Local News Archives

Flags around the state will be lowered to half-staff Saturday to honor Army Corporal Cole Wixom. The 24-year-old from Bloomingdale was killed January 22 in a training accident in New Mexico. Wixom graduated from Bloomingdale High School in 2013 and enlisted in the Army in 2016. He served one tour in Afghanistan. Corporal Wixom’s funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bloomingdale High School, preceded by an 11 a.m. visitation. Governor Whitmer ordered flags lowered in his honor for the day of his funeral.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is urging fire safety for all Michiganders during this week’s frigid weather. Sehlmeyer says seniors, in particular, need to be careful. He tells us 63% of the 136 fire fatalities in Michigan last year involved adults over the age of 40. He says everyone can start being safe by making sure they have working smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector. Sehlmeyer also recommends a fire escape plan for all households. In this week’s severe weather, Sehlmeyer says everyone should clear snow away from all exterior doors, have smoke alarms in each sleeping area of the home, never use the oven as a heat source, make sure space heaters are plugged directly into the outlet, and to never use extension cords with those space heaters.. ...Read Full Story

Consumers Energy is calling on all customers to voluntarily reduce their natural gas usage as a result of an unexpected gas incident in Southeast Michigan. Consumers tells us there was a problem at a gas compressor station in Macomb County that led to a fire on Wednesday. As a result, Consumers Energy is activating natural gas peaking storage fields around the state to get gas to customers. Natural gas is stored underground and reserved in those fields, which are activated when energy demand requires it. The utility is also asking its largest business customers to reduce gas usage. Consumers says customers can reduce their usage by setting the thermostat to 65 degrees when at home and 62 when away. It also suggests everyone check for leaks in windows and doors by feeling around for cool air.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan health officials say a child from Alpena County is the second in the state to die from the flu this season. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed this week that the child died from complications of flu. The child was of school-age, but details including the child’s name weren’t released. Alpena County is located about 185 miles north of Detroit. The department in December had announced the death of a child in Osceola County from the flu. It says Michigan now has widespread flu activity. Other children in the U.S. have died from the flu during the 2018-19 season. Two Michigan children died last flu season from flu-related complications. The department recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.. ...Read Full Story

Legislation to prevent additional government shutdowns could be coming soon in Congress. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the bill being worked on now would allow for automatic funding renewals even when members of Congress can’t agree on spending resolutions.. ...Read Full Story

Heating bills across southwest Michigan will likely go up as a result of the frigid weather we’re having this week, and state Representative Brad Paquette of Berrien Springs wants to remind everyone help is available. He tells us people need to look out for each other.. ...Read Full Story

A brand new radio station has been launched in Benton Harbor-St. Joseph. Quality Rock 95.7 The Lake went on the air at noon Wednesday. Director of Programming and Content Bill Gamble tells WSJM News it’s all about playing high quality rock music for real music lovers.. ...Read Full Story

Work is underway in Congress to address the issue of PFAS contamination in water. Congressman Dan Kildee told CSPAN this week, first, the new PFAS Task Force wants to ask the EPA to evaluate the standards for the chemical. Then, it wants to address the clean-up of PFAS. Who will pay for it?. ...Read Full Story

The city of South Haven is closing all non-essential government services on Thursday. It tells us the South Haven Police Department and emergency services will continue to be open and operational. City crews will continue snow removal services throughout the city. Other city facilities will be closed. If a member of the public wishes to report a non-emergency event, they can call 269-637-5151. For emergency events, call 911.. ...Read Full Story

All Michigan state government offices, including the Legislature, will remain closed again Thursday. Governor Whitmer says shutting things down due to the weather isn’t an easy decision but felt it was important to do so early enough to keep people protected from the extreme cold.. ...Read Full Story

The CEO of Sturgis Hospital, who executed dramatic cutbacks including the elimination of their birthing and hospice centers, has now also gotten the ax. The hospital board relieved CEO Rob LaBarge of his duties when they met this week. His proposed cuts, including the elimination of 60 jobs, made him very unpopular, prompting state Representative Aaron Miller to call for his resignation. Some of those jobs were saved when he struck a deal with Ascension Borgess to save their Oncology Center. The reason for his termination was not immediately available.. ...Read Full Story

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke is stopping short of issuing a travel ban, but is telling people to stay home and off the roads if at all possible today. The county is experiencing near-blizzard conditions with frequent whiteouts that are resulting in slide-offs and stuck vehicles. The sheriff’s department says that causes unsafe conditions for emergency crews and road commission plows. They add vehicles with low ground clearance will get stuck in drifts, blocking traffic, and you can get frostbite in as few as 10 minutes if you wind up trying to walk away. Sheriff Behnke is also urging people to limit calls to road clearing agencies and the 911 dispatch center to either emergencies or complaints that need immediate attention.. ...Read Full Story

The League of Women Voters of Berrien and Cass Counties will host a forum on Berrien County transportation problems next month. League President Marilyn Klawiter tells WSJM News public transportation is sorely lacking in the area.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton is hopeful another government shutdown can be averted. The deal last week that re-opened the federal government following its more than 30-day partial shutdown was intended to give Congress and the president three weeks to address border security. Upton tells WSJM News his Problem Solvers group had considered the possibility.. ...Read Full Story

Bridgman Public Schools has gotten in on the craze of turning snow days into viral celebrations. F.C. Reed Middle School Principal John Truesdell passed along a video to us this week featuring a Bridgman Bee mascot engaging in antics around the district to the tune of “Another One Bites the Dust.” The video suggests ways to pass the time during a snow day.. ...Read Full Story

The city of Niles has announced it has closed for Wednesday due to the extremely frigid weather. All non-essential city services, including Dial A Ride, are shut down through at least Thursday. The city manager will decide Thursday morning whether the city is to remain closed. Emergency and essential services will remain active, including police, fire, and street department crews. The city also urges anyone without functioning heat to go to a local business providing a warming station. They are UltraCamp and Michiana Heating and Cooling. Anyone needing a ride to a warming center should call the Niles Police Department’s non-emergency line at 269-683-1313.. ...Read Full Story

The city of Benton Harbor is asking residents to let their water drip until the current round of frigid weather passes. With sub-zero temperatures over the next few days, the possibility of freezing water lines is increased. The city says residents can protect themselves by allowing a small drip of water to run through Saturday. That allows for continued movement through the plumbing. Also, the city asks residents to make sure areas where their plumbing is exposed — like basements and crawl spaces — are adequately heated to avoid the possibility of water lines freezing. City Manager Darwin Watson says while there have been no indications of excessive frost penetration, it is important those measures be taken to avoid problems.. ...Read Full Story

A Benton Harbor woman is dead following a weekend crash in Allegan County. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department tells us it happened around 6:30 p.m. on M-89 at Second Street in Gun Plains Township. Deputies say 25-year-old Kalyn Ann Cole was killed when her vehicle was struck as it passed some other vehicles and failed to get back into its correct lane on time. A child who was secured in a booster seat was pinned in the backseat and received injuries that were non-life-threatening. No one else was hurt. The crash remains under investigation.. ...Read Full Story

Home sales in southwest Michigan were slightly down in December. The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors tells us December of 2018 sales were down 4% from December of 2017. Also, looking at 2018 as a whole, the year did not pass 2017 when it came to homes sold. However, 2018 did set records for total dollar volume and selling prices. The association says for the year, the number of houses sold dwindled to just under 1,300 compared to 1,365 in 2017. When it comes to inventory, at the end of 2018 there was 5.1 month supply of houses for sale. For comparison, in 2010, the inventory in the region was a 12.7 month supply. The association says the rising home prices throughout 2018 was partly due to that tight inventory.. ...Read Full Story

With the dangerously frigid temperatures this week, several warming stations are being announced in the Benton Harbor area, many of them at churches. Among the places where someone can go to warm up are Keep It Real Ministries on Pipestone, New Bethel Baptist Church on Townline Road, Brotherhood of All Nations on Emery Street, and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church on Jakway. This information is according to the Facebook page of Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad. He challenged local churches to offer their own warm spaces. Also, First Presbyterian on Morton Hill will have a hot meal at 6 p.m. Thursday. You’re advised to call a given church to learn more about what they are offering before heading there.. ...Read Full Story

We have a new date for Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s first State of the State address. It had been scheduled for next Tuesday, February 5, but that’s the same night that U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Trump have moved the State of the Union. Whitmer will now address a joint session of the Legislature and the rest of the state on Tuesday, February 12. While no details have leaked out, she is expected to lay out her plan as to how to pay for road repairs around the state.. ...Read Full Story

Schools around southwest Michigan are already calling off classes through Thursday. It’s due to the blowing snow and life-threatening wind chills and frigid air heading in. Along with schools, some businesses are also closing down because of the weather. As a reminder, you can always check the full list of closings and cancellations at WSJM.com.. ...Read Full Story

The woman charged with murder for allegedly plotting the death of her Army sergeant husband on New Year’s Eve is scheduled to be in court today. That, however, is weather-dependent as all Berrien County offices including the courthouse were closed yesterday due to the weather. Kemia Hassel is is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. in front of Judge Angela Pasula, and WSJM News will be there.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Scientists are rushing to salvage a study of wolves and moose at Isle Royale National Park now that the government shutdown is over. Biologists and support personnel typically spend seven weeks every winter on the Lake Superior island, observing how the predator and prey species interact. But the park was off-limits during the partial shutdown, raising fears the study would be interrupted after 60 continuous years and lose valuable data. Co-leader Rolf Peterson said Monday the team hopes to get to Isle Royale this week. He said there should be enough time for the most important tasks, including darting 20 moose by helicopter so they can be fitted with tracking collars. A private foundation has raised funds to keep the project going even if the federal government shuts down again.. ...Read Full Story

Normally, we take the time to write news stories and re-work what happens to come in from a press release.. ...Read Full Story

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan has received a service dog. “Pawnee” is a 15-month-old female chocolate lab who came to the agency through the Canine Advocacy Program in collaboration with Leader Dogs for the Blind out of Rochester, Michigan. The Children’s Advocacy Center — or CAC — tells us Pawnee is a “career change dog” who was deemed not compatible with Leader Dogs for the Blind. She is trained to provide emotional support to people, and especially children. She will be used as a support animal in a therapeutic setting, and as a calming presence for children and adults in the community who are taking part in abuse prevention lessons offered by the CAC. Pawnee will also be able to work with clients during their court prep in the mock courtroom at the agency. Once at the courthouse, the children will be able to testify with the help of another CAC dog, known as Mr. Weeber. The Children’s Advocacy Center works with children who have been victims of sexual or severe physical abuse. It was established in 2002.. ...Read Full Story

Income tax filing season is officially underway. The Michigan Department of Treasury tells us starting this week, Michiganders can start filing their 2018 state individual income tax returns online, or they can submit paper forms through the U.S. Postal Service. All individual income tax returns must be e-filed or postmarked by Monday, April 15. Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White says all “systems are operating as normal.” He adds filing electronically is the easiest and quickest way for Michigan taxpayers to do it. Treasury also says some individual income tax returns may be selected for identity confirmation as the department works to prevent tax-related ID theft. In those cases, the taxpayer will receive a letter from Treasury asking them to confirm their identity by completing a short online quiz or submitting paperwork. There will also be a phone option. Treasury says one way to avoid being scammed is to file as early as you can. We have a link to more information right here.. ...Read Full Story

A Lawton man is facing charges after a weekend arson. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us firefighters were sent to a home in the 29,000 block of 62nd Avenue in Antwerp Township around 7:40 p.m. Sunday on a report of a structure fire. When responders from the Lawton Fire Department arrived, they found a couch inside the home was on fire. They then learned of a man at the scene who reportedly had tried to stab himself with a small knife. When sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found the man waving a large butane lighter and making threats. He was subdued by police and firefighters and taken into custody. Police say it appears the couch in the home was intentionally set on fire, and they also found a van at the property had all of its windows smashed out. The 35-year-old suspect was taken to the Van Buren County jail on two outstanding warrants , and the case will be referred to the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — A Van Buren County police officer who fired five shots at a stolen car has been acquitted of reckless discharge of a gun. A jury returned the verdict on Friday. Chelsey Omilian was a Mattawan officer in November 2017 when she fired at a Chevrolet Impala. A woman inside the car was injured. Omilian’s lawyer says she fired her gun because she believed the male driver was trying to run her over. Sarissa Montague says Omilian had a “split second to make a hard decision.” She feels vindicated by the verdict. After the Impala crashed, a front-seat passenger fled to Mattawan High School, which had been on lockdown. Omilian no longer works for Mattawan police.. ...Read Full Story

She was elected on a promise to “fix the damn roads,” but how that will be done by Governor Whitmer is still up in the air. There have been several reports, notably from the Michigan News Network’s Tim Skubick, that the governor’s plan will include taking all the fuel tax money and putting it into road repairs. The problem with that is the School Aid Fund currently gets some of that revenue. During a stop in Grand Rapids this weekend, Whitmer admitted she was disturbed by a recent study by Michigan State University laying out how deep the education funding cuts have been since Proposal A was adopted in the mid-1990s.. ...Read Full Story

With temperatures expected to drop below zero in the middle of this week, several warming centers will be opening in Niles. The city tells us UltraCamp on East Main Street will make soup and water available from 9 a.m. Tuesday through 9 a.m. Friday. Blankets, pillows, entertainment, and showers will not be available, and you should bring your own if you go there. Also, Michiana Heating and Cooling on 11th Street will be open from 3 p.m. Tuesday through 10 a.m. Saturday as a warming station. No food or showers will be available, and anyone who goes there should bring their own blankets, pillows, and entertainment. Finally, the Niles District Library will be open to the public during regular business hours. There will be no special accommodations, but the public can use the library as a place to warm up. The city of Niles says anyone without functioning heat or utilities in their homes is strongly urged to make immediate alternative living arrangements for the week. With the wind chill, temperatures this week are expected to drop to well below zero.. ...Read Full Story

A huge fire at a furniture factory in Dowagiac Sunday night remains under investigation. Deputy Fire Chief Robert Smith says six fire departments battled the fire at Ameriwood Industries. Smith says the fire was caused by an explosion in the auger system, but the flames were contained to that area. No one was injured.. ...Read Full Story

The Chemical Bank name is going away. The Detroit-based financial institution is merging with Minnesota-based TCF Bank, which will keep its name. The new bank will be headquartered in Detroit, and Chemical Financial CEO David Provost says the combination “substantially enhances our competitive position” and creates a top-ten size bank in the Midwest.. ...Read Full Story

Due to the winter storm, the city of St. Joseph is postponing tonight’s city commission meeting. The meeting will now be held next Monday night, February 4, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. City manager John Hodgson closed City Hall today at 1 p.m. because of the weather, following the lead of Berrien and Van Buren counties and the state of Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

All county offices in Berrien and Van Buren counties are closed for the day due to the weather. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey says all non-essential workers in that county were sent home at noon. As for the roads, they’re covered by blowing snow but there haven’t been a lot of accidents.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Animal Control is urging people to get their pets inside during this storm and the coming extreme cold. Tiffany Peterson is the director of the agency and reminds people dogs can suffer severe health effects from the cold as well as people.. ...Read Full Story

If you have any business that needs to get done at a Secretary of State branch office, you’re out of luck until tomorrow at the earliest. All state government offices, including those branches, are closed for the day in the Lower Peninsula due to the massive winter storm. Governor Whitmer is also taking the step of telling drivers to stay off the road and not travel. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is encouraging people to use the ExpressSOS.com website for anything they need to take care of that doesn’t require photographs or anything specific to be done by a branch office clerk.. ...Read Full Story

Several fire departments were called to the scene of a fire at Ameriwood Industries in Dowagiac Sunday night. The blaze caused the third and first shifts at the furniture maker to be canceled, according to Moody on the Market. There have so far been no reports of injuries. The cause is not yet known.. ...Read Full Story

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Berrien and Cass counties on Monday. It is in effect from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. The National Weather Service says total snow accumulations are expected to be between 8 and 12 inches. The service warns travel could be very difficult due to areas of blowing snow that could reduce visibility. These hazardous conditions are expected to affect the morning commute. A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your  vehicle in case of an emergency.. ...Read Full Story

Legislation designed to ensure the clean-up of PFAS is being pushed by Congressman Fred Upton. Upton has introduced the plan to require the EPA to report releases into the environment and clean up tainted PFAS sites with fellow Michigan Representatives Debbie Dingell and Dan Kildee. He tells us it’s become clear that more action needs to be taken on the chemical since it was discovered in the water supplies of multiple Michigan communities this year.. ...Read Full Story

As St. Joseph Today prepares to hold the first March Mannequins event downtown, it’s asking residents to submit photos that could be displayed in storefronts that day. St. Joe Today tells us the theme for this year’s March Mannequins will be Awkward Family Photos. If you’ve got any, they can be submitted at the Welcome Center on State Street in downtown St. Joe or emailed to Info@StJoeToday.com. The top three entries will win a $25 St. Joseph Today gift certificate. The deadline is February 1. The March 2 March Mannequins event replaces the old Live Mannequins event that used to be held as part of Light Up the Bluff each winter. It was moved to draw more people downtown during a normally slow month.. ...Read Full Story

The city of Benton Harbor has to make some improvements to its water plant as part of a new agreement with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. At this past week’s city commission meeting, the relocation of an aluminum sulfate line at the plant was approved following a DEQ order. The work is needed to help maintain water quality and it comes with a price tag of $10,900. Mayor Marcus Muhammad said this project is part of a consent agreement with the DEQ regarding the water plant after the DEQ noticed some issues there.. ...Read Full Story

A new treatment center for people struggling with an addition is open in southwest Michigan. Carol’s Hope is a non-profit operated by the Community Healing Center. It’s a free resource for those in need to get access to treatment. Recovery coach Melinda tells WSJM News the idea is to help overcome confusion and fear that comes with seeking treatment.. ...Read Full Story

The city of Benton Harbor’s income tax is now being implemented. City Manager Darwin Watson tells us businesses located within the city have been withholding the tax for affected workers, while those who will need to submit forms themselves to pay the tax will have to do so this spring.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to install a new warning system on highway ramps with the goal of reducing deadly wrong-way crashes. Spokesman Nick Schirripa says flashing lights are being installed at exit ramps on U.S. 131 in Kalamazoo and I-194 in Battle Creek. He says the locations were picked because of traffic volume and crash history. Department records show there were 374 wrong-way crashes in the state in 2017, which resulted in 13 deaths. The warning system’s sensors will trigger bright LED lights to alert drivers when their vehicles are approaching the highway in the wrong direction. Schirripa says additional lights could be installed this year around Grand Rapids, and the technology could also be used in the Detroit area.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police are warning everyone about a rental property scam. Troopers out of the Paw Paw post say they’ve learned of a case where someone found information online about a property supposedly for rent and requested more information. They contacted a real-estate agent and learned the actual homeowners were not renting the place. Meanwhile, the person posing as the property owner provided a tenant application and requested a security deposit. Michigan State Police say everyone must be cautious when reviewing property listings online. They say you should never respond to an offer you don’t thoroughly understand, never give out personal financial information to entities you don’t know, and never respond to letters asking you for financial information. You can get more information at fbi.gov/scams-safety.. ...Read Full Story

Indiana Michigan Power has announced a planned power outage on Saturday for about 200 customers in St. Joseph. Spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells us the affected customers have been notified. The six-hour planned outage is needed so I&M crews can address a tree that is threatening service to the area. Garrett says without the work, that tree could cause an even larger outage for a longer period of time. The power for the 200 affected customers will go out around 8 a.m. and they hope to be finished around 2 p.m. I&M says its crews will work as quickly as they can given the frigid weather.. ...Read Full Story

(Warren, MI – AP) – The Michigan Civil Rights Commission is poised to ask the new attorney general to reconsider her predecessor’s opinion that state law doesn’t protect LGBT people from discrimination. The commission will decide Monday whether to make the request to Attorney General Dana Nessel at its scheduled meeting in the Detroit suburb of Warren.. ...Read Full Story

A plan that would create a new funding stream for FIRST Robotics teams across the country has been re-introduced in the U.S. House by Congressman Fred Upton. He’s worked on the plan with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.. ...Read Full Story

79th District state Representative Pauline Wendzel has received her House committee assignments, and they’re relevant to southwest Michigan. She tells us she’s been picked to serve as vice chair of the House Commerce and Tourism Committee, along with the House Energy Committee.. ...Read Full Story

By Doug Cunningham. ...Read Full Story

The federal government will be fully operational for the next three weeks thanks to a deal announced by President Trump to end the 35-day partial shutdown. But for furloughed IRS worker Janet Diggs of Detroit, all of it has been a waste of time.. ...Read Full Story

Amtrak passengers on the Wolverine line had to be taken by bus after the 350 train hit a box truck that was stuck on the tracks in Three Oaks. No passengers were hurt, but Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari tells us their engineer was injured by debris that same in through the front window of the train. The crash happened on North Elm Street, just north of US 12 this morning. Magliari tells WSJM News he’s not sure how severe the train engineer’s injuries are. The train is the Wolverine line that runs from Chicago to Pontiac.. ...Read Full Story

By Doug Cunningham. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Under new leadership, the Michigan attorney general’s office is in talks to settle a lawsuit by same-sex couples who say their rights have been violated by faith-based adoption agencies that don’t want to work with gays and lesbians. A federal judge granted a 30-day timeout Thursday for negotiations between the American Civil Liberties Union and Attorney General Dana Nessel. During the fall campaign, Nessel told The Associated Press there’s “no viable defense” to a 2015 law signed by then-Governor Rick Snyder. The law says faith-based groups can refuse to provide certain services if they conflict with their beliefs and still get tax dollars. Nessel, who is a lesbian, said the only purpose is discrimination. Groups such as Catholic Charities and Bethany Christian Services are paid by the state to place children from troubled families with new families.. ...Read Full Story

The city of Benton Harbor is working with Berrien County and the state of Michigan to address elevated lead levels found in some homes around the community last year. The city detected the problem in October, and since then about 320 residents have brought in samples for testing. About 50 of those had elevated lead levels. At a town hall Thursday, the Berrien County Health Department’s Nicki Britten said anyone who is concerned should flush their water for five minutes whenever it has not been running for six hours or more. Additionally, the county is providing filters to the homes known to have elevated lead levels starting next week, and it will provide the filters to anyone who wants them starting the week of February 4.. ...Read Full Story