Local News Archives

From the Associated Press — Republican legislative leaders have canceled budget talks with Governor Rick Snyder’s administration due to their dispute with the governor over switching new teachers away from a pension into a 401(k) retirement plan. Snyder opposes closing the pension system to newly hired school employees. The move to cancel a Friday meeting between top lawmakers and Snyder’s budget director could put at risk a quick resolution of the next budget, which Snyder and the GOP-led Legislature like to finish in early June. Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof and House Speaker Tom Leonard want to see progress on talks over the teacher retirement system before resuming budget
negotiations.. ...Read Full Story

The town of Portage, Michigan is coming to grips with the death of the teen in Times Square, as her sister remains hospitalized. Principal Eric Alburtus at Portage Central High School told Michigan News Network Alyssa Elsman graduated from the school in 2016 and was still trying to find her feet as an adult.. ...Read Full Story

Self-defense is claimed in a shooting death in Benton Township earlier this month. At a Thursday hearing, Jade Roy testified that she and her boyfriend, Derrick Bailey, encountered her ex-boyfriend the night of May 1 at the intersection of Benton Center and Red Arrow Highway. She says that ex, Nicholaus Kling, had been sending her threatening text messages after finding out she was dating Bailey.. ...Read Full Story

One of the two men accused of attacking Michigan State Police Trooper Garry Guild is headed to prison. 21-year-old Michael Barber faces up to 15 years behind bars for the most serious conviction, assault with intent to commit great bodily harm. Defense attorney Scott Sanford told our partners at WNDU NewsCenter 16 he was pleased the jury found Barber guilty of that instead of attempted murder, which was in front of them.. ...Read Full Story

• Police are looking for a suspect in a Thursday shooting in Benton Harbor
• Police from agencies all over Berrien County have paid tribute to the fallen from within their ranks
• Police had to kick several hundred colleges students off a beach in South Haven

These stories and more on WSJM News NOW!. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Groups that want to legalize recreational marijuana and repeal a law that requires union-level wages on state-financed building projects can begin gathering voter signatures. The Board of State Canvassers approved the form of the petitions on Thursday.
The ballot committees must collect roughly 252,000 valid voter signatures needed to put the bills before the Republican-led Legislature and potentially voters. Lawmakers likely would not act on the marijuana measure and instead let it go to a statewide vote in 2018. A new ballot committee has been created to oppose the marijuana legalization drive. GOP legislators could pass the repeal of the prevailing wage law to bypass Republican Governor Rick Snyder’s past veto threat.. ...Read Full Story

A plan that would establish a statewide definition of truancy has been approved by the Michigan Senate. The legislation from state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker lays out what counts as being chronically absent, and then creates a process for solving the problem. WSJM News caught up with Schuitmaker about the how the process would work.. ...Read Full Story

The Fourth of July Parade is coming back to South Haven. They didn’t have one last year, but Assistant City Manager Kate Hosier tells WSJM News it’s back on. The route will be a bit different this year.. ...Read Full Story

Police are looking for a suspect in a Thursday shooting in Benton Harbor. The department of public safety tells us it happened around 6:30 at the intersection of Main and McCord. Officers arrived to find 38-year-old Dondrell Blackamore, of Benton Harbor, wounded. He was taken to Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph for treatment. Blackamore is the owner of M&M Garage, which is located at that intersection. Police don’t yet have any suspects, but say they’re investigating several leads. They did get a report of a man dressed in back running from the scene. If you have information on the shooting, you’re asked to contact the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety.. ...Read Full Story

Coming up this Saturday is one of the biggest fundraising events of the year for the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. It’s the annual Bids for Barks auction, set to be held at Pier 1000 in Benton Harbor. Humane Society Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News there will be music, food, and lots of fun.. ...Read Full Story

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who’s been missing since last week. It tells WSJM News Willie Brand was last seen Wednesday, May 10 in the area around Searles and Colfax in the city. He’s described as 5 foot 10 and about 160 pounds. Brand walks with the help of a cane and was last seen wearing khaki pants, a grey t-shirt, and a baseball cap. Brand has been known to frequent the Salvation Army in Benton Harbor, along with the public library and Harbor Towers. Police say his family is worried about him, and anyone with information on his location is asked to contact public safety.. ...Read Full Story

An annual event to honor fallen police officers from Berrien County has been held in St. Joseph. The Berrien County Police Officer Memorial Day Program took place Thursday at Lake Bluff Park. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey told WSJM News he personally knew many of the officers whose names are on the law enforcement memorial plaque there.. ...Read Full Story

Lincoln Township police are investigating after several cars were damaged by gunfire at a Stevensville dealership recently. We’re told it happened at Tyler Honda on Red Arrow Highway in Stevensville at the end of April. Someone opened fire on the dealership overnight, sending at least three rounds into the front window. 10 vehicles were also found with bullet holes. Police were notified the morning of April 30 when the damage was found by employees. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact the Lincoln Township Police Department. No one was injured in the incident.. ...Read Full Story

Police in South Haven are keeping their eyes peeled for alcohol on the beach this summer. Police Chief Natalie Thompson tells WSJM News an incident Wednesday at South Beach illustrates why it’s not allowed. Several hundred Kalamazoo College students had to be kicked out when they got too raucous. Thompson tells us there was one big problem.. ...Read Full Story

05-18-17 WSJM News Now 5 PM. ...Read Full Story

It’s almost time for the third annual Southwest Michigan Mini Maker Fair. The event below the bluff in St. Joseph will feature the work of all sorts of makers, says organizer Joe Rommel. He tells WSJM News it’s the “greatest show and tell on Earth.”. ...Read Full Story

While all of the focus has been on President Trump’s various controversies, there is regular old work to do in Congress. That includes crafting a federal budget. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News he’s optimistic key programs can be maintained. He notes they were in the continuing budget resolution.. ...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

St. Joseph residents are being advised that the city will be spraying for weeds this Friday at Lake Bluff Park. They’re trying to get a dandelion problem under control. Weather permitting, the spraying of a herbicide will be early this Friday, and everyone’s advised to keep their dogs and their children away from the area while it’s taking place. You can let them back in Lake Bluff Park once the grass has dried.. ...Read Full Story

Coming up this weekend is the 13th annual Lory’s Place Run, Walk, and Rock. It’s major fundraiser for the St. Joseph-based Lory’s Place, which helps people cope with grief. Director Lisa Bartoszek tells WSJM News everyone will show up Saturday morning for a 5K that should be a pleasure.. ...Read Full Story

Police agencies from all over Berrien County will gather in St. Joseph Thursday to remember the fallen. It’s the annual Police Officer Memorial Day Program at the Berrien County Law Enforcement Memorial located in Lake Bluff Park. Rick Smiedendorf, with the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department, tells WSJM News all fallen officers are honored.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad tells us he’s hoping there can be reconciliation following controversy this week about some text messages made by Benton Harbor High School Football Coach Elliot Uzelac. Uzelac came under social media fire for writing in a group text about a picture of a student posing near a car. He wrote, “How much drugs did he sell to rent that?” Mayor Muhammad tells WSJM News he spoke with the school superintendent and Coach Uzelac about the matter.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton has waded into President Donald Trump’s latest controversy, urging the former FBI director to testify to Congress about a report Trump spoke with him about his investigation into Lieutenant General Michael Flynn. The House Oversight Committee has requested “all memoranda, notes, summaries, and recordings referring or relating to any communications between Comey and the President” with a deadline of next Wednesday. Congressman Upton has issued a statement, saying “Public trust is on the line and the country deserves answers sooner rather than later.” He adds he fully supports efforts to get all of the facts surrounding former FBI Director James Comey. He says he “would urge Comey to publicly testify before Congress on what exactly happened.”. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The state says Michigan’s unemployment rate fell to 4.7% in April, further depleting the ranks of jobless people.
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget said Wednesday the rate fell from a revised rate of 5.0% in March and compared with a national April rate of 4.4%. Last month’s jobless rate in Michigan was two-tenths of a percentage point lower than the state’s year-ago rate of 4.9%. The agency says total employment in Michigan rose by 18,000 in April while the number of unemployed dropped by 17,000. It says the size of the state’s workforce changed little during the month.Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives Director Jason Palmer said the number of unemployed people in Michigan has fallen by 28,000 since February.. ...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

2017 will mark the third consecutive year of growth in Memorial Day travel. That’s according to AAA who projects that 39.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Memorial Day weekend. The report says 34.6 million Americans will drive to their destinations, an increase of 2.4 percent over last year.
While road trips continue to reign supreme for Memorial Day, more Americans will fly, ride the train or bus, or take a cruise vacation compared to last year. Air travel is expected to increase 5.5 percent over last year, with 2.9 million Americans taking to the skies this Memorial Day. Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase 2.9 percent, to 1.75 million travelers.. ...Read Full Story

If you’re going to be doing some digging on your property this summer, Michigan Gas Utilities wants you to remember to call Miss Dig first. Spokesperson Matt Cullen tells WSJM News the service will have the utility come out to mark where gas lines are.. ...Read Full Story

A driver was injured when his vehicle crashed thru window of the Auto Value store on M-140, South Haven Township, on Tuesday afternoon about 2:45 p.m. No one in the store was injured. The driver taken to South Haven Hospital-Bronson. The accident is being investigated by South Haven Police Department.. ...Read Full Story

Some highly-questionable statements in a group text message are putting Benton Harbor Football Coach Elliot Uzelac under fire. Reports are that Uzelac responded to screenshots of a picture of a black student standing in front of a car by saying “how much drugs did he sell to rent that,” then in another message says “our local drug dealers are doing well.” In a release from the District, Uzelac admitted to the superintendent that he texted some of the statements to fellow coaches. Superintendent, Dr. Shelly Walker says, “This misstep is an unfortunate blemish on Coach Uzelac’s record of commitment and positive relationships with our Benton Harbor students.” Coach Uzelac says, “I do regret and apologize for texting comments that were clearly inappropriate. Under no circumstances were these statements meant to be taken seriously. It has never been my intention to offend the Benton Harbor students or community.”. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police are urging drivers to take extra care to make sure their cars are not stolen. Lieutenant Scott Woodward, with the Michigan Automobile Theft Prevention Authority, told WKZO News criminals are more likely to steal care in the summer, especially July and August. He recommends you use common sense.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton says it’s “imperative” that the sources used by American intelligence are protected and not divulged. We caught up with him Tuesday to ask what he thought of the latest controversy involving President Trump, who was accused this week of providing classified information to Russian officials last week. Upton told WSJM News Congress is looking into the matter.. ...Read Full Story

As Benton Harbor’s Jean Klock Park gets close to its 100th birthday, an effort has been mounted to raise money to restore a historic part of it. Carol Drake, with Friends of Jean Klock Park, tells WSJM News she wants to duplicate a brick pillar that used to be at the park’s entrance, and install a 1917 plaque dedicating the park in it.. ...Read Full Story

You could be getting an electric rate increase next year. Indiana Michigan Power spokesperson Tracy Warner tells WSJM News the company has asked the Michigan Public Service Commission to review its rates as it seeks to increase them by 17% on average. He tells us the change reflects I&M’s efforts to keep the grid reliable. It’s also in response to an ongoing $1.2 billion project at the Cook plant.. ...Read Full Story

State Representative Kim LaSata’s plan to protect the safety of court employees is making its way toward approval in the legislature. She’s proposed a bill to increase the penalties for assaulting those who work in a courthouse.. ...Read Full Story

A preliminary hearing has been held for former Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Leonard Seawood. He’s charged with embezzlement and accused of taking $45,000 in extra cash payouts for unused vacation days between 2012 and 2015. He was resigned from the district in October of that year, and a Michigan State Police investigation into his conduct began not long after. In court Tuesday, current and former members of the school board testified, according to our news gathering partners at WNDU. Seawood will be back in court for in a week while the judge examines evidence in the case. If convicted, he could get up to 10 years in prison.. ...Read Full Story

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