Local News Archives

Hunter’s Death Under Investigation In Cass County

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A 67-year-old Buchanan man has died while hunting in Cass County. The sheriff’s department tells WSJM News David Newsom’s body was found around 5:30 p.m. yesterday at an address in the 30-thousand block of Pokagon Highway, about a mile east of Barron Lake Road in Dowagiac. Newsom’s body was found in the woods and his death is not considered suspicious. His death remains under investigation.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Tax Vote To Be Recounted

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There will be a recount of the votes in Benton Harbor regarding the city income tax. Berrien County Clerk Sharon Tyler has scheduled the recount for Monday at 9 a.m. at the Berrien County Courthouse. The tax passed by just 21 votes on November 7, 511-to-490. If the result is upheld, city residents will pay 1% of their income, and non-residents who work in the city will pay a half-percent. Businesses will also taxed 1%, with Mayor Marcus Muhammad saying the revenue will be put toward infrastructure improvements.. ...Read Full Story

Strangers Salute WWII Veteran Who Died At 90 With No Family

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From the Associated Press — More than 100 people have paid their final respects to a World War II veteran from Michigan who died with no known relatives. WOOD-TV reports that about 150 people, some of whom never met Gordon Hale, gathered for his funeral Thursday at Grand Haven’s Lake Forest Cemetery. Hale died at age 90 on November 10 at a Grand Haven nursing home where he’d lived for 14 years.
After records showed that Hale was an only child who had no children himself, a local American Legion post joined with nursing home staff and others to make sure he had mourners at his military funeral. Nurse aide Sequita Henry says it’s a blessing so many people turned out for Hale’s funeral. She says he wasn’t alone because “we were all his family.”. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Website Redesigned

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Now up and running is a redesigned Berrien County website. Berrien County IT Director Ken Hoffman tells WSJM News the county board this year approved an update for the site in order to meet new state accessibility requirements. The new site launched Thursday morning. It’s designed to better handle mobile devices and has other features.. ...Read Full Story

Hunters Cautioned About Heart Attack Risks

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Hunters have fanned out across the state to seek out that prize deer as part of firearm hunting season. It kicked off this week, running through November 30, and Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Robert Boyce tells WSJM News hunters must be cautious. He notes some may face an increased heart attack risk if they’re out in the woods lugging things around.. ...Read Full Story

Hunters Asked To Help Prevent Spread Of Invasive Plant Speciess

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Hunters have a chance this month to do their part in preventing the spread of invasive species. The Van Buren Conservation District’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News a hunter should clean off their gear and boots before moving from one forest to another. That’s because small pieces of invasive plants can get on those things and then cause their spread elsewhere. That could be bad for deer habitat.. ...Read Full Story

Educators Sentenced For Failing To Report Suspected Abuse

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Sentencing has been held for four educators at Three Oaks Elementary School who were accused of failing to report a possible abuse situation. In August of 2016, a 12-year-old boy was found along some railroad tracks in Galien Township  and turned over to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Doctors found he was undernourished, weighing just 47 pounds. He told them his parents had kept him from eating. Doctors also found other signs of abuse. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office tells us a principal, a guidance counselor, a special ed teacher, and a teacher at Three Oaks Elementary had previously noticed signs the boy was being abused. The prosecutor says they failed to report it. They pleaded no contest this week to failure to report suspected child abuse, a 93 day misdemeanor. They’ve been sentenced to to probation through the end of the 2018 school year, 100 hours of community service, and fines.. ...Read Full Story

Grand Valley State University Fraternity Banned

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From the Associated Press — Grand Valley State University in Michigan has banned a fraternity chapter from campus for at least five years after an investigation into hazing and alcohol use. The school in Allendale says an investigation after the 21-year-old Sigma Phi Epsilon member was treated after consuming too much alcohol revealed student code violations for hazing and consumption of alcohol. The Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter’s appeal was denied last week. Fraternity member Jacob Gaft tells WOOD-TV that the man was “drinking under his own conditions” when he slipped and fell. Gaft says the man had a concussion, but other students shouldn’t be punished after fraternity members helped him. Sigma Phi Epsilon’s national organization says in a statement the “chapter’s behavior…illustrates that the membership is not committed to living by our values.”. ...Read Full Story

Pokagon Tribal Police Opening South Bend Substation

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The Pokagon Tribal Police Department is expanding to South Bend as the Pokagon band prepares to open its new casino there. On Monday, tribal police will hold the grand opening of the new Pokagon Band Tribal Police Substation on Prairie Avenue in South Bend. The substation is located on tribal land which is also the site of the Pokagon Tribal Village and Four Winds Casino South Bend. On hand for the grand opening of the new police substation will be representatives of the Pokagon Band who will highlight the partnerships being formed between local law enforcement and the tribal police. The South Bend Four Winds Casino is expected to open early next year.. ...Read Full Story

SJ Luminary Festival Friday

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Downtown St. Joseph will be a sight to see this Friday as the 23rd annual Luminaries Festival takes place. St. Joseph Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News the festival is a way to light up the downtown, everyone a chance to take advantage of special sales, and celebrate the coming of the holidays. . ...Read Full Story

Van Buren County Adoption Day Tuesday

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With more than 2,600 children in Michigan waiting to be adopted, the Van Buren County Circuit Court’s Family Division next week will celebrate those who have navigated the process. It’s national Adoption Day, with the court’s Veronica Stillson telling WSJM NEws special guests will be on hand, along with some choirs. She says it’s a joyous affair.. ...Read Full Story

Countryside Academy Gets Grant For Summer Reading Program

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Countryside Academy in Benton Harbor will take part in a new kind of summer reading program this year thanks to an $8,000 grant the school has received. Administrator Sarah Brookshire tells WSJM News kids in kindergarten through grade three will be part of the Kids Read Now program. It sends them educational books throughout the summer. It could help reduce summer brain drain.. ...Read Full Story

Pokagon Fund Working With Church Group To Improve Food Assistance

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The Pokagon Fund has teamed up with a Harbert church to conduct a study on food insecurity in Harbor Country and how it can be addressed. The fund tells us documenting the basic food needs of local residents has been a key project for the past two months of the Neighbor by Neighbor program, which is run by the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Harbert. The Pokagon Fund has provided $40,000 for Neighbor by Neighbor. The program conducted surveys at recent mobile food pantries to gauge the need for food assistance locally. The Pokagon Fund tells us the surveys found there’s a need for mobile food pantry visits more than just twice a month. It also found people need more protein and access to fresh vegetables. Moving into the next year, Neighbor by Neighbor will work with the members of a grassroots coalition to better plan food programs. The Pokagon Fund tells us they’re still learning how to serve those in need.. ...Read Full Story

Grand Rapids City Staff Won’t Ask About Immigration Status

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From the Associated Press — A western Michigan city has adopted a new policy that says city officials and staff won’t ask residents about their immigration status. The Grand Rapids Press reports that the Grand Rapids City Commission adopted the policy Tuesday. The ordinance was drafted over the last year by the Community Relations Commission, the city’s diversity and inclusion manager, local police and the city’s lawyers. The policy doesn’t bar police officers from asking about immigration status. But the policy says police must follow the Grand Rapids Police Department’s Impartial Policing Policy, which prohibits racial profiling but doesn’t explicitly stop officers from inquiring about immigration status. Police Chief David Rahinsky says the department doesn’t ask about immigration status. But he says the policy doesn’t stop Kent County, the Michigan State Police or federal authorities from enforcing federal immigration laws.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Unemployment Rate Up Slightly

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From the Associated Press — Michigan’s unemployment rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.5 percent in October as the number of people in the state’s workforce saw a slight decline of about 2,000. Figures released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget show Michigan’s October unemployment rate was four-tenths of a percentage point above the national rate but a half percentage point below the state’s October 2016 rate of 5.0 percent. Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives Director Jason Palmer says that 10 months into 2017 the state’s jobless rate has declined moderately from 2016, while payroll job gains remain steady. The department says October’s jobless rate increase was the third consecutive monthly rate gain since Michigan’s unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent in July.. ...Read Full Story

Expert Offers Winter Furnace Maintenance Tips

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Now that the cold weather is here, you might notice your furnace running for long periods of time without your home warming up much. There are simple things you can do to make sure your furnace is running efficiently. Jack Heron, owner of Haven Heating and Air Conditioning in South Haven, told WSJM News some home heating tips.. ...Read Full Story

MI Home Sales Up In October

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Last month, home sales were up in Michigan about 4% on average. One thing that hasn’t changed, according to Keller Williams realtor Jeff Glover, is the number of homes on the market. He spoke with Michigan News Network about the market.. ...Read Full Story

Group Slams Nestle Plans To Expand Bottling In Michigan

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As a judge and state officials prepare to make decisions that will impact whether the world’s largest water bottler can increase pumping out of its well near Evart, Michigan, one group is calling on the state to immediately bottle up the whole operation. Nestle has asked the state for a permit to increase its pumping at the White Pine Springs well to 400 gallons per minute, and will face off against Osceola Township in court on Wednesday over construction of the booster station needed to do so. Peggy Case with Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation says her group has proof the current pumping rate is violating Michigan law.. ...Read Full Story

Hagar Township Business Expanding

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A Hagar Township business has announced an expansion project. According to Cornerstone Alliance, Monte Package Company, a manufacturer and supplier of packaging for the produce industry, is adding 3,600 square feet to its shipping and receiving area in its warehouse facility in Riverside. The total investment for the expansion project is $140,000, and two new jobs will be created. Cornerstone tells us Hagar Township has been supportive of the expansion plan, granting it a tax abatement this week. Monte Packaging says remaining in the area was always important to the company. The business has operated in Berrien County for 92 years.. ...Read Full Story

One Dead In Oronoko Twp Crash

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One person is dead following a single vehicle crash in Oronoko Township on Tuesday. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says it happened about 6:45 p.m. at Scottdale and Linco Road near Berrien Springs. The car crashed into a ditch. The sheriff’s depatment was assisting at the scene with accident reconstruction while Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township police were leading the investigation. The cause of the crash and the name of the victim have not yet been released.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor School Board Hears Annual Audit

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Benton Harbor Area Schools has received a clean audit for the most recent fiscal year, with its business office getting some praise this week from auditors. At a Tuesday meeting, the board was told the district added $6.3 million to its fund balance last year. That’s partly due to a loan, the auditor said, of $3.4 million. Also in the most recent year, Benton Harbor Area Schools reduced the deficit from $11.7 million to $5.4 million. Again, the loan factors into that. Nevertheless, School Board President Joseph Taylor thanked retiring Chief Financial Officer Scott Johnson for improvements in the business office.. ...Read Full Story

Pagel Honored By School Social Workers

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State Representative Dave Pagel has been named the Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Association of School Social Workers. The Berrien Springs Republican was honored with the distinction due to his work on mental health care. Pagel is a member of a bipartisan House panel that spent part of the summer and fall traveling around Michigan to discuss how the corrections system and state government could better treat those suffering with a mental illness. Pagel says he “will always be a strong advocate for public education in our state, and will continue to work with my colleagues on the House CARES taskforce.”. ...Read Full Story

Proos Calls For More STEM Education

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State Senator John Proos is calling for more opportunities for Michigan students to receive a STEM education. He took to the Senate floor last week as part of National STEM Day. He pointed to the expected demand over the next decade for workers trained in science, technology, engineering, and math right here in southwest Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

Busy Season For SJ Today, Heritage Museum

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It’s been busy lately for St Joseph Today and the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center. Both gave St. Joe City Commissioners their latest reports Monday, with the Heritage Museum’s Tracy Gierada saying this summer’s lighthouse tours went very well. She told WSJM News they more than doubled the number of people who took them.. ...Read Full Story

West MI School Cancels Bible Discussion Following Complaints

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From the Associated Press — A western Michigan school district has ended a teacher’s faith-based discussions with elementary school students following complaints by a civil rights group. Hudsonville Public Schools’ assistant superintendent, Scott Smith, says the district didn’t know a fifth-grade teacher had been meeting with students for lunchtime Bible studies until the Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists contacted the district on November 6. Smith says officials met with the Alward Elementary School teacher the same day and ended his talks. Smith tells MLive.com the teacher “thought it was okay because it was occurring during a non-instructional time.” Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists spokesman Mitch Kahle says “every public-school teacher, principal, and superintendent should know that they are prohibited from engaging in any activity with students that involves religious beliefs, rituals, or doctrines.”. ...Read Full Story

Chikaming Twp Officer Undergoes Surgeries After Being Hit On I-94

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Chikaming Township Police Chief Todd Taylor says Officer David Wyman has had to undergo several surgeries after being hit by a car around 9:30 Sunday night after a traffic stop on Interstate 94. It happened near the 12 mile marker in the eastbound lanes when a 67-year-old man hit Wyman and then hit the back end of his patrol car. Chief Taylor says Wyman is in stable condition at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph and is recovering. The extent of his injuries has not been released. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the crash, and Taylor notes details will be released later. Those are likely to include possible charges against the driver who hit the officer.. ...Read Full Story

Police Identify Man Killed In Cass County Crash

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The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has identified the man killed in a crash in Penn Township Monday morning. Authorities say 34-year-old Russell Jett Jr. of Kalamazoo died when his vehicle went off the road on Decatur Road near Shurte Street and hit a tree. Jett was on his way to Cassopolis at the time. He was wearing his seat belt, and police say alcohol and drugs did not play roles in the crash.. ...Read Full Story

New Poll Puts Upton 2nd In GOP Primary Field For U.S. Senate

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New polling data shows almost half of the Republicans in Michigan haven’t yet made up their mind in a GOP primary for the U.S. Senate. They’ve still got plenty of time ahead of the primary next year, but polling by Target Insyght puts Congressman Fred Upton second in the race. Political newcomer John James, who is calling himself a “conservative outsider” has the lead with 24%, followed by Upton at 19% and former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bob Young at 7%. “Other” candidates are supported by 5% of those polled, while 45% are still undecided. James has been releasing daily videos to speak directly to voters, while Upton has not made a decision on whether to run for the U.S. Senate or seek re-election to the U.S. House. Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow is seeking re-election to the Senate. Singer Kid Rock said recently he was not serious when he teased a possible run against Stabenow as a Republican, and admitted that was a promotional stunt for his new album.. ...Read Full Story

Snyder Signs Bill Setting Requirements For Specialty Courts

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From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has signed bills to require that special problem-solving courts receive state certification to operate. The courts are designed to address criminals’ underlying substance abuse or mental health issues so they do not re-offend.
Supporters say the legislation is needed so Michigan has a more consistent and effective approach for the courts and defendants. Under legislation signed Monday, specialty courts – including drug, sobriety, mental health and veteran’s treatment courts – will have to be certified by the State Court Administrative Office starting in January. The office currently offers recommendations, but the courts are under no mandate to adopt them.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph’s Dickinson Stadium To Get Artificial Turf

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When the St. Joe Bears step out on the field of Dickinson Stadium to open the 2018 regular season, the football team will not be playing on the normal natural grass that’s been in place since the stadium was redone in 2003. A gift from Steve and Elizabeth Upton will pay for artificial turf to be installed, and St. Joseph Superintendent Ann Cardon tells WSJM News it will be in place before the first football practice next summer. The high school boys and girls soccer teams will also be able to return to playing games at the high school with the new playing surface after spending more than a quarter-century at Upton Middle School. St. Joseph will become the fourth high school in Berrien County with artificial turf, and the sixth in the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference. In a statement, Steve Upton said he and his wife are proud to help with the improvement and are “excited to improve the facilities at the high school and this will benefit all area student athletes for years to come.”. ...Read Full Story

Treasurer Talks Retail Closings

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Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski sees a trend that will probably continue when he considers the upcoming closure of the Benton Harbor Target store. He tells us the store’s closing is the result of a general decline in shopping at brick and mortar retailers. As far as the Benton Harbor Target’s tax contribution to the county, Witkowski says not a whole lot is being lost. In 2007, the Target paid $131,000, but last year it paid $59,000. However, Witkowski can see a bigger problem being caused as more retailers close.. ...Read Full Story

Delay In SJ Blighted Property Decision

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It could be a year before the battle over a blighted property on Niles Avenue in St. Joseph is resolved. St Joe City Commissioners Monday heard from City Attorney Laurie Schmidt that the owner of the home at 1015 Niles — the house with the tarp on its roof — has filed an appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals. The Berrien County Circuit Court last month ruled in favor of a city demolition order on the house, which inspectors have said is unlivable. However, the owner had one more place to turn and the state appeals court was it. The city attorney said that owner filed the appeal on the day of the deadline. Now, she says it could be as long as a year before the appeals court makes a decision. She told commissioners it might be quicker, but “realistically, the court of appeals does take a long time.” Meanwhile, some other properties the city has fought to clean up have seen progress. Schmidt said a home at 517 Archer was demolished last week, has a new owner, and there will be a new home built there in the spring. As for other homes on Hoyt Street and Wayne Street, she said they’re about halfway fixed.. ...Read Full Story

New St. Joseph Commissioners Sworn In, Garey Remains Mayor

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The new St. Joseph City Commissioners have been seated. Following their wins in elections last week, Laura Goos and Peggy Getty were sworn in Monday night, along with the re-elected Michael Garey. Goos, a newcomer, told WSJM News her first task is to learn. After that, she wants to engage more of the public. She hit the ground running Monday, being appointed mayor pro tem.. ...Read Full Story

AEP Donates To Lake Michigan College Project

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A renovation project planned by Lake Michigan College for the Mendel Center’s Grand Upton Hall will have some support from the American Electric Power Foundation. AEP’s Bill Downey tells WSJM News the foundation has been a partner with Lake Michigan College for many years, and that’s it’s giving a $50,000 grant to the LMC project.. ...Read Full Story

Stuff A Truck Food Drive Underway

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This is the week to stuff a truck. 97-5 Y Country’s Matt Malone is among the radio personalities manning the microphone at Roger’s Food Land in St. Joseph for the annual Stuff a Truck drive. Malone tells WSJM News they’re collecting food and other products for the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency.. ...Read Full Story

Attorney General: Lawmakers Can’t Change Natural Resources Fund

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From the Associated Press — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says the Legislature cannot fund projects from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund that have not been recommended by the fund. In an opinion released Monday and dated November 3, Schuette also says lawmakers lack the authority to require the fund to spend a mandated amount of development funds on a specific type of development.
The opinion was issued in response to questions from a state senator and the director of the state Department of Natural Resources.
The fund consists of royalties paid by oil and gas companies for mineral rights. Earlier this year, the Republican-led Senate tried to add an additional $7.7 million in spending for 43 more projects on top of 114 recommended by the fund’s board.. ...Read Full Story

One Dead In Cass County Crash

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A Kalamazoo man is dead following a crash in Cass County Monday morning. The sheriff’s department tells us the 34-year-old was driving a vehicle that left the road and hit a tree around 10:45 a.m. It happened on Decatur Road near Shurte Street in Penn Township. Police say the vehicle went across two lanes of traffic before hitting the tree. The circumstances are under investigation. The name of the victim has not yet been released.. ...Read Full Story

Chikaming Twp Police Officer Struck By Vehicle

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An officer for the Chikaming Township Police Department is recovering after he was hit by a vehicle along I-94 on Sunday night. Chikaming Township Police Chief Todd Taylor tells WSJM News Officer David Wyman was at the scene of a vehicle in a ditch near eastbound miles marker 12 around 9:30 p.m. when it happened. Just as Wyman was preparing the clear the scene, he was hit by a vehicle driven by a 67-year-old man. Wyman was struck outside of his patrol car. After that, the other vehicle hit the rear end of Wyman’s patrol car. Chief Taylor tells us Officer Wyman was taken to Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. He’s in stable condition. Wyman has been a police officer for six years, and has been with the Chikaming Township Police Department for three months. The Berrien County Sheriff’s department is handling the investigation into Sunday’s incident.. ...Read Full Story

Man Killed in Pokagon Township

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The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accident that killed an Elkhart man. The Sheriff’s Office received a call of a subject on the roadway on M51 near Pokagon Highway in Pokagon Township last night. A few minutes later they received another call that a person had been hit by a car. Deputies responded and found that 53 year old Howard Payton, had been fatally struck by a vehicle. The driver, who’s name is not being released at this time due to the fact that she is a minor, was traveling on M51 when this collision happened. She was treated and released by the ambulance on scene. She was wearing her seat belt. At this time, it is unknown if drugs or alcohol may have been a factor. This case remains under investigation.. ...Read Full Story

Utility Reminds Residents Of Home Heating Aid Options

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Consumers Energy is reminding everyone there’s no need to struggle with heating bills this winter. The utility’s Whitney Skeans tells us there are a variety of places to turn for home heating help. Also, the utility offers payment plans in the winter. Skeans tells WSJM News another way to deal with heating your home in the winter is to take steps to reduce usage.. ...Read Full Story

New SJ Commissioners To Be Seated Tomorrow

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There were some surprises in this week’s St. Joseph city elections. Two incumbents — Fran Chickering and Mary Goff — lost out to two newcomers, Peggy Getty and Laura Goos. Mayor Mike Garey tells WSJM News that kind of change doesn’t happen often, but he looks forward to working with the new commissioners.. ...Read Full Story

AAA Calls For Extra Fall Caution

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Now that we’ve changed our clocks for the season, many people will be driving home from work in the dark. That’s why AAA of Michigan wants drivers to be extra alert. Spokesperson Susan Hiltz tells WSJM News 3 in 10 drivers report having driven when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open in the past 30 days. She says now is a time to use common sense. ...Read Full Story

Health Department: Sign Up For Insurance Now

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The Berrien County Health Department is hoping everyone in need of health insurance will use this open enrollment period to apply for coverage. Health department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the Affordable Care Act is still in place, along with its subsidies and mandate. The health department will help you.. ...Read Full Story

State Fire Marshal Drafts Statewide Risk Reduction Plan

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Consumers Energy is reminding everyone there’s no need to struggle with heating bills this winter. The utility’s Whitney Skeans tells us there are a variety of places to turn for home heating help. Also, the utility offers payment plans in the winter. Skeans tells WSJM News another way to deal with heating your home in the winter is to take steps to reduce usage.. ...Read Full Story