Local News Archives

Preparations are underway for the fifth annual Southwest Michigan Mini Maker Faire, and organizers are looking for makers to take part. Berrien RESA’s Joe Rommel tells WSJM News the fair is a chance for anyone with a passion for creating to show off what they can do.. ...Read Full Story

The city of South Haven and three nearby townships have extended for 25 years the agreement that created South Haven Area Emergency Services. SHAES Director Ron Wise tells WSJM News South Haven, South Haven Township, Casco Township, and Geneva Township formed the agency in 1995 for fire and ambulance service.. ...Read Full Story

It’s time for another Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament. State Senator Kim LaSata announced in a Facebook video this week her office is keeping the tradition alive, offering schools throughout her district a chance to prove they have the most spirit.. ...Read Full Story

A list of recreation and parks projects recommended for state grants by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board has been approved by the state House. Among the 60 projects statewide that are included in the list is $2.4 million to acquire 42 acres for the Grand Beach Nature Preserve in Berrien County. It will be used to develop a trail system. State Representative Brad Paquette says “Grand Beach Nature Preserve is already a great part of our community,” and the acquisition will make it better for tourism. Also included in the latest list of grants is $534,000 to add another 126 acres to the Cornish State Game Area in Van Buren County. The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is made up of money acquired by the development of minerals on state land. Each year, those dollars go to recreation projects all over the state.. ...Read Full Story

President Trump is seeking more than $75 million for work on the new Soo Lock project in Sault Ste. Marie. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the money would be used to start construction of the upstream approach walls, continue the design of the New Soo Lock chamber, and finish construction of the upstream channel deepening. The Corps tells us the upstream approach walls will stabilize the existing approach walls to allow for modern vessels to tie up and wait their turn to pass through the new lock. It’s anticipated the wall designs will be finished in late 2019, and the construction contract will be awarded in summer 2020. Army Corp Lieutenant Colonel Greg Turner says the appropriation keeps the project on track for completion in seven to ten years from the start of construction. You can find out more about the new Soo Lock project right here.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development is highlighting an early college program in Allegan County as a model for how more students could receive a college education, and for free. The Early College Allegan County program gives high school students a chance to earn an associate’s degree from Lake Michigan College before they even finish high school, says TED spokesperson Erica Quealey.. ...Read Full Story

Weko Beach in Bridgman could be seeing some changes this year. For one, Bridgman Parks and Recreation Director Joan Guilfoyle tells WSJM News the beach could be going back to the policy stating dogs are not allowed on part of the beach while on their way to Warren Dunes State Park next door.. ...Read Full Story

Of 138 seniors at Benton Harbor High School this year, only 38 are currently on track to graduate. That was one of many things Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera told the community at a meeting this past week. He said a recent audit of the graduation numbers of this year and last year found many students far off track. Herrera told WSJM News when they can be helped, they will be.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Road Department and the Van Buren County Road Commission have implemented seasonal weight restrictions to try to protect the roads from damage as the spring arrives. Van Buren County Road Commission Engineer-Manager Larry Hummel tells WSJM News when there has been an extended period of freezing weather, frost builds up under the road. As it thaws from surface on down, the road up top is in danger.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police are increasing patrols this weekend to watch out for drunk drivers around St. Patrick’s Day. This Sunday, troopers will join their counterparts from across the country in the international traffic safety initiative, Operation C.A.R.E. — or Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts. The enforcement period begins at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, March 17, and will end at 11:59 p.m. Sunday. State police advise drivers not to rely on luck this St. Patty’s Day and to arrange for a ride if drinking. In addition to drunk driving, police will be looking out for aggressive driving and failure to use a seat belt.. ...Read Full Story

Legislation designed to save money on prison costs by moving medically-frail inmates into healthcare facilities has been approved by the Michigan House. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells WSJM News the four-bill package would let non-violent inmates with severe and chronic physical or mental disabilities complete their sentences at a medical facility rather than inside a prison. And that’s only if approved by a parole board.. ...Read Full Story

U.S. wildlife officials want to strip gray wolves of their remaining federal protections and declare them recovered after a decades-long restoration effort. Michigan Technological University wildlife ecology professor John Vucetich doesn’t support the move. He spoke with Michigan News Network about it.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has revealed more information about a kidnapping in the Upper Peninsula that resulted in a statewide Amber Alert this week. Skip Hagy with the DNR in Newberry tells WSJM News 53-year-old George Cunningham and 68-year-old Jon Stygler on Wednesday night attacked multiple people at a home where Cunningham’s 5-year-old son lived. They then took the boy. The two men ditched a vehicle near Paradise, in Chippewa County, and went walking out on Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior.. ...Read Full Story

A tax credit being floated by Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland is getting some attention statewide. Cleveland tells WSJM News he came up with the idea for the HUGE credit while brainstorming with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It would give an income tax break to recent college graduates in Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

The city of South Haven will hold a public hearing on Monday to allow comment on the proposed application to seek a grant for the purchase of the All Seasons Marine sit on Black River Street. The city already operates several marinas. Assistant City Manager Kate Hosier told WSJM News why the city is interested in the All Seasons Marine site.. ...Read Full Story

The city of Benton Harbor is closing a failing section of Paw Paw Avenue until further notice. The city says Paw Paw Avenue from north of Waukonda to the Public Works maintenance garage will be shut down starting on Monday at 8 a.m. The section will stay that way while the city investigates and then fixes it. During the closure, traffic will be re-routed to North Shore Avenue.. ...Read Full Story

This is a little different than holding a coffee hour. State Representative Pauline Wendzel’s office tells us she’s planning to hold a “Pints with Pauline” event this month at Arclight Brewing Company in Watervliet. She’ll be there on Monday, March 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. to talk with residents about any concerns they may have. Wendzel says she’s holding the event in the evening so those who work during the usual morning coffee hours have the opportunity to share their thoughts about state government and hear about what’s going on in Lansing. No appointment will be necessary. Anyone who wants to talk with Wendzel can just go to Arclight Brewing Company on Monday from 5 to 6:30 and have a chat.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College is seeking the community’s help in setting its goals for the future. It’s launched an online survey to ask everyone what they think should be LMC’s priorities. LMC tells us the first part of the survey asks for five key words or phrases that describe what the college should strive to achieve. The second part asks for feedback about the college’s current goals, which are academic excellence, student success, and community impact. The college’s 2019-2024 Strategic Planning Committee says it will use information collected through the survey to “hopefully end up with a statement that is shorter and more memorable, as well as more specific to our region and culture.” You can find the survey right here.. ...Read Full Story

A women’s unity march is planned for this weekend in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. Berrien County Democratic Women Chair Kim Jorgensen Gane tells WSJM News the event is to learn about challenges women face, to amplify the voices of women in Berrien County, and to foster coalitions. On hand will be a variety of speakers.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has given the green light to the Berrien County Road Department to seek a $1.5 million grant for a trail project near New Buffalo. County Administrator Bill Wolf tells WSJM News the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is working with the city of New Buffalo, New Buffalo Township, the Pokagon Fund, and others as it seeks the Transportation Alternative Program grant.. ...Read Full Story

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is marking a record fundraising year. At its annual celebration at Lake Michigan College Thursday, the organization announced it raised more than $4.2 million with its 2018 campaign. United Way of Southwest Michigan President Anna Murphy tells WSJM News the region cares.. ...Read Full Story

A big boost on Thursday in the fight against the opioid epidemic in Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer was on hand in Macomb County when former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a $10 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Bloomberg says the idea is to tackle the problem from every angle.. ...Read Full Story

Around 60,000 patients who have been treated by Spectrum Health Lakeland and its various services in southwest Michigan are being notified of a data breach. Spectrum Health Chief Privacy Officer Leah Voigt tells WSJM News the hack happened at Wolverine Services Group, a vendor that handles mailing services with healthcare groups all over the state.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business is filing an amicus brief urging the state Supreme Court to issue an opinion on the GOP lame-duck legislature’s gutting of the state minimum wage law. Supporters of a higher minimum wage say the action was an unconstitutional gutting of a ballot proposal that the legislature blocked from reaching voters. That raises the possibility of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the action. NFIB’s Charlie Owens.. ...Read Full Story

A recent project to increase energy efficiency at Benton Harbor Area Schools has resulted in a rebate of just under $5,000 being awarded to the district by Indiana Michigan Power. At this week’s district CEO meeting, I&M’s Jason Whitman said the schools replaced 250 light fixtures to house efficient LED lighting.. ...Read Full Story

The alerts in the middle of the night likely woke up thousands of Michiganders regarding an AMBER Alert in the Upper Peninsula town of Paradise. There is a happy ending to that situation. Michigan State Police canceled the alert a little after 1 a.m. once they found five-year-old Zephaniau Cunningham alive and safe and arrested two adults, including abduction suspect George Cunningham. Troopers had found his pickup truck within a half-hour of the AMBER Alert buzzing phones and triggering broadcast alerts throughout Michigan, and then found all three people a short time later.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Governors of five states oppose President Donald Trump’s call for a 90 percent spending cut for a Great Lakes cleanup program. The president’s 2020 budget offers $30 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which gets $300 million most years. It removes toxic pollution, prevents algae blooms and species invasions, and restores wildlife habitat. The governors said Wednesday the cut would cost jobs, hurt tourism and jeopardize public health. They urged Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, a former Indiana governor, to fully fund the program. Issuing the statement were Democratic Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, along with Republican Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said numerous states, local governments and others also support the program and that more details on the federal role will be released later.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development is highlighting an early college program in Allegan County as a model for how more students could receive a college education, and for free. The Early College Allegan County program gives high school students a chance to earn an associate’s degree from Lake Michigan College before they even finish high school, says TED spokesperson Erica Quealey.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Area Schools was a topic of discussion this week for the Michigan State Board of Education. At a Tuesday meeting, Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles said the School Reform Office has heard back from the Michigan Attorney General’s office regarding what happens to the school district’s cooperative agreement once the SRO ceases to exist on July 1. Alles said there will be three options.. ...Read Full Story

The city of South Haven and three nearby townships have extended for 25 years the agreement that created South Haven Area Emergency Services. SHAES Director Ron Wise tells WSJM News South Haven, South Haven Township, Casco Township, and Geneva Township formed the agency in 1995 for fire and ambulance service.. ...Read Full Story

President Trump is seeking more than $75 million for work on the new Soo Lock project in Sault Ste. Marie. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the money would be used to start construction of the upstream approach walls, continue the design of the New Soo Lock chamber, and finish construction of the upstream channel deepening. The Corps tells us the upstream approach walls will stabilize the existing approach walls to allow for modern vessels to tie up and wait their turn to pass through the new lock. It’s anticipated the wall designs will be finished in late 2019, and the construction contract will be awarded in summer 2020. Army Corp Lieutenant Colonel Greg Turner says the appropriation keeps the project on track for completion in seven to ten years from the start of construction. You can find out more about the new Soo Lock project right here.. ...Read Full Story

It’s legal, but the Humane Society of the United States says testing being done on 36 beagles in Mattawan at Charles River Labs is abhorrent and immoral. The nonprofit released video footage shot undercover at what used to be MPI Research of the dogs being force-fed a fungicide made by Dow AgroSciences that Dow has admitted wasn’t needed scientifically. The Humane Society is calling for the beagles to be released, and has launched an online petition to try to force Charles River Labs to end the tests. The videos were shot over the course of 100 days last year, with more than two dozen experiments being done on the dogs during that time. Several died as a result.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Township police are looking for suspects after a 30-year-old man was shot twice in the leg early Sunday morning. The department says the man told police from his bed at Spectrum Health Lakeland’s emergency room that he was in an argument with a man over a woman at the Rock Starz Rental Hall at the Orchards Mall around 4:30 in the morning when he heard gunshots and realized he’d been hit. The victim got a ride to the hospital with a friend and has since been released. Police have not released any description of the other man involved in the argument.. ...Read Full Story

Preparations are underway for the fifth annual Southwest Michigan Mini Maker Faire, and organizers are looking for makers to take part. Berrien RESA’s Joe Rommel tells WSJM News the fair is a chance for anyone with a passion for creating to show off what they can do.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera has spoken with the Michigan Department of Treasury about the possibility of the district going charter. At Tuesday’s CEO meeting, Herrera said the state came to him about the idea, and as he understands it, forming a charter would take care of the district’s $18 million debt.. ...Read Full Story

Of 138 seniors at Benton Harbor High School this year, only 38 are currently on track to graduate. That was one of many things Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera told the community at a Tuesday meeting. He said a recent audit of the graduation numbers of this year and last year found many students far off track. Herrera told WSJM News when they can be helped, they will be.. ...Read Full Story

The charitable arm of drug maker Perrigo is donating $130,000 to a non-profit that provides food to kids in need in Allegan County. Kids’ Food Basket will receive the first ceremonial check this week in Holland. Perrigo tells us the first $30,000 will go toward programing in Ottawa County to sustain 900 students this academic year at six schools and sites. The additional $100,000 will be used for Kids’ Food Basket’s expansion into Allegan County, which will help reach more at-risk children. Allegan is where Perrigo’s North American Head of Operations is located. According to Kids’ Food Basket, nearly 12,000 Allegan County residents are food-insecure, with 24% of the population being children under the age of 18.. ...Read Full Story

It’s time for another Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament. State Senator Kim LaSata announced in a Facebook video this week her office is keeping the tradition alive, offering schools throughout her district a chance to prove they have the most spirit.. ...Read Full Story

Public input is being sought by the Berrien County Parks Department for the next parks master plan. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey tells WSJM News the plan is needed to qualify for state grants. It outlines improvements planned at county parks. Bailey says meetings will be held throughout 2019 at different locations for residents to weigh in. He says the last meeting attracted plenty of interest.. ...Read Full Story

Police are asking for help in finding two brothers who may have been present at the time of a fatal shooting in Benton Harbor last summer. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety tells us officers responded to a call to clear a party in the early morning hours of July 1 when they heard gunshots in the area of the 900 block of Lavette. It was discovered 22-year-old Aundre J. Sanders had been shot and killed. The case remains unsolved. Benton Harbor Public Safety detectives would like to speak with Jamaal and William Roseburgh, who witnesses say were there at the shooting. On July 3, an absconder warrant was issued for Jamaal Roseburgh. Anyone who knows the location of either Roseburgh brother is asked to contact the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The state of Michigan has added cerebral palsy to a list conditions for which people can register to use medical marijuana. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs announced its decision Monday. It followed a unanimous recommendation from a review panel. The department also rejected adding chronic aggressive behavior to the list, after panel members unanimously recommended denial. Other medical conditions on Michigan’s list include cancer, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain. Roughly 293,000 patients are registered with the state to grow their own marijuana or obtain it from 41,000 registered caregivers who can supply a limited number of people. Michigan voters last year legalized marijuana for recreational use, too.. ...Read Full Story

Despite a few objections, the show will go on. The St. Joseph city commission this week unanimously approved the request of St. Joseph Today to hold the BBQ Blues & Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, May 18. June Bowman was among a couple of residents who have some issues with the annual concert.. ...Read Full Story

A Kalamazoo Public Safety officer is hospitalized after being shot responding to a report of a shooting at a plasma donation center. The officer’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. A former employee of the Biomat USA Plasma Center in downtown Kalamazoo is accused of entering the building Tuesday and opening fire. Employee Lisa Walterhouse tells the “Kalamazoo Gazette” the man told people to call 911, and then they took off running. A statement from Kalamazoo Public Safety does not say anything about an active shooter situation, and they say there is no current threat to the public.. ...Read Full Story

Vail Rubber’s expansion into Royalton Township is moving ahead. The township board has approved the creation of an Industrial Development District and granted the St. Joseph company a 12-year tax abatement for its new building that will be built at the southwest corner of Glenlord and Hollywood. Construction will start next month and be done in March 2020. Vail Rubber Works expects to create at least 10 new jobs with the expansion. The company was founded in 1892 to make rubber railroad ties, and had adapted ever since.. ...Read Full Story

A River Valley High School science teacher is on administrative leave while Michigan State Police investigate allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old student. MSP Niles Post Assistant Commander Melinda Logan confirms to WSJM News that Chikaming Township Police contacted a detective to ask for a potential criminal investigation, as some of the alleged incidents did not occur in their jurisdiction. Logan adds the detective and Superintendent Will Kearney met Monday afternoon, and more interviews are being done to determine if any crime was committed. In a statement, Kearney identifies the teacher as Richard Jasso and reports he was placed on leave last week by the school district. He adds the district is fully cooperating with the police investigation.. ...Read Full Story

A judge has ruled that a Michigan panel’s approval of an oil pipeline tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac should stay intact even though a state law set unconstitutionally long terms for the authority’s members. Court of Claims Judge Stephen Borrello issued his ruling Friday. The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority was created by lawmakers in December to complete a deal between the state and Canadian pipeline company Enbridge to drill a tunnel below the channel that links Lakes Huron and Michigan. It will encase a segment of the pipeline. The authority’s members were given six-year terms.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven High School’s Olivia Ellis is this year’s Miss Blossomtime, crowned at the Mendel Center on the Lake Michigan College campus Monday night. Ellis plans to attend Manchester University in Indiana to play softball and study exercise science with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer after graduation. The rest of the court include first runner-up Claudia Moore, who was Miss Three Oaks/River Valley, second runner-up Krystin Buist, who was Miss Bridgman, and Miss Spirit of Blossomtime, Maya Schuhknecht of Buchanan was crowned Miss Congeniality. Coloma’s Sin’cere Taylor was named Mr. Blossomtime on Sunday. The Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade will feature all the community queens and kings on Saturday, May 4 starting at 1 pm.. ...Read Full Story

A non-discrimination ordinance will take effect next Thursday in St. Joseph to specifically protect the civil rights of the LGBTQ community. The city commission unanimously passed the change on Monday after a few months of discussion. Mayor Mike Garey praised the move.. ...Read Full Story

A $275,000 renovation project is underway at the historic Chapin Mansion in Niles. Niles History Center Director Christina Arseneau tells WSJM News a crowdfunding effort to secure a state matching grant for part of the work has reached its goal. There are two main purposes of the project.. ...Read Full Story

State Representative Beth Griffin says there’s zero chance the Michigan House will approve the 45 cent gas tax increase proposed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. We asked the Republican lawmaker from Mattawan what should be done to raise money for fixing the roads. Griffin says state leaders need to get creative instead of jacking up taxes.. ...Read Full Story

Registrations are now being taken for Skywarn training in Berrien County. The Berrien County Office of Emergency Management says Skywarn is a program that teaches anyone how to spot signs of severe weather. The volunteers then become spotters for the National Weather Service to warn communities about impending dangers. In Berrien County, Skywarn training is offered through a partnership with the National Weather Service Northern Indiana Office. Right now, there are more than 330 active spotters registered in Berrien County alone. The next Skywarn training event will be this Wednesday in Berrien Springs. It runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. You can register for it right here.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A newspaper reports the Michigan State Police’s Statewide Network of Agency Photos has grown to nearly 50 million facial images. The Detroit Free Press reports the Secretary of State’s Office has been giving state police its digital photos since 1998 and state police started using facial recognition technology in 2001. Those include ones taken for driver’s licenses or ID cards. The newspaper reports the database also can include social media images if police obtained them as part of a criminal investigation. State police spokeswoman Shanon Banner says in an email all of the agency’s facial examiners are trained by the FBI and any matches between suspect photos and database photos “only provide ‘investigative leads’ back to the investigating agencies.” She says the photos “are never considered to be positive identification.”. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents potentially affected by a health care data breach are being urged to take extra precautions about their personal information. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Department of Insurance and
Financial Services Director Anita Fox on Monday issued a warning about the breach involving Detroit-based Wolverine Solutions Group.
The breach was discovered last year. Information of more than 600,000 in Michigan may have been affected, including customers of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Health Alliance Plan, McLaren Health Care, Three Rivers Health and North Ottawa Community Health System. Wolverine Solutions Group says it mailed letters to all impacted individuals. The company says compromised information could include names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, insurance contract information and numbers, phone numbers and medical information.. ...Read Full Story

Indiana Michigan Power is launching a new program for the owners of electric cars to save money on charging them. It says those customers can now get lower rates by charging their vehicles during off-peak hours using a sub-meter. The sub meter would be connected to a customer’s electrical panel and reduce the amount of equipment needed, possibly lowering installation costs. I&M tells us the Michigan Public Service Commission has approved the program, allowing customers to have only the electric car charging equipment on time-of-day-rates while still being billed under one account. The affected customers would receive a bill credit when charging their vehicles on nights and weekends. I&M is also offering to install the first 250 sub-meters for free. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

For the third straight year, President Trump’s proposed budget includes steep cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The funding was zeroed out in his first two budgets, only to be restored by Michigan’s congressional delegation. Senator Debbie Stabenow says the new budget proposal slashes the GLRI by 90%. She is predicting that just like the past two years, Michiganders will speak up and push back against the cuts.. ...Read Full Story

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the crash of a semi in Newberg Township. Deputies say the driver, 50-year-old Katherine Aris of Ypsilanti, fell asleep behind the wheel just before 6 Sunday morning on M-60 and crashed on the side of the road. The wreck resulted in around 100 gallons of fuel and oil being spilled. Aris was wearing her seatbelt and was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo to be treated for her injuries. She was headed to Detroit at the time of the accident.. ...Read Full Story

A non-discrimination ordinance with specific protections for the LGBTQ community is on the agenda for final approval tonight by the St. Joseph City Commission. Slight changes have been made since the first reading of the NDO two weeks ago. If approved, which is expected, the city will become the 45th local government in the state to enact such an ordinance as state lawmakers have been reluctant for decades to expand Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to make it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The OutCenter is hopeful the new St. Joseph ordinance will spur other local governments in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties to enact similar measures.. ...Read Full Story