Accusations of decades of a cover-up are being thrown at Minnesota-based 3M over PFAS. Attorney Nicholas Coulson is representing the city of Parchment in its class action lawsuit against 3M and Georgia Pacific, and says a “Detroit Free Press” investigation has found internal documents showing 3M covered up the health and environmental effects from the chemicals dating back to the 1950s.. ...Read Full Story
Orange barrels will line M-43 in Van Buren County for 13-and-a-half miles starting next Monday. The Michigan Department of Transportation will start a resurfacing project between Bangor and Waverly Township on May 20, and it’s expected to wrap up on Friday, June 28. Crews will be doing $2.3 million worth of work to repave the highway and work on sidewalk ramps, pavement markings and make curb and gutter improvements. One lane will remain open in each direction during construction.. ...Read Full Story
AAA Michigan says average gas prices statewide are down about 11¢ from a week ago to about $2.80 per gallon. The auto club says the average price for regular is about 13¢ less than a year ago. AAA described the drop as a surprise and said it could be a result of unpredictable weather curbing demand. Typically, gas prices rise heading toward the Memorial Day holiday. The state’s highest average was about $2.85 a gallon in the Marquette area, the lowest is in Flint at $2.71. Prices locally in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph are averaging $2.79, down 11¢ from last week. In South Haven, GasBuddy puts the average even lower, coming in at $2.69.. ...Read Full Story
The OutCenter in Benton Harbor is planning to host a town hall this month on discrimination faced by LGBTQ Michiganders and the protections they have. Set for May 16 at Lake Michigan College, the presentation will feature guest speaker Jay Kaplan, the LGBT Project Staff Attorney of the ACLU of Michigan. He’ll talk about case law and current policy developments, and also take questions. The event is being held as part of the OutCenter VOICES program. The OutCenter’s Mary Jo Schnell says she often hears from people who want to know about the protections in place for them, and this will be a chance for many to learn more. The town hall will be Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Michigan College’s Todd Center.. ...Read Full Story
The public will have another chance next week to weigh in on the Berrien County Parks Department’s plans for the next few years with two open houses next week. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey told WSJM News earlier this spring the department is working on its master plan for 2020 through 2024. The plan outlines what developments could be coming to Rocky Gap, Silver Beach, Love Creek, Madeline Bertrand, Paw Paw River, Historic Courthouse Square, and Galien River County Parks.. ...Read Full Story
A new program has been announced by the Berrien Community Foundation to give free hearing aids to low-income seniors. The foundation’s Lisa Cripps-Downey tells WSJM News the Starkey Hearing Foundation is expanding to Berrien County this year thanks to the Frederick S. Upton Foundation. As part of the Hear Now Mission, the BCF is working with Dr. Kasewurm’s Professional Hearing Services in St. Joseph to get these hearing aids to those in need.. ...Read Full Story
One person is dead following a three-vehicle crash in New Buffalo Township Saturday. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us it happened just before 4 p.m. at M-239 just south of Wilson Road. Responding officers learned a Honda CRV crossed
the center line of M239 and struck two vehicles. There were no injuries in one of them. The second vehicle, which was struck head-one, had four passengers and one was killed. Three others are in critical condition. The driver of the Honda CRV, a 21-year-old Laporte, Indiana woman, and the driver of the vehicle she hit, a 40-year-old Elkhart man, were both listed as stable after receiving treatment for their injuries. All injured were taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Accident Investigation Team was called to the scene and are assisting with the investigation.. ...Read Full Story
As renovations continue at the Watervliet Parcourse behind Lakeland Hospital Watervliet, a new matching grant for the project has been announced by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Lakeland Health Foundations Development Officer Mark Libs tells WSJM News the MEDC has offered a match of up to $35,000 for the parcourse’s crowdfunding campaign.. ...Read Full Story
Spectrum Health Lakeland is notifying another 1,000 patients of a data security issue discovered with one of its vendors. Lakeland says the vendor is OS, Incorporated, a billing services company. It has confirmed to Lakeland an unauthorized individual accessed an email account of one of its employees. That could have exposed information about some Spectrum Health Lakeland patients. Lakeland learned of the issue on March 8, and says it’s been working with its own technology experts since. The information in question includes patient names and addresses, the type of health services provided, dates, diagnosis information, and health insurance providers. Spectrum Health has arranged for free identity theft protection services through Experian for affected patients for one year, and is also recommending those patients monitor their accounts closely. It’s in the process of reaching out to the patients who may have been affected.. ...Read Full Story
Kinexus is teaming up with the Michigan Department of Transportation for a summer jobs program for young people. 60 youths will be hired for the Youth Development Mentoring Program, says its director, Don Marshall. He tells us the program is all about preparing young people for the jobs market, working on road projects while making real money.. ...Read Full Story
With a measles outbreak going around the country this year, the Berrien County Health Department is reminding everyone to make sure they are vaccinated, and also to be sure their kids get all the vaccines they need. Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News some adults are unsure if they got all the measles vaccine. She suggests contacting the health department.. ...Read Full Story
The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan is hoping people will come out to gamble their tails off tonight for the first ever Bets for Pets Casino Night. Humane Society Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Benton Harbor.. ...Read Full Story
Throughout this month, flags will be displayed at locations around Michigan to raise awareness of the state’s foster children. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News there are about 13,500 foster kids in Michigan, most as a result of abuse and neglect. Volunteers are putting up blue and white flags all over the state to honor them.. ...Read Full Story
The Cook nuclear power plant near Bridgman is now back up and fully in service. Cook plant spokesperson Bill Downey tells WSJM News the refueling outage for Unit One wrapped up Thursday and the unit was back in service by 5:30 p.m. During the 65 day refueling outage, more than 1,700 extra workers were brought in for maintenance projects.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Treasurer’s office is starting a new text message service to let people know when their property tax payments are due. The treasurer tells us taxpayers will start getting those messages this month to remind them of their next payment. It’s in an effort to improve efficiency and reduce the use of paper for monthly invoicing. There are currently 891 Berrien County property owners in monthly payment plans to avoid foreclosure and to get caught up. The treasurer says those payment plans have a 92% success rate. Anyone who is in a payment plan is automatically enrolled in the text service.. ...Read Full Story
Three southwest Michigan communities are receiving state grants to improve their roads. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the road funding grants through a new Community Service Infrastructure Fund program on Thursday. 23 grants are going out statewide, and they are all for communities with populations of less than 10,000. Among the recipients are Bloomingdale and Breedsville in Van Buren County, and Marcellus in Cass County. Breedsville is getting $38,000 for work on East Main Street, Bloomingdale is getting $154,000 for work on Miller Road, and Marcellus is getting $46,000 for work on Maple, Reed, Woodland, Wordon, Jones, Centre, Burney, and Dibble. The governor’s office says the projects were picked because they’re shovel-ready, paired with infrastructure work, coordinated with other road agencies, and focused on extending the useful life of the road. The state grants are intended to help the selected communities get to work this year. You can find out more about the projects right here.. ...Read Full Story
Berrien RESA is planning a couple of family reading events around the area for this month. RESA Director of Early Education Kerenda Applebey tells WSJM News the Parents as Teachers Program and libraries of Berrien County are teaming up for Read Around the County. It’s for kids ages five and under. They can hear some of their favorite stories read by characters in costume on May 21 in Niles and May 23 in St. Joseph.. ...Read Full Story
The auto insurance reform plan approved this week by the Michigan House will now be reconciled with the plan approved by the Michigan Senate as state lawmakers work to reduce rates for drivers. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells WSJM News that work will likely continue throughout the week. We asked her what she thought of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s non-so-positive response to the plans.. ...Read Full Story
The United Way of Southwest Michigan has kicked off another Christmas in June food drive. With summer almost here, local food pantries are expecting to see supplies dwindle, and so United Way Campaign Director Charlotte Becker tells WSJM News they’re asking everyone to collect items.. ...Read Full Story
An ATV crash has a 40-year-old Mattawan man hospitalized in Kalamazoo. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says he was riding the vehicle on trails owned by KGC ATV Rental in South Haven when he crashed. The man was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital, and the extent of his injuries has not been released. The South Haven Fire Department brought out a side-by-side UTV to allow first responders to reach the injured man. Police say no charges are being sought, and alcohol was not a factor in the crash.. ...Read Full Story
Rethink the plans. That’s the message from the Niles Township board to the Michigan Department of Transportation when it comes to changes to the intersection of US 12 and Third Street. MDOT is planning to install indirect left turns, better known around here as Michigan Lefts, saying their studies show they cut down on the number of crashes where they’re built. The township board isn’t buying the explanation and our partners at WSBT report they’ve passed a resolution asking MDOT to come up with a different solution. Their main worry is over gas tanker trucks that go through the area and are concerned about potentially catastrophic crashes involving those trucks.. ...Read Full Story
A lawsuit is being prepared by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel over PFAS contamination throughout Michigan. She is planning to sue Minnesota-based 3M, the maker of the chemical, which is considered a likely cancer-causing carcinogen.. ...Read Full Story
A crash between a semi and a Jeep towing a trailer on US 31 in Oronoko Township has resulted in the death of the semi driver. Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police say he was 58-year-old David Schultz of Florida and had hit the Jeep and the trailer from behind just before 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Both were headed south on the highway. Schultz was pronounced dead at the scene. The Jeep driver, 55-year-old Ronnie Shepley-Minner Sr. of Mishawaka, is being treated at Spectrum Health Lakeland, while his son, 26-year-old Ronnie Shepley-Minner Jr., was treated and released. Police say both vehicles hit several trees after going off the road, and Shepley-Minner Jr. was ejected from the Jeep. The crash remains under investigation.. ...Read Full Story
The city of South Haven will mark 150 years today. It was on May 10, 1869 that Village President George Hannahs gaveled to order the first meeting of the South Haven Village Council. Exactly 150 years later, South Haven Mayor Scott Smith will lead a celebration at the historic Johnston Park to kick off a full year of activities to mark 150 years. There will be a community picnic from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring free food, entertainment, activities for the kids, and historical information. At 6 p.m. there will be the unveiling of a commemorative plaque from the Historical Society of Michigan. The South Haven History Club and Historical Association of South Haven will also present videos of South Haven’s past.. ...Read Full Story
It looks like the number of Benton Harbor High School seniors who will graduate this year is dramatically up from a projection made in March. At that time, Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera said only 38 seniors were on track to graduate. According to our reporting partners at WSBT, district officials on Thursday revealed the number is now up to 95 for graduation in June, while another 26 are on track to graduate by August. That’s 121 out of 133 seniors. Benton Harbor Area Schools Assistant Superintendent of Transformation LaWanna Shelton says a combination of human error and problems with the district’s online database led to it appearing as if far more students were off track than really were. She also says students who were behind have been helped with credit recovery programs. Some classes that students had completed weren’t reflected in their transcripts, and computers hadn’t correctly calculated some grades. Much work has been done since March to get everything straight. Now, Benton Harbor High School’s seniors are looking forward to graduation.. ...Read Full Story
This Saturday is everyone’s chance to help make a difference for those in need with the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Mark White is a letter carrier in the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area who tells WSJM News local food pantries see a need for more donations in the summer.. ...Read Full Story
NBA star Wilson Chandler is teaming up with Cornerstone Alliance to pursue the renovation of the facade of the historic Farmers and Merchants Bank building in downtown Benton Harbor. Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News the building at 92 West Main was first opened in 1888, and it’s hoped a renovation of its front will make way for a new occupant.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton kicked off testimony regarding the U.S. Department of Energy’s budget before the House Subcommittee on Energy Thursday. Speaking to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Upton said the energy budget is critical at a time when the production landscape is quickly changing.. ...Read Full Story
The state of Michigan says a new PFAS contamination site has been found in Van Buren County. Specifically, it’s at the former Du-Wel Metal Products plating facility in the city of Hartford, and residents of Hartford and Hartford Township will be contacted by the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment soon to learn more. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells us no contamination has been found in residential wells, but testing of specific wells will begin in and around the former plating facility on Friday. Local officials are also planning a town hall for the next week for everyone to learn more. Griffin’s office tells us residents of the 50 or so properties with wells in the testing areas can pick up bottled water immediately at the Hartford Fire Department from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m to 1 p.m. on Saturday.. ...Read Full Story
A Cass County man with a long criminal history has been found guilty in a shooting case. The Cass County Prosecutor’s office tells us a jury on Wednesday convicted Justin Huffman of assault with a dangerous weapon, receiving and concealing a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, and two counts of felony firearm. He was accused of firing at least two shots outside his parents Vandalia home in August of last year. The prosecutor says trial testimony showed Hoffman was living with his parents when he stole a rifle from them. On August 8, he threatened his father with the gun during a dispute, and police say he also fired it off. Police later found him hiding at a nearby Buddhist Temple. The prosecutor says Hoffman’s criminal record includes convictions of custodial kidnapping and meth making. He could be sentenced to life in prison on May 31.. ...Read Full Story
