Local News Archives

Southwestern Michigan College President: Enrollment Trending Up

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Enrollment looks to be on the increase at Southwestern Michigan College. SMC president Dr. Joe Odenwald made the announcement during his first President’s Report to the college’s Board of Trustees, noting enrollment contact hours are up eight-tenths of a percentage point over last spring, and fall applications are up 20%. Odenwald says if the trend is maintained, SMC can expect a roughly 5% increase in students this fall. He says the college was up 11% in first-time students this past fall over the year prior. Odenwald adds enrollment was down 10% in the fall of 2018, and the school has “weathered that.” When he was interviewed for the job, he told the Board of Trustees SMC needed to grow enrollment by at least 3% “to survive.”. ...Read Full Story

Two Arrested In Dowagiac Murder

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A murder investigation is underway in Dowagiac, with both suspects in custody. Police say a 40-year-old Dowagiac man was found dead from a shooting just before 2 a.m. Monday at a home in the 700 block of Louise Avenue, and also found three other residents of the home had been tied up by two suspects who broke in and robbed the house. The three were not hurt and had managed to free themselves before police arrived.. ...Read Full Story

MI Supreme Court To Review Law That Pays Wrongly Convicted

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From the Associated Press — The Michigan Supreme Court is interested in a dispute about whether people who were wrongly convicted of crimes should be paid for time spent in custody before trial. The court said Friday it will hear arguments in the months ahead. State law grants $50,000 for each year spent in prison because of a wrongful conviction. The Michigan appeals court said the law makes no reference to compensating people for being locked up without bond before trial. Davontae Sanford was paid $408,000 for his prison time but wants more money for 198 days spent in a teen detention center.
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Three, Including St. Joseph Mayor, Receive Life Saving Awards

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Three people now have Life Saving Awards from the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety. Deputy Director Steve Neubecker on Monday presented the first two to Mayor Mike Garey and Christopher Martin for their response when they witnessed a man crash his vehicle on the Blossomland Bridge last October 25. They found the man slumped over the wheel and not breathing, and broke out the window to pull him out and perform CPR.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren District Library To Hold Ancestry Workshop

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Anyone interested in learning something about their ancestry is invited to attend a workshop at the Van Buren District Library’s Decatur branch next month. Local History Clerk Karen Jenson tells WSJM News the library can let visitors use its Ancestry.com service for free. Normally, an Ancestry account could run you $24 to $50 per month. At her February 8 workshop, Jenson will show everyone how it works. For example, you can look through immigration records.. ...Read Full Story

First Three Suspected Coronavirus Cases In Michigan Test Negative

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The first three people in Michigan under investigation for possible coronavirus have been cleared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says two were in Washtenaw County and one was in Macomb County. A fourth possible case is now being tested by the CDC. Until recently, this virus had not been detected in animals or humans, and the source in Wuhan, China remains unknown. There are no suspected cases of coronavirus on the west side of Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

Online Auction To Benefit Lakeshore Public Schools

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An online auction will start this weekend to raise money for Lakeshore Public Schools. Lakeshore Excellence Foundation Chair J.C. Anderson tells WSJM News up for bids will be items including Disney passes, high-end Whirlpool appliances, spa treatments, gym memberships, destination golf vacations, restaurant certificates, and more.. ...Read Full Story

President Trump To Tour Michigan Factory

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From the Associated Press — President Donald Trump will visit a Michigan factory to out a new North American trade agreement. He will tour and give remarks at the Dana Inc. facility in the Detroit suburb of Warren on Thursday, a day after he holds a signing ceremony for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal in Washington. The deal to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement passed on bipartisan votes in Congress, scoring the president a political victory amid his Senate impeachment trial. The visit will be Trump’s second to Michigan in about six weeks. He held a re-election campaign rally in Battle Creek in December.. ...Read Full Story

SWMI Housing Market Posts Strong 2019

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Robust and record setting are a couple of terms to use to describe the housing market in southwest Michigan for 2019. The average sales price for the year rose nearly $7,000 from 2018 to set a new record at $240,525, while the median price rose $14,000 to $179,000. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says total dollar volume also set a record at just over $867.8 million, a 3% increase from the nearly $839.4 million in 2018. The number of homes sold in Berrien and Cass counties and the western two-thirds of Van Buren County came in at 3,607, down from the peak in 2017 of 3,733. For December, the number of homes sold fell by 6%, but the average sales price rose 8% and the median sales price was up 7%.. ...Read Full Story

Coloma Priest Sentenced For Attack On Teenage Boy

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A Coloma priest will spend 58 days in jail, be on probation for five years, and has to register as a sex offender for 15 years for an assault on a teenage boy in 2013 at St. Margaret’s Church in Otsego. That’s the sentence for 57-year-old Brian Stanley, who pleaded guilty to one count of attempted false imprisonment in November. Stanley wrapped the boy in plastic wrap, covered his eyes and mouth with tape, and left him alone in a janitor’s closet against his will. Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement Stanley “took advantage of a vulnerable victim, and today he is being held accountable.” Stanley was sentenced to 60 days in the Allegan County Jail, but received credit for two days already served, hence the 58 days he’ll spend behind bars.. ...Read Full Story

Traverse City Area Public Schools Sued Over Ann Cardon’s Departure

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The sudden resignation of Ann Cardon as superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools in October is prompting a lawsuit. Cardon took the Traverse City job last summer after serving as the St. Joseph Public Schools superintendent for seven years. The Traverse City Record-Eagle sued the school district on Friday, alleging district officials misused closed sessions and denied or delayed Freedom of Information Act requests. Traverse City school board president Sue Kelly and the rest of the board are named in the lawsuit, and Traverse City district officials are not commenting. Parents had sought answers about what led to Cardon leaving the job after just a few months. She had several disagreements with the school board over things that include the budget and how often school board meetings would be held.. ...Read Full Story

Planning Commission Gives Out Awards

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Some awards to recognize those who have worked to improve infrastructure in the past year around southwest Michigan have been announced by the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. Associate planner Kris Martin tells WSJM News the group’s board has given its annual Graham Woodhouse Intergovernmental Effort Award to the entities who worked on the Sink Road Bridge Replacement Project in Cass County’s Pokagon Township.. ...Read Full Story

Hotel Industry Working To Fight Human Trafficking

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We reported this month that Michigan State Police are working with the trucking industry to help stop human trafficking. Another industry that is responding to the crime is hospitality. Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association President Justin Winslow tells WSJM News his group represents more than 5,000 restaurants and hotels in Michigan with more than 595,000 workers. The group is training staff how to spot signs of human trafficking and how to report it.. ...Read Full Story

Cornerstone, Chamber Planning Annual Awards Breakfast

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The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstone Alliance have announced the keynote speaker for their 2020 Combined Business Recognition Breakfast and award ceremony. The gathering will be Thursday, February 13 at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Grand Upton Hall. The keynote address will be given by Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio. He is charged with coordinating and streamlining the state’s workforce and economic development programs to meet business and labor needs. Before being appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Donofrio served as the director of workforce development in the city of Detroit. Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce President Arthur Havlicek says he looks forward to the address and to “celebrating phenomenal member organizations and individuals for their contributions to our community and our economy here in Michigan’s Great Southwest.” Tickets to the Business Recognition Breakfast are available through February 5.. ...Read Full Story

Counties Seeking Coastal Erosion Help

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The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners has approved a resolution asking the Michigan Legislature and the governor to declare the Great Lakes shoreline a disaster area. Van Buren County Administrator John Faul tells WSJM News the action taken by the board this month mirrors what the Berrien County Commission did last year.. ...Read Full Story

New International Crossing Designed With Neighborhood Focus

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The Michigan Department of Transportation unveiled five pedestrian bridges being built as part of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge to Canada in Detroit this month. Speaking on the MDOT podcast, Talking Transportation, the governor’s point man on the crossing, Andy Doctoroff, said the pedestrian bridges being built over the Gordie Howe’s interchange with I-75 show the design of this project is taking into account the needs of the community.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren County Road Commission Hires New Managing Director

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Lawton Village Manager Daniel Bishop will be the next managing director of the Van Buren County Road Commission. The Board of County Road Commissioners of Van Buren County announced his hiring this week. Bishop has more than 30 years of local government experience, including 28 years as a manager. Road Commission Chair Greg Kinney says the board is pleased Bishop is taking the helm at the road commission, adding his experience will be an asset. Bishop starts on February 3. He replaces Larry Hummel, who left last April.. ...Read Full Story

Southwest Michigan Wineries Recognized At Recent Competitions

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Several southwest Michigan wineries have gained some recognition on the national wine circuit as winners in recent contests. Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail Director Kathy Sturm tells WSJM News local wines were included in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Harvest Challenge Competition in Santa Rosa, California. Taking honors were wineries including Cody Kresta Vineyard and Winery in Mattawan, Lemon Creek Winery in Oronoko Township, and Karma Vista in Coloma. Sturm says the region’s wineries are making a name for themselves.. ...Read Full Story

I&M Rate Increase Begins Next Month

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Your electric rate is about to go up. Indiana Michigan Power says it’s reached a settlement with the Michigan Public Service Commission regarding the utility’s request to raise rates by 19% to earn it another $58.5 million per year. I&M spokesperson Tracy Warner tells WSJM News the MPSC has instead told the company it can increase rates to earn another $36.4 million, a 37% cut to what the utility had been seeking.. ...Read Full Story

County Signals Support For MDOT Empire Avenue Plan

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As the Michigan Department of Transportation prepares to start work on the extension of US-31 to I-94, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners has signaled its support for part of the plan that will affect Empire Avenue. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News when US-31 is extended to Empire, Empire will become a cul-de-sac.. ...Read Full Story

Three Possible Coronavirus Cases Being Monitored In Michigan

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State health officials are monitoring three possible cases of coronavirus. All are on the east side of the state, with two people in Washtenaw County and one in Macomb County presenting with mild symptoms. Specimens from the three have been sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing to determine if it’s coronavirus, which has killed several dozen people to date in China. The Michigan patients are “self-isolating” according to the state and the Washtenaw and Macomb county health departments are closely monitoring anyone who’s been in close contact with the three.. ...Read Full Story

Democrats Pick Gov. Whitmer To Deliver Response To President Trump’s State Of The Union

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How important is Michigan to the 2020 presidential election? Very by the looks of it, as Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been tapped to deliver the Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union address on February 4. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Whitmer’s “decades of hard work on behalf of the people should serve as a model for our nation.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the governor’s “vision for the future” as “exactly what this country needs, and I’m thrilled she is giving the Democratic response.” Interestingly enough, Republicans in Michigan will not be giving a response next Wednesday night to her State of the State speech, instead opting for a press conference the next day. Trump won in Michigan in 2016, becoming the first Republican candidate to do so since Vice President George H.W. Bush in 1988.. ...Read Full Story

Ballot Initiative Seeks To Reign In Lobbying

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From the Associated Press — A group has launched a ballot drive that would target lobbying in Michigan’s Capitol by banning free food and drink for state elected officials, requiring former lawmakers to wait two years to become lobbyists and creating a new system to track lobbying activities. The Coalition to Close Lansing Loopholes filed language for the proposed constitutional amendment with
the state elections board on Thursday. The effort is being spearheaded by Progress Michigan, a liberal advocacy organization. The ballot committee will have until early July to submit 425,000 valid voter signatures to qualify for the November ballot.. ...Read Full Story

Bridgman Police To Be Featured On National Television Program

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A sergeant with the Bridgman Police Department will be featured on an episode of “In Pursuit with John Walsh.” The show on the Investigation Discovery television network is focused on tracking down wanted criminals. Bridgman Sergeant Tom LaVanway tells WSJM News the January 29 episode will be about William Troy Stanson. LaVanway was called in November of 2014 to investigate a complaint regarding a Halloween party where Stanson had been inappropriate with teen girls.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien Health Department Official Named To State Advisory Council

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A leader at the Berrien County Health Department has been selected to sit on an advisory panel created by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Health Officer Nichole Britten is the only southwest Michigan representative on the new Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Its purpose is to focus on protecting the Great Lakes, cleaning up the state’s drinking water, and combating the effects of climate change, among other things. The 21 member council is expected to hold meetings around the state in response to environmental health threats. Britten, who was previously an epidemiologist for the Berrien County Health Department is a member of the Be Healthy Berrien Steering Committee and Michigan’s Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council Health Subcommittee.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, St. Joseph Township Moving Toward Harbor Authority Creation

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The elected leaders of St. Joseph, St. Joseph Charter Township, and Benton Harbor have all agreed to form a joint work group to set in motion the creation of an authority for the Twin Cities Harbor. At a joint meeting Wednesday, the two city commissions and one township board each unanimously approved a resolution to get started with the work group. St. Joseph Township Manager Denise Cook told WSJM News it was positive to see all in agreement.. ...Read Full Story

Recreational Marijuana Sales Begin In Niles

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Recreational marijuana is now available in Berrien County for the first time legally. ReLeaf Center in Niles began selling to adults 21 and over at 10 this morning. The facility is the first in the county to expand from medical to recreational marijuana. Another is on the way in Buchanan, and Eau Claire is starting to consider allowing recreational marijuana businesses. Those that have already opened in the state say supply is very tight, as there is more demand than product. In fact, one of two businesses slated to open last week in Muskegon had to delay their grand opening because they didn’t have enough available for both their medical patients and the public.. ...Read Full Story

Online Sports Betting In Michigan Will Wait Until 2021

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From the Associated Press — Sports bettors may be able to place wagers in person at Detroit casinos this spring but will wait until 2021 to do so online. Mary Kay Bean, spokeswoman for the Michigan Gaming Control Board, gave an update Wednesday, about a month after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed laws legalizing online gambling and sports betting. Bean estimates it will take a year to write and finalize rules so commercial casinos in Detroit and tribal casinos can obtain online licenses. She says regulators’ goal is to authorize onsite sports wagers this spring.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, St. Joseph Township Agree To Explore Joint Harbor Authority

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The elected leaders of St. Joseph, St. Joseph Charter Township, and Benton Harbor have all agreed to form a joint work group to set in motion the creation of an authority for the Twin Cities Harbor. At a joint meeting Wednesday, the two city commissions and one township board each unanimously approved a resolution to get started with the work group. St. Joseph Township Manager Denise Cook told WSJM News it was positive to see all in agreement.. ...Read Full Story

BH Gets Positive Audit Report

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It’s another clean and unmodified audit for the city of Benton Harbor. City commissioners on Tuesday heard from Paul Matz of the auditing firm Rehman Robson, who presented the annual audit for the fiscal year ending last June. Matz said clean and unmodified is the best kind of audit. He did note there were some concerns about income tax payments being taken directly through the treasurer’s window at city hall.. ...Read Full Story

Legislation Would Require Women To Be Notified Of Abortion Pill Reversal

State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan has introduced legislation that would require women to be notified of a way to reverse the effects of what is commonly known as the abortion pill when they have taken one. Griffin says abortion pill reversal, or APR, uses progesterone to reverse the effects of the abortion pill, but patients are never informed of the option.. ...Read Full Story

State Labor Department Director To Speak At Business Recognition Breakfast

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The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstone Alliance have announced the keynote speaker for their 2020 Combined Business Recognition Breakfast and award ceremony. The gathering will be Thursday, February 13 at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Grand Upton Hall. The keynote address will be given by Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio. He is charged with coordinating and streamlining the state’s workforce and economic development programs to meet business and labor needs. Before being appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Donofrio served as the director of workforce development in the city of Detroit. Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce President Arthur Havlicek says he looks forward to the address and to “celebrating phenomenal member organizations and individuals for their contributions to our community and our economy here in Michigan’s Great Southwest.” Tickets to the Business Recognition Breakfast are available through February 5.. ...Read Full Story

Grand Haven To Repair Lighthouses With Help Of Fundraising

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From the Associated Press — Officials are raising money for repairs and renovations on Grand Haven’s two iconic lighthouses. According to Wood-TV, the goal is to open both lighthouses to the public as museums and interpret them for educational purposes. President of the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy says they will need to raise about a million dollars in the next couple of years. The fundraiser is expected to take place during Winter Fest in Grand Haven where live and silent auctions will be held. The Lighthouse Conservancy plans to open the lighthouses in 2021.. ...Read Full Story

Willie Nelson To Perform At Four Winds New Buffalo

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Country music icon Willie Nelson is coming to southwest Michigan this spring. He will perform at the Silver Creek Event Center at the Four Winds New Buffalo Casino on Sunday, April 26. Tickets will go on sale starting Friday at fourwindscasino.com and range from $99 to $179 each. Nelson has continued to be a relevant singer and songwriter over the course of his six decade career, and released a new album called “Ride Me Back Home” last year. He’s won “every conceivable award as a musician” according to the casino. Since 1962, he’s released 94 studio albums, 13 live albums, and 51 compilation records with sales of more than 40 million albums in the U.S. alone.. ...Read Full Story

Prosecutor: No Criminal Charges In Benton Harbor Trash Payment Controversy

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There will not be any criminal charges filed in the dispute over the ownership of Wecycle Industrial Sanitation in Benton Harbor and who is authorized to be paid for their service by the city of Benton Harbor. Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic says even though Virginia Huddleston, Robert Edwards, and Jewell Allen all signed a document in October 2017 establishing that all three are “members and/or managers or Wecycle,” the three “failed to organize their company effectively.” Edwards typically picked up the monthly check from the city for the trash services and ran the business, but Huddleston took the payment on October 31 2019 and opened an account at Chemical Bank in the name of Wecycle Industrial Sanitation LLC.. ...Read Full Story

Upton Presents Honor To Niles Veteran

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Congressman Fred Upton was in St. Joseph on Tuesday to honor a veteran for his service. Upton presented Steven Gordon, a Vietnam War veteran who now lives in Niles, with the Combat Infantryman Badge. Upton tells WSJM News his office often works with veterans who have not received the honors they earned.. ...Read Full Story

City Commission Approves Tax Abatement For Events Center

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The Benton Harbor City Commission has tentatively signed off on creating a Commercial Rehabilitation District at 825 Riverview Drive as a Chicago-based developer looks to open an events center. This is the former site of All Phase electric that was purchased by Chicago Industrial Real Estate, LLC last year. Owner Matt Rogatz told city commissioners Monday night about his plans for the what could be held at the center.. ...Read Full Story

Dial A Ride Launches New Fixed Service Line

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The Twin Cities Transportation Authority, most commonly known as Dial A Ride, has launched a new fixed service bus route. It says the Yellow Line will serve residents of Benton Harbor and Benton Township. It will start at the TCATA headquarters in downtown Benton Harbor, making stops at Benton Manor, KPEP, Blossom Acres, Buss Housing, the Boys and Girls Club, and Intercare. The buses will then go back along the same route, stopping at each site every half hour. Transfers can be made to Dial A Ride’s Blue Route at Intercare and TCATA headquarters and to the Red Route. The buses will run Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new Yellow Line will be free to ride for the first six weeks. Dial A Ride Director Paul Gillespie says the line is taking riders to popular destinations, and he hopes people will try it out.. ...Read Full Story

MSU Adds Fall Break, Which Includes Election Day

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From the Associated Press — Michigan State University is planning to implement a fall break next school year, which will give students Election Day off. But some think the schedule change could undercut efforts to encourage student voting on campus. Classes would be canceled on Monday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3, which is Election Day. Associated Students of Michigan State University, the university’s student government organization, had advocated for the break to give students time to go back home to cast their votes, President Samuel Stanley said during the MSU Board of Trustees December meeting.. ...Read Full Story

Stabenow, Senate Democrats Criticize Impeachment Rules

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The impeachment trial of President Trump is underway in the U.S. Senate. Prior to Tuesday’s session, Democrats spoke out to criticize the planned impeachment rules from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, which would give each side 24 hours to present their arguments over the course of three days and not allow any witnesses to be called. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow was among those blasting the GOP ideas.. ...Read Full Story

Fire Damages Bangor Township Home

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No one is hurt, but a Bangor Township home has been badly damaged in a fire. Several Van Buren County fire departments were called to the house on 66th Street near 32nd Avenue just before 10 Tuesday morning. It’s believed the fire started in the kitchen, but no cause has been pinpointed as yet. Along with the Bangor Community Fire Department, help came from Columbia, Covert, Hartford, and South Haven Area Emergency Services.. ...Read Full Story

Red Cross: Urgent Need For Type O Blood Donations

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With influenza spreading across the country and preventing some donors from giving and winter weather threatening to cancel blood drives, the American Red Cross now has a critical shortage of type O blood. Red Cross spokesman Todd Kulman is calling for donors to help, and explains why having an adequate blood supply is important.. ...Read Full Story

Niles River Santa In Need Of Repairs

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Money is being raised to make repairs to the iconic Niles River Santa, which has been damaged by recent storms. The reindeer have been swept away, and Santa himself has been knocked over. Mike Peters talked to our partners at WSBT-TV about the decoration on the St. Joseph River that his father put out initially in 1962 so that kids in the hospital in Niles could see Santa in the river outside their rooms.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Spends $4.6 Million To Swap Parolee Ankle Bracelets

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From the Associated Press — A technology change is forcing Michigan’s corrections department to spend about $4.6 million to fit more than 4,000 parolees and others under state supervision with new ankle monitors. Michigan Department of Corrections Public Information Officer Chris Gautz says the change is necessary because the 3G-enabled monitors won’t work because Verizon is upgrading its network from 3G to 4G. He says the process of swapping out devices for those wearing the ankle bracelets is expected to take about 45 days. The bracelets that track the movements of parolees and others under state supervision are worn by people convicted of sex offenses, domestic violence and other crimes.. ...Read Full Story

Indiana Mulls Law Aiming To Limit Lake Michigan Beach Access

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From the Associated Press — Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill that would undo a landmark Indiana Supreme Court ruling that affirmed that the shoreline of Lake Michigan is owned by the state and held in trust for use by all residents. Representative Doug Miller sponsored legislation that would give up the state’s ownership of large swaths of Indiana’s lake shoreline to adjacent private property owners if their deeds indicate the land extends to Lake Michigan. The Indiana House Committee on Judiciary heard testimony Monday from residents, interest groups and legislators on the proposal. The committee will discuss it again January 27.. ...Read Full Story

Cass County Parks Department Celebrates Dark Sky Designation For T.K. Lawless County Park

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Officials at the Cass County Parks and Recreation Department are over the moon now that the county’s Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park has been designated an International Dark-Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. Parks Director Scott Wyman tells WSJM News the park about nine miles east of Cassopolis has long been a great place for star gazing.. ...Read Full Story

County Seeking New Administrator

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The position of Berrien County Administrator is now posted as the Berrien County Board of Commissioners looks for a new county leader. Current Administrator Bill Wolf’s last day will be June 12, and the county board is taking applications from those interested in being his replacement through February 21. The county administrator oversees county departments and manages the county’s roughly $188 million annual budget. The administrator reports directly to the county board. Commissioners are seeking someone who has a Bachelors’ degree in public administration, business management, finance, law, or a related field. They also want someone who has ten years of experience in public administration. The job posting and an application are now available at BerrienCounty.org.. ...Read Full Story

Man Loses Leg In Snowmobile Crash

A Three Oaks man has lost a leg as a result of a snowmobile crash on Sunday night. Three Oaks village police tell our reporting partners at WSBT it happened when two snowmobiles crashed into each other on Stickles Road. Police believe the drivers missed their trailhead. One sled drove over the other, cutting off its driver’s right leg just above the knee. Village police used a tourniquet to stop the man’s bleeding. He was taken to South Bend Memorial Hospital in stable condition, as was the other driver, who suffered a back injury.. ...Read Full Story