Local News Archives

From the Associated Press — Republicans in the Michigan Senate have again passed legislation that would make it harder to vote, advancing photo ID, absentee ballot and other changes that face a veto from Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The main bill was revised and sent to the House over Democratic opposition. It’s now similar to a separate Republican-backed ballot initiative that could be enacted by GOP lawmakers without the governor’s veto. The regular legislation would require prospective absentee voters to include their driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. The bills also would toughen photo ID requirements.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced the state will provide bottled water to residents of Benton Harbor as work continues to replace old lead water lines around the city. It says “out of an abundance of caution,” the availability of bottled water is being expanded in the city and residents are being encouraged to use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods, and mixing powdered infant formula.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced more than 10 million primary doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Michiganders so far. The state has also administered more than 207,000 third doses to those who are eligible for boosters. So far, 68.3% of Michiganders age 16 years or older have gotten at least their first dose of one of the three vaccines, bringing the state close to its goal of 70% vaccination rate. The governor said Wednesday she thanks those who have done their part and urges those who aren’t vaccinated to do so. From January to July of this year, unvaccinated Michiganders accounted for 98% of COVID cases, 95% of hospitalizations, and 96% of deaths. The vaccine most administered in Michigan has been Pfizer, with more than 5,967,000 doses. It’s followed by Moderna at 3.9 million doses. Closing out the list is Johnson & Johnson with 352,000 doses given in the state. You can find out more at Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.. ...Read Full Story

A 41-year-old Dowagiac woman is facing charges that include child endangerment and possession of meth following a traffic stop in Van Buren County. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says detectives on Tuesday got word a woman was going to be driving through the Hartford area to transport drugs. The saw her commit several traffic violations and pulled her over in the 52,000 block of County Road 687 in Hartford Township around 5 p.m. A search of the vehicle turned up methamphetamine, a small caliber handgun, and counterfeit money. There was also a six-year-old child in the vehicle. The child was holding a pillow case that was found to contain hypodermic needles. Police say the woman was also towing a second vehicle with a 26-year-old man in it, and a search of that vehicle found meth. Child protective services was brought in and the child was placed in protective custody. The 41-year-old woman was taken to the Van Buren county jail along with the 26-year-old man.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The University of Michigan’s president says he will step down in June 2023, a year before his contract expires. Sixty-three-year-old Mark Schlissel has been president since 2014. He said in an email to the university community Tuesday that it’s an important time to consider the university’s next priorities and determine the leadership that will be needed into the next decade. The announcement came two weeks after the Detroit Free Press reported that Schlissel’s relationship with the university’s governing board had eroded, especially over communications about big projects. Schlissel was praised by regents for the Go Blue Guarantee, which offers free tuition for students from families with income under $65,000. Regent Mark Bernstein says the
university “has never been stronger.”. ...Read Full Story

The Cass County Parks Department is planning to celebrate the fall and Halloween with a Harvest Fest. Parks Director Scott Wyman tells WSJM News Cass County 4-H is also holding its Trunk-or-Treat event at the same time as the Harvest Fest, promising an exciting afternoon for those who attend. To take place at Dr. TK Loveless Park on October 16, the Trunk-or-Treat portion of the event will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. while the Harvest Fest will be from 2 to 5. Wyman says it’ll feature food, hayrides, and more.. ...Read Full Story

Lear Corporation broke ground Monday on a brand new factory that will be built on Detroit’s east side. Mayor Mike Duggan says the factory will make seats.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton is concerned about inflation as consumer prices keep rising. He tells WSJM News events in the last couple of years have caused the problem.. ...Read Full Story

There’s a new marketplace open in downtown St. Joseph. In fact, it’s called The Market. It’s an indoor, year-round farmers market that currently includes eight food and drink related businesses, all with custom made spaces inside of 301 Main Street. The Market was founded by Rick Molitor and Deb Sailor, who had the building renovated to make way for the businesses. The Market opened last month, and St. Joseph Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News it’s exciting to see the development on the east side of downtown.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A Detroit man was given 5 years’ of strict mental health probation for making death threats against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel. Court documents show Robert Tesh was sentenced Tuesday in Wayne County Circuit Court after pleading guilty but mentally ill in August. Tesh was charged last year with false report or threat of terrorism after making the threats via a social media message to an acquaintance in April 2020. Detroit police officers
arrested Tesh at his home — the same day the threats were made. County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has said authorities concluded the message amounted to “credible threats to kill.”. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is planning flu vaccine clinics to be held at multiple locations across the two counties this month. The department says getting vaccinated against the flu reduces the spread of the illness, which is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. It urges everyone to get a flu shot to keep themselves healthy and to prevent spreading the illness to loved ones or co-workers. The flu shot clinics will be held at health department offices in Lawrence and Dowagiac, and also at the Covert Fire Department, Southwestern Michigan College, Marcellus High School, and the Antwerp Township Hall. They’ll take place starting this week through October 26, and we have the schedule below. Flu vaccinations are covered by most insurance plans and those who go are asked to bring their insurance cards. COVID-19 vaccines will also be available at the flu shot clinics.. ...Read Full Story

President Joe Biden was in Michigan Tuesday to push for an infrastructure package. Speaking in Howell in Livingston County, Biden said the United States is facing a problem with crumbling roads and bridges.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Work has halted at all of the Kellogg Company’s U.S. cereal plants as roughly 1,400 workers went on strike. It wasn’t immediately clear how much the supply of Frosted Flakes or other iconic brands would be disrupted. The
strike includes plants in Omaha, Nebraska; Battle Creek, Michigan; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Memphis, Tennessee. The union and company have been at an impasse for more than a year. Daniel Osborn, president of the local union in Omaha said the dispute is over the loss of several key benefits, and the company has threatened to move work to Mexico. The company insists its offer is fair and
would increase wages.. ...Read Full Story

There’s a big recall of marijuana that was tainted with pesticides. Jerry Millen owns the Greenhouse of Walled Lake and says pesticides in marijuana is a big deal, because effects like cancer won’t happen for years down the road.. ...Read Full Story

It’s Cyber Security week, and a Michigan expert says there’s one simple change you can make today to make sure your accounts are safe. David Derigotis at Burns and Wilcox says too many people us the same log ins and passwords across multiple accounts and it can lead to disastrous circumstances.. ...Read Full Story

The South Haven City Council will hold a public hearing for a proposed ordinance to provide a property tax exemption and service charge in lieu of taxes for the Habitat Company’s first phase of developing the Overton site as affordable housing on October 18. While the council approved the hearing Monday night, they heard plenty of comments from the public about the contamination on the site.. ...Read Full Story

The St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education is keeping in place its districtwide mask mandate to prevent the spread of COVID-19.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Upper Peninsula state Representative Beau LaFave is running for Michigan secretary of state in 2022. The third-term Iron Mountain Republican announced his campaign on social media Monday, saying current Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s handling of the office is unacceptable, citing a backlog of people seeking appointments over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. LaFave will have to secure the nomination at Republican conventions next spring and summer. Another candidate, Oak Park educator Kristina Karamo, has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and supports his false claims of election fraud.. ...Read Full Story

The Benton Harbor St. Joseph Chapter of the League of Women Voters will host a forum with candidates for the Benton Harbor City Commission this week. It will be this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. over Zoom. You can find the link to attend at the League of Women Voters of Berrien and Cass counties website. Residents of Benton Harbor are invited to log in to speak with some of the candidates set to be on this November’s ballot. Present will be Ambie Bell, Ronnie Booker, Juanita Henry, C. F. Jones, Duane Seats, and Ron Singleton. They’ll discuss their backgrounds, their experience, and answer questions from the league and Benton Harbor citizens.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven Area Emergency Services is planning a Fire Safety Fun Night for this week. It says everyone will gather at the department’s Station 3 on Blue Star Highway this Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. SHAES firefighter Amanda Quinn, who coordinates the department fire prevention education programs, says the event will feature live demonstrations and hands-on training. There will also be prizes and refreshments. Those who attend are asked to park at the Moose Lodge across from the fire station on East Wells Street. The 14th annual event coincides with National Fire Prevention Week and is intended for both kids and adults. SHAES staff will also be bringing the fire safety message to elementary school students in South Haven Public Schools in the coming days. This year’s national fire prevention campaign theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” and SHAES has created a series of daily messages for its Facebook page.. ...Read Full Story

The Area Agency on Aging of Region 4 is planning a presentation to help people better understand dementia. “A Journey Through Dementia Minds” will be held at the Heritage Center in St. Joseph and also over Zoom on Thursday October 21, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. It will be an interactive presentation by eight people living with dementia. In the performance, you’ll experience their journey beginning with the recognition that something was wrong, testing, diagnosis, and depression that often follows the diagnosis. The area agency says participants can experience the passage from the darkness of depression into the light of acceptance and the discovery of new meaning. It says the event will be emotional, humorous, and powerful. There will be a dialogue after the presentation. Those who want to find out more can go to CampusForCreativeaging.org.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan has gained 8,704 new COVID-19 cases for Saturday through Monday. That brings the total since March of last year to 1,039,337. Sixty-two people died over the three days for a total of 21,139 Michiganders who have lost their lives to COVID-19.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator Kim LaSata’s bill to ease some of the state rules on car dealerships is now on the governor’s desk awaiting final approval. LaSata’s office tells us the bill concerns the hours that Class A and B dealerships are required to operate. Current law requires car dealers to be open to customers at least 30 hours per week, 52 weeks a year. Senate Bill 128 would reduce that requirement to 48 weeks per year and remove the hours of operation restrictions for the remaining four weeks of the year. LaSata says the current rules were brought to her attention by a constituent in the 21st Senate District who was unable to give his employees paid time off during last year’s Christmas season because of current state law. She adds her bill would also give dealerships more flexibility in general.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The grand prize winner of ArtPrize is an old phone booth on a pedestrian bridge in Grand Rapids. Not just any phone booth. “Before You Go” allows people to listen to advice about life recorded by more than 100 local residents and others. The mother-son team of Monica Pritchard and Christian Reichle won the $50,000 prize Friday. Pritchard says she and her son
didn’t enter the competition to win it. They just wanted to share the stories of other people. ArtPrize ends this weekend, but people still can experience “Before You Go.” The phone line where the messages are recorded can be accessed by calling 1-(888)-665-2036.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The president of Oakland University says she is donating $1 million to the school for scholarships. Ora Pescovitz says she wants to attract students who might not be thinking about Oakland, which is in suburban Detroit. The scholarships will be handled by the school’s Honors College. The goal is to eventually assist 16 to 20 students a year. Pescovitz is also a medical doctor. She has been Oakland president since 2017 after working at drug company Eli Lilly and the University of Michigan Health System. Oakland has more than 13,000 undergraduate students.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed several Republican-sponsored election bills. She says they would have perpetuated falsehoods to discredit the 2020 presidential election and made it tougher for people living in large senior facilities and apartment complexes to vote. Some measures would have codified existing practices by limiting access to Michigan’s voter database and keeping voting equipment from being connected to the internet on Election Day. She also blocked a measure that would have expanded the types of buildings that can be polling places. The Michigan Republican Party accused Whitmer of “grandstanding and pandering” rather than strengthening election security.. ...Read Full Story

President Biden will campaign in favor of his bipartisan infrastructure plan in Howell tomorrow. The President will speak at the Operating Engineers facility in Livingston County. Biden will also discuss his Build Back Better Agenda, which is under discussion and debate on Capitol Hill. The White House has not released additional details yet.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College’s Educational Opportunity Center has received a nearly $2 million grant to help people pursue a college education. LMC says the $1.95 million comes from the federal government and will be distributed to the college in the amount of $391,000 per year over five years. It’s intended to provide services to students in Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, and Allegan counties, along with students in La Porte and St. Joseph counties in Indiana. The funding will start to be used in the 2021-2022 academic year. The Educational Opportunity Center program is an LMC service that provides information and help to adults age 19 years and older who are interested in furthering their education. The services include academic tutoring, career assessment, help completing applications for college, referrals to adult education centers, and financial and economic literacy counseling. LMC has hosted the Educational Opportunity Center since 1994, and it’s served more than 25,000 people in that time.. ...Read Full Story

State Senator Kim LaSata is once again hosting a winter coat drive for children in need. Kim’s Coat Drive asks southwest Michigan residents to drop off coats through October 31 at sites throughout LaSata’s district. The sites are the Harding’s Friendly Market stores in Berrien Springs, Bridgman, Buchanan, Cassopolis, Coloma, Dowagiac, Niles, Three Oaks, and Three Rivers, as well as the Roger’s Foodland in St. Joseph. Kim’s Coat Drive has collected and distributed hundreds of new and gently used coats and jackets to kids across the 21st District. LaSata says she thanks all of those who have “donated and helped keep kids warm during the harsh winter months.” You can also schedule to have a coat or jacket picked up by calling her office.. ...Read Full Story

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Friday night crash in Silver Creek Township that injured one man. Deputies were called to M-62 and Indian Lake Road just after 8 pm when 31-year-old Arturo Morales-Fiscal turned onto M-62 and was hit by 53-year-old Jack Baker of Berrien Center as he was north on Indian Lake Road. Morales-Fiscal was taken to South Bend Memorial Hospital for his injuries, while Baker and passenger Anthony Curtis were treated and released at the scene. Everybody was buckled up, but deputies say intoxicants were a factor in the crash.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking to purchase 800 acres of property from Andrews University so it can be turned into a state wildlife area. DNR wildlife biologist Ken Kesson tells WSJM News the property south of Berrien Springs is along the St. Joseph River and near Range Line Road. It’s already used by hunters and hikers.. ...Read Full Story

A donation to Michigan Lutheran High School in St. Joseph is allowing for an expansion and upgrade project. Principal Matt Herbst tells WSJM News Bob Kohn, who has supported many projects around the area, came to the school in February and offered to help it build on some facilities.. ...Read Full Story

The reintroduction of athletics to Southwestern Michigan College continues full speed ahead as Jeanine Wasielewski has been hired as the new women’s basketball coach. She’s originally from the South Bend area, played Division I basketball at Northwestern University, and worked in information technology for years before coaching college basketball. Wasielewski took coaching jobs in Denver, Chicago, and at Penn State. She tells WSJM News the SMC opportunity was a perfect fit.. ...Read Full Story

The Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor is teaming up with the Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation to provide local young people some experience with the animals. Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation board member Sally Bogert tells WSJM News the group runs a farm in Three Oaks and teaches young people all about the horses. She’s seen the difference horses make in children, helping them improve social skills, confidence, and responsibility.. ...Read Full Story

The American Red Cross is appealing to those who are eligible to make blood donations. Spokesperson Meghan Lehman tells WSJM News the supply is extremely low right now.. ...Read Full Story

Some new state laws will give Michigan drivers facing a license suspension or fines a break The Michigan Secretary of State told us more:. ...Read Full Story

Michiganders who receive food assistance will see a permanent increase of about 6.8% in their monthly benefits beginning in October. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News this comes as a result of a decision at the federal level.. ...Read Full Story

Indiana Michigan Power is marking National Energy Awareness Month by reminding everyone of how they can save themselves some money by consuming less energy. Spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM News there are some surprising ways you can save on your energy bill.. ...Read Full Story

The capital improvement project at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven has received more than $90,000 in support from the community. The museum tells us the South Haven Community Foundation this summer launched a matching grant fundraising campaign to help with the museum’s goal to begin construction on its new Maritime Heritage Center building in the fall. The foundation agreed to match up to $45,000 of community donations for a total of $90,000, and that goal was surpassed by the end of September. Michigan Maritime Museum Director Patti Reinert says the “community has stepped up in such an enthusiastic way, and this match has energized all those involved.” She adds the museum is “grateful to the SHCF and all of the many donors who are truly Launching this Legacy.” The museum broke ground for the new facility in late August and expects completion early next summer. Completion of the building is part of Phase I in a two-phase project totaling $8 million. So far, the Launching a Legacy campaign has successfully raised $7 million toward its goal.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated press — A panel of experts is being assembled to advise Michigan officials on how to reduce lead in drinking water. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy announced the creation of the seven-member panel on Friday. Academic and water system engineering experts will be selected for the panel which will meet on a regular schedule and be available as a resource on an as-needed basis. The state is pushing efforts to reduce lead exposures caused by aging water distribution infrastructure in several communities with the goal of removing lead contamination from drinking water statewide. The agency says its Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division regulates 2,685 public drinking water systems under the state’s Lead and Copper Rule.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has identified a man who was fatally shot by deputies on Thursday. It says deputies were called to Franklin Woods mobile home park in Niles Township around 10:45 p.m. on a report of a man with a knife. They arrived to find him at lot 265, still with the knife. They tried to get him to drop it, using unlethal rounds, but he did not. The man then allegedly charged at them and they opened fire. He died from his injuries. The sheriff’s department says the man has been identified as 28-year-old Chaz Nathan McGowen of Benton Harbor. Michigan State Police have been able to make notification to his family. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says the matter “is a tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. The officer-involved shooting remains under investigation and the two deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation and a review by the Berrien County Prosecutor.. ...Read Full Story

Archery deer season has opened today in Michigan. DNR deer, elk & moose management specialist, Chad Stewart, expects one quarter of a million hunters to take to the fields.. ...Read Full Story

A warning is being issued about a COVID-19 outbreak related to the Luke Bryan farm concert held a couple weeks ago. Livingston County Health officials on Thursday said 27 individuals who have tested positive for the coronavirus attended the concert on September 18th on a farm in Fowlerville.. ...Read Full Story

It is National Drive Electric Week, and electric vehicle advocates and utility companies are working to help get residents and the electrical grid that serves them ready for the rapidly-changing transportation market.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College’s Educational Opportunity Center has received a nearly $2 million grant to help people pursue a college education. LMC says the $1.95 million comes from the federal government and will be distributed to the college in the amount of $391,000 per year over five years. It’s intended to provide services to students in Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, and Allegan counties, along with students in La Porte and St. Joseph counties in Indiana. The funding will start to be used in the 2021-2022 academic year. The Educational Opportunity Center program is an LMC service that provides information and help to adults age 19 years and older who are interested in furthering their education. The services include academic tutoring, career assessment, help completing applications for college, referrals to adult education centers, and financial and economic literacy counseling. LMC has hosted the Educational Opportunity Center since 1994, and it’s served more than 25,000 people in that time.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking the public’s help as it investigates a suspected arson at the Allegan State Game Area. It says just after 5 a.m. on Sunday Allegan County Central Dispatch received a report from a helicopter crew flying over the area of a “significant fire” south of 116th Avenue in Valley Township. The crew said the fire was consuming large logs, which turned out to be two decks of cut timber, each about 30 feet tall by 150 feet long, and all of it nearly burned to the ground. The fire is believed to have been started between 10 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday. It was put out by the Clyde Township Fire Department and DNR fire personnel with help from the Fennville, Allegan District, and Lee Township fire departments. Billsby Lumber Company, which originally purchased the timber, is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case. The estimated value of the lost timber is between $30,000 and $35,000. Arsons on state land are rare, as the DNR says just 4% of fires it responds to are arson.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven has received a $500,000 capital project grant from the state of Michigan. It says the grant, along with millions of privately raised funds, will add a new Maritime Heritage Center building, expand exhibit and community event space, and protect the harbor’s infrastructure and access. State Senator Aric Nesbitt, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped the museum helped secure the grant. Nesbit says the “Michigan Maritime Museum is a treasure, their team is tremendous,” adding he’s grateful it’s in the community. The Michigan Maritime Museum is currently working on a capital improvement project that has raised a total of $6.2 million. You can learn more about it at MichiganMaritimeMuseum.org/Launching-A-Legacy.. ...Read Full Story

Now that the countywide school mask order in Berrien County has been rescinded, what’s next? Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells us the order was lifted after the governor signed a budget bill that would cut funding for health departments that issue mask orders. The governor said the language was unconstitutional, but that isn’t decided by her. Conrad says the question is now for the courts.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners is seeking proposals from residents, businesses, and community organizations for suggestions on how to spend federal money that’s come through American Rescue Plan Act. Counties across the country received billions in federal dollars through the COVID-19 relief package, and the funds have to be used in certain ways. The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund will help Van Buren County in responding to the economic and public health effects of COVID-19, and the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners has set up a committee to determine how to spend the federal money. The projects that can be supported with ARPA dollars must support the public health response to COVID-19, address the economic effects of COVID, serve underserved communities, help with infrastructure, or replace lost public sector revenue. The county’s ARPA committee meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. Also, suggestions can be emailed to the county administrator.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Whitmer was asked Wednesday as she signed the 2020 state budget about Ford’s choice to locate two new electric-vehicle and battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky. The governor said the state wasn’t given a chance to compete for the $11 billion investment.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers are poised to consider bipartisan bills aimed at helping potentially thousands of sex abuse victims sue for damages, including those molested by a University of Michigan sports physician. It’s the second time since 2018 that legislators may overhaul laws in the wake of a major abuse scandal. Under the new measures, victims of the late Dr. Robert
Anderson and others would get additional time to bring lawsuits. Government entities couldn’t use the immunity defense if they knew or should have known of prior sexual misconduct and didn’t intervene. The House Oversight Committee will hold an initial hearing Thursday.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County’s mask mandate for all K-12 schools is off the books due to language in the state budget, signed Wednesday, that would pull state funding from all local health departments that issue mask mandates for kids due to COVID-19. Gillian Conrad is the spokeswoman for the Health Department and tells our partners at WSBT-22 they had no choice but to rescind the order.. ...Read Full Story

New legislation being introduced in Lansing aims to help women rejoin the workforce amid the COVID-19 pandemic. State Representative Laura Pohutsky of Livonia is one of the women pushing the package. She told Michigan News Network what’s included in the bills.. ...Read Full Story

The head of a Michigan ambulance service says staffing shortages are causing major problems across the state. Marc Breckenridge at Huron Valley Ambulance says they are in need of a thousand EMTs for the 125 communities they serve. He says it has been hard to retain employees.. ...Read Full Story

A group of state lawmakers has announced new legislation to improve Michigan’s unemployment system. West Michigan Republican Steve Johnson told Michigan News Network one of the ideas is to have better customer service.. ...Read Full Story

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is investigating a Sunday shooting incident. It says officers were called to the 300 block of Lake Street around 7:30 p.m. for a gunfire complaint. They arrived to find more than 40 rounds had been fired from various weapons. Officers found at least two homes had been hit. A witness recorded the shootings and the video showed the suspects running back to cars and leaving. The vehicles are identified as a White Jeep Cherokee, a Black Kia Sedona, and Grey Ford Focus. The Jeep and Kia are still outstanding and the Focus was located and is being processed by crime scene techs. The suspects and motives are still being sought, and police ask anyone with information to contact them. They have not said anyone was injured.. ...Read Full Story

There will be a ribbon cutting next Thursday for NOBO Provisioning Center’s new facility in Benton Harbor. NOBO’s location at 107 Water Street in downtown Benton Harbor will be its fourth retail location in Michigan that also includes Battle Creek, Edwardsburg, and Muskegon. NOBO is a medical and recreational marijuana retailer, originally opened for business in the Benton Harbor Arts District on September 3. In addition to the retail location, NOBO operates a cultivation and processing facility in the city. NOBO CEO Alan Bonsett says by locating in Benton Harbor, the company was “able to develop a long-abandoned area with a new industry that brings good employment opportunities to the community with our processing center.” He adds for the “retail location in the heart of the Arts District, the opportunity was to bring a new business with jobs to a fun and engaging area where we can add value while giving back.” Next Thursday’s ribbon cutting will be at 4 p.m.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton says the National COVID Memorial currently installed near the Washington Monument is a sad reminder of the dangers and effects of COVID-19. Artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg has set up “In America: Remember” in Washington to honor those who have lost their lives to the virus. It features 670,000 small white flags representing the lives lost. Upton visited the memorial for the first time last week and told WSJM News about it.. ...Read Full Story