Local News Archives

Michiganders can get a jumpstart on their financial resolutions with a series of free financial empowerment events taking place around the state in the coming weeks. Allyson Brooks with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan tells us there will be 39 different “Show Me the Money Day” events around the state in January and February. She says in a financial pinch, it’s too easy to make the wrong decision.. ...Read Full Story

Molly Pate of Berrien Springs is the winner of the annual Pure Michigan Summer Photo Contest run by the office of state Senator John Proos. Her “Sunset Sail at South Haven Beach” will be displayed at the state capitol as a result. Senator Proos tells WSJM News he wanted to hold the contest to show off the talents of local artists.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police have a warning for the state’s residents with extremely cold temperatures this week. Spokesperson Dale George tells WSJM News it’s a good idea to limit your time outdoors when it’s this cold. A person can get frostbite or hypothermia quickly.. ...Read Full Story

2017 was a busy year for Michigan lawmakers, and each is now reflecting on what they feel were the biggest accomplishments. State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker of Lawton tells WSJM News she is disappointed the Michigan House didn’t get auto insurance reform approved. Still, she’s hoping for something on that front in 2018, perhaps in the Senate. ...Read Full Story

With the 2017 tax year coming to a close, the Michigan Department of Treasury is asking state residents to consider making a contribution to the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund. The fund provides scholarships to young adults who have spent their youths in the foster system. The awards are paid to the students’ college or university, within the state, to help with tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies. The Michigan Department of Treasury tells us there are about 13,000 youngsters in Michigan’s foster care system at any given time. Many have no resources to attend college when they age out of the system, and the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund can help them. Since 2012, fundraising efforts have totaled more than $1.1 million, with much of that money coming through donations. They take contributions online. You can learn more right here.. ...Read Full Story

The weather in southwest Michigan is expected to remain in or near the single digits for the next couple of weeks. WNDU Meteorologist Mike Hoffman tells WSJM News you can expect the temperature to get into the teens at the highest in the near future. Watch out for the wind chills.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The state of Michigan is trying to stop a court order that prevents officials from suspending the driver’s licenses of people who can’t afford traffic fines. Lawyers representing the secretary of state have filed an emergency request with a federal appeals court. They hope the court will respond by Thursday. The state says a December 14 injunction by Flint federal Judge Linda Parker is a “deep, unwarranted intrusion” on Michigan’s police powers. The judge said there’s a strong likelihood that the due process rights of poor people are being violated when their licenses are suspended for failure to pay fines. But the state says drivers have plenty of notice. The state also says there’s no guidance from the judge about how courts are supposed to determine an inability to pay.. ...Read Full Story

As 2017 comes to a end, lawmakers in Lansing are looking ahead to next year’s session. Speaker of the Michigan House Tom Leonard tells Michigan News Network an increased emphasis on skilled trades and technical education is needed.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Opponents of partisan gerrymandering have filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Michigan, alleging that Republican-drawn congressional and legislative districts unfairly hurt Democratic voters. The suit was filed in Detroit Friday by the Michigan League of Women Voters and 11 Democrats. They say the GOP-led Legislature in 2011 intentionally tilted the maps “heavily against” Democrats and in favor of Republicans. The suit comes amid an increased focus on redistricting ahead of the 2020 Census. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the fall on there can be too much politics in the task of drawing electoral districts. And in Michigan, a group this week filed more than 425,000 signatures for a proposed 2018 ballot initiative to empower an independent commission to draw lines instead of the legislature.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Township has approved an expansion project for a local church. The First Church at Benton Heights is planning a new 7,100 square foot building to be located at 990 North Euclid. The church tells us it will expand existing programs and create new ones for those living in the surrounding area. It goes on to say First Church’s new non-profit New Heights CCDA will operate its current Community Food Network, the Benton Heights Community Development Council, and some financial literacy courses from the site. The church says that will provide Benton Heights residents with new food and financial options. First Church of God hopes to break ground on the building shortly after the start of the new year.. ...Read Full Story

Unit 2 of the Cook nuclear power plant is now on its second life. Cook plant spokesperson Bill Schalk tells WSJM News Unit 2 started operating on its renewed license Sunday morning. The unit is now licensed to operate through 2037. As Cook prepared to end the unit’s second life, it undertook a Life Cycle Management program to prepare.. ...Read Full Story

Eight people have graduated from the Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School. They completed their training last week. One of the grads, Brett Negus the Second, told Michigan News Network it was a tough 19 weeks of training. What was the toughest?. ...Read Full Story

A 28-year-old from Kalamazoo woke up Christmas morning in the Van Buren County Jail after a drug bust in in Almena Township. Van Buren County deputies stopped his car along M-40 and 36th Avenue because of defective equipment at about 8:30 am Christmas Eve and they could tell right away after conversing with the man that drugs were on board. A search of the vehicle turned up half a pound of processed marijuana and various packages of marijuana wax. The suspect is currently on probation in Kalamazoo County for a very similar arrest that took place just months ago.. ...Read Full Story

The annual Harvest Gathering food drive run by the Michigan Secretary of State’s office has resulted in more than 10,000 pounds of food being collected. Secretary of State spokesperson Fred Woodhams tells WSJM News branch offices across the state took non-perishable items from visitors between September and November. Everything stays local.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Blood is hoping southwest Michigan residents will step up to contribute blood this month. Spokesperson Mariya Mohrbach tells WSJM News there will be a special drive at the Michigan Blood office in St. Joseph on Wednesday They could use some help.. ...Read Full Story

A new year means it’s a good time to think about cleaning out your medicine cabinet. That’s the message of the Berrien County Health Department as it aims to help reduce the rate of opioid abuse in southwest Michigan. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News many addictions start at the medicine cabinet.. ...Read Full Story

With Christmas and New Year’s here, food safety experts are reminding everyone how to avoid illness when they’re partying. USDA Food Safety Specialist Archie Magoulas tells WSJM News making sure foods stay at their intended temperature is the most important thing.. ...Read Full Story

If your house is decorated with festive lights for this holiday season, remember you could probably be saving some money on your energy bills by upgrading. Consumers Energy spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News those old C bulbs you could still be stringing up around the house cost about $15 a month to run. Go with LEDs instead. ...Read Full Story

The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph is shut down due to flood damage. The museum tells us major flooding was discovered in the building on December 11. It was caused by an HVAC boiler located above the upper galleries. While the Heritage Museum suffered serious damage to interior walls, floors, and offices, there was no damage to its archival storage spaces. The museum tells us a few artifacts on exhibit were damaged, but they’ll be restored. In addition to the archives and exhibits, the building’s Parlor, kitchen, bathrooms, and most of the Shepard Hall event space were unaffected. For now, the museum tells us all upcoming events and programming have been cancelled or moved to another location. The building will remain closed until further notice. The Heritage Museum
is planning some fundraisers for the near future to help speed up the restoration.. ...Read Full Story

The holidays may be a time of fun for most of us, but state Senator John Proos reminds everyone of things they need to do to avoid being ripped off. He tells WSJM News online shopping may be convenient, but that’s one way many Michiganders get scammed.. ...Read Full Story

Southwestern Michigan College has received a $250,000 donation to its nursing facility expansion. SMC President David Mathews tells WSJM News Kelly and Karen Rose of Elkhart are both former students. Karen studied nursing at SMC, and Kelly is a player in the RV industry. The husband wanted to give his wife the gift of a new nursing simulation lab at SMC for her birthday. Mathews tells us it’s one component of the soon-to-be-doubled SMC nursing building.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have voted to move forward with work that could lead to medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. This past week, they approved the adoption of an ordinance allowing for such facilities. The move was a victory for Commissioner Mary Alice Adams, who has pushed to allow dispensaries in the city for several months.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is reminding everyone to be careful about their Christmas trees. He tells WSJM News a tree can go up in flames within a matter of seconds, and then there goes your house. Sehlmeyer tells us you should shake your tree to make sure it’s not shedding needles quickly. If it is, that means it’s pretty dry. Keep it watered.. ...Read Full Story

The Angels Program of Michigan State Police has now been rolled out to every post around the state. MSP First Lieutenant Kevin Caldwell tells WSJM News Angels uses volunteers to get people struggling with substance abuse problems into a treatment program.. ...Read Full Story

If you’re a smoker who would like to quit, the Berrien County Health Department has some good news for you. It’s signing people up for the next round of Freedom from Smoking classes. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News these classes, offered by the department for several years, have proved to be helpful.. ...Read Full Story

County and state officials around Michigan are reminding homeowners of a resource they can turn to if they find themselves having trouble paying their mortgages or property taxes. At an event at the county administration building this week, Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski and Van Buren County Treasurer Karen Makay talked about the Step Forward Michigan program. Makay told WSJM News Van Buren County has had 214 homeowners qualify for the program since 2010.. ...Read Full Story

WSJM sister station Rock 107 WIRX has chipped in to help promote mental health in southwest Michigan. On Wednesday, morning host Brock Havens stopped by MI Journey in Benton Harbor to drop off a check. MI Journey is where folks who are struggling with mental illness can turn for counseling. MI Journey’s Anna-Magdalena Christianson spoke with WSJM News.. ...Read Full Story

The committee that will oversee the city of Benton Harbor’s new income tax has now been chosen. At a session this past week, the Benton Harbor City Commission approved eight applicants for the body that will make recommendations for the use of the more than $2 million the tax is expected to generate. City Commissioner Juanita Henry voted no on each applicant because the city’s deadline to take applications for the committee was supposed to be December 27.. ...Read Full Story

A Dowagiac man has drowned after he fell through the ice on the St. Joseph River near South Bend while fishing Friday afternoon. Deputies say a witness saw 43-year-old Leonard Baldwin disappear through the ice, but they could do little until divers arrived. They searched the river and recovered the body in about 12 feet of water. Fire department officials in South Bend tell our newsgathering partners at WNDU NewsCenter 16 that there wasn’t anywhere near enough ice on the lake to support anyone, and there was water on top of the ice. The man was underwater for about an hour before his body was recovered.. ...Read Full Story

A couple in an SUV drove off the end of a private drive in the dark, and wound up in School Section Lake in Van Buren County’s Bangor Township just after 8 pm Friday. The woman managed to get out and get back to shore to get help. Members of the South Haven Area Emergency Services team pulled the man from the submerged vehicle. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. The man has been identified as 22 year old Jezreel Wallace of Bangor. The woman, who was driving, is a 21 year old from South Haven. Police believe the crash was alcohol-related.. ...Read Full Story

Net neutrality is dead and it’s probably staying that way. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the FCC’s decision this month to kill off rules guaranteeing equal access to information and services on the internet will probably not be replaced with legislation.. ...Read Full Story

The Marquette Greenway hiking and biking trail in Harbor Country is getting a financial boost. The Pokagon Fund held a giveback dinner at the Bentwood Tavern in New Buffalo last week, raising nearly 97-hundred dollars of the $25,000 target to pay for pre-development work on the trail. Once completed, the Marquette Greenway will be 58 miles long and go from downtown New Buffalo to Calumet Park in Chicago. To date, 28 miles of the trail have either been built or funded. The Pokagon Fund is raising money for the 3.8 miles of the trail in Michigan, and they’ve got a goal to raise $200,000 for it in order to leverage state and federal grants in 2018.. ...Read Full Story

AAA Michigan says the state is going to see a record number of residents traveling over the holidays. Spokesperson Susan Hiltz told Michigan News Network 3.5 million Michiganders will be on the road and in the air in the next several days.. ...Read Full Story

Estimates from retailers show more than 90% of consumers do their holiday shopping after Cyber Monday. This weekend’s Super Saturday is the second busiest shopping day of the year. Best Buy Shopping expert Bianca Jones told Michigan News Network this week about some of the most popular presents this year.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Rick Snyder says the new federal tax law will cause state income taxes for Michigan residents to increase. That’s unless the state legislature acts soon. The tax bill would eliminate the personal exemption. CPA Sarah Russell explained to Michigan News Network what’s going away.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Rick Snyder has signed legislation delaying increases in registration fees and safety training fees for motorcyclists. The hikes were scheduled to start taking effect two months ago. But now some will begin next month, others later in 2018 and some in 2019 under the law enacted Thursday. The annual registration fee will rise to $25, a $2 increase. The initial endorsement fees will increase to $16, from $13.50, and renewals will gradually rise to $9 from $5. The additional registration fee revenue will go toward an existing motorcycle safety education program, while some of the endorsement fee revenue will fund a new program promoting motorcycle awareness. Michigan last year increased penalties for operating a motorcycle without the proper safety endorsement.. ...Read Full Story

Unit 2 at the Cook nuclear power plant will soon begin its second life. On Sunday, the Unit 2 reactor will begin operating beyond its initial 40 year license period under the renewed license granted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2005. Cook plant spokesperson Bill Schalk spoke with WSJM News about the milestone.. ...Read Full Story

The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors is reflecting back on a strong real estate market in the region for 2017. Association Executive Alan Jeffries tells WSJM News units sold and prices were both up this past year.. ...Read Full Story

Bridgman Public Schools Superintendent Shane Peters has received a positive performance evaluation from the board of education. The board issued a statement this week, telling us Bridgman Public Schools continues to benefit from the leadership of Peters. It cites the opening of a new STEM lab this year as one achievement. The board also says Peters is active in the community and has positive relationships with the public. It goes on to laud Peters for the growing number of advanced placement and direct credit classes in the district as well as the district’s above-average graduation rate. The Bridgman Public Schools Board of Education this week voted unanimously to extend the contract of Superintendent Shane Peters through June of 2020.. ...Read Full Story

Bell ringers are out and about in southwest Michigan seeking donations for the Salvation Army of Benton Harbor. Salvation Army Major David Womack tells WSJM News the dollar or two you put in those kettles can touch a lot of lives.. ...Read Full Story

A new map has been created to provide a snapshot of poverty around Michigan. Developed by the University of Michigan and Poverty Solutions, the map identifies each county’s median income, population, percentage of the population living below the poverty line, and the percentage of the population classified as ALICE, or Asset Limited, Income Constrained, but Employed. Poverty Solutions Director Luke Shaefer spoke with Michigan News Network about the project.. ...Read Full Story

The Trees for the Troops program has reached a milestone. This year, it delivered its 200,000th Christmas tree to a military family. Waumhoff Farms in Gobles is a drop-off point for Trees for the Troops each year, taking in donated Christmas trees from growers all over Michigan and then shipping them out with the help of volunteers. Waumhoff Farms tells us it’s been taking part since 2006. This year, Trees for Troops nationally shipped out trees to bases in Afghanistan in addition to bases in the United States. More than 17,000 Christmas trees were donated to military personnel as a result of the program this year.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Rick Snyder says the federal tax overhaul will cause residents’ state income taxes to increase, and he’s committed to ensuring taxpayers ultimately don’t have to pay more. The tax legislation, which President Donald Trump will sign, will eliminate the $4,050 personal exemption. That’s an issue because Michigan lets people claim a $4,000 exemption for each exemption taken on their federal return. Snyder told The Associated Press Thursday that the state shouldn’t benefit from the extra tax revenue and “should figure out how to give that back to the hard-working taxpayers.” He plans to propose recommendations at the next revenue-estimating meeting in mid-January. The Republican governor says he opposes the federal tax overhaul because it doesn’t meet his benchmarks of being “simple, fair and efficient in a fiscally responsible way.”. ...Read Full Story

State Senator John Proos is among the supporters of legislation that would restore a limited state income tax credit for donating cash and food to food banks and community foundations. Proos says under the bill, taxpayers next year will be able to claim an income tax credit for up to 50% of the amount of charitable contributions they make to a homeless shelter, a food kitchen, a food bank, or any other entity in Michigan whose purpose is to provide overnight accommodation, food, or meals to those in need. The income tax credit would be limited to $100 for individuals and $200 for joint tax filers. Proos tells us the bill would help community organizations that “provide food and support to struggling families throughout the year.” The plan now heads to the state House.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan League for Public Policy is calling on Congress to get serious about approving a legislative replacement for the DACA program. It was in September that President Trump announced his administration will phase out Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals within six months. The Michigan League for Public Policy’s Victoria Crouse tells WSJM News that leaves 5,400 young people in Michigan very vulnerable heading into the new year.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is warning everyone about the latest scam going around. This week, it put out notice about a letter that purports to be from an account manager with TD Trust Bank in Canada. The letter states that a person with the same last name as the recipient has passed away and the bank is looking for a next of kin. It then says the supposedly-deceased person had a large amount of money and the letter’s recipient can receive it by responding with an e-mail. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey advises everyone to not fall for this scam, noting all a crook needs to bombard you with more scams is your contact information. If the letter shows up at your house, tear it up.. ...Read Full Story

Some legislation designed to increase access to skilled trades training in Michigan has been passed by the state House. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells WSJM News this package of legislation creates a K-12 model program that emphasizes career learning, provides continuing education credits for teachers, and also sets up a system allowing someone in a skilled trade to teach that trade at a school.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker is urging the Michigan House to approve legislation that would eliminate the state’s statute of limitations when it comes to certain charges of criminal sexual conduct. The plan passed the Senate in October and is now before a House committee. Schuitmaker tells us the legislation eliminates the statute of limitations for second-degree criminal sexual conduct in which the victim was under 16 years of age. The bill also would increase the statute of limitations for third-degree criminal sexual conduct to 20 years after the offense was committed or the victim’s 31st birthday, whichever is later. Schuitmaker says following the recent rash of sexual misconduct allegations, the law should be changed so victims have a remedy available. Schuitmaker, who is running for state attorney general as a conservative, calls the plan “common sense legislation.”. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law changes in how the state flags fraud in the unemployment benefits system in the wake of thousands of people being falsely accused. The laws enacted Thursday reduce fraud penalties, improve identity theft
protections and expand access to an advocacy group for claimants and employers accused of fraud. Snyder, whose administration has faced criticism over the problems, says the bills will “modernize” the Unemployment Insurance Agency. He adds the new system will be fairer to those applying for benefits and protect people’s personal information. The Snyder administration also is looking to create a state fund to compensate people who were falsely accused. It would help claimants who were refunded penalties and interest but have faced other financial hardships because of the fiasco.. ...Read Full Story

Fro the Associated Press —  Rick Snyder has signed legislation keeping intact a law that puts people’s driver’s license at risk if they have three unpaid parking tickets. Michigan in 2012 enacted a law dropping the threshold from six unpaid tickets to three. The limit was due to rise to six again on January 1. The law lets courts notify people who fail to answer three parking violation notices that if they do not appear within 10 days, the secretary of state will be informed. The secretary of state then cannot issue or renew their driver’s license until the citations have been resolved. Cities including Detroit and Grand Rapids say the policy has helped them collect parking fines. Snyder signed the bill Thursday.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Rick Snyder has no plans to coast and take it easy over his final year in office. He spoke to WSJM News this week about what he has planned after he is term-limited and before.. ...Read Full Story

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but holiday depression is real for many Michiganders. That’s why doctors want people to take it seriously and to know how and where to find help. Dr. Loretta Leja with the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians tells us family doctors like her can be helpful during difficult times since they have the benefit of knowing their patients’ extended history and family dynamics.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is reminding everyone to be careful about their Christmas trees. He tells WSJM News a tree can go up in flames within a matter of seconds, and then there goes your house. Sehlmeyer tells us you should shake your tree to make sure it’s not shedding needles quickly. If it is, that means it’s pretty dry. Keep it watered.. ...Read Full Story

Southwestern Michigan College has received a $250,000 donation to its nursing facility expansion. SMC President David Mathews tells WSJM News Kelly and Karen Rose of Elkhart are both former students. Karen studied nursing at SMC, and Kelly is a player in the RV industry. The husband wanted to give his wife the gift of a new nursing simulation lab at SMC for her birthday. Mathews tells us it’s one component of the soon-to-be-doubled SMC nursing building.. ...Read Full Story

Net neutrality is dead and it’s probably staying that way. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the FCC’s decision last week to kill off rules guaranteeing equal access to information and services on the internet will probably not be replaced with legislation.. ...Read Full Story

County and state officials around Michigan are reminding homeowners of a resource they can turn to if they find themselves having trouble paying their mortgages or property taxes. At an event at the county administration building Wednesday, Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski and Van Buren County Treasurer Karen Makay talked about the Step Forward Michigan program. Makay told WSJM News Van Buren County has had 214 homeowners qualify for the program since 2010.. ...Read Full Story

The holidays may be a time of fun for most of us, but state Senator John Proos reminds everyone of things they need to do to avoid being ripped off. He tells WSJM News online shopping may be convenient, but that’s one way many Michiganders get scammed.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Supreme Court says the state must return more than $550 million to school employees who had money deducted for retiree healthcare. The court ruled 6-0 Wednesday. School employees had 3 percent of their pay deducted for about two years under a law signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm, but the law was declared unconstitutional. Snyder in 2012 signed a new law that has survived court challenges. The Supreme Court says the 2010 law violated the contract clauses of the federal and state constitutions, and the state failed to show it was reasonable and necessary to further a legitimate public purpose. Governor Rick Snyder, who’d wanted to keep the money, says he’s “pleased that taxpayers will have resolution.” The money’s in escrow, so the decision won’t affect the budget.. ...Read Full Story

The preliminary analysis by police into a fatal crash involving an Amtrak train in Lawton Tuesday night is that the driver of the pick-up struck by the train had gotten stuck on the tracks. The Lawton Police Department tells us the driver of the pick-up was 17-year-old Tyler Wirtz of Bronson Michigan. His truck was struck by an Amtrak train headed to Port Huron from Chicago around 7:30 Tuesday night on North Nursery Street just north of Third Street in Lawton. Police believe the pick-up was stuck on the tracks and Wirtz was trying to free it when the crash happened. Wirtz was pronounced dead at Bronson Lakeview Hospital . The investigation has also determined the crossing signal activated correctly as the train approached the intersection. Anyone with further information on the crash is asked to contact Lawton police.. ...Read Full Story