Local News Archives

From the Associated Press — A state representative from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has been found dead hours after he was released from jail on what may have been his second drunk driving arrest in less than two years. Police say John Kivela’s body was found about 1 p.m. Tuesday at a Lansing home and that there are no obvious indications of foul play. Clinton County Sheriff Lawrence Jerue told The Associated Press that the
Marquette Democrat was arrested Monday on southbound U.S. 127 near Maple Rapids. Jerue would not say what charge Kivela faced, but the Detroit Free Press reported he was arrested for drunken driving. Jerue said Kivela was released Tuesday on bond. Kivela pleaded guilty in December 2015 to drunken driving after his arrest the previous month in Clinton County.. ...Read Full Story

Covert Township police are investigating the death of a man in his 20s found in a car in the 27-thousand block of 72nd Street. The man’s remains were in the passenger seat of 2002 Chevrolet Impala, and witnesses said the car had been there for “some time.” The cause of the man’s death hasn’t yet been determined, and an autopsy will be done. The body was found around 1 p.m. Monday. Police say they will have more information when it becomes available.. ...Read Full Story

West Michigan World Trade Week is officially underway in Grand Rapids. The event, now in its 32nd year, is again being held at the Van Andel Global Trade Center. Sonja Johnson is the executive director of the Trade Center. She spoke with Michigan News Network about the event.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Public Service Commission has heard the public’s thoughts on the planned closure of the Palisades nuclear power plant. It held two hearings Monday in Lawrence on Consumers Energy’s request to end a contract with Palisades owner Entergy to buy power from the plant four years early. MPSC Chair Sally Talberg told WSJM News they’re looking at two things.. ...Read Full Story

Have you ever wanted your kids off wi-fi at bedtime but allow yourself to stay online? Comcast customers are now able to do that with today’s launch of XF-I. The company says it’s a new platform which puts the power of your home’s wi-fi in your hands. Comcast VP of Public Relations Michelle Gilbert spoke with Michigan News Network about it.. ...Read Full Story

A Stevensville business is using this month to collect items to be sent to military personnel overseas. Postal Connections is hosting its second annual care package drive as part of Military Appreciation Month. They’re taking donations of healthy snacks, drink mix packets, microwavable food, non-perishable food, and toiletries. Just stop by Postal Connections on Red Arrow Highway between now and May 31 to drop off items. The business will then make sure everything it collects get sent to a local military base or veteran center in Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

The Pokagon Fund is pointing to its role in helping Harbor Country area high school graduates go to college. Director Janet Cocciarelli tells WSJM News the fund has contributed more than $2.7 million to area scholarships since its inception. At the same time, the number of New Buffalo High School grads who go to college has gone p from 32% in 2008 to more than 90% today. In River Valley, that number has gone from 42% to 83%. Cocciarelli tells us, in addition to backing scholarships, the Pokagon Fund has contributed heavily to class field trips to colleges for high school students. She notes the importance of helping young people pay for post-secondary is constantly growing, as the cost of college has gone up 1,120% since 1978.. ...Read Full Story

Have you saluted a nurse today? The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services thinks you should. It’s recognizing National Nurses Week by celebrating all of the things nurses do to keep Michiganders healthy. Spokesperson Jennifer Eisner.. ...Read Full Story

A Buchanan Middle School student who left a bomb threat in one of the school’s restrooms last week has been caught and police are working with that student’s parents. The middle school was put on lockdown Friday for about 15 minutes when a student found a note in a restroom reading, “I am going to bomb the school.” Superintendent Andrea van der Laan tells WSJM News there was no actual bomb, and the student who wrote the note did it as a prank. Police were called in and they searched the building, finding nothing. The culprit behind the threat was found not long after. Van der Laan tells us the school followed all normal safety protocols in the situation, and parents were notified.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Pres — A June 13 trial will be postponed in the case of a Michigan man charged with killing six people during a day of picking up Uber riders. The Kalamazoo County prosecutor says Jason Dalton wants the state appeals court to review a decision about his statements to police. The court might decline, but the step still means that the trial won’t start as scheduled. Dalton is charged with murder and attempted murder. Investigators have quoted him as saying a “devil figure” on Uber’s app was controlling him on the night of the shootings in February 2016. He’s not accused of shooting customers. Dalton has been found competent to understand the charges and assist his
attorney.. ...Read Full Story

Jason Dalton was scheduled to go on trial in about a month in Kalamazoo on 16 charges from a massacre last year, but that will likely be delayed because his attorney plans to file an appeal today. Defense attorney Eusebio Solis told the “Battle Creek Enquirer” everything Dalton said to detectives after his arrest should be suppressed because Dalton said he didn’t want to talk. He says the detectives kept questioning him anyway. Judge Alexander Lipsey ruled last month that part of one interrogation and all of a second interview could be used at trial by the prosecution. Solis wants it all tossed. He will ask the Michigan Court of Appeals for a hearing. There is no telling how long that could take. Dalton is charged with shooting eight people, killing six of them, claiming a demon in his Uber app was telling him who to kill, and who just needed rides. They plan an insanity defense.. ...Read Full Story

Be it on two wheels or two feet, a Paw Paw man wasn’t able to outrun the law over the weekend. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us deputies tried to pull over a 28-year-old man on a motorcycle for outstanding warrants on several drug and other charges, only to have him take off. The man crashed after a short high-speed attempt to get away, and then tried to run. He was caught in the 200 block of North Niles Street in Paw Paw, and deputies found meth, marijuana, and pseudoephedrine in his motorcycle. The cold medicine is a key ingredient in making meth, and has resulted in a charge of smurfing, or buying the drug with the intent to manufacture meth. He’s also facing possession of meth and marijuana charges and charges for driving on a suspended license and with no motorcycle insurance. The man is in the Van Buren County Jail pending his arraignment.. ...Read Full Story

It’s a little easier on the wallet this week than last to fill up. Triple-A Michigan puts our gas prices in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph at an average of $2.31, down 9¢ from last Monday. Statewide, the average is down about 8¢ to $2.34. The state’s lowest prices are in both Traverse City and Flint, where they’re down to $2.24, while Jackson drivers are paying a lot more with a $2.45 average. The auto club says our 8¢ drop is the third-largest weekly change in the nation in the weekly price, and demand is flattening out while production is on the rise. Gasoline stocks in the Great Lakes region are higher than they’ve been at this time in the spring over the past two years. South Haven prices, according to GasBuddy, are between $2.23 and $2.25.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan residents angry at Congressman Fred Upton are encouraging others still seething over last week’s Affordable Care Act replacement vote to mail flip-flops to his office in St. Joseph. Dozens of pairs of sandals were placed on the steps of that office late last week, but were soon removed. On social media, the hashtag #FredFlops has graphic calling on people to mail “stinky flops” to Upton. The Republican said early last week that he was opposed to the House plan to replace the ACA, only to change his tune after a meeting with President Trump on Wednesday. During that meeting, Upton and Congressman Billy Long of Missouri said they convinced the President to change his mind regarding coverage of pre-existing conditions. Critics like the AARP called the amendment from Upton to put $8 billion aside to help people with those costs if states opt out of the ACA requirement that pre-existing conditions can’t change coverage the same as using a band-aid on a broken bone.. ...Read Full Story

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan is making a new fundraising push thanks to a recent donation from a local couple. The Humane Society’s Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the owners of B&L Systems in Bridgman have put up a match that could double whatever donation you make in the next month.. ...Read Full Story

A Senior and Veterans Expo will be held tomorrow in Van Buren County for residents to come out and learn about the services available to them and also mingle with their elected leaders. State Representative Beth Griffin tells WSJM News she’ll be there to tackle questions, and all seniors and vets are welcome.. ...Read Full Story

An improvement project at the Berrien County Jail is coming together now that the board of commissioners has received bids for the work. Their next task is to settle on the final plan. It could include security equipment, kitchen upgrades, and storage. County Administrator Bill Wolf tells WSJM News the intake area of the jail, in particular, needs upgrades.. ...Read Full Story

Hot on the heels of news this week that fatal traffic crashes were up 10% last year in Michigan, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is urging everyone to reduce distractions while behind the wheel. Lieutenant Steve Campbell tells WSJM News one factor, in particular, has been leading to more crashes.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Public Service Commission is planning a couple of sessions for tomorrow to hear the public’s thoughts on the proposed closure of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert. Spokesperson Judy Palnau tells WSJM News all three public service commissioners and an administrative judge will be on hand.. ...Read Full Story

Everyone’s invited to a series of mass transit meetings planned for next week in Berrien County. Kris Martin, with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, tells WSJM News an effort is underway to form a long-term plan for the transportation system. They want input.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has launched a new campaign to raise awareness about laws concerning the purchase of meth ingredients. His office says the practice of buying cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine and then giving it to someone else so they can make meth — known as “smurfing” — is illegal. Schuette was joined this week by state Senator John Proos to push the anti-smurfing campaign. Proos, as the sponsor of the initial legislation that enacted the National Precursor Log Exchange, says he’s pleased to be part of the effort. The hope is that a combination of the NPLEx system and anti-smurfing legislation will help to fight the spread of meth in Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

The 111th Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade has been held in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, and the float awards have already been announced. The theme for this year’s parade was “If It Starts With ‘B,’ It Must Be Blossomtime.” Below is the list of awards.
Sweepstakes Award — Blooming Beauties, out of Berrien Springs. ...Read Full Story

An 83-year-old man is dead following a tree cutting accident in Cass County. The sheriff’s department tells us it happened in the 12,000 block of Old 112 in Porter Township around 2 p.m. Friday. 83-year-old Gordon Jackson had been cutting down a tree when it broke free and hit him. Jackson was dead when deputies arrived at the scene. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Porter Township Fire Department and the SEPSA Ambulance Service.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Health Department is making a new push to fight drug overdoses and suicides. Prevention Specialist Kerri Teachout tells WSJM News the department wants to get people talking about the problems, and to know there are places to turn for help.. ...Read Full Story

Some southwest Michigan conservatives are not pleased with the healthcare bill approved this week by the U.S. House of Representatives. Van-Kal Tea Party Patriots Chair Gene Clem tells WSJM News they got together Thursday, and he doesn’t recall one member supporting the plan. The problem, he tells us, is that it keeps the government involved in healthcare, rather than letting the free market sort it all out. He says the House GOP dropped the ball on the issue of healthcare reform. ...Read Full Story

Set for today is the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan’s Kentucky Derby Party. Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News they’ll gather at the Inn at Harbor Shores for drinks, dressing up, and prize giveaways.. ...Read Full Story

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is giving $51 million to public schools in its hometown of Battle Creek, Michigan. The five-year infusion announced Friday is aimed at tackling low academic performance that has been linked to longstanding racial inequality and segregation. The grant from the foundation started by its namesake breakfast cereal maker ranks among the largest to a public K-12 school system. The money will go toward hiring academic and social support staff, offering a free pre-kindergarten summer transition program and creating a behavior plan with alternatives to suspensions, among other things.The gift comes after the January release of a study highlighting decades of racial disparities. The city has a population of about 50,000 that’s roughly 70% white, 18% black, and 7% Hispanic or Latino.. ...Read Full Story

An initiative to make recreational marijuana legal in Michigan has been launched. Former state Representative Jeff Irwin, now with the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, tells Michigan News Network the prohibition on marijuana has worked about as well as the prohibition on alcohol once did.. ...Read Full Story

Police and the public will gather Saturday near Detroit to talk about missing persons cases. This is the seventh annual “Missing in Michigan” gathering, and on hand will be representatives of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant Sarah Krebs tells WSJM News the day is all about spreading awareness and honoring those how have been lost.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Democrats are not pleased with Congressman Fred Upton this week. That’s after Upton announced he would oppose the GOP healthcare bill Tuesday, only to reverse course Wednesday after adding a new amendment to it. Berrien County Democratic Party Chair Dr. Eric Lester tells WSJM News he’s “disgusted.”. ...Read Full Story

Set to be unveiled this Saturday at Lions Park Beach in St. Joseph will be more than $100,000 worth of new playground equipment. The city worked with the Lions Club to make the purchase possible, and it will be dedicated at 12:30 p.m. On hand will be members of the Lions Club, the owner of the Great Lakes Recreation Company, St. Joe Mayor Mike Garey, and a representative of the Lincoln Elementary School Student Council. Kids at the Lincoln School helped the city pick the new equipment. It’s designed to resemble the St. Joseph lighthouses. Everyone’s welcome to come and check out the new features.. ...Read Full Story

It’s one of the top tourist attractions in Michigan and the season got underway Friday on Mackinac Island. Tim Hygh is the director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau and tells Michigan News Network there are some new things to experience.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The state of Michigan is being sued in a bid to restore the driver’s licenses of people who say they can’t afford to pay traffic fines. A lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court says the secretary of state is running a “wealth-based” scheme in which people too poor to pay fines are having their licenses suspended. The lawsuit says a traffic violation can cause a “downward spiral” of lost opportunities for jobs and education. The lawsuit says the state doesn’t distinguish between people who are intentionally skipping fines and others who can’t pay. Kitia Harris, a 25-year-old Detroit woman, says her license was suspended when she couldn’t afford a $150 ticket in Ferndale. In response, the secretary of state office says it’s following Michigan law. The lawsuit was filed by Equal Justice Under Law, a civil rights group.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The Republican Party is looking to reach out to Hispanic business owners and leaders in Michigan. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel met with Hispanic business owners at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on Friday. McDaniels says they are having a broad discussion on tax policy, health care and how the Republican Party can engage more with Hispanic communities. Michigan GOP Chairman Ron Weiser also attended the event along with various Hispanic community members from Michigan. McDaniels noted that the day was to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Mexican-American heritage in the U.S. She says conversations also must take place with Hispanics in states such as Nevada and Arizona, which have large numbers of Mexican-Americans.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and Senator John Proos of St. Joseph have launched a campaign to stop meth production in Michigan. Schuette announced the effort Thursday to stop “smurfing.” That’s when meth producers pay others to buy over-the-counter medicine used to make the drug. A news release says 8,744 boxes of cold and allergy medicine were blocked from sale in 2016 after being flagged suspicious. Schuette says meth use has greatly affected the state and he wants to crack down on people participating in the system.. ...Read Full Story

If you want more information about the expected closure next May of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert, you’re being encouraged to attend one of two meetings on Monday in Lawrence. Both are being held by the Michigan Public Service Commission at the Van Buren Conference Center on South Paw Paw Street. The first is from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by a second with the same material being presented from 6 to 8 p.m. Consumers Energy has decided to end its agreement to buy the power generated from the plant in 2018, and Palisades is slated to be shut down a year from now. Two MPSC commissioners and the commission chairman will be at both meetings.. ...Read Full Story

This year’s Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade is tomorrow in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. The two-and-a-half mile parade starts at 1 p.m. at Main and Pearl streets in St. Joe and ends at Main and 5th streets in Benton Harbor. This year’s theme is “If It Starts With ‘B,’ It Must Be Blossomtime.” Bundle up, as the high is only expected to be around 55 tomorrow. The Youth Parade at St. Joseph High School was canceled yesterday due to the weather, and won’t be rescheduled. You’re also being reminded that you can’t put out anything to mark your spot along the parade route before 6 a.m. In St. Joseph, Lake Boulevard will be closed along with the drawbridge over the river, Niles Avenue from 1st Avenue to Main Street, and Main Street will also be closed from 1st Avenue to where it merges with Niles. This is the 111th year for the event.. ...Read Full Story

Competitive Edge in Stevensville has once again been named a great place to work. It’s shown up on Promotional Products Business magazine’s 2017 list of the Greatest Companies to Work For in 2017. CEO Mary Jo Tomasini tells WSJM News she tries to make the place welcoming for employees.. ...Read Full Story

A celebration is planned at Benton Harbor High School next week for residents and supporters of the school district to mark passage of the critical sinking fund millage this week, as well as the new partnership agreement with the state. Everyone is welcome to come to the library next Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to meet Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker. The sinking fund millage was approved by voters Tuesday. It allows for building maintenance and repairs throughout the district, generating about $1.3 million per year. Dr. Walker says its passage is a positive sign the district is moving in the right direction. She adds it’s an honor to be part of the community.. ...Read Full Story

An improvement project at the Berrien County Jail is coming together now that the board of commissioners has received bids for the work. Their next task is to settle on the final plan. It could include security equipment, kitchen upgrades, and storage. County Administrator Bill Wolf tells WSJM News the intake area of the jail, in particular, needs upgrades.. ...Read Full Story

Hot on the heels of news this week that fatal traffic crashes were up 10% last year in Michigan, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is urging everyone to reduce distractions while behind the wheel. Lieutenant Steve Campbell tells WSJM News one factor, in particular, has been leading to more crashes.. ...Read Full Story

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan is making a new fundraising push thanks to a recent donation from a local couple. The Humane Society’s Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the owners of B&L Systems in Bridgman have put up a match that could double whatever donation you make in the next month.. ...Read Full Story

A Senior and Veterans Expo will be held on Monday in Van Buren County for residents to come out and learn about the services available to them and also mingle with their elected leaders. State Representative Beth Griffin tells WSJM News she’ll be there to tackle questions, and all seniors and vets are welcome.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton has joined his colleagues in approving the American Health Care Act, the GOP’s plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. He came out in support of the plan this week after introducing an amendment setting aside money to help those with preexisting conditions who might be hit with higher premiums. Upton tells us Obamacare is broken and something needs to be done. He points to some counties across the country where insurance providers have pulled out of the federal healthcare marketplace, adding premiums here in Michigan have gone up by nearly 17%. He calls the new GOP plan a first step in the right direction. Among other things, it aims to expand access to health savings accounts, establish a transition period for those who will lose Medicaid, and continue monthly tax credits for poor Americans who can’t afford insurance on their own. The plan narrowly passed the House Thursday.. ...Read Full Story

Kalamazoo County law enforcement officials will keep trying to convince voters of the need for a new consolidated 911 dispatch system following this week’s failure of a ballot proposal that would have created one. Sheriff Richard Fuller tells WKZO News the pro campaign’s message wasn’t clear enough, and voters probably did like the idea of increasing their monthly 911 surcharge from 42 cents to $2.30.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Transportation is advising drivers of some work coming up on I-196 in Van Buren County. It tells us there will be lane closures on I-196 at Blue Star Highway in South Haven all the way through June 9. They started this week. MDOT is adding right turn lanes on the I-196 Business Loop, and also widening the shoulders. One lane of I-196 will remain open in each direction while the work is going on.. ...Read Full Story

The latest Roads and Bridges Report from the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council has been delivered to the legislature. The council’s Roger Belknap tells WSJM News the report uses data from road commissions to determine what shape the roads and bridges are in. This year’s results were not surprising.. ...Read Full Story

461 degrees and 62 certificates will be handed out to 514 students as Lake Michigan College holds its 70th commencement ceremony this weekend. LMC President Trevor Kubatzke tells WSJM News he can’t wait to personally hand out those awards to the grads on Sunday.. ...Read Full Story

Leaders in Van Buren County are considering their next steps now that a courthouse and jail improvement millage has failed. The plan to put about $32 million into the facilities was shot down by voters Tuesday. Van Buren County Board of Commissioners Chair Dick Godfrey tells WSJM News it’s not a huge surprise voters said no.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan League for Public Policy has released its annual Making Ends Meet in Michigan report, which shows how much you have to earn in order to get by in each county. Policy analyst Peter Ruark tells WSJM News most folks need more money to scrape by than one might assume.. ...Read Full Story

Traffic fatalities are on the rise in Michigan, as more than 1,000 people were killed on the state’s roads in 2016. Kendall Wingrove, with the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, tells WSJM News there was a 10% increase between 2015 and 2016.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Health Department has honored former state Representative Al Pscholka with its Friend of Health Award. The department bestowed the award on Pscholka Wednesday at its headquarters in Benton Township. Pscholka said six years in Lansing have taught him the issues that really matter are the life and death ones.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton has backed off in his opposition to the Republican healthcare bill. After meeting with President Donald Trump Wednesday morning, Upton said he’s flipping his position after introducing a new amendment to the legislation designed to help those with preexisting conditions pay for their coverage if it becomes more expensive. Upton told WSJM News Tuesday he would not back the GOP plan because it allowed states to decide whether those with preexisting conditions should pay more for coverage. However, under the new deal reached Wednesday, Upton’s amendment will set aside $8 billion to help those patients with such costs. The House Rules Committee is expected to consider Upton’s amendment Thursday.. ...Read Full Story

A Coloma man has been charged with open murder in the shooting death of an Eau Claire man this week. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells WSJM News 37-year-old Nicholaus Kling was shot in the chest three times during a confrontation with 22-year-old Derrick Bailey at the intersection of Red Arrow Highway and Benton Center Road in Benton Township Monday. The vehicle Bailey had been riding in was being driven by his girlfriend, and the prosecutor tells us Kling, the victim, was the woman’s ex. Bailey was arrested at the scene following the shooting. He’s now in the Berrien County Jail with bond set at $250,000. He’s due back in court May 12 for a preliminary exam hearing.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — More than 200 lead water pipes will be removed from a southwest Michigan city this summer. MLive reports the Kalamazoo City Commission approved a nearly $850,000 construction contract on Monday with Rieth-Riley Construction Co. to replace the
lines. The city’s 2017 Water Capital Improvement Budget will fund the service line replacement project. Public Services Director James Baker says Kalamazoo plans to replace almost 500 lead service lines during the 2017 construction season. Baker says on average the city has removed 100 lead pipes per year. Many of the lead lines are located in the northeastern part of the city and in the city’s oldest neighborhoods. The city collected lead and copper monitoring data a year early in response to public concern over the Flint water system lead problem.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton’s opposition to the current Republican effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act has gotten the attention of the White House. CNN is reporting the southwest Michigan congressman and Congressman Billy Long of Missouri will meet today with President Trump about their current stance of voting “no” on the bill as it is. Long says the President wants to negotiate how pre-existing conditions will be covered. Upton has put forth an amendment to the bill that would put millions of dollars toward helping people with pre-existing conditions pay for their insurance. He tells WSJM News that he currently cannot support what his party has come up with right now.. ...Read Full Story

Officials say Michigan traffic deaths rose 10% last year as drug-impaired, bicyclist and motorcyclist traffic deaths increased. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning noted Wednesday that it’s the second consecutive year to show a 10% increase. They rose from 963 in 2015 to 1,064 in 2016 according to numbers from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.. ...Read Full Story