Everyone who heads to downtown St. Joseph for the fireworks show on Wednesday is advised to have patience as traffic will be heavy and parking will be restricted. The St. Joseph Department of Public Safety says there will be temporary no parking signs on some neighborhood streets, and extra rules in place on others. Parking rules will be strictly enforced. Also, police say there will be several traffic restrictions when the fireworks end, including the closure of the Blossomland and Bicentennial Bridges from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. You can find the full parking rules below:. ...Read Full Story
A new program intended to get more people out and about in nature is being launched by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. Conservancy associate Miko [[ meeko ]] Dargitz tells us Hike Our Preserves, or HOP, offers people incentives for going to eleven nature preserves in the region. When you sign up, the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy will give you a special walking stick made out of the invasive glossy buckthorn. Each time you go to one of the listed preserves, you can send the conservancy a picture of yourself at that location, and they’ll send you a medallion that can be placed in your stick. HOP will run through next May. It’s $7, and you can pick up your walking stick at several libraries, including locations of the Van Buren District Library. The nature preserves include the Kesling Nature Preserve near New Buffalo, and stretch all the way to eastern Kalamazoo County. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story
Heading to Joliet, Illinois on Monday is Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News he’s going to be on a tour of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a chokepoint that’s been keeping the invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. Upton and other members of Michigan’s congressional delegation will learn more about the recently-completed Army Corps plan to permanently stop the fish from reaching Lake Michigan.. ...Read Full Story
A fundraiser for the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition is underway this weekend at The Hard Rock Cafe at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo. The coalition’s Trent Watford tells WSJM News the chef at the cafe wanted to honor life of Chef Anthony Bourdain during the week of his birthday. Bourdain died by suicide last year.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Prosecutors who dropped charges against eight people in the Flint water scandal will talk about the decision in a public forum. Kym Worthy and Fadwa Hammoud will speak to the public Friday night at a Flint union hall, two weeks after dismissing charges against former Michigan health director Nick Lyon and other officials. Hammoud of the attorney general’s office took over the investigation of Flint’s lead-contaminated water in January. Worthy, a Detroit-area prosecutor, also joined the effort. They said they dropped charges because the previous team didn’t properly pursue evidence and overlooked loads of records. They restarted the investigation and said charges could be refiled. Lyon had been charged with involuntary manslaughter, accused of failing to timely warn the public about a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak tied to tainted water in 2014-15.. ...Read Full Story
Coming up next Saturday is southwest Michigan’s premier athletic event — the International Cherry Pit Spitting Championship at Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire. Farm co-owner Monica Teichman tells WSJM News this is the 46th year for the competition. Spitters compete for distance and glory, and they’re grouped into several classes. Everyone who comes out on top in each division will then be pitted against each other in the final round, along with past winners. Teichman says it’s amazing how far some people can spit a pit.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Scientists are urging Michigan to adopt some of the strictest and most far-reaching drinking water standards for “forever chemicals” in the country. A state team responding to contamination from compounds known as PFAS heard
from its science advisory workgroup Thursday. The three scientists recommended health-based values for seven types of PFAS.
The federal government has a nonbinding health threshold of 70 parts per trillion for two phased-out forms of the contaminant in tap water. Environmental advocates and others consider them to be weak. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration will use the recommended values while writing rules for PFAS standards by April 2020. The compounds have been dubbed “forever chemicals” because they take thousands of years to degrade, and because some accumulate in people’s bodies.. ...Read Full Story
A South Haven man is facing charges after a meth bust in the city on Thursday. 24-year-old John Louis Booker was arrested following a two month investigation into the distribution of crystal meth in South Haven and Paw Paw. The Southwest Enforcement Team says officers went to arrest Booker at the South Haven Walmart, seizing about six ounces of crystal meth. He did try to run from police, but was quickly caught thanks in part to some K9s. Booker is charged with delivery of meth, possession with intent to deliver meth, fleeing and eluding, resisting police, and destruction of evidence.. ...Read Full Story
Southwest Michigan home sales remain strong with May’s numbers topping May of the previous year and April of this year. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says May home sales were up over April by 22%, and up 10% over May of last year. The average selling price for the month was also up 3% over May of 2018. The association says inventory remains relatively low with a six and a half month supply of homes on the market. It also notes the mortgage rate in May decreased to 4.25% from 4.32% in April. One negative is the number of bank-owned, or foreclosed, homes as a percentage of all transactions for the month. It rose to 6% from 3% in April.. ...Read Full Story
As Michigan farmers struggle with weather that has caused them losses this year, Congressman Fred Upton and colleagues from the state have sent a letter to the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking for a disaster declaration. Upton tells WSJM News arctic cold in the winter damaged peaches, and spring and summer rains have preventing planting.. ...Read Full Story
Lakeshore Public Schools Superintendent Phil Freeman has received a positive performance evaluation from the board of education and a three year contract extension. At a meeting this week, the board rated Freeman as “highly effective.” Now in his sixth year with the district, Freeman tells WSJM News it’s the staff and other support that help him do his job.. ...Read Full Story
Set to begin on Monday is the next Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Robert Boyce tells WSJM News police all over Michigan will have extra patrols out on the roads looking for impaired drivers. He says the Fourth of July is a holiday when drunk driving incidents traditionally go up.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated press — Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature will not be forced to redraw legislative and congressional districts for the 2020 election following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling Thursday that federal courts have no role to play in deciding claims of partisan gerrymandering. Pending its 5-4 decision, the high court had put on hold an April ruling from a federal court panel that ordered lawmakers and Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer to enact new maps by August 1. The lawsuit suit pertains only to 2020. Michigan voters in November approved a constitutional amendment creating an independent commission to handle the once-a-decade redistricting process after the 2020 census, which will affect the 2022 election and beyond.. ...Read Full Story
State Representative Brad Paquette is planning a town hall for next month to talk about road funding in Michigan. The event will be held at the Niles District Library in Niles on Monday, July 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. Paquette says state lawmakers are working on a plan to generate the money needed to get Michigan’s roads in better shape, and the meeting will be a chance for anyone to express their thoughts. On hand as a guest will be state Representative Jack O’Malley of Lake Ann, the chair of the House Transportation Committee. He’s traveling around the state to discuss road funding directly with residents. You can register online for the town hall to ensure there’s space for you. The registration page is right here.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has launched an online portal for farmers to find the help they need after severe weather this year that has damaged their crops or prevented them from planting. Farmers have been pummeled with severe cold and historic rainfall so far in 2019, leading to losses. The state’s online portal will be constantly updated as new information and aid are identified. The portal includes resources from Michigan State University Extension and the United States Department of Agriculture. Michigan Ag Director Gary McDowell says in many parts of the state, farmers are so many weeks behind schedule that they are nearly out of time and options for this year. He encourages growers to check out the portal. It’s at Michigan.gov/CropDisaster.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Michigan’s attorney general is suing to shut down dual oil pipelines in the Great Lakes. Democrat Dana Nessel filed suit Thursday. It was the same day she also sought to dismiss pipeline operator Enbridge’s request for a ruling on the legality of a deal it struck last year with former Republican Governor Rick Snyder to put replacement pipes in a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. Nessel says the Line 5 pipes pose an “unacceptable risk” to the Great Lakes and she moved after it became clear talks between Enbridge and Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer stalled. The pipelines are part of Enbridge’s Line 5, which carries 23 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids daily between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is mourning the loss of one of its K9s. The department says Nero passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning. It tells us Nero was a devoted and loyal partner to Deputy Brandon Crosby for the last five years. It adds its thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Crosby and his family.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — A school district in western Michigan is banning cellphones during school hours. The Forest Hills district near Grand Rapids says students won’t be allowed to use their phones but can keep them in their lockers. The district says it’s
“clear that excessive exposure to cellphones has a negative effect” on kids. If students need to reach a parent, they can use a school phone. Forest Hills says its schools have plenty of technology to allow students to go online when necessary for classroom work.
Superintendent Dan Behm noticed the problem when having lunch with students. They told him how social media posts caused anxiety. Assistant Superintendent Christine Annese tells WOOD-TV that a parent advisory committee approved the plan. Forest Hills has more than 15 schools, including three high schools.. ...Read Full Story
Legislation introduced by State Senator Aric Nesbitt would impose state power over local government decisions on whether or not to allow local cooperation with federal immigration reform. The local sheriffs and police have duties to enforce local and state law but right now they are not forced to become arms of the feds when it comes to immigration status.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is planning a trip to Benton Harbor next month to talk about elder abuse. AG spokesperson Kelly Rossman-McKinney tells WSJM News Nessel will be in town on Monday, July 8 as part of a listening tour regarding her Attorney General‘s Elder Abuse Task Force. Rossman-McKinney says Nessel has learned a lot from the tour.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has approved a new course catalog for students at the high school. At this week’s school board meeting, trustees heard from instructional facilitator Lauren Bernat about the book. She said it was designed to be useful for students from year to year so they can keep track of the classes they have taken when planning for the coming year.. ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is hoping a bipartisan border funding bill can be approved by the end of the week. That’s as the House and Senate this week each approved their own bills. Upton tells WSJM News money must be set aside to pay for operations along the southern border one way or another as a humanitarian crisis mounts there.. ...Read Full Story
The new Berrien County property auction book is now available. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the next auction of foreclosed parcels will be held at the DANK on July 30. Up for grabs will be 36 abandoned homes.. ...Read Full Story
More than $165,000 has been raised for the Great Lakes with an event held last week in Chicago. Alliance for the Great Lakes spokesperson Jennifer Caddick tells WSJM News the 17th annual Great Blue Benefit was held along the shore of Lake Michigan Thursday. The donations were made by individuals, non-profits, and businesses.. ...Read Full Story
Members of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education have met with the administration of Governor Gretchen Whitmer again in Lansing and discussed a tentative deal that could keep the district’s high school open.. ...Read Full Story
A Chicago man is facing a variety of charges after he was busted driving the wrong way on I-94 early Wednesday. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says it got a complaint around 3 a.m. of a vehicle going the wrong way on I-94 in the westbound lanes in Chikaming Township. The vehicle was also speeding. Police tried to pull it over near Lakeside Road , but it didn’t stop and crossed the median, now going east in the eastbound lanes. As police gave chase, the driver tried to cross again into the westbound lanes, but his vehicle was hit by a semi. The driver, 25-year-old Diego Flores-Valero of Chicago, struggled with police as they arrested him, but he was brought into custody. He was taken to Spectrum Health Lakeland for observation. I-94 in the area was closed while the scene was cleaned up.. ...Read Full Story
Just as the E-coli advisories for three beaches in Berrien County were lifted Tuesday, there’s now an E-coli advisory in place for South Haven’s South Beach. The city says samples taken there on Wednesday showed elevated levels of E-coli, meaning the water is not safe for swimming. The Van Buren County Environmental Health Division will collect samples again on Thursday and the results will be available by about noon. In the meantime, South Beach is closed to swimming. City officials note North Beach has been tested and found to have acceptable E-coli levels. It remains open. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story
A three-year-old girl is dead after drowning in Van Buren County on Wednesday. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says deputies were sent to a home in the 39,000 block of Paw Paw Road in Paw Paw Township on a report of a possible pool drowning just before 12:40 p.m. They arrived to find the three-year-old girl unresponsive. Deputies tried life-saving measures, but they were not successful, and the girl was pronounced dead at Bronson Lakeview Hospital. Police say foul play is not suspected, and the investigation continues.. ...Read Full Story
The city of St. Joseph has been the recipient of a lot of generosity lately. At Monday’s city commission meeting, three donations were accepted by the body. First up was an offer from the Indian Hills Garden Club of some markers for trees in Milton Park to identify them. A club representative said the signs will be on expandable chains around the trees. They come as the club marks its 90th anniversary.. ...Read Full Story
A crash involving a livestock truck closed down the Napier Avenue ramp to westbound I-94 Wednesday morning. The crash happened after 9 a.m. and the scene was cleared shortly before 1 p.m. The truck was turning off Napier Avenue and on to westbound I-94 when it tipped over on to its side. It was hauling about 120 pigs, some of which were hurt in the crash. The Benton Township Police Department worked the scene, and Berrien County Animal Control was brought in to pick up some of the pigs. We’ll have more information on the crash as it’s released by Benton Township police.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Anti-government graffiti has been found painted a second time on the Michigan Republican Party headquarters amid debate over a possible nationwide immigration sweep to deport people living the country illegally. The state party says the graffiti found Tuesday was apparently painted Monday night. It comes after an expletive and the acronym “ICE” for Immigration and Customs Enforcement was found on the front of the Lansing building Saturday evening. The state party says the vandalism is an attack on Chairwoman Laura Cox, who served a portion of her career as an ICE agent. The latest graffiti included an
expletive and her last name, and a symbol representing anarchy. Cox says “these criminals seek to bully those they disagree with, rather than engage in a civil discussion.” Lansing police are investigating.. ...Read Full Story
The three Berrien County beaches that were closed to swimmers on Tuesday due to elevated e-coli levels in the water are now back open. The Berrien County Health Department tells us samples taken on Tuesday have come back with acceptable E-coli levels following the Monday sampling that closed the beaches. It is now OK to swim again at Weko Beach, Cherry Beach, and Warren Dunes State Park. The health department says you should still not drink the water, but the beaches are back open. You can follow the state’s BeachGuard site to stay on top of E-coli advisories for beaches.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — General Motors Co. has announced it’s investing more than $4.2 billion in assembly plants in Indiana, Michigan and Texas to prepare for the launch of its next generation of pickups and SUVs. The company said Tuesday that it’s increasing capacity, improving operating efficiencies and making other upgrades at plants in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Flint, Michigan; and Arlington, Texas. GM says new investments also are occurring at plants in Ohio ahead of the release of 2021 models of pickups and SUVs. The Texas site manufactures popular SUV brands, including the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. Officials say $1.4 billion will be spent on the Arlington plant and upgrades are scheduled to be completed next year. GM says it has invested more than $23 billion in its U.S. manufacturing base since 2009.. ...Read Full Story
SHOUT for South Haven will hold its 25th annual Cottage Walk this Saturday. The organization says the day is all about giving everyone a chance to check out the kinds of homes available in the community. Those who take part will tour six cottages, some of which are year-round homes and some of which are summer retreats. Everyone can also check out specialty shops and outdoor dining around South Haven. Tickets to the South Haven Cottage Walk are available at the South Haven Visitor’s Bureau or at the farmer’s market on Saturday. Anyone who wants to find out more can contact SHOUT for South haven.. ...Read Full Story
Legislation from state Representative Beth Griffin is intended to make it easier for those injured in auto crashes to get pain treatment from a chiropractor. Griffin tells WSJM News the current auto insurance law doesn’t allow chiropractors to get reimbursed for some treatments while regular doctors can.. ...Read Full Story
Another meeting between members of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education and the administration of Governor Gretchen Whitmer is set for Wednesday in Lansing. Board Vice President Joseph Taylor told us Tuesday night he’s optimistic, but doesn’t quite know what to expect.. ...Read Full Story
An update to Michigan’s emergency manager law has been introduced by state Representative Brad Paquette of Niles. He says his bill is intended to help protect the water quality of communities taken over by the state by replacing the current single-person emergency management structure with a three-person committee made up of one local government operations expert, one local ombudsman, and one financial expert. Paquette says that would increase transparency and allow residents of the affected communities more of a voice. His bill is part of a 30 bill package announced this week that aims to prevent water contamination around Michigan. Also included in the package is state Representative Beth Griffin’s bill making the state’s PFAS action response team a permanent agency.. ...Read Full Story
The Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor has announced its new leadership for the year. At a ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn in Benton Harbor on Monday, the Rotary officially welcomed new President Brandi Smith. She works at Spectrum Health Lakeland as vice president of philanthropy, and says she wants to use her role to inspire deeper connections among membership and the communities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. Smith also has the distinction of being the first African American President of the Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor, which she sees as an opportunity to attract and invite more women and men from diverse backgrounds. The Rotary also announced its new board of directors this week. The list of directors is below.. ...Read Full Story
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is pressuring Michigan lawmakers to approve a budget that addresses the state’s infrastructure needs while still meeting educational obligations. At a press conference Tuesday, Whitmer said the Legislature is dragging its feet on the budget.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Township Police Department is investigating a Tuesday shooting. It says officers were sent to the Blossom Acres housing development shortly after 3 p.m. on a report of a shooting victim. While on the way, they were told the victim, 24 year old Andrew Butler Brown, was now at the Harbor Town Clinic on East Main Street in Benton Harbor. Officers found him there with gunshot wounds to the leg. He was taken to Spectrum Health Lakeland with non-life threatening injuries. Benton Township police processed the crime scene and say they do not yet have a suspect. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact the Benton Township Police Department.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Health Department has issued e-coli advisories about three beaches. They are Weko Beach in Bridgman, Cherry Beach in Chikaming Township, and Warren Dunes in Sawyer. Swimming is not recommended while the advisory is in place. Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News health officials test 14 beaches for e-coli each Monday.. ...Read Full Story
The city of St. Joseph is preparing for its annual Fourth of July fireworks show, although this year’s spectacle will not actually be on the Fourth of July. The event is slated for Wednesday, July 3. This year’s show is made possible in part thanks to its sponsors. The city tells us the fundraising for the show has surpassed its goal by nearly 40%. The city thanks everyone who chipped in. Meanwhile, officials want everyone to get the word out that the show this year is on the third and not the fourth. At last week’s Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting, it was noted the change in date could confuse some out of towners who reserved hotel rooms for themselves on the night of July 4. Once again, that fireworks show will be along the Lake Michigan waterfront on Wednesday, July 3 at dusk.. ...Read Full Story
The wound and hyperbaric medicine program at Bronson South Haven Hospital has received a new distinction by being named a President’s Circle Center of Excellence by Healogics, which is the country’s biggest provider of advanced wound care. Bronson says the award is based on clinical and operational results for at least two consecutive years. It says its wound program in particular offers help to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, and other chronic wounds. Bronson South Haven Hospital COO Kirk Richardson says the new designation is due to the hospital’s “expert wound team in collaboration with Bronson South Haven staff and providers.”. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to take up a major lower court decision that allows Michigan tax dollars to flow to private schools. A coalition of public school groups and the American Civil Liberties Union had urged the state’s high court to reverse an October opinion by the appeals court. The court said private schools can receive public money to help them comply with health, safety and welfare rules. In Tuesday’s order, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Stephen Markman said the court needs to resolve the issue with a “final decision.” Critics say the Michigan Constitution clearly states that no public money can
aid a private school. The Republican-controlled Legislature and then-Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican, approved $2.5 million in 2016 for state requirements at private schools.. ...Read Full Story
The city of St. Joseph is working with Whirlpool to provide a safer way for employees to cross Upton Drive from a parking lot to their workplace each day. At a Monday meeting, city commissioners moved forward an agreement that will have Whirlpool pay for changes to the crosswalk just north of the CSX railroad tracks. City Manager John Hodgson tells WSJM News some of the workers had safety concerns about the current crosswalk.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — A Florida prison inmate has been charged with murder in the strangling of a woman in southwest Michigan more than three decades ago. Prosecutors charged 49-year-old Robert James Waite last week in the killing of 59-year-old Wilda Wilkinson of Bangor during a home invasion in July 1986. Michigan State Police tell WOOD-TV that they matched partial DNA found on
Wilkinson’s clothes to Waite. Detectives say Waite confessed to killing Wilkinson when they interviewed him in April. Authorities say Waite knew specific details about the slaying. Waite is imprisoned in Florida on unrelated kidnapping and sexual battery charges. He will be extradited to Michigan. Prosecutors in March charged another man who police said confessed to killing Wilkinson, but they dismissed the charge without prejudice when investigators confirmed Waite’s DNA match.. ...Read Full Story
A growing movement in Michigan and around the world aims to ensure communities are able to serve the needs of people of all ages. Eight cities and towns in the state are members of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, who have committed to creating a place to live that’s inclusive and considerate of residents from all walks of life and of any age. Paula Cunningham with AARP Michigan says safe, accessible living especially is important for older Michiganders. ...Read Full Story
Set for next year is a reconstruction project for parts of Kingsley, Orchard, and Morton Streets in St. Joseph. City commissioners approved awarding the engineering contract to Abonmarche on Monday for $345,000. Plans are still being drafted, but St. Joe City Engineer Tim Zebell tells WSJM News when all is said and done, people will see the roads totally reconstructed and some other changes.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Gretchen Whitmer has signed a $28.8 million mid-year spending bill to help ensure an accurate 2020 census count, implement voter-approved laws and combat lead in drinking water. The law enacted Monday also expands a program enabling people on food assistance to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables, and replenishes a compensation fund for exonerated inmates. The measure includes funding to implement marijuana legalization and expanded-voting ballot initiatives, and for the state’s investigation of sexual abuse by clergy. The Democratic governor line-item vetoed a provision that would have directed the auditor general to immediately review the rollout of automatic voter registration and no-excuse absentee voting requirements included Proposal 3. She says such an audit must wait until after the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.. ...Read Full Story
A groundbreaking on the next YouthBuild project in Benton Harbor will be held this Thursday. Part of Kinexus, YouthBuild is a program that teaches construction skills to students between the ages of 16 and 24 while helping them earn their diploma or GED. YouthBuild Director Caleb Weeks tells WSJM News the project this summer will be at a vacant house at 710 Buss Avenue.. ...Read Full Story
State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan wants the state of Michigan to keep up its efforts to find PFAS in community water supplies. She’s introduced legislation that would make the state’s PFAS action response team a permanent agency under the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, or EGLE. Griffin tells WSJM News the team has helped to detect PFAS in several communities, including some in southwest Michigan.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Department of Transportation is among the agencies scrambling to cope with issues created by the heavy rain southwest Michigan has been experiencing lately. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the latest problem is the failure of a culvert on M-140 between M-62 and Naomi Road in Pipestone Township. It failed Monday.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — The state of Michigan is launching a $2 million educational campaign to boost the state’s low recycling rate.
The “Know It Before You Throw It” initiative was announced Monday at a recycling transfer station in Lansing. Officials say the goal is to let residents know that they should rinse and dry all plastics, glass and metal before recycling it. People also should not try to recycle plastic bags, which is prohibited by most municipalities. Not recycling properly can contaminate the supply, meaning it goes to landfills or adds costs for communities. The educational campaign includes TV ads, billboards and a website. Michigan’s 15% recycling rate is lowest in the Great Lakes region, despite the 10-cent bottle-return law.. ...Read Full Story
A rate hike could be coming to customers of Indiana Michigan Power as it plans a major investment in the Cook nuclear power plant and other work to improve electric transmission reliability. I&M spokesperson Tracy Warner tells WSJM News the company submitted its plan to the Michigan Public Service Commission Monday.. ...Read Full Story
Another meeting between members of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education and the administration of Governor Gretchen Whitmer is set for this Wednesday. The two have been going back and forth regarding what to do about the school district’s debt and low academic performance. The governor sent the board a letter on Friday inviting the board to “discuss the proposals that have been put forward and identify next steps.” She writes that she remains “committed to ensuring every child receives a quality public education,” adding she’ll “work with you to ensure all students graduate and get on a path to post-secondary success.” The governor last month proposed that Benton Harbor High School be closed, at least temporarily, while a large portion of the district’s debt is forgiven. The local school board rejected that proposal. It then sent to the governor a turnaround plan of its own. Below is the governor’s full letter to the board of education.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — The University of Michigan says it’s received two separate, $10 million gifts designed to benefit a campus library as well as its business school and film and television department. The Ann Arbor school’s William C. Clements Library has accepted $10 million from the Avenir Foundation. It recognizes the university’s founding director, Randolph Adams, by naming the directorship after him. The university says the gift also will spur the acquisition and conservation of primary source materials and making collections more accessible. The other $10 million comes from the Patricia W. Mitchell Trusts. It’s intended to honor the legacy of Mitchell’s late husband, Columbia Pictures Television founder John Mitchell. That gift will go toward creating a business and communications ethics
program, as well as scholarships, internships, visiting professorships and a speaker series.. ...Read Full Story
South Bend Mayor and Democratic presidential primary candidate Pete Buttigieg wants the U.S. Justice Department to look into the police shooting of Eric Logan. Logan was shot and killed by a white South Bend police officer who said Logan raised a knife as he came towards the officer June 16th at about 3:30 a.m.. ...Read Full Story
Violence has flared again in South Bend, where presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg is mayor, and a Niles man is among its victims. The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit says 27-year-old Brandon Williams of Niles died after a shooting at Kelly’s pub in South Bend. Another ten people were wounded by gunshots in South Bend early Sunday. A statement says five of the 10 wounded remain in the hospital in stable condition. The others were treated and released. St. Joseph County Sheriff William Redman says that his officers assisted South Bend police in “controlling a crowd of over 100 upset and angry citizens” who came to Memorial Hospital from Kelly’s Pub early Sunday, causing a lockdown at the hospital. It was not immediately clear what prompted the shooting. No suspect has been apprehended. Buttigieg later Sunday faced criticism at a town hall meeting from citizens who are angry about the shooting of a black man by a white police officer a week ago.. ...Read Full Story
