Local News Archives

Prosecutor Praises Newspaper For Exposing Sports Doctor

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From the Associated Press — A prosecutor is praising an Indiana newspaper for exposing a former sports doctor’s sexual abuse of gymnasts.
Michigan Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis spoke at the sentencing hearing Wednesday for Larry Nassar, saying that the case proves society needs “investigative journalists more than ever.” Nassar has admitted abusing gymnasts at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. He was sentenced Wednesday to 40 to 175 years in prison in a case involving seven victims.
Former gymnast Rachael Denhollander alerted The Indianapolis Star to Nassar’s abuse after reading the newspaper’s 2016 investigation of how USA Gymnastics handled sexual abuse allegations against coaches. Povilaitis told the judge that without Denhollander and the newspaper, Nassar “would still be practicing medicine, treating athletes and abusing kids.”. ...Read Full Story

Lawmakers OK Splitting Regional Taxes With Charter Schools

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From the ASsociated Press — Legislation heading to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk would let charter schools receive revenue from voter-approved property tax hikes. The Republican-led Senate approved the bill 23-14 Tuesday, largely along party lines. The taxes now go to the counties’ traditional school districts on a per-student basis, on top of their state funding. The legislation would let charter academies get a share of the extra local funding. Charters would only benefit when existing millages are renewed or new millages are approved. The legislation would have the biggest impact in the Detroit and Grand Rapids areas. Wayne County districts now receiving $376 per pupil would get $287 once charters are added. In Kent County, a $212 per-student grant would drop to $183. ...Read Full Story

UPDATE — State Police Trooper In Stable Condition After Being Shot

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A Michigan State Police trooper who was shot in the chest on Wednesday in Branch County is in serious but stable condition at a hospital. Michigan State Police tell us the incident happened around 11:15 a.m. in rural Branch County’s Union Township. MSP Detective Sergeant Aaron Steensma of the Marshall post and Trooper Daniel Thayer, also of the Marshall post, were executing a search warrant related to cold case when a suspect fired a long gun at them. Steensma was shot in the chest, and Michigan State Police Director Director Kriste Kibbey Etue says he’s “doing remarkably well for the seriousness of his injury” at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. State police say a round that struck Trooper Thayer in the chest was stopped by his ballistic vest, although his hand was also grazed. The shooting suspect was later found dead on the property. The investigation into the incident continues.. ...Read Full Story

Two State Police Troopers Shot In Branch County

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Two Michigan State Police troopers have been shot in Branch County. State police tell us a detective sergeant and trooper were executing a serve warrant related to a cold case investigation around 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday in rural Branch County’s Union Township when it happened. When troopers announced their presence prior to entering the home, the suspect leveled a long gun at them. They were trying to take cover when the detective sergeant was shot in the chest and the trooper received a grazing wound to the hand. The detective sergeant was taken to a hospital where his condition as of late Wednesday afternoon was serious but stable. The suspect in Wednesday’s incident was later found dead.. ...Read Full Story

Former Sports Doctor Sentenced To Up To 175 Years In Prison

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From the Associated Press — A judge has told a Michigan sports doctor accused of sexually assaulting women and girls, “I just signed your death warrant.” The remarks from Judge Rosemarie Aquilina came as she sentenced Larry Nassar to 40 to 175 years in prison. The sentence capped a remarkable seven-day hearing that brought more than 150 victims or their families to court, including Olympians.
They made riveting statements while confronting Nassar in a Lansing, Michigan, courtroom. He worked at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. Nassar had pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting seven females in the Lansing area between 1998 and 2015, but the hearing was open to all of his accusers. His accusers said he would molest them while they were on a table seeking help
for various injuries. Nassar also has a 60-year prison sentence for child pornography crimes.. ...Read Full Story

Legislature Votes To Reduce Breakwall Fees

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From the Associated Press — Michigan would cut state fees assessed on homeowners who have wave-reducing breakwalls near the Great Lakes shoreline under legislation heading to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk. The Republican-controlled Senate approved the bill Tuesday, on a mostly party-line 23-14 vote, after a House vote last week. The measure includes a new fee structure to use Great Lakes bottomlands for forming a private harbor exclusively for noncommercial recreational watercraft. The bill sponsor, Republican Senator Tom Casperson of Escanaba, has said existing fees are too high and have surprised property owners. Democrats have criticized the bill, saying it is not right for people to put structures on publicly owned land without paying adequate fees.. ...Read Full Story

Report Examines Link Between Food Assistance And Healthcare Costs

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SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, are linked to improved health outcomes and lower healthcare costs, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Brynne [[ brin ]] Keith-Jennings, a senior research analyst at the center, tells us some of the studies cited in the paper used data going back to the ’60s when the food-stamp program began. Keith-Jennings notes that those studies found long-term health benefits.. ...Read Full Story

Andrews University To Hold Small Business Summit

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Andrews University is planning to hold a small business summit this month. The Berrien Springs university tells us there will be eight presentations on how small business owners can better achieve their goals. The presentations will cover subjects like social media, marketing strategy, business planning, and advertising. Speakers will address how to get more from advertising dollars whether online or in print, how to become an expert in a field, and how to develop strategies to grow businesses in 2018. The keynote speaker will be Rob Cleveland, president and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance. The Andrews University Small Business Summit is slated for this Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chan Shun Hall on the campus of Andrews University. Tickets are $75, and can be bought online. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

Perrigo Foundation Donates $260,000 To Allegan Projects

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The city of Allegan has received a couple of donations from the Perrigo Foundation totaling $260,000. At Monday night’s Allegan City Council meeting, City Manager Joel Dye shared details of the Perrigo gifts. The Foundation is donating $130,000 to build a new splash pad on the site of a former parking lot, and $130,000 to the Allegan District Library. The Perrigo Splash Pad will be part of an ongoing project at Downtown Riverfront Park and will contain places for kids and families to play. The library donation will be used for the new Perrigo Learning Lab for children and the Perrigo STREAM Lab for teens. Perrigo’s Tom Farrington says the drug maker’s “history is intertwined with Allegan’s history.” Allegan is where Perrigo was founded in 1887.. ...Read Full Story

Snyder Talks 2018 Priorities In State Of The State Address

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From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has touted Michigan’s economic and fiscal gains under his watch, saying his tenure has had “huge ups and downs” but Michigan is better shape today than before he took office. In his eighth and final State of the State address Tuesday night, the Republican governor recapped many past initiatives but said he has an ambitious agenda for his last year in office with a focus on infrastructure and the environment. He told a joint session of the Legislature that next week he will unveil five major policy initiatives related to rural broadband access, recycling, Asian carp in the Great Lakes, water infrastructure and the replacement of money that has dried up for environmental cleanup. And in February, he will detail a “Marshall Plan” for developing talent. A fight is shaping up with the GOP-led Legislature on cutting individual taxes, which Snyder opposes for budgetary reasons.. ...Read Full Story

Police Investigate Shooting In Niles

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The Niles Police Department is investigating a Monday night shooting. It tells us officers were sent to the 600 block of Howard Street around 10 p.m. and learned a 35-year-old woman had been shot once in the hand. The injury wasn’t life-threatening, and the woman was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police tell us they do not have a suspect and only know the shooter was wearing a mask and dark clothing. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Niles Police Department.. ...Read Full Story

Master Plan Could Be Drafted For Downtown St. Joseph

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The city of St. Joseph could draft a master plan specific to the downtown area. At this week’s city commission meeting, Mayor Mike Garey said the state is encouraging cities to come up with plans to vitalize their downtowns. Garey told WSJM News this could be a very long process, with everything starting at a meeting, possibly in March.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Man Arraigned In Shooting Death

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The arraignment has been held for a Benton Harbor man charged in the shooting death of a Benton Harbor woman this month. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells WSJM News 37-year-old William Dawun Edwards is charged with open murder in the death of 38-year-old Novena Mathis. It’s alleged Edwards shot Mathis while the two were sitting in a vehicle outside Hayward Wells Apartments on January 7. Mathis is the mother of Edwards’ children. After the shooting, the prosecutor says Edwards fled to Kalamazoo. Edwards was arrested there after a confrontation with his mother. Edwards was charged with some drug offenses in Kalamazoo County and bond in that case was set at $50,000. At his arraignment in Berrien County on Monday, no bond was set. Edwards is due back in court on January 31.. ...Read Full Story

Car Crashes Into Trees

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Van Buren County Deputies say it took them an hour and a half to free a man suspected of using drugs from his car, after he crashed the black Lincoln sedan in the 20,000 block of 27th Street in Pine Grove Township at late Monday afternoon. Crews dispatched to the scene found the luxury car on its side in a cluster of trees, the driver trapped inside the wreck. Once they pried and cut him out of the car, they loaded him on board a Life Ambulance for the Trip to Bronson E.R. They found drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and will order blood tests.. ...Read Full Story

Doctor Who Came To U.S. As Child Held By Immigration Authorities

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From the Associated Press — A Michigan doctor who came to the U.S. from Poland as a young child has been jailed after being taken from his home by immigration agents. WOOD-TV and MLive.com report Lukasz Niec was arrested last Tuesday and is being detained at a county jail. The 43-year-old legal U.S. resident works at a Kalamazoo hospital. The Associated Press sent an email Monday seeking comment from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An automatic response said the agency’s public affairs employees weren’t working because of the government shutdown. Niec has two misdemeanor convictions from high school: malicious destruction of property and receiving stolen goods. His wife says he pleaded guilty and was told the convictions wouldn’t be used in a deportation. Niec came from Poland to the Detroit area when he was about 5.. ...Read Full Story

West Michigan Sports Boost

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West Michigan’s economy has been getting a huge boost from the youth and amateur sports industry. 76 events last year generated over $61 million. President of the West Michigan Sports Commission Mike Guswiler says they are working with one advantage.. ...Read Full Story

$25,000 Given To Fernwood Trail Project

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A walking trail improvement project at Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve has received the support of Lakeland Health to the tune of $25,000. The funds were awarded from the Lakeland Health Community Wellness Endowment, established in 2014 to help sponsor local organizations that promote community health. So far, that endowment has awarded more than $500,000 to different projects. Fernwood Director Carol Line says the Lakeland grant will enable Fernwood to improve its trails, expand and enhance its signage, and strengthen existing wellness programs. The next round of Lakeland Community Wellness Endowment grants will be awarded in March.. ...Read Full Story

State Police Expanding Partnership With Faith-Based Groups

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Michigan State Police have announced they’re looking for volunteers to join the CAUTION initiative. CAUTION stands for Community Action United Team in Our Neighborhood, and it’s a partnership between the MSP and faith groups working to increase trust and communication between law enforcement and residents. The program was started in 2012 in Flint, and later expanded to communities including Benton Harbor. In 2018, the plan is to expand it to all 30 Michigan State Police posts. CAUTION members meet regularly with post personnel to encourage dialog and information-sharing. They can also be activated to respond alongside law enforcement at crime scenes to ease tensions and provide emotional support to residents. The CAUTION volunteers receive training on community relations and security. Anyone interested in signing up for CAUTION in southwest Michigan can contact the Niles or Paw Paw MSP posts.. ...Read Full Story

Senate Approves Proos Plan For MI Wine Council

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The Michigan Senate has approved legislation to revise the makeup of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council and update its name. State Senator John Proos tells WSJM News his plan would change the name of the council to the Michigan Craft Beverage Council. Under the bills, the number of members on the council would be reduced from 12 to 10 and would include representatives from breweries and distilleries. Proos says the state group promoting Michigan’s wine industry should also promote beers and other beverages.. ...Read Full Story

MDOT: Track Improvements Have Sped Up Amtrak Routes

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The Michigan Department of Transportation says work it did between 2012 and 2016 to upgrade rail lines has resulted in faster traveling times for two Amtrak routes in the state. Spokesperson Michael Frezell tells WSJM News the Wolverine and Blue Water lines are now shorter thanks to the work MDOT did after buying a portion of their tracks.. ...Read Full Story

Car Shot On I-96 In West Michigan

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A shooting incident was reported on I-96 in west Michigan early Monday morning. Michigan State Police Lieutenant Chris McIntire told Michigan News Network a vehicle was shot at on I-96 eastbound in Grand Rapids Township at about 4:30 a.m. It hit a driver’s door. How’s the driver?. ...Read Full Story

Former Sports Doctor To Hear More Victim Testimony

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From the Associated Press — More young women and girls who say they were assaulted by a Michigan sports doctor are due in court for a fifth day to make victim statements before he is sentenced. Larry Nassar sat in the witness chair last week as more than 80 women and
girls described the impact of being assaulted by him. Nassar has admitted molesting athletes during treatment when he was employed by Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. Roughly 100 victims are expected to make statements or have them read in court during the marathon sentencing hearing that resumes Monday in Lansing, Michigan. Nassar has already been sentenced to 60 years in prison for child pornography crimes. He faces a minimum prison sentence of 25 to 40 years in the molestation case.. ...Read Full Story

Armed Robbery at South Haven Gas Station

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Police in South Haven are looking for two suspects involved in an armed robbery. The robbery occurred at the Shell station at Broadway and Superior in South Haven just after 7:00 a.m. Monday morning. The suspects are described as two black men, one in their early 30s, the other between 30 and 40. One of the suspects was wearing dark jeans with a black hooded sweatshirt and covered his face with a dark blue handkerchief, the other was wearing dark jeans and a black jacket with a white hood, covering his face with a Spider-Man mask. Police say both men were armed with semiautomatic handguns. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the South Haven Police Department at 269-637-5151.. ...Read Full Story

Legislation Would Upgrade MI 911 Systems

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Legislation now before a state House committee is designed to update Michigan’s 911 system. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells WSJM News the 911 system is quite old, and changes are badly needed to more effectively respond to modern cell phones and changes in technology.. ...Read Full Story

Home Rehab Partnership Could Come To Benton Harbor

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Benton Harbor City Commissioners are looking at getting the city’s housing rehabilitation program up and running again, although they want it done right. At Tuesday’s meeting, they heard about a proposal to bring in the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency to administer a program run with federal dollars for home rehab. It’s been non-functional locally since 2011, said Community and Economic Development Director Stephanie Scott-Sims.. ...Read Full Story

State Grants Supporting Van Buren FIRST Robotics Teams

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State grants totaling more than $31,000 are going to seven Van Buren County school districts for their FIRST Robotics teams. State Representative Beth Griffin announced the grants this week. She says they range in size from $2,500 to $6,500, and will go to school districts in South Haven, Bloomingdale, Mattawan, Paw Paw, Decatur, and Lawton. The Van Buren ISD is also getting one. Since 2014, Michigan has invested $12 million in FIRST Robotics teams. The world championships, planned for April, are expected to include nearly 60,000 students in Detroit. Griffin, a Mattawan Republican, says FIRST Robotics “teaches students life-long skills that will prepare them for jobs in the 21st century economy.”. ...Read Full Story

Wine Grape Conference Planned For Next Month

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A conference set for next month in Benton Harbor will give prospective wine grape growers an idea of how to best go about the process. The Michigan State University Extension office will host the wine grape establishment conference, says the organization’s Joanne Davidhizar. She tells us the wine industry in the state is growing.. ...Read Full Story

State Task Force Releases Mental Health Report

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The Michigan House has received a report from a task force that investigated mental health treatment over the past several months. The task force held meetings all over Michigan speaking with doctors, law enforcement, and advocates about how patients in need could be better served. Sitting on the panel was state Representative Mary Whiteford of Casco Township.. ...Read Full Story

Lakeshore Chamber Meeting This Coming Week

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Set for next Monday is the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. To be held at Santinello’s in Stevensville, the meeting will provide guests with business networking opportunities, a dinner, and a business meeting. The keynote speaker will be the Cook nuclear power plant spokesperson Bill Schalk. He’ll talk about the status of the Cook Plant, the economic impact of Indiana Michigan Power in the community, along with volunteer engagement. The Lakeshore Chamber president will also will present an overview of chamber activities for 2017 while laying out the goals and objectives for 2018. The meeting will wrap up with the recognition of the 2017 Business of the Year and the 2017 Community Spirit Award. Anyone who wants to register for the annual meeting should contact the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.. ...Read Full Story

BH Man Reports Shots Fired At Vehicle

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The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is investigating a report of a shooting incident this past Wednesday. It tells us a 28-year-old man reported he’d been driving south in the 1100 block of Ogden when he spotted two men in the street, dressed in black and wearing masks. The victim told officers he stopped to let the men cross the street when one of them pulled out a gun and said something the victim couldn’t understand. The victim then sped off with one of the men firing several shots at his vehicle, hitting it. The victim, however, was not hurt. Police searched the area with a K9, finding evidence but not the suspects. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety.. ...Read Full Story

Resolution Calls On Congress To Crack Down On Sanctuary Cities

Two resolutions urging the U.S. Senate to cut funding to sanctuary cities and to pass Kate’s Law have received approval from the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee. The resolutions from state Senators Tonya Schuitmaker and Patrick Colbeck were introduced back in September. Schuitmaker told WSJM News at the time cities that don’t cooperate with immigration laws aren’t yet a problem in Michigan, but they could be.. ...Read Full Story

EPA Targets Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo Properties

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A couple of locations in southwest Michigan have been added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund Sites Redevelopment Focus List. The office of Congressman Fred Upton tells us this means the EPA views those sites as having the greatest expected redevelopment and commercial potential. The sites are the Aircraft Components property in Benton Harbor and the Allied Paper-Kalamazoo River site in Kalamazoo. Upton says this is good news for Benton Harbor and Kalamazoo as it means “there is a clear priority to expedite work on these Superfund sites for the betterment of our economy and for commercial development.” The former Aircraft Components site in Benton Harbor was the location of various manufacturing activities from the 1910s to the 1950s. There is chemical contamination there. The site is located near North Shore Drive.. ...Read Full Story

Senior Services Of Van Buren County Seeks More Funding

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As the number of senior citizens increases, so does the need for the funding of services. The same millage that has been on the ballot for over 20 years in South Haven will be on the ballot again this year, along with another proposal for an increase due to increased demand for services. Jennifer Carver with Senior Services of Van Buren County spoke with WSJM News about the need for funding.. ...Read Full Story

Royalton Twp Approved For Parks Grants

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Royalton Township is the recipient of $300,000 in Michigan Department of Natural Resources grants for parks projects. The DNR this month announced two Land and Water Conservation Fund grants for the township, each for $150,000. One is for Bicentennial Park for the addition of new playground equipment and improved access to walkways. The other grant is for the development of a paved walkway, a parking lot, and a boardwalk at the Bacon School Road Nature Trail. The DNR says the Land and Water Conservation Fund is made up of federal dollars intended to improve recreational opportunities around the state. A total of more than $2.7 million in such grants were announced this month.. ...Read Full Story

Car/Pedestrian Accident Kills St. Joseph Man

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St. Joseph Township Police are investigating a car/pedestrian accident that killed a man. Just before 8:00 Friday night, Officers were dispatched to the area of 245 West Napier.  When they arrived, they were advised that a westbound vehicle had struck a pedestrian who had been walking in the roadway. The victim, a 21 year old male from St. Joseph, was pronounced dead at the scene. There are no sidewalks along the roadway where the victim was walking and the accident remains under investigation. . ...Read Full Story

MSU Board Expresses Continued Support For President

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From the Associated Press — Michigan State University’s board of trustees continues to support the school’s president amid growing calls for her resignation over the university’s handling of disgraced former sports doctor Larry Nassar. After a closed-door meeting Friday, trustees said Lou Anna Simon is the “right leader” for the university. The school has asked the state attorney to investigate facts of the case. The board’s president says the panel will act as information becomes available.. ...Read Full Story

State Police Training Academy Underway In Lansing

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The 134th Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School is now underway in Lansing. MSP Sergeant Michael McDonald tells WSJM News there are 149 prospective troopers now training Sunday through Friday each week from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. They do both physical training and classroom training. McDonald tells us new recruits come from all walks of life.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien Animal Control Holding Rabies Shot Clinics

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Berrien County Animal Control is planning some rabies shot clinics for pets over the next month or so. It tells us it will be at the Bertrand Township Fire Department in Buchanan this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. offering the shots. It’s $20 for a one-year rabies vaccination, $25 for a three-year vaccination, and $25 for the parvo-distemper combination shot. Additional clinics will be held at Berrien County Animal Control in Benton Township on Saturday, January 27 from 10 a.m. to noon, and then Saturday, February 10 from 10 to 12. The final rabies shot clinic will be Sunday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eau Claire Fire Department. Walk-ins will be welcome, and dog licenses will also be available at the clinics. Anyone with questions can call Berrien County Animal Control.. ...Read Full Story

Allegan County Trooper Named Trooper Of The Year

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The Michigan State Police Trooper of the Year award has gone to Trooper Blaine Bachman of the Wayland Post in Allegan County. Michigan State Police announced the 2017 Trooper of the Year awards this week at a ceremony in Lansing. MSP Director Kriste Kibbey Etue said Trooper Bachman is “keenly aware of the needs of his fellow troopers and also works hard to make a positive difference in his community.” State police say Bachman was recognized for “excelling in looking past the traffic stop to identify serious crimes and close investigations with felony arrests.” The agency also says he’s a mentor to younger troopers. He’s been part of the force since 2014. Also this week, Motor Carrier Officer Christopher Russo of the Jackson Post was named the Motor Carrier of the Year. MSP says Etue commended him for outreach and planning.. ...Read Full Story

Pagel Talks Mental Health Report

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State Representative Dave Pagel is expecting a recently-released report from the Michigan House CARES task force to lead to years of legislation designed to help the mentally ill. He tells WSJM News the mental health task force met all over Michigan this past summer looking at a variety of ways the issue could be addressed.. ...Read Full Story

Report Recommends Changes To Unemployment System

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Michigan’s unemployment system is the worst in the region. At least, that’s the analysis of the Michigan League for Public Policy. It has released a report on the unemployment insurance system, finding Michigan pays benefits to the smallest number of workers and for the shortest amount of time. Report author Peter Ruark says some cite declining unemployment numbers as proof the system doesn’t need any improvement, but he thinks that sort of thinking is what has gotten the state into trouble in the past.. ...Read Full Story

New Manager At Cook Plant

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There’s a new boss at the Cook nuclear power plant in Bridgman. Cook plant spokesperson Bill Schalk tells WSJM News Kelly Ferneau becomes the plant’s 16th manager since 1969, and the first woman in charge at Cook. Schalk says she has plenty of experience in nuclear power.. ...Read Full Story

Mattawan Food Pantry Gets Boost From Portage Company

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The Mattawan Food Pantry has received a little extra boost thanks to the Wolverine Pipe Line Company. Lead pipeline controller Al Goodrich presented the food bank last month with a check for $1,600 to help families in need throughout the winter. Goodrich volunteers at the pantry and says he was inspired by its recent efforts to help a family that suffered a hardship when a member had a car accident. The $1,600 comes from the Wolverine Good Neighbor Grant Program, where money is used to fund good works in communities along Wolverine’s pipeline route running through Van Buren County. The Mattawan Area Food Pantry is located across the street from the Mattawan Community Church on Front Street. It supports about 180 families per month.. ...Read Full Story