Indiana Michigan Power is warning customers about the latest phone scam. The company’s Tracy Warner tells WSJM News I&M was flooded with calls Monday from customers who said they received calls supposedly from the utility.. ...Read Full Story
A Berrien County woman is the latest big-time lottery winner in Michigan. The Michigan lottery tells us the 65-year-old has chosen to remain anonymous after she won $1 million from a scratch-off last week. She picked up her prize money on Friday, opting to take a lump sum payment of $634,500 instead of a 30 year annuity. The woman bought her winning Triple Millions instant ticket at the Exit 76 Auto Truck Plaza in Byron Center. She told the Michigan Lotto she’s been playing lottery games for years and still can’t believe she really won. She plans to pay bills, donate to her church, buy a brand new car, and then save the remainder of the money.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Attorney General’s office has announced its OK2SAY tip line has received its 10,000th call. The AG’s office launched OK2SAY In 2014 as a way to help Michigan students report concerns in their schools about bullying or potentially dangerous situations. Spokesperson Andrea Bitely spoke with OK2SAY last year.. ...Read Full Story
A woman who was reported missing in Benton Harbor over the weekend has been found dead, and police suspect foul play. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety tells us a young woman was reported by family as missing on Sunday. Police later found her vehicle and body outside the Hayward Wells apartment complex in Benton Harbor. A suspect was quickly identified, and he was later arrested in Kalamazoo on unrelated charges. A warrant request is pending in Berrien County for open murder, and an autopsy is planned on the victim for Tuesday. Police have not released the victim’s name.. ...Read Full Story
AAA Michigan says gas prices statewide have declined by about 6¢ per gallon in the past week. The Dearborn-based auto club says late Sunday the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline was about $2.63 per gallon. Michigan’s lowest average price was about $2.55 per gallon in the Bay City, Midland and Saginaw areas. The highest was about $2.66 per gallon in the Jackson area. We’re at $2.64 in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area, down 5¢ in the past week.. ...Read Full Story
The Niles Salvation Army could use some extra help this winter. Salvation Army Lieutenant Joseph Hixenbaugh tells WSJM News the chapter’s Red Kettle donations this holiday season were drastically down. He says that hurts because the organization heavily relies on the Red Kettle campaign.. ...Read Full Story
A new report out of Grand Valley State University shows West Michigan’s economy finished 2017 on solid footing. Economist Dr. Brian Long says the recovery from the Great Recession has relied heavily on the automotive industry, but sales dropped in December and for all of last year:. ...Read Full Story
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash between a snowmobile and a car in Silver Creek Township. The sled was piloted by Joseph Vantuyle of Dowagiac, who didn’t yield at a snowmobile crossing to the vehicle driven by a San Antonio man. Vantuyle was taken to Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac to be treated for minor injuries. Deputies tell WSJM News that helmets and seat belts were worn, and alcohol isn’t believed to have been involved. The crash happened around 5 p.m. Saturday.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan Blood could use some help. Due to the recent weather, the organization has seen blood donations drop drastically. Spokesperson Mariya Morbach tells WSJM News they’re not far away from being in a dire situation.. ...Read Full Story
On sale now are tickets to one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven. The organization’s Jennifer Nuernberg tells WSJM News the bi-annual Fur Ball fundraiser will be in late February, but you’ll want to reserve your spot now. They’ll be pitting some top chefs from South Haven against each other in a competition.. ...Read Full Story
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi has announced the opening date for its new Four Winds Casino. The new one in South Bend will open to the public on Tuesday, January 16 at 4 p.m. The casino is located on 166 acres of tribal trust land and will be the first casino in Indiana owned and operated by a Native American tribe. It’s the latest addition to the Pokagon Four Wind brand, with the other locations being in New Buffalo, Hartford, and Dowagiac. The tribe tells us Four Winds South Bend will have 175,000 square feet and 1,800 games, four restaurants, a players lounge, a coffee shop, three bars, a retail outlet, and about 4,500 parking spaces. When complete, the casino will employ about 1,200 people. John Warren, Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, says the new location will “generate revenue to fund services and programs that will create additional economic opportunities for Pokagon Citizens, the city of South Bend, and also fund community projects, local organizations and schools.”. ...Read Full Story
State Senator John Proos is praising legislation now headed for a vote of the full Senate designed to prevent an individual convicted of rape from getting custody of a child born as a result of that crime. He tells us there’s currently a loophole that can give a rapist partial custody when a mother applies for welfare assistance through the Family Independence Program. That’s because the mother has to disclose paternity of her child when applying.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is working to better train its officers to deal with the public. Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis told city commissioners this week the department is working with the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety to be part of a program with Western Michigan University and Ball State University.. ...Read Full Story
A new mayor and three new council members sworn in at Tuesday night’s South Haven City Council meeting. Mayor Scott Smith, Councilmen Joe Reeser, Chris Campbell, and George Sleeper. City Manager Brian Dissette told WSJM News there is a lot of training that new council members must go through.. ...Read Full Story
Continued cold weather means you still have to give extra care to your car. AAA of Michigan this week sent out another Arctic Advisory, with spokesperson Susan Hiltz telling WSJM News it cost you a few bucks to keep your car in proper working order.. ...Read Full Story
Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott has a warning for everyone taking in the great outdoors this week. He tells WSJM News the ice is still too thin to walk on in many cases.. ...Read Full Story
Tickets are now on sale for the next St. Joseph Winter Beer Festival. St. Joe Today’s Daniele Crevier tells WSJM News 16 local and regional breweries will be on hand offering samples. The event isn’t until January 27, but tickets are limited, and they may go fast.. ...Read Full Story
Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad is planning to deliver a State of the City address. The mayor announced this week he’ll be discussing Benton Harbor as it is heading into its first year of total local control after a long period of state intervention while previewing goals for the future. Muhammad’s State of the City speech will be at the Benton Harbor Public Library on Tuesday, January 23 at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and listen.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety will be getting some new radios. City Commissioners on Tuesday approved the purchase of 22 police radios at a cost of $31,500. A $25,000 grant pays for most of it, with Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis telling commissioners the extra money makes these replacements a lot easier.. ...Read Full Story
This frigid weather so far has not damaged southwest Michigan crops. Michigan State University Extension Fruit Educator Mark Longstroth tells WSJM News it needs to get down to about ten below zero before our crops are in trouble. He says most of them now are well dormant for the winter.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is maintaining that much was accomplished in Washington throughout 2017. His office has released a 2017 year in review report, which can be found on its website. Upton says, “2017 was a transformational year but my focus never wavered from local initiatives such as helping constituents with problems big and small, and on bipartisan policies that create jobs and improve our economy.” He then predicts both parties can work together throughout 2018 to solve problems everyone cares about. Among accomplishments Upton wants to highlight for last year are helping South Haven’s Jim McCloughan get a Medal of Honor, his role with the Fuel Economy Harmonization Act, a plan that’s designed to reduce manufacturing costs for cars, and the FDA Reauthorization Act. You can see Upton’s report right here.. ...Read Full Story
With more snow being dumped on southwest Michigan this week, the Berrien County Road Department is plenty busy. Traffic Safety Supervisor Mike Juengling tells WSJM News the crews are out and about doing their best.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — A bald eagle that was injured in southern Indiana has a new home at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. The Detroit Zoological Society says Thursday that the eagle named Mr. America could not be released back into the wild because one of its wings had to be amputated after the bird possibly flew into a power line. A licensed rehabber in Vincennes, Indiana, cared for the eagle. It arrived at
the zoo in mid-November and has been recovering from its injury. Mr. America is believed to be between 5 and 6 years old. He joins another rescued bald eagle, Flash, at the zoo’s American Grasslands habitat. The zoological society operates the zoo.. ...Read Full Story
Allegan, Van Buren and Berrien Counties were hit hard over the past few days as winds out of the north put a steady lake effect tendril over our area. Some areas received up to a half a foot of new snow overnight, on top of the foot that fell just the day before. Buchanan is reporting 29-inches and they will be spending the weekend digging out. The story inland has been the blistering cold with temperatures well below zero. We could see a high of near 30 tomorrow and actually see highs above freezing and a melt off this coming work week.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is advising state residents about how to be smart when signing up for gym memberships. His office tells us there was an increase in consumer complaints about fitness centers in 2017 with 595 coming in. In 2016, that number was 84.. ...Read Full Story
Horizon Bank has a new leader. The chairman and CEO of Horizon Bancorp announced on Wednesday James D. Neff has been named president of both Horizon and Horizon Bank. In addition, Neff will serve on Horizon Bank’s board of directors. The promotion was effective January 1. Neff has worked in banking since 1978, and has been part of Horizon’s executive management team since 1999. He serves on the Purdue University Northwest Advisory Board, the Sinai Forum Board, and is a member of the Michigan City Rotary Club. Horizon Bancorp says Neff’s “expanded authority and responsibilities will ensure Horizon’s continued commitment to excellence and profitable growth.”. ...Read Full Story
The Niles Salvation Army could use some extra help this winter. Salvation Army Lieutenant Joseph Hixenbaugh tells WSJM News the chapter’s Red Kettle donations this holiday season were drastically down. He says that hurts because the organization heavily relies on the Red Kettle campaign.. ...Read Full Story
Looking back on 2017, state Representative Kim LaSata can identify several things accomplished by the Michigan Legislature. She tells WSJM News a big one from last year is a reform plan for teacher pensions.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is asking state lawmakers to use 2018 as an opportunity to do away with driver responsibility fees. The fees are charged to drivers on top of their normal fines when they commit offenses like drunk driving or reckless driving. They were created in 2003 to fill a budget hole, but many drivers, especially those with low incomes, have lost their licenses and jobs due to being unable to pay them. Secretary of State spokesperson Fred Woodhams spoke with WSJM News about Ruth Johnson’s position on the issue.. ...Read Full Story
Our cold weather spell has spelled problems with freezing and sometimes bursting water pipes around southwest Michigan. Covert Fire Department Chief Doug Myers tells WSJM News that happened at his department’s fire station Thursday evening.. ...Read Full Story
