Local News Archives

South Bend police have arrested a man accused of using counterfeit money. They say 20-year-old Malik Gardner was found to be in possession of money with “For Motion Picture Use Only” printed on it. That’s the same type of fake money reported earlier this week in several instances around Dowagiac. South Bend police say Gardner was under investigation for an unrelated matter when he was found to have the fakes. Police have not said if Gardner is a suspect in the Dowagiac incidents.. ...Read Full Story

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan’s annual Bids for Barks auction last weekend raised a record amount for the organization. Board President Don Blackmond tells WSJM News they raised a little more than $130,000. He thinks supporters were extra motivated after learning the organization is going to finally break ground on its new shelter next month.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Transportation is planning to suspend most of its construction projects this Memorial Day weekend to make things easier on travelers. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News it ought to be smooth sailing in most places. Restrictions will only remain in a handful of locations.. ...Read Full Story

With Memorial Day weekend here, you may be thinking about holding a barbecue or picnic soon, and that’s why the USDA is putting out a reminder on how to be safe with your food. Specialist Marianne Gravely tells WSJM News you should follow time guidelines about leaving food out in the heat, especially when it’s over 80.. ...Read Full Story

Two people were injured in an Allegan County plane crash Friday. The sheriff’s department tells us the small plane crashed along the side of US-131 just outside the Plainwell Municipal Airport around 1 p.m. It had four people on board, and injured were the pilot and one passenger. They’re expected to recover from minor injuries. The other two on board were treated for minor injuries at the scene. The crash backed up traffic along the northbound side of US-131. Police have not yet released details about the cause of the crash.. ...Read Full Story

We’ve now had a sneak peak of at least one guest speaker coming to the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan this year. The Mendel Center tells us radio host and financial guru Dave Ramsey will stop by on September 19. Ramsey should be well-known to listeners of News/Talk 94.9 WSJM, as he’s on every weekday afternoon. Ramsey takes calls from folks seeking financial guidance and also offers his own philosophy. Plus, he’s a best-selling author. Ramsey’s visit this September was teased by the Mendel Center this week when it announced its season lineup for 2017-2018. The Mendel Center recently took over the Southwestern Michigan Economic Club to help reduce costs.. ...Read Full Story

Four educators are facing charges from Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic for not intervening in a child abuse case involving a 12-year-old student in 2015 and 2016. The boy was found near railroad tracks in Galien Township last August dehydrated, bruised, and extremely underweight at just 47-pounds. His father, Aaron Zemke and stepmother, Alicia Zemke, are both serving 20-to-80 years in prison after pleading no contest to child abuse and torture earlier this year. Now charged are Three Oaks Elementary School principal Heidi Clark; guidance counselor Matt Cook; special education teacher Diane Balling; and elementary teacher Sherrie Bender for not reporting what they knew about the boy’s abuse. They are all due to be in court for pre-trial conferences the week of June 5 in St. Joseph. Each is charged with two misdemeanors that carry 93-day jail sentences if convicted.. ...Read Full Story

Freedom is imminent for Benton Harbor political activist Edward Pinkney. He has been in prison since 2014 for election fraud related to a failed recall attempt of former Benton Harbor Mayor James Hightower. Pinkney forged petition signatures and changed dates on the documents to make it appear all the necessary signatures were collected in time to force the recall. That election was called off, but a subsequent recall went forward with then-City Commissioner Marcus Muhammad defeating Hightower. The Michigan Department of Corrections lists his release date as June 13, which would be two-and-a-half years after he began what could have been a decade-long incarceration. Pinkney has a criminal history of election crimes dating back to 2005, with a dozen convictions on his record.. ...Read Full Story

Things are being shaken up a little for this summer’s Lest We Forget program. The organization has staged World War II simulations each summer in southwest Michigan for years, and the group’s Don Alsboro tells WSJM News they’re moving from the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport this year to Tiscornia Beach in St. Joseph. There, they’ll have some Marines on hand.. ...Read Full Story

A former South Haven mayor has passed away. David Paull was Mayor from 1990 to 1995 and served on the planning commission. He was also instrumental in the process of development of Riverfront Park and the Southside Marina. Partly as a result of his efforts, the city was awarded the Governor’s Tourism Award in 1992. David Paull passed away on May 21. A memorial will be held on Friday, June 2nd, in Council Chambers at City Hall from 2 to 4.. ...Read Full Story

The AARP Foundation has awarded Cornerstone Alliance a grant to provide workshops on starting a business to those over the age of 50. Cornerstone’s Stacie Stephens tells our newsroom Work for Yourself@50+ workshops serve those who are interested in how the process works. AARP picked Cornerstone Alliance because of its experience with helping businesses get rolling.. ...Read Full Story

Parents and teachers in Benton Harbor have had a chance to learn about opioid addiction and anti-overdose drugs, thanks to an event Thursday at Benton Harbor High School. It was the Benton Harbor Area Schools Summer Safety Fair. The kids played basketball and had ice cream while the adults heard from Nancy King, with Families Against Narcotics of Southwest Michigan. She told WSJM News knowing addiction and how to use Naloxone is increasingly important.. ...Read Full Story

The next lineup for the Mendel Center Mainstage has been announced. The venue at Lake Michigan College announced the 2017-2018 visitors this week, telling us the whole thing will kick off September 8 with a performance by the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra featuring the Texas Tenors. What will follow is a season featuring 13 additional guests which include comedian Howie Mandell, Riverdance, a touring production of Cabaret, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, and Art Garfunkel. Mendel Center management adds there will likely be a couple of additions to be announced later. You can find the whole lineup and get tickets at TheMendelCenter.com.. ...Read Full Story

Memorial Day weekend means a whole lot of drivers out on the roads, and Michigan State Police are increasing patrols to catch those who aren’t being safe. MSP Special Lieutenant Jim Flegel tells WSJM News everyone should put down their phones and follow a few other common sense guidelines.. ...Read Full Story

If you’re interested in serving on the Berrien County Road Commission, you may be in luck. They’ve got a vacancy on the board. The seat representing District 1 is currently empty, and the county is taking applications. District 1 represents Coloma, Watervliet, Hagar, Bainbridge, Pipestone, and Sodus Townships. You don’t have to be from one of those places to get the seat, but there is a preference for applicants who are. The Berrien County Road Commission is responsible for more than 1,400 miles of county roads, and is governed by a board of five. Meetings are held every other Wednesday, and the District 1 term will expire at the end of 2019. You can get an application by stopping by the Berrien County Administration office in St. Joseph or BerrienCounty.org.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Rick Snyder has authorized the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to issue a standing order pre-authorizing
pharmacists to distribute the overdose reversal drug naloxone to eligible individuals. Snyder’s office said Thursday that pharmacies that obtain the standing order will be able to dispense naloxone to those at risk of an opioid-related overdose and to family members, friends, or others who might be able to help such individuals. Naloxone currently is only available to be administered by law enforcement and other first responders.
Health and Human Service Department chief medical executive Dr. Eden Wells says the shorter response time allowed by the standing order is a vital step in  reducing opioid-related deaths in Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

The carbon monoxide poisoning death of a teenager at a Quality Inn hotel in Niles last month is prompting a potential new law. Republican state Representative Dave Pagel of Berrien Springs is teaming up with Democratic Senator Steve Bieda of Warren to introduce bills requiring all hotels have carbon monoxide detectors. It’s mandatory for new hotels, but this would ensure older ones add them, as well. Eleven people were sickened by the odorless gas from malfunctioning equipment in the pool area over spring break at the Niles Quality Inn. A lawsuit has been filed by the family of Bryan Douglas-Watts. Thirteen states already have the requirement.. ...Read Full Story

You could bring your dogs along while eating in outdoor areas of restaurants under a bill advancing in the Michigan Legislature. Senator Margaret O’Brien is the sponsor.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Legislative economists estimate that it would cost $410 million in the first year to close Michigan’s pension system to newly hired teachers and instead provide them a 401(k) only. The nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency released its analysis Wednesday, a day
after Republican-sponsored legislation was introduced. The bill would affect new school employees hired after September 30. The analysis
estimates transition costs would total $2.3 billion in the first full five years, or about $465 million annually. Majority Republican lawmakers say the pension plan should be closed to new hires so the state stops accumulating debt. Governor Rick Snyder and Democrats say a 7-year-old hybrid pension/401(k) plan is working and upfront costs of a switch are too high.. ...Read Full Story

The struggle faced by transgendered Americans is being highlighted by the OutCenter in Benton Harbor. It held an event with Equality Michigan Wednesday to bring attention to the economic and other problems the transgendered face. Natalie Mooney is the mother of a transgendered southwest Michigan man. She said people need to think about the language they’re using, and also about how they can make things better for others.. ...Read Full Story

The owner of a Casco Township antiques shop is dead following a Wednesday morning shooting. Michigan State Police tell MLive 58-year-old Robert Hill was killed by his 27-year-old stepson at Hill’s home in the 1,100 block of Blue Star Highway. The stepson’s name has not been released, and he gave himself up without incident. The victim’s wife was home at the time, but police say she wasn’t hurt. Police are investigating the circumstances of the shooting. Hill was the owner of Farmhouse Glenn Antique Shop, located on the same property.. ...Read Full Story

A Niles man is facing drug charges after police say he sold heroin to an undercover officer. The Niles Police Department tells WSJM News 29-year-old Daqone Williams was under investigation for possible crack and heroin distribution in the area. They and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department teamed up for a month-long operation in which the heroin sale allegedly took place. Williams was arrested this week after a search of his home that police say turned up heroin, crack, and marijuana. They tell us the drugs have a street value of about $8,000. Williams was arraigned Wednesday with bond set at $20,000.. ...Read Full Story

A whole lot of infrastructure work is needed in St. Joseph, and at a Wednesday meeting, city leaders spoke with residents to find out what work they consider the most pressing. Engineering consultant Shawn Keough tells WSJM News residents have to offer input because the dozens of projects likely in the next several years won’t be cheap.. ...Read Full Story

Former Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Leonard Seawood will go to trial in August for embezzlement. At a preliminary exam Wednesday, Berrien County Judge Donna Howard found there was enough evidence Seawood knowingly presented falsified documents to members of the school board and the district’s HR office when submitting for reimbursement of unused vacation days. Seawood’s accused of getting about $41,000 he wasn’t supposed to be paid under his contract. The judge found probable cause to let Seawood be bound over. His attorney, Keith Lynch, said they were disappointed, telling us they’re confident a jury knows how hard Seawood worked for the community will find him not guilty. Seawood will be tried starting August 1.. ...Read Full Story

President Donald Trump’s administration says state and local governments should pay for cleanups of the Great Lakes and other iconic waterways. The proposed federal budget for 2018 would eliminate $427 million for regional water restoration initiatives. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan told Michigan News Network the money is vital for the environment.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Senate has approved significant changes in how the state buys and improves land for public recreation. Legislation passed 24-14 Wednesday by the Republican-controlled chamber would empower the Legislature to have more say in decisions that largely are made by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board. Another bill would spend nearly $8 million more on projects this year than recommended. Senators say the state should spend more from the fund. Governor Rick Snyder’s administration is opposed to the bill, saying it is an unconstitutional overreach. Attorney General Bill Schuette has been asked to weigh in with a legal opinion. The fund consists of royalties paid by companies to drill for oil and natural gas on state property and is used to buy and improve land for public recreation.. ...Read Full Story

The OutCenter in Benton Harbor is setting up programs to support transgender citizens of Berrien County. WSJM’s Jacob Holmes has more.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers are looking to create guidelines for body camera footage obtained by law enforcement officers. The state House passed a bill Tuesday that would require police departments to have written policies on using body cameras and maintaining and handling recordings. It would prohibit certain footage from being obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Republican Representative Jim Runestad of White Lake is sponsoring the bill and says there are hardly any rules on how departments should handle footage. Lisa McGraw, public affairs manager for the Michigan Press Association, opposes the legislation and says the footage should be made available to the public because if there is an instance of an officer behaving inappropriately, the public should know. The legislation passed unanimously and now goes to the Senate.. ...Read Full Story

Things are looking up when it comes to summer jobs for teens in Michigan. Jenni Riehle, with the State Budget Office, says the Michigan Labor market has continued to improve and this has led to teens having somewhat better luck finding jobs.. ...Read Full Story

The OutCenter in Benton Harbor will release the results of a large survey of the nation’s transgendered citizens at a gathering Wednesday morning. OutCenter Director Mary Jo Schnell tells WSJM News they’ve teamed up with Equality Michigan for a conference that will delve into many of the problems transgendered individuals face. A big one is economic.. ...Read Full Story

Beer is big business in Michigan. A new report shows the beer industry in the state has a roughly $10.5 billion impact, employing nearly 5,000 people. Brett Visner, with the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, tells WSJM News the growth continues.. ...Read Full Story

President Trump’s budget proposal is facing opposition from Congressman Fred Upton. He tells us many of the cuts the president lays out in his official budget, released Thursday, are “non-starters.” They include big cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the National Institutes of Health. Upton issued a statement Wednesday saying, “the president’s budget proposal is just that: a proposal.” He adds he will “continue to advocate for common-sense budgeting that reels in spending, makes government more accountable, but also properly funds essential programs the most vulnerable amongst us depend on.” Upton notes the budgeting process will continue all summer. The plan current in place runs out September 30.. ...Read Full Story

Round Barn Winery in Baroda has acquired Tabor Hill Winery. Round Barn Partner Chris Moersch tells WSJM News the deal was in the works for about 3 years. He’s thrilled to have signed it Tuesday.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says the state will receive nearly $400,000 from an $18.5 million settlement with Target Corporation to resolve a multi-state probe into the discounter’s pre-Christmas data breach in 2013. Target’s breach affected more than 41 million customer payment card accounts and exposed contact information for more than 60 million customers. The breach
forced Target to overhaul its security system. The company offered free credit reports for potentially affected shoppers. The settlement requires Target to maintain appropriate encryption policies and take other security steps. Schuette said Tuesday in a statement that the state’s proceeds from the settlement will go to its general fund. The settlement involves 47 states and the District of Columbia.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — About 20 students and staff members at a western Michigan school have been treated for breathing problems caused by an unknown irritant. The Muskegon Chronicle and WOOD-TV report hazardous materials teams were inside Muskegon Catholic Central on Tuesday trying to determine the cause of the irritant. Classes have been cancelled for the day. Authorities say there is no evidence of foul play, and those treated at and released from hospitals weren’t considered to be critical. Reported symptoms included shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. Michigan Catholic Central President Ken Rasp said he could feel something in his throat that made him want to sneeze. About 450 people were in the school at the time of the evacuation. Air samples were expected to be sent to a laboratory for testing.. ...Read Full Story

The controversy over the “Redskins” nickname for Paw Paw Public Schools isn’t going away, despite the school board voting to keep it in place earlier this year. The high school’s varsity baseball team was met by protesters yesterday at Kalamazoo Central High School, with about two dozen people chanting “change the mascot,” “Redskin means murder,” and more at the ballgame. Kalamazoo Public Schools put out a statement saying they did not announce the team mascot of “Redskins” because the name is offensive to some students. Supporters of the “Redskins” moniker called it “sad” that people would protest a high school baseball game.. ...Read Full Story

Law enforcement agencies around Michigan have kicked off their annual Click It or Ticket campaign. Organizers say wearing a seat belt can reduce your risk of death or injury by 50%. Anne Readett, with the Michigan Office Of Highway Safety Planning, spoke about the issue with Michigan News Network.. ...Read Full Story

Ground will be broken on the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan’s new shelter in Royalton Township next month. Board President Don Blackmond tells WSJM News they have raised more than $1.2 million of the $2 million shelter goal, enough to get started on construction and to finance the rest. He says the campaign for a new shelter has been a success.. ...Read Full Story

Drivers are being advised to avoid the intersection of Hilltop Road and Washington Avenue in St. Joseph while construction work wraps up. The city and several other entities are working to resurface Hilltop and replace water pipes. The contractor, Wightman and Associates, tells us current traffic shifts on Hilltop, which have involved lane closures, will continue until the project can be completed all the way to Washington. Access to some driveways in the area will be occasionally closed, and the Hilltop/Washington traffic signal has been converted into a four-way stop. Drivers should avoid the area when possible.. ...Read Full Story

The summer officially gets underway this weekend in St. Joseph as the farmers market makes its return. St. Joseph Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News 25 local producers will be selling all sorts of fruits and vegetables. It’s a big draw to the downtown each Saturday.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Area Schools will celebrate the return of summer this week with a Summer Safety Fair. Coordinator Julie Earle tells WSJM News everyone is welcome to the high school for a dinner at 4:30 Thursday, followed by 3 hours of fun for all ages.. ...Read Full Story

Police are warning everyone about fake $100 bills going around. Dowagiac Police Chief Steve Grinnewald tells WSJM News the bills have “For Motion Picture Use Only” printed on them.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Republican businesswoman Lena Epstein is running for U.S. Senate in Michigan. In her announcement Monday, the 35-year-old said Michigan is ready for another outsider with business experience after helping elect Donald Trump president. Epstein is a third-generation co-owner of Vesco Oil Corporation, a large distributor of automotive and industrial lubricants based in the Detroit suburb of
Southfield. The political newcomer has not held elective office but was a co-chair of Trump’s Michigan campaign. She says in a statement that “politicians have failed us” and she will “take the fight directly to” Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat who is expected to seek a fourth term in 2018 and who coasted to re-election in 2006 and 2012. Epstein is the first Republican to enter the Senate race.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Democrats in Michigan’s Legislature are speaking out against Republican-backed health care legislation approved by the U.S. House. Lawmakers on Monday introduced a proposed “Michigan Health Care Bill of Rights” resolution and held news conference in five cities. The measure would aim to block parts of the proposed plan like the “age tax” and to protect people with pre-existing conditions.
House Minority Leader Sam Singh of East Lansing says millions of people would lose health coverage and costs for seniors would go up under the bill now being considered in the U.S. Senate. State Democrats plan to hammer on the issue often _ including by fighting Medicaid cuts _ and want to get GOP legislators to say where they stand on the federal legislation. The Legislature is controlled by Republicans.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Scientists will release sterile sea lampreys into several Michigan rivers in the continuing quest to control the aquatic parasites that threaten fish in the Great Lakes region. Crews this month will put about 4,000 sterile males into the Pigeon, Sturgeon and Maple rivers in the northern Lower Peninsula. The idea is to drastically outnumber the small population of fertile males and reduce their odds of mating successfully with females. Eel-like sea lampreys attach themselves to fish with a suction-cup mouth and feed on the hosts’ body fluids.
The sterile lampreys have passed the point in their life cycle when they would feed. Scientists have reduced the Great Lakes lamprey population with a specially designed poison, but it’s expensive. If the sterile-male plan works, fewer lampricide river treatments will be needed.. ...Read Full Story

Two suspected drug dealers from Elkhart, Indiana planning to attend a music festival near Bangor ended up in the Van Buren County Jail instead after they were discovered to have about 100 Ecstasy pills and methamphetamine in their car. Van Buren County deputies stopped their car for a traffic violation along C.R. 687 in a rural area in Bangor Township at about 7:30 Saturday evening. The driver of the vehicle was not arrested.. ...Read Full Story

Ford Motor Company is replacing its chief executive. Mark Fields is retiring amid pressure based on the company’s stock price according to anonymous sources familiar with the situation. During the 56-year old’s three-year tenure, shares dropped 40%. Former Steelcase CEO Jim Hackett is said to be assuming Fields’ job. Over the last year, Hackett has overseen Ford’s subsidiary which works on autonomous vehicles.. ...Read Full Story

The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center is gearing up to offer another summer of St. Joseph lighthouse tours. Curator Tracy Gierada tells WSJM News they’re changing it up a bit this year so the public has more access to the lighthouse.. ...Read Full Story

A plan to close a tax loophole that’s hurt southwest Michigan communities is moving forward in Lansing. State Representative Dave Pagel tells WSJM News under current rules, some owners of vacation homes in Michigan claim the homestead tax exemption on that property. That’s not the only problem.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan’s roads will be busy this Memorial Day. AAA of Michigan is predicting 1.2 million Michiganders to travel 50 miles or more during the holiday weekend. Spokesperson Susan Hiltz told WKZO News the economy is the reason travel keeps going up.. ...Read Full Story

Legislation now in the Michigan House would allow state residents to place bets on horse races through their smart phones. State Representative Dan Lauwers, of Brockway Township, tells Michael Patrick Shiels there are 20 states in which you’re allowed to place a horse track bet on your phone instead of having to wait in line. The plan would also wagers on out-of-state races. A vote was expected Thursday, but House Speaker Tom Leonard tells MIRS News some representatives still had questions. They’re hoping to get answers to those questions over the weekend.. ...Read Full Story

Two people are facing drug charges following a traffic stop in Van Buren County Friday. The sheriff’s department tells us deputies stopped a vehicle in the area of County Road 687 and County Road 376 in Bangor Township around 7:30 p.m. They did a search and say they found more than 100 ecstasy pills. Police believe the pills were being transported from Indiana to an outdoor music festival in Bangor Township. Deputies also found a small amount of suspected methamphetamine on one passenger. Two of the three people in the vehicle are now facing drug charges. Police have not released the names of the suspects. Both are from Elkhart, Indiana.. ...Read Full Story

Southwest Michigan farmers are heading into the summer with a sigh of relief. Mark Longstroth, with MSU Extension, tells WSJM News they’re probably out of the woods when it comes to freezes.. ...Read Full Story

A South Haven Army veteran is planning to honor American soldiers who have died in Afghanistan with a special event this Memorial Day. Major Craig Massey served in the Army from 1969 to 1993, and then reenlisted to serve in 2009. He tells WSJM News he’ll be at South Haven City Hall at noon Memorial Day to read the names of all 2,300-plus Afghanistan war dead.. ...Read Full Story

Comcast needs employees for its new Benton Township XFinity store, and there will be a special gathering this month to help it find them. The company tells us there will be a hiring event at the Holiday Inn Express in St. Joseph May 30. On hand will be Comcast managers and reps who can answer questions about working for them, as well as applications. Comcast tells us you should apply in advance at Jobs.Comcast.com. The May 30 hiring event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. The full and part-time employees it’s hiring will work at the new office in the Fairplain Plaza. It’s replacing the Comcast office in downtown Benton Harbor.. ...Read Full Story

The chairperson of the Republican National Committee will headline the 122nd annual Lincoln Tribute Dinner this weekend. It’s a familiar face and a familiar name. Former Michigan Republican Party Chairperson Ronna Romney McDaniel, the niece of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and the granddaughter of former Governor George Romney, will deliver the keynote address Saturday at the Gull Lake Country Club. That’s according to Kalamazoo County GOP Chairperson Scott McGraw, who spoke with WKZO News about the dinner.. ...Read Full Story

West Nile virus has been identified in Michigan. It’s in a turkey found in Barry County, and two crows. One was in Kalamazoo County and the other was in Saginaw County. Jennifer Eisner, with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spoke with Michigan News Network about the virus.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan drivers could buy an optional license plate to show their support for law enforcement under legislation being co-sponsored by state Senator John Proos. He tells WSJM News proceeds from the sale of the special plate would go to Thin Blue Line of Michigan, a non-profit that helps the families of officers hurt or killed.. ...Read Full Story