Local News Archives

Cass County K9 Finds Domestic Violence Suspect

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A K9 for the Cass County Sheriff’s Department is getting the credit for the capture of a domestic violence suspect this week. Deputies were called out to a home along Elbow Lake Street in Porter Township Monday night on a report of an assault. By the time they got there, the suspect had already run off. The sheriff’s department brought in K9 Faust, who was able to find the man hiding in a ditch in the woods about a half mile away. He was taken to the Cass County Jail. Faust is a 3-year-old Dutch Shepard who has worked for the department since July.. ...Read Full Story

Snyder OKs Extending Benefits To Families Of Fallen First Responders

The surviving family members of Michigan first responders who die in the line of duty will qualify for up to five years of state-paid health insurance under legislation signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder. Snyder says in a statement Tuesday that the move is “unquestionably the right thing to do.” Survivors of fallen first responders currently can get a one-time $25,000 payment. The law sponsored by Republican Senator Wayne Schmidt, of Traverse Cit,y applies to  survivors of fallen police officers, firefighters and publicly employed paramedics and is retroactive to October 2015. Providing the health coverage could cost the state up to $400,000 a year, according to legislative fiscal projections.. ...Read Full Story

Joique Bell To Play For The Chicago Bears

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Joique Bell will be playing for the Chicago Bears. Word came Tuesday the Benton Harbor native has been picked up by the struggling Bears ahead of their game on Sunday against the Lions. Bell, a running back, was released from the Lions this year. He heads to Chicago to take the place of Jeremy Langford, a former Michigan State tailback, who is out with an injury. The 30-year-old Bell played for the Lions from 2011 to 2015.. ...Read Full Story

Panel Declines To Add Eye Condition To Medical Marijuana List

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An advisory panel is recommending that an eye disease not be added to the conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in Michigan. Only one of six members on the review panel was in favor Tuesday. The petition was filed by Melba Velez Ortiz, a professor at Grand Valley State
University. She wants to add retinitis pigmentosa to the marijuana list. It’s an inherited disease that greatly affects the retina and can lead to night blindness and loss of vision. Ortiz says there’s research showing marijuana can slow down the disease. In 2008, Michigan voters approved marijuana for the side effects of cancer and a few other illnesses. Only one condition, post-traumatic stress disorder, has been added.. ...Read Full Story

Have Auto Sales Peaked?

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Another indication that auto sales may have hit a peak. The latest sales forecast from J.D. Power and L.M.C. Automotive predicts September sales are expected to drop slightly from a year ago. Jeff Schuster with L.M.C Automotive says this is more of the same.. ...Read Full Story

Children Subject Of Amber Alert Found Dead, Mother Arrested

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(Elkhart, IN – AP) – Two Indiana children who were the subject of an Amber Alert have been found dead and their mother has been arrested on murder charges. Elkhart police say they believe the two children found dead on Monday afternoon were seven-year-old Liliana Hernandez and six-year-old Rene Pasztor. They had been the subject of an Amber Alert earlier in the day warning that their mother may have abducted them.. ...Read Full Story

Report: MI Women Earn 74% Of Men’s Wages

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A new report says women working full time were paid 80% of what men were paid in 2015. At the current pay disparity rate, women should be making the same as men for the same job in 2059. Marilyn Watkins, policy director at the Economic Opportunity Institute, says Massachusetts this summer passed one of the strongest equal-pay laws in the country, making sure companies pay equally for comparable jobs and job requirements.. ...Read Full Story

SJ Commission On Board With Lakeland Expansion

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A $160 million expansion to Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph is moving forward following a Monday meeting of the St. Joseph City Commission. Commissioners granted planned unit development status to the Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion from Lakeland Facilities Director Dan Bacchiocchi, who said the addition will improve things for patients.. ...Read Full Story

Dowagiac Police Make Three Drug Arrests

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The Dowagiac Department of Public Safety says its K9 unit helped lead to the arrest of three drug suspects over the weekend. Also, officers busted someone with a stolen automatic handgun. The busy weekend started around 10 p.m. Friday when officers pulled a woman over on Ashland Street and the K9 found crack in the car. The driver was arrested. Then on Saturday night, the K9 struck again and found crack in another vehicle with stolen plates parked on North Paul Street. That led to another arrest. On Sunday night, the K9 once again found drugs, this time meth, in a car stopped on East Prairie Ronde Street. That driver was arrested, as well. Finally, the stolen gun was found in a home on Amerihost Drive when a domestic assault call came in. That suspect is in the Cass County Jail.. ...Read Full Story

Niles Man Charged After Fire Led To Marijuana Discovery

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Several charges have been filed against a Niles Township man following a fire at his home last week which led to the discovery of marijuana growing there. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office says 34-year-old Luther Borders is charged with second degree child abuse and manufacturing marijuana, among other things. Due to a previous drug conviction, he could get up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Firefighters were called to Borders’ home on Stateline Road last Tuesday. Later on, police determined the fire was caused by some equipment Borders was using as part of a THC extraction lab. That’s led to the drug charges. He’s charged with child abuse because two children were in the home at the time. Borders was arraigned Monday and bond was set at $25,000.. ...Read Full Story

Jury Selection This Week In Baby Kate Case

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Jury selection is taking place for the trial of a northern Michigan man charged with murder in the disappearance of his infant daughter.
Katherine Phillips, known as “Baby Kate,” disappeared in 2011 in the Ludington area. Defense lawyer David Glancy tells the Ludington Daily News that a defense offer for Sean Phillips to plead guilty to manslaughter was rejected. Jury selection took place Monday and the trial is expected to take three weeks. Phillips is serving a 10-year prison sentence for unlawful imprisonment in Kate’s disappearance. A year ago, the Michigan appeals court said the murder charge could go forward, even if a body hadn’t been found. The court said Phillips’ correspondence with Kate’s mother and other evidence was sufficient to show that the girl’s death was a crime.. ...Read Full Story

Kalamazoo Police: Teen Panicked After Shooting Friend

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Police reports say a Kalamazoo teen panicked when his gun went off and struck a friend in the chest, then the 17-year-old fatally shot himself.
The Kalamazoo Gazette, which obtained the reports through a records request, reported Monday a witness told police that Marsavious Frazier was showing Daquarion Hunter a gun and playing with it September 5 when it discharged in a Kalamazoo alley. Reports say the witness, friend Armonte Tolbert, told police that Hunter fell, prompting Frazier to run, then shoot himself. The 17-year-olds were pronounced dead about 30 yards apart. A .32-caliber revolver was in Frazier’s hand. Tolbert, who held Hunter after the shooting, says the teens “had no beef with
each other.” He said he’d known Frazier to make suicidal comments in the past.. ...Read Full Story

Police Investigate Two Weekend Shootings In Benton Harbor

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Police are asking for the public’s help in finding whoever’s responsible for two shootings that happened over the weekend in Benton Harbor. The department of public safety tells us the first shooting was in the 400 block of East High Street about 3 a.m. Saturday. A man was shot as he walking into his home. He’s expected to recover. Then, about 19 hours later, at 10 p.m., a couple was shot as they sat in their car in the parking lot of the Harbor Bluff apartment complex. The suspect was wearing a scarf over his face, and the victims are also expected to recover. Police note the two shootings were only about 300 feet away from each other. Anyone with information on the shootings is asked to call the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety at 927-8416.. ...Read Full Story

Monitor To Watch Over Flint Aid Money

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Governor Rick Snyder’s administration plans to hire a monitor to scrutinize Flint aid and ensure state appropriations are being appropriately
used to address the city’s crisis with lead-tainted water. The Detroit News reports the state’s Department of Technology, Management and Budget last week issued a request seeking bids from private vendors for the job, which would supplement work by the state Office of Auditor General and Office of Internal Audit Services. Snyder spokeswoman Anna Heaton says the monitor “is something the Legislature asked for to give them reassurance that there is a proactive approach to monitoring Flint funding and expenditures.” Within 60 days of contracting with the state, the monitor would be required to conduct a fraud, waste, and abuse risk assessment and a corresponding loss prevention strategy.. ...Read Full Story

SWMI Has State’s Lowest Gas Prices… For Now

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We’ve got Michigan’s lowest gas prices in our area. Triple-A Michigan says the average price in the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area stands at $2.06, though there are plenty of stations this morning under the $2-per-gallon level. Don’t get used to it, though, as GasBuddy is projecting prices will be going up between 15 and 25¢ very soon. Triple-A says the average in the state is down almost 7¢ per gallon from a week ago to $2.17. The most expensive fuel is in Marquette at $2.24. Prices in South Haven are generally just under $2, but there is regular unleaded being sold there for $2.19 and $2.22 at two stations.. ...Read Full Story

Man Arrested After Home Invasion, Kidnapping

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A Battle Creek man is locked up in the Van Buren County Jail after an alleged home invasion in Paw Paw early Sunday morning. Michigan State Police tell us the 22-year-old suspect forced his way into the home and took a woman hostage. He then took her against her will to a home in Calhoun County, where he was arrested by troopers around 1 a.m. today. He will be charged with felony counts of first degree home invasion and unlawful imprisonment. Police have not said if the woman was hurt, but they note she knew the man who took her.. ...Read Full Story

Probe Ongoing Of Shots Fired Near BH Football Game In Wyoming

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Very little remains known about shots being fired after the Benton Harbor – Wyoming Godwin Heights football game in suburban Grand Rapids Friday night. City of Wyoming officials tell WSJM News that there were several shots that were fired near the football field, but no one was able to give authorities any information on what happened. The shots could clearly be heard during an interview with Benton Harbor coach Elliott Uzelac by a WOOD-TV reporter. Grand Rapids TV stations report there was no evidence of the gunshots at the scene, and city officials tell us no injuries have been reported. If anyone has information, they are urged to call Silent Observer or the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-485-1432.. ...Read Full Story

Arnold Palmer Dies At 87

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Golf icon Arnold Palmer has died at the age of 87. Palmer won seven majors during his career and became one of the most famous golfers and athletes in history during his career. He played a round at Harbor Shores in 2010 to commemorate the opening of the Jack Nicklaus course, joined by Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Tom Watson on August 10 of that year. CBS Sports covered the event as part of a 30-minute package aired nationally the next month during its coverage of The Masters.. ...Read Full Story

Bicyclist Hit By Car In Cass County

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A 55-year-old Niles man is recovering at Lakeland Hospital after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating, and says it happened around 1 p.m. Saturday near Ironwood Road and Winkler Drive. A car driven by a 27-year-old from Niles hit Michael Flanigan. Authorities have not indicated if any tickets have been issued, but will say Flanigan was wearing a helmet and alcohol was not a factor in the crash. The extent of Flanigan’s injuries is not publicly known.. ...Read Full Story

Scam Investigated In Hartford

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Van Buren County residents are being cautioned about a scam that a Hartford resident fell victim to about a week ago. The sheriff’s department says a gold, tan or bronze-colored Chevrolet pickup pulled into a driveway, and four people got out. The victim tells police the truck had the word “roofing” on the side of the truck as part of a decal, but wasn’t able to determine everything that was there.. ...Read Full Story

Open House For Rocky Gap Park Next Week

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The Berrien County Parks Department wants to show off the public all of the improvements that have been made this year to Rocky Gap County Park, and next Thursday, it’s going to do just that. Parks Director Brian Bailey tells WSJM News the park near Benton Harbor has gotten $600,000 in work this year.. ...Read Full Story

Schuitmaker Named MADD Legislator Of The Year

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State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker has been named one of Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s legislators of the year. MADD says it wants to recognize the Lawton Republican, along with Oakland County state Representative Klint Kesto, for their efforts to fight drunk driving. Specifically, it says Schuitmaker this year introduced legislation that would allow the Secretary of State to create a MADD license plate to raise funds for the group. Kesto was honored for legislation requiring ignition locks on the cars of convicted drunk drivers. Schuitmaker says drunk driving is “a senseless crime that is 100% preventable,” adding she’s honored to receive the award.. ...Read Full Story

Conservation District Looking For Help Collecting Bugs

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Coming up next Saturday will be a chance for everyone to help test the quality of the water in the Paw Paw River in Van Buren County. A.J. Brucks, with the Van Buren Conservation District, tells WSJM News volunteers will take to the river in Lawrence to collect bugs. What kinds of insects they can be a hint about whether the water is polluted.. ...Read Full Story

Grand Opening For Andrews University Observatory Next Week

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Andrews University plans to celebrate the completion of its new observatory with a grand opening next week. The observatory was originally built in 1957, and the physics department’s Kelly Youngberg tells WSJM News they’ve rebuilt it to make the dome bigger and automate the shutters, among other things. Andrews makes the observatory available to the public about 30 nights per year.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren Specialty Courts Get $694,000 State Grant

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Van Buren County is getting a grant of more than $694,000 to run its specialty courts. The money from the state court administrative office will help continue the county’s drug treatment court, the family treatment court, the Swift and Sure Sanctions Program, and the adult and youth recovery courts. The county has also been awarded a grant to set up a sobriety court for second and third-time drunk driving offenders. Specialty Courts Administrator Rachel Lindley tells WSJM News the programs are designed to help keep some offenders from being stuck in the system indefinitely by giving them extra attention.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joe Fall Festival Underway

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Taking place this Saturday downtown is the annual St. Joseph Fall Festival. Everything kicked off Friday with the big bed race down Lake Boulevard, and now St. Joe Today’s Whitney Behnke tells WSJM News Saturday features the St. Joseph Wine Festival and Public Art Auction where you can buy the bug statues that were situated around downtown this summer.. ...Read Full Story

Funeral Held For Slain MI Police Officer

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Detroit’s police chief has posthumously promoted a 20-year officer who died five days after being shot while chasing a suspect. Chief James Craig announced the promotion of Sergeant Ken Steil to captain at the end of his funeral Friday at a suburban church. The announcement drew a standing ovation at the packed service. Craig said: “we all love Kenneth Steil.” The husband and father of two sons was nicknamed “Shark” for his diving skills. He was shot in the shoulder and died last Saturday of a blood clot. 21-year-old Marquise Cromer is charged with first-degree murder. Govenor Rick Snyder ordered U.S. and Michigan flags lowered to half-staff Friday in Steil’s honor. A state trooper heading to the funeral was injured when a vehicle struck his motorcycle on a freeway.. ...Read Full Story

WMU Seeking Record For Renewing Marriage Vows

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Western Michigan University is lining up hundreds of couples to renew their marriage vows as part of a homecoming weekend record attempt.
The Kalamazoo Gazette reports the school on October 8 is seeking to set a new Guinness World Records mark for the largest vow renewal ceremony. Guinness says the current mark of 1,087 couples was set at Miami University in Ohio in 2009. Western Michigan University is asking couples to register in advance to participate in the group ceremony at the Kalamazoo school’s East Campus. Couples must provide a photocopy of their marriage license. The ceremony will be officiated by Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell. The event will include commemorative photo stations, live music, a wedding cake and a toast.. ...Read Full Story

MI Court Revives Lawsuit Over Allegan Corn Maze

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Headed to a haunted corn maze during the Halloween season? Watch your step. The Michigan appeals court has given new life to a lawsuit by a man who broke his leg while trying to get out of a tricky maze at night in western Michigan. The court says the wet path may have been open and obvious to Michael Davis back in 2013. But the court says there’s another liability issue — whether Davis was forced by employees to use that path as his only exit from the Witches of New Salem maze in Allegan County. In an opinion released Friday, the appeals court reversed a decision by a judge who had dismissed the lawsuit. The ruling means Davis can take the case to trial.. ...Read Full Story

Automaker Tesla Sues Michigan Over Dealership Laws

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Tesla Motors has sued Governor Rick Snyder and other state officials, challenging a 2014 law that clarified that automakers can only sell through franchised dealerships. The federal lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that the “anti-Tesla” law is unconstitutional and an injunction to prevent its enforcement. Tesla says it prefers that legislation be enacted but was told recently by lawmakers that no hearing will be held.. ...Read Full Story

SWM Economy Flat In 2nd Quarter

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The latest business outlook report from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research is out, and it’s anticipating flat hiring in Berrien County for the third quarter. Regional analyst Brian Pittelko tells WSJM News the main indicators for the third quarter were mixed.. ...Read Full Story

Niles Twp Fire Leads To Discovery Of Marijuana

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A Niles area man is facing charges after a fire in his home this week led police to discover marijuana growing there. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells our newsroom the fire was reported in the 1100 block of Stateline Road around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Firefighters from Niles Township were able to put the blaze out, although about a third of the home was destroyed. Also, 34-year-old Luther Borders suffered minor injuries. When sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found evidence marijuana was growing there, and a search confirmed it. They also learned the fire had partly been caused by equipment used to grow the marijuana. Borders was arrested for a probation violation and taken to the Berrien County Jail. Child Protective Services has also been called because children lived in the home.. ...Read Full Story

$600,000 Grant Announced For Van Buren Courts

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A grant of more than $694,000 is being awarded to Van Buren County for its specialty courts. The money will be used to run the county’s drug treatment court, family treatment court, Swift and Sure Sanctions Program, and adult and youth recovery courts. The county has also been awarded a grant to set up a sobriety court for second and third-time drunk driving offenders. Court officials say the specialty courts are designed to address the problems faced by specific offenders who could be rehabilitated. The idea is to keep them from re-offending and winding back up in the system. Since their inception, Van Buren County’s specialty courts have been run with state and federal grants.. ...Read Full Story

Tesla Suing Michigan Over Dealership Law

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Tesla has sued Governor Rick Snyder and other state officials, challenging a 2014 law that ensures automakers can only sell through franchised dealerships. The federal lawsuit filed Thursday seeks a declaratory judgment that the “anti-Tesla” law is unconstitutional and an injunction to prevent its enforcement. Michigan last week denied Tesla’s application for a license to sell directly to consumers in Michigan, citing the law that’s backed by big auto companies and their dealerships. Tesla Motors Inc. says it prefers that new legislation be enacted but was told recently by lawmakers that no hearing will be held. Tesla says it will “fight for the rights of Michigan consumers to be able to choose how they buy cars in
Michigan.” A spokesman says Snyder doesn’t comment on pending lawsuits.. ...Read Full Story

Threat Alert System Launched

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Michigan’s new Amber Alert-like system to quickly warn people of mass shootings, terrorist attacks and other nearby threats is operational. Michigan State Police spokeswoman Lori Dougavito explains that it can be used to interrupt radio and TV broadcasts through the Emergency Alert System. It also sends out text messages. “It appears on mobile devices, similar to a 90-character text message,” she tells WSJM News.. ...Read Full Story