Local News Archives

A Van Buren County man will spend 7 to 15 years in prison for shooting and killing his ex-wife’s new boyfriend during a heated argument last year. Troy Taylor pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in December after a mistrial had been declared in his trial when the jury couldn’t reach a verdict. He shot and killed Timothy Henley at the home of his ex near Gobles in June after his daughter caught Henley and her mother having sex in a nearby vehicle. The two men got into an argument, and Taylor opened fire after Henley punched out a window in his BMW. He claimed self defense, but said he did not want to put his children through another trial when he agreed to plead guilty.. ...Read Full Story

If you liked getting your cider and donuts from Jollay Market in Coloma, you need to find somewhere new. The family-owned market is shutting down, with the announcement being made on Facebook Monday morning thanking customers for “a great 9 years.” The post goes on to say the business “must take pause and see what life brings us,” leaving a possible return open-ended. When contacted by WSJM News, the response received was “We are looking forward to a fantastic U Pick season at Jollay Orchards.”. ...Read Full Story

Indiana Michigan Power expects most customers in southwest Michigan to have their electric service restored by 11 pm. The utility says there will likely be a small number in the Buchanan area, however, who will be in the dark a little longer and no estimate has been released as yet for them. I&M says as of 9 a.m. today, power had been restored to almost 80% of the roughly 27,000 who lost service due to Sunday’s wind storm. Around 45-hundred in southwest Michigan are still without the lights at mid-day, along with 11-hundred in Indiana. The utility has over 400 employees and contractors making the repairs.. ...Read Full Story

A violent train-car collision just west of Kalamazoo in Oshtemo Township has killed everyone on board the vehicle. Michigan State Police say there were three people in the car when Amtrak’s Wolverine 355 train slammed into it around 10 p.m. Sunday. The train was already 45 minutes late headed to Chicago at the time. No one on the train was hurt. Police have not released the names of the victims as yet, and there’s no word why the car was on the tracks at the time. The crash remains under investigation.. ...Read Full Story

When President Trump this month signed a funding package to avoid another partial government shutdown, one thing that was not included was a re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Congressman Fred Upton, a longtime supporter of the act, tells WSJM News it was removed last minute from the deal. Now, he expects action on just that issue. He says there is time.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Today has announced rhythm, blues, and rock singer JD McPherson will be the headliner for this year’s BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival. To be held at Whirlpool Centennial Park in St. Joseph on May 18, the festival will be a chance for anyone to take in live music with Lake Michigan serving as the backdrop. St. Joe Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News McPherson is a retro rocker.. ...Read Full Story

High lake levels and winds along with constant wave action within the Black River Channel in South Haven have caused increased erosion between the channel and the north parking area at South Beach. South Haven Director of Public Works Bill Hunter told WSJM News what is happening and what the city is doing about it.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced it will issue March and April food assistance benefits early to reduce the gap between benefits payments that resulted from the partial federal government shutdown. The department tells us food assistance recipients can expect to get next month’s benefits on March 3, 4, or 5. April benefits will be issued between April 3 and 12, and May payments will be issued as normally scheduled. The department made the changes so families don’t have to go more than 45 days without food assistance. The department issued February benefits early beginning in January at the direction of the federal government due to the shutdown that was happening at the time. About 1.2 million Michiganders receive food assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administered by the state health department. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren District Library is putting a different spin on March Madness with a bracket competition called March Book Madness. The library’s Kay McAdam tells us they’re putting 64 works of literature up against each other, and the theme is old versus new. For example, the public can vote on things like The Lord of the Rings versus Game of Thrones or Fahrenheit 451 versus The Hunger Games. McAdam says this is the first time they’ve tried such an event.. ...Read Full Story

The Consumers Energy Foundation has announced it’s providing $1.5 million to non-profits around Michigan this year for projects aiming to preserve, restore, and protect natural resources. Consumers spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the first Planet Awards will go to two or more Michigan non-profits looking to make a positive impact on the state’s land, water, or air.. ...Read Full Story