As 2018 Ends, Manufacturing Still Drives Southwest Michigan Economy
By Doug Cunningham. ...Read Full Story
By Doug Cunningham. ...Read Full Story
This deal is gone, but the memory of it remains on Twitter. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan posted a picture on the social media site Tuesday afternoon showing a Shell station in South Haven selling regular unleaded for just $1.51 a gallon. The price had risen back to $1.86, in line with the rest of the South Haven area, shortly after DeHaan’s post. He says with oil plunging to just $42 a barrel on Monday, there’s room for more price declines from the state’s current average of $2.08 according to his website and $2.10 according to Triple-A Michigan. The auto club’s Nancy Cain predicted last week that prices could fall as much as 15¢ a gallon before the end of the year from the $2.21 average they recorded on December 17. Most stations in the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor area are selling regular unleaded for between $1.96 and $2.03 a gallon.. ...Read Full Story
By Doug Cunningham. ...Read Full Story
When families get together for the holidays it can mean eating, drinking, and arguing. The current political climate, family responsibilities, and relationships top the list of stressers between family members according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Lynn Bufka is with the organization and spoke with Michigan News Network.. ...Read Full Story
Heating devices are the leading cause of fires during the winter months. Consumer’s Energy spokesperson Debra Dodd told Michigan News Network this week the utility has an important warning for people who use space heaters.. ...Read Full Story
The Bridgman Public Schools Board of Education has voted to extend the contract of Superintendent Shane Peters by three years. That’s after he got a positive yearly performance evaluation this month. The board rated Peters as highly effective, and praised him for helping Bridgman students exceed state and county averages in math and English. They also noted several new programs were added to the district during the most recent year, including reading programs at the elementary and middle school levels, and a fifth year Spanish class at the high school. The board said Peters is engaged with the public and it’s proud of the district and the community.. ...Read Full Story
The city of Benton Harbor has to reimburse some Community Development Block Grant money to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. At Monday’s meeting, they approved a reimbursement of just under $61,000 from 2013. City Manager Darwin Watson said HUD oversight determined there were issues with the CDBG program that year.. ...Read Full Story
The OutCenter in Benton Harbor kicked off its new program for college-bound students in southwest Michigan with a forum this week. OutCenter Executive Director Mary Jo Schnell tells us the LGBTQ+ Journey to College “It Gets Better” meeting would include a panel of five college students and recent college grads who will talk about their experiences. Schnell tells us the OutCenter wants local high school students to know it gets better.. ...Read Full Story
The South Haven City Council is unable to make a choice on allowing or banning recreational marijuana businesses. City Manager Brian Dissette explains the consequences of the deadlocked vote this past week which would have prohibited the businesses and directed the Planning Commission to study the city’s options with a placeholder ordinance.. ...Read Full Story
A Hartford man is in custody following a standoff with police Friday afternoon. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us it all started around 4:45 p.m. when a Watervliet Township woman called police believing her boyfriend, who had warrants out, might be hiding in her home in the 5400 block of Forest. When police arrived, they found 35-year-old Joshua Petersen barricaded in a bedroom. He threatened to shoot anyone who entered. Police negotiated with the suspect for five hours and say at one point he threw a utility knife at them. Finally, police entered the bedroom by force. They used “less lethal” devices to subdue Petersen and take him into custody. It was found the suspect had harmed himself while barricaded, and he was treated at the scene by an ambulance crew and then taken to a hospital. Later, he was transported to the Berrien County Jail. It was found the suspect never really had a gun. He is facing charges that include assault with a dangerous weapon and resisting and obstructing police.. ...Read Full Story
2018 has been a big year for recycling in Berrien County. Berrien County Environmental Property Manager Jill Adams tells WSJM News six major recycling events were held, allowing people come and drop off a variety of items.. ...Read Full Story
Come next year, Benton Harbor City Commissioners will be doing things a little bit differently. At their final regular meeting of 2018 this past week, they voted to amend the council rules to allow members to suspend the rules at the will of the majority and to add resolutions from the floor. They also voted to change the position of committee vice chair to co-chair. Commissioner Mary Alice Adams said the rules they’d been operating under prevented the commission from taking quick action.. ...Read Full Story
There have been no reported injuries following a fight at South Haven High School during a basketball game Friday evening. The South Haven Police Department tells us the brawl broke out during the varsity game between South Haven and Paw Paw. It says that after a foul at the end of the court, players began shoving each other and then players from both benches entered the court. Some bystanders also jumped in to either break up the fight or join it. The total number of people involved is estimated by police to be 70. The fracas ended quickly and everyone dispersed. The rest of the game was canceled before the second quarter. South Haven police officers who had been assigned to the game responded to the fight, and they were assisted by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, and the Covert Township Department. The incident remains under investigation by police and school officials. The South Haven Police Department says any review by the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office is pending video evidence and witness statements.. ...Read Full Story
It’s been a busy year for Kinexus. CEO Todd Gustafson tells WSJM News the agency worked with employees and students, helping 687 young people get their high school diploma or GED. It’s also worked with employers.. ...Read Full Story
Legislation that would create a statewide database of psychiatric hospital beds available for emergency use has been approved by the Michigan Legislature and is now headed to Governor Rick Snyder. Plan sponsor state Representative Mary Whiteford tells us when someone goes to an ER, the staff will be able to search the whole state to find quick help for them. She says that’s not always possible now.. ...Read Full Story
Leaders in the New Buffalo area are hoping to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop shoreline erosion in the area. Last week, Army Corps Major General Mark Toy visited New Buffalo to learn more about the serious need for action. New Buffalo Township Supervisor Michelle Heit spoke with him and tells WSJM News there’s no beach left in her own community and homes are being threatened. She says residents have spent a fortune on revetments to try to protect their properties. ...Read Full Story
As the Michigan Department of Transportation works on a long-term plan for rail service around the state, the Twin Cities Area Transportation Study, or TwinCATS, wants to make sure the Pere Marquette rail line isn’t left in the dust. Southwest Michigan Planning Commission associate planner Ryan Fellows tells WSJM News the TwinCATS committee this week approved a resolution to that end.. ...Read Full Story
Police in Allegan County are investigating after a body was found along the side of US-131 Friday morning. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department tells us a call about someone lying on the shoulder just north of the Wayland exit came in just before 9 a.m. A responding officer found a deceased male with obvious injuries indicating he’d been hit by a vehicle. The investigation found there had been a vehicle reported as driving erratically on northbound US-131 around 2:15 a.m. and that it had crashed in the same area. However, when police responded to that crash, the driver had run off. Information found on the body later on indicated he was the person who had crashed and then abandoned the car. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department has also learned a car-deer crash was reported in the same around 5:30 a.m. although no deer was ever found. It says the driver in the car versus deer crash is cooperating with them. No names are yet being released, and police continue to investigate.. ...Read Full Story
Governor Snyder has over 300 pieces of legislation to go through between now and December 31 following the end of the legislative session Friday morning. The Senate adjourned for the year at 7 a.m., with the House wrapping up work an hour later. In the flurry of activity on the final day, they gave final approval to a bill that strips away some of the authority of Democratic Attorney General-elect Dana Nessel by allowing the Legislature to intervene in any lawsuit involving the state. She and fellow Democrats are calling that a power grab, and are calling on Governor Snyder to veto it. Also passed was a new supplemental $1.3 billion spending plan that shifts money from the School Aid Fund to the roads, puts more cash toward environmental cleanup, and would hire mental health counselors for schools. The bills also would allocate funding to hire more child protective services caseworkers following a scathing audit of the agency. The vote early Friday was the final chance for the Republican governor and many lawmakers to put their imprint on spending. WSJM News has reached out to Senator John Proos for his final thoughts on his last days in office.. ...Read Full Story
A Van Buren County woman will be home for the holidays for the first time in 9 years after she was convicted of murdering her husband. Linda Stermer was released Thursday after a federal judge ruled that she did not get a fair trial, citing errors by prosecutors. She was charged with setting her house and her husband on fire, and then running him over with a truck after he emerged from the burning home. She has claimed all along that was not what happened. Stermer was convicted largely on circumstantial evidence. She was released on $10,000 bond, suggesting that the judge does not consider her to be a flight risk. The Attorney General’s office has some decisions to make and may appeal the ruling. If that fails, they will have to decide whether to retry the case or drop it. That decision is very likely to fall on Attorney General-elect Dana Nessel.. ...Read Full Story
Do you make a New Year’s resolution every year but find it difficult to stick with it? You’re not alone. A new survey from Wallet Hub shows that 92% of Americans say they fail at keeping their resolutions. Anahid Lisa Derbabian is a counselor in Troy who spoke with Michigan New Network about why that might be,. ...Read Full Story
The Alliance for the Great Lakes is looking back at 2018 as a successful year when it comes to cleaning up pollution, and it’s thanking volunteers for that. Each year, the alliance works with tens of thousands of people to hold beach cleanup events. It tells us in 2018, 15,000 people mobilized in the eight Great Lakes states, picking up more than 37,000 pounds of trash. 85% of it was plastic. The alliance thanks all of those who came out, and notes it will continue to pick up along the lakes. You can go to GreatLakes.org and search for cleanup opportunities in your area.. ...Read Full Story
Two longtime Berrien County Commissioners have been honored as they step down from their posts. Commissioners Debra Panozzo and Jeanette Leahey have served on the board since 1997 and 2003, respectively. Resolutions were approved by the county commission at its Thursday meeting to thank them. Leahey told WSJM News it’s been a long, eventful ride.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Legislation heading to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder would authorize midlevel dental providers to work in the state. Dental therapists could perform a variety of routine procedures now handled by dentists. They would need a license and could practice if they reach an agreement with a supervising dentist. Supporters say the bill that won final Senate approval 23-15 Wednesday would help ensure treatment for more patients in underserved populations, including in rural areas. They say Michigan has an uneven distribution of dentists, leaving people without access to basic care. Opponents, such as the Michigan Dental Association, say there is no shortage of dentists. They say dental therapists with less training than dentists should not perform irreversible procedures.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan State Police are looking for a woman missing out of Van Buren County. Troopers from the Paw Paw post say 41-year-old Natily Nacole Franklin of Decatur has been missing since November 2. She was last seen with friends in South Bend on that date. Her purse, clothing, money, and cellphone were all left behind, and she’s had no contact with family since. She’s known to have a small chihuahua dog with her most of the time. The dog is described as a red-brown dog. Natily is described as a white female, about five foot eight, 140 pounds, with curly brown hair that has highlights. She also has a sleeve tattoo on her right arm. Anyone with information on her location is asked to contact Michigan State Police.. ...Read Full Story
The state Senate has approved a bill that strips some of the authority from the attorney general’s office along party lines. Democratic Senator Steve Bieda of Warren called the legislation “borderline unconstitutional” in ripping it.. ...Read Full Story
A 37-year-old Niles man is being treated at St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka after crashing his car into the side of a building. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department tells us it happened due to a medical problem just after 8 pm Wednesday at US-12 and Beebe Road in Milton Township. Jerry Gross went off the road and slammed into the cinder block building. He complained of minor injuries when first responders arrived. Police say he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.. ...Read Full Story
A state commission that studies possible corrections reforms in Michigan will continue its work for another year under legislation from state Senator John Proos that is now on its way to the governor. Proos tells us Senate Bill 844 extends the Criminal Justice Policy Commission’s deadline from December 31 of this year to September 30 of next year. He says the commission was created in 2014 and charged with collecting, analyzing, and compiling data on prisons, jails, sentencing guidelines, prison population trends, and the effects of efforts to reduce recidivism. Proos adds the governor last year signed restorative justice reforms that will result in better outcomes, and the commission should be allowed to complete its job.. ...Read Full Story
The Be Healthy Berrien partnership has been awarded a $90,000 grant to continue work on some south Berrien County recreation and nutrition programs. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the funds from the Michigan Health and Wellness 4×4 Grant Program, which aims to fight obesity. The $90,000 grant will be used by Be Healthy Berrien to work on exploring opportunities to extend the Indiana-Michigan River Valley trail, do a study on expanding Niles Dial-A-Ride, create a Niles historical bicycle tour, and to work with businesses to serve healthy foods. Be Healthy Berrien is a partnership between the Berrien County Health Department, the United Way, Lakeland, the YMCA, and the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission to reduce obesity in Berrien County.. ...Read Full Story
Business Leaders for Michigan is finding optimism in the state’s business community when it comes to the next year. Despite recent stock market setbacks and other controversies, the organization tells us more than 80% of Michigan’s largest companies forecast their employment and investment in Michigan will stay the same or increase in the next 6 to 12 months. Oddly enough, however, 90% of those same leaders believe the state and U.S. economies will stay the same or worsen during that time. Doug Rothwell, Business Leaders for Michigan president and CEO, says the results show “Michigan business leaders find the state a more attractive place to invest than the nation as a whole.” You can find the BLM survey right here.. ...Read Full Story
Two grants totaling $113,000 have been announced for agencies in southwest Michigan to fight against the spread of invasive species. Michigan Department of Natural Resources invasive species communications coordinator Joanne Foreman tells us the southwest corner of the state is viewed as key to preventing non-native species.. ...Read Full Story
When families get together for the holidays it can mean eating, drinking, and arguing. The current political climate, family responsibilities, and relationships top the list of stressers between family members according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Lynn Bufka is with the organization and spoke with Michigan News Network.. ...Read Full Story
Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation from state Representative Kim LaSata to expand Michigan’s OK2SAY hotline so sexual abuse and assault can now be reported through it. LaSata tells us her bill was inspired by the Larry Nassar situation. She adds OK2SAY is a natural fit for reporting sexual crimes.. ...Read Full Story
Two St. Joseph High School students are facing disciplinary action after a fight at lunch Thursday that resulted in police being called. Principal Greg Blomgren tells parents in a letter that the fight prompted a brief lockdown. Blomgren says it erupted with over 500 students witnessing it in the student center, and he says many of them were cheering, laughing, and recording the fight on their phones. He says he wants the student body to hold themselves to a higher standard and is asking parents to talk to their students about the fight and the response from onlookers. Blomgren says administrators and staffers acted quickly to separate the fighting students and “diffuse the situation.”. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Trial Court is putting out the warning that while possession of marijuana by anyone over the age of 21 is legal now in the state, you still can’t have any on you at the courthouses or on any property leased or managed by or on behalf of the court. Chief Judge Gary Bruce says the drug remains illegal and fully criminalized under federal law, and the court is subject to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. Legal and disciplinary action will still be taken against any court employees, officials, contractors and court users who violate the policy by possessing or using marijuana on the property and court employees can expect to still be tested for drugs.. ...Read Full Story
Legislation that would strip campaign finance oversight from the incoming Democratic secretary of state and shift it to a new bipartisan commission is in trouble in Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature. The Senate-passed bill is not on the agenda for a Wednesday committee meeting, an indication that it is at serious risk of stalling in the final week of the contentious lame-duck session. Representative Aaron Miller of Sturgis says there aren’t enough votes to pass the bill, which is seen by critics as potentially the most egregious attempt by Republican lawmakers to dilute the authority of a Democrat. Jocelyn Benson was elected last month and in January will become the first Democratic secretary of state in 24 years. Other contentious bills that would empower the Legislature to intervene in lawsuits and make it harder to initiate ballot measures remain under consideration.. ...Read Full Story
2018 has been a big year for recycling in Berrien County. Berrien County Environmental Property Manager Jill Adams tells WSJM News six major recycling events were held, allowing people come and drop off a variety of items.. ...Read Full Story
The Bridgman Public Schools Board of Education has voted to extend the contract of Superintendent Shane Peters by three years. That’s after he got a positive yearly performance evaluation this month. The board rated Peters as highly effective, and praised him for helping Bridgman students exceed state and county averages in math and English. They also noted several new programs were added to the district during the most recent year, including reading programs at the elementary and middle school levels, and a fifth year Spanish class at the high school. The board said Peters is engaged with the public and it’s proud of the district and the community.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Legislation nearing the desk of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder would make it a crime for government agencies to require the disclosure of nonprofits’ donors. Critics decry the move as shielding political “dark money” while supporters
defend it as protecting people’s right to freedom of association. The Republican-led House approved the bill Tuesday, meaning it will go to
Snyder after a final procedural step in the Senate in the final days of a frantic lame-duck session. The legislation is seen by some as a pre-emptive strike against the incoming Democratic secretary of state and attorney general, who will succeed term-limited Republicans.
Politically active nonprofits that spend big on elections and ballot initiatives already do not have to disclose the sources of their funding to the IRS. The legislation would prohibit governments in Michigan from making such information public or even collecting it in the first place _ unless there is a warrant or a request as part of litigation.. ...Read Full Story
By Doug Cunningham. ...Read Full Story
The city of Benton Harbor has to reimburse some Community Development Block Grant money to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. At Monday’s meeting, they approved a reimbursement of just under $61,000 from 2013. City Manager Darwin Watson said HUD oversight determined there were issues with the CDBG program that year.. ...Read Full Story
What are you getting for Christmas from your employer? The owner of FloraCraft in Ludington is giving his 200 employees bonuses totaling $4-million. Each employee will get a share based on their years of service. 80% will go into their retirement accounts and the rest will be paid out in cash. Lee Schoenherr is the owner of the company and says the average gift is around $20,000.. ...Read Full Story
Lottery players have dreams of big wins right before Christmas. Tonight’s Mega Millions is at $284 million and tomorrow’s Powerball stands at $262 million. Jeff Holyfield with the Michigan Lottery says it’s rare to see big jackpots together this soon before the holidays.. ...Read Full Story
A St. Joseph company offering transportation to and from airports in Chicago, South Bend, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids expects to be operating again soon. The state’s Licensing and Regulatory Affiars department issued a cease and desist order on Saturday to Airport Connection, owned by Roger Reddel, because the company wasn’t properly licensed.. ...Read Full Story
Taking care of your kids can be difficult this time of year with holiday parties, get-togethers, and alcohol. New research from the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital shows about 64% of parents polled were very likely to make plans for someone to take care of their child the day after a holiday event. Sarah Clark is a co-director of the study and spoke with Michigan News Network about it.. ...Read Full Story
Come next year, Benton Harbor City Commissioners will be doing things a little bit differently. At their final regular meeting of 2018 on Monday, they voted to amend the council rules to allow members to suspend the rules at the will of the majority and to add resolutions from the floor. They also voted to change the position of committee vice chair to co-chair. Commissioner Mary Alice Adams said the rules they’d been operating under prevented the commission from taking quick action.. ...Read Full Story
Heating devices are the leading cause of fires during the winter months. Consumer’s Energy spokesperson Debra Dodd tells us has an important warning for people who use space heaters.. ...Read Full Story
The OutCenter in Benton Harbor will kick off its new program for college-bound students in southwest Michigan with a forum Tuesday. OutCenter Executive Director Mary Jo Schnell tells us the LGBTQ+ Journey to College “It Gets Better” meeting will start at 3 p.m. at the Phoenix Coffeeshop right next to the center.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Plans are moving forward on a $450 million health care campus adjacent to Michigan State University. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Monday at the University Corporate Research Park in Lansing with officials from McLaren Health Care and the East Lansing university. The event marked the beginning of construction on the acute care hospital portion of the project. Design and construction on the campus’s medical services building and cancer center will begin within the next year. The new South Lansing campus will be developed on land purchased from the Michigan State University Foundation in its University Corporate Research Park. It will house a 240-bed hospital, cancer center, medical services building and other facilities to support health care, education and research. The facilities are expected to open in early 2022.. ...Read Full Story
Volunteers from Four Winds Casinos and The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi will be distributing 200 holiday meal baskets to those in need Tuesday. The band tells us the distribution is part of more than 1,000 holiday meals donated to regional agencies this Christmas season. Each basket contains all of the items needed to prepare a holiday meal, and the donations today are going to the Northern Indiana Food Bank in South Bend. Each holiday season, Four Winds employees contribute to help make the time a happier one for those who are less fortunate. For Thanksgiving, Four Winds staff handed out 1,000 baskets containing a turkey, potatoes, veggies, and dessert around northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. Tuesday’s distribution will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. ...Read Full Story
After school activities at Benton Harbor High School were canceled Monday due to a possible threat. Administration tells us the district heard from a third party about a statement regarding the school that could have been construed as a threat. The statement came in at the end of the school day, and was said to be vague. Still, the kids were sent home for the day at the normal time and the district is reviewing its protocols for such situations. The building is also being checked by police. Everything will return to normal on Tuesday.. ...Read Full Story
A 32-year-old Arabian horse has had to be euthanized after falling into an access hole for an old septic tank. South Haven Area Emergency Services, Harbor Towing, and the city of South Haven’s Public Works Department responded to a home on Blue Star Highway near 106th Avenue in Casco Township at 4 a.m. Monday to rescue the horse. Named Tea Cup, it was trapped in the sinkhole up to its head. The homeowners had just recently bought the property and were unaware of the septic tank in the area of the pasture. The horse had to be put down after being rescued when a veterinarian determined its heart was not strong enough to survive. It took nearly two hours to pull the horse out of the tank and another hour and a half to warm her up and dry her off. The homeowners were alerted to the problem by a dog and a donkey.. ...Read Full Story
South Haven Police will be taking 20 kids to lunch and then shopping at WalMart tomorrow as part of their annual Shop-With-A-Cop program. Officer Shawn Olney says the South Haven Public Schools give them the names of the students who could use a little Christmas cheer and have been putting forth their best efforts.. ...Read Full Story
It’s not too often drivers in Michigan can say they’re getting a nice Christmas present at the gas pump, but that’s where we stand right now. Triple A Michigan’s Nancy Cain says prices are at two-year lows for the holiday right now.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan State Police say skeletal human remains found near I-94 in Lawrence last Wednesday have been identified as those of 27-year-old Jerome Ezell of Lansing. He has been missing since November 2017 when his five-month-old son was found inside his SUV in the Lansing area, but he was nowhere to be found and there were no signs of a struggle. Family members tell WLNS-TV in Lansing that DNA was used to identify the man. Police don’t know yet how Ezell died or who may be involved in his disappearance and demise.. ...Read Full Story
With the new federal Farm Bill now headed to President Trump for his signature, the Food Bank Council of Michigan is thanking the lawmakers who approved it without major changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Food Bank Council of Michigan Deputy Director Kait Skwir tells WSJM News the Farm Bill also preserves the Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TEFAP.. ...Read Full Story
Two broken legs and a broken arm are the result of a forestry accident in Bainbridge Township on Sunday. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says a 55-year-old South Haven man was cutting down a large tree in a wooded area in the 58-hundred block of Meadowbrook Road when he was hit by a limb he had cut down. He was flown by Air-Care to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo to be treated for two broken femur bones and the broken arm, but the injuries are not life threatening. Police say the man was using a harness and had to be freed from it after the accident. It happened around 3 Sunday afternoon.. ...Read Full Story
A 21-year-old Niles Township man is in the Berrien County Jail after an assault Friday that resulted in Merritt Elementary School being locked down. Police surrounded the suspect’s home in the 16-hundred block of Florence Avenue, only to find he had escaped by the time they burst inside. The man got into another disturbance at the home Sunday afternoon and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department responded a second time to a report the man had barricaded himself inside the home. This time, he was still there when deputies arrived and they negotiated his surrender after a second standoff. He will be charged with assault, unlawful imprisonment, interfering with communications, and possession of a controlled substance when he makes his first court appearance, but that has not yet been set.. ...Read Full Story
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has kicked off another holiday Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Chief Deputy Robert Boyce spoke with WSJM News and told us extra patrols started going out during specific times this past Thursday, and will run through December 31. Boyce says drunk driving arrests jump around the holidays with all of the people hitting up parties. However, he says there would be no need for that if everyone followed some simple advice before going out.. ...Read Full Story