Local News Archives

50-Kilometer Run Saturday To Raise Money For LOGAN Center

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The LOGAN Autism Learning Center is preparing to move from the First Congregational Church in St. Joseph to the former Stump School in Benton Harbor, and it’s chief strategy officer will be running 50 kilometers this weekend to help raise money. Dr. Josh Diehl will start at the school around 4 a.m. Saturday and run to South Bend to the start of LOGAN’S Run on the Notre Dame campus. He says the rules have him only drinking tapwater on the run unless donations are made for specific things.. ...Read Full Story

Donald Trump To Speak Monday At Detroit Economic Club

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The Detroit Economic Club says Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will speak in Detroit next Monday. Club members and their guests must purchase tickets. Club spokesman Matt Friedman says Trump’s midday speech at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center will be open to the news media but not the general public. Other presidential candidates have given speeches at the Economic Club, including Mitt Romney in 2012 and Trump’s rivals during the recent primary season. Trump won the Michigan Republican primary.. ...Read Full Story

Appeals Court To Hear Arguments On Emergency Manager Law

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A federal appeals court is hearing a dispute over Michigan’s emergency manager law. In 2014, a judge in Detroit swept aside most claims in a lawsuit by critics. But he allowed the case to go forward on whether the law violates the U.S. Constitution by having a disproportionate impact on communities with large black populations. The appeals court will hear arguments Thursday in Cincinnati. Emergency managers have exceptional power to run local governments and school districts, while elected officials typically are pushed aside for 18 months or more. Michigan voters overturned Governor Rick Snyder’s first emergency manager law in 2012. But he and fellow Republicans in the Legislature came back with another version. The state has had a law allowing for the takeover of local governments and schools in a financial emergency since Governor Jim Blanchard signed Public Act 101 in 1988 due to a fiscal emergency in Hamtramck. It was amended in 1990 and replaced in 2011 by Public Act 4, which itself has been replaced.. ...Read Full Story

Robbery Victim Shoots Attacker In Benton Harbor

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One robbery suspect is at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor and another is in the Berrien County Jail after their victim turned the tables at Harbor Towers. Benton Harbor Public Safety says the robbery victim opened fire on the suspects after one of them hit him in the face with a weapon when he refused to give them cash. The suspect who had to be airlifted to Ann Arbor was shot in the face and is expected to survive. The other ran off and was later arrested, and Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis says that person has confessed. No names have been released yet. Exactly when the incident happened has not been made clear.. ...Read Full Story

Mobile Boat Wash Coming To SWM This Weekend

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Southwest Michigan boaters will have a chance to get their watercraft cleaned while learning about invasive species prevention this weekend. On Saturday, Michigan State University’s Mobile Boat Wash will be in Paw Paw and Watervliet. The boat wash is used to show boaters how they can properly clean off their boats, trailers and aquatic equipment to get rid of invasive species that might be clinging to them. Anyone who wants a free boat wash can take their craft to Maple Lake in Paw Paw from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. or to Paw Paw Lake in Watervliet from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 6.. ...Read Full Story

Report Says Cities Could Save By Using Clean Energy

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Commercial business owners across Michigan could improve their bottom lines, as well as residents’ health, by embracing energy efficiency and clean-energy investments outlined in the Clean Power Plan. That’s according to a report from the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Public Policy. Dr. Marilyn Brown, with the institute, says one big step would be to require all buildings over 100,000 square feet to document and report their energy usage.. ...Read Full Story

$160 Million Expansion Planned At Lakeland Medical Center

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A $160 million expansion for Lakeland Medical Center has been announced. The Lakeland Health Board of Directors this week voted to proceed with the new Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion at the facility on Napier Avenue in St. Joseph. The five-story pavilion will feature medical and surgical suites, a short stay unit, imaging centers, an intensive care unit, and education and community rooms. It will also include a new main entrance to the facility with a focus on amenities for visitors. Lakeland Health President Dr. Loren Hamel says the project comes from the organization’s long-term capital facility plan, and is intended to equip the hospital to continue providing for the needs of local patients into the future. A ground breaking ceremony for the pavilion will be held in October, and it’s expected to be completed in 2020. You can find out more at www.lakelandhealth.org/pavilion.. ...Read Full Story

Professional Wrestler Wins MI Primary

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Unofficial returns show professional wrestler “Rhyno” edging two other candidates in the Republican primary for a Michigan legislative seat.
Terrance Gerin of Dearborn led by just 54 votes out of more than 2,700 cast in Tuesday’s election. As the ballots were counted, Gerin, known as “Rhyno” or “Rhino,” was at a World Wrestling Entertainment event in Tennessee, according to the WWE website. The 40-year-old says on his campaign website that he attends Dearborn City Council meetings and is concerned about public pools closing. He wants local businesses to sponsor the pools so they stay open. Gerin faces an uphill climb in November’s general election against health care consultant Abdullah Hammoud because the district favors Democrats. Democratic Representtaive George Darany could not run again under term limits.. ...Read Full Story

[VIDEO] National Night Out Celebrated in Berrien County

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Residents of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor get together with local law enforcement for an evening of food and fun. The thirty-third Annual National Night Out was held Tuesday, and law enforcement agencies from all over Berrien County celebrated with residents in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. St. Joseph has been observing National Night Out for at least thirty years, according to Rick Knapp of the St. Joseph Township Police Department.. ...Read Full Story

Conservative Outsiders Win MI Congressional Primaries

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Republican voters have backed conservative outsiders to advance in Michigan’s open U.S. House primaries. Little-known retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Jack Bergman upset two politically experienced candidates in northern Michigan’s Republican primary. He faces ex-state Democratic Party Chairman Lon Johnson in a competitive race in November. In the Thumb, victorious retired vocational school company CEO Paul Mitchell,
a Republican, will be favored in the fall general election over former Democratic state Rep. Frank Accavitti Jr. Mitchell spent millions of his own money to win the GOP primary that is open due to a retirement. In Detroit, Rep. John Conyers, the longest-serving member of the House, won
the primary in his heavily Democratic district.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Voters In A Mood To Say “Yes” Tuesday

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Berrien County voters were feeling generous Tuesday.  They approved almost all of the ballot proposals before them in primary voting. The only things to go down were Southwest Michigan Regional Airport millages in Bridgman and Lake Township, but millages for the airport passed in the communities most closely surrounding it. Elsewhere, voters said yes to local ballot proposals in Bridgman, Eau Claire, New Buffalo, Watervliet, Coloma, New Buffalo Township, Royalton Township, Sodus Township, Watervliet Township, St. Joseph Township, and Baroda Township. As of late Tuesday, some results were still not yet available for some proposals in Buchanan Schools and Niles Township. . ...Read Full Story

LaSata Claims Victory In 79 District State House Primary

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Kim LaSata’s campaign is calling it a victory in the GOP primary for state House in the 79th District. With most Berrien County precincts reporting, LaSata has a healthy lead over closest primary rival Ryan Arnt. She says she now knows what it’s like to feel humbled by winning an election. LaSata added voters can expect her to represent them well if she makes it to Lansing in November.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren County Election Results

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The race for state House in the 66th District is shaping up in Van Buren County following Tuesday’s primaries. Republicans picked Beth Griffin to run as their candidate in November to replace outgoing state Representative Aric Nesbitt. She beat out Matthew T. Nilson, and will face Democrat Annie Brown. The GOP primary for sheriff, meanwhile, resulted in a win for Daniel Abbot over closest challenger David Walker. A variety of ballot proposals also passed in Van Buren County Tuesday night. Voters countywide approved proposals for roads and for the Van Buren Conservation District. Locally, voters were in a mood to say yes in Arlington Township, Bloomingdale Township, Decatur Township, Porter Township, South Haven Township, Hamilton Township, Hartford Schools, and Lawrence Schools.. ...Read Full Story

Upton Expects Zika Funding Next Month

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Congress could approve funding to fight the Zika virus as soon as next month. Congressman Fred Upton says a previous House effort to approve about $600 million in spending while allowing another $385 million earmarked for other priorities to be reprogrammed was rejected by the Senate. He says the two chambers will be negotiating.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien Officials: Demand To Pay Back Federal Funds “Unacceptable”

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Berrien County officials say a demand from the Federal Economic Development Administration to pay back more than $783,000 the county gave to Whirlpool in 2001 is unacceptable. A press release issued Tuesday says the county used $610,000 of EDA money to help Whirlpool move its technology center from Dayton to Benton Township, requiring Whirlpool to guarantee it would maintain its employment levels in the area for at least ten years. In 2011, after Whirlpool had met the loan’s terms, the loan was forgiven. Then, in a letter dated June 30 of this year, the county was ordered by the EDA to pay back the $610,000, plus interest. County officials say the EDA was told several times about the loan and its terms, and never objected. The county now says “it is unacceptable for EDA staff to demand repayment of these funds 15 years after this venture was initiated, nine years after the EDA was notified of the very loan structure to which it now objects, and 5 years after the terms of this loan were fully satisfied.” The press release goes on to say Berrien County “is not inclined to submit to the EDA’s recent demands” to pay the money back.. ...Read Full Story

Money Raised For Berrien County Foster Children

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Money has been raised to buy gifts for children in Berrien County’s foster care system, thanks to an event held Tuesday at Slumberland Furniture in Benton Township. “Christmas in August” featured games, a dunk tank, a bounce house, and food and refreshments. Heather Hoffman, with the Berrien County Department of Health and Human Services, says the money goes to its Operation Good Cheer program.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Birthday Celebration This Week

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Benton Harbor’s 150th birthday is coming up, and a celebration is planned for this Thursday to mark the occasion. The Morton House Museum on Territorial Road will hold a party starting at 7 p.m. It’s to feature a birthday cake for the city, tours of the house, refreshments, and local speakers who will talk of their experiences in Benton Harbor since the 1950s. They’re set to include Mamie Yarbrough and Janet Dasse Frazier. There will also be an exhibit called “150 Years of Benton Harbor History,” featuring historic photos of the community, artifacts from as far back as 1866, and information on the House of David. Everyone is welcome to the party, and if you can’t make it, the Morton House notes that the exhibit on the city’s history will be up through October 29 every Saturday. You can find out more at www.facebook.com/MortonHouseMuseum.. ...Read Full Story

LMC To Pursue Facilities Improvement Millage

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Lake Michigan College will ask voters for a new millage to pay for a variety of facility improvements come November. At a Tuesday meeting, the board of trustees approved moving forward with the ballot question. LMC President Dr. Bob Harrison says the roughly $4 million per year raised by the millage would make many things possible.. ...Read Full Story

Auto Sales Down In July

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U.S. auto sales were expected to drop slightly in July as unusually hot weather kept buyers indoors. Kelley Blue Book predicted a 1 percent decline from last July to about 1.5 million vehicles, while auto pricing site TrueCar.com expected sales to be flat for the month. TrueCar said some automakers offered big discounts to help beat the heat. General Motors’ sales fell 2% while Ford’s U.S. sales fell 3%. Both automakers reported declines in pickup truck sales, their best-sellers, but strong sales of big SUVs. Sales of the Ford Expedition more than doubled, while sales of the GMC Yukon were up 32%. Other automakers will report sales later Tuesday.. ...Read Full Story

AM General To Get $356M To Build Humvees For Afghanistan

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AM General has been awarded a $356 million contract to make more than 1,600 Humvees for the Afghanistan national army and police at its factory in northern Indiana. The company said in a news release the work to make the 1,673 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles will be done at its plant in Mishawaka. The work is scheduled to begin this month and is expected to be completed in a year.. ...Read Full Story

Judge: Lawsuit Linked To House Sex Scandal Can Go Forward

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A federal judge has ruled in favor of two former Michigan House aides who say they were illegally fired before a sex scandal broke in the Capitol. Judge Gordon Quist says Keith Allard and Ben Graham were engaged in protected activity under a whistleblower law when they reported wrongdoing by lawmakers Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat. Their lawsuit against the House can go forward. The aides were fired last July, shortly before an affair by Courser and Gamrat became public. Courser and Gamrat were accused of trying to cover up the affair. One quit the House, and the other was expelled. The Detroit News says the House had asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit. But Quist says Allard and Graham “spoke out on matters of public concern.”. ...Read Full Story

Report Examines Income Disparities In Michigan

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A new analysis shows Michigan’s top 1% of earners continue to see their incomes rise while everyone else is not. The findings from the Michigan League for Public Policy show that the state is 11th worst nationally for income inequality, which spans gender, race and ethnicity and educational level. Rachel Richards, with the Michigan League for Public Policy, says the organization will be diving deeper into these income inequality issues with a series of fact sheets.. ...Read Full Story

BH City Commissioners Approve Facade Work For City Hall

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Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved a renovation project for city hall. At Monday’s meeting, they voted to proceed with most of the work planned, tabling only one of the contracts dealing with masonry and roof work, partly due to concerns enough wasn’t done to hire local minorities. Mayor Marcus Muhammad says he’s glad to see city hall’s facade getting a variety of improvements.. ...Read Full Story

Lakeland Health Recognized For Stroke Treatment

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Lakeland Health has been honored for the care it provides to stroke patients. It’s received the American Heart Association and Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines” Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. In order to get the award, hospitals have to achieve 85% or higher adherence to all “Get With The Guidelines” indicators for two or more consecutive years. They also have to meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment. Lakeland Health Director of Patient Care Services Chris Fox says he’s proud of the team which he says provides exemplary care. You can find out about stroke warning signs and what to do at LakelandHealth.org/Stroke.. ...Read Full Story

Chalk The Block Coming Up In Downtown St. Joseph

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It’s almost time once again for the annual Chalk the Block event in downtown St. Joseph. The 20th Chalk the Block kicks off this Friday when more than 30 artists from around the country will be welcomed to town, preparing to cover the sidewalks with chalk art. St. Joe Today’s Whitney Behnke says thousands come down to check out their work.. ...Read Full Story

Museum Exhibit Honoring First Responders To Open In Lansing

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A museum in Lansing has opened a first responders exhibit that highlights the work of police officers and firefighters over the years. The Lansing State Journal reports that the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum exhibit includes a shiny red 1938 Reo Speed Wagon as well as a Gold Crown fire
truck that sold for more than $1,300 back then and served the Bainbridge Fire Company in Pennsylvania until 1972. Museum director Bill Adcock says the exhibit is intended to show kids that emergency responders don’t hurt the public, they save the public. Adcock describes the exhibit, which opened in July, as a working and living display that’ll be added to over time. Adcock says the idea for the museum grew after the death of firefighter Dennis Rodeman, who was hit by a vehicle in 2015.. ...Read Full Story

SUV Sales Soaring

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With gasoline hovering closer to $2 per gallon these days, it seems like a no-brainer that SUVs are once again hot sellers. However, Ford Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks says SUVs are not the gas-guzzlers of old.. ...Read Full Story

Western Michigan University President Stepping Down

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Western Michigan University President John Dunn is stepping down after ten years on the job. Dunn announced Monday he will serve through June of 2017, and then become president emeritus for one year. He said he was announcing his retirement well ahead of time so the university trustees would have plenty of time to find his successor. After ten years on the job as WMU president, Dunn has awarded 50,000 degrees to the school’s graduates. Kenneth Miller, chairman of WMU’s governing board, says the Kalamazoo school is “markedly different and stronger” than when Dunn became president in 2007. Dunn previously had leadership roles at Southern Illinois University, the University of Utah, and Oregon State University.. ...Read Full Story

Tuesday Primaries Drawing Attention To MI Congressional Races

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Two open U.S. House seats will be in the spotlight during Michigan’s primary election. The Republican winner of a Thumb-area contest should have a clear path to Congress, while the victors in the state’s expansive northern congressional district will face off in a competitive race in November. Tuesday’s primary also will set the stage for this fall’s battle for control of the state House, which Democrats are eager to win after years of GOP rule. Republican Congresswoman Candice Miller’s decision to step aside after 14 years representing the Thumb and northern Macomb County has sparked a five-way Republican primary. The winner will be favored in November. Republican Congressman Dan Benishek’s retirement after six years representing  northern Michigan has led to a three-man Republican primary and a two-man Democratic race.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College Board To Discuss Millage Proposal

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The Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting tomorrow morning to discuss putting a capital millage proposal on the November ballot. LMC has not gone to voters seeking a new millage in two decades. Lake Michigan College Foundation executive director Mary Klemm told WSJM News earlier this summer the money would be put toward modernizing and upgrading classrooms to today’s standards with new technology. The $40 million millage would also bankroll a new heating and air conditioning system. The board will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Mendel Center.. ...Read Full Story

Four-Year Study Finds Excessive Pollutants In Three Michigan Rivers

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(Detroit, MI – AP) – Scientists have found a significant presence of organic waste compounds in three Michigan rivers. The “Detroit Free Press” reports that the Rouge and Clinton rivers in southeastern Michigan and the St. Joseph River in southwestern Michigan have pollutants from car exhaust, smokestacks, herbicides and detergents. The U.S. Geological Survey sampled water throughout the Great Lakes region from 2010 through 2013. The “Free Press” says some organic waste compounds were 10 times higher than water-quality benchmarks.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Elections Tuesday

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There will be plenty on the ballot for next week’s primary elections in Berrien County. First, there’s the Republican race for 79th District state representative, which features four candidates. Ryan Arnt, Mary Brown, Kim Lasata, and Troy Rolling are running to face off against Democrat Marletta Seats in November. Also being decided next Tuesday will be ballot questions in communities all over the county. There are millage renewals to be decided in Bridgman, New Buffalo, Niles, St. Joseph, and Watervliet. That’s not to mention township questions in Baroda, Benton, Coloma, Lake, Lincoln, Niles, New Buffalo, Pipestone, Royalton, St. Joseph, Sodus, and Watervliet Townships. There are also school millage questions in Buchanan, Sodus Township, and Hagar Township. Finally, voters across Berrien County will decide whether to renew the 911, public safety, and senior center millages. You can find out more at BerrienCounty.org/Elections.. ...Read Full Story

Several Van Buren County Communities To Vote Next Week

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A variety of local ballot questions will be decided next week in Van Buren County. There will be countywide ballot questions on a road tax renewal for four years, and a new 0.1 mill levy to pay for the Van Buren Conservation District. Locally, voters sin several communities will decide on whether to renew road millages. They include Arlington Township and Bloomingdale Township. Also, South Haven voters will decide on a quarter mill levy to pay for the purchase of recreational property, in Decatur, they’ll decide on renewing a fire millage, as will voters in Hamilton Township. The elections are on Tuesday, and polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.. ...Read Full Story

Cherry Farmer Causes Stir By Dumping Part Of His crop

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A Traverse City farmer has caused a social media frenzy after posting pictures of tart cherries he dumped on the ground to rot. Marc Santucci says he dumped the crops to comply with an industry agreement which he claims props up the price of cherries. Cherry Industry Administrative Board Executive Director Perry Hedin says that’s not the case, adding he had other options besides simply dumping %14 of his crop.. ...Read Full Story

Illness Shuts Down Western MI Camp

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A western Michigan camp has temporarily suspended operations after more than 20 children and staff complained of being ill. Camp Gerber Scout Reservation in Muskegon County’s Twin Lake was hosting a Cub Scout day camp and shut down voluntarily Thursday night. WOOD-TV reports that county health officials suspect the illness could be norovirus. The property was to be disinfected and medical checks were to be conducted. WZZM-TV reports that healthy campers and counselors were being sent to other camps in the system. Cub Scout camps scheduled next week will be hosted at a facility in Kalamazoo.. ...Read Full Story

Nearly $20,000 Awarded To Al-Van Humane Society

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The Al-Van Humane Society is receiving a grant of just under $20,000 from the Bissell Foundation. The Grand Rapids-based organization supports animal shelters all over Michigan, and in its latest round of grants announced $19,875 for the shelter in South Haven. The Al-Van Humane Society’s Jennifer Nuernberg says they’re going to use the money for several programs.. ...Read Full Story

Kzoo Police Chief Defends Officer Over Controversial Gesture

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A police chief in southwest Michigan is defending an officer who appears to be making a gun-pointing gesture with his hand in a photo that was posted on Facebook. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley says it’s a misunderstanding. He says the officer is known for pointing when he acknowledges people in his patrol car. The Kalamazoo Gazette says the photo was posted on Facebook by someone who felt threatened by the gesture Friday while standing outside a barber shop. Hadley says the officer was trying to be friendly and is “really broken up” about the reaction on social media. However, Hadley says he also understands “how it raises people’s eyebrows.” Kalamazoo County Commissioner Stephanie Moore says the officer made a poor choice.. ...Read Full Story

Police Agencies Holding National Night Out Events Next Week

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National Night Out events are planned for next week in several communities around southwest Michigan. The annual gatherings are a chance for law enforcement agencies across the country to mingle with the public so that everyone is a little better acquainted. The police often do demonstrations of equipment and vehicles, and free hot dogs are provided. All of the National Night Out events are set for next Tuesday. In St. Joseph, there will be one held at St. Joseph Township’s Riverview Park from 5 to 8 p.m. In Benton Harbor, a Night Out will be at Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park, also starting at 5 p.m. In Van Buren County, National Night Out will be at the Lawrence Park Pavilion in Lawrence starting at 6 p.m. Free hot dogs and beverages will be served, and retiring Van Buren County Sheriff Dale Gribler will be honored. Contact your local law enforcement agency to find out what it’s doing for the Night Out.. ...Read Full Story

More Information On State Workers Charged In Flint Water Crisis

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Michigan officials say four public employees charged with crimes related to Flint’s lead-contaminated water crisis have been suspended without pay. The Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services departments said Friday that two workers from each department are off the job for now. They are Adam Rosenthal and Patrick Cook from the DEQ and Nancy Peeler and Robert Scott from HHS. The Associated Press couldn’t reach the employees for comment. The two other people charged Friday had either already retired or were fired. Attorney General Bill Schuette’s office filed the charges. He says they hid the truth about Flint’s problems. The struggling city used the Flint River water for 18 months to save money. Residents consumed improperly treated water that released lead as it coursed through aging pipes. Elevated levels of the toxin were discovered in children.Three public workers previously were charged.. ...Read Full Story

Report Looks At Law Enforcement Deaths

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A report from the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund shows that the number of law enforcement officers killed in the United States this year is up over last year. As of July 20, 67 federal, state, and local officers died on the job, an 8% increase from the same time last year. The Memorial Fund’s Craig Floyd says people need to work with law enforcement to build safer communities.. ...Read Full Story

Bailey Talking With County Commissioners About Courthouse Security

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Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey is requesting security changes at the courthouse following the shootings there this month. Bailey met with the Berrien County Board of Commissioners on Thursday to voice his concerns. A new ad hoc committee was formed, and it was set to meet with Bailey to start talking about specific procedures and how much new security measures might cost. Bailey isn’t saying yet what his recommendations are. His request comes after the courthouse shootings on July 11 which resulted in the deaths of two courthouse security officers. Two others were also shot by an inmate trying to escape, and they are now recovering. The inmate was shot and killed by officers.. ...Read Full Story

Cass County Man Sentenced In Wife’s Murder

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A Cass County man convicted in the fatal shooting of his wife has been sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison. The prosecutor’s office says 43-year-old Terry Ray Steinback shot and killed Laura Steinback during an argument at their Wayne Township home on May 12 of last year. Steinback was convicted of second degree murder, assault with intent to murder and felony firearm on June 10 following a jury trial. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said at sentencing that the murder was “a senseless execution of a wonderful woman.” He also said that Steinback has deprived their 9-year-old daughter of the person who raised her since infancy. Steinback will serve an additional 2 years for possession of a firearm in the crime.. ...Read Full Story

Suspects In Bloomingdale Bank Robbery Arraigned

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A 17-year-old from Grand Junction has been arraigned for the robbery of a Van Buren County bank on Thursday. The sheriff’s department says Ebony Dukes is charged with bank robbery, and her bond has been set at $1 million. She’s accused of walking into the Chemical Bank in Bloomingdale with two others and demanding cash. They made off with an undisclosed amount, and were found later in the day. The money was recovered. The other two suspects are described as a 16-year-old girl from Grand Junction and a 15-year-old boy from Covert. They’re being processed in juvenile court, and their names have not been released. They were also arraigned Friday. All three suspects have their next court dates on August 10.. ...Read Full Story