Local News Archives

Upton To Visit Flint Thursday

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Congressman Fred Upton will be in Flint Thursday to learn more about what’s been done to solve the city’s water crisis. He tells WSJM News there are still things Congress can do to ensure more cities don’t wind up with lead tainting their water supply.. ...Read Full Story

MI Officials: No Asian Carp DNA Found In State Waters This Year

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Officials say no genetic material from invasive bighead or silver carp has been detected in Michigan waters this year. The state Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are searching Michigan’s Great Lakes tributary rivers for Asian carp DNA. After this year’s work is completed, more than 7,000 water samples will have been collected since 2013. One sample from the Kalamazoo River tested positive in 2014, but officials say the source probably was a boat or angler from another water body. The DNR says it is waiting for results of a final round of sampling from the St. Joseph, Grand, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Macatawa, Galien and Black rivers. But thus far, no samples this year have turned up signs of Asian carp.. ...Read Full Story

Man Found Competent For Trial In Kalamazoo Bicycle Killings

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A 50-year-old man charged with striking and killing five bicyclists with his pickup truck in Kalamazoo has been found competent to stand trial. A hearing was held Wednesday in Kalamazoo County District Court for Charles Pickett Jr. He was evaluated by the state’s Center for Forensic Psychiatry at the request of his attorney. Pickett is charged with five counts of second-degree murder, four counts of reckless driving causing impairment and driving while intoxicated causing death. Police have reported that Pickett had taken pain pills and muscle relaxers less than two hours before the June 7 crash. Another four bicyclists were injured when he struck them from behind on a two-lane road in Cooper Township, south of Grand Rapids. Pickett faces a September 21 preliminary examination.. ...Read Full Story

Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg To Speak At Notre Dame

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U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is planning to speak at the University of Notre Dame. University president the Rev. John Jenkins announced that Ginsburg will speak at the Purcell Pavilion on September 12. He says she will talk about a wide range of issues with U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Ann Claire Williams, who is a Notre Dame alumna and board of trustee member.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Moves Millage To May

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Voters will not be deciding on the sinking fund millage for Benton Harbor Area Schools in November. The school board has voted to move that to the May primary at a special meeting last night. Board member Stephen Mitchell told our partners at WNDU NewsCenter 16 he’d rather put the question in front of voters now, rather than wait.. ...Read Full Story

Dowagiac, South Haven Robberies May Be Related

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The search is on for an armed robber who pulled a gun at the Quick Stop liquor store in South Haven just before 9:30 Monday night and got away with cash out of the register. Police are looking at surveillance video trying to identify the suspect, who is described as black, about 6-feet-2, and was wearing dark clothing along with a mask and gloves. There is also the possibility according to police that the same suspect robbed a Marathon station in Dowagiac about an hour later. In that robbery, a customer’s wallet was also taken along with money out of the till. A police K-9 was unable to track the man out of the gas station. Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call South Haven Police or Dowagiac Public Safety.. ...Read Full Story

LMC Board Welcomes New Member

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The Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees has welcomed a new member. On Tuesday, the board swore in Jeff Curry to serve in a three-year term replacing Stephen Small, who joined in 2013 and resigned this month. Curry is a past president of the Lake Michigan College Foundation, and a past president and current treasurer of the Niles Board of Education. He’s also a member of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation and the committee for the Buchanan Promise. Previously, he’s worked with Kinexus, the United Way of Southwest Michigan, and the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. Curry is a St. Joseph native who lives in Niles and works for Stay Metrics. LMC Board President Mary Jo Tomasini says he’s an excellent addition with the insight to help LMC innovate. Curry replaces Stephen Small, of South Haven, who stepped down to teach at the college.. ...Read Full Story

Senator Gary Peters To Be In Van Buren County Thursday

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Senator Gary Peters is going to make a stop in Van Buren County this week. Peters is currently on a motorcycle tour of the state, heading to 26 counties and making 12 stops over five days to talk with Michigan residents about things going on in Washington. On Thursday, he’ll stop at Bloomingdale Communications, on West Kalamazoo Street in Bloomingdale, to discuss the work being done to get broadband internet to rural Michigan residents. Bloomingdale Communications is a broadband provider. Peters will roll into town about 11 a.m. Also Thursday, Peters will make stops in Jones and Sturgis.. ...Read Full Story

State Sharing $89 Million For Low Income Heat Assistance

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More than a dozen Michigan-based organizations and companies will share $89 million for energy assistance programs for low-income
households or schools. The grants were approved by the Michigan Agency for Energy in conjunction with the state Department of Health and Human Services. The projects include helping low-income utility customers pay their bills on time and assisting them with budgeting to provide for energy expenses. Grants include $17 million for DTE Energy, $15 million for TrueNorth Community Services, $13.7 million for the Salvation Army, $13.2 million for Consumers  Energy and $8.8 million for the Heat and Warmth Fund.. ...Read Full Story

MI Student Test Scores A Mixed Bag

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Michigan students improved in slightly more than half of the grades and subjects tested on newer, more rigorous standardized assessments,
but their proficiency declined in other areas. M-STEP results released Tuesday show that fewer than half of the students were proficient in 17 of 18 subject-grade tests. State officials say there’s work to be done, but they’re pleased testing times dropped and results are being released four months earlier than last year — the first time the M-STEP was given. Also being released are SAT college entrance exam scores. The SAT was
administered to 11th-graders for the first time after Michigan switched from the ACT. 60% of students were deemed college and career ready in reading and writing, but just 37 percent were college and career ready in math.. ...Read Full Story

Lincoln Township Residents Warned About Wave Of Car Break-Ins

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Lincoln Township police are reminding residents to keep their cars locked, as there’s been a rash of vehicle break-ins lately. Police chief Dan Sullivan says the thieves have been striking mostly unlocked cars since the beginning of August. Most recently, there were 15 reports of car break-ins this past Sunday and Monday. Sullivan says one tip is simply to not leave anything valuable in your car.. ...Read Full Story

Dowagiac Gas Station Robbed Monday

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Police are looking for an armed robber who struck a Marathon station in Dowagiac Monday night. Dowagiac police say the suspect walked into the gas station on Spruce Street around 10:40 p.m. flashing a handgun. He made off with the cash from the register, as well as a customer’s wallet. The suspect was wearing a mask and a hood at the time, along with dark clothing. He’s described as being about 6’1 and 200 pounds. A search for him with a police K9 didn’t turn up anything. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the Dowagiac Police Department.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan’s Apple Crop Expected To Set Record

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It’s expected Michigan apple growers will harvest a record 31-million bushels or 1.3 billion pounds of apples this year. The Michigan Apple Committee says that’s up by 7-million bushels from last year, and well above the average of 22.8 million bushels for the state. Michigan Apple Committee Executive Director Diane Smith credits excellent weather conditions for growing apples this summer, and says with the heat we’ve had, the flavor is also expected to be as excellent as the size of the crop. Harvest is underway now for early-season varieties, and will continue through the fall. Michigan has over 800 family-run apple farms with over 11-million apple trees in commercial production.. ...Read Full Story

Notre Dame Receives $5M Donation For Business Incubator

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(South Bend, IN – AP) – The University of Notre Dame has received a $5 million donation to build the second phase of a business incubator near campus. The donation was made by the late Thomas Quinn and his wife, Diane. The money will fund a 40,000-square-foot, three-level facility located on a 12-acre site immediately south of the campus that will expand Innovation Park. Construction is expected to begin in late fall or early winter.. ...Read Full Story

Kalamazoo Police Believe They’ve Cracked Cold Case From 2013

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He has been the prime suspect since an 88-year-old neighbor was beaten to death in his own home on Kalamazoo’s east side three years ago this month. Now, authorities in that city say 43-year-old Todd Maneke is facing open murder charges for allegedly killing Alfred Minka. Kalamazoo Public Safety Captain Victor Ledbetter says the man they arrested was the most likely candidate from the beginning, but it took a lot of good old fashioned detective work and a bit of evidence that had been overlooked to finally put all the pieces in place.. ...Read Full Story

AAA Michigan: Be Safe On Roads Over Labor Day

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If you’re planning on going out of town this Labor Day, you’re not alone. Triple-A Michigan expects over one million Michiganders to travel this weekend, making it the third most traveled holiday of the summer season. And with so many people on the roads, spokeswoman Susan Hiltz says the risk factors greatly increase.. ...Read Full Story

Flood Warning For Berrien, Cass Counties

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Parts of southwest Michigan are under a flood warning until 3 p.m. today. The National Weather Service says a thunderstorm this morning dropping about three inches of rain an hour from Benton Harbor to Cass County is to blame. Northeastern Berrien and northwestern Cass counties are under the warning, including Stevensville, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Dowagiac, Eau Claire and Millburg. The National Weather Service is urging people to not drive through flooded areas, noting most flood-related deaths happen in vehicles.. ...Read Full Story

Whirlpool Recalling Microwaves For Fire Hazard

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More than 15,000 microwave ovens are being recalled by Whirlpool. Manufactured in China between January 2014 and April of this year, the microwaves pose a fire hazard. There have been five reports of problems, including one house fire. The recalled items are microwave hood combinations in black, stainless steel and white. The recalled microwaves should be unplugged immediately and not used. Whirlpool says internal arcing during use can ignite a plastic component. More information is available on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website and at repair.whirlpoolcorp.com, including a list of model and serial numbers included in the recall.. ...Read Full Story

Report: More Money, More Votes

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As public frustration over the influence of money in politics continues to grow, a new study shows some evidence the US political system is more “one dollar, one vote” than “one person, one vote.” Thomas Ferguson, with the Institute for New Economic Thinking, tapped big data on congressional races and discovered a stark correlation.. ...Read Full Story

State Grant To Boost Algae Bloom Research

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Great Lakes researchers have gotten a big boost from the state Department of Environmental Quality. More than $155,000 has been given to Oakland University to create technology to deal with harmful algae blooms that can kill off fish. David Schlagg, assistant Professor of chemistry and environmental science, says the money will go to good use.. ...Read Full Story

WMU Researchers Moving Into Retirement Community

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Some occupational therapy students from Western Michigan University are about to begin an unusual project to prepare themselves for working with seniors once they graduate. They’re moving into a retirement community. Director of resident living at Clark on Keller Lake in Cascade Township Nancy Ayers says it’s a pioneering research project. The intent is for the students and the seniors to learn from one another.. ...Read Full Story

BH Schools Looking For Cleanup Volunteers This Week

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With the new school year starting next week, Benton Harbor Area Schools is reaching out to the community to ask for a little help in preparing its buildings. Curriculum Director Patricia Robinson says many teachers had to move to new buildings over the summer, and they’re hoping volunteers will come out this week to help them clear some of the clutter.. ...Read Full Story

Dalton Trial Expected Late This Year Or Early Next Year

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Kalamazoo mass shooting suspect Jason Dalton is expected to face 16 felony charges when he goes on trial late this year or early next year. That’s according to Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting who says Dalton is currently being evaluated for competency. Getting expects that when the results of the defense-requested exam are in, the prosecution is going to ask for a second opinion.. ...Read Full Story

Cat Rescued In New Buffalo Reunited With Family After Cross-Country Trip

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A southwest Michigan Welcome Center has doubled as an animal rescue center, as employees managed to save a cat that escaped from its cross-country bound family. Milkie, a 14-year-old tabby, was traveling in a moving truck with Graham Skelly and his 10-year-old son, Simon, from Seattle to Arlington, Virginia. The father says they stopped August 21 at the travelers’ center in New Buffalo. Skelly says Milkie, who was leashed, became scared by a dog and ran into woods. The Skellys searched for two hours before leaving empty-handed. Center employee Alyson Payne says workers finally safely trapped Milkie on Friday. Graham Skelly drove from Virginia to reclaim the pet Sunday. He says by phone – amid Milkie’s meows – that the family is “grateful” for the rescue.. ...Read Full Story

WMU Football Players Appear In Court For Armed Robbery

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Two Western Michigan football players who were kicked off the team after their arrest have appeared in court on armed robbery charges. Bond was set Monday at $100,000 each for freshmen Ron George of Pittsburgh and Bryson White of Mason, Ohio. They’re accused of using a gun and knife to rob a woman at her Kalamazoo apartment Friday night. They’re charged with armed robbery, first-degree home invasion and larceny in a building. George, a linebacker, asked for a court-appointed lawyer. White, a wide receiver, said he has an attorney, but he appeared by video from jail without one. Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck removed them from the team Sunday, saying “we are moving forward.”. ...Read Full Story

Schools Of Choice, Charters Getting Large Share Of MI Students

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More than 20 percent of students in Michigan public schools were in a charter school last year or a school in another district. MLive says it analyzed state data on where kids attended public school in fall 2015. The new year in most districts starts next week. MLive says 144,000 students were in charter schools, which get state aid like traditional public schools. Another 182,000 students were in public schools outside their home district. School-of-choice programs can have a negative impact on budgets in urban districts because state aid is based on enrollment.
More than 60 percent of students in the Westwood Heights district in Genesee County came from outside the district, many from Flint. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy says “people are voting with their feet.”. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Gas Prices Rise 7¢

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Gas prices have spiked one more time as summer winds down to Labor Day and the last surge of vacationers hits the highway. AAA Michigan says prices are up 7¢ a gallon since last week, averaging about $2.39 per gallon statewide. GasBuddy.com’s Patrick DeHaan says higher crude oil prices are fueling the increase but he expects prices to begin falling again after Labor Day.. ...Read Full Story

State Loses Court Fight Over Welfare Benefits

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An appeals court has ruled against the state of Michigan in a dispute over cutting off public aid to some people accused of crimes. In 2015, a federal judge in Ann Arbor said the state can’t stop food aid and other benefits unless someone is intentionally fleeing and is being actively
pursued by police. Judge Judith Levy had put limits on a Michigan policy that was causing severe hardships, especially when law enforcement databases contained wrong or misleading information. In a 3-0 decision Thursday, a federal appeals court in Cincinnati affirmed Levy’s ruling. The class-action lawsuit has affected thousands of people.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Adding More Courthouse Security Staff

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Two new security officers for the court system in Berrien County will be hired following action this week by the board of commissioners. On Thursday, they approved adding another bailiff at the St. Joseph Courthouse and a new jail guard at the Niles Courthouse. That follows a security review by a committee, says court administrator Brian Ray.. ...Read Full Story

LMC Celebrates Completion Of Hanson Technology Center

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Lake Michigan College’s Hanson Technology Center is now open for business. LMC broke ground on the $12 million facility at its Napier Avenue campus just last year, and on Tuesday, the grand opening was held. LMC President Dr. Bob Harrison says the Hanson Tech Center will serve as a modern manufacturing training ground, but that’s not all.. ...Read Full Story

Reward Offered In Death Of West MI Bison

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A $500 reward is being offered to solve the fatal shooting of a 4-year-old bison in western Michigan. The owners had assumed that the bison, named Goliath, died of natural causes this week near Stanton in Montcalm County. The Morning Sun and WZZM-TV report that a taxidermist later found bullet holes. Chad Stewart says Goliath was one of 20 bison at the Douglas Township ranch. He says the other animals knew that Goliath was gone and gathered Wednesday at the exact spot where he died.. ...Read Full Story

Guns, Meth Seized In Van Buren County

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A variety of charges are likely to be filed after a raid resulting in the seizure of guns and drugs on Friday on Van Buren County. The sheriff’s department says deputies were sent to a property in the 39,000 block of 76th Avenue in Decatur Township around 8 p.m. to look for a fugitive when they found several suspects there with outstanding warrants. A quick search of them turned up meth, marijuana, and guns. Police also found a couple of stolen pop-up campers on site with meth and guns stashed inside of them, along with a small child. Arrested were 57-year-old Nina Sparks and 35-year-old Walter Nicks, both of Decatur, and a 27-year-old Decatur woman whose name has not yet been released. Another three people, all from Decatur, could also be facing charges once the case is reviewed by the prosecutor.. ...Read Full Story

Man Pleads Guilty To Lying In Missing Person Case

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A 47-year-old western Michigan man has pleaded guilty to lying to police about the disappearance of a gas station clerk. Kevin Bluhm appeared Friday in Muskegon County Circuit Court. Bluhm is the cousin of Jeffrey Willis, who is being investigated in the 2013 disappearance of Jessica Heeringa, a clerk in Norton Shores. Authorities say Bluhm told police Willis was responsible, but later told police he made it up. He will be sentenced in September. Willis is charged with abducting a 16-year-old girl in April and the 2014 slaying of 36-year-old jogger Rebekah Bletsch in Dalton Township. Bluhm waived a preliminary examination last month on a charge of lying to police in the Bletsch case.. ...Read Full Story

Party Leaders To Pick Supreme Court Candidates, Other Nominees

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Democratic and Republican party activists will meet to pick Supreme Court candidates and other nominees for the November ballot. At their convention Saturday in Grand Rapids, the GOP will tout two incumbent justices – David Viviano for an eight-year term and Joan Larsen to fill a
partial two-year term. Democrats gathering in Lansing are expected to nominate Wayne County Circuit Judges Frank Szymanski and Deborah Thomas. It would be Thomas’ third Supreme Court bid. Convention delegates also will choose nominees for two state Board of Education positions and two spots each on the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University.
The parties also will rally activists to help win the presidential race, congressional races and control of the Michigan House.. ...Read Full Story

Lansing Library Books Returned After 40 Years

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Two books about NBA legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar have been returned to a library in Lansing nearly 40 years after they were due. The Lansing State Journal reports that the books were found early this week in the book drop at the downtown Lansing branch of the Capital Area District Library system. The books, “Kareem Abdul Jabbar: The Story of Lew Alcindor,” and “Jabbar: Giant of the NBA,” were supposed to be returned to the library December 2, 1976. Scott Duimstra, senior associate director for the library system, says there’s no way to tell which unpunctual patron returned the books because the library doesn’t keep records from 1976. Duimstra said overdue books are common, but that he can’t remember a book returned after such a long period.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Bluff Concours d’Elegance Winners Announced

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The winners of the 12th annual Lake Bluff Concours d’Elegance car show have been announced. The show is held at St. Joseph’s Lake Bluff Park each August for the owners of classic vehicles to show them off, and entries can receive awards in a variety of categories. For this year’s Concours, held on August 13, the best of show was a 1910 Stoddard Dayton K owned by Don and Joan Lyons, of Dowagiac. They also won the people’s choice award. Taking the Chairman’s Choice award was a 1960 Vespa 400 Microcar owned by Rob and Patty Gerring, Elkhart, and going home with the award for founder’s choice was a 1924 Nash 690 Touring owned by Doug and Jennifer Williams, out of Prudenville, Michigan. You can see a full list of the winners below.. ...Read Full Story

Humane Society Redneck Games Saturday

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This Saturday brings the third annual Redneck Games at the Baroda American Legion. The event raises money for the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan, and will feature team competitions that include Hungry Hungry Human Hippos, Horseshoes, a Home Run Derby, and a Balloon Bonanza Obstacle Course. Food will be provided by Baja Tacos, and there will be a cash bar. They’ll also have a “Flea on Me” Market. It’s not too late to sign up a five-person team to compete. To do so costs $125, and the winning team will get $1,000. You can also show up as a spectator and cheer on your favorite redneck team for free. The games begin at noon. Registration is at 11 a.m. To find out more, go to HumaneSocietySWM.org.. ...Read Full Story

SWM Housing Market Slows Down In July

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The housing market in Southwest Michigan slowed down a bit during the month of July. The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors says the market has been setting records for several months, but in July, there was a decrease in the number of homes sold and in the average selling price. The number of houses sold dropped 5% from June, and 4% from July of last year. Meanwhile, the average selling price fell 12%. Nevertheless, the regional market this year has shown strength, with the total number of homes sold up 8%. The association of realtors says it remains a good time to sell, as the median selling price in July set the record as the highest for the month since 2006.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven Restaurant Accused Of Re-Serving Food

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A viral Facebook post by the family of a former server at South Haven’s Su Casa Restaurant has prompted a Van Buren County Health Department investigation. The post accused the restaurant of re-serving food that wasn’t eaten by other customers, including chips and salsa. Restaurant owner Edgar Suarez tells Kalamazoo’s WWMT-TV he didn’t know that wasn’t legal, and they’re no longer doing it. The health department is still investigating, and has issued a citation to the restaurant. The Facebook post by Kristie Bowie has been shared nearly 2,800 times.. ...Read Full Story