Local News Archives

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department will hold its annual Police Officers Memorial Service will be this Wednesday. The event this year is dedicated to Deputy Shane Britton, who was killed in the line of duty in 2000. Britton died in a car crash while en route to a complaint call on July 19 of that year. He’s the only Cass County Sheriff’s deputy ever to be killed in the line of duty. This is National Police Week, when officers who have been killed on the job are remembered. Cass County’s memorial will be at noon at the sheriff’s department’s memorial garden in Cassopolis. Berrien County will have a memorial in St. Joseph on Thursday.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton has welcomed the family of Joseph Zangaro to his office in Washington, D.C. Joseph Zangaro was a Berrien County Court bailiff killed in a shooting at the courthouse in St. Joseph last summer. Also killed was court officer Ronald Kienzle. Congressman Upton met with the Zangaro family after it attended a Monday National Police Week ceremony in Washington. The ceremony included a Memorial Wall service that honored both Zangaro and Kienzle. The Memorial Wall carries the names of more than 16,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty.. ...Read Full Story

Ford is expected to use voluntary buyouts to trim its work force by about 10%, with reports of Ford wanting to cut costs by $3 billion. That’s a prudent move says Joe Phillipi, a long time auto analyst with Auto Trends Consulting. He spoke with Michigan News Network about the cuts.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan officials are banning most vehicles from the Mackinac Bridge during the annual Labor Day bridge walk because of concerns about terrorism. Tens of thousands of people join the annual walk across the nearly 5-mile-long bridge, which links Michigan’s two peninsulas where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet. Walkers use two lanes on the bridge, while the other two have been reserved for vehicles. Under the policy announced Tuesday, the only vehicles allowed between 6:30 a.m. and noon will be buses carrying walkers. That likely means a huge traffic tie-up, but officials say safety must come first.Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue of the Michigan State Police says there are
no known threats against the bridge walk. But terrorists in a number of locations have driven vehicles into large crowds.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator John Proos has some thoughts on changing up the way the state funds its prisons. He tells WSJM News the current model looks at things on a per-facility basis, but he wonders if there’s another way.. ...Read Full Story

It’s a summer tradition in St. Joseph. The day the public art goes up downtown for the summer, and that day is this Friday. City Marketing Director Susan Solon tells WSJM News “Fishing for Fun in St. Joseph” goes live at 5:30 p.m. Friday.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — More Medicare recipients in Michigan will qualify for subsidies to buy supplemental health insurance that covers their coinsurance and deductibles. The Michigan Health Endowment Fund announced Monday it’s raising the eligibility threshold, starting in July. Residents with annual incomes at or below 225 percent of the poverty level – or $26,730 for an individual and $36,045 for a couple – will qualify. The existing cutoff is 150 percent of poverty – $17,820 per individual and $24,030 per couple. The monthly subsidy ranges from $40 to $125 depending one’s age and disability status. It’s unclear how many residents will be helped by expanding the Medigap subsidy program. The health fund estimated previously that the current subsidy would help about 80,000 of 400,000 people with Medigap coverage.. ...Read Full Story

This is National Bike to Work Week, and the Michigan Department of Transportation is reminding drivers of the rules when it comes to bicyclists. MDOT tells us while biking is a healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around, it can also be dangerous. It reminds drivers to give bicyclists lots of space, telling us bike riders are allowed on most roads around the state. MDOT also notes an increasing number of communities are installing specific bike lanes. In 2016, there were more than 1,900 reported crashes involving bicyclists in Michigan that resulted in more than 1,500 injuries and 38 deaths. MDOT reminds drivers to give the bikes room, and also reminds the bicyclists, as legal roadway users, they’re required to obey all traffic laws, signs and signals. You can find more information right here.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph City Commissioners have approved a broad plan to help reduce downtown congestion and ease quality of life problems for residents that arise during the summer. The plan proposed by Public Safety Director Brian Uridge came about following several community meetings, and involves more parking at Lions Park Beach, less parking on some streets, a drop-off area in front of Silver Beach, and and one-way-traffic on Lake Street in front of Silver Beach. City Manager John Hodgson tells WSJM News everyone needs to understand that last part.. ...Read Full Story

The Ransomware cyber attack affecting thousands of computers has not spread as much as feared with the start of a new work week. Europol says the global attack impacted 200,000 organizations in 150 countries last Friday, but on Monday, there were no new major outbreaks. Bill Kowalski, cyber security expert with Rehmann Group in Troy, spoke with Michigan News Network about how you can avoid getting hit.. ...Read Full Story

A South Haven man has been honored by the Rotary International for his work to improve health and water resources in Kenya. Dr. Martin Graber received the Rotary’s Service Above Self Award, the organization’s highest honor, at the Rotary District Conference in Battle Creek this past weekend. The award goes out to 150 Rotarians each year for their work in demonstrating the Rotary’s motto. Dr. Graber has been a member of the South Haven Rotary since 2006, and the Rotary tells us since he and his wife started working with the Maasai Tribe in Kenya, they’ve helped to develop clean water and energy sources, agriculture, hospitals, and schools there. Graber is the second South Haven Rotarian to win the Service Above Self Award. The other recipient was Robert Brickman in 1993.. ...Read Full Story

Drivers are being advised of some slight traffic changes this week near Three Oaks. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News crews will be working on US-12 between Basswood and Schward Roads. They’re doing culvert maintenance.. ...Read Full Story

A real life American hero will be honored during a performance at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center this upcoming weekend. Center Director Mike Nadolski tells WSJM News Jim McCloughan, of South Haven, is a Medal of Honor winner for his efforts to save lives as a medic in Vietnam. He’s been invited to take part in Sunday’s Letters Home performance.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s corrections director says a Senate-approved plan to cut tens of millions of dollars in prison spending would lead to layoffs and low staffing levels that would make prisons unsafe. Heidi Washington lodged her criticism Monday, days after a Republican senator suggested that Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget proposal favors inmates over schoolkids. The Snyder administration typically hasn’t aggressively pushed back so much in public against spending blueprints passed by the GOP-led legislature. Washington says the prison population isn’t declining rapidly enough to justify a prison closure and the Senate plan would hurt the Corrections Department’s ability to later shut one down. Republican Senator John Proos of St. Joseph says cutting the prisons budget would save money that could be spent on education, roads or to give people a tax cut.. ...Read Full Story

A 29-year-old Kalamazoo woman is facing drunk driving, child endangerment, and driving with an expired license charges after a crash just before midnight last night in Cass County. The sheriff’s department says her 9-year-old daughter and 11-month-old son were in the car, and all three were taken to Dowagiac Lee Memorial Hospital for minor injuries. The kids are now in the custody of Child Protective Services. Deputies say the woman lost control and rolled into several trees before the car came to rest on its side in the 57-thousand block of M-62 in LaGrange Township. The woman’s blood alcohol level was not revealed by the sheriff’s department.. ...Read Full Story

AAA Michigan says gas prices statewide have risen by about 6 cents 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 $2.40 per gallon. That’s about 13¢ more than it was at the same point last year. AAA says the lowest average price was about $2.34 per gallon in the Marquette area. The highest average was about $2.42 per gallon in the Ann Arbor area. The auto club puts the average price in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor at $2.39, up 8¢ in the past week, while GasBuddy spotters peg South Haven prices between $2.32 and $2.34 a gallon. AAA Michigan surveys daily fuel prices at 2,800 gas stations across the state.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Director of Public Safety Brian Uridge is thinking about how to make the summer go more smoothly this year. He’s been working on a safety plan for the city to reduce traffic and parking headaches and also alleviate quality of life problems. Uridge laid out the plan this past Wednesday.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren Conservation District is working to get the word out about how to spot the invasive Japanese knotweed. With summer approaching, the district’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News the damaging plant is already becoming apparent.. ...Read Full Story

The village of Stevensville has approved a tax break for a local manufacturer as it plans an expansion. This week, the village council approved a tax abatement for Darren Mayer Performance Engineering, a company that designs custom superchargers for race cars. It’s planning a more than 4,900 foot expansion set to retain 10 jobs and add 3 more. The investment is more than $500,000. The company worked with Cornerstone Alliance on pursuing the tax abatement, with Cornerstone saying it appreciates the village’s support. DMPE has been in Stevensville for 13 years.. ...Read Full Story

The numbers are in from the national Drug Take Back Day conducted two weekends ago and the DEA reports we set a new record for disposing of old and unwanted prescription drugs. More than 900,000 pounds were turned in nationally, and 20,000 pounds came from Michigan. Detroit DEA spokesman Rich Isaacson told Michigan News Network Americans are more aware of the problem.. ...Read Full Story

First responders in Buchanan now have a new tool to help save pets in distress. Invisible Fence of Southwest Michigan has donated a pet oxygen mask to the fire department. The organization has a goal of equipping every fire station in the country with the masks. They’re designed to make it possible for emergency responders to provide oxygen to animals who have suffered smoke inhalation in fires. So far, Invisible Fence has given more than 12,400 of the masks. Several departments in Van Buren County also have the pet oxygen masks.. ...Read Full Story

The annual Pennies for Patients fundraiser for Berrien County Cancer Services is underway. The organization’s Nancy Church tells WSJM News they’ve been collecting pennies for 28 years now.. ...Read Full Story

Now that spring has sprung, the Alliance for the Great Lakes is organizing a new round of volunteer beach cleanup events. Spokesperson Jennifer Caddick tells WSJM News thousands of volunteers take part in the effort to pick up trash along the lakeshore each spring.. ...Read Full Story

A new education technology pilot program has been launched at the STEAM Academy at MLK in Benton Harbor. eBravium, an education tech company, is providing two third grade classrooms with a new tablet-based arithmetic learning system called eCarrot. The goal is to help the kids boost their math skills at a critical time in their development. The trial has been going on since April 17 and will wrap up at the end of the month. Benton Harbor Area Schools tells us the children are spending about 20 to 25 minutes per day working on a combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems using the tablets. Before the program started, their math skills were tested and when it’s done, they’ll be retested. The tablet-based exercises are based on games the kids have to unlock using math. eBravium says it hopes the work they’re doing in Benton Harbor will prove a success and gain traction to be expanded to classrooms nationwide.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven Area Emergency Services has honored some of its firefighters with awards for the year. The agency held its annual awards dinner on May 6, giving the honor of Firefighter of the Year to David Griessel. He’s been member of the department since 2011, first as a paid-on-call firefighter and since 2015 as a full time firefighter-paramedic. Receiving the Life Savings Awards were James Lindemulder, Owen Ridley and Johanna Quinn for their successful actions in resuscitating a dog overcome by smoke in a Casco Township house fire. South Haven Area Emergency Services also handed out awards for CPR and years of service. Additionally, the department highlighted its acquisition this year of self-contained breathing apparatus.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan personal-injury lawyer Geoffrey Fieger says he’s “darn serious” about running for governor again 20 years after he won the Democratic primary but lost to Republican incumbent John Engler. The outspoken Fieger expressed his interest on WKAR-TV’s “Off the Record” show Friday. He could wait to decide until the April 2018 filing deadline.He didn’t rule out a 2020 presidential run, either.
Fieger says since he ran for governor, Michigan has “deteriorated” because of no leadership, and roads, schools, teachers and workers have suffered. He says Republican Governor Rick Snyder’s failures in Flint show government can’t be operated like a business. Snyder can’t run due to term limits. Fieger says while he likely agrees with Democratic candidate Gretchen Whitmer and potential candidate Mark Bernstein on issues, they lack “dynamic leadership.”. ...Read Full Story

The latest Heart of Cook grants have been announced. They’re going to 36 organizations around southwest Michigan, totaling about $53,000. The Heart of Cook is a program supported by employees of the Cook nuclear power plant in Bridgman and run by the Berrien Community Foundation. It says choosing this year’s recipients was especially difficult because the program received 90 grant applications for a total of $424,000. The grants are going to everything from wildlife rehabilitation to a local robotics team to meal services for seniors. Heart of Cook focuses on programs that address education, human services, and environmental projects in the region. Below is a list of this year’s recipients.. ...Read Full Story

Paw Paw Village Manager Larry Nielson is drawing attention to an issue that affects local governments across the state. He tells WSJM News state revenue sharing payments to municipalities have been inadequate for more than a decade.. ...Read Full Story

As speculation continues into who will replace former FBI Director James Comey, U.S. Senator Gary Peters has questions for the president. He spoke with Michigan News Network about them.. ...Read Full Story

Set for this Saturday is the annual Three Oaks Flag Day Pig Roast. Three Oaks Flag Day Marketing Chair Brittany DeRuiter tells WSJM News they hold the big barbecue dinner to raise money to put on the June Flag Day festivities.. ...Read Full Story

A Lawrence man is facing charges after a chase with police Thursday. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells our newsroom deputies on routine patrol were driving along Red Arrow Highway near County Road 671 around 7 p.m. when they were passed by a motorcycle going more than 15 miles per hour over the speed limit. They tried to pull it over, and it took off going even faster. A chase went on for a few miles, but then the motorcyclist gave it up and pulled over. It was found the driver was under the influence of alcohol, did not have insurance or a valid registration plate, and has been arrested for driving without a license 7 times in the past. The 61-year-old is now facing charges of fleeing and eluding, drunk driving second offense, driving on a suspended license, and driving without proper registration. He was taken to the Van Buren County Jail and his name has not yet been released.. ...Read Full Story

Authorities in Centreville have interviewed two students in connection with gun threats made against the local school district. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Friday it will conduct additional interviews regarding the threats. The school district canceled classes Thursday and Friday, but Superintendent Rob Kuhlman issued a statement saying it’s safe for students to return to a normal schedule and that classes would resume Monday. The disruption was prompted by a tip reported to the state’s OK2Say tip line.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Streetcars are picking up passengers in Detroit with the official launch of the $140 million QLINE light rail system.
A ceremony was held Friday morning, followed by the start of service along Woodward Avenue. Speakers included Gov. Rick Snyder, Mayor Mike Duggan and businessman Dan Gilbert. Passengers won’t have to pay until Monday when it will cost $1.50 to ride anywhere along the 6.6-mile roundtrip route connecting the downtown riverfront to the New Center Area. That fare is good for three hours. The QLINE features three-piece streetcars that are each 66 feet long and can carry an average of 125 passengers per car. The project was led by private businesses and philanthropic organizations in partnership with local, state and the federal government.. ...Read Full Story

Forbes has put out its list of the 500 best employers in the United States, and Consumers Energy makes a strong showing. The utility has been named the best large company to work for in Michigan, and the 62nd best nationwide. Spokesperson Megan Brown tells WSJM News employees were polled in order to create the rankings, and it’s no surprise to her folks like working at Consumers.. ...Read Full Story

If you drive by the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph next weekend and see a bunch of police vehicles and boats, feel free to stop by and check them out. Saturday, May 20 will bring the Coast Guard’s annual Safe Boating Day. Petty Officer Sam Van Lent, with the St. Joe station, tells WSJM News emergency response agencies will be there to show off equipment.. ...Read Full Story

The St. Joseph City Commission is speaking out against some legislation proposed in Lansing. The bill would stop local governments from regulating short-term rental properties. St. Joe City Manager John Hodgson tells WSJM News municipal governments should be able to control how much residential property is used for vacation housing.. ...Read Full Story

Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce says its upcoming move to downtown St. Joseph will allow the organization to grow, expand its services, and better serve members. The chamber announced this week the relocation to Ship Street from Benton Harbor. The chamber tells us it looked at more than 15 locations for a new home in both communities, factoring in the leasing and other costs, before it made a pick. It purchased the property without needing to take out a loan or take on any other debt. Cornerstone Chamber also tells members the third floor of the Horizon Bank building offered the most value, the most space available, and required the least renovations. It adds the chamber’s partnership with Cornerstone Alliance, which is staying in Benton Harbor, remains strong.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Flint will receive $100 million in federal funding to address the city’s drinking water crisis after the supply was contaminated with lead. Governor Rick Snyder signed the aid into law this week, months after it was initially approved by then-President Barack Obama and Congress. State lawmakers in recent weeks passed a bill to send the money along to Flint. The federal aid requires a $20 million state match, which will be provided from funding already authorized last year. The new money will be used to replace corroded pipes that leached lead and to update aging water mains and infrastructure. Water meters will be replaced and an engineering study will be done.. ...Read Full Story

Gas prices had been dipping lower and lower which is unusual at this time of the year, but that has ended for now. What Gasbuddy’s Patrick DeHaan calls the price cycle swung back in the opposite way and prices shot up Wednesday afternoon back into the $2.45 range.. ...Read Full Story

A Van Buren County chiropractor is facing felony charges of Medicaid fraud. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced the case against 53-year-old Ahad Lofti on Thursday. He tells us Lofti owned and ran chiropractic clinics in Hartford, Bangor, Paw Paw, and South Haven. He’s accused of billing supplies to the Medicaid program that were not eligible for Medicaid billing. They included custom-made shoe inserts and therapeutic pillows. The Medicaid program allegedly paid Lotfi nearly $200,000 over two years as a result of the fraudulent billing. Lofti was arraigned Thursday in Lansing and released on $20,000 bond.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Police say five people are dead in Michigan after a 22-year-old driver blew through a rural stop sign and smashed into another vehicle. The victims include Candice Dunn, who was killed after being honored at a banquet as the state’s probation agent of the year. Corrections Department spokesman Chris Gautz says her 70-year-old mother also died. The crash happened late Tuesday in Livingston County’s Oceola Township, about 35 miles northwest of Detroit. State police say a car failed to stop at a sign and struck a vehicle traveling
east on Michigan highway 59. One vehicle caught fire. Two people were killed in one car and three in the other. Three more people are in critical condition, including the drivers.. ...Read Full Story

The village of Stevensville has approved a tax break for a local manufacturer as it plans an expansion. This week, the village council approved a tax abatement for Darren Mayer Performance Engineering, a company that designs custom superchargers for race cars. It’s planning a more than 4,900 foot expansion set to retain 10 jobs and add 3 more. The investment is more than $500,000. The company worked with Cornerstone Alliance on pursuing the tax abatement, with Cornerstone saying it appreciates the village’s support. DMPE has been in Stevensville for 13 years.. ...Read Full Story

Kids across Michigan are celebrating the physical and mental health benefits of biking this week. Wednesday was National Bike to School Day, and children’s advocates want to make sure they know how to stay safe. An estimated 50 kids every hour are hurt in preventable accidents, many from crashing a bicycle, says Dr. Marcee White, with Safe Kids Worldwide. She encourages parents to not only make them wear a helmet, but to learn the rules of the road.. ...Read Full Story

It was a busy day Wednesday at the Van Buren Technology Center as students from all over the region simulated a disaster. EMS Instructor JC Robertson tells WSJM News they’ve been doing this for 17 years now. Students played the roles of police, firefighters, and EMTs, while the cosmetology students made up the victims. Robertson tells our newsroom the disaster could be anything, but it’s often based on real life situations and they try to keep it to current events.. ...Read Full Story

It’s time to register for the 2017 Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Kids Camp. The department offers the camps each year as a way to reach out to the community and also teach children how to be safe. The camp, to be held for two days in mid-June, will feature hand-on demonstrations by Berrien County sheriff’s deputies. The kids will learn about law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, and water rescue. They’ll also take part in problem solving exercises and get home safety information. The cost to register is $30, and you can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Director of Public Safety Brian Uridge is thinking about how to make the summer go more smoothly this year. He’s been working on a safety plan for the city to reduce traffic and parking headaches and also alleviate quality of life problems. Uridge laid out the plan Wednesday.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is hoping to attract more foster families. Spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News the state has thousands of kids who have been removed from bad situations and they need stable and safe places to stay while they wait to go back to their families.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County is holding a tire recycling event this week. On Thursday and Friday, you can stop by the Berrien County Road Commission office on Napier Avenue in Benton Township to drop off unwanted tires. Berrien County Environmental Property Manager Jill Adams tells WSJM News they take a whole lot of tires each spring.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator John Proos tells us the governor’s latest budget proposal doesn’t take into account prison savings the department of corrections has been able to achieve. He says Governor Rick Snyder’s plan includes an increase of about $1,400 in per prisoner spending. That’s when schools are only getting an increase of $100 per student. Proos tells WSJM News that’s out of balance.. ...Read Full Story

The announcement this week that Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce is moving from Benton Harbor to St. Joseph doesn’t faze Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad. He tells WSJM News he wishes the chamber luck. Cornerstone Alliance is remaining behind and moving to a bigger facility downtown, while the chamber is heading off to Ship Street in downtown St. Joe. Mayor Muhammad says he’s not disappointed to hear the chamber is moving, adding he recognizes each entity’s need to follow its best interests. He also says the city is willing to work with any and all organizations that pursue economic development. Muhammad says the doors are always open to those who want to move the city forward.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Authorities say a police officer has died after a crash involving his cruiser while on duty in western Michigan.
Norton Shores police say an area resident reported the single-vehicle crash around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. Police say the officer was taken to a hospital and died. The officer’s name wasn’t immediately released, but police described him as a 10-year veteran of the force with a wife and two children. Michigan State Police are investigating what led to the crash, which destroyed the cruiser.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton says he would support the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate President Donald Trump’s ties to Russia “at the appropriate time.” That’s after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey Tuesday. Comey had been conducting the investigation into possible Russian meddling in the presidential election. Congressman Upton issued a statement Wednesday morning telling us he’s “always advocated for an independent and non-political FBI” that seeks just the facts. Upton goes on to say he is not “privy to the justification nor the details behind the firing but the replacement must restore the public confidence immediately.” He says Comey’s replacement cannot be a partisan selection.. ...Read Full Story

39% of kids who died in a car crash in the U.S. last year were not in a correct car or booster seat. Julie Kleinert, with General Motors, says three out of four car seats aren’t being used properly. She tells us a helpful tool for parents is a website called Ultimate Car Seat Guide.. ...Read Full Story

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources program designed to teach students about local ecosystems is getting praise from Van Buren County state Representative Mary Whiteford. She tells WSJM News Salmon in the Classroom provides salmon eggs to the schools.. ...Read Full Story

It’ll be a busy day Wednesday at the Van Buren Technology Center as students from all over the region simulate a disaster. Law enforcement instructor Matt Whitman tells us they’ve been doing this for 17 years now. The kids play the roles of police, firefighters, and EMTs, while the cosmetology students make up the victims. Whitman tells WSJM News the disaster could be anything, but it’s often based on real life situations.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren Conservation District is working to get the word out about how to spot the invasive Japanese knotweed. With summer approaching, the district’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News the damaging plant is already becoming apparent.. ...Read Full Story

The Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce has announced a new home, and it’s not the same place as Cornerstone Alliance’s new home. Cornerstone Chamber issued an announcement to membership Tuesday, saying the chamber is headed across the river to downtown St. Joseph. It will be located in what’s known as the Horizon Bank Building at 811 Ship Street on the third floor. Meanwhile, Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News the new locations don’t change a great partnership.. ...Read Full Story