Local News Archives

Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is reminding everyone there will be local elections in the coming month. The date is set at November 7. Johnson tells us many voters will be using brand new voting machines this time around, so they may want to familiarize themselves with the new technology. That new equipment will be in use in 49 Michigan counties, including Berrien. Specifically, they’ll be rolled out in the Stevensville, Benton Harbor, and St. Joseph areas.. ...Read Full Story

We’re not paying as much to fill up to start the week. In the area, Triple-A Michigan says the average gas price for the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph region is down 9¢ a gallon from last week to $2.50. Statewide, we’re averaging $2.51, down about 7¢. The auto club says the Saginaw-Bay City-Midland area has the state’s lowest prices at $2.43, while the most expensive gas is in the Upper Peninsula in Marquette at $2.58. South Haven, which is not included in AAA’s survey, has gas prices at most stations at $2.38 and $2.39, with GasBuddy spotters noting one station is as high as $2.49. AAA says Michigan is 21st in the nation for the most expensive gas price.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Municipalities in Michigan will be prohibited from levying local taxes on food and beverages under a bill signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder. The Republican governor OK’d the measure Thursday after it recently won overwhelming legislative approval. No local governments in Michigan are considering an excise tax on sugary and artificially sweetened beverages. But business groups and others that lobbied for the law pointed to soda taxes in Philadelphia and the Chicago area as reason enough to move quickly. Health advocates opposed the bill. Cook County, Illinois, recently repealed its tax due to a backlash.. ...Read Full Story

Home sales in southwest Michigan were up in the month of September by about 5% from August. Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors Executive Alan Jeffries tells WSJM News that’s good news, although the low housing inventory right now has been a problem.. ...Read Full Story

With Governor Rick Snyder proclaiming October as Michigan’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Michigan Department of Treasury is asking Michiganders to practice cyber vigilance as a way to prevent tax-related identify theft. Spokesperson Ron Liex tells WSJM News it’s all about being careful online.. ...Read Full Story

The next public art theme for the city of St. Joseph was announced this week. The public art display this summer will feature heroic knights on horseback. City Marketing Director Susan Solon announced Monday night the theme this year is “The Magical Kingdom of St. Joseph.”. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police have a safety advisory for everyone now that it’s fall. Lieutenant Mike Dawson tells WSJM News drivers need to watch out for deer. Dawson reminds drivers that swerving is the worst thing to do if a deer runs out into the road.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph City Commissioners have approved a new Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for Whirlpool as it moves forward with its plans to invest in the tech center on Upton Drive. Rob Cleveland of Cornerstone Alliance tells WSJM News a new tax abatement certificate was needed because Whirlpool has reduced the cost of the project from about $35 to $25 million.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police are preparing to team up with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program in Niles next month to collect items for needy kids. Trooper Jesse Binns tells WSJM News the annual Stuff a Blue Goose drive will take place Saturday, November 11.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The Michigan House has approved legislation to clarify the enforcement of prenuptial agreements due to concerns that an appellate court ruling could lead judges to invalidate prenups because assets aren’t apportioned equally. The bill was approved 63-43 Thursday, with majority Republicans in support and Democrats opposed. The legislation would add instances when a prenuptial contract is unenforceable. They would include cases of fraud, duress or mistake, or if financial information is hidden from a party before signing.Courts could not enforce a prenup if its terms are “unconscionable.” Supporters worry that without the bill, judges could disregard a contract and apply a “standard of living” test to distribute marital property. Critics worry it would prevent judges from fairly looking at the totality of circumstances.The bill moves to the Senate.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College has been recognized by the Michigan Veterans’ Affairs Agency for its work to attract and accommodate veterans. It’s been named a gold-level Veteran Friendly School. LMC Vice President of Student Engagement Barbara Craig tells WSJM News the college does a variety of things to be welcoming to those who have served in the military.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor-based employment and economic development organizations Kinexus and Cornerstone Alliance both have their concerns about the city’s proposal for a local income tax. Representatives of both groups chatted with WSJM’s Pat Moody this week about the ballot proposal. Kinexus CEO Todd Gustafson said he does understand the need for infrastructure work in Benton Harbor.. ...Read Full Story

The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency is working to help Benton Harbor-area residents prepare for the coming cold weather by showing them how winterize their homes. The agency’s Sandra Clank tells WSJM News they’ll do a demonstration Monday at a home in Benton Harbor. She adds teaching people how to winterize can help them be self-sufficient.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph City Commissioners have heard from state Representative Kim LaSata on the question of short-term rentals. It’s been a hot button issue for the commission since legislation was introduced in the state House and Senate to remove the authority of local governments to regulate short-term rentals. LaSata at a meeting this past week told commissioners she’s against the bill, and supports local control. She said short-term rental regulation is a simple matter of quality of life.. ...Read Full Story

With the temperature dropping and the furnace kicking on for many Michiganders, everyone’s being reminded there are places to turn for home heating help this winter. Michigan Gas Utilities spokesperson Matt Cullen tells WSJM News you should know about your options.. ...Read Full Story

Despite the direction of the Trump administration, a new poll finds overwhelming support for clean fuel standards, regardless of partisan or demographic lines. Elizabeth Senav with Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, which did the survey, tells us about half of those who said they voted for Donald Trump in 2016 support increased fuel-efficiency standards.. ...Read Full Story

The new indoor ice arena in Lincoln Township has led to the loss of some hockey business for the rink in St. Joseph. St. Joe Deputy Public Works Director Greg Grothous tells WSJM News the BAHA hockey league has moved some of its action to the new Garden rink in Stevensville.. ...Read Full Story

President Donald Trump’s declaration of an opioid public health emergency this week is supported by Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News opioid addiction and overdoses affect every community across the country, including southwest Michigan. Upton tells us he attended some committee hearings this week on the subject.. ...Read Full Story

Coming up this Sunday will be some haunted walking tours of downtown St. Joseph. Tracy Gierada with the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center tells WSJM News they’re going to start at Bear Park at State and Market Street at 1 p.m. Sunday. Participants will be taken around the area to learn the spooky aspect of local history.. ...Read Full Story

Meijer celebrating more than 500,000 home deliveries to customers. It’s thanks to a service available to more than two million Michiganders. Meijer spokesman Art Sebastian told Michigan News Network a little more.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College has been awarded $3 million in federal grants to help students. LMC is the only Michigan community college selected by a U.S. Department of Education to receive the Title III Strengthening Institutions grant in this latest round of funding. The college tells us the grant is designed to help educational institutions improve outcomes for academically under-prepared and low-income students. Only seven colleges received the grant out of 103 institutions that applied nationwide this year. . ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Rick Snyder has signed legislation so Michigan spends more to reimburse gas station owners to clean up their leaky, environmentally risky fuel tanks. The Republican-backed measure, which was opposed by Democrats, creates a program allowing gas station operators to be reimbursed for addressing leaks from underground petroleum tanks discovered and reported before late December
2014. They currently can be reimbursed for leaks discovered after that point. Critics say Michigan’s first responsibility is cleaning up known threats at abandoned gas stations – not helping owners of sites already cleaned up. Supporters counter Michigan has surplus revenue that’s accumulating more quickly than can be spent solely on orphan sites. The law signed Thursday also lets a fund be used to reimburse local
governments for costs to address contaminates spilled on roads.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator John Proos is expecting the auto insurance reform discussions to continue in Lansing for the rest of the year. He told WSJM’s Pat Moody this week a House plan would allow for limits on catastrophic injury coverage.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Transportation is making the shift from summer construction to winter maintenance. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News they’ve already stocked up on road salt.. ...Read Full Story

Ann Arbor has been chosen as the site for Verizon to test its new 5G technology in Michigan. The tests are taking place this week. Verizon’s 5G bus is giving city leaders, automakers, and researchers a a firsthand look at how 5G works on various platforms. Verizon’s Steve Van Dinter spoke with Michigan News Network about the development.. ...Read Full Story

Coming soon to the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph will be a maker’s market. The Box Factory’s Cara Garnett tells WSJM News southwest Michigan has all kinds of creators who make artisan products. This market will give you a chance to see what they have to offer and pick some of those things up.. ...Read Full Story

A judge has ruled in favor of the city of St. Joseph in the ongoing fight over a blighted property on Niles Avenue. At Monday’s meeting, the city attorney informed commissioners a judge has sided with a city panel’s decision that the dilapidated house at 1015 Niles Avenue be demolished. You may know the house as the one near the AT&T store that’s had a tarp on the roof for quite a long time. The city has been seeking the blighted home’s demolition for most of the year after local inspectors determined it to be unlivable. Now that the Berrien County Circuit Court has found in the city’s favor, there is a 21 day appeal period. If that happens, it would be before the Michigan Court of Appeals. The city’s attorney told commissioners she has not yet heard of an appeal being filed, though. She also said repair work continues on other blighted homes on Wayne and Hoyt Street owned by the same person.. ...Read Full Story

You can add the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce to the list of organizations opposed to Benton Harbor’s income tax proposal. The chamber’s Chris Heugel tells us the board has passed a resolution officially opposing the tax. He says the board does not think it’s what Benton Harbor needs right now. Huegel tells us, “Our members drive jobs in this community and they have said that an income tax is detrimental to their operations and hinders their ability to grow and hire more individuals.”. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Coaches and others involved in youth sports will have to complete concussion awareness training at least once every three years under legislation signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder. The law enacted Thursday takes effect in 90 days. It updates 2012 concussion laws that require a concussion protocol for youth athletes and an awareness program for coaches, volunteers and others.
A new requirement says concussion training must be completed once every three years, unless the state Department of Health and Human Services recommends more frequent training. The state will have to periodically review the training program and make recommendations.
The law also clarifies that universities and colleges do not need to secure parental waivers for students participating in intramural sports.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Federal regulators say Michigan should increase funding and staffing of its Department of Environmental Quality and take other steps to ensure its drinking water is safe. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made the recommendations Thursday in a report evaluating the state’s overall performance but emphasizing the situation in Flint, where residents were exposed to lead-contaminated water for at least 18 months. EPA says its review found numerous deficiencies in how Michigan operates its drinking water program. Among them were inadequate electronic data management and a “notable failure” to carry out its rule on lead and copper pollution. The report covers the period from October 2013 through September 2015, when the Flint crisis was at its height. Michigan officials say they’ve already dealt with many of the problems EPA identified.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator Tonya Schutmaker is working on new legislation in response to a recent situation in Sanilac County in which a man convicted of rape was briefly awarded joint custody of a child. Schuitmaker tells WSJM News the mother of a child conceived through that rape almost partially lost custody because she applied for public assistance, triggering a paternity action. Shuitmaker says her plan will prevent those situations.. ...Read Full Story

A St. Joseph podiatrist could get up to 20 years in prison on some opioid-related charges. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells WSJM News Dr. Craig Sherwood pleaded no contest on Thursday to ten felony charges. They are five counts of diverting opioids and five counts of healthcare fraud. The prosecutor tells us Sherwood between 2014 and 2016 wrote prescriptions in the names of family members who were not his patients. He’s also accused of writing opioid prescriptions to his patients and encouraging them to bring back any unused portions to him. Many of those prescriptions were paid for by private insurance. The prosecutor does note the Southwest Michigan Enforcement Team investigation did not find evidence Sherwood sold any of those drugs. He’s now in the process of giving up his DEA license, which authorizes him to write prescriptions. Sherwood is free on bond and awaiting sentencing on December 11.. ...Read Full Story

With the temperature dropping and the furnace kicking on for many Michiganders, everyone’s being reminded there are places to turn for home heating help this winter. Michigan Gas Utilities spokesperson Matt Cullen tells WSJM News you should know about your options.. ...Read Full Story

Next Tuesday will mean trick or treating time for kids all over southwest Michigan, and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department wants them to be safe. Undersheriff Chuck Heit tells WSJM News safety starts with drivers.. ...Read Full Story

Auto insurance reform is on the move in the Michigan legislature. That’s after a package of bills was supported Thursday by the state House Insurance Committee. State Representative Curt Vanderwall spoke with Michigan News Network about the need for auto insurance reform.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Senate has approved legislation from state Senator John Proos that requires health insurance plans to cover oral and intravenous chemotherapy drugs in the same way. Proos tells WSJM News there are a variety of treatment options for chemotherapy patients, and all should be available.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is looking for an armed robbery suspect. The department tells WSJM News the robbery happened at a Speedway station in Three Oaks on September 11. A white male walked into the store about 4:30 a.m. and demanded the clerk give him money. The suspect made off on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information that leads to his arrest could receive an award of up to $1,000. You can contact police via Crimestoppers at 1-800-342-STOP.. ...Read Full Story

Child and Family Service of Southwest Michigan is now selling tickets to its 11th annual Festival of Lights. Director Joseph Goepfrich tells WSJM News the Festival of Lights is a party featuring music, food, drinks, and an auction. It could raise as much as $30,000 for the organization.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette raised $1.2 million in the last three months and has $2.3 million cash on hand across two campaign accounts. The attorney general, who is considered the front-runner in the GOP field,
reported the fundraising haul before Wednesday’s campaign finance deadline. He raised $705,000 since entering the race in September.
Other Republican candidates are state Senator Patrick Colbeck and Dr. Jim Hines. Hines gave his campaign $75,000, bringing his total self-funding to $513,000. Democrat Shri Thanedar on Tuesday reported giving his own campaign $2.7 million, bringing his total self-funding to nearly $6 million. Democratic front-runner Gretchen Whitmer raised at least $768,000 in the last quarter and has $1.5 million. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has $900,000 in the bank after raising $612,000.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers are giving up on a law that requires beer kegs to be sold with tags that can identify who bought them. The state House voted unanimously to repeal the 2010 law Wednesday, months after senators did the same. The bill should reach Governor Rick Snyder soon. The beer industry and retailers say the law, which aims to curb “keggers” that attract underage drinkers, has encouraged partiers to buy hard liquor or cases of beer instead. Stores complain the law is expensive and burdensome. Key buyers have to sign a receipt containing their name, address, telephone number and driver’s license or state I.D. card number. Retailers attach a tag on
each keg and record the tag number. The keg deposit isn’t returned unless the tag remains on the keg.. ...Read Full Story

A public meeting was held Wednesday to discuss making changes to the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk. That’s after several hundred people were left out of last year’s walk when they didn’t make buses. Mackinac Bridge Authority Executive Secretary Bob Sweeney spoke with Michigan News Network about the problem.. ...Read Full Story

The city of South Haven says approximately 70,000 gallons of wastewater flowed into a storm drain and the Black River this week due to heavy rain. The sanitary sewer overflow began Tuesday morning and was over by about 10:30 p.m. the same day. The overflow occurred because the city’s wastewater collection system couldn’t handle the deluge of water that hit it due to the weather. The city tells us staff continue to monitor the situation and will file reports with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The city is currently constructing new interceptor sewers, a new main pump station, and an equalization basin to address these kinds of situations. That $11 million project is expected to be largely finished by the end of the year.. ...Read Full Story

With Governor Rick Snyder proclaiming October as Michigan’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Michigan Department of Treasury is asking Michiganders to practice cyber vigilance as a way to prevent tax-related identify theft. Spokesperson Ron Liex tells WSJM News it’s all about being careful online.. ...Read Full Story

Home sales in southwest Michigan were up in the month of September by about 5% from August. Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors Executive Alan Jeffries tells WSJM News that’s good news, although the low housing inventory right now has been a problem.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College has been recognized by the Michigan Veterans’ Affairs Agency for its work to attract and accommodate veterans. It’s been named a gold-level Veteran Friendly School. LMC Vice President of Student Engagement Barbara Craig tells WSJM News the college does a variety of things to be welcoming to those who have served in the military.. ...Read Full Story

A tax reform package could be approved by the U.S. House by the end of next month. That’s according to Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News everything depends on the House approving a federal budget in time so there can be a simple majority vote for the tax package.. ...Read Full Story

State representative Kim LaSata has co-sponsored a resolution calling on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to develop more water trails. She tells WSJM News water trails create excellent opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Health premiums will rise an average of 27 percent for the hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents who buy their own health insurance. Consumers eligible for income-based tax credits will be protected from the increasing premiums. The state Department of Insurance and Financial Services published the rates Wednesday. Enrollment for 2018 begins in a week. Eight Michigan insurers will participate in a federally facilitated marketplace formed under the U.S. health care law. In each county, there will be at least
two insurers selling plans. The state has said the premiums are higher than expected because President Donald Trump recently ended cost-sharing payments to insurers for providing lower-income people discounts on out-of-pocket costs. About 80 percent of Michigan customers on the federal marketplace qualify for tax credits to offset their premium costs.. ...Read Full Story

A body found buried in a remote area has been identified as a Michigan teacher who’s been missing since May. Police say Theresa Lockhart’s identity was confirmed Wednesday, a day after her husband killed himself at his Portage home and left a map where investigators could find the body in Allegan County. Her body was found Tuesday. Portage Public Safety Director Nicholas Armold says Christopher Lockhart left a note, admitting that he killed his wife and expressing remorse. Lockhart was suspected in his wife’s disappearance but hadn’t been charged. Armold says police “didn’t have enough to run with it.”. ...Read Full Story

Coming up this Sunday will be some haunted walking tours of downtown St. Joseph. Tracy Gierada with the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center tells WSJM News they’re going to start at Bear Park at State and Market Street at 1 p.m. Sunday. Participants will be taken around the area to learn the spooky aspect of local history.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph City Commissioners have approved a new Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for Whirlpool as it moves forward with its plans to invest in the tech center on Upton Drive. Rob Cleveland of Cornerstone Alliance tells WSJM News a new tax abatement certificate was needed because Whirlpool has reduced the cost of the project from about $35 to $25 million.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan has approved $16 million in tax incentives for the Detroit Pistons to build a practice facility and headquarters in downtown Detroit. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board on Tuesday granted a request by the city’s brownfield  development authority to allow for the capture of local taxes to help fund the $107 million project. Public subsidies of sports teams have come under criticism. But the team and economic development officials say that without the incentives, it would be too expensive to remove environmentally contaminated soil on the site of what is now a parking lot and bus garage. The Pistons hope to open the four-story building in 2019. It also will include retail space, a parking deck, and a sports medicine and medical office building operated by Henry Ford Health System.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A 61-foot spruce in Menominee County has been chosen as the official state Christmas tree. The designation continues a 32-year holiday tradition in Michigan. William Winter and grandson Alex Stevens are donating the towering tree. A harvesting ceremony will take place Thursday in the Upper Peninsula town of Stephenson. The tree will be cut down by representatives of the Michigan Association of Timbermen, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association and Michigan Operators Engineers. It will be hauled to Lansing and placed at the intersection of Capitol and East Michigan avenues on Saturday.. ...Read Full Story

It’s yet another milestone for the Niles Scream Park. Secretary Christina Rhebergen tells WSJM News they broke their all-time single day attendance record this past Saturday. Just under 13,500 people walked through the gates.. ...Read Full Story

The new indoor ice arena in Lincoln Township has led to the loss of some hockey business for the rink in St. Joseph. St. Joe Deputy Public Works Director Greg Grothous tells WSJM News the BAHA hockey league has moved some of its action to the new Garden rink in Stevensville.. ...Read Full Story

A former professor for Southwestern Michigan College who is facing several charges of criminal sexual conduct has waived his preliminary exam and been bound over to Cass County Circuit Court for trial. The prosecutor’s office tells us 57-year-old George Field on Monday cleared the way for an as-yet unscheduled trial. He’s facing charges of criminal sexual conduct in the first, second, and fourth degrees, along with practicing psychology without a license. The prosecutor says the matter came to light after Southwestern Michigan College was told about an incident at the Family Center in Dowagiac and encouraged the victim to contact police. In addition to practicing at the Family Center, Field was an SMC professor at the time of the incident. Police allege the crime occurred between September of 2015 and June of 2016. If convicted of the most serious charge, Field could get up to life in prison.. ...Read Full Story

A Bangor man will serve between seven and 15 years in prison for a fatal shooting at a local park early this year. Prosecutors say 20-year-old Thurman Fletcher shot 28-year-old Eddie Holland of Hartford at Lions Park in Bangor on the night of February 3 when a drug deal went bad. Holland died at a Watervliet Hospital, while Fletcher was taken to a South Haven Hospital with gunshot wounds to the leg and foot. He pleaded guilty last month to felony firearm and manslaughter as part of a deal that meant a murder charge was dropped. Fletcher was sentenced on Tuesday in Van Buren County Circuit Court. Another man, Nikolas Abbot, is also facing charges in the case for allegedly supplying a gun to Fletcher. Abbott is the son of the Van Buren County sheriff. That case is still pending.. ...Read Full Story

A team of Whirlpool volunteers has chipped in to make the upcoming winter a little better for area seniors. They helped the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency pack meal packages on Tuesday in Benton Harbor. The action agency’s Yvonne Vidt tells WSJM News the organization always needs the help.. ...Read Full Story

Whirlpool has parted ways with Sears. On Monday, Sears announced it will no longer be selling Whirlpool, Kitchenaid, or Maytag appliances. That’s after a pricing dispute with Whirlpool. Sears says it can no longer afford to sell the appliance maker’s products. The two companies had been business with each other for more than 100 years. The Washington Post reports that Sears makes up about 3% of Whirlpool’s sales. This latest announcement is seen as yet another blow to Sears, which has closed hundreds of stores just this year.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says it has caught a serial arson suspect. Sheriff Daniel Abbott tells WSJM News a string of fires at abandoned houses and barns were reported to his office last week. They were scattered throughout the Keeler, Hartford, Bangor, and Watervliet areas between September 29 and October 20. It took a local fire chief to notice their similarities. Abbott assigned a deputy to investigate, and not long after, a suspect emerged.. ...Read Full Story