Local News Archives

A new crowdfunding effort has been launched by the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph. The goal is to raise $50,000 by December 1 so Krasl can receive a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. On top of that, Krasl will get another match from the Frederick S. Upton Foundation and 1st Source Bank Foundation. The purpose of the crowdfunding effort is to pay for a new improvement project at Krasl that would include the installation of a winding sidewalk, a plaza, and gathering areas. A backer of the effort is state Representative Kim LaSata, who tells us the project will ensure “St. Joseph will remain a special place on the lake.” You can find the Krasl’s crowdfunding page right here.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren Conservation District is reaching out to duck hunters as the season approaches, hoping to stop the spread of an invasive plant species. The district’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News there’s a European reed called phragmites that poses a threat to duck habitats because it’s too dense for ducks to movethrough. She hopes hunters will avoid the reed.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor City Commissioner Juanita Henry is hoping to hear more from the city’s department heads about local business. She started last week’s city commission meeting off with a proposal to suspend the rules and introduce a resolution calling for regular reports from staff.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Senate has voted to prohibit local communities from regulating what information employers must request, require or exclude during a job interview. The state already prohibits local ordinances involving information related to
an employment application. But proponents of the bill approved 27-9 Thursday are worried that Michigan municipalities could follow the lead of Philadelphia and bar employers from asking for a prospective employee’s wage history in an interview. No local governments in Michigan are considering ordinances similar to Philadelphia’s. Opponents say the legislation would prevent local “fair chance” policies that
regulate when and to what extent employers can consider someone’s criminal record in making a hiring decision. Republicans voted for the bill in the GOP-led Senate. Democrats opposed it.The measure next goes to the Republican-led House for consideration.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Land Auction held on Tuesday raised more than $120,000 for the county’s foreclosure fund. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News this week’s auction went smoothly.. ...Read Full Story

The recent data hack at credit firm Equifax could have broad implications for the economy. Jordan Goodman, a financial expert with MoneyAnswers.com tells WSJM News due to the breadth of the personal info credit reporting agencies have, you could be affected in severe ways if they’re breached. Scammers can open bank accounts and credit cards in your name.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The director of the Michigan State Police plans to stay in her job through 2018, likely collecting more than $150,000 in salary as well as a pension. A spokeswoman for Governor Rick Snyder says he’ll reappoint Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue to serve through the end of his term. The Detroit Free Press says Etue must retire next year, so she’ll get a salary and at least a portion of her pension while she’s still on the job. The newspaper says Etue’s annual pension is more than $80,000. In addition, Etue is eligible for other payments because she didn’t retire when she was first eligible in 2012. Etue recently has rejected calls to quit after she shared a Facebook post that called kneeling NFL players “anti-American degenerates.” She apologized.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski is pleased to learn legislation from state Representatives Dave Pagel and Kim LaSata cracking down on second homeowners who exploit a tax loophole has passed. The plan closes a loophole that allows for an out-of-state resident with a second home in Michigan to claim that second home is a homestead, lowering their property taxes. It also enables the owners of rental properties to claim those parcels as their homestead. Witkowski tells WSJM News his office is always tracking those people down and having to fight them at the tax tribunal level.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred on Saturday. Troopers say they were called to the scene on Red Arrow Highway near Territorial Road in Paw Paw Township around 2:40 p.m. 76-year-old Richard Setty of Kalamazoo had been westbound when he lost control of his motorcycle and was ejected. He was later pronounced dead at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator John Proos is hoping the latest effort to reform Michigan’s auto insurance system will be successful. He tells WSJM News testimony has been taken this week over in the House for a plan to remove a requirement that all auto policies in Michigan have unlimited coverage for catastrophic injuries.. ...Read Full Story

A grant of $25,000 is going to Niles High School for its greenhouse program. Heather Wolfe with Monsanto tells WSJM News the Monsanto Foundation gives out more than $2 million in grants each year to rural schools nationwide.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton is asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do something about shoreline erosion in the New Buffalo area. He’s sent a letter to the United States Secretary for Civil Works saying both the city and the township are struggling because of an Army Corps failure.. ...Read Full Story

The leaves are beginning to turn in Michigan and they’re at their peak in some spots and you may want to check them out. Pure Michigan spokeswoman Michelle Grinnell told Michigan News Network this week many places in Michigan are perfect for a fall weekend getaway.. ...Read Full Story

On Thursday, residents in South Haven were notified of the need to boil all tap water used for drinking and cooking. The City of South Haven, in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, has determined it is no longer necessary to use bottled water or boil water before drinking or cooking.  Appropriate corrective measures have been taken and follow-up sampling has confirmed no coli form bacteria is present in the water supply.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren County Deputies are blaming distracted driving for a van/pedestrian collision that left a Bangor woman with life threatening injuries. Deputies say a 16-year-old from Hartford was driving along in the 62000 block of Red Arrow Highway in Hartford Township at about 3:00 Friday afternoon when the van strayed over the fog line on the edge of the road, clipped a mailbox and then hit the 46-year-old victim as she was walking along the road. The victim was initially unresponsive and began CPR. By the time deputies arrived she was breathing but unconscious. She was taken to Bronson Methodist in Kalamazoo with multiple injuries, and is listed in critical condition. The crash report will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office and the driver may face criminal charges.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor City Manager Darwin Watson is hoping residents will hear his message about garbage collection now that a new company has been picked to provide the service. The contract isn’t signed yet, but We-Cycle Industrial Sanitation starting making pick-ups this past week after being selected for the job last month. The problem is that it hasn’t provided folks with bins yet. City Manager Watson tells us, for the next two months, residents have two options.. ...Read Full Story

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan will hold a pumpkin chunkin’ event this weekend. The society’s Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the Launching Hope Pumpkin Chunking Challenge will give everyone a chance to build their own machines to blast pumpkins for distance.. ...Read Full Story

Law enforcement agencies and other first reponders in Berrien County will be training for a mass fatality situation next month. Michigan State Police are helping to organize the course called Mass Fatalities for Rural Communities. The MSP tells us it serves as a training tool to provide rural communities with information to manage an actual mass-fatality response. The process of recovery, identification, and disposal of human remains following a major catastrophe is discussed. MSP says this sort of work differs from the normal daily operations local authorities are used to. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has been planning the training day for a long time, according to The Herald Palladium. Law enforcement, firefighters, and others will spend the whole day of November 6 at the Berrien County Conference Room to learn about those catastrophic situations. The place to register for the disaster training can be found right here.. ...Read Full Story

A new sergeant for the South Haven Police Department was presented to the city council at this week’s meeting. Sergeant Adam Debore comes to the position with much experience. He spoke with WSJM News about his experience.. ...Read Full Story

The city of Dowagiac is planning a special event for next Saturday as it dedicates a new mural remembering the local Orphan Train. City Manager Secretary Bobbie Jo Hartline tells WSJM News the Orphan Train started in New York City in the mid-1800s as a way to find homes for orphans in that city throughout the United States.. ...Read Full Story

Detroit Police Chief James Craig says police nationwide are learning from the massacre in Las Vegas. He tells Michigan News Network he’s asking the NFL for a big change right away to allow off-duty officers to be allowed to carry guns inside Ford Field.. ...Read Full Story

The U.S. Coast Guard is asking everyone to stay out of Lake Michigan, and away from the piers this weekend. A gale watch is in effect through Sunday morning. The National Weather Service warns there’s a chance of gale force winds around 35 knots all of this weekend. Stay off the piers because waves generated by the winds can knock you into the lake. Again, it is dangerous to go out on to the piers this weekend.. ...Read Full Story

A South Haven woman is hospitalized with a wound to the abdomen after being shot just after 4 a.m. Friday during a domestic situation at South Haven Trailer Park. Police Chief Natalie Thompson tells WSJM News children at the home were secured by officers and turned over to family members later in the morning. None of them were injured. The victim was conscious and able to identify the suspect who was later located at a home in Covert and taken into custody. He’s a 50-year-old Covert man who is now at the Van Buren County Jail pending arraignment on Monday. The suspect’s name has not been released. The victim is expected to recover.. ...Read Full Story

If you’d like to get a cat or dog, consider adoption. That’s just as the Bissell Pet Foundation is sponsoring an Empty The Shelters event next Saturday, October 14. 75 shelters are taking part in Michigan. Bissell Pet Foundation founder Cathy Bissell told Michigan News Network Michigan has received many animals displaced by hurricanes in the south.. ...Read Full Story

Americans are expected to spend more money this holiday season. Rod Sides with the auditing firm Deloitte told Michigan News Network they’re forecasting retail holiday sales will increase 4% to 4.5%. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Joan Larsen is a step closer to a new job on a federal appeals court. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved her nomination Thursday and sent it to the full Senate. All nine Democrats on the committee voted no. The 48-year-old Larsen was nominated to the Cincinnati-based appeals court by President Donald Trump. The court hears cases from federal courts in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.. ...Read Full Story

A South Haven woman is hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the abdomen after being shot just after 4 a.m. during a domestic situation at South Haven Trailer Park. Police say the suspect is a man who was arrested at a family member’s home a short time later. South Haven police say the victim is expected to make a full recovery. No names or other details have yet been released.. ...Read Full Story

310 drunk driving arrests were recently made over an 18-day enforcement blitz by police agencies across the state. Kendall Wingrove with the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning reports 27-hundred traffic tickets were issued between August 18 and September 4 of this year.. ...Read Full Story

WSJM News told you this week about a crowdfunding effort launched by the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph to help pay for an improvement project. Krasl is seeking $50,000 in online donations for a new outdoor space near the sculpture commonly known as Lotus the Hippo. Krasl’s Julia Gourley tells us the overall goal is actually to raise $1.7 million to attract more visitors.. ...Read Full Story

Road crews will be more visible this coming winter, thanks to a new policy that’s been adopted by most county road agencies around Michigan. Christina Strong with the County Road Association of Michigan tells WSJM News maintenance trucks in most places now have blinking green lights.. ...Read Full Story

Home sales in southwest Michigan remain strong, although selling prices did go down in the month of August. The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors tells WSJM News the average selling price for a home in the region dropped 12% from July to August. The median price also slipped 3%. That’s after selling prices held steady for about four months. The number of houses sold increased 8% over the number of houses sold in August 2016. Year to date, home sales in southwest Michigan are up 6%. The realtors association also tells us mortgage rates have continued to go down, while the housing inventory is also tight.. ...Read Full Story

Due to Thursday’s water main break in South Haven, South Haven Public Schools has issued the following notice:. ...Read Full Story

Students from all over Berrien County will use this Friday to learn a lot about what local manufacturing companies do. It’s the fifth annual Manufacturing Day. Mary Morphey with Kinexus tells WSJM News there’s a message they want to spread.. ...Read Full Story

There’s a new Democrat in the race for the Sixth District congressional seat. George Franklin is a former Kellogg lobbyist and appointee to the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees. Franklin now runs a government relations firm called Franklin Public Affairs LLC and lives in Glenn. He tells WSJM News he’s not a career politician.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan House has approved a resolution from state Representative Kim LaSata calling on all Michiganders to buy local this weekend. LaSata tells us she wants to declare October 7 and 8 as Buy Nearby Weekend. LaSata says if everyone would buy local, shoppers would create an additional $9 billion in economic activity and nearly 74,000 new jobs. She notes retailers alone represent more than 850,000 jobs in Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

The city of South Haven is advising residents there has been a water main break. It happened about 5 p.m. near 9235 Blue Star Highway. The break affects Casco Township, a large part of the city of South Haven, and part of South Haven Township. The city says anyone in the affected area should boil water prior to drinking it. Crews are working to fix the break, and they’re expected to be finished by about midnight. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton has added his voice to the chorus of lawmakers who want to see a ban on bump stocks. Those are the devices that can be used to turn a semi automatic rifle into an automatic. The Las Vegas shooter was using a bump stock. Congressman Upton issued a statement Thursday, saying “we cannot with a straight face justify the legality of these tools that can so easily be manipulated to do unimaginable harm and are specifically designed to get around the automatic weapon ban.” He adds he’s working with other lawmakers on a letter to the ATF asking for bump stocks to be banned. Even the National Rifle Association called for “additional regulations” on bump stocks.. ...Read Full Story

State Representative Brandt Iden of Kalamazoo County is behind a pilot $700,000 research project to study genetic indicators for opioid addiction in his county. The bill is part of a package approved by a House subcommittee yesterday. Iden spoke with WKZO News about the plan.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A Republican legislative leader is running to be Michigan’s next attorney general. House Speaker Tom Leonard announced his candidacy Thursday, saying he will “make Michigan stronger and safer.” He’s the second Republican to enter the
race, joining state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker. Republicans and Democrats will choose their attorney general candidates at conventions next summer. The 36-year-old Leonard has led the House since January and is in his final House term due to term limits. He previously worked as an assistant prosecutor in Genesee County. He says Michigan must be tough on violent crime, protect gun rights and stop
“sanctuary” cities from shielding immigrants in the country illegally. Democratic candidates include former federal prosecutor Pat Miles and former Wayne County assistant prosecutor Dana Nessel. Attorney General Bill Schuette is term-limited.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan House has voted to ban local taxes on foods and beverages in the state. The package, which has already passed in the state Senate, prevent counties or cities from putting taxes on things like soda or unhealthy foods. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan is a fan.. ...Read Full Story

One problem facing Benton Harbor Area Schools this year is a large number of teaching positions that are going unfilled. Superintendent Shelly Walker told the board of education this week “a vast number of positions” are currently available. The problem isn’t just money-related. She told WSJM News teachers consider several other factors when deciding where to go. She knows where they’re most attracted.. ...Read Full Story

An Andrews University physics professor is being saluted by the institution for her work as part of a scientific collaboration that has now won a Nobel Prize. It was announced this week the Nobel Prize in Physics this year is going to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory — or LIGO — Scientific Collaboration. Part of that collaboration is Tiffany Summerscales who works for Andrews. She, along with her students, represented Andrews University as one of 103 academic institutions in 18 countries that make up the LIGO collaboration. Andrews tells us three of that project’s leaders, professors out of MIT and Caltech, are the specific named recipients of the Nobel Prize. In announcing the award this week, the Royal Swedish Academy called LIGO’s work “a discovery that shook the world.” The LIGO team proved an Albert Einstein theory about gravitational waves.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal to a ruling in the long-drawn out lawsuit over a Berrien County Sheriff’s Department gun range in Coloma Township. It relates to a September of 2016 decision by the Michigan Court of Appeals that shut down the gun range. This case has been going on for more than 10 years. Residents near the gun range say it’s too loud and it’s not properly zoned. The state Supreme Court will consider whether the Michigan County Commissioners Act can be interpreted to mean the sheriff’s department’s need to train at the site trumps the local zoning ordinance. The Michigan Supreme court has invited groups including the Michigan Sheriffs Association and the Michigan Municipal League to file briefs in the case. It has not indicated a date for any court proceedings.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski is pleased to learn legislation from state Representatives Dave Pagel and Kim LaSata cracking down on second homeowners who exploit a tax loophole has passed. The plan closes a loophole that allows for an out-of-state resident with a second home in Michigan to claim that second home is a homestead, lowering their property taxes. It also enables the owners of rental properties to claim those parcels as their homestead. Witkowski tells WSJM News his office is always tracking those people down and having to fight them at the tax tribunal level.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton is asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to do something about shoreline erosion in the New Buffalo area. He’s sent a letter to the United States Secretary for Civil Works saying both the city and the township are struggling because of an Army Corps failure.. ...Read Full Story

The Lincoln Township Police Department says a woman reported missing this week has been found dead. 57-year-old Anna Hyszczak went missing on Tuesday afternoon. Family found her bicycle leaning against a fence post in the 5,600 block of Notre Dame Avenue near John Beers Road in some woods along an old driveway. They called police when their own search didn’t locate her. That led to another search involving police, firefighters, K9s, and a thermal imaging helicopter at one point. Lincoln Township Police Chief Gary Soper tells us Hyszczak’s body was found Wednesday around 4:30 p.m. in the water at North Lake in the Grand Mere area, not far from where she had gone missing. The body was spotted by a kayaker. Police do not suspect foul play, and the investigation is ongoing.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Clerk Sharon Tyler and her staff will show off some of the county’s new voting machines at a couple of open houses this month. Tyler tells us the new equipment will greatly improve the voting experience. There are some key differences, especially for the disabled.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator John Proos is hoping the latest effort to reform Michigan’s auto insurance system will be successful. He tells WSJM News testimony has been taken this week over in the House for a plan to remove a requirement that all auto policies in Michigan have unlimited coverage for catastrophic injuries.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Initial planning to replace a dozen residence halls over a decade at Western Michigan University has been suspended. Spokeswoman Cheryl Roland said Wednesday that officials at the Kalamazoo school have decided to focus on other development priorities. She says the efforts, which had been exploratory and never firm, would have started with demolition and construction of four dorms as early as next year. The university sought input last month from students and faculty last month on
what to include and architects were consulted. Overall costs had not been determined.. ...Read Full Story

The Equifax data breach is on the minds of members of Congress. On Tuesday, a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing to speak with a former Equifax executive. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News he has one concern, in particular.. ...Read Full Story

State Representative Kim LaSata has thrown her support behind a crowdfunding effort recently launched by the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph. Krasl is looking to raise $50,000 by December 1 to receive a matching grant through Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative. That grant and the money raised would be used for an improvement project at Krasl. It would mean the installation of a winding sidewalk, a plaza, and gathering areas. In addition to the MEDC matching funds, all contributions to the campaign will be quadrupled thanks to additional matching grants from the Frederick S. Upton Foundation and 1st Source Bank Foundation. Representative LaSata says she’s excited about the effort to “revitalize downtown St. Joseph and promote the arts.” You can find Krasl’s fundraising page right here.. ...Read Full Story

The Red Cross says it has sent more blood supplies to Las Vegas following this weekend’s massacre there. Michigan Red Cross spokesperson Todd Kulman tells WSJM News those donations came from all over the country.. ...Read Full Story

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan will hold a pumpkin chunkin’ event this weekend. The society’s Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the Launching Hope Pumpkin Chunking Challenge will give everyone a chance to build their own machines to blast pumpkins for distance.. ...Read Full Story

Student attendance is a major concern for Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker this week. She tells WSJM News Wednesday is Student Count Day and they need as many kids as they can get. State funding depends on it. She tells us there are a lot of kids who start out the school year at other districts and then wind up back at Benton Harbor later. When that happens, Benton Harbor still loses out on per-pupil funding.. ...Read Full Story

Kinexus will hold its fifth annual Manufacturing Day event this week. Spokesperson Mary Morphey tells WSJM News Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for students, teachers, and others to tour local manufacturing facilities.. ...Read Full Story

The Lincoln Township Police Department is looking for a missing woman. In a Facebook post, it says 57-year-old Anna Hyszczak went missing Tuesday. She was last seen around 2 p.m. in the area of John Beers Road and Notre Dame Avenue. Police say she was wearing a blue hospital shirt and black shorts. Lincoln Township police are concerned for her safety, and ask anyone with information on her location to contact them.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Land Auction held on Tuesday raised more than $120,000 for the county’s foreclosure fund. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News this week’s auction went smoothly.. ...Read Full Story

Auto insurance rates in Michigan took front and center stage in Lansing Tuesday. That’s where testimony was taken on a bill that aims to reduce the premiums. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says during his time as President and CEO of the Detroit Medical Center, he saw the best and the worst.. ...Read Full Story