Local News Archives

More Snow On The Way

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Just because the winter storm is over doesn’t mean there won’t be continuing snow. WNDU Meteorologist David Harker tells WSJM News we’ll see it snowing for several more days due to a series of systems moving into the region from the plains states.. ...Read Full Story

Three Dead In Thursday Highway Pileup

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An Ann Arbor couple was among the three people killed in a 53 car pileup on I-96 near Fowlerville after a whiteout on Thursday. 69-year-old Homer Tew and 62-year-old Theresa Tew were killed. The third victim was a 28 year old man believed to be from Hollywood, Florida. Livingston County Sheriff’s Lieutenent Eric Sanborn says there were some injured, too.. ...Read Full Story

Snyder Asks MI Residents To Lower Flags For John Glenn

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Governor Rick Snyder is asking Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations to lower flags to half-staff to honor the memory of former astronaut and statesman John Glenn. Snyder said Friday that in accordance with President Barack Obama’s call,
flags should remain lowered until sunset on the day of Glenn’s burial. Glenn died Thursday at age 95. He was the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962 and the oldest man in space at age 77 in 1998. A U.S. Marine and combat pilot, he also served as a U.S. senator from Ohio for more than two decades. Glenn is to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.. ...Read Full Story

Western Michigan Athlete Sought By Police In Gun Slaying

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Western Michigan University Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard says a current student-athlete has been suspended after being identified by Kalamazoo police as a person of interest in the fatal shooting of another student at an off-campus apartment. Beauregard issued a statement Friday saying the university and the athletic department were cooperating with police in their investigation into shooting Thursday night of the 20-year-old student. She didn’t identify the student or the sport the student participates in. Police have said they’re seeking two men who were seen fleeing after the shooting. Police didn’t immediately release the name of the shooting victim or details about the circumstances of the shooting. University President John Dunn issued a statement saying the university community “is stunned by the realization that a promising life has been lost.”. ...Read Full Story

No One Hurt In BH Car Fire

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Everyone’s fine, but a car is wrecked after it caught fire in Benton Township Friday morning. Firefighters tells WSJM News they were called out to the Five Below store along M-139 around 11:40 a.m. on a report of a car on fire in the parking lot. They got there to find it already badly damaged. The vehicle’s owner had tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher, but it ran out. He was inside the store when the fire started. Firefighters made short work of the blaze, and were back at the station in about a half hour. The car is a total loss. The cause of the fire isn’t known, but it appeared to have started in the engine compartment.. ...Read Full Story

Suspect Gets 19 to 45 Years In Missing Baby Case

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A northern Michigan man convicted of second-degree murder in the disappearance of his 4-month-old daughter has been sentenced to 19 to 45 years in prison. Sean Phillips learned his punishment on Friday. A jury in October found him guilty of killing Katherine Phillips, known as “Baby Kate.” The girl disappeared five years ago in the Ludington area about 80 miles northwest of Grand Rapids, but her body has never been found.
Prosecutors said Phillips had a turbulent relationship with Kate’s mother and didn’t want the baby. Phillips did not testify during the trial. His lawyer has said that there isn’t proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Kate was killed The 27-year-old Phillips already was serving a 10-year prison sentence for unlawful imprisonment in the infant’s disappearance.. ...Read Full Story

Congress Approves $170 Million For Flint

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The House has approved a wide-ranging bill to approve water projects across the country, including $170 million to address lead in Flint’s drinking water and $558 million to provide relief to drought-stricken California. The bill was approved Thursday on a vote of 360-61 even as some Democrats complained that the drought measure was a giveaway to California farmers and businesses. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican who brokered the water deal with Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, said the agreement solves a problem years in the making. He said the measure will increase water delivery to the San Joaquin Valley and southern California and streamline infrastructure projects to secure future water supplies. Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer of California has vowed to defeat the drought
measure in the Senate.. ...Read Full Story

Representative: Cook Plant In A Strong Position

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With this week’s announcement that the Palisades nuclear power plant is shutting down, we wondered if this means anything for the Cook plant near Bridgman. Cook spokesperson Bill Schalk tells WSJM News shifting market trends have hurt smaller, single unit nuclear plants, but the two-unit Cook plant remains a big asset for its owner, Indiana Michigan Power. He points out I&M is investing big in Cook.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien Commissioners Cancel Animal Control Hearing

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The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is taking a step back from the new county animal control ordinance. The controversial law has been in the works for several months now, and it had been scheduled for a hearing next Thursday. However, the hearing has now been cancelled. Board of Commissioners Chair Jon Hinkelman tells our newsroom the response from the public to the animal control ordinance has made commissioners realize they “need more time to review and to provide explanation for areas of the ordinance.” A vote on the rule scheduled for December 22 has also been cancelled.. ...Read Full Story

MI Lawmakers Approve New Wolf Hunting Law

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Michigan lawmakers may re-enact a wolf-hunting law declared unconstitutional by the state appeals court. The Republican-led Senate voted 27-10 along party lines Thursday to define wolves as a game species and to authorize the state to designate game. The bill goes to the House.
It’s the fourth time lawmakers have considered wolf-hunt laws in recent years. Wolf hunting isn’t allowed in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota under a federal court decision. But Sen. Tom Casperson says he wants Michigan positioned if Congress removes wolves from endangered species status. In 2014, Michigan voters rejected laws allowing wolf hunts. But the votes were symbolic because legislators had approved a third measure. That law was nixed last month because a provision providing free hunting licenses to military members isn’t related to scientifically managing wildlife.. ...Read Full Story

Kinexus To Work With Palisades Staff As Shutdown Looms

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Among the agencies that will be working to help the displaced workers of the Palisades nuclear power plant will be Kinexus. Zachary Morris, with the jobs training and economic development organization, says it will coordinate with Van Buren County as the shutdown approaches. He tells WSJM News many of the Palisades staff should be able to find work.. ...Read Full Story

Pokagons Announce New South Bend Casino

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The first Native American tribe in Indiana to have land returned to it from the federal government has announced plans to build a casino in South Bend that will open in early 2018. The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi tribe says the 175,000-square-foot casino will have 55,000 square feet of gambling space and 1,800 gambling devices. The size of the casino is smaller than documents previously submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and doesn’t include an 18-story hotel included in those plans. Tribal Chairman John Warren says the tribe had to include how big the casino could eventually become when submitting those plans. He says the plans announced Wednesday are the first phase. The tribe says the project will include four restaurants, three bars and about 4,500 parking spaces.. ...Read Full Story

Palisades Nuclear Power Plant To Close In 2018

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Entergy will close the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert Township in 2018. The company says the plant will be refueled as scheduled in the spring, and permanently shut down on October 1, 2018. Entergy says since purchasing the plant from Consumers Energy in 2007, “market conditions have changed substantially, and more economic alternatives are now available to provide reliable power to the region.” The company’s chairman and CEO Leo Denault says they will work to help the plant’s roughly 600 employees find other jobs. Shutting down Palisades will save Consumers’ Energy customers up to $172 million over four years.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Twp Denies Proposed Gas Station

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The Benton Township Board of Trustees has put the brakes on a gas station, car wash, and convenience store planned for the corner of M-63 and Enterprise Way. Pri Mar Petroleum was looking to get the parcel rezoned, and the township board this week was unanimous in denying that request. It did so following recommendations from the Benton Township Planning Commission and the Berrien County Planning Commission. Residents in the Rocky Gap area also expressed objections, complaining about noise and traffic. It’s the second time in less than ten years a gas station for that spot has been rejected.. ...Read Full Story

Hate Crimes On The Rise In Michigan

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A new report from the Southern Poverty Law Center confirms student anxiety and incidents of harassment are increasing in Michigan and across the nation following the 2016 presidential election. Maureen Costello, report author, tells our newsroom children who are anxious have a harder time learning, but parents can help.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Recount Stopped

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The presidential election recount in Michigan has been stopped. A federal judge Wednesday evening dropped an order that the recount proceed. That’s after an appeals court found Green Party candidate Jill Stein doesn’t qualify as an aggrieved candidate because a recount still wouldn’t make her the winner. Stein had requested the recount. Following Wednesday’s decision, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette issued the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Proos Promotes Plan To Spur Investment In Border Counties

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State Senator John Proos is hailing a new plan to spur business investment in border areas of the state. The state already offers a variety of tax breaks and other help to businesses that create jobs, and Proos says the new legislation would remove a requirement that the person hired for a new job live in Michigan. He tells us that in places like Southwest Michigan, changing the rule that would help a lot of companies.. ...Read Full Story

MI House Approves Compensation For Innocent Inmates

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Michigan lawmakers have approved legislation to compensate innocent inmates. Under a bill passed 104-2 by the House Wednesday, the state would pay ex-inmates $50,000 for each year of their wrongful incarceration, along with attorney fees. Some wouldn’t qualify for the money if they served simultaneous sentences for other crimes. Others would be ineligible because they successfully sued for civil rights damages, which can be a difficult effort since police and prosecutors often have immunity. Michigan has released more innocent prisoners than all but four states. The Senate plans to soon send the bill to Governor Rick Snyder. The sponsor, Democratic Senator Steve Bieda of Warren, says the compensation is the least the state can do for people who were “just plucked out of their regular lives and lost their freedom.”. ...Read Full Story

MI Supreme Court To Hear Kalamazoo River Oil Spill Suit

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The Michigan Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a lawsuit that links a man’s health problems to a disastrous oil spill that spoiled the Kalamazoo River in 2010. Chance Lowery says he suffered coughing, headaches and vomiting when he was exposed to fumes from the heavy crude near his home in Calhoun County. He says those problems led to a ruptured artery. The issue for the Supreme Court is whether Lowery needs to present expert testimony to sustain his lawsuit against Enbridge Energy. The case is on the docket Wednesday. Lowery’s lawyers say there should be no dispute that his problems were related to toxic fumes. Enbridge argues that expert testimony is needed. The company
says Lowery lived miles from the spill, and his health problems occurred weeks later.. ...Read Full Story

Federal Judge Weighs Whether To End Michigan Recount

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(Lansing, MI – AP) – A federal judge could decide whether to end Michigan’s presidential recount after the state’s second-highest court said the Green Party nominee was ineligible to seek a second look at millions of ballots. The federal judge who on Monday ordered the recount to begin will hold a hearing today on whether to stop it. The state elections board also is meeting today, a day after the Michigan appeals court ordered it to dismiss Jill Stein’s recount petition. The court noted that she got 1 percent of the vote and has no chance of catching Republican Donald Trump, who narrowly defeated Hillary Clinton in the state.. ...Read Full Story

Joique Bell Back With the Detroit Lions

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Joique Bell is a Lion once again. The Detroit Lions announced Tuesday the Benton Harbor native has been added back to the roster. Bell, a running back, played for the Lions for four seasons, between 2012 and 2015. He most recently played for the Chicago Bears, beginning in October and lasting four games. Bell is one of two new additions to the Lions roster announced Tuesday. The other is Corner back Asa Jackson.. ...Read Full Story

Tripplett Fired By Benton Harbor Schools

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Former Benton Harbor High School Principal Rodger Tripplett has been fired. At a Tuesday meeting, the board of education heard from district attorney Eric DeLaporte that Tripplett’s teaching and administrator certificates have been suspended by the Michigan Department of Education. He said they had no choice but to terminate him.. ...Read Full Story

Talons Out Honor Flight Holding Essay Contest

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Talons Out Honor Flight, which gives trips to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. to veterans of that war, is holding a special contest. It’s giving young people a chance to win a ride along for the next honor flight. All a student has to do is submit an essay about a World War II or Korean War vet from Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

AAA Study Examines Risks Of Drowsy Driving

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Avoiding alcohol and distractions behind the wheel aren’t the only things you should be doing to help keep the roads safe. AAA has released a new report finding drowsy driving is a huge threat to driver safety, with just one or two hours of missed sleep doubling your crash risk. That’s according to spokesperson Susan Hiltz.. ...Read Full Story

More Than $350,000 Raised For Mosaic CCDA

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Mosaic CCDA’s efforts to raise money for a relocation within the city of Benton Harbor have so far resulted in more than $350,000 raised. Mosaic on the Move launched in early October, and a recent donation of $300,000 has helped to push it forward. Mosaic President Brian Bennett tells us the organization is humbled to see the community support. Mosaic on the Move’s overall goal is to raise $850,000 to relocate the Mosaic Retail Store, Jobs for Life Program, and Harbor Shine Enterprises, hopefully to 200 Paw Paw Avenue in Benton Harbor. It’s found another location for Cafe Mosaic at 325 Main Street, where King Kong Express used to be. The new place is expected to be open in February.. ...Read Full Story

MI Lawmakers Move To Ease Penalty For Underage Drinking

Michigan lawmakers are moving to lighten the penalty for underage drinking, making a first offense a civil infraction instead of a misdemeanor crime. The House on Tuesday voted for the change 105-1. The Senate, which passed the legislation previously, is expected to move it to Governor Rick Snyder soon. The maximum $100 fine would stay the same, and a minor could still be ordered to receive substance abuse services. The bill sponsor, Republican Sen. Rick Jones, says the minor-in-possession law is clogging up the courts and hurting young people’s ability to get into college or work. In 2014, there were about 9,300 first-offense convictions for underage drinking.. ...Read Full Story

Capitol Protest By Police, Firefighters Planned

Cops and firefighters in Michigan will be making noise at the state Capitol today, protesting the lawmakers’ latest efforts to rein in pensions and benefits for retirees. These bills were introduced at the last minute that would end post retirement health care for public sector union members. Lawmakers says the current system, underfunded to the tune of $11 billion, will go bankrupt if nothing is done. Union leadership says the proposals would have life changing on their membership. More hearings are expected during the day.. ...Read Full Story

Auction Of Surplus State Land Parcels Getting Underway

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If you have ever dreamed of owning land up north, you’re in luck. A sealed-bid auction of surplus state-owned land gets underway today. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the sale will continue until January 10. The auction will feature 58 parcels located primarily in the central and northern Lower Peninsula and in the Upper Peninsula.. ...Read Full Story

Doctors: Hand Washing Key To Flu Prevention

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Don’t forget to wash your hands. That’s the message this week from doctors this week as the winter weather has arrived and everyone starts getting the flu. Dr. Robert Jackson, with the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, tells us soap and water are best for after using the bathroom or when hands are dirty. Other times, hand sanitizer is a good option.. ...Read Full Story

One Dead In Crash Between Minivan, Train

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A Chicago man is dead after his minivan was struck by a freight train in Cass County Monday. The sheriff’s department says it happened on Harris Road near Hess Road in Jefferson Township around 2:45 p.m. Deputies tell us 43-year-old John Morris disregarded a stop sign at the railroad crossing, and his Kia was hit by the CN Rail Road train. Police say his vehicle was dragged about a half mile down the track. The crossing is on a rural dirt road, and there are no railroad signals there. Morris was pronounced dead at the scene. Police remind drivers to always be aware of their surroundings and to pay attention to railroad crossing signs.. ...Read Full Story

Snyder Calls For Quick Recount

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A massive recount of 4.8 million ballots cast in the presidential election in Michigan is underway. That’s after U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith issued his ruling that rejected an effort by state officials to wait two business days to get started hand-counting the ballots. Governor Rick Snyder says so be it.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Area Businesses Hit With Liquor License Suspension

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Three Benton Harbor area businesses are hurting after having their liquor licenses suspended by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. Slosson’s Liquors on Napier Avenue, A&D Liquor Corner on Pipestone, and Jay’s Lounge, also on Pipestone, can’t sell or serve booze until December 21. According to Moodyon the Market, the sanction stems from a stockholder’s legal troubles. They include convictions of drunk driving and domestic violence. As a result, an administrative law judge ordered the liquor license suspensions, and also that the investor give up his ownership stake in the businesses. In the meantime, they remain open, but cannot sell any alcohol.. ...Read Full Story

Sentencing Delayed In Death Of 8-Month-Old

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The sentencing for a Hartford woman charged in the death of her baby son early this year has been postponed. Autumn Atchley was scheduled Monday to be sentenced for being an accessory after the fact to the death of 8-month-old Carter Donovan. However, the matter was adjourned until January 30. Baby Carter died on February 19 in the care of Brandon Beshires while Atchley was at an appointment. Prosecutors say that Atchley gave false information to police at first to cover for Beshires when she discovered her baby had been killed. Beshires is charged with murder in the case. Athley is facing up to five years in prison.. ...Read Full Story

Update — Names Released In Van Buren Fatal Crash

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The names of a man and woman killed in a Sunday crash in Van Buren County have been released. The sheriff’s department tells our newsroom 22-year-old Jaylen Weller and 20-year-old Kylie Benkert, both from Dowagiac, were killed when Weller lost control of their car on M-40 in Porter Township around 4 p.m. The car hit a pickup driven by a Marcellus man, who was not injured. Police say slick roads were the cause of the crash. It closed part of M-40 between Lawton and Marcellus for several hours Sunday.. ...Read Full Story

Trump Plans Thank You Speech In Grand Rapids

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President-elect Donald J. Trump will visit Grand Rapids on Friday as part of his “thank you” tour of states that contributed to his victory.
Transition officials announced the Michigan visit Monday on a call with reporters. The rally will be held at 7 p.m at the DeltaPlex Arena.
Tickets to the event are available on a first come-first serve basis at https://www.donaldjtrump.com/schedule/register/grand-rapids-mi4/ .
The rally was announced as Michigan, responding to a federal court order, began its recount of the presidential race that Trump won narrowly over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Michigan’s appeals court will hear arguments Tuesday on a Trump request to halt the recount. Trump ended his presidential campaign in the early morning hours of Election Day with a rally at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.. ...Read Full Story

Police, Fire Unions Blast Retiree Healthcare Plan

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Police and firefighters are blasting a Republican-sponsored plan to cut their retiree health care benefits, calling it an “unconscionable” attack on people who risk their lives protecting the public. Unions for officers and firefighters, along with groups representing chiefs and prosecutors, spoke out against the legislation Monday during a Capitol news conference. Ken Grabowski of the Police Officers Association of Michigan says Republicans’ consideration of the new plan during the post-election session is “an insult to every police officer and retired police officer in this state.” He says those who would support the bills during the “lame-duck” period are an “enemy of public safety” and police “will never forget.”
Republican House Speaker Kevin Cotter has said addressing unfunded liabilities will protect benefits that could be lost if cities declare bankruptcies.. ...Read Full Story

Niles High School On Put On Lockdown Monday Morning

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Everyone’s OK and things are back to normal at Niles High School after the building was put on lockdown Monday. The administration sent a letter out to parents telling them the place was put on lockdown shortly before 11 a.m. when an airsoft gun was found in a student’s backpack. That student has since been caught. Airsoft guns shoot plastic pellets, but can resemble real guns. The high school principal says no threat was made and no one was in any danger. The school says it’s working with police on the matter.. ...Read Full Story

Man Killed By Elkhart Police Identified

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(Elkhart, IN – AP) – Authorities have identified a 29-year-old man as the person who died after gunfire involving two northern Indiana police officers. The Elkhart Police Department says Norman Gary of Elkhart died at the scene from gunshot wounds about 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Police Chief Ed Windbigler says the officers were at a reported burglary when they ran toward nearby gunfire. Police say three others suffered non-life-threatening wounds in the gunfire, but aren’t sure anyone was shot by the officers.. ...Read Full Story

Federal Judge: Michigan’s Presidential Recount Starts At Noon

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(Detroit, MI – AP) – A federal judge in Detroit has ruled that the recount of Michigan’s presidential results can begin at noon on Monday, a decision that gives the state more time to complete the count ahead of the December 13 deadline. Judge Mark Goldsmith issued his ruling late Sunday night that rejected an effort by state officials to wait two business days to get started hand-counting about 4.8 million ballots. Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein requested a recount, but Republican President-elect Donald Trump sued elections officials to stop it.. ...Read Full Story