is still doing better than many others.. ...Read Full Story
Heading into the new year, the west Michigan economy is on solid footing. That’s according to a new report out of Grand Valley State University. Economist Dr. Brian Long told Michigan News Network this week many areas are at or near full employment:. ...Read Full Story
Police have identified the victim of a weekend murder in Benton Harbor. Public Safety Chief Dan McGimnnis tells WSJM News 38-year-old Novena P. Mathis of Benton Harbor was found dead in her car on at Hayward Wells Apartments on Sunday. The suspect, 38-year-old William “Coonie” Edwards of Benton Harbor, was quickly identified and arrested in Kalamazoo later. A warrant for open murder and some gun charges has been authorized against him, and he’s still being held in Kalamazoo County. McGinnis tells us Mathis and Edwards had been in a relationship for about 20 years and shared two children. He adds there was a history of domestic violence in the relationship. An autopsy performed on Mathis Tuesday confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot.. ...Read Full Story
U.S. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan is making self driving cars a priority this year. His bill to advance the development and deployment of self driving vehicles was approved by the Commerce Committee in October and he’s working to move it forward in the Senate this year.. ...Read Full Story
A 40-year-old Edwardsburg woman is dead after crashing her vehicle into a tree in Jefferson Township in Cass County. The sheriff’s department tells WSJM News Jennifer Johnson was killed just before 7 last night in the crash on Calvin Hill Street near North Shore Drive. Investigators say she lost control of the car on an icy road and was the only one in the vehicle. Johnson had not been drinking, and was wearing her seat belt. The crash is still under investigation.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — A federal judge says some Michigan lawmakers must sit for interviews about a law that bans straight-party voting. The questions will be limited to what they might have said about their motives to people outside their offices. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mona Majzoub says communications between lawmakers and their staff are protected. The depositions are part of a lawsuit. Straight-party voting means making a single mark on a ballot to pick candidates of one party. Critics of the ban say it violates the rights of black voters in urban areas who typically vote for Democrats. A judge suspended the law in 2016, but the litigation is ongoing. Majzoub’s decision affects Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, Senator Marty Knollenberg, Sen. David Robertson, Rep. Michael McCready, and former Rep. Lisa
Lyons.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder’s administration is proposing legislation so taxpayers can continue claiming Michigan’s personal exemption in the wake of the federal tax overhaul, and also is calling for a large state exemption increase. The plan was first unveiled Monday by Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, who is running for governor. The administration has warned that state taxes will rise if nothing is done. Calley tells The Associated Press that while 98% of the potential tax increase is because of how Michigan’s exemptions are linked to the U.S. tax code, Michigan’s personal exemption should be raised to address other issues such as the elimination of deductions for moving expenses. Calley says the “simplest, most fair answer” to protect people is to increase Michigan’s $4,000 personal exemption to $4,500 by 2021.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan rang in 2018 with a 35 cent hike to the minimum wage, but some say that doesn’t go far enough and want voters to have the final word. This week marked the last of three scheduled increases under a law passed in 2014, taking the state’s minimum wage to $9.25 an hour. The group Michigan One Fair Wage is circulating petitions to put a measure on the November ballot to raise it to $12 an hour by 2022. Alicia Renee Farris chairs the campaign and tells us the state’s lowest earners still need more money.. ...Read Full Story
The Red Cross is hoping more people will step forward to make a blood donation after recent severe weather caused a major drop. Spokesperson Todd Kulman tells WSJM News the situation is dire.. ...Read Full Story
Property inspections are about to begin in the city of St. Joseph. Code Enforcement Officer Joan Ross tells WSJM News staff goes around checking each property every five years.. ...Read Full Story
With the annual Consumer Electronics Show underway in Las Vegas this week, Whirlpool is showing off some new tech. The appliance maker tells us it’s using the event to showcase its Apple Watch and Honeywell thermometer compatibility. Whirlpool says starting this year, its smart and connected appliances will be controllable with the Apple Watch. You can also use the wrist device to check the status of an appliance. That’s including ovens, washers, and dryers. Additionally, this year Whirlpool is rolling out a new collaboration with Honeywell that will enable customers to connect smart appliances to Honeywell’s line of connected thermostats. That means remote management of their appliance operating modes and energy outputs. Whirlpool Vice President of Brand and Strategy in North America Brett Dibkey says the company’s “consumers are sophisticated and expect their appliances to work smarter, not harder.”. ...Read Full Story
Indiana Michigan Power is warning customers about the latest phone scam. The company’s Tracy Warner tells WSJM News I&M was flooded with calls Monday from customers who said they received calls supposedly from the utility.. ...Read Full Story
A Berrien County woman is the latest big-time lottery winner in Michigan. The Michigan lottery tells us the 65-year-old has chosen to remain anonymous after she won $1 million from a scratch-off last week. She picked up her prize money on Friday, opting to take a lump sum payment of $634,500 instead of a 30 year annuity. The woman bought her winning Triple Millions instant ticket at the Exit 76 Auto Truck Plaza in Byron Center. She told the Michigan Lotto she’s been playing lottery games for years and still can’t believe she really won. She plans to pay bills, donate to her church, buy a brand new car, and then save the remainder of the money.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Attorney General’s office has announced its OK2SAY tip line has received its 10,000th call. The AG’s office launched OK2SAY In 2014 as a way to help Michigan students report concerns in their schools about bullying or potentially dangerous situations. Spokesperson Andrea Bitely spoke with OK2SAY last year.. ...Read Full Story
A woman who was reported missing in Benton Harbor over the weekend has been found dead, and police suspect foul play. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety tells us a young woman was reported by family as missing on Sunday. Police later found her vehicle and body outside the Hayward Wells apartment complex in Benton Harbor. A suspect was quickly identified, and he was later arrested in Kalamazoo on unrelated charges. A warrant request is pending in Berrien County for open murder, and an autopsy is planned on the victim for Tuesday. Police have not released the victim’s name.. ...Read Full Story
AAA Michigan says gas prices statewide have declined by about 6¢ per gallon in the past week. The Dearborn-based auto club says late Sunday the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline was about $2.63 per gallon. Michigan’s lowest average price was about $2.55 per gallon in the Bay City, Midland and Saginaw areas. The highest was about $2.66 per gallon in the Jackson area. We’re at $2.64 in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area, down 5¢ in the past week.. ...Read Full Story
The Niles Salvation Army could use some extra help this winter. Salvation Army Lieutenant Joseph Hixenbaugh tells WSJM News the chapter’s Red Kettle donations this holiday season were drastically down. He says that hurts because the organization heavily relies on the Red Kettle campaign.. ...Read Full Story
A new report out of Grand Valley State University shows West Michigan’s economy finished 2017 on solid footing. Economist Dr. Brian Long says the recovery from the Great Recession has relied heavily on the automotive industry, but sales dropped in December and for all of last year:. ...Read Full Story
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash between a snowmobile and a car in Silver Creek Township. The sled was piloted by Joseph Vantuyle of Dowagiac, who didn’t yield at a snowmobile crossing to the vehicle driven by a San Antonio man. Vantuyle was taken to Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac to be treated for minor injuries. Deputies tell WSJM News that helmets and seat belts were worn, and alcohol isn’t believed to have been involved. The crash happened around 5 p.m. Saturday.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan Blood could use some help. Due to the recent weather, the organization has seen blood donations drop drastically. Spokesperson Mariya Morbach tells WSJM News they’re not far away from being in a dire situation.. ...Read Full Story
On sale now are tickets to one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven. The organization’s Jennifer Nuernberg tells WSJM News the bi-annual Fur Ball fundraiser will be in late February, but you’ll want to reserve your spot now. They’ll be pitting some top chefs from South Haven against each other in a competition.. ...Read Full Story
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi has announced the opening date for its new Four Winds Casino. The new one in South Bend will open to the public on Tuesday, January 16 at 4 p.m. The casino is located on 166 acres of tribal trust land and will be the first casino in Indiana owned and operated by a Native American tribe. It’s the latest addition to the Pokagon Four Wind brand, with the other locations being in New Buffalo, Hartford, and Dowagiac. The tribe tells us Four Winds South Bend will have 175,000 square feet and 1,800 games, four restaurants, a players lounge, a coffee shop, three bars, a retail outlet, and about 4,500 parking spaces. When complete, the casino will employ about 1,200 people. John Warren, Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, says the new location will “generate revenue to fund services and programs that will create additional economic opportunities for Pokagon Citizens, the city of South Bend, and also fund community projects, local organizations and schools.”. ...Read Full Story
State Senator John Proos is praising legislation now headed for a vote of the full Senate designed to prevent an individual convicted of rape from getting custody of a child born as a result of that crime. He tells us there’s currently a loophole that can give a rapist partial custody when a mother applies for welfare assistance through the Family Independence Program. That’s because the mother has to disclose paternity of her child when applying.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is working to better train its officers to deal with the public. Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis told city commissioners this week the department is working with the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety to be part of a program with Western Michigan University and Ball State University.. ...Read Full Story
A new mayor and three new council members sworn in at Tuesday night’s South Haven City Council meeting. Mayor Scott Smith, Councilmen Joe Reeser, Chris Campbell, and George Sleeper. City Manager Brian Dissette told WSJM News there is a lot of training that new council members must go through.. ...Read Full Story
Continued cold weather means you still have to give extra care to your car. AAA of Michigan this week sent out another Arctic Advisory, with spokesperson Susan Hiltz telling WSJM News it cost you a few bucks to keep your car in proper working order.. ...Read Full Story
Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott has a warning for everyone taking in the great outdoors this week. He tells WSJM News the ice is still too thin to walk on in many cases.. ...Read Full Story
Tickets are now on sale for the next St. Joseph Winter Beer Festival. St. Joe Today’s Daniele Crevier tells WSJM News 16 local and regional breweries will be on hand offering samples. The event isn’t until January 27, but tickets are limited, and they may go fast.. ...Read Full Story
Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad is planning to deliver a State of the City address. The mayor announced this week he’ll be discussing Benton Harbor as it is heading into its first year of total local control after a long period of state intervention while previewing goals for the future. Muhammad’s State of the City speech will be at the Benton Harbor Public Library on Tuesday, January 23 at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and listen.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety will be getting some new radios. City Commissioners on Tuesday approved the purchase of 22 police radios at a cost of $31,500. A $25,000 grant pays for most of it, with Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis telling commissioners the extra money makes these replacements a lot easier.. ...Read Full Story
This frigid weather so far has not damaged southwest Michigan crops. Michigan State University Extension Fruit Educator Mark Longstroth tells WSJM News it needs to get down to about ten below zero before our crops are in trouble. He says most of them now are well dormant for the winter.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is maintaining that much was accomplished in Washington throughout 2017. His office has released a 2017 year in review report, which can be found on its website. Upton says, “2017 was a transformational year but my focus never wavered from local initiatives such as helping constituents with problems big and small, and on bipartisan policies that create jobs and improve our economy.” He then predicts both parties can work together throughout 2018 to solve problems everyone cares about. Among accomplishments Upton wants to highlight for last year are helping South Haven’s Jim McCloughan get a Medal of Honor, his role with the Fuel Economy Harmonization Act, a plan that’s designed to reduce manufacturing costs for cars, and the FDA Reauthorization Act. You can see Upton’s report right here.. ...Read Full Story
With more snow being dumped on southwest Michigan this week, the Berrien County Road Department is plenty busy. Traffic Safety Supervisor Mike Juengling tells WSJM News the crews are out and about doing their best.. ...Read Full Story
