Local News Archives

From the Associated press — Michigan’s unemployment rate in January was unchanged from the 4.7 percent rate recorded in December.
Figures released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show Michigan’s January jobless rate was six-tenths of a percentage point above the national rate of 4.1 percent but three-tenths of a percentage point below the state’s January 2016 rate of 5.0 percent. The agency says total employment declined by 3,000 while the number of unemployed Michiganders rose by 1,000 for a net impact of a minor reduction in the state’s January workforce. Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives Director Jason Palmer says newly revised data from the annual revision process for Michigan show that the state’s jobless rate was unchanged at 4.7 percent from September through January.. ...Read Full Story

Business owners in South Haven will likely get a visit from the Mayor or City Manager before the end of the year. Referred to as business retention visits, South Haven’s City officials are ready to learn and help where they can. Mayor Scott Smith told WSJM News more about his efforts.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team is searching Muskrat Lake for the body of a prowling suspect who is presumed to have drowned. Deputies were called to a home on 2nd Avenue shortly after 10 last night on a report of someone trying to break into a vehicle and a garage and peeking into windows. They followed footprints, but the suspect saw the officers and ran off. He was later seen about 100 yards offshore in a sinking canoe, yelling for help. By the time deputies were able to get into the water, he had gone under and the Dive team wasn’t able to find him due to darkness last night. They’re trying again today.. ...Read Full Story

February saw more tips sent in to the state’s OK2Say tip line than any month before. Michigan Attorney General’s office spokesperson Andrea Bitely tells us the tip line was created in 2014 for students to have a way to report troubling or dangerous situations in their schools.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The state has shut down a northern Michigan funeral home after an inspection found unsanitary conditions in an embalming room, human cremated remains stored alongside those of animals and other violations. Michigan’s Licensing and Regulatory Affairs office says Wednesday that the mortuary science establishment license of the Charles G. Parks Funeral Home in
Petoskey has been suspended. The suspension becomes effective Friday. The individual mortuary science license of owner Charles Guy Parks, Jr. also was suspended. The state says embalmed bodies also were found in an unrefrigerated garage and that at least $4,935 for prepaid funeral goods or services was not put into escrow. Parks told The Associated Press Wednesday that he had no comment on the license suspensions or the state investigation. Petoskey is northeast of Traverse City.. ...Read Full Story

The newest member of the Berrien RESA Board of Education is Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education Trustee Martha Momany. The RESA Board tells us it appointed her this week to serve a term that runs out in June of next year. Momany replaces RESA Trustee Tom Fanning, who resigned last month due to an injury. The RESA Board cited Martha Momany’s experience on the Benton Harbor School Board that includes having served as the president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary over more than nine years of service.. ...Read Full Story

A program that brings smart thermostats to southwest Michigan is now available for all customers of Indiana Michigan power. I&M spokesperson Tracy Warner tells us IM Home allows you to install an app on your phone that lets you control your home heat remotely. The app also watches your energy usage and takes steps to reduce it at times when you won’t notice.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Shelly Walker has been rated as ineffective by the board of education. Walker heard her yearly performance evaluation at a board meeting Wednesday. Her overall score was 36%. Trustee Joseph Taylor told WSJM News the board has many issues with Walker.. ...Read Full Story

A new $700,000 challenge grant has been announced to help the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan as it prepares to move into its new facility. Humane Society Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the Yeager family, longtime supporters, will match donations, dollar for dollar, to both the organization’s capital fund for the new shelter and its endowment.. ...Read Full Story

Federal legislation to crack down on websites that promote human trafficking has the support of Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News the “Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act” passed the House last week by a vote of 388 to 25.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Health Department says now is the time to make sure you and your family are prepared for a disaster. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the recent flooding has been proof of that. First, she recommends everyone have an easily moveable emergency kit in case they have to clear out quickly.. ...Read Full Story

It’s the tax credit many people don’t know they’re eligible for, and it could mean some big bucks coming back from Uncle Sam. Luis Garcia at the IRS says only 17% of filers in Michigan claimed the earned income tax credit in 2015, but he thinks many more would have qualified.. ...Read Full Story

It was last September when Hurricanes Maria & Irma hit Puerto Rico, devastating the island , knocking out most of the power and causing major damage. A second wave of DTE Energy crews is in Puerto Rico now, working to restore power.. ...Read Full Story

A Michigan State Police trooper whose patrol vehicle was rear-ended by a semi on I-94 Wednesday morning has been released from the hospital and is back at work. State police tell us Trooper Russell Bawks is a 20 year veteran of the MSP. The crash happened around 7 a.m. Wednesday near mile marker 31. After hitting the patrol car, the semi jackknifed and hit the patrol car again. Trooper Bawks was taken to Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph to be treated for minor injuries. The driver of the semi, 23-year-old Jordan Howell of Canton, Ohio, was ticketed for reckless driving.. ...Read Full Story

A Michigan State Police trooper is being treated at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph for minor injuries after his patrol car was rear-ended by a semi near mile marker 31 on eastbound I-94. The crash happened just after 7 a.m. today, and the semi jackknifed and hit the patrol car a second time. The driver of the truck is from Ohio and was not hurt. Michigan State Police tell WSJM News the trooper was driving behind a pair of Department of Transportation plow trucks treating the icy highway at the time of the crash. The accident was one of many on slick roads around southwest Michigan this morning.. ...Read Full Story

A veteran-led non-profit has stepped up to help Berrien County residents affected by flooding. Team Rubicon has launched Operation Barren Heart to support residents by conducting damage assessments, muckout operations, and debris removal for free where needed. Team Rubicon was founded by Marine Corps veterans Jake Wood and William McNulty in 2010 following the earthquake in Haiti. Anyone who wants to support TeamRubicon can go to TeamRubiconUSA.org. To find out about getting the group’s assistance, call 211. Additionally, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is reminding all of the flood-affected folks to turn in their damage assessment forms. You can find the page to do so right here.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law an increase in 911 fees to upgrade Michigan’s emergency response system. The law enacted Tuesday will boost the monthly surcharge on phone bills by 6 cents, from 19 cents to 25 cents. The surcharge on prepaid wireless plans will rise to 5 percent per retail transaction. It is currently under 2 percent. The fee hikes will generate $20 million more a year. Supporters say the 911 system is in dire need of upgrades. Technology is being used that hasn’t been updated in nearly 60 years. Backers say first responders will be better equipped to respond to a scene with more information _ pictures, videos, text, GPS _ helping to pinpoint disoriented callers.. ...Read Full Story

The ongoing murder case against a man accused of beating two people to death in Hagar Township is facing another delay. Alex Perez is charged with two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of the mother of his two daughters and her father. 27-year-old Renee and 67-year-old John Mitchell were found in their home on January 15 of 2016, and Perez was later arrested in Colorado. Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic tells us the Perez case has been delayed multiple times by psychiatric examinations, and attorneys for Perez this week sought another adjournment for more testing. It was granted. The date for the proceedings to resume isn’t yet known, but it will likely be in May or June. Sepic tells us the court needs to determine if Perez can be considered criminally responsible. He tells us the criminal responsibility question needs to be answered. Otherwise, there could be an issue with appeals. Perez remains in the Berrien County Jail.. ...Read Full Story

The first federal legislation inspired by last month’s school massacre in Parkland, Florida could get a vote in the U.S. House next week. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News he’s been a co-chair of the Working Group on Response to Parkland Shooting which is part of the bi-partisan group calling itself the Problem Solvers. He says next week’s legislation will not include gun control measures.. ...Read Full Story

Democratic candidate for governor Abdul El-Sayed has had a chance to speak to voters in southwest Michigan. He led a town hall in Benton Harbor Tuesday, laying out a progressive agenda that includes single payer healthcare, a $15 an hour minimum wage, protecting the LGBTQ community, and shutting down Enbridge’s pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. He told WSJM News it’s time for the power of people to guide state government.. ...Read Full Story

Andrews University has broken ground on a new health and wellness center. Andrews Associate Vice President of Development Audrey Castelbuono tells WSJM News they’re now working full speed ahead on the $17.5 million, 76,000 square fooot facility to be located on campus.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan has terrible infrastructure. That’s the conclusion of the American Society of Civil Engineers which this week issued a report card for the state in 2018, giving it a grade of D+.. ...Read Full Story

Lest We Forget and the Exchange Club of Southwest Michigan are teaming up to honor veterans as part of this May’s Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores. The Exchange Club’s Jim Ashbrook tells WSJM News they did it last time with a patriotic display featuring American flags.. ...Read Full Story

A community forum will be held this Thursday at the Listiak Auditorium at South Haven High School. Becca Teunissen with South Haven Public Schools spoke with WSJM News about what’s planned.. ...Read Full Story

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Michigan’s population grew 0.4 percent from April 2010 to July 2016. That’s a slower rate than other nearby states. Western Michigan University Economics Professor Susan Pozo tells WSJM News a reason could be the mix of jobs in Michigan. She says the population numbers show how mobile the U.S. economy is becoming for recent graduates.. ...Read Full Story

A Local Business Showcase is now part of the city council meetings in South Haven to inform both council members and residents about businesses in the city according to Mayor Scott Smith.. ...Read Full Story

Heart disease is the number one health issue for both men and women, and a doctor who’s been treating people with heart problems for more than three decades says preventive cardiology should be the rule, not the exception. Dr. Harry Cohen, a cardiologist based in Chicago, advises people not to wait until they’re sick to change their habits. Instead, he says you should start taking care of yourself now. Cohen tells us people with heart conditions are living longer, and much of the credit can be given to researchers.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A worker safety awareness campaign hopes to reduce deaths from falls in Michigan’s roofing industry. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s “Stop Falls. Save Lives” effort is continuing into its second year. The agency says the campaign seeks to educate employers and workers about fall hazards. It says falls are preventable with continued training, appropriate
equipment and diligent safety awareness in the workplace or job site. Officials say eight people in Michigan died last year from falls related to roofing activities, compared to four such fatalities in 2016. MIOSHA field staff is expected to closely observe residential and commercial
roofing activities in the coming year. On-the-spot inspections will be initiated if any serious hazards are observed.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has released his office’s annual list of the top consumer complaints for the past year. Complaints about credit and finance companies led the way in 2017. Schuette says the complaints were about debt collection, credit repair, payday lending, and mortgage brokering. Those finance companies have led the AG’s list of top consumer complaints since 2006. Coming in second for 2017 were personal service providers, with Schuette telling us the jump is directly because of the large number of complaints against west Michigan-based gym chain Family Fitness. Closing out the top five are complaints about telecommunications and cable companies, motor vehicles, and online purchases. The attorney general’s office tells you can make a complaint about a business rip-off at the AG’s website. . ...Read Full Story

It’s time once again for state Senator John Proos’ Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament. Proos tells us it’s a way for communities throughout his district to demonstrate their support for the local high school, with last year’s winner being Watervliet. Proos asks schools across the district to send him photos showing how they’re filled with pride.. ...Read Full Story

The city of Niles is thanking everyone who helped to clean up flood damage over the weekend. The city administrator’s office tells us on Friday and Saturday, nearly 150 volunteers between the ages of ten and 70 took part in the first wave of flood related clean-up. The work resulted in the filling of twenty-one thirty-yard dumpsters with debris. Niles City Administrator Ric Huff calls the level of support shown for the community “amazing.” The clean-up volunteers came from all over the region, belonging to groups that include the Salvation Army, the Southeastern Berrien County Landfill, the United Way of Southwest Michigan, Andrews University, Niles New Tech, several local churches, and city staff. The city of Niles reminds everyone the United Way of Southwest Michigan continues to collect donations for its disaster relief fund. You can give at UWSM.org/ReliefFund.. ...Read Full Story

A $100,000 grant has been awarded to the River Valley Senior Center by the Pokagon Fund to help pay for an ongoing renovation project. The center’s Tim Hawkins tells WSJM News the Pokagon Fund money will help complete phase two of the three-phase project to transform the 45-year-old center in Harbert.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Transportation has released its 2018 construction map. Spokesperson Jeff Cranson tells WSJM News the map can help drivers plan their routes ahead of the busy construction season to avoid being stuck in work zones. He says the fiscal year 2018 capital highway program investment is more than $1.6 billion, which still isn’t enough to address all of Michigan’s road needs.. ...Read Full Story

Former state Representative Al Pscholka has found a new job. He’s working at Kinexus as the Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs. That role will have the Stevensville-based Pscholka working with government leaders relating to the mission of Kinexus. Kinexus spokesperson Mary Morphey tells us they’re thrilled to have Pscholka on board.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Organs from people who died from opioid overdose helped fuel an increase in organ donations in Michigan last year. The Detroit News reports that overdose victims are often younger than typical donors and can have healthy organs despite their addictions. Gift of Life Michigan is the state’s federally designated organ and tissue recovery program. The program says Michigan had 320 donors last year, a 26% increase from the 254 donors in 2014. More than 50 of last year’s donors died by drug overdose, an increase from 20 in 2014. Technology improvements have also allowed for better disease detection, which makes more organs available for transplantation. Improved procedures at transplant centers and organ procurement organizations have ensured more potential donors and their families have the opportunity to contribute.. ...Read Full Story

Authorities in Van Buren County are looking for suspects in a murder last Thursday night in Geneva Township. The sheriff’s department says the victim was 47-year-old Shaun Gill, who was a long-time resident of the Ports of Call Mobile Home park. He was found shot to death in his home shortly after 9 p.m. on March 1. Gill’s body was found near the front door, and a woman inside the home called police. Sheriff Daniel Abbott tells WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids they are looking for two suspects, and one showed up at Gill’s door and shot him when he answered. Deputies are treating the case as a robbery attempt that ended in a homicide.. ...Read Full Story

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is looking for the driver of a vehicle that slammed into a tree around 9 p.m. last night in LaGrange Township, injuring one passenger. The injured man has been identified as 34-year-old Jared Green of Dowagiac, who is being treated at Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital. Another passenger wasn’t hurt and unlike Green, was wearing a seat belt. The driver is believed to have been drunk at the time of the crash, and ran off before deputies arrived. The crash happened on Shurte Street east of M-62.. ...Read Full Story

Classes are back in session today in Berrien Springs, meaning the flood shelter set up by the American Red Cross has had to move. The organization had been using Berrien Springs Middle School, but moved displaced residents over the weekend to the Village Seventh Day Adventist Church. The shelter is the last one being operated in the state by the Red Cross to help people forced from their homes by flooding, with others having been closed in Niles, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and suburban Grand Rapids. Red Cross officials say they are continuing to help flood victims all over the state with damage assessment, food, and emergency supplies.. ...Read Full Story

Many Michiganders are experiencing a bit of sticker shock as they open their energy bills after a bitter cold few months, but assistance is available to help keep the light and heat on this year. The state is now processing home-heating credit applications for low-income households for the 2017 tax year. Whitney Skeans with Consumers Energy tells us tax season is a good time to apply for the credit, although those who don’t make enough to file a return are still eligible. She says this is one way to help vulnerable residents to be proactive about their finances.. ...Read Full Story

A plan to prevent the sexual abuse of young athletes was introduced in Lansing this week in response to the Larry Nassar scandal, and it’s already headed toward approval. On hand for a press conference Monday to unveil the legislative package were victims of Nassar. State Representative Beth Griffin has a bill in the plan that would add coaches, assistant coaches, and athletic trainers to the list of authority figures required to report evidence of abuse. Griffin, a former teacher, told WSJM News more adults should have to look out for young athletes.. ...Read Full Story

Last week’s mass shooting at a high school in Florida has many parents around the country nervous about sending their kids to class each day, but school leaders in southwest Michigan say they do all they can to ensure a safe environment is always maintained. Covert Public Schools Director of Communications Brittany Millan tells WSJM News visitors to the school will have to answer some questions before being let in.. ...Read Full Story

A new report from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research takes a look at west Michigan’s economy now versus at the start of the Great Recession. Upjohn economist Brian Pittelko tells WSJM News they looked at data from January of 2007 through the end of 2009. What’s striking is how slow the economic recovery was.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Treasurer’s office says the Orchards Mall in Benton Township is once again facing foreclosure. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the mall’s owners owe $275,000 in property taxes from 2015, and if it’s not paid by April 3, then the county will foreclose. Witkowski will not allow a payment plan for the mall.. ...Read Full Story

Three bids have come into the Berrien County Land Bank for the vacant Alreco Metals property in Benton Harbor. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News two of the three met the county’s requirements for consideration. However, both of those two involved using the vacant industrial property for medical marijuana production. Witkowski says the land bank won’t sell the property to either of them if the city of Benton Harbor has not signed off on the possible use.. ...Read Full Story

Invasive species and you. That’s what the Van Buren Conservation District has been talking about this past week as the spring approaches. The district’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News this is Invasive Species Awareness Week and she hopes people realize they can take simple steps to help slow the spread of non-native plants and bugs.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding all state residents of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Spokesperson Ron Leix tells WSJM News the federal earned income tax credit can help families to the tune of thousands of dollars each year. A tax filer can also get a partial state match.. ...Read Full Story

The American Red Cross says its shelter in Berrien Springs for residents displaced by flooding will move to a new location on Sunday. In a sign of the community’s continuing recovery, the shelter at Berrien Springs Middle School will shut down Sunday morning, and a new shelter will be opened at Village Seventh Day Adventist Church on St. Joseph Avenue in Berrien Springs.. ...Read Full Story

A whole lot of bridge work is about to get started in Berrien County. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News MDOT will be doing repairs on the bridges going over I-94 at M-239, Kruger Road, Lakeside Road, Maudlin Road, and Union Pier Road starting this Thursday. There’s a reason why all are being done at the same time.. ...Read Full Story

State and federal leaders from southwest Michigan are waiting for Governor Rick Snyder to accept Berrien County’s disaster declaration following this month’s floods. State Senator John Proos tells WSJM News he toured Berrien Springs and Niles this past week and was convinced the Berrien County Board of Commissioners was justified in declaring that disaster.. ...Read Full Story

The Better Business Bureau of West Michigan has issued list of what you should and shouldn’t do if you’re a flood victim to avoid scammers. Phil Catlett of the BBB says floods and natural disasters tend to bring out the worst in people.. ...Read Full Story

Unit 2 of the Cook nuclear power plant is now undergoing another refueling outage. Cook plant spokesperson Bill Schalk tells WSJM News Unit 1 just wrapped up a refueling outage late last year. Unit 2 shut down at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. There is now a large number of extra workers on site to help with maintenance.. ...Read Full Story

It’s almost moving day for the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the new shelter in Royalton Township is pretty much ready, and they’re just waiting for a green light from the township to move in, which could come in a few weeks. She tells us the new facility was very much needed.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A 19-year-old Central Michigan University student suspected of killing his parents at a campus dormitory on Friday has been apprehended. He was found early Saturday following a search that included more than 100 police officers. James Eric Davis Jr. was arrested after someone saw him on a train passing through the north end of campus shortly after midnight, according to a release posted on Central Michigan University’s website. CMU President George E. Ross thanked the campus, community, and police who he said “came together to keep each other safe and apprehend the suspect.” The shooting on Friday sent the university into lockdown for the day.. ...Read Full Story

A Lawton man was taken to a hospital in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle on Friday. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells WSJM News sheriff’s deputies were called to M-40 just south of 72nd Avenue around 12:45 p.m. They found a 2011 Chevy Cruze driven by Sarah Romeo was northbound on M-40 when 39-year-old Harley Streeter walked into the road. Romeo’s vehicle struck Streeter. Deputies learned Streeter had just left his workplace to go to lunch when he was hit. He was taken to a hospital in Kalamazoo. Police say Romeo and Streeter are in a dating relationship.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A television station has found that Michigan officials didn’t immediately inform residents about unsafe levels of chemicals in fish. WOOD-TV reports that the state began testing fish from Freska Lake in September after residents raised concerns.
The lake is near a site where Wolverine World Wide buried per- and polyfluoroalkyl sludge for years. Studies suggest that PFAS affect fetal
development, disrupt hormonal functions, damage fertility and immune systems, and boost the risk of cancer. A November email acquired by the TV station through a records request says there were problematic levels of PFAS in the lake’s bluegill and cautions limiting consumption to two meals a month. Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman Angela Minicuci says the agency decided to wait to release the results this spring through their Eat Safe Fish guide.. ...Read Full Story

It’s possible Congress will approve some gun control measures following the nation’s most recent mass shooting, this time at a high school in Florida on Valentine’s Day. That’s the thought of Congressman Fred Upton, who tells us the bipartisan “Problem Solvers” have talked about the issue this past week. Upton spoke with students from Parkland High School in Florida on Tuesday, and told WSJM News later the talk about gun control is serious.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A Michigan lawmaker charged with putting a no-show employee on the public payroll has pleaded guilty, resigned from office and faces up to a year in prison. Senator Bert Johnson, a Democrat from Highland Park, must repay $23,000 to the
state of Michigan. He will be sentenced on August 7. After pleading guilty Friday to conspiring to steal money, he resigned. He was
accused of putting Glynis Thornton on his payroll in order to repay $14,000 in loans from her. Federal investigators say Thornton did no work but collected $23,000. Thornton cooperated with investigators after getting caught in a separate corruption case involving bribes for a Detroit school principal. U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider says public officials “cannot treat the people’s money as their own.”. ...Read Full Story

Southwest Michigan residents are proving to be caring when it comes to their neighbors. The United Way of Southwest Michigan tells WSJM News the disaster relief fund it set up last week to help out folks affected by floods this month has already raised more than $20,000. That’s in just about five days. United Way’s Anna Murphy tells WSJM News the money will be used for a variety of needs.. ...Read Full Story

Congress ended out the week having failed to approve a replacement program for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — or, DACA — program. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News lawmakers in Washington had a shortened week.. ...Read Full Story