Local News Archives

Local police have been honored by the Berrien County Health Department with its 2018 Friend of Public Health Award. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the award is given each year to an individual or organization that has advanced public health. Police were picked this year because of all their efforts to fight the opioid epidemic. Conrad tells us police in Berrien County have been at the forefront when it comes to including anti-overdose medications in their equipment.. ...Read Full Story

Now on display at businesses throughout Berrien County are specially-decorated KitchenAid stand mixers. St. Joseph Today’s Amy Zapal tells us it’s a project called “Stand Mixers on Parade,” intended to thank the appliance maker for its support of the community as the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship takes place at Harbor Shores this month. You can find the stand mixers at businesses from Stevensville to St. Joe.. ...Read Full Story

Work begins Monday on a bridge over the Galien River, and drivers are being advised to give themselves a little extra time if they head that way. The Michigan Department of Transportation tells us it’s doing improvements on the US-12 bridge over the south branch of the Galien River near Three Oaks. The project will include joint replacement, railing replacement, deck repairs and resurfacing, steel beam repairs, substructure patching, guardrail replacement, and approach repaving. The work will mean some single lane closures and a temporary traffic signal. It starts Monday and is scheduled to wrap up June 29. You can stay on top of all of MDOT’s summer road projects at Michigan.gov/Drive.. ...Read Full Story

Wading through streams and searching nets for aquatic insects might not be for everyone but, Van Buren Conservation District Director AJ Brucks tells us she really enjoys it. That’s just what she’ll be doing this Sunday with some volunteers.. ...Read Full Story

As people start to spend more time in woodland areas this season, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has some tips to avoid conflict with bears. Katie Keen with the DNR tells us the agency has to put down some bears each year because the animals venture out of the woods and get too comfortable being near humans. She says homeowners who live in areas inhabited by bears should remove all bird feeders and only put garbage cans out just before the pickup time.. ...Read Full Story

Coming up this Saturday is the big Blossomtime Parade through St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. Parade President Anna Abdelnour tells us the event attracts as many as 200,000 people to the area each year. She expects this Saturday will be a whole heap of fun.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren County Animal Control is looking to adopt all of its pooches this Saturday with another Empty the Shelters event. Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department Operations Lieutenant Jim Charon tells WSJM News the Bissell Pet Foundation out of Grand Rapids will help make it all possible.. ...Read Full Story

While police in southwest Michigan work to educate the public about the dangers of opioids and also collect unneeded opioid prescriptions, Congressman Fred Upton is thinking federal legislation. He tells WSJM News he’s hoping for quick passage of a plan that would prevent opioid abuse in another way.. ...Read Full Story

Breweries are experimenting with a new type of beer. It’s a beer infused with marijuana. While recreational marijuana is on the ballot here in Michigan in November, state Senator Rick Jones doesn’t want to wait before tackling this development. He chatted with Michigan News Network about the issue this week.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic is calling on state lawmakers to fix a hole in the election code that resulted in the conviction of Benton Township activist Edward Pinkney for election fraud being tossed by the Michigan Supreme Court. In a statement, Sepic notes the justices “did not in any way disturb the finding of the jury that Pinkney changed the signature dates on the recall petitions” in an attempt to recall former Benton Harbor Mayor James Hightower. The activist changed the dates on signatures to make it appear they had been collected within the timeframe required to put the recall before voters. Pinkney’s conviction was overturned on the technicality that the statute under which he was found guilty was not a substantive law section, but rather simply a penalty section. Sepic notes the Berrien County judge and the Michigan Court of Appeals both saw it differently than the state Supreme Court.. ...Read Full Story

The Paw Paw High School student accused of plotting an attack on his school in March will not be tried as an adult. The decision to keep the case in juvenile court in Van Buren County was made yesterday by Judge Jeffrey Dufon, who says plenty of people at the school and in law enforcement failed the boy.. ...Read Full Story

Share the road. That’s the message from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson during the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Johnson has been riding motorcycles since she was 12 and says drivers need to watch out for motorcycles. She spoke with Michigan News Network about the issue this week.. ...Read Full Story

A 23-year-old Hartford Township man has died from several injuries he suffered when he rolled his car and was thrown from it in Keeler Township. The crash happened around 7 last night on County Road 362 east of 70th Street, and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says no other cars were involved. The man was thrown from his vehicle and was apparently not buckled up. Investigators say they don’t yet know if alcohol or drugs played any role in the crash, but do say it appears speed was partly to blame. The man died at Lakeland Watervliet Hospital after several attempts to revive him at the scene of the crash by fire and medical first responders. Police have not released his name.. ...Read Full Story

A South Haven teacher has been honored by the Rotary Club for her work with local students. The Rotary tells us Andrea Jeiger was given the club’s Education and Service Award at a fundraiser this past Saturday. The Rotary says it recognizes an educator who exemplifies the attributes of quality teaching and is an active volunteer in the South Haven community each year. They say Jeiger started out teaching in South Haven’s summer migrant program, and then moved on to teaching elementary students in 2014. She also serves as president of the South Haven Education Association. As part of Jeiger receiving the award, the Rotary made a $250 donation to the South Haven Public School’s Educational Foundation in her name.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien RESA Superintendent Kevin Ivers has received a positive performance evaluation from the RESA Board of Education. At a retreat this week, RESA Trustees used an evaluation tool from the Michigan Association of School Boards to rate Ivers in five areas. They were governance and board relations, stakeholder relations, employee relations, educational leadership, and operations and finance. Dr. Ivers received a “highly effective” rating in all areas measured. The positive review resulted in an extension of Ivers’ contract by one year, meaning he’s now contracted to be with RESA through at least June of 2021. Berrien RESA Board President Sharon Kalling says the board is very pleased with the district’s superintendent.. ...Read Full Story

Addiction experts are hoping to better educate the public about the nation’s opioid epidemic to help reduce the number of deaths. At a forum at St. Joseph Township Hall Wednesday, Berrien County Health Department Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Kerri Teachout said opioids represent the “deadliest drug crisis in American history.” She told us a common way someone gets their hands on an opioid is via theft.. ...Read Full Story

Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley has announced the launch of a new website to draw attention to issues with the Soo Locks. The locks, located between Lake Huron and Lake Superior, allow ships to travel between Lake Superior and the rest of the lower lakes. President Trump recently called for upgrades to the Soo Locks, and Calley says all Michiganders should thank him. There have been calls for a brand new lock for years, with Michigan leaders saying the economy would be greatly harmed if damage were to close the locks. According to Calley’s office, “a 2015 analysis by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security found that an unexpected closure of the Soo Locks, especially during peak shipping season, could result in a cascading collapse of the U.S. economy.” The new state website drawing attention to the locks is Michigan.gov/FixTheSooLocks.. ...Read Full Story

A Berrien County substitute teacher is getting some recognition for her entry into a video contest. Lauren Mott teaches grades K through 12 at Bridgman and River Valley Schools. She tells us she came to the area last year from Chicago.. ...Read Full Story

May is National Drug Court Month and in celebration, the Van Buren County Drug Treatment Court will have guest speakers this Friday that will address the impact of drug courts in our area. Speakers will include the Assistant Chief Prosecuting Attorney, a Program Defense Attorney, Sheriff Abbott and retired Judge William Buhl, as well as a program graduate. The event will also celebrate the 10th year anniversary of the Van Buren County Drug Treatment Court. The public is invited to attend the event at the Van Buren County Courthouse in Paw Paw this Friday morning at nine.. ...Read Full Story

State Representative Mary Whiteford of Casco Township has introduced legislation intended to benefit patients getting prescriptions filled. She tells WSJM News under current rules, pharmacists are not allowed to tell a patient the true cost of their medication in some circumstances. She learned about the problem from a pharmacist she represents.. ...Read Full Story

Everything is back to normal at the Benton Township Walmart after a brief evacuation this morning. The Benton Township Fire Department and Michigan Gas Utilities were called out to the store around 8 a.m. on a report of an odor and found a malfunctioning heater in the back of the building. The gas company’s equipment did not detect elevated natural gas levels, but they did notice the smell. The evacuation was a precaution, and shoppers and employees were back inside before 9:30 a.m.. ...Read Full Story

For the most part April car sales are off about 5%. While it wasn’t a great month, Edmunds.com analyst Jessica Caldwell told Michigan News Network this week it wasn’t terrible either.. ...Read Full Story

There is some infighting amongst Democrats running for governor. Gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed is challenging the validity of opponent Shri Thanedar’s ballot petition signatures. El-Sayed filed his complaint Tuesday, hours after Thanedar announced his own complaint saying El-Sayed has not been a registered voter over the four years leading up to this fall’s general election for governor — something required under Michigan’s constitution and election law. El-Sayed lived in New York for several years and while he canceled his Michigan drivers license during that time, he was still registered to vote in this state.. ...Read Full Story

A new poll shows Michigan residents want the state to invest in higher education to keep tuition low, and that more than 80% believe their child will receive at least a four-year college degree. The survey was conducted for the Michigan Association of State Universities. President and CEO Dan Hurley says even though parents believe a college degree will help their child earn better money, they want their kids to be happy in their careers first and foremost.. ...Read Full Story

A drug take-back event this past Saturday resulted in more than 966 pounds of unneeded prescription medications being collected across the state. Michigan State Police tell us the agency’s 30 posts served as drop-off locations for people to dispose of old drugs. The medications are then turned over to the DEA for safe disposal. The Niles post of Michigan State Police on Saturday collected 53 pounds of drugs alone. The next drug take-back event will be held in the fall. There are several locations around Berrien County where you can drop off unneeded medications every day. You can see a list below.. ...Read Full Story

It’s Wine Month in Michigan with many activities throughout the state. How are Michigan’s vineyards doing though after an unusually cold April? That question was put to Janelle Jagman of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council.. ...Read Full Story

Set for this month is the grand opening of the new Pilgrim Haven Natural Area near South Haven. Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy President Peter Ter Louw tells WSJM News the 27 acre parcel of land along Lake Michigan was donated to the organization in 2011.. ...Read Full Story

A Bloomingdale-based company is planning to invest $12 million in the expansion of broadband internet in Van Buren County over the next few years. Bloomingdale Communications General Manager Steve Shults tells WSJM News the company is rolling out fiber to areas north of Bloomingdale to about Allegan County and south to about M-43. He says the need for broadband in Van Buren is great.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton says “everyone,” including President Trump, deserves some credit for recent improvements in the relations between North and South Korea. Upton tells WSJM News he was pleased to see this past weekend’s developments.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A man who was under the influence of drugs has been convicted of second-degree murder in a crash that killed five bicyclists in southwestern Michigan. The verdict against Charles Pickett was returned Tuesday in Kalamazoo County
court. There was no dispute that Pickett had swallowed painkillers and other drugs before driving his pickup truck, although his lawyer argued that murder charges were excessive. Pickett’s truck plowed into a pack of bicyclists on a narrow rural road near Kalamazoo in June 2016. Nine people were hit, including five who died from their injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board said better communication between dispatchers might have alerted police to stop Pickett while he was driving recklessly through different communities before the crash.. ...Read Full Story

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after a 73-year-old man was killed while cutting wood on Tuesday. The department tells us the accident happened around noon in the 58,000 block of White Temple Road in Penn Township while Robert Wright of Vandalia was working. He was struck by two trees. Police say Wright was cutting a tree down when it fell into another tree which uprooted itself. The two trees then struck Wright, causing extreme injuries. Emergency responders extracted Wright from the downed trees and began medical treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Supreme Court has thrown out the conviction of a Benton Harbor activist who was charged with forgery after submitting petitions to recall a mayor. Edward Pinkney was sentenced to at least 30 months in prison in 2014 and has been on parole since last June. The Supreme Court said Tuesday Pinkney’s conviction in Berrien County must be set aside because he wasn’t properly charged under Michigan law. The court says its decision is “unusual” and “not one that we reach lightly.” In a 6-0 decision, the court says Pinkney was charged under a penalty provision of election law. Pinkney was accused of changing dates on recall petitions so signatures would be counted. The recall election against James Hightower was never held.. ...Read Full Story

Everyone will have a chance to learn more about the opioid epidemic at a meeting planned for Wednesday in St. Joseph Township. St. Joe Township Police Officer Rick Knapp tells WSJM News the neighborhood watch program is welcoming a guest speaker from Families Against Narcotics and the Berrien County Medical Examiner to come and speak at the township hall next Wednesday.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan election officials are reviewing a letter that requests an investigation into Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s eligibility to run for governor. The state Bureau of Elections received a letter from Pamela Nelson last week. The DeWitt resident cited questions over whether El-Sayed will have been a registered and qualified Michigan voter for four years before the election. El-Sayed, one of three Democratic gubernatorial candidates, studied and worked in New York until moving back to Michigan in 2015. Nelson says she filed the complaint so the issue is resolved before August’s primary. The deadline to challenge a candidate’s nominating petitions is Tuesday. Spokesman Fred Woodhams says the elections bureau is reviewing the letter and “will decide what the next steps, if any, are.” vEl-Sayed has called the eligibility issue a “manufactured controversy.”. ...Read Full Story

There’s an effort in Lansing to boost the funding in the fight against a contagious and fatal central-nervous-system disease found in deer, elk, and moose. State Representative Beau LaFave told Michigan News Network more.. ...Read Full Story

Heads up,GR! That’s the name of a new summer safety campaign in Grand Rapids for pedestrians and bicyclists. Grand Rapids Traffic Safety Manager Chris Zull told Michigan News Network they have a new law requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks, a change from yield. Zull says the goal is to have zero pedestrian-involved crashes.. ...Read Full Story

The changes keep coming for Benton Harbor Area Schools. At a Monday meeting, the board of education voted to part ways with or re-assign several administrators. It also moved to terminate a contract for a gang prevention study and drop a standby bus service. Other cuts will come. Trustee Martha Momany warned it won’t be pleasant.. ...Read Full Story

While spring has arrived in Michigan, some folks still are trying to catch up on their heating costs from winter. There is still one month available to apply for energy-bill assistance through the State Emergency Relief program. Consumers Energy Customer Assistance Manager Whitney Skeans tells us they have at least 100,000 qualified households among their customer base who have difficulty paying energy bills each year.. ...Read Full Story

Everyone is encouraged to take part in a special event set for this Friday to help promote environmental responsibility. Chris Martin with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission tells WSJM News it’s Clean Commute Day.. ...Read Full Story

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after a Dowagiac man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Monday. It happened shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Calvin Hill Street near North Shore Drive in Calvin Township. 29-year-old Jerry West of Dowagiac was eastbound on Calvin Hill when his motorcycle hit a truck that was pulling out of a driveway. Police say West was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the truck, a 52-year-old Cassopolis man, was taken to a hospital for treatment and then released. Police don’t believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office has cleared two sheriff’s deputies of wrongdoing in a crash this month that killed three.. ...Read Full Story

Monday brought the ribbon cutting for the new the Al-Van Humane Society animal shelter on Blue Star Highway in South Haven. Executive Director Jennifer Nuernberg told WSJM News the move means a lot to the staff.. ...Read Full Story

A whole heap of pills and other prescription medications are now being handed off to the Drug Enforcement Agency for safe disposal thanks to a drug take-back event held on Saturday in St. Joseph. Michigan State Police Lieutenant Melinda Logan tells WSJM News the number reflects the pills collected at just one site, Lakeland Center for Outpatient Services on Hollywood Avenue.. ...Read Full Story

A 911 call made from an Apple Watch enabled first responders to rescue a man who fell into the Black River in South Haven on Monday.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The city of Detroit has been released from active state oversight just over three years after exiting the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. A nine-member review commission unanimously voted Monday on a waiver that returns financial control to the mayor and City Council after Detroit delivered three consecutive years of audited balanced budgets. A $36 million operating surplus also is expected for fiscal year 2018. The waiver must be approved annually for 10 years before the commission is fully retired.
A state-appointed emergency manager overseeing Detroit’s finances filed for bankruptcy in 2013. Detroit exited bankruptcy in December 2014 after restructuring about $7 billion in debt. The financial review commission was created in 2014 and given oversight for
borrowing and large city-issued contracts as part of the bankruptcy restructuring plan.. ...Read Full Story

Attorney General Bill Schuette’s campaign is getting the support of the White House. President Trump announced his endorsement of Schuette at a suburban Detroit rally Saturday night.. ...Read Full Story

“Why Our Political Is Behaving So Oddly” is the topic South Haven Speaker Series guest Phil Power address on Thursday, May 10th at the Lake Michigan College South Haven campus. Speaker Series Board President Mark Odland tells WSJM News Power is the founder of the Center for Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

A former insurance agent in Paw Paw is facing decades behind bars for allegedly stealing nearly $300,000 from a client with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Attorney General Bill Schuette has charged 57-year-old Brian Lietzau with seven felonies, saying he abused his position when he was given power of attorney for the woman. He is the former owner of Farm Bureau-Lietzau Insurance and obtained power of attorney for the client in 2012. Schuette is accusing him of writing checks to himself from her account along with converting her money to his own. Lietzau is accuse of stealing the money while the woman was hospitalized and after she had died. The Attorney General’s Elder Financial Crimes Unit started investigating the case this year after it was turned over to Schuette’s office by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.. ...Read Full Story

It’s something Michigan’s congressional delegation has been pushing for years, and President Trump Saturday night said he’s going to start working on repairs to the Soo Locks in northern Michigan soon.. ...Read Full Story

A public hearing on the budget and the local tax rate will be held by St. Joseph City Commissioners next month. Mayor Mike Garey tells WSJM News the commission is grappling with multiple considerations as it looks at possible millage increases. That includes the need for street repair money. He credits city staff with being on top of the looming challenges.. ...Read Full Story

A new Michigan State Police Museum and Learning Center opened on Wednesday in Dimondale with a ribbon cutting. MSP Captain Mike Krumm told Michigan News Network the museum features weapons and vehicles that state police used back when the department began in 1917. He says it’s interactive.. ...Read Full Story

Former Lake Michigan College President Bob Harrison is now running for the Berrien County Board of Commissioners. He’s filed to run for the Republican nomination in the 7th District, which includes the village of Stevensville and part of Lincoln Township. Harrison tells WSJM News he sees the county commission facing challenges specific to southwest Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

Indiana Michigan Power has been saluted for its green energy policies. The company has been named a 2018 Environmental Champion from a Cogent Reports study by Market Strategies International. I&M spokesperson Tracy Warner tells WSJM News the honor is for the company’s renewable energy portfolio. He says I&M gets two thirds of its electricity generation from emission-free sources, with the Cook nuclear power plant in Bridgman being a big part of that. I&M also has solar, hydroelectric, and wind programs.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Health Department is reminding everyone to talk with their doctor about getting the Hepatitis A vaccine. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News Hepatitis A is a liver disease that has been on the rise in Michigan, especially in the southeast part of the state.. ...Read Full Story

A Macomb County ten-year-old girl is the winner of a national poster art contest to help find missing children. Michigan State Police Missing Children’s Clearinghouse Manager Jolene Hardesty tells WSJM News more than 2,000 submissions from 17 states came in for the 2018 National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest. Now that a winner has been picked, her art will appear on posters reminding the public of missing children throughout the year.. ...Read Full Story

An award has been given to state Senator John Proos for his work to promote organ donation in Michigan. This month, the Michigan Secretary of State’s office gave Proos the Shining Star Award. It’s for his role in getting Lauren’s Law approved in the state. Proos tells WSJM News the law requires the Secretary of State to ask people if they want to sign up for the organ donor registry when they renew their licenses.. ...Read Full Story

The north pier in St. Joseph will have life rings installed by Memorial Day weekend. So says St. Joe City Manager John Hodgson, who told city commissioners Monday night the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is on board, and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department will help with maintenance. Hodgson told WSJM News the north pier model will follow the county’s example with life rings at the south pier.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan House has approved a budget for the next fiscal year, and it includes an increase in funding for schools. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells WSJM News she’s pleased to see lawmakers are committing to education.. ...Read Full Story

There is a new Republican now running for the Michigan House in the 79th District. It’s Bruce Gorenflo of St. Joseph. Gorenflo is a technical writer and graphic designer who has lived in southwest Michigan almost his entire life. He tells WSJM News a big priority is reducing auto insurance rates.. ...Read Full Story