The United Way of Southwest Michigan is bringing a different kind of fundraiser to the Haymarket Brewery in Bridgman next week. The United Way’s Ryan Cheevers tells WSJM News they’re holding a pop-up giving event where those who attend will get to choose which local organization will get support for its project. Three are competing next Thursday for dollars.. ...Read Full Story
When Michigan voters head to the polls next month, they’ll consider a proposal that would legalize marijuana, and one group is partnering with law enforcement to encourage the voters to just say no. Scott Greenlee with Healthy and Productive Michigan tells WSJM News one can just look to Colorado to see why legalizing marijuana is a bad idea. He says drugged driving deaths increase in recent years, noting there’s no easy way to field test a driver for pot. Speaking about the pro-legalization claim that more than $100 million in new tax revenue would be generated each year by legalizing, he notes that is a small fraction of 1% of the state budget. He also believes costs will come with legalizing marijuana.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — A large swath of dunes and forest known as Ottawa Sands in western Michigan is opening to the public next week. MLive reports visitors to the property bordering a section of the Grand River in the Ferrysburg area will have access starting Monday to four miles of marked trails and catch-and-release fishing. Ottawa County Parks and Recreation says more features and amenities are planned. The project includes preserving a section of Lake Michigan dunes and linking nearby parks and preservation areas. County Parks Director John Scholtz says it’s “one of our more exciting land acquisitions” and has “a lot of elements.” The property was the site of an inactive sand mining operation. Included within the property is designated critical dune areas, Grand River frontage and a man-made lake.. ...Read Full Story
An old video of Bill Schuette has surfaced that some say is creepy, and Schuette says shows what a bad sense of humor he used to have. Shot in 1989 while he was a member of the U.S. House, he’s seen smiling at a woman off-camera and making a suggestive comment as she asks him to move closer to a lamp in the video frame as she is preparing to interview him.. ...Read Full Story
Set for this Saturday is the first ever Lake Michigan College Homecoming Fall Fest. LMC Intercollegiate Athletics Director Melissa Grau tells us the event will be a way to check out some Red Hawks athletic events with the Women’s Soccer team and Basketball team both with games starting at 1 p.m. There will also a variety of other activities throughout the Benton Township campus.. ...Read Full Story
Super Hits 103.7 COSY FM is once again collecting personal care items for those in need with its Project Personal Care. COSY’s Paul Layendecker tells WSJM News they’re out at the Family Dollar in South Haven all day Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday asking people to donate common hygiene items.. ...Read Full Story
The final Berrien County free household recycling event of the year will be this weekend. Environmental Property Manager Jill Adams tells us Berrien County residents will be able to drop off a variety of unwanted items this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Southeast Berrien County Landfill Recycling Center in Buchanan. Adams told us last month the county holds these free events several times a year to help residents clear out their basements and garages.. ...Read Full Story
Berrien County is looking at contracting out the medical examiner’s office. That’s because current Medical Examiner Rick Johansen is stepping down from that post at the end of the year. Johansen will remain Berrien County’s medical director, and is just leaving the examiner post. County Administrator Bill Wolf told WSJM News what’s next.. ...Read Full Story
The Michigan Department of Transportation is about to begin a repaving project on M-51 from north of Niles to Dowagiac. MDOT tells us the work from Impala Drive to Pokagon Street starts Monday and will continue through Wednesday, October 24. The project will require single lane closures, so drivers who take that route should give themselves a bit of extra time. You can stay on top of all of MDOT’s construction projects at Michigan.gov/Drive.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Thousands of absentee voters were mistakenly sent instructions on how to vote a straight-party ticket even though that’s not an option in next month’s Michigan election. The Lansing State Journal reports Meridian Township Clerk Brett Dreyfus says about 5,000 ballots were sent before the problem was discovered. Dreyfus blamed a vendor for sending incorrect instructions but acknowledged his office should have caught it before mailing absentee ballots in the Lansing-area community. The township noted the error in a posting on its website. A federal appeals court last month revived Michigan’s ban on straight-party voting . Voters must go line by line if they want to vote for candidates in partisan races. In the past, a single mark could automatically count for candidates of a single party, from governor to county commissioner.. ...Read Full Story
