Local News Archives

MI GOP Preparing For Possible Recount

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After raising more than five-million dollars for election recount efforts in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein has set her sights on Michigan. Ronna Romney McDaniel, Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, says this is all a waste of time.. ...Read Full Story

Honor Credit Union Announces Teacher Award Winners

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Honor Credit Union has announced the winners of its seventh annual teacher awards. In all, 30 teachers from areas served by the credit union were picked to receive special accolades, as well as $100 to use in their classroom or school. In the St. Joseph area, the winning teachers were Renee Carle and Mary LoPresti, while Dawn Luckritz was the Lakeshore winner. For South Haven, the honored teachers were Cheri Stein and Linda Brzezinski. Honor Credit Union took submissions for teacher awards from more than 300 schools. Entrants had to submit a short description of how they would use the money to better educate their students if they won. You can see the full list of winning teachers below.. ...Read Full Story

State Police To Collect Toys In BH, Niles

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Everyone will have a chance to help Michigan State Police collect toys, clothing, and food for kids in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program this coming weekend. For the third year in a row, the Niles post is holding a Stuff a Blue Goose toy drive Saturday. Trooper DeWayne Robinson tells our newsroom they’ll fill up an MSP vehicle with toys.. ...Read Full Story

Report: Some Recalled Toys Could Still Be On Store Shelves

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An annual survey of toy safety is out just in time for the holiday shopping season. “Trouble in Toyland 2016” from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund found that over a dozen recalled toys may be available for sale online. The group’s Mike Litt tells us that over the past 30 years, the annual report has contributed to more than 150 recalls. It’s also helped push for toy safety legislation.. ...Read Full Story

Niles Scream Park Raises $124,000 For Charity

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The Niles Scream Park has done it again. During its most recent season of scares, the spooky non-profit attraction managed to raise more than $124,000 for charities all over southwest Michigan. This was the 43rd year in a row for the Niles Scream Park, and the money it collected will go to more than 55 area children’s organizations, civic groups, and other charities. Some funds will also be used to support four college scholarships for local high school grads. This year’s Scream Park had six attractions in all, and it took 530 volunteers giving up 22,000 hours of their time to run for the Halloween season. The park also hit a milestone this year, welcoming its 1.8 millionth visitor.. ...Read Full Story

University Of Michigan Beats Ohio State In Blood Drive

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The University of Michigan may have lost on the football field, but the school topped Ohio State University in an annual drive to get blood donations. The Ann Arbor school says in a statement that Michigan had 2,363 donations and Ohio State brought in 2,355 in the 35th annual blood drive. Michigan and Ohio State competed in the weeks before Saturday’s football game between the Wolverines and Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. The blood drive is called “Blood Battle” and Ohio State had won the last two blood drive competitions. The University of Michigan gets the American Red Cross traveling trophy. On the football field, Ohio State beat Michigan in double-overtime.. ...Read Full Story

Republican States That Expanded Medicaid Want It Kept

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Republican-led states that signed onto Medicaid expansion are in a tough spot as they wonder if president-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to dump the Affordable Care Act means the expansion goes away. Former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer fought her own Republican party in the state
Legislature to push through expansion three years ago. Brewer now hopes one of the pillars of President Barack Obama’s health care  law can be saved. She says there’s no more cost-effective way to provide insurance to the working poor. Nearly 400,000 Arizonans have gained Medicaid
insurance since Brewer’s proposal took effect in 2014 and about 9 million nationwide. Many officials in the GOP-led states that embraced expansion are also strong proponents of the program.. ...Read Full Story

SW Michigan Has State’s Lowest Gas Prices

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Michigan’s lowest gas prices are right here in southwest Michigan. GasBuddy says South Haven’s prices are as low as $1.78, which is the rock-bottom level in the state. Triple-A Michigan’s latest survey of prices shows the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area has an average of $2 per gallon, which is the lowest of the 10 areas the auto club surveys daily. Statewide, the average is $2.08, down 3¢ from last week. While prices are falling, they’re still up by 23¢ a gallon from last year statewide and up 18¢ in the Twin Cities.. ...Read Full Story

2016 A Strong Year For SWM Home Sales

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Southwest Michigan’s housing market has been strong throughout 2016, although sales took a bit of a breather in the month of October. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors’ Philip Amodeo tells WSJM News sales for the month were down 6% from October of 2016. However, the year as a whole remains strong.. ...Read Full Story

Study Examines Healthcare Needs In Southwest Michigan

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A year-long study done by Lakeland Health has given us a sense of what communities need to help residents live healthy, and also what folks around southwest Michigan are concerned about. The 2016-2019 Community Health Needs Assessment took about a year to compile, and points to several things weighing on the public’s mind, says Lakeland’s Dr. Lynn Todman.. ...Read Full Story

Mixed Reaction In MI to DeVos Appointment

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The selection of Betsy Devos to serve as the next U.S Secretary of Education is getting mixed reactions around Michigan. Among those on board with the appointment are Grand Rapids Schools Superintendent Theresa Weatherall and Congressman Bill Huizenga, who say Devos has been a supporter of education.. ...Read Full Story

Christmas In The Village Next Week In Stevensville

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The village of Stevensville is gearing up to celebrate Christmas. Its annual Christmas in the Village event is set for next Saturday, December 3. The day will feature crafts, food, Santa, the Lakeshore Lancers Band, and a whole lot more. Santa can be found at the village hall starting at 3 p.m. and there, he’ll take pictures with the kids. The children will also get a free goodie bag and a map for a special goodie hunt. There will also be a photo booth set up next door at the village garage, which will serve for the day as a magical Christmas display. Village leaders invite everyone to come by with the kiddies for some cookie decorating and ornament making. Christmas in the Village will run from 3 to 6 p.m.. ...Read Full Story

Group Seeking Funds To Open Sojourner Truth Museum

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A non-profit which wants to open a museum honoring the accomplishments of famed abolitionist Sojourner Truth is hoping to raise $150,000 to purchase Fremont Elementary School in Battle Creek. The Sojourner Truth Museum Foundation published a GoFundMe page Thursday. Truth had long history in Battle Creek. The former slave moved there in 1857, six years after delivering her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech in Ohio. That speech still sees frequent performances to this day. Battle Creek Public Schools closed Fremont in June, citing declining enrollment. The foundation wants to open the museum by 2019.. ...Read Full Story

Wahmhoff Farms To Load Trees For Troops Monday

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It’s almost time once again for Wahmhoff Farms in Gobles to load up a truck with Michigan-grown Christmas trees to be sent to military personnel. Since 2005, more than 176,000 free trees have been sent to soldiers through the Trees for Troops program around the country. At 10 a.m. Monday, Wahmhoff Farms will pack up their shipment for the year. The trees are being sent to Fort Benning, Georgia this time around. Volunteers of all kinds are welcome to come out to the farm to help with the loading event. They’ll also have donuts and cider for all the folks who help. You can find out more about Trees for Troops at TreesForTroops.org.. ...Read Full Story

Sensors To Measure “Fan Quakes” At Michigan-Ohio State Game

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Ohio Stadium is sure to be rocking on Saturday when the rival Ohio State and Michigan football teams take the field. Geologists will find out just how much. They’ve planted sensors around the stadium this year to measure the seismic activity created by fans. Ohio State and Miami University professors teamed up with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to devise the “FanQuakes Magnitude Scale.” It converts the
shaking coming from fans into the perceived magnitude of a naturally occurring earthquake. So far this season, the biggest quake came after Curtis Samuel’s touchdown catch at the beginning of the second half against Nebraska. The shaking lasted over two minutes and reached a FanQuake Magnitude of 5.2. Researchers say they’re expecting fans at Saturday’s game to “take it to another level.”. ...Read Full Story

Slain MI Police Officer Had SWM Ties

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A Wayne State University Police Officer shot and killed in the line of duty this week was originally from Kalamazoo County. Officer Colin Rose is a native of Richland, where his parents still live. Friends of his family there have been passing out blue light bulbs for homeowners to put in their front porch lights as a salute to Rose. Family friend Tim Sampey says the 29-year-old had a warm personality.. ...Read Full Story

MI Shoppers Split Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday

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Cyber Monday is giving Black Friday a run for its money in Michigan. AAA’s latest Consumer Pulse survey shows the top shopping day this year for Michiganders will be Monday, when 48% of respondents said they’d try to snag a deal. 47% said Black Friday. As AAA’s Susan Hiltz tells WSJM  News, either way, this is a good time for retailers.. ...Read Full Story

Powerball Jackpot Now More Than $400 Million

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If you’re feeling lucky, then you may want to buy a Powerball ticket this Saturday. The jackpot has now climbed to $403 million, which is the 13th largest lotto jackpot in U.S. history. To win that money, all you have to do is match all five numbers, plus the Powerball. Of course, the odds aren’t exactly in your favor. The chances of actually getting all five numbers plus the ball are 1 in more than 292 million. If someone wins this Saturday, they’ll have the option of collecting their money over 30 years, or all at once in a lump sum payment of about $250 million. You can get your ticket through 9:59 p.m. Saturday.. ...Read Full Story

McDonald’s Donating 1,000 Christmas Trees To Detroit Families

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McDonald’s restaurant owners are donating 1,000 live Christmas trees to Detroit-area families. Five hundred trees, tree stands and gift cards will be given at a private event Saturday morning to families pre-selected by area churches. The remaining trees will be available from 1-3 p.m. on a first-come basis at the McDonald’s on Eight Mile Road near Woodward Avenue. The trees are 5 feet tall to 6 feet tall. Event organizers say Detroit-area McDonald’s restaurant owners also have donated turkeys, hats and scarfs, school supplies and other items to families in need as part of their support for the community.. ...Read Full Story

School Bus Crash Injuries Uncommon In Berrien County

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This week’s school bus crash in Tennessee that killed six students may have parents wondering if their kids are safe on their routes to school each day. A look at crash data from Michigan State Police shows WSJM News that school bus injuries are somewhat uncommon in Berrien County. In 2015, there were 18 crashes involving school buses around the county, with no fatalities. Most of them happened on local roads. Since 2010, Berrien County has had 101 school bus crashes, none with fatalities, and with 32 injuries total. Statewide, one person was killed in a crash involving a school bus last year. It was in Wayne County. In total, there were 910 school bus crashes in Michigan in 2015, according to Michigan State Police.. ...Read Full Story

Moon Rock Coming To West MI Museum

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A moon rock from the 1971 Apollo 15 mission is coming to a western Michigan museum. The rock will be displayed starting Monday at Calvin College’s Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum in Grand Rapids. A reception will be held at the museum Monday night. It will remain in the museum until Feb. 16, 2017. The rock is on loan. Museum director Renee Sparks says the lunar sample is “not a very exciting rock, but something truly beyond value.”. ...Read Full Story

Edwardsburg Official Resigns Over Conflict Of Interest

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A township official from southern Michigan who faced conflict of interest allegations has resigned from a local board. The South Bend Tribune reports Frank LaPierre recently resigned as chairman of Ontwa Township’s wastewater board. Edwardsburg businessman Robert J. Donnelly had publicly criticized LaPierre for being board chairman while working for an engineering firm the township contracts with for consulting and wastewater system work. LaPierre claimed Donnelly had threatened him, but Donnelly denies that allegation. Police investigated allegations Donnelly had threatened LaPierre and others but did not recommend that prosecutors pursue charges. LaPierre’s resignation letter cites a growing workload but also says disruptions created by some individuals had “made it, not only uncomfortable, but impractical to participate in a secure and safe environment.”. ...Read Full Story

State Waives Park Fee For Black Friday

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Here’s a Black Friday deal that won’t cost a dime: free entry to Michigan state parks if you don’t have the annual recreation passport. The state is waiving fees Friday at 103 state parks and recreation areas and 138 rustic campgrounds. Parks chief Ron Olson says a hike “is the perfect way to
burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories.” The Department of Natural Resources is joining a national effort to get people outside on the day after the holiday. It was started last year by outdoor recreation retailer REI.. ...Read Full Story

Homeless West MI Man Finds New Home

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A homeless man who was ordered to tear down a shanty in the Grand Rapids area has found a new home — with a piano. John Foster Bentley tells WOOD-TV that he’s been “overwhelmed” by the kindness of others. A business owner, Mike Rose, heard about Bentley’s ordeal and said he could live in one of his rental homes in exchange for fixing it up. Bentley built a shanty on public land in Wyoming, a Grand Rapids suburb. He was ordered to tear it down by Thanksgiving. Bentley got offers of food and shelter after the TV station reported about the order. The 53-year-old says he’s a former factory worker who doesn’t have a job.. ...Read Full Story

Study Looks At Healthcare Needs Around SWM

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A year-long study done by Lakeland Health has given us a sense of what communities need to help residents live healthy, and also what folks around southwest Michigan are concerned about. The 2016-2019 Community Health Needs Assessment took about a year to compile, and points to several things weighing on the public’s mind, says Lakeland’s Dr. Lynn Todman.. ...Read Full Story

Chronic Wasting Disease Suspected In MI Deer

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State wildlife regulators say another deer in southern Michigan may have been found with chronic wasting disease. The Department of Natural Resources says a hunter shot the 1 1/2 -year-old buck last week in Clinton County’s Eagle Township and took it to a check station. Preliminary tests came back positive for chronic wasting disease. A federal lab in Iowa is studying the carcass to see if the diagnosis was accurate. If so,
this would be the ninth free-ranging deer in Michigan to test positive for the fatal disease. DNR biologist Chad Fedewa says the find underscores the importance of taking deer killed during this month’s firearms hunting season to stations for examinations. The checks are mandatory in the Core CWD Area, which includes 17 townships in Ingham, Clinton, Shiawassee and Eaton counties.. ...Read Full Story

Break-In, Robbery Under Investigation In Buchanan

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Police could use the public’s help in solving a break-in and robbery in Buchanan this week. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us it was reported about 7 p.m. Tuesday at a home on East Glendora Road. Deputies were told a woman came home to find a man there. He demanded her purse and then took off. It’s not known if he had a vehicle. Police say the suspect is described as about 55 or 60 years old, around 5’10, and with light brown and grey hair. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the sheriff’s department at 983-7111.. ...Read Full Story

SWM Home Sales Down Slightly In October

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Southwest Michigan’s housing market has been strong throughout 2016, although sales took a bit of a breather in the month of October. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors’ Philip Amodeo tells WSJM News sales for the month were down 6% from October of 2016. However, the year as a whole remains strong.. ...Read Full Story

MI Election Official: Recount Unlikely To Change Anythng

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New questions have been raised about the presidential election count. So, could there really be a recount in Michigan? J Alex Halderman at the University of Michigan Center for Computer Security is among those raising the alarm about possible tampering here and in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Chris Thomas, of the Michigan Department of Elections, casts doubt on any fraud here, though.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien Sheriff’s Department Warns About Fundraising Scam

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The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is warning everyone about a new scam. It says it’s gotten reports of well-dressed young men, ages about 16 to 22, hanging around the parking lots of some Benton Township area shopping centers, claiming to be selling candy bars to raise money for the Tigers football team or the Boys and Girls Club. They will sometimes say they don’t have change to get bigger donations. Both Benton Harbor High School and the Boys and Girls Club have told the sheriff’s department they’re not currently holding any such fundraisers. The department has also gotten a tip the scammers come up from Indiana. It asks folks to report any suspicious activity they see while out and about shopping.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Wants Phone Makers To Lock Drivers Out Of Most Apps

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The government wants smartphone makers to lock out most apps when the phone is being used by someone driving a car. The voluntary guidelines unveiled Wednesday are designed to reduce crashes caused by drivers distracted by phones. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration also wants automakers to make infotainment systems easy to pair with smartphones. Traffic deaths spiked 10.4 percent in the first six months of this year. That followed a 7.2 percent increase in 2015. The agency says 10 percent of fatal crashes last year involved distracted drivers. Drivers could still make calls but the phones and automaker systems would lock out the ability to enter text. Internet browsing, video not related to driving, text from books and photos also would be locked out. Navigation systems would be permitted.. ...Read Full Story

Court Finds 2014 Michigan Wolf Hunt Unconstitutional

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A Michigan appeals court has found that the state’s 2014 wolf hunt was unconstitutional and the law allowing it should be struck down. The Detroit Free Press reports a three-judge panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals made the unanimous ruling in an opinion released Wednesday. The judges found that a provision of the law that allows for free military hunting, fishing and trapping licenses isn’t connected to the law’s object of providing for scientific management of wildlife habitats. The judge said that violates a clause in the Michigan constitution that says
the object of a law must be expressed in its title. The ruling is in favor of the group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected and overturns an earlier ruling from the Michigan Court of Claims.. ...Read Full Story

Man Hospitalized After Catching On Fire

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A man is being treated at South Bend Memorial Hospital after being found “covered in smoke” and lying on the ground in Niles Township. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us it happened around 8:20 pm Tuesday at Birchcrest Estates in the 2300 block of East Main Street. They were called to the scene on a report of a man on fire. There are no details regarding his condition, identity, or what was happening when he caught on fire.. ...Read Full Story

Wounded Wayne State University Police Officer Dies

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A Wayne State University police officer has died after being shot in the head while on patrol near the school’s campus in Detroit. The university announced Officer Collin Rose’s death Wednesday evening in a news release. Detroit police Sgt. Michael Woody confirmed the 29-year-old Rose
died about 5:45 p.m. Rose was shot Tuesday night in Detroit’s Woodbridge Estates neighborhood after radioing in that he was about to speak to someone about possible thefts from vehicles in the area. A suspect was arrested Tuesday night, but has not been charged. Rose, a five-year campus police veteran, had been released from surgery earlier Wednesday. University President M. Roy Wilson said Rose is the only Wayne State officer to “fall in the line of duty.”. ...Read Full Story

NCAA Hits Notre Dame – Irish Have To Forfeit 21 Wins

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The NCAA has ordered Notre Dame to vacate all 21 victories from the 2012-13 seasons because of academic misconduct. A former trainer was found to have done substantial course work for two players and impermissibly helped six others. Among the forfeited wins are a 12-0 run that vaulted the Fighting Irish into the national title game against Alabama. Notre Dame says it will appeal. University president Reverend John Jenkins says the NCAA has never before vacated the records of a school that had no involvement in the underlying academic misconduct. The Division I Committee on Infractions panel put Notre Dame on probation for a year and ordered a $5,000 fine, penalties the school agreed with.. ...Read Full Story

Wayne State University Police Officer Shot In Detroit

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A Wayne State University police officer who was shot in the head while on patrol near campus has been released from surgery, and authorities said they were interrogating a man about the attack. The officer was identified as 29-year-old Collin Rose, a five-year veteran of the department who works in the canine unit. Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Rose was on duty Tuesday evening when he radioed to say he was investigating possible thefts of navigation systems from vehicles and was about to speak to someone. Officers who arrived on the scene found the officer injured on the ground, Craig said.. ...Read Full Story

MI House To Pay $515,000 Settlement Over Firing Of Aides

The Michigan House of Representatives will pay $515,000 in a settlement with two former legislative aides who alleged they were wrongfully fired and publicly humiliated after reporting two lawmakers’ extramarital affair and other misconduct. An agreement released Tuesday says Keith Allard and Benjamin Graham will be paid about $170,000 each. Their lawyer’s firm will receive $175,000. The men sued nearly a year ago, saying they alerted House Speaker Kevin Cotter’s office about their two married Republican bosses’ affair, but it was covered up at the behest of ex-Reps. Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat. Gamrat was expelled from office, and Courser resigned. In a joint statement, Cotter and the plaintiffs say the settlement “is in the best interest of everyone, including the House as an institution and the Michigan taxpayers.”. ...Read Full Story

Three Berrien Co. Deputies Complete Corrections Officer Academy

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Berrien County has graduated three new corrections deputies. They just finished a four-week corrections officer training program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, studying a variety of disciplines for jail officers. Those include custody and security, defensive tactics, first aid, suicide awareness, and communications. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey congratulated all three, saying they’ll help to safely manage the county jail population. Deputies Erik House, Kenyon Ellison and Amanda Scurek are all now ready to be jail guards.. ...Read Full Story

LaSata Names Legislative Director

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State Representative-elect Kim LaSata has started putting together her Lansing team. She’s hired Bridgman native Arthur Havlicek to serve as her legislative director. LaSata says that Havlicek brings an understanding of the legislature and the district to her team. Havlicek is a Lake Michigan Catholic and Grand Valley State graduate who has spent the least few years working for various legislators around the state. LaSata was just elected this month to serve as state Rep for the 79th District. She’ll replace state Representative Al Pscholka when he leaves office at the end of the year due to term limits.. ...Read Full Story