Local News Archives

LMC Plans Grand Opening For Wine Center

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Lake Michigan College is gearing up to hold the grand opening of its new Welch Center for Wine and Viticulture. The center located at the Benton Township campus will be the home of LMC’s winemaking program. It will feature a new grape press, large tank and bottling rooms, a dry storage area, and a laboratory. Also, the center will house two classrooms, three offices, a workroom, and an open commons area for wine tasting, community education classes, and special events. The $7 million facility is 14,000 square feet and is named in honor of Mike and Lisa Welch, who are longtime supporters of Lake Michigan College. The dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. on August 27 followed by a public open house. In 2017, LMC opened up a tasting room in Baroda where people can sample wines made by the students.. ...Read Full Story

Tire Collection This Week In Benton Harbor

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There will be a tire collection event this week in Benton Harbor. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety says Tire Rally 2.0 will be Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park. City residents can drop off unneeded tires so they can be disposed correctly. The last tire collection event held in the city, which was in May, resulted in more than 1,600 tires being dropped off. Police note this week’s event is for Benton Harbor city residents only, and they will check IDs. The collection is for tires only, and not other trash. Anyone with questions can call the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety.. ...Read Full Story

Disability Network To Talk Assistance Animals

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The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan will hold a workshop this August to teach people about what counts as an assistance animal and what doesn’t. The network says “Do’s & Don’ts: Assistance Animals” will be held August 23 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at its office on Lakeview Avenue in St. Joseph. Those who attend will learn the difference between service animals and emotional support animals. The Disability Network says many people are confused about the specifics regarding service animals. The workshop will also delve into the laws regarding what type of assistance animals are allowed in different places and whether an establishment can deny access to an assistance animal. The event will be free to attend, but you have to register. You can do so right here. You can also contact Miranda Grunwell at (269) 345-1516, extension 120.. ...Read Full Story

Volunteers To Remove Invasive Plants At Grand Mere This Weekend

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is planning another volunteer stewardship day at Grand Mere State Park near Stevensville this weekend. It says those who attend will pull spotted knapweed and Canada thistle from the open areas. Removing the invasives will allow native plants to thrive. Those who volunteer are advised to wear long sleeves and long pants. Also, bring some gardening gloves, a hat, and some water. The volunteers will do their work from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, August 3. Everyone will meet at the end of Willow Drive.. ...Read Full Story

Police Investigate Triple Shooting In Benton Harbor

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Police are investigating a triple shooting in Benton Harbor. It happened around 5 p.m. in the 800 block of Superior on Wednesday. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey tells us one person is dead and two others are injured and being treated at a hospital. No information has been released on a suspect. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is assisting the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety in handling the case.. ...Read Full Story

MI Prosecutor Drops Charge Against 10-Year-Old Over Playground Game

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From the Associated Press — Prosecutors are dropping an assault charge against a 10-year-old suburban Detroit boy who was accused of hitting a 9-year-old classmate in the face with a rubber ball similar to a dodge ball. Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy on Wednesday said there’s a “better way to go forward” than to take the child to juvenile court. She encouraged the families to find a solution. The charge was filed Tuesday. Students at a Canton Township school were playing a game called “tips” on April 29 in which kids jump to catch a ball. Authorities say the older boy forcefully threw the ball, leaving his classmate with a concussion. The older boy’s mother claimed race was a factor in the investigation. Her son is black. Worthy, who is black, calls that “categorically wrong.”. ...Read Full Story

Communities Get Partial Win In Court Fight Over Tax Dollars

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From the Associated Press — Local governments have won a partial victory in the Michigan appeals court in a dispute over how state government gives tax dollars to communities. The constitution requires that local governments get 48.9 percent of all state spending. But when the state makes that calculation, the appeals court says it can’t count money that pays for state-mandated activities. Attorney John Philo says it likely adds up to hundreds of millions of dollars. He says local governments have been squeezed for years by “accounting tricks” in the capital. But in the same opinion, the appeals court this week said the state can count aid to school districts and charter schools as payments to local governments. The court also ordered state government to publish information about the cost of state mandates. The court says the state has undermined the “role of taxpayer oversight.” There was no immediate comment from the attorney general’s office. A Supreme Court appeal by either side is possible.. ...Read Full Story

Lawsuit Seeks To Stop Redistricting

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From the Associated Press — Michigan Republicans have sued to block the creation of a redistricting commission, contending people would be unconstitutionally prohibited from serving on the panel. Voters last fall approved a constitutional amendment to have the commission draw congressional and legislative districts instead of the Legislature starting in 2021 – a bid to curtail partisan gerrymandering. A lawsuit filed Tuesday challenges provisions that bar commissioners from being a candidate for partisan federal, state or local office in the last six years. Others excluded from serving include state employees, lobbyists and political consultants.
Among the plaintiffs are a Republican state senator and party officials. They say the eligibility standards violate their First Amendment rights. Voters Not Politicians, which spearheaded the redistricting change, says it’s no surprise politicians “want to undermine the voice of voters.”. ...Read Full Story

Western Am Returns To Point O’Woods For First Time In A Decade

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For the first time since 2008, the world’s best amateur golfers are back in southwest Michigan with the return of the Western Amateur Championship to Point O’Woods in Benton Harbor. The course was home to the tournament every year from 1971 to 2008 after hosting it in 1963 and 1965. Notable winners here have included Hal Sutton in 1979 and 1980, Phil Mickelson in 1991, Justin Leonard in 1992 and 1993, and Tiger Woods in 1994. Phil McDonald is providing daily updates on 106.1 & 1400 WSJM Sports as well as online at wsjmsports.com throughout the event, which runs through Saturday. Admission to the 117th annual Western Am is free.. ...Read Full Story

Remains Of Missing Dowagiac Woman Identified In Indiana

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The search for a missing Decatur woman is over with the confirmation her remains were found in Osceola, Indiana. The St. Joseph County, Indiana prosecutor’s office tells WSJM News the skeletal remains found in March have been identified as those of 41-year-old Natily Franklin. She disappeared in November and was reported missing just a few days after bonding out of the Cass County Jail following her arrest for possession of a controlled substance and possession of meth. Arrangements are being made to return Franklin’s remains to her family. Michigan State Police and the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit have been investigating her disappearance. No cause of death has been revealed.. ...Read Full Story

Van Buren County Police Night Out Next Week

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The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is planning a National Night Out event for next week. Set for Tuesday, August 6, the event will be a chance for the public to mingle with the first responders who serve them. Van Buren County’s event will be held at the Lawrence Park Pavilion from 6 to 8 p.m. The sheriff’s department is expanding the Night Out this year, and it’s to feature police officers, K-9 units, the marine, dive, and SWAT teams, the reserve and mounted divisions, the Lawrence Fire Department, McGruff the Crime dog, neighborhood watch information, and free child fingerprinting. Plus, they’ll have a bounce house. Police will also provide safety information while displaying some of the equipment they use. Everyone is welcome to stop by.. ...Read Full Story

Upton Backs Legislation Designed To Decrease Robocalls

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Congressman Fred Upton is hoping legislation approved last week by the U.S. House will help decrease the amount of robocalls going around. He tells WSJM News the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act will direct the Federal Communications Commission to issue rules to protect consumers from calls they didn’t agree to receive. Upton says it’s about putting more tools in the FCC’s toolbox.. ...Read Full Story

Cardboard Boat Races Raise Record Amount For United Way

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The latest Rock the Boat Cardboard Boat Races have raised a record amount of money for the United Way of Southwest Michigan. The United Way tells us the fourth annual event this month resulted in $110,000 being collected. The Rock the Boat races feature teams from different southwest Michigan businesses and non-profits racing in the St. Joseph River in boats of their own design and construction, all made of cardboard. The latest event was July 18th at The Inn at Harbor Shores. A total of 75 boats took part this year. The United Way says the event has grown each year since it was started. In its first year, just five boats took part. In the second year, there were 30, and the third year featured 64. The money raised from the July 18 event will all go to the United Way of Southwest Michigan through Whirlpool’s annual United Way campaign. You can learn more about the event right here.. ...Read Full Story

Whitmer Directive Favors State Companies For Contracts

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From the Associated Press — Michigan companies bidding to do work for state government will get more of an edge under a change made by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She signed the “Michigan Jobs First” directive Monday at a power-line contractor in the Detroit suburb of Roseville. She says 70% of state contracts are awarded to Michigan businesses – a percentage she wants to increase.
Her directive expands the list of factors to determine if a bid from a potential supplier would provide the best value. State officials immediately will take into account the overall economic impact of a bid, workers’ wages and benefits, a company’s track record of labor and environmental compliance, and its commitment to economically disadvantaged areas. The state last year issued more than 8,800 contracts worth $2.1 billion.. ...Read Full Story

New Buffalo Lands Grant For Waterfront Master Plan

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The development of New Buffalo’s waterfront will be a hot topic later this year thanks to the city receiving a $51,000 grand from USDA Rural Development to cover nearly all the costs involved with developing a master plan and do preliminary engineering work. City Manager Dave Richards tells WSJM News the city wants to hear from as many residents as possible once they begin holding open houses and putting out online surveys.. ...Read Full Story

Stabenow Backing Impeachment Inquiry

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Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan says she would back House Democrats if they launch an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. The fourth-term Democrat said in a written statement Monday that former special counsel Robert Mueller’s report about Russian interference in the 2016 election “describes extremely serious instances of the president of the United States trying to obstruct justice.” She says “no one is above the law.” Politico first reported Stabenow’s position. About 100 Democrats in the 435-member House now favor opening an impeachment inquiry. House committees have been investigating Trump and filing lawsuits to obtain information. Even if the House voted to impeach Trump, the Republican-run Senate would likely acquit him. Michigan’s other senator, Democrat Gary Peters, is up for re-election in 2020 and has not backed impeachment proceedings.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Bringing Back Former Finance Director

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The St. Joseph City Commission is bringing back a city hall veteran for a few more years. Former city finance director Deb Koroch is returning to that position following her retirement in June 2016. Koroch had been brought back on an interim basis this year after her successor, Sara McCallum, left for a new job in Ann Arbor. The city commission search committee of Mayor Pro Tem Laura Goos and Commissioner Peggy Getty met with city staff on Friday to go over the applications for the job, and felt no one could stack up to the experience Koroch would bring with her 16 years with the city.. ...Read Full Story

Red Cross Offering Gift Cards With Blood Donations

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As the Red Cross grapples with another emergency blood shortage, it’s teaming up with Amazon in the hope of enticing more people to donate. The Red Cross says those who give blood between now and August 29 will receive a $5 Amazon gift card via email. While a $5 gift card doesn’t sound like much, the gift from Amazon amounts to $1 million for the Red Cross. The organization says it’s down to a less than two day supply of type O blood as people donate less during the summer. Anyone who wants to give can check out the Red Cross Blood App, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or go to RedCrossBlood.org.. ...Read Full Story

Free Lunches For South Haven Students This Year

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Students at South Haven Public Schools will be able to get free lunches this coming school year. South Haven Public Schools Child Nutrition Director June Altom tells WSJM News enough of the district’s students this year qualify for free lunches under federal guidelines, therefore opening the program to the whole district. She says this can help make sure more of the kids eat healthy.. ...Read Full Story

Glad Peach Fest In Coloma This Week

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The Glad Peach Festival is set for this week in Coloma. It starts Friday at noon, and will run through Sunday evening. Peach Fest President Julie Pupedis tells WSJM News the festival started as a victory celebration following World War II. At first, it was just a flower show, but over the years it’s grown.. ...Read Full Story

State Offers Financial Aid Advice

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With high school graduates across Michigan preparing to head off to college, the Michigan Department of Treasury is offering them some advice on seeking financial aid. Office of Post-Secondary Financial Planning Director Anne Wohlfert tells WSJM News students need to know about the the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. That’s the first step. But don’t just assume a loan is the only way to go.. ...Read Full Story

Five Governors Call On Candidates To Aid Great Lakes

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From the Associated Press — Five Democratic governors of states in the Great Lakes region want candidates in next year’s presidential election to support a plan for protecting their freshwater resources. Led by Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, the governors Monday proposed a six-point platform that seeks increases in federal spending on water treatment infrastructure and environmental cleanups.
Whitmer told The Associated Press the plan’s release was timed to draw attention to issues affecting the lakes ahead of this week’s Democratic presidential debates in Detroit. But she said the governors also hoped for support from Republican President Donald Trump. In addition to money for drinking water and wastewater system upgrades, the plan calls for battling invasive species, harmful algae blooms and pollution from toxic chemicals, as well as building another shipping lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

State Representative Defends State Buildings Flag Bill

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A state representative is defending her bill introduced last week to restrict what flags can be flown on state buildings to the U.S. flag, the state flag, and the official flag of the governor. Republican Lynn Afendoulis of Grand Rapids introduced the bill after hearing complaints after Governor Whitmer had a rainbow Pride flag on the Romney Building during Pride month in June. She told Michigan’s Big Show its about keeping state buildings from becoming special interest billboards and she’s not homophobic.. ...Read Full Story

Democrats Hit Detroit Ahead Of This Week’s Debates

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Twenty of the Democrats seeking their party’s presidential nomination will be on the Fox Theatre stage in Detroit over two nights this week for the second series of debates, broadcast on CNN. Several of them are already making the rounds in the Motor City, with Washington Governor Jay Inslee taking time Monday to unveil his plan to fight climate change at an appearance in southwest Detroit.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Residents Reminded To Take Steps To Keep Lead Out Of Water

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Residents of the city of Benton Harbor are being reminded about the importance of installing filters in their homes to prevent against lead contamination. The city released information Friday afternoon that the water supply remains under a continuation of the Action Level Exceedance of 15 parts per billion, which took effect in October of last year. The Berrien County Health Department has partnered with the city to get the word out, and spokeswoman Gillian Conrad says the new reminders are being issued out of an abundance of caution.. ...Read Full Story

Dangerous Swimming Conditions On Lake Michigan North Of South Haven

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Planning to go to a Lake Michigan beach Monday? The National Weather Service says you should think about another day. Dangerous swimming conditions are expected at beaches north of South Haven. Separately, swimming is discouraged south of South Haven down into Indiana along the shore. Waves could be 3 feet or higher. A 43-year-old man who was struggling in high waves and strong current Saturday drowned in Lake Michigan in Ottawa County. The sheriff’s department says Steven Davis of Holland Township was brought to shore after 4 p.m. in Park Township. A red flag was flying nearby at Holland State Park, a signal that conditions were dangerous at the time. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project says at least 27 people have drowned in Lake Michigan this year, up from 15 at this time last year.. ...Read Full Story

State Police Identify Man Who Died While Kayaking In Paw Paw River

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Michigan State Police are identifying the man who died while kayaking with his wife in the Paw Paw River Sunday evening as 42-year-old Chad Whittington of Coloma. The couple had launched their kayak from Hayes Park in Watervliet and took a break to swim, and that’s when she told police he became distressed and struggled in the water. She got him partially to shore and called 9-1-1, but nothing could be done. First responders were unable to revive Whittington, who was pronounced dead at the scene on the banks of the river in the 71-hundred block of Red Arrow Highway. An autopsy is being done today at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo to determine the cause of death.. ...Read Full Story

Motorcyclist Killed In Weekend Cass County Crash

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A Three Rivers man is dead after a crash involving his motorcycle and a car in Cass County. The sheriff’s department says it happened Saturday afternoon in Porter Township when Tyler Hershberger was on US-12 and collided with a car driven by a 16-year-old that was pulling out of a driveway. The impact sent Hershberger off his bike, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet, and the teen driver was also buckled up. Police are continuing to investigate.. ...Read Full Story

Man Dies In Kayak Accident On Paw Paw River

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There aren’t many details as yet, but Michigan State Police are investigating the death of a man on the Paw Paw River in Berrien County on Sunday. He and his wife were kayaking when something went wrong according to our newsgathering partners at WSBT-22. She survived, but he was pronounced dead after what authorities have called an unsuccessful water rescue in the seven-thousand block of Paw Paw Avenue, which is between Coloma and Watervliet. The two were on a date at the time. Michigan State Police say more information will be released later today.. ...Read Full Story

Scream Park Awards Scholarships

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The Niles Scream Park has announced its community project scholarship recipients for the year. Secretary Kelly Welch tells WSJM News six young people from Niles, Brandywine, and South Haven High Schools have been picked for $500 scholarships from the non-profit park. Some of them were volunteers for the attraction, but that’s not the only reason they’d be picked.. ...Read Full Story

Grants To Mean New Riverfront Developments In SJ, BH

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Berrien County has been approved for a more than $100,000 state grant that’s expected to allow for water taxis between Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. Cornerstone Alliance VP of External Affairs Christina Frank tells WSJM News Berrien County Community Development and Cornerstone Alliance applied for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Waterways Program grant in April to make way for the water tax idea.. ...Read Full Story

Broadband Funds Approved For Michigan

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The Federal Communications Commission this month announced that it’s authorized nearly $33 million in funding to expand broadband internet around Michigan. Southwest Michigan will receive $2.6 million over ten years as part of the allocation announced this week. It’s expected to expand high-speed internet to nearly 2,400 homes and businesses in the region. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News he’s pleased.. ...Read Full Story

Niles Man Shot Multiple Times; Expected To Survive

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A 32-year-old Niles-area man is recovering at South Bend Memorial Hospital after being shot multiple times in the legs and buttocks early Sunday morning. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says road patrol officers and Michigan State Police troopers responded to the call of multiple shots being fired in the 900 block of Woods Edge Drive in Niles Township just before 12:30 a.m. The victim was taken by ambulance to the hospital and underwent surgery. He’s expected to fully recover and is in stable condition.. ...Read Full Story

South Bend Man Killed In Cass County Shooting

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The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is looking for more witnesses as detectives try to piece together the shooting death of an 18-year-old South Bend man. He’s been identified as Dayman Chatman, and was shot while attending a party at a home in the 29-hundred block of Yankee Street in Howard Township. Chatman was shot around 2 a.m. Sunday, and while some witnesses have been interviewed by police, they’re looking to talk to more people who had scattered after the shots were fired. Anyone with tips is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at 269-445-1560, the Cass County Tip Line at 800-462-9328, or by texting CRIMES (274637) and then writing CASS with the details you’re sharing.. ...Read Full Story

Chikaming Township Releases Parks Survey

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Those who use the trails, parks, and nature preserves of Chikaming Township are being asked to fill out a survey on their parks needs as the Chikaming Township Parks Board puts together its next master plan. Board President Debra Hall Kaylor tells WSJM News they want to hear ideas and opinions from anyone who appreciates the parks of Chikaming Township.. ...Read Full Story

United Way To “Pop The Collar” At August Fundraiser

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Set for Thursday, August 8 is the fourth United Way of Southwest Michigan Pop Up Giving event. It’s to take place at the LakeHouse Restaurant and Bar in St. Joseph from 5 to 7 p.m. The theme is “Pop the Collar” in honor of WSJM’s own Pat Moody, who has been known to wear his collars popped up. The United Way’s Jennifer Tomshack says Pop Up Giving is a way for the public to vote on a project pitched by one of three area non-profits.. ...Read Full Story

Bernie Sanders Calls For Shutdown Of Michigan Pipeline

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From the Associated Press — Bernie Sanders has become the second Democratic presidential hopeful to call for shutting down an oil pipeline that crosses a channel linking two of the Great Lakes. The Vermont senator said in a tweet Thursday that Enbridge’s Line 5 should be decommissioned and new fossil fuel infrastructure banned. Line 5 carries oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario. It runs beneath the Straits of Mackinac connecting Lakes Huron and Michigan. It traverses large sections of northern Wisconsin and Michigan. Sanders announced his position on the ninth anniversary of a rupture of another Enbridge pipeline that spilled 1 million gallons of oil into the Kalamazoo River. Washington state Governor Jay Inslee also has endorsed a Line 5 shutdown ahead of Democratic presidential debates in Detroit next week.. ...Read Full Story

Harbor Country Mission Aims To Help Working Poor, Homeless

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It’s been about a year since Harbor Country Mission opened up its warehouse on Red Arrow Highway in Bridgman, and the place has taken off. The mission’s David Heyn tells WSJM News he was a pastor when he and his wife started collecting items for those in need. They just kept things like coffeemakers and clothing in a closet, but soon realized a lot of people needed help.. ...Read Full Story

Two Men Arrested In Cass County Meth Bust

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Two southwest Michigan men are locked up in the Cass County Jail after a drug bust. The sheriff’s department says a 47-year-old Porter Township man and a 36-year-old Three Rivers man were arrested Thursday at the older suspect’s home on Hazel Street. Officers seized around 25 grams of meth along with drug paraphernalia inside the home. The two will be charged with possession with intent to deliver meth, and the homeowner is also facing a charge of maintaining a drug house. The investigation is ongoing.. ...Read Full Story

SJ Schools Finalize Contract With New Superintendent

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It’s official. The new superintendent of St. Joseph Public Schools is Dr. Thomas Bruce, as he and the school board have reached a contract. Outgoing superintendent Ann Cardon sent an email to parents last night confirming that move and to also release the calendar for the upcoming academic year, which was also approved Thursday evening at a special meeting of the school board. Cardon is headed north to become the superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools next week. Dr. Bruce is coming to St. Joseph from Arcadia, California, where he had been Arcadia Unified School District’s director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. He’s a native of Howell, located between Lansing and Detroit, and began his education career in Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

Court Throws Out DUI Evidence; Cop Had Wrong Speed Limit

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From the Associated Press — A man convicted of drunk driving in western Michigan has won an appeal after it turned out that he was under the speed limit when stopped by police, not over it. Anthony Owen was told he was going 43 mph in a 25 mph zone in Saranac in Ionia County. But attorney Ed Sternisha argued that the speed limit actually was 55 mph by default because there was no sign on southbound Parsonage Road. The Michigan appeals court agreed, saying the traffic stop by a sheriff’s deputy in 2015 was illegal. As a result, the court threw out evidence of drunken driving that stemmed from the stop. The court says a “reasonably competent” officer should have known that he couldn’t stop Owen for speeding.. ...Read Full Story

City Commission Appoints Interim Manager

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Benton Harbor City Commissioners have appointed former City Manager Ellis Mitchell to serve as the new interim city manager. That’s after Darwin Watson was fired from the city manager position Monday. At a Thursday special meeting, the commission approved Mitchell to serve while a search is done for the next manager. Mitchell told us he served as city manager in Benton Harbor from 1983 to 1987. He also said he most recently worked as mobility manager at Dial a Ride. During Thursday’s session but after the vote, Mayor Marcus Muhammad said the drama of the past week has created chaos.. ...Read Full Story

Commission Accepts Waterways Grant

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A state grant to allow for new access points to be installed along the St. Joseph River in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph has been accepted by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners. At this week’s meeting, the board accepted the $132,000 unanimously and without comment. Cornerstone Alliance and the Berrien County Community Development Department sought the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Waterways Program grant in order to put in four access points, two in St. Joe and two in Benton Harbor. The goal is to have water taxis running between the points during the summer. Planners want to have the taxis working in time for the next Senior PGA Championship. Cornerstone Alliance has contributed $147,000 to the effort.. ...Read Full Story

County Looking At Parks Costs

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Berrien County Commissioners are looking at the possibility of a small increase in the parks millage. At this week’s board of commissioners meeting, Commissioner Bill Chickering said there are big parks expenses on the way, and more money will be needed. He told WSJM News a committee heard from Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey that he’s been crunching some numbers.. ...Read Full Story

Nessel Urges State To Make Power Outage Credit Automatic

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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has sent a letter to the Michigan Public Service Commission asking it to require utility companies with smart meters to automatically credit consumers’ bills for prolonged power outages. Nessel this week reminded utility customers in the state there is a law allowing them a $25 outage credit when they experience a power outage that lasts longer than 16 hours. The credit is available as long as there isn’t a general emergency taking place. Nessel’s office says customers can also receive the credit when there’s been a failure to restore electric service within 120 hours after an interruption that occurred during catastrophic conditions, or when there are repetitive interruptions of the same circuit more than seven times in a 12 month period. In her letter to the MPSC, Nessel noted electric service interruption rules were written years before the implementation of smart meters. She says the new tech should make the credit automatic. You can see Nessel’s letter to the MPSC right here.. ...Read Full Story

BH Schools Looks To Stabilize Enrollment

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As leaders at Benton Harbor Area Schools work to arrange a turnaround plan with the state, they’re also hoping to undo the damage done by recent talk of the high school closing. At Tuesday’s board of education meeting, Interim Superintendent Patricia Robinson noted enrollment has dropped since the governor proposed closing Benton Harbor High School. She says her team has been reaching out to parents to let them know the school district is a safe place for their kids.. ...Read Full Story