It’s time once again for the Realtors Association of Southwest Michigan’s Suitcases for Kids drive. Each year, the group collects duffel bags, backpacks, and personal care items to be given to children in the local foster care system. Realtors Association Director Gary Walter tells WSJM News they need all the help they can get.. ...Read Full Story
The federal government owns an estimated 640 million acres of land, including about 3.6 million acres in Michigan, and a coalition of more than three dozen sportsman, wildlife, and environmental groups is asking presidential candidates to commit to keeping these lands public. Collin O’Mara, with the National Wildlife Federation says people need to keep fighting to maintain access to public lands.. ...Read Full Story
Legislation to help automakers develop autonomous cars is expected to make its way through the Michigan legislature soon. State Representative Brandt Iden, of Kalamazoo County, says the bills would let companies test autonomous vehicles without a human researcher in the driver’s seat. They would also help with the development of a new test facility, and allow automakers to operate an on-demand vehicle network. Iden is also expecting the package to move quickly through the House.. ...Read Full Story
This Saturday brings the 20th annual Lemon Creek Harvest Festival at Lemon Creek Winery in Berrien Springs. Tasting Room Manager Cathy Lemon tells WSJM News they’ll have live music, dancing, hay rides, a farmers market, and wine tastings. It’s $10 to get in.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan legislature is back at work after having taken the summer off, and there’s plenty on the legislative agenda. State Representative Al Pscholka tells WSJM News the biggest thing will be an energy policy reform package.. ...Read Full Story
This Sunday brings the 16th Ride to Remember in southwest Michigan. It’s a motorcycle ride to raise money for the American Red Cross. Berrien Riders President Todd Kimball tells WSJM News registration starts at the Berrien County Courthouse at 10 a.m. and the ride begins at noon.. ...Read Full Story
Coming up Monday will be a torch run in St. Joseph to raise money for the Special Olympics in Michigan. Special Olympics Community Representative Kristin Howell tells WSJM News law enforcement officers from across Berrien County are expected to take part.. ...Read Full Story
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to let Michigan’s new ban on straight-party voting take effect for the November election. The court on Friday rejected a request by state officials to halt lower court rulings that blocked the Republican-sponsored law signed by Governor Rick Snyder. The court’s decision means Michigan voters will still be able to use the popular straight-ticket option, which allows them to support all candidates from one party with a single mark. In issuing a preliminary injunction, a federal district judge ruled the law would create longer lines and disproportionately burden black voters who are more likely to use the straight-ticket option. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request for a stay pending appeal. Forty other states prohibit straight-party voting.. ...Read Full Story
In this week’s WSJM Week in Review, for September 9, 2016, the total funds raised for the first Denise Bohn Strong Golf Outing are released, a late Benton Harbor pastor will be honored with a street name, and more.. ...Read Full Story
With a bumper cherry crop in Michigan this year, Shoreline Fruit has donated 40,000 pounds of tart cherries to Feeding America of West Michigan. Bruce Veliquette is a Shoreline board member and owner of Cherry Ke Inc in Kewaydin.. ...Read Full Story
The price at the pump is on the way up. Patrick DeHaan with Gas Buddy says supplies are low because they were “likely affected by Hurricane Hermine.” He adds the storm “shut down a lot of the infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico.” A lot of the large crude carriers can hold up to two-million barrels of crude oil, and if there’s a large storm that would affect how quickly the oil can be offloaded and brought into the country, supply will take a hit.. ...Read Full Story
(South Bend, IN – AP) – Two primary streets in South Bend closed since May have reopened. Mayor Pete Buttigieg and other city officials on Thursday removed a barricade, reopening Michigan Street, which goes through downtown South Bend. That street and Main Street were closed to install roundabouts and to prepare to convert the streets from one-way to two-way. Full conversion of the two streets will occur in three phases over the next two months. The goal of the $20 million project is to make the city’s downtown friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists and to slow down vehicles traveling through downtown. The project also included new curbs, sidewalks and trees.. ...Read Full Story
An agreement between eight Michigan community colleges is now in place that will allow students to transfer credits between the schools in pursuit of advanced manufacturing jobs. Macomb Community College President Jim Jacobs describes why the agreement is important.. ...Read Full Story
A burglary at a Van Buren County auto repair shop is under investigation. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says someone broke into Complete Care Automotive on M-43 in Almena Township overnight Wednesday and stole some expensive tools. The department also notes Kalamazoo Fence Company, about two miles to the west, was also broken into that night, although it doesn’t know yet if the crimes are related. Anyone with information on the break-ins is asked to contact police.. ...Read Full Story
A settlement has been announced in a lawsuit filed against the owners of Celebration Cinema. Last month, the National Association of the Deaf and a deaf St. Joseph resident sued Loeks Theaters over the chain’s lack of closed captioning services. The suit alleged a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and sought remedial action. Last week, Celebration Cinema announced it is adding closed captioning technology at all of its locations. It’s also installing descriptive audio devices for the blind. On Thursday of this week, the settlement of the suit was announced, with the CEO of the National Association of the Deaf saying the organization is pleased with Celebration Cinema’s recent changes. The closed captioning tech will be in all of its locations by mid-October.. ...Read Full Story
If you’re interested in law enforcement, the Michigan State Police post in Paw Paw may have the right class for you. It’s offering a citizen’s academy set to start this month. Post Lieutenant Dale Hinz tells WSJM News, for eight weeks, troopers will teach their students all about the tools of their trade.. ...Read Full Story
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey and sheriff’s department chaplain Brian Hall were among the guests on hand for Thursday’s September 11 memorial ceremony at the state House in Lansing. State Representative Al Pscholka tells WSJM News the names of fallen first responders from the last year were read.. ...Read Full Story
A group of six veterans from Berrien County will be among 70 Michigan veterans flying to Washington, D.C. this Saturday as part of the latest Talons Out Honor Flight. The group’s Bobbie Bradley says they’ll get a free flight to see the memorials to the wars they fought. She tells WSJM News it can be an emotional experience.. ...Read Full Story
Anyone in Michigan could report drug overdoses without fear of being prosecuted for illegal possession under legislation nearing Governor
Rick Snyder’s desk. The Senate voted 30-7 for legislation Thursday to expand a law exempting people from prosecution if they report an overdose from an illegal substance. The bills won House approval in May and could get a final vote next week.The protections would extend to people of any age for any controlled substance. A 2015 law protects people under 21 from charges when reporting an overdose or medical emergency arising from prescription drug and painkiller use.Michigan also provides immunity to minors helping someone in danger from
alcohol intoxication. One opponent says the new legislation is tantamount to “de facto” drug legalization.. ...Read Full Story
The name of a man killed in a crash on I-94 near Paw Paw Wednesday has been released. Michigan State Police say 38-year-old Ryan Cramer, of Mattawan, was killed when his van crossed over from the westbound side of the highway into the eastbound lanes around 9 a.m. It hit a semi head-on. Police are still investigating why the van crossed the median. The driver of the semi, an Chicago man, was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan would tax and regulate medical marijuana in a tiered licensing system under legislation that has cleared a big hurdle in the legislature.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 25-12 for a bill Thursday to require a state operating license to grow, process, sell, transport or test marijuana used for medical purposes. Another bill clarifies that allowable marijuana includes non-smokable forms such as oils, food items and pills. “Provisioning centers” that sell marijuana to patients or their caregivers would pay a 3 percent tax on their gross retail income. Advocates say the measures are necessary due to confusion over Michigan’s 2008 voter-approved initiative that legalized medical marijuana. The Senate voted nearly a year after the legislation won House approval. The House could take final votes as early as next week.. ...Read Full Story
More than $34,000 has been raised by the first ever Denise Bohn Strong Golf Outing. The event was held on August 6 at Indian Lake Hills Golf Club in Eau Claire to raise money for the children of Midwest Family Broadcasting’s Denise Bohn, who was murdered in April. Denise’s three kids were left with no parents, and so friends, coworkers, and loved ones organized this month’s golf outing to collect money for their education. Denise’s signature “Save the TaTas” fundraiser for the Komen organization for this year became Denise Bohn Strong. Connie Bohn, Denise’s mother, says the event far exceeded her expectations. She thanked each and every volunteer and golfer who made it all possible.. ...Read Full Story
The 100th anniversary of Ratcliffe Field in South Haven will be commemorated Friday night when the South Haven Rams host the Plainwell Trojans. Tara Wilkenson is the marketing coordinator for the high school and says they’re turning it into a big community party.. ...Read Full Story
A year after her death, the estranged husband of a Grand Junction woman is now on trial for her murder. The trial of Brent Bogseth started this week in Paw Paw, and is expected to continue into next week. Kimberly Bogseth was found naked and in plastic garbage bags near her home on September 9 of last year, a week after she was reported missing. He was arrested in Chicago and extradited to Michigan for the trial. An autopsy showed she died from blunt force trauma, with a hammer believed to have been the murder weapon. Prosecutors say that hammer has never been found, but her blood was found in his car along with her cell phone.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan would no longer require that someone be inside a self-driving car while testing it on public roads under bills advancing in the Legislature. The change won unanimous Senate approval Wednesday and could reach Governor Snyder’s desk within months. The legislation is designed to keep the auto industry’s home state ahead of the curve on autonomous vehicles.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is hoping to see the House take action this month to help cities struggling with lead contamination in their water. Last week, Upton visited Flint, which he says is still trying to make sure its residents have safe drinking water. ...Read Full Story
The dangers of buying alcohol for minors is the focus of a campaign being pushed on college campuses this year by the Michigan Secretary of State. Spokesperson Cathleen Simlar tells WSJM News there are big penalties for giving booze to someone underage.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition is hoping to bring some attention to programs in the area for those who may need help. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Michigan, and the coalition’s Trent Watford tells WSJM News there were 26 suicides investigated in Berrien County in 2014, and he thinks more went unrecorded.. ...Read Full Story
Southwestern Michigan College is working to help students displaced by the closure of ITT Technical Institute this week. The for-profit chain of schools abruptly shut down, leaving many students with no place to go. SMC’s Mike O’Brian tells WSJM News the college is looking into whether any ITT Tech credits could be transferred to SMC.. ...Read Full Story
When the St. Joe Bears take to the field this Friday for their first game at home of the season, they’ll have a brand new, state-of-the art scoreboard installed at Dickinson Stadium. The district announced Wednesday it’s been able to get the new board after the old one’s message center died last year mid-season and couldn’t be repaired. Superintendent Ann Cardon says she’s amazed by the things accomplished by the boosters and sponsors in making the new addition possible. The district thanks Auto-Owners Insurance, Insurance Management Services, the St. Joseph Improvement Association, and the Southwest Michigan Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine for their help. The Bears face Portage Northern this Friday for their first game of the year at Dickinson Stadium.. ...Read Full Story
A Benton Harbor minister who passed away this year will be remembered with an honorary street name change in the city. On Monday, commissioners approved renaming Main Street between Fair Avenue and the Bicentennial Bridge in honor of the Reverend Emery Varrie. Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats says Varrie was an important influence.. ...Read Full Story
The Labor Department says job openings soared in July to an all-time record high. There were 5.87 million job openings, which includes more people hiring and more people quitting their jobs. Michigan News Network Business Editor Murray Feldman two sectors are especially hot.. ...Read Full Story
A Niles man has been charged with first degree home invasion and first degree criminal sexual conduct and other charges in Kalamazoo after he allegedly let himself in through the unlocked door of an off-campus apartment near Western Michigan University. WMU Police claim 19-year old Stephen Casper then sexually assaulted the two women who were renting the place. Police say the crime happened at about 4 a.m. Sunday. He is being held on $35,000 bond.. ...Read Full Story
Marijuana won’t be on Michigan’s statewide ballot in November. The state appeals court and the Michigan Supreme Court each turned down appeals Wednesday by a group trying to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. A group called the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee submitted 354,000 signatures, apparently enough to get marijuana on the ballot. But the Board of State Canvassers said more than 200,000 were collected outside a 180-day period, a decision that left the group short of enough names. In August, a judge at the Court of Claims said the state had “no clear legal duty” to count the stale signatures.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Court of Appeals has overturned a Berrien County Trial Court ruling allowing sheriff’s deputies to train at a shooting range in Coloma Township. Sheriff Paul Bailey halted all shooting at the facility on Angling Road Wednesday morning.. ...Read Full Story
The next phase of renovations to the South Haven lighthouse is now underway. Ed Appleyard is on the board of the South Haven Historical Association and says scaffolding is going up now and by the end of the week, the lighthouse will be wrapped in plastic to allow for work on the exterior of the structure.. ...Read Full Story
Several St. Joseph sailors are celebrating success at the Tri-State Regatta this past weekend. The weekend-long boat race started Friday in Chicago, going across Lake Michigan to St. Joseph. The second leg took racers from St. Joseph to Michigan City, and the third leg took them back to Chicago. Of the nine racers from St. Joseph, the boat IMAGINE came in ninth place in its round in the race from Chicago to St. Joseph, but won the race from St. Joseph to Michigan City. The boat Captain Blood came in eighth for its round in the first leg, and finished second in the next. Fuzzy Logic came in fourth and third in the first and second legs, respectively. None of the nine St. Joseph boats competed in the race from Michigan City to Chicago.. ...Read Full Story
One person is dead and another injured following a crash on I-94 near Paw Paw this morning. Michigan State Police say it happened in the eastbound lanes, and led to the closure of the highway for several hours. Around 9 a.m. a westbound van crossed the median and hit a semi head-on. The driver of the van was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the truck was taken to Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw. The names of the drivers have not yet been released.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan’s public universities collectively have the sixth-highest in-state tuition rates in the country, averaging $11,991, according to a new report. The study issued Tuesday by the Michigan League for Public Policy – a Lansing-based advocacy group for the poor – links rising tuition and student debt to decreased state higher education funding and state financial aid. It says Michigan has cut university funding by more than $262 million since 2003, a 30% drop after adjusting for inflation.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan would no longer require that someone be inside a self-driving car while testing it on public roads under bills up for a vote in the Legislature. The change is expected to win Senate approval today and likely reach Governor Snyder’s desk within months.. ...Read Full Story
A second direct flight is now available from South Bend International Airport to the New York City metro area. Airport spokeswoman Julie Curtis says the new flight on United will start today with the arrival of a flight from the Newark Liberty International Airport at 4:52 p.m.. ...Read Full Story
A top Republican lawmaker says he’s considering “all options” to challenge Governor Rick Snyder’s determination that no low-performing
Detroit public schools can be closed by the state for three years. Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof said Tuesday one option is asking
Attorney General Bill Schuette for a legal opinion. Snyder’s office said last week he interprets the law creating a new, debt-free Detroit school district this summer to mean the State School Reform Office can’t close any district school until 2019. Meekhof says the law is “pretty clear” and he’s “confused” by Snyder’s analysis. Meekhof told reporters that passing clarifying legislation isn’t a “great option” because many majority Republicans “have fatigue on Detroit issues.” Attorney general opinions are legally binding on state agencies and officers unless reversed by a court.. ...Read Full Story
A Benton Harbor minister who passed away this year will be remembered with an honorary street name change in the city. On Monday, commissioners approved renaming Main Street between Fair Avenue and the Bicentennial Bridge in honor of the Reverend Emery Varrie. Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats says Varrie was an important influence.. ...Read Full Story
Work starts this month to replace seven traffic signals in the city of St. Joseph. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the city is getting several new mast arm signals. Those hang on poles that extend out above the street, rather than on wires. They’re an upgrade.. ...Read Full Story
A reminder from police not to drink and boat. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says an Illinois man was busted for boating over the legal limit on Labor Day in Columbia Township’s Scott Lake. Marine deputies ran into the man, who had a child in the boat with him, and while talking, they realized he’d been drinking. He was arrested on a charge of operating a vessel with a blood alcohol level greater than .08. Police remind boaters the same legal limit when driving a car also applies to boats.. ...Read Full Story
With the price of EpiPens having been jacked up this year by the device’s manufacturer, Congressman Fred Upton says lawmakers in Washington are looking for ways to help those who need them. He tells WSJM News Congress has asked the FDA whether there are any other companies seeking to make a generic version.. ...Read Full Story
Police say a distraught teenager in southwestern Michigan killed himself after fatally shooting another teen while playing with a gun. The two shootings occurred Monday night in an alley in Kalamazoo. A witness explained to police what happened. Police didn’t publicly disclose
which victim was accidentally shot, but said there was no argument or altercation. The 17-year-old victims were identified as Marsavious Frazier and Daquarion Hunter. Hunter graduated from Loy Norrix High School in June, while Frazier was a student at Phoenix High School. Counselors were available Tuesday, the first day of school, to talk to students and staff who knew the victims. Nina Ricardo, who lives in the neighborhood, says she heard gunshots and rushed outside to round up her kids.. ...Read Full Story
Coming up this month will be the second Berrien County land auction of the year. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News about 300 properties will be up for grabs at the auction on the 20th. They vary in size and location.. ...Read Full Story
It’s now possible to contact Berrien County 911 dispatch via text message. County 911 Director Dave Agens says the installation of new equipment earlier this year has brought the new service. He tells WSJM News there are some situations when texting 911 might be better than calling.. ...Read Full Story
The next round of speakers set to address the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan has been announced. The club says its 2016-2017 speaker series will kick off on October 17 with former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Following that will be former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino on November 14, followed by astronaut Scott Kelly on March 22 and physicist Michio Kaku on April 20. The speaker series will wrap up with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on May 17. Also this week, the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan announced it’s going to allow the public a chance to see some of its speakers. Individuals can now sign up for memberships or buy single meeting tickets through The Mendel Center Box Office.. ...Read Full Story
A murder charge against a Benton Harbor man has been dropped thanks to a review of cell phone records which show he may not have been in town when the crime occurred. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office says Reginald Collins was charged in the December 8, 2014 shooting death of Richard Street early last year. Police found Street’s body in a backyard along Union Street on the morning of the 9th, and believed the murder took place sometime between 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. the night before. They also had a witness who told them he saw Collins shoot Street. However, a review of Collins’ cell phone calls has shown he was in South Bend around 8:45 p.m. the night of the shooting. Prosecutors say that creates reasonable doubt he could have committed the murder. Collins will now likely be transported to Georgia, where he faces a probation violation charge.. ...Read Full Story
Some discouraging news for Michigan college students digging into the fall semester, as new data shows tuition in the state nearly has doubled at universities since 2003. The Back to School Report from the Michigan League for Public Policy also shows that more than 60% of students in Michigan graduate with debt. Peter Ruark, with the Michigan League for Public Policy, says investment in higher education is crucial to ensure the state has an educated workforce for the jobs of the future.. ...Read Full Story
Two teenagers have been shot and killed in southwestern Michigan. Police report that Marsavious Frazier and Daqarion Hunter, both 17, were found in an alley Monday night in Kalamazoo. Officers initially responded to a report of one person shot in the city’s Edison neighborhood.
Police say both teens were pronounced dead at the scene after 9 p.m. Monday. The deaths are under investigation and no arrests have been reported.. ...Read Full Story
AAA Michigan says gas prices statewide have dropped 10 cents per gallon in the past week. The Dearborn-based auto club says the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline was about $2.28 per gallon on Sunday. That’s about 9 cents less than it was at the same point last year.
Of the 10 metro areas surveyed by AAA, Lansing and East Lansing have the lowest average price of about $2.15 per gallon. The highest average is about $2.38 per gallon in the Ann Arbor area. AAA says the average price in the Detroit area is about $2.35 per gallon, about 7 cents less than the same point last week. AAA Michigan surveys daily fuel prices at 2,800 gas stations across the state.. ...Read Full Story
Family and friends of a 17-year-old who is presumed drowned in Lake Michigan last week are upset that the search for him was called off over the holiday weekend. The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department say they will continue to watch the shoreline if he washes up on the beach. They say murky water and high waves late last week made it difficult to search. The two teens who drowned off Holland last week were the 72nd and 73rd to drown on one of the five Great Lakes this summer season, and two of ten to have died on West Michigan beaches. Lake Michigan has a reputation as the deadliest of the Great Lakes, primarily because it has the largest population surrounding it and large popular beaches, and the best and the worst beach weather. Long stretches of beach that run north and south, perpendicular to the westerly winds can create rip tides and under tows that can drag uninformed or unsuspecting swimmers to their deaths. Critics say tourism bureaus spend millions luring people from all over the region to Great Lakes beaches and do little to educate them about the dangers.. ...Read Full Story
Governor Rick Snyder led the Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk Monday morning. He says he meets a lot of people on the walk.. ...Read Full Story
They’re trying to catch more criminals in west Michigan. Silent Observer has launched a new web app called “Caught in the Act.” Executive Director Chris Cameron says the page features surveillance photos of people who have allegedly committed crimes.. ...Read Full Story
A man accused by federal authorities of being the Michigan leader of a Chicago-based gang has been sentenced to 121/2 years in prison after being convicted of heroin distribution and conspiracy. The Grand Rapids Press reports assistant U.S. attorneys in court documents described Kenton Taylor as the highest-ranking member of the Black P Stone Nation gang in Michigan. They say the gang used religion to “gloss over” its
actual mission of trafficking in drugs and guns. Taylor and three others were charged with conspiracy to distribute more than
100 grams of heroin and heroin trafficking. The others took plea deals. In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Janet Neff on Wednesday also ordered Taylor to serve eight years on supervised release after being released from prison.. ...Read Full Story
The race for president has come to Berrien County, with the Democratic party opening a campaign office for Hillary Clinton in St. Joseph over the weekend. WNDU reports the office is now up and running at 2700 Niles Avenue. There, Democrats can make calls, get campaign materials, and mingle. Polls show Clinton leading in Michigan, and Democrats hope to keep it that way. A Clinton campaign office also opened in Traverse City Saturday.. ...Read Full Story
Battle Creek city commissioners are scheduled to cast final votes Tuesday on ordinances aimed to regulating panhandling and loitering. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports the proposals would outlaw remaining “idly” within 25 feet of an intersection and soliciting money from anyone waiting in line or near building entrances. Last month five commissioners voted in favor of the ordinances and four dissented. The proposals have led to debate about whether laws are needed to protect those who feel threatened by panhandlers and whether such laws are constitutional.
Federal court rulings have found bans on begging violate the First Amendment. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan sent a letter to city officials arguing the proposals “would not survive constitutional scrutiny.” City attorneys say those issues have been addressed.. ...Read Full Story
