Local News Archives

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is green-lighting a ballot initiative that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2022. Alicia Renee Farris is the Michigan Campaign chair for the group One Fair Wage. She told Michigan News Network that even though the Michigan Chamber of Commerce opposes the plan, there are some who think it’s a good idea.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved legislation from state Senator John Proos to let some low-level juvenile offenders get their records cleared. Proos tells WSJM News they would have to complete the 17.5 month Youth ChalleNGe Program run by the National Guard.. ...Read Full Story

Now available is the fall land auction book from the Berrien County Treasurer’s office. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News it lists all of the properties that will be available for auction next month. There are about 130 parcels, most of them empty.. ...Read Full Story

A 24-year-old Elkhart, Indiana man is in the Cass County Jail after speeding off from a traffic stop in Penn Township. The sheriff’s department says he was pulled over for going 96-miles-an-hour on Decatur Road near Kelsey Lake Street, and then ran away during the stop. Cass County K9 Faust and handler Deputy Nevins tracked the suspect for nearly three-and-a-half miles through woods and corn fields before canceling the chase due to heat exhaustion concerns for the dog last evening. The suspect was found just north of Cassopolis a short time later and was jailed after first being treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration at Dowagiac Lee Memorial Hospital. He’ll be charged with fleeing and eluding, resisting police, possession of a firearm, and driving without a license.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan appeals court won’t review a judge’s decision about evidence in the case of a man charged with killing six people in the Kalamazoo area. Jason Dalton’s attorney had asked the court to look at a decision about Dalton’s statements to police. Prosecutor Jeff Getting says the appeals court turned down the request Monday. The appeal had delayed Dalton’s trial, which was supposed to start in June. He now has eight weeks to ask the Michigan Supreme Court to intervene. Dalton is charged with murder and attempted murder. Police have quoted him as saying a “devil figure” on Uber’s app was controlling him on the night of the shootings in February 2016.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The American Civil Liberties Union says Michigan is illegally allowing faith-based groups to reject gay couples who want to adopt kids or become foster parents. Michigan pays groups such as Catholic Charities and Bethany Christian Services to place children with families. The ACLU filed a lawsuit Wednesday, saying Michigan is violating the U.S. Constitution by allowing the groups to use a religious test to carry out public services. ACLU attorney Jay Kaplan says those services should be based on what’s best for kids, not religious beliefs. The Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law in 2015 that says child-placement agencies aren’t required to provide services that conflict with their beliefs. It was signed before the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College is seeking the lease for the Western Michigan University building on its Napier Avenue campus. The board of trustees Wednesday voted to move forward on a request to transfer a long-term lease agreement with the state of Michigan to LMC at a cost of $2.7 million. LMC President Dr. Trevor Kubatzke tells WSJM News WMU will still hold the same programs there, but this gives LMC a place to expand some of its own programs.. ...Read Full Story

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a home invasion suspect who managed to get away from them on Wednesday morning. Officers were called out to a home on Daily Road near Pokagon Highway in LaGrange Township around 8:30 a.m. The suspects had run from the home and taken off in a Ford Taurus. When a sheriff’s deputy tried to pull it over, the suspects drove off into a corn field. Police set up a perimeter, and soon caught one of the suspects on foot with the help of K9 Faust. The other suspect was tracked to a drainage area, but police and their K9s couldn’t find him. Police believe he could be in the Howard Township area, and describe him as a white male, about 200 pounds, six feet tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.. ...Read Full Story

All throughout the month of October, the seven branches of the Van Buren District Library will be working to prevent bullying. It’s part of a national effort, and the library’s Kay McAdams tells WSJM News there will be a variety of special programs.. ...Read Full Story

A new scholarship for low-income students has been announced by the Berrien Community Foundation. President Lisa Cripps-Downey closed out Wednesday’s annual meeting by unveiling the Trefz Family Scholarship, based on a $500,000 endowment. Cripps-Downey told WSJM News it’s all thanks to a trust a woman named Josephine Trefz created when she sold some land which is now part of Lincoln Township Park.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker is confident she has the qualifications to serve as Michigan’s next attorney general. She tells WSJM News she has a background as an attorney taking on deadbeat dads and advocating for the vulnerable. Schuitmaker wants to continue fighting opioid abuse and take on some new tasks as attorney general.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven Area Emergency Services has received a brand new truck. A 75-foot ladder truck made by Spencer Manufacturing of South Haven was delivered this week. It replaces the department’s 50-foot ladder truck that’s 31 years old. South Haven Emergency Services tells us the new truck is powered by a 500-horse power Cummins engine. Other goodies include a 1,200 gallon poly water tank and a 20 gallon foam cell allowing for foam to be used on some fires. A poly body on the unit removes the concern of rust, and an eight kilowatt generator means portable lighting can be run at fire scenes. The new truck cost about $846,000. The community will have a chance to see the new ladder during the department’s Fire Safety Fun Night, which is set for October 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Station 3 on Blue Star Highway.. ...Read Full Story

The spirit of the fall is being celebrated this weekend in St. Joseph. It’s time for the annual Fall Festival downtown on Friday and Saturday. St. Joe Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News there will be family fun all day Saturday, followed by the wine festival at 4 p.m. That includes the public art auction.. ...Read Full Story

A Michigan panel is prohibiting 35,000 state employees from bargaining on seniority and other provisions related to the handling of layoffs, transfers and overtime. The Civil Service Commission’s move Wednesday is being condemned by unions as another conservative-led political attack against organized labor. Ron Bieber is the president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. He spoke with the Michigan News Network about the commission’s decision.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Rick Snyder has quickly signed into law contentious regulations for independent expenditure committees whose footprint in elections has grown since U.S. Supreme Court decisions seven years ago. Democrats and campaign-finance watchdogs opposed the Republican-sponsored legislation, partly for letting candidates solicit unlimited donations for super PACs backing their campaigns. But the Republican governor says the bills signed Wednesday _ a day after lawmakers OK’d them _ give the secretary of state “clear statutory authority” to regulate independent expenditure committees with reporting requirements and enforcement penalties. He cites confusion over the 2010 Citizens United ruling’s effect on Michigan law. Snyder says the law now aligns with federal decisions protecting free-speech rights. Critics say the law improperly lets super PACs running ads use the same attorney that a candidate committee employs.. ...Read Full Story

A Detroit-area doctor charged with performing genital mutilation on girls in a Muslim sect will be released from jail as she awaits trial. A judge on Tuesday was persuaded to grant bond to Dr. Jumana Nagarwala after supporters pledged to pay more than $4 million if she flees the country. Federal Judge Bernard Friedman called it a “very comprehensive package.” Nagarwala has been in custody since her arrest in April, and it will be a few days more before she’s released. She must wear an electronic tether. Nagarwala denies any crime and says she performed a religious custom on girls from her Muslim sect. Eight people have been charged, including two Minnesota mothers and the owner of a Detroit-area clinic where the alleged procedures occurred after hours. The bond is believed to be the largest ever posted in federal court in Detroit.. ...Read Full Story

This morning, we gave an update to a story we had last week regarding a motorcycle crash in Hagar Township that badly injured Alan Hatten of Watervliet. In that story, we erroneously reported that Mr. Hatten had passed away from his injuries. Our story was based on information that we have since learned was not accurate, and we have retracted the story. Our newsroom is reaching out to several Berrien County agencies for an update on his condition. Please accept our sincere apologies for the story.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Civil Rights Commission is holding off for now on deciding whether to declare that discrimination against LGBT people in employment, housing and public accommodations is already unlawful under state law. The commission met Monday to consider the request after two months of public feedback. The interpretive statement, if issued, would say discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is a form of sex discrimination outlawed under Michigan’s 1976 civil rights law. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights says the commission voted to table to request from LGBT rights group Equality Michigan. An assistant attorney general told the commission the legislature, not the commission, should address changes in state law. The commission is asking Attorney General Bill Schuette for a formal opinion on its authority.. ...Read Full Story

One southwest Michigan organization that’s helping to raise money for hurricane relief here is the Four Winds Casino. The casino’s Torie Winchester tells WSJM News it’s set up a fund for employees to make donations. The casino will match those funds.. ...Read Full Story

State Representative Beth Griffin is praising legislation that would create a curriculum for Michigan schools to teach kids about opioids. The Mattawan Republican tells us it’s important to make sure kids know about the dangers of prescription abuse.. ...Read Full Story

What every business needs to be successful. That was the focus of financial guru Dave Ramsey’s address to the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan Tuesday night. Dave’s five principles — have good leadership, care about people, follow sound financial practices, maintain unity, and remember your higher calling. That means, Dave said, remembering what drives you to produce that widget in the first place.. ...Read Full Story

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is looking for volunteers for this fall’s Day of Action for Seniors. The organization’s Julee Laurent tells WSJM News that’s when hundreds of folks across Berrien and Cass counties rake the yards of seniors and do other work to help them get ready for the winter.. ...Read Full Story

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan is currently housing a large number of dogs shipped in from shelters located in areas affected by the recent hurricanes. Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News they received six early last week, and then 27 more on Friday. The shelter now has more dogs than usual.. ...Read Full Story

As he campaigns for governor, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is invoking the name of Jennifer Granholm to drum up conservative support. Speaking with WKZO News this week, Schuette blasted Granholm, who hasn’t been in office since 2011.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker is running for Michigan Attorney General. The Lawton Republican will be term limited out of office next year, and in a new  campaign ad, she plays up her conservative credentials.. ...Read Full Story

Police have released an update on two suspicious deaths discovered over the weekend in Bridgman. 63-year-old Donald Ackerman and 67-year-old Pamela Ackerman were found dead on Saturday in their Baldwin Road home, both from gunshot wounds. Autopsies were done on the two this week, and Bridgman police tell us they’ve found Pamela Ackerman was shot in the head twice, while Donald Ackerman was shot in the head once. Investigators believe Donald Ackerman shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. Police say no further information will be released at this time.. ...Read Full Story

A Niles High School student is being treated for injuries after he was hit by a vehicle near the school on Tuesday. The Niles Police Department tells us it happened around 7:15 a.m. at the intersection of 14th Street and Eagle. The 16-year-old student was crossing Eagle Street headed to school when he was hit by an eastbound vehicle driven by a 46-year-old man. The student was taken to Memorial Hospital, and police say they don’t know his condition. They say neither alcohol nor speed were factors. The incident remains under investigation.. ...Read Full Story

There is a new five-year strategy for managing Michigan’s parks and recreation system. The Department of Natural Resources says the plan was developed through discussions with other state agencies and groups representing various public interests. The DNR manages 103 state parks and recreation areas that together occupy more than 300,000 acres. The parks and recreation division also oversees the state’s boating program, the state motorized and non-motorized trails system and 138 state forest campgrounds. Division chief Ron Olson says the plan will be a compass that guides the division in acquiring, protecting and preserving natural and cultural resources while providing access for recreation and education. The plan is available online at http://www.michigan.gov/prdstrategicplans. ...Read Full Story

If a report by Lansing-based MIRSNews is accurate, there is something to the rumors about Congressman Fred Upton looking at a run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow. MIRS is citing a source close to Upton as saying he’s “90% there” and is “very seriously looking” at challenging Stabenow. Upton has repeatedly told WSJM News he’s concentrating on the job at hand in the U.S. House. Another Republican source is telling MIRS that Upton’s moderate record won’t work with the more conservative GOP base in the state following the election of Donald Trump as President, even with Trump’s approval rating in the state at a very low level. Former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bob Young Jr. and John James are the current Republican field for the Senate after Lena Epstein withdrew to run for the U.S. House yesterday.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — An advisory group is recommending that Michigan universities analyze the worst-case scenario of an oil pipeline failure in the Straits of Mackinac. The effort would be led by Michigan Tech University, which would collaborate with experts at other universities. The recommendation was made Monday by the state Pipeline Safety Advisory Board, which includes high-ranking members of Governor Rick Snyder’s administration. A contractor was fired by the state in June because of a conflict of interest with Enbridge Energy, owner of Line 5. Line 5 carries nearly 23 million gallons of light crude oil and liquefied natural gas daily. It runs across Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula before entering the Straits of Mackinac, where it divides into two lines, then continues to refineries in Sarnia, Ontario.. ...Read Full Story

Constitution Day may have been Sunday, but the Michigan Supreme Court celebrated it Monday with a variety of activities. John Nevin is the Communications Director for the Supreme Court. He spoke with Michigan News Network about what was planned for the day.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have tabled a Harbor Shores request for an easement amendment to allow for a new pedestrian bridge to be installed across the Paw Paw River. At a Monday meeting, the commission was told the $1 million bridge from the Harbor Village neighborhood by Harbor Shores to the city of St. Joseph would enable people to walk and ride bikes all throughout the two cities. Commissioner Mary Alice Adams wanted more details.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police are planning a recruitment seminar for Dowagiac this month. Lieutenant Mike Dawson with the Niles post tells WSJM News state police are looking at a shortage of personnel in the next few years.. ...Read Full Story

Set for this weekend is the Berrien RESA Festival of Families. RESA spokesperson Karen Heath tells WSJM News the fifth annual event will feature information on all of the services offered to kids around Berrien County. On hand will be groups like the Boys and Girls Club, the Red Cross, and the Berrien County Health department. There’s also some fun.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan State Police Angels Program is now up and running. Launched Monday, Angels offers individuals seeking help with an addiction to come to a state police post and ask for treatment with no fear of being arrested. MSP Lieutenant Dale Hinz at the Paw Paw post tells WSJM News the key now is to get the word out.. ...Read Full Story

If you’re looking for a new animal friend, then the Van Buren County Animal Control Shelter is the place for you this week. Through Saturday, they’re holding a special adoption event thanks to the Bissell Pet Foundation. Animal Control’s Kasey Murphy tells WSJM News the shelter now has a large number of dogs flown up from Florida following Hurricane Irma.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — When are four zeroes worth $5,000? When four zeroes are the winning numbers in a Michigan lottery drawing. Officials say 1,079 players had winning tickets in Michigan’s Sunday evening Daily 4 game. Each ticket is worth $5,000. It’s the first time that four zeroes were drawn in the game, which has been played since 1981. Each play costs a dollar. The Daily 4 game is played twice a day every day.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission met Monday to address an LGBTQ Group’s request for an interpretive statement on the definition of “sex” in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Stephanie White is the Executive Director of Equality Michigan. She spoke with Michigan News Network about the issue.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation allowing communities to fix ballots where candidates missed the state filing deadline because of incorrect information from local clerks. Snyder on Monday signed the bill to extend the filing deadline for city office elections in 2017, ensuring mayoral and city council candidates will be on the ballot. The bill had been passed by the legislature after issues with candidates in at least four communities. Errors were found in Sault Ste. Marie, Tecumseh, Bessemer, and Lake Angelus. Under the legislation, clerks who give out erroneous dates would be required to undergo training and their municipalities are subject to fines.. ...Read Full Story

The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors is making a difference in St. Joseph Township by paying for the creation of a new park. Association Executive Alan Jeffries tells WSJM News the group as received a $4,000 Grant from the National Association of Realtors as part of the Placemaking program. It’s designed to help local chapters make an impact.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan’s average gas price is down 15¢ from last week, which Triple-A says is the second-largest drop in the country. The average stands at $2.54, which is up 44¢ from this time a year ago. In Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, the auto club says we’re paying 14¢ less than last week at $2.56. The most expensive gas is up in the U.P. in Marquette at $2.66, while Grand Rapids and Saginaw have the lowest prices at $2.49. According to GasBuddy, South Haven prices are between $2.43 and $2.49. Triple-A says the market seems to have stabilized following the impact of Hurricane Harvey, which drove up prices over the past several weeks.. ...Read Full Story

Andrews University in Berrien Springs has been named one of the country’s most ethnically diverse national universities. In the 2018 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, Andrews shares the top spot with the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Andrews tells us it has seen a great deal of diversification in the past ten years, coming in second on U.S. News’ list last year. Andrews University President Andrea Luxton says the school is proud of its new distinction, adding Andrews is also “proud to be recognized as the 11th ranked national university for schools with the most international students.” You can find the full U.S News rankings right here.. ...Read Full Story

A Massachusetts pharmacist who oversaw the rooms where tainted drugs that caused a deadly meningitis outbreak were made is heading to trial. Glenn Chin was supervisory pharmacist at the now-closed New England Compounding Center in Framingham. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of all counts of second-degree murder under federal racketeering law. Chin heads to trial Tuesday on charges in the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 76 people and sickened hundreds of others. Experts say prosecutors have a stronger case against him than they did against pharmacy co-founder Barry Cadden, who was given a nine-year prison sentence in June. Chin ran the so-called clean rooms where steroid injections were made. He’s accused of failing to properly sterilize the drugs, among other things. Southwest Michigan was hit hard by the tainted steroids five years ago, with several people injured or killed as a result of the injections.. ...Read Full Story

The Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary is planning its seventh annual Pumpkin 5 and 10K Walk and Run for next week. The event will be Saturday, September 16 at the Renaissance Athletic Club in Benton Harbor. The proceeds from those who take part will go to the Books for Kids Reading Program, which distributes books to Benton Harbor Area Schools. During 2016, that group distributed more than 1,600 readers to kids in kindergarten through third grade. It’s $25 to register now, and $30 to register the day of the race. You can find out about registering at SunriseRotaryPumpkinFest.org.. ...Read Full Story

President Donald Trump has endorsed Attorney General Bill Schuette for governor of Michigan. Trump said in a tweet Saturday that Schuette, who launched a bid for governor on Tuesday, would be fantastic. The President also says: “I am bringing back your jobs and Bill will help.” Schuette has promised to be a “jobs governor” who would cut income taxes and high auto insurance premiums. He is best known for his investigation of lead-contaminated drinking water in Flint. His probe led to criminal charges against 15 current and former government officials. Schuette is the best-known candidate in the Republican primary to succeed Republican Governor Rick Snyder, who is term limited. Several Democrats are also running for governor in 2018. Trump’s tweet misspelled Schuette’s last name, calling him “Shuette.”. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Western Michigan University is planning to replace 12 residence halls on campus. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that university officials sought input from students and faculty Thursday on what to include in the new residence halls. The
forum was the first of three meetings the project’s design and planning team will hold. Students asked for amenities such as recreational rooms, computer labs, snack bars and outdoor game areas. They emphasized the importance of air conditioning and larger rooms, and expressed concerns about affordability and environmental impact. Officials hope to replace all the halls in the next decade. One of the projects will demolish the Harrison/Stinson halls and Eldridge/Fox halls. Officials say construction on the replacement buildings will start spring 2018 and is expected to be completed by the 2020-21 academic year.. ...Read Full Story

As momentum builds for auto insurance reform in Michigan, a new poll says state voters on both sides of the political aisle are resoundingly unhappy with the way rates are set. That’s according to Bernie Porn with EPIC-MRA out of Lansing. He spoke with Michigan News Network.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hoping the public will offer its input to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as it takes comments on the Brandon Road lock and dam study. That study was recently released with several recommendations for preventing the spread of the Asian carp into the Great Lakes, says the DNR’s Tammy Newcomb. She tells WSJM News the report focuses on that one shipping location in Joliet, Illinois.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Health Department is spreading a message about safe infant sleep this month. Deputy Health Officer Courtney Davis tells WSJM News a common cause of infant deaths is improper sleep.. ...Read Full Story

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow has introduced amendments to the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act to ensure the military buys American. The Democrat tells WKZO News the Department of Defense uses a loophole that allows federal agencies to circumvent “Buy American” requirements if the products they’re buying are being used overseas. The primary amendment in her package would change that and would directly benefit more than 100,000 Michigan workers connected to the national defense industry.. ...Read Full Story

A $2 million state grant awarded last year to Benton Harbor Area Schools for safety and gang prevention has been making a difference. On Tuesday, the board of education heard the grant has paid for suicide awareness training, a leadership skills program, and self-esteem and life skills training for girls. Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker tells WSJM News that’s just some of what the district managed to do in the first few months of having the funds at the end of the last school year.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — One of nine Michigan insurers planning to sell health insurance on the federal marketplace in 2018 no longer will do so. Health Alliance Plan said Friday the move affects about 9,100 people. It says it’s leaving because of uncertainties related to premium stabilization programs, enforcement of the requirement to have insurance and not knowing if the Trump administration will continue funding cost-sharing subsidies. The insurer says it’s prepared to re-enter the government market “if and when the individual market stabilizes.” The announcement came the same day a Michigan congressman announced that groups helping enroll people for coverage have been notified of substantial federal funding cuts. Democratic Congressman Sander Levin calls the cuts “absolutely devastating” and says they’re the latest example of the Trump administration seeking to “sabotage” the health law.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren County Road Commission is about to start a major project on Blue Star Highway. It tells us crews will be working on Blue Star from Phoenix Road to Baseline Road in South Haven Township starting next Monday. Road Commission Managing Director Larry Hummel spoke with WSJM News about the project.. ...Read Full Story

Police in Bridgman are investigating what they believe may have been a murder-suicide discovered on Saturday afternoon. The city police department tells us an officer was dispatched to a home in the 9,700 block of Baldwin Road shortly before 1 p.m. for a welfare check. Inside the home, the officer found 63-year-old Donald Ackerman and 67-year-old Pamela Ackerman dead. Both had gunshot wounds. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has been called in to help with the investigation. Autopsies are planned for the next few days.. ...Read Full Story

The St. Joseph Department of Public Safety and the Lincoln Township Fire Department now have an automatic aid agreement in place. St. Joe Public Safety Director Brian Uridge tells WSJM News Lincoln Township will automatically send out a truck to the city every time there’s a fire reported. St. Joe will do the same for the township when a commercial property is involved.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Secretary of State’s mobile branch office will be in Bangor this month. Spokesperson Laura Lehman tells WSJM News the mobile office travels all over Michigan to offer convenient service to residents.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton sees a few immediate priorities for Congress now that it’s back to work. He tells WSJM News getting all of the needed spending measures in place has to be done by the end of the week, and then there’s tax reform. He’s just waiting for details from the Trump administration on its ideas.. ...Read Full Story

Good news out of Bridgman Public Schools this past week. Superintendent Shane Peters tells WSJM News the district’s students were among the top in the county across the subjects of math, science, social studies, and English on the latest M-STEP tests.. ...Read Full Story