Local News Archives

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 month 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

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

South Haven Area Emergency Services is warning everyone not to go out on Lake Michigan ice. The recent polar vortex has made for some stunning visuals along the lake, especially near lighthouses. SAES spotted some adventurers out on the ice taking in the lighthouse Friday, but says people should avoid the temptation. The agency says there’s open water beyond the ice flows and the predicted moderating temperatures this weekend will make the ice packs very unstable. As the U.S. Coast Guard’s Lazaro Lopez told us during an ice rescue training exercise last month…. ...Read Full Story

A forum on immigration will be held next week in St. Joseph. Organized by Interfaith Action, “Immigration-Facts, Faces, Fears, and Faith” will feature guest speakers with expertise on the immigration system, along with people who have been through that very system. Interfaith Action’s Sid Mohn tells WSJM News immigration is very much in the national spotlight right now, and the group wants to help the public understand more.. ...Read Full Story

A $50,000 grant has been announced for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Children with Special Needs Fund. The grant comes from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, and the money will be awarded in two rounds this year. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News says the Children with Special Needs Fund provides equipment to families with special needs kids.. ...Read Full Story

By Doug Cunningham. ...Read Full Story

The proposition that women ought to make the same amount of money as men for the same job is back in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Paycheck Fairness Act was reintroduced on Wednesday and is backed by every Democrat in the chamber. House Resolution Seven would build on the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was signed into law ten years ago this week. Michele Leber, chair of the National Committee on Pay Equity, tells us one important provision would forbid companies from using a person’s salary history in employment decisions.. ...Read Full Story

Students don’t have to worry about this week’s blast of severe weather pushing their school year into the summer. The Michigan Department of Education told districts this week they will get an extra three days of snow days, as many in the Lower Peninsula were closed all week. All school districts have enough time in the academic calendar for six snow days a year before days have to be tacked on to the end of the last semester. Interim state superintendent Sheila Alles also told districts that Governor Whitmer’s State of Emergency in Michigan doesn’t mandate schools have to close and that remains a local decision.. ...Read Full Story

The National Human Rights Campaign for Equity is once again this year ranking Michigan low on their State Equity Index because it is still legal to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Michigan Human Rights campaign is renewing their call for the Legislature to add the LGBTQ community to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, but House Speaker Lee Chatfield it’s not going to happen.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — More than 250 Michigan communities have banned marijuana businesses just two months after the state became the first in the Midwest to legalize the drug for recreational use. MLive reports that some cities and townships have enacted temporary bans until the state creates regulations to govern the recreational marijuana industry. Josh Hovey is the spokesman for the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association. He believes that some communities are being cautious because of legal concerns, while others are following their community’s values. Barton Morris is one of the lawyers involved with the marijuana legalization campaign. He believes attitudes will change over time. Many of the state’s biggest cities, including Detroit and Lansing, haven’t passed any restrictions. Michigan voters in November endorsed recreational marijuana for adults who are at least 21 years old.. ...Read Full Story

The Southwest Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force is hoping to see communities around Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties take a page from South Bend and approve their own anti-human trafficking resolutions. Task Force founder Cathy Knauf tells WSJM News the South Bend City Council recently approved a resolution stating its opposition to the crime and warning residents about it. She asks why not communities here in southwest Michigan?. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police say they responded to 183 traffic crashes across southwest Michigan this week. Thanks to the severe weather, the highways were the scene of crashes throughout the region. In addition to responding to all of those incidents, the patrol vehicles of five Michigan State Police troopers were struck by drivers, although none of the troopers were seriously hurt. MSP reminds everyone that drivers are responsible for maintaining control of their vehicles at all times. If you crash because it is slick on the road, you could still get a ticket because you weren’t going slow enough. Also, police say state law requires that when drivers see a stationary emergency vehicle or tow truck pulled over with its lights on, passing drivers must move over at least one lane. If that’s not possible, they must slow down and pass with caution.. ...Read Full Story

With the weather expected to quickly warm up this weekend and into next week, FEMA is advising everyone to watch their homes for signs of possible flooding. Region V Administrator James Joseph tells WSJM News low-lying areas could be affected, and the agency is keeping an eye on southwest Michigan.. ...Read Full Story

South Haven isn’t the only southwest Michigan community with an ice fest this weekend. Saturday will bring the 23rd Ice-Time Festival in Dowagiac. There will be ice carving all over the downtown area starting at 8 a.m. The day also features snow globes at the library, a sled dog meet and greet, games, ice castle building, and the always-popular frozen fish toss competition. There be a snow shuttle around town and ice cream. The day will end with a daddy-daughter dance. You can find the full festival line-up right here.. ...Read Full Story

One of South Haven’s largest annual events is happening this weekend. It’s the 26th annual Ice Breaker Festival running Friday through Sunday. With the weather forecast calling for a warm up, organizers say the conditions should be perfect. Kathy Wagaman with the South Haven Chamber tells that ice carvings are a big draw on Saturday.. ...Read Full Story

Consumers Energy CEO Patti Poppe is thanking all natural gas heating customers statewide for cutting back their usage Wednesday night and throughout the day and night today following a fire that knocked a large storage and compression facility offline in Macomb County. Poppe says after they and Governor Whitmer asked people to turn down the thermostat to 65-degrees, they saw a 10% cut in demand.. ...Read Full Story

A new scholarship is being offered by the Berrien Community Foundation to those interested in pursuing an education in nursing. The scholarship fund set up by Mark and Jean Penwell will cover two $1,500 nursing scholarships each year. They’ve named it the F.A. Mason Penwell Scholarship in honor of Mark’s mother, Frances Abbie Mason Penwell, who was an artist and teacher. Mark says she always wanted to be a nurse, but she was forced to leave school in the 1940s when the administration discovered she was married. Jean says one could not be both a nurse or teacher and married back then, adding her mother always held nurses in high regard. The Berrien Community Foundation says Lake Michigan College, with its long-accredited nursing program, is grateful for the new support for nursing students.. ...Read Full Story

Everyone wants the roads fixed, but nobody wants to pay for it. Governor Whitmer was elected on a promise to get the roads fixed and is expected to unveil her plans for that in March. To that end, a group of former legislative leaders from both parties have been brainstorming the situation, and former Senator Bob Emerson says they’ve determined getting Michigan’s roads up to the condition they should be is a $2.7 billion annual problem. So, their Michigan Consensus Policy Project has an idea.. ...Read Full Story

Consumers Energy officials say the plea to everyone across the state to dial back their thermostat to 65 degrees to cut down on natural gas usage is working. It was the result of a fire at their Ray Natural Gas Compressor Station in Macomb County, which is a combination compression and storage field for natural gas. Consumers CEO Patti Poppe says they’re aware that many people who aren’t Consumers Energy customers, like here in southwest Michigan, questioned why they were also asked to cut back.. ...Read Full Story

(Mackinac Island, MI – AP) – Mackinac Island is challenging a state agency’s decision to let the pipeline company Enbridge install anchor supports for its Line 5 oil pipes in the Straits of Mackinac, which links Lakes Michigan and Huron. The state Department of Environmental Quality last year issued two permits to the Canadian company that together allow 70 saddle supports along the dual underwater pipelines.. ...Read Full Story

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