Local News Archives

Cass County K9 Helps Make Another Bust

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Cass County Sheriff’s Department K9 Faust has done it again, nabbing another criminal suspect. The department tells our newsroom deputies were checking out a home in Howard Township last Friday, looking for a person who had skipped parole. Faust was on scene and helped locate not only the suspect, but also some meth. The man is now in the Cass County Jail. Faust is a 3-year old Dutch Shepard who has worked for the department since July.. ...Read Full Story

Illinois Man Begins Row Across Lake Michigan

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An Illinois man has embarked on a quest to row across Lake Michigan to raise money for the fight against childhood cancer. Jacob Beckley tried to leave Sunday night, but had to turn around after about a mile due to thick fog. He then relaunched Monday morning. State Senator John Proos was on hand for the departure, telling WSJM News he’s a big supporter of Beckley’s cause.. ...Read Full Story

AAA Michigan: Statewide Average Gas Prices Rise 6¢

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AAA Michigan says gas prices statewide have risen by about 6¢ per gallon in the past week. The Dearborn-based auto club says the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline was about $2.24 per gallon on Sunday. That’s about 29¢ less than it was at the same point last year. The lowest average price was about $2.15 per gallon in the Traverse City area, while the highest average was about $2.28 per gallon in the Ann Arbor area. Our average in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph is a penny higher than Traverse City at $2.16, giving us the second-lowest prices in the state. Our price at the pump is up a dime compared to last week. AAA Michigan surveys daily fuel prices at 2,800 gas stations across the state.. ...Read Full Story

Wrong Way Driver Stopped On I-94

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Michigan State Police avoided a potential tragedy on I-94 overnight when a wrong-way driver was spotted heading west in the eastbound lanes near 9th Street in Kalamazoo County. Troopers were able to stop all traffic on the highway near Paw Paw around 12:30 a.m. and managed to get the driver off the highway before she crashed into anyone. She is a 63-year-old from Portage who was arrested for a second drunk driving offense, possessing dangerous drugs, and reckless driving. The woman is now in the Van Buren County Jail awaiting arraignment. Her name has not been released. No one was hurt.. ...Read Full Story

Deadly Crash In Van Buren County

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An 18-year-old man from Holly has died after a single-vehicle crash in Decatur on Saturday. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says a 15-year-old boy from Paw Paw remains hospitalized at Kalamazoo’s Bronson Hospital for his injuries. The older teen crashed his car on 36th Street just north of 96th Avenue at 1:30 Saturday afternoon, and both teens were trapped in the vehicle. The driver was airlifted to Kalamazoo, where he later died. No names have yet been released, and police haven’t put out more information as yet on the details of the accident.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven Bridge Project Starts Monday

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A major construction project is about to get underway on a bridge in South Haven, and it could affect your commute well into next year. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells us they’re replacing the bridge beams and deck on Blue Star Highway over the Black River. They’re also doing some work under the bridge.. ...Read Full Story

LMC Millage On The Ballot Next Month

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Lake Michigan College is making a push in support of its millage proposal set to appear on November’s ballot. LMC President Dr. Bob Harrison tells WSJM News they’re asking for .48 mills for 10 years for improvements. He says the money generated would mean a variety of improvements.. ...Read Full Story

Court Finds Mom’s Drug Use During Pregnancy Not An Abuse Crime

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The Michigan appeals court says the state’s child abuse law doesn’t apply to unborn babies. The court threw out the conviction of a woman who used methamphetamine during her pregnancy. Melissa Jones’ son weighed less than 4 pounds despite being delivered at full term in Sturgis in St. Joseph County. In a 3-0 decision released Friday, the court says Michigan law refers to acts that harm a “child” but not a fetus. The court says Jones’ prenatal drug use is not a crime under that law. The 30-year-old Jones was sentenced to at least three years in prison in 2015.. ...Read Full Story

Man Plans To Row Across Lake MI To Fight Childhood Cancer

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An Illinois man plans to leave from St. Joseph this Sunday to row across Lake Michigan raising funds for research into childhood cancer, and on Thursday, he was honored for his effort. Jacob Beckley was at the St. Joe Junior Rowing School with state Senator John Proos, who presented him with a recent resolution proclaiming September as Michigan Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.. ...Read Full Story

Nesbitt To Hold Veterans Workshop This Month

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State Representative Aric Nesbitt is planning another veterans roundtable. The event, set to take place on October 10 at the Paw Paw American Legion, will be a chance for southwest Michigan veterans to come out and speak with Nesbitt about their needs and concerns. Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Director James Redford will be the guest speaker, offering information on services to vets that the state offers. The program will run from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.. ...Read Full Story

Mosiac Planning Some Moves In Benton Harbor

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The Mosaic Christian Community Development Association is seeking the public’s help as it works to find a new home for its resale shop and Harbor Shine Lawn Care. The non-profit has announced a goal to raise $850,000 to relocate the store and lawn care service, as well as the Jobs for Life Program, from Main Street over to 200 Paw Paw Avenue. That property used to house the city of Benton Harbor’s Business Growth Center. Mosaic says using 200 Paw Paw will give it more space for its jobs training programs. It’s also looking to relocate Cafe Mosaic, but hasn’t announced details yet.. ...Read Full Story

BH Schools Workshop Planned For Next Week

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The public is being invited to offer its thoughts about how security could be improved at Benton Harbor Area Schools. A forum is planned for next Thursday at the central administration building on Pipestone for folks to come and give some input. The district is looking for the feedback as it prepares to seek a $2 million security and gang prevention grant from the Michigan Department of Education. Next Thursday’s workshop will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Based on the input they get, district leaders will put together a prioritized list of what the community feels is most important for students.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven Residents Spooked By Clown Posts On Facebook

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Police in South Haven aren’t laughing after getting several reports of some clowning around this week. The police department tells WSJM News people have been reporting somebody on Facebook posting pictures of Pennywise the clown from Stephen King’s It and intimating that he’s in different areas of the city. The account has since been disabled, and the messages are gone. The supposed clown never made any threats, but he apparently spooked a few people into calling police. The department says if you do see someone dressed as a clown hanging around town and it strikes you as suspicious, give them a call at 637-5151.. ...Read Full Story

Upton To Receive Manufacturing Award

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The National Association of Manufacturers plans to salute Congressman Fred Upton with an award on Monday. He’ll be appearing at the Bosch plant in Stevensville to get the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence. The NAM says it’s for supporting legislation and policies that would benefit manufacturing companies. The National Association of Manufacturers gives out the award every two years to members of the House who vote in support of their interests. It says Upton has a lifetime record of doing so 90% of the time.. ...Read Full Story

Trump Oregon Director Shifts Focus To Michigan

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The Oregon state director for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is shifting his efforts to Michigan. Jacob Daniels, a Creswell attorney, tells the Bulletin that he moved to Michigan because Trump is bulking up staff in the most competitive states. Trump made big promises on the campaign trail in Oregon, saying he was going to become the first Republican to win there since 1984. He now appears to be
withdrawing from the Pacific Northwest to focus on Colorado and swing states in the Midwest. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s website doesn’t show any planned visits to Oregon. Daniels says he’s not aware of any plans for Trump or his vice presidential pick, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, to visit Oregon but says a visit isn’t out the question.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien Springs Woman Seriously Injured When Hit By Car

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A Berrien Springs woman is recovering from serious injuries at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo after she was hit by a car Thursday night. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says it happened around 7 p.m. on Old US 31 near Deans Hill in Berrien Township. 50-year-old Sandra Gaston was walking near the entrance to Shamrock Park when she was hit by a Chevy Cavalier. She was badly injured. The driver, 45-year-old James Gaston, of Berrien Springs, was arrested on charges of driving on a suspended license and operating while intoxicated. Police say he’d been backing the car up when the accident happened.. ...Read Full Story

Archery Deer Season Starts Saturday

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Hunters will be out with their bow and arrows for the start of archery deer season in Michigan on Saturday. Chad Stewart is a deer management specialist with the state Department of Natural Resources and admits it’s not as big of a deal as firearms deer season, which start November 15. Still, he says bow hunters harvested more than 110,000 deer last year, and says “it’s a huge recreational opportunity for our hunters.”. ...Read Full Story

“Baby Kate” Murder Trial Underway In Ludington

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A high-profile murder trial five years in the works is now underway in Ludington. Sean Phillips is charged with murder in the death of his four-and-a-half month old daughter, Katherine, in 2011. She quickly became known around West Michigan as “Baby Kate.” The girl’s mother, Ariel Courtland, testified as the trial opened on Thursday and said Phillips wanted her to get an abortion.. ...Read Full Story

Lawrence Couple Pleads Guilty In Animal Neglect Case

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Guilty pleas for a Lawrence Township couple in an animal cruelty case. Donald Smith and Melissa Copen reached a plea deal with Van Buren County prosecutors on Thursday, and won’t be allowed to keep their animals. They’ll avoid jail if they complete their probation. Animal control officers and sheriff’s deputies took 108 dogs, six cats and a horse from their home in June. The conditions inside the home were described by Van Buren County Sheriff Dale Gribler as horrendous. She said this summer in an interview with WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids after the animals were seized that they weren’t mistreated and her and her husband got overwhelmed while trying to start an animal rescue program.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Deer Dies From EHD

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(St. Joseph, MI – AP) – A deer in southwestern Michigan has died from a disease that killed more than 12,000 in the state in 2012. The Department of Natural Resources says it has confirmed a deer death in Berrien County linked to EHD, a viral disease that is transmitted by a fly. No cases were reported in Michigan in 2014 or 2015. Wildlife biologist and pathologist Tom Cooley believes the dry, hot weather this summer may have played a role in the return of EHD. The disease has been around for decades in many areas of the U.S. The DNR says sick deer lose appetite and fear of humans and often are found unconscious near water. There is no evidence that humans can catch the virus.. ...Read Full Story

Clinton Leads Trump In Michigan By 7% In New Poll

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A new poll shows Hillary Clinton with seven-percentage-point lead in the presidential race in Michigan. She has 42% support, compared to 35% for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, 9% for Libertarian Gary Johnson, and 3% for the Green Party’s Jill Stein. The poll was done for “The Detroit News” and WDIV-TV in Detroit. There are still 9% of voters who say they’re undecided. The survey was taken after Monday night’s debate between Clinton and Trump, with 57% saying Clinton is qualified for the Oval Office and 62.5% believing Trump is not qualified. That is up slightly from a poll in August.. ...Read Full Story

Cafe Mosaic Willing To Work With Men Who Robbed Customer This Week

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The doors of Benton Harbor’s Cafe Mosaic are could still be open to two young men who snatched a woman’s purse from the business this week. Cafe Manager Gabrielle Engle tells WSJM News the two went in there Tuesday, asking about the Jobs for Life program. They waited a few minutes and then took off with a lady’s purse. Engle says the management has met and decided those are just the kind of folks Cafe Mosaic tries to help.. ...Read Full Story

SMC Working To Enroll Former ITT Tech Students

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Southwestern Michigan College is continuing to work with students of ITT Technical Institute now that ITT Tech has ceased all operations. The for-profit chain of schools abruptly shut down this month, and SMC reached out to students right away offering help. SMC Vice President of Enrollment Mike O’Brien tells us a workshop the college held on the 14th attracted 20 nursing students from ITT Tech, along with about a dozen technology and business students. Some came from as far away as Chicago, desperate to find a way to transfer some of their credits. O’Brien says a few were just months from graduation, and SMC is working with the state licensing authority to see if any of their credits can transfer. SMC is hoping to have some of those ITT Tech students enrolled in the spring.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren Deputies Honored By MADD

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Two Van Buren County sheriff’s deputies have been honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for their efforts to keep the roads safe. The sheriff’s department tells our newsroom Deputy Brian Matthews and Deputy Eric Calhoun were recognized at a celebration in Mount Pleasant Thursday. Both are assigned as secondary road deputies specifically dedicated to road enforcement. Van Buren County Sheriff Dale Gribler says they’re instrumental in keeping the county safe.. ...Read Full Story

Improved Safety Rating For South Haven Area Emergency Services

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People who live in the service area of South Haven Area Emergency Services could see their insurance ratings go down, thanks to an improved safety rating granted this week to the agency. Emergency services says the Insurance Service Office, or ISO, issues ratings to fire departments throughout the country based on the effectiveness of their services, and it’s now bumped up the rating for the South Haven area. That could mean lower insurance rates, as an area’s ISO rating affects premiums. Local property owners are urged to call their insurance companies to ask that the new ISO rating be reflected on their bill.. ...Read Full Story

Man Rowing Across Lake Michigan For Fight Against Childhood Cancer

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An Illinois man plans to leave from St. Joseph this Sunday to row across Lake Michigan raising funds for research into childhood cancer, and on Thursday, he was honored for his effort. Jacob Beckley Was at the St. Joe Junior Rowing School with state Senator John Proos, who presented him with a recent resolution proclaiming September as Michigan Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.. ...Read Full Story

Bangor Police Investigating Suspicious Death

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Police in Bangor are investigating what they say is a suspicious death this week. Police Chief Tommy Simpson tells WSJM news 32-year-old Brandon Zantello was found dead Tuesday morning in his apartment on Arlington Street. So far, investigators have learned Zantello had some guests over the previous night, and got into a fight with a 19-year-old man. At this point, police don’t think Zantello died as a result of the fight, as witnesses tell them Zantello was still conscious when they left, but they’re investigating the death as suspicious. Interviews continue to be held in the case, and police are waiting on toxicology results. That will take about six weeks.. ...Read Full Story

Hunting Season Expected To Be Better This Year

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Last winter’s relatively mild temperatures are offering hope that this year’s deer hunting season will see improvements from last year. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources on Thursday released its 2016 Michigan Deer Hunting Prospects report. The report notes that the 2015 season, while seeing a drop in hunter numbers, ended with a slight increase in harvest from 2014. Hunting success decreased in the Upper Peninsula while increasing across the entire Lower Peninsula. Michigan saw severe, prolonged winters in 2012, 2013 and 2014, so numbers are
expected to be down in the coming years in the U.P. The reports notes the mild winter last year, however, offers hope hunters may experience slightly better success this year. Details about the 2016 hunt are posted on the state’s website.. ...Read Full Story

Kalamazoo Mother Convicted In Death Of 4-Year-Old

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A jury in southwestern Michigan has convicted a woman of murder in the death of her daughter on the girl’s fourth birthday. On the witness stand, Daveeta Walker denied abusing her children. She says she told police a different story about “whooping” Kharisma Richardson because she felt threatened. Walker was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder and other crimes. She’ll spend her life in prison. Kharisma was found dead in March. Walker says she picked up her daughter to wish her a happy birthday and “noticed her feeling funny.” She says the child
was in someone else’s care the previous night. There were scars, bruises and burns on Kharisma. Her death was due to complications from multiple injuries. Assistant prosecutor Michael Stein says Walker had an “absolute disregard” for Kharisma.. ...Read Full Story

Arrest Made In Deadly Crash In Royalton Twp

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A South Bend man is in jail in connection with a deadly crash in Royalton Township earlier this month. You may remember the crash killed 36-year-old Jason Ransom of Niles when two vehicles collided on Scottdale Road near Rockey Weed Road on September 17. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says 36-year-old Walter Davis the Second of South Bend was arrested Wednesday. He is facing several charges including failing to stop at an accident causing death. Davis ran off from the scene before police arrived.. ...Read Full Story

Free Pet Adoption Events Next Month

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The Bissell Pet Foundation is planning to hold yet another Empty the Shelters event next month. That’s when the animal welfare group will pay for the cost of adopting an animal at more than 50 shelters around Michigan for a day. Spokesperson Holly Kroeze tells WSJM News that’s after a successful date back in May.. ...Read Full Story

Youth Perception Of Marijuana Dangers Decreasing

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Teens around the US may be using marijuana a little less, but they also don’t recognize the health risks it poses. That’s according to new data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Kerri Teachout, with the Berrien County Health Department, tells WSJM News that’s a problem because marijuana is bad for a developing teen.. ...Read Full Story

Cornerstone Chamber Award Created In Honor Of Pat Moody

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Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce will give out a couple of brand new awards when it holds its 2017 Business Recognition Event in February, and one of them is named after Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s own Pat Moody. The Pat Moody Award and the Young Business Leader of the Year Award are the new ones Cornerstone has added to the mix. Cornerstone says the Pat Moody Award, created in Moody’s honor, will go to a business or individual that has staying power, provides great customer service, and is involved in the community. Members will be voting in the awards throughout October. The Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce represents 700 businesses.. ...Read Full Story

Galien Receives Antique Fire Truck

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The community of Galien has been reunited with an antique fire truck it once owned and then sold to a Calhoun County town. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports, Tuesday, the Galien’s fire chief picked up the 1919 Chevrolet truck from Burlington. The Burlington Fire Department bought it from Galien’s fire department in 1942 and used it for about six years. Since retiring the truck, Burlington would occasionally use it in events like parades. Now that it’s given the truck back to Galien, it will still be allowed use of it upon request. Galien got the truck new in 1919, and got a whole $250 for it when it was sold to Burlington.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan AG: Failing Schools Could Close This Year

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Michigan’s attorney general says the state may close persistently low-performing public schools in Detroit before the end of this academic year if they were among the lowest-achieving for the preceding three years. Republican legislative leaders earlier this month asked Republican Attorney
General Bill Schuette to weigh in because Republican Governor Rick Snyder interpreted a law rescuing the Detroit district from debt to mean the State School Reform/Redesign Officer cannot close any district school until 2019. Schuette’s office Wednesday released an official opinion, which is legally binding on state agencies and officers unless reversed by a court. Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof and House Speaker Kevin Cotter had said the law’s “plain language” authorized Detroit school closures by the end of this school year and to say otherwise ignored legislative intent.. ...Read Full Story

Congress Reaches Deal On Flint Water Assistance

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Congressional leaders appear to have broken a stalemate over the Flint, Michigan, water crisis – clearing the way for a spending bill to keep the government running until December. The spending bill also would provide long-delayed money to fight Zika. An aide to House Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi says Pelosi and House Speaker Paul Ryan have an agreement on a first step for aid to address Flint’s lead-tainted water. The agreement promises to provide $170 million to help Flint and other cities with water emergencies – and that pledge of assistance would be part of a water projects bill. The deal between Democrat Pelosi and Republican Ryan holds the promise of freeing up the short-term spending measure. That bill had failed to advance in the Senate on Tuesday.. ...Read Full Story

New Poll Gives Clinton 5-Point Lead In Michigan

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A new poll shows Democrat Hillary Clinton with a five-point lead over Republican Donald Trump in the presidential race in Michigan. The survey was taken before Monday night’s debate between the two by Target Insyght for MIRS News and lobbying firm Governmental Consultant Services. Clinton has 46% of the vote, while Trump has 41% and Libertarian Gary Johnson trails far behind in third with 8%. Only 3% of those polled say they’re still undecided.. ...Read Full Story

FEMA Conducting National Test Today

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At 2:20 this afternoon, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will perform a national test of its Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. It’s the first time an official national test has been conducted – and FEMA’s Wade Witmer says most will find it very similar to the regular monthly test.. ...Read Full Story

Arguments This Week In Suit Over Clean Power Plan

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Oral arguments are this week in a federal case challenging the legality of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, and recent research shows how the carbon reduction regulations would benefit industry in Michigan and other states. James Clift, Policy Director for the Michigan Environmental Council, says manufactures have seen the benefits of the state’s own energy efficiency program.. ...Read Full Story