Local News Archives

LECO Announces Expansion In St. Joseph Township

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LECO Corporation has announced a $19 million expansion in St. Joseph Township. It’s putting in a new 64,000 square foot applications lab and customer demonstration facility. According to Cornerstone Alliance, the additions will be right next to LECO’s current buildings on a south side of Hilltop. Cornerstone helped the company secure a tax abatement from the township for the project. The lab and demonstration space will also be the new home of LECO’s sales, marketing, and customer communications department. Construction is expected to be finished in late 2018.. ...Read Full Story

Work Gets Started To Replace Breedsville Bridge

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The small Van Buren County village of Breedsville is finally getting its south side bridge replaced. The bridge on County Road 215 over the Black River partially collapsed in December of 2015, causing a big headache for anyone trying to get into town from the south. Village Clerk Linda Norton tells WSJM News drivers have had to take a multi-mile detour to get in. On Monday, though, work finally started on replacing the bridge. Norton was pleased.. ...Read Full Story

Grand Rapids Mayor Wants Education Program For Immigrants

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From the Associated Press — Mayor Rosalynn Bliss wants to start an education program for immigrants who move to Grand Rapids. MLive.com reports Friday that Bliss announced her plan during Thursday’s State of the City address.Bliss told reporters that Grand Rapids needs “to provide  a safe place for people to come together to not only learn how to connect with local government, but how to receive services and also how to get engaged.” She hopes to launch the program within the next two months. President Donald Trump has vowed to crack down on immigrants living illegally in the United States. He also has threatened to withdraw federal funding from sanctuary cities that offer protections for immigrants living in the country illegally. MLive.com reports that Grand Rapids hasn’t fully declared itself a sanctuary city.. ...Read Full Story

MI Senate Approves Plan To Pay More For Rape Victim Treatment

From the Associated Press — Bipartisan legislation that would increase payments to medical providers for treating sexual assault victims is advancing in Michigan’s legislature. The Senate unanimously sent the bills to the House Thursday. One measure would require the Crime Victim Services Commission to pay up to $1,200 to health providers for performing a sexual assault forensic examination and related services. The maximum now is $600. Another bill would expand which entities are eligible to receive compensation. The state spent $842,000 for 1,855 sexual assault exams in the last fiscal year. The legislation could triple spending to $2.4 million. A sponsor, Republican state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, of Lawton, says reimbursement rates currently do not cover providers’ costs and the measures “will allow more access and better care for the victims.”. ...Read Full Story

Police Identify Woman Killed In Crash With Train

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The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department has identified a Grand Junction woman killed in a Wednesday crash involving a train. It says 47-year-old Tiffany Glidden died in the crash with a CSX train. Glidden was driving an SUV through a railroad crossing on 16th Avenue south of Grand Junction when the train struck her vehicle. It dragged the SUV about 50 feet. Glidden’s son, 14-year-old Sammy Glidden, was in the back seat and suffered serious injuries. He’s now in stable condition at a Kalamazoo hospital. The crossing where the crash happened does not have a gate or flashing lights.. ...Read Full Story

GVSU Settles Free Speech Lawsuit

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From the Associated Press — Grand Valley State University has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit that said the university unfairly restricted free speech on campus. Student group “Turning Point USA at Grand Valley State University” was critical of the school’s Free Speech Zone Policy in its December lawsuit for limiting expressive activity to “speech zones” and requiring students to gain prior university permission. The Grand Rapids Press reports the university is adopting a revised policy and agreed to pay about $11,000 in legal fees and costs. The new “Grounds and Facility Use Policy” permits students to gather, express themselves and distribute literature throughout campus as long as they don’t block access to campus buildings or traffic and follow other rules. The school says the policy was written to clarify existing policies.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven Students Charged With Sexual Assault (UPDATED)

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Charges are in place against five South Haven High School students for allegedly having sex with an underage classmate. All are charged as adults, and have been identified as 18-year-old brothers DaMari and DeShaan Palmer, 18-year-old Darion Gist, and 17-year-olds Caskadara Smith and Cameron Watkins. South Haven Detective Kevin Wiley says some of the teens were surprised by the charges.. ...Read Full Story

Expert Offers Tips On Dealing With Coyotes

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From the Associated Press — Having problems with coyotes? The resourceful species is turning up increasingly in urban neighborhoods as well as its traditional countryside habitat. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has advice for people who aren’t used to dealing with the wily predators. Wildlife technician Hanna Schauer says it’s important to remove access to food sources such as trash bins, bird feeders and pet foods. Fencing off gardens and fruit trees can help. Yelling, clapping and chasing the animals can help them retain their natural fear of humans.
If those steps don’t work, you can hire a specially permitted nuisance control company. Where hunting or trapping are allowed, coyotes may be taken all year on private property by the owner or designee when they’re doing damage or appear to about to start.. ...Read Full Story

UPDATE — Grand Junction Woman Killed In Crash With Train

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A crash between an SUV and a train in Van Buren County has resulted in a 47-year-old Grand Junction woman dead. It happened about 4 p.m. Wednesday in Columbia Township, south of Grand Junction at the 16th Avenue CSX Railroad crossing. The sheriff’s department tells us the woman did not follow the yield sign at the crossing and her vehicle was hit by the train as she drove across. Her passenger, a 14-year-old boy also from Grand Junction, was taken to South Haven Bronson Hospital. He’s now listed in critical condition after being transferred to Kalamazoo. There are no gates at that rural railroad crossing.. ...Read Full Story

National Weather Service Confirms Three Tornadoes In SWM Tuesday Night

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The National Weather Service has confirmed tornadoes touched down in southwest Michigan Tuesday night. The service says there were a total of three EF-1 twisters that wrecked some mobile homes and did other damage in Niles, Dowagiac, and Vandalia. All three happened around 9 p.m. The Dowagiac tornado hit two mobile homes while on the ground for about five miles. It also damaged some trees and other homes. The Niles tornado damaged several homes in a five block area, and the Vandalia tornado twisted a two-story home on its foundation while damaging other houses, a church, and some trees. It was on the ground for more than two miles. There were no injuries.. ...Read Full Story

Upton Pleased With Trump Address To Congress

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Congressman Fred Upton is happy with the speech given by President Donald Trump this week to a joint session of Congress. Upoton tells us the rogue Trump we’re used to seeing was nowhere to be found, and he acted presidential. Upton was also glad to hear the president talk about a Notre Dame student on hand who has battled a rare illness. He tells us that ties into one of his signature pieces of legislation.. ...Read Full Story

LaSata Introduces Court Security Bills

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A plan to improve security at courthouses across Michigan has been introduced in the state House, and one sponsor is Representative Kim LaSata. She tells WSJM News the three bill package expands the definition of assaulting a court worker and also increases the penalty to 15 years in prison. LaSata was inspired to get involved with the legislation because of the fatal shootings at the Berrien County Courthouse this past summer. She says the incident has prompted statewide discussion on court security.. ...Read Full Story

One Dead In Van Buren County Crash Involving Train

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One person is dead following a crash between an SUV and a train in Van Buren County on Wednesday. It happened around 4 p.m. south of Grand Junction at the 16th Avenue CSX Railroad crossing. Dispatch tells us two people were in the SUV, and one was taken to South Haven Bronson Hospital. The train loaded with coal was returning from a power plant in Port Sheldon. There are no gates at the rural railroad crossing. Police are still investigating.. ...Read Full Story

MI Democrats Introduce Bill To Give Workers Paid Sick Time

From the Associated Press — Michigan Senate and House Democrats want to see all Michigan workers get paid sick leave. They introduced legislation on Wednesday that would give workers one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked regardless of whether they are part-time or
full-time. State Representative Stephanie Chang says a majority of Michigan citizens support paid sick leave. A 2016 study by the Michigan League for Public Policy shows that 44% of Michigan workers cannot take time off if they or a family member becomes ill. Five other states –Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Vermont — have similar laws. Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, a Democrat from Flint, says he will seek bipartisan support but the legislation is unlikely to gain traction in the GOP-controlled Legislature.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven High School Students Facing Sex Charges

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Police in South Haven say five criminal charges are being pursued against some male students at the high school for sex acts involving an underage girl. Acting South Haven Police Chief Natalie Thompson tells us the department became aware of the situation last week and immediately launched an investigation. Not many details have been released, but police say a plain-clothes officer spoke with the six male suspects, who are all legal adults, as well as the victim and her parents. The case was turned over to the prosecutor’s office on Monday, and five felony warrants for third degree criminal sexual conduct, or statutory rape, were issued. The suspects have all turned themselves in, and have been arraigned with bond set at $1,000.. ...Read Full Story

Trooper Beating, Van Buren Crime Spree Possibly Linked

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One of the two men who were subdued by good Samaritans after they attacked a Michigan State Police trooper has now been linked to a series of other crimes both before and after his arrest in Indiana and in Michigan. 21-year-old Michael Barber has allegedly been seen on store security video recorded the day before the theft of 14 handguns at a gun shop in Shipshewana on February 10th. On February 20th, four businesses were broken into in Van Buren County and a number of items stolen. Among them a motorcycle that Michael Barber was riding when he was pulled over by Trooper Garry Guild, and a fist fight between Barber, his brother and Trooper Guild took place. Barber and his brother are due in a Berrien County courtroom today to face charges for allegedly attacking the trooper. Three others have been arrested in connection with the theft of the guns. They sold some of them in an attempt to raise enough bail money to spring Barber.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien Dems Disappointed With Vote On Trump Tax Records

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Berrien County Democrats are not pleased with Congressman Fred Upton. This week, Upton joined almost all of his GOP House colleagues in rejecting a proposal requiring President Donald Trump to release his tax returns to a House committee. Berrien County Democratic Party Chair Dr. Eric Lester tells WSJM News it’s important everyone know what dealings Donald Trump has had with Russia.. ...Read Full Story

Feds Delay Plan To Keep Asian Carp From The Great Lakes

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From the Associated Press — Federal officials are delaying a proposal for a new line of defense in the Chicago area to prevent Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been scheduled to release a draft plan Tuesday for installing new technologies or taking other steps to block the invasive fish’s path at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois. The lock and dam is on the Des Plaines River, part of a waterway network that links the carp-infested Illinois River with Lake Michigan. The Army corps has been studying possible modifications at Brandon Road since September 2014. Spokesman Allen Marshall says further coordination is needed with “multiple levels of government” and advocacy groups. He says no new release date has been set.. ...Read Full Story

Work Begins On Replacing Breedsville Bridge

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The small Van Buren County village of Breedsville is finally getting its south side bridge replaced. The bridge on County Road 215 over the Black River partially collapsed in December of 2015, causing a big headache for anyone trying to get into town from the south. Village Clerk Linda Norton tells WSJM News drivers have had to take a multi-mile detour to get in. On Monday, though, work finally started on replacing the bridge. Norton was pleased.. ...Read Full Story

You Can Now Report Poaching To The State Via Text

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From the Associated Press — If you want to tip off authorities about fish and game violations in Michigan, there’s an easy way: Send a text message. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says its Report All Poaching hotline has begun accepting text messages in addition to telephone calls. The number is 800-292-7800. Text messages may include photos. The hotline is toll-free and is monitored 24-hours a day, seven-days-a-week. It’s operated by the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division, which also offers a web-based reporting form. After receiving a text, the Report All Poaching system immediately replies with a message stating that a dispatcher soon will be in touch. The dispatcher will then request details as would be done during a phone call. The system provides rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of poachers.. ...Read Full Story

Mi House Speaker Says Failed Tax Cut Vote Not A Bad Outcome

From the Associated Press — House Speaker Tom Leonard is defending his unorthodox decision to allow the defeat of an income tax cut bill that’s a top priority for many majority Republicans. Leonard told The Associated Press Tuesday he’s “proud” he listened to an overwhelming number of Republicans who wanted to vote despite him knowing it would likely fall short. He dismisses criticism as coming from within the “Lansing bubble.” He says he has no regrets and the failed vote isn’t necessarily a “bad thing.” Twelve Republicans joined all but one Democrat to defeat the measure last week, raising questions about why he didn’t clear the voting board and continue to seek support later. Leonard says while cutting taxes remains a priority, the House will next focus on criminal justice and public records legislation.. ...Read Full Story

Federal Court Will Consider Michigan County’s Public Prayers

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From the Associated Press — A full federal appeals court will consider whether a Michigan county’s tradition of Christian-only prayers at public meetings violates the U.S. Constitution. The order on Monday by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacates a ruling earlier this month by a three-judge panel of the court that said prayers by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners were unconstitutional. In that 2-1 decision, the court ruled in favor of a Jackson County resident who was offended after he began attending county commissioner meetings in 2013 to discuss environmental issues. Peter Bormuth said he felt compelled to stand and participate in religion in order to speak to public officials.The panel had overturned a lower court ruling in favor of the board.. ...Read Full Story

Federal Court Will Consider Michigan County’s Public Prayers

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From the Associated Press — A full federal appeals court will consider whether a Michigan county’s tradition of Christian-only prayers at public meetings violates the U.S. Constitution. The order on Monday by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacates a ruling earlier this month by a three-judge panel of the court that said prayers by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners were unconstitutional. In that 2-1 decision, the court ruled in favor of a Jackson County resident who was offended after he began attending county commissioner meetings in 2013 to discuss environmental issues. Peter Bormuth said he felt compelled to stand and participate in religion in order to speak to public officials.The panel had overturned a lower court ruling in favor of the board.. ...Read Full Story

Honor Credit Union Forming Partnership With Post Community Credit Union

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Honor Credit Union is about to get bigger. It’s announced a new partnership with Post Community Credit Union, which has branches around the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas. As part of the deal, Post will be renamed Honor Credit Union. The organizations tell us they’ll benefit from the mutual expertise, and their missions are already closely aligned. If they deal goes through, the bigger Honor Credit Union will have $800 million, 23 branches, and more than 75,000 members in Michigan. The Post Community Credit Union membership has to approve the change, which also depends on regulatory approval.. ...Read Full Story

Honor Credit Union Forming Partnership With Post Community Credit Union

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Honor Credit Union is about to get bigger. It’s announced a new partnership with Post Community Credit Union, which has branches around the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas. As part of the deal, Post will be renamed Honor Credit Union. The organizations tell us they’ll benefit from the mutual expertise, and their missions are already closely aligned. If they deal goes through, the bigger Honor Credit Union will have $800 million, 23 branches, and more than 75,000 members in Michigan. The Post Community Credit Union membership has to approve the change, which also depends on regulatory approval.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Officials Move To Have Blighted Home Torn Down

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A blighted home in St. Joseph could soon be demolished. For several months now, city officials have been pressuring the owner of multiple homes, all under different names, to fix up his properties. First, there was a public outcry over a home on Wayne Street which has since been fixed. Now, the problem is with a home at Niles Avenue and Hoyt Street, which has had a tarp on the roof since last spring. City Manager John Hodgson tells WSJM News the owner’s been told the city wants it gone.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Officials Move To Have Blighted Home Torn Down

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A blighted home in St. Joseph could soon be demolished. For several months now, city officials have been pressuring the owner of multiple homes, all under different names, to fix up his properties. First, there was a public outcry over a home on Wayne Street which has since been fixed. Now, the problem is with a home at Niles Avenue and Hoyt Street, which has had a tarp on the roof since last spring. City Manager John Hodgson tells WSJM News the owner’s been told the city wants it gone.. ...Read Full Story

Police Investigating Van Buren County Business Break-Ins

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The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is looking for any information it can get on a rash of break-ins which occurred last week. It says there were break-ins at four businesses in the early morning hours of Monday. They were Glendale Forest Products in Waverly Township, CPS Welding and Dickinson Growers in Bloomingdale, and AmeriGas in Pinegrove Township. A variety of things were stolen, including a 2013 Suzuki Motorcycle which was later recovered following a high-speed chase in Berrien County. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is looking to piece together the whole story and seeking the public’s help. If you have any information on the crimes, just give them a call, or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-342-STOP.. ...Read Full Story

Attorneys: 5 Automakers Knew Takata Air Bags Were Dangerous

From the Associated Press — Attorneys for people suing air bag maker Takata and five automakers say the car companies knew that the company’s products were dangerous yet continued to use them for years because they were inexpensive. The allegations against Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford and BMW were made in a document filed Monday with a federal court in Miami. The court is handling pretrial evidence-gathering in dozens of lawsuits against Takata and the automakers. The document says the allegations are partly based on auto company documents.
Earlier, the automakers had contended that Takata was the problem because it admitted to covering up the defective inflators, which can blow apart and hurl shrapnel into drivers and passengers. Takata has pleaded guilty to a criminal charge and agreed to pay $1 billion for the scheme to cover up the air bag problems.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Man Sentenced To At Least 15 Years In Fatal Shooting

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A Benton Harbor man will be spending the next 15 to 24 years in prison now that he’s been sentenced in a May fatal shooting. Prosecutors say 30-year-old Terrance Shelby shot 17-year-old Grady Manns near Shelby’s home in the area of Empire and McAllister Avenue on May 12. Shelby had caught Manns in his home with his 13-year-old step daughter, and chased Manns away. Then, he says he saw Manns near the home again several minutes later. Shelby told police he was trying to fire a warning shot, but it hit Manns. He was sentenced Monday to at least 15.5 years in prison on a second degree murder charge and for felony firearm.. ...Read Full Story