The Michigan House has approved a resolution calling for environmental leaders to continue and step up efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species into the Great Lakes. State Representative Beth Griffin, of Mattawan, tells WSJM News the resolution also seeks to increase the public’s involvement.... ...Read Full Story
A partnership between Michigan State Police and the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety has resulted in a reduction of violent crime in the city, according to authorities. MSP Captain Michael Brown tells WSJM News the department sent more troopers to Benton Harbor in 2014 under the governor’s Secure Cities Partnership. He says there have been big results.... ...Read Full Story
It’s Legomania in St. Joseph. On Thursday, a series of events around the downtown area kicked off as part of Build Your Way Around Town. St. Joseph Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News you can go to several locations in the coming weeks to see themed Lego builds, and even take part in them.... ...Read Full Story
The head of the Michigan School Reform Office testified in Lansing Thursday, answering questions as to why some children would need to travel as far as 30 miles to attend school next year if their current school is closed due to under performance. Natasha Baker referred to data analysis when testifying.... ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Bipartisan legislation that would increase payments to medical providers for treating sexual assault victims is advancing in Michigan’s legislature. The Senate unanimously sent the bills to the House Thursday. One measure would require the Crime Victim Services Commission to pay up to $1,200 to health providers for performing a sexual assault forensic examination and related services. The maximum now is $600. Another bill would expand which entities are eligible to receive compensation. The state spent $842,000 for 1,855 sexual assault exams in the last fiscal year. The legislation could triple spending to $2.4 million. A sponsor, Republican state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, of Lawton, says reimbursement rates currently do not cover providers’ costs and the measures “will allow more access and better care for the victims.”... ...Read Full Story
The Cook nuclear power plant in Bridgman is cleaning up after about 1,000 gallons of sulfuric acid leaked out of a tank via a drain flange Wednesday. Cook spokesperson Bill Schalk tells WSJM News the acid essentially all went into a back-up container.... ...Read Full Story
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department has identified a Grand Junction woman killed in a Wednesday crash involving a train. It says 47-year-old Tiffany Glidden died in the crash with a CSX train. Glidden was driving an SUV through a railroad crossing on 16th Avenue south of Grand Junction when the train struck her vehicle. It dragged the SUV about 50 feet. Glidden’s son, 14-year-old Sammy Glidden, was in the back seat and suffered serious injuries. He’s now in stable condition at a Kalamazoo hospital. The crossing where the crash happened does not have a gate or flashing lights.... ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Grand Valley State University has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit that said the university unfairly restricted free speech on campus. Student group “Turning Point USA at Grand Valley State University” was critical of the school’s Free Speech Zone Policy in its December lawsuit for limiting expressive activity to “speech zones” and requiring students to gain prior university permission. The Grand Rapids Press reports the university is adopting a revised policy and agreed to pay about $11,000 in legal fees and costs. The new “Grounds and Facility Use Policy” permits students to gather, express themselves and distribute literature throughout campus as long as they don’t block access to campus buildings or traffic and follow other rules. The school says the policy was written to clarify existing policies.... ...Read Full Story
Charges are in place against five South Haven High School students for allegedly having sex with an underage classmate. All are charged as adults, and have been identified as 18-year-old brothers DaMari and DeShaan Palmer, 18-year-old Darion Gist, and 17-year-olds Caskadara Smith and Cameron Watkins. South Haven Detective Kevin Wiley says some of the teens were surprised by the charges.... ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Having problems with coyotes? The resourceful species is turning up increasingly in urban neighborhoods as well as its traditional countryside habitat. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has advice for people who aren’t used to dealing with the wily predators. Wildlife technician Hanna Schauer says it’s important to remove access to food sources such as trash bins, bird feeders and pet foods. Fencing off gardens and fruit trees can help. Yelling, clapping and chasing the animals can help them retain their natural fear of humans.
If those steps don’t work, you can hire a specially permitted nuisance control company. Where hunting or trapping are allowed, coyotes may be taken all year on private property by the owner or designee when they’re doing damage or appear to about to start.... ...Read Full Story
A report shows a very small percentage of west Michigan kids on Medicaid make it to the dentist as early as recommended. Michigan Oral Health Coalition Director Karlene Katola tells WSJM News kids should see a dentist when their teeth start coming in. Her group is working with social service agencies to spread the message.... ...Read Full Story
If you’re having a little trouble with your heating bill this winter, Consumers Energy wants you to know there’s a place to turn for help. Spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells us you could always apply for the Michigan Home Heating Credit.... ...Read Full Story
A crash between an SUV and a train in Van Buren County has resulted in a 47-year-old Grand Junction woman dead. It happened about 4 p.m. Wednesday in Columbia Township, south of Grand Junction at the 16th Avenue CSX Railroad crossing. The sheriff’s department tells us the woman did not follow the yield sign at the crossing and her vehicle was hit by the train as she drove across. Her passenger, a 14-year-old boy also from Grand Junction, was taken to South Haven Bronson Hospital. He’s now listed in critical condition after being transferred to Kalamazoo. There are no gates at that rural railroad crossing.... ...Read Full Story
Helping young people cope with grief is something the Benton Harbor Boys and Girls Club has been doing lately thanks to a new grant. Executive Officer Brian Saxton tells WSJM News they got $12,500 to train counselors on how to discuss bereavement with the kids. He notes such services have been needed locally for some time.... ...Read Full Story
The National Weather Service has confirmed tornadoes touched down in southwest Michigan Tuesday night. The service says there were a total of three EF-1 twisters that wrecked some mobile homes and did other damage in Niles, Dowagiac, and Vandalia. All three happened around 9 p.m. The Dowagiac tornado hit two mobile homes while on the ground for about five miles. It also damaged some trees and other homes. The Niles tornado damaged several homes in a five block area, and the Vandalia tornado twisted a two-story home on its foundation while damaging other houses, a church, and some trees. It was on the ground for more than two miles. There were no injuries.... ...Read Full Story
Congressman Fred Upton is happy with the speech given by President Donald Trump this week to a joint session of Congress. Upoton tells us the rogue Trump we’re used to seeing was nowhere to be found, and he acted presidential. Upton was also glad to hear the president talk about a Notre Dame student on hand who has battled a rare illness. He tells us that ties into one of his signature pieces of legislation.... ...Read Full Story
A plan to improve security at courthouses across Michigan has been introduced in the state House, and one sponsor is Representative Kim LaSata. She tells WSJM News the three bill package expands the definition of assaulting a court worker and also increases the penalty to 15 years in prison. LaSata was inspired to get involved with the legislation because of the fatal shootings at the Berrien County Courthouse this past summer. She says the incident has prompted statewide discussion on court security.... ...Read Full Story
One person is dead following a crash between an SUV and a train in Van Buren County on Wednesday. It happened around 4 p.m. south of Grand Junction at the 16th Avenue CSX Railroad crossing. Dispatch tells us two people were in the SUV, and one was taken to South Haven Bronson Hospital. The train loaded with coal was returning from a power plant in Port Sheldon. There are no gates at the rural railroad crossing. Police are still investigating.... ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Michigan Senate and House Democrats want to see all Michigan workers get paid sick leave. They introduced legislation on Wednesday that would give workers one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked regardless of whether they are part-time or
full-time. State Representative Stephanie Chang says a majority of Michigan citizens support paid sick leave. A 2016 study by the Michigan League for Public Policy shows that 44% of Michigan workers cannot take time off if they or a family member becomes ill. Five other states –Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Vermont — have similar laws. Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, a Democrat from Flint, says he will seek bipartisan support but the legislation is unlikely to gain traction in the GOP-controlled Legislature.... ...Read Full Story
Police in South Haven say five criminal charges are being pursued against some male students at the high school for sex acts involving an underage girl. Acting South Haven Police Chief Natalie Thompson tells us the department became aware of the situation last week and immediately launched an investigation. Not many details have been released, but police say a plain-clothes officer spoke with the six male suspects, who are all legal adults, as well as the victim and her parents. The case was turned over to the prosecutor’s office on Monday, and five felony warrants for third degree criminal sexual conduct, or statutory rape, were issued. The suspects have all turned themselves in, and have been arraigned with bond set at $1,000.... ...Read Full Story
One of the two men who were subdued by good Samaritans after they attacked a Michigan State Police trooper has now been linked to a series of other crimes both before and after his arrest in Indiana and in Michigan. 21-year-old Michael Barber has allegedly been seen on store security video recorded the day before the theft of 14 handguns at a gun shop in Shipshewana on February 10th. On February 20th, four businesses were broken into in Van Buren County and a number of items stolen. Among them a motorcycle that Michael Barber was riding when he was pulled over by Trooper Garry Guild, and a fist fight between Barber, his brother and Trooper Guild took place. Barber and his brother are due in a Berrien County courtroom today to face charges for allegedly attacking the trooper. Three others have been arrested in connection with the theft of the guns. They sold some of them in an attempt to raise enough bail money to spring Barber.... ...Read Full Story
Two bills that involve the growing problem of shining lasers at aircraft have gone in front of a Michigan House Committee this week. Shining lasers at aircraft is currently a federal offense, but Michigan State Police First Lieutenant Michael Shaw told Michigan News Network it should be against state law, as well.... ...Read Full Story
Berrien County Democrats are not pleased with Congressman Fred Upton. This week, Upton joined almost all of his GOP House colleagues in rejecting a proposal requiring President Donald Trump to release his tax returns to a House committee. Berrien County Democratic Party Chair Dr. Eric Lester tells WSJM News it’s important everyone know what dealings Donald Trump has had with Russia.... ...Read Full Story
All next week, students at Lakeshore High School will talk about suicide prevention. Principal Brad Brunner tells WSJM News the kids have organized a series of events set to kick off Monday with an assembly. He says the work they’ve done to make a difference has been impressive.... ...Read Full Story
The Republican replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act is now being crafted, but how it will look in the end remains unknown. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News, however, he is confident pre-existing conditions as a basis for denial of coverage will remain banned. He says the little information to leak on what’s coming shouldn’t be trusted.... ...Read Full Story
Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad has a few ideas for how city government could better operate, and one of them is for his job to be full time. Muhammad suggested to city commissioners this week the mayor get a living wage.... ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — Federal officials are delaying a proposal for a new line of defense in the Chicago area to prevent Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been scheduled to release a draft plan Tuesday for installing new technologies or taking other steps to block the invasive fish’s path at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois. The lock and dam is on the Des Plaines River, part of a waterway network that links the carp-infested Illinois River with Lake Michigan. The Army corps has been studying possible modifications at Brandon Road since September 2014. Spokesman Allen Marshall says further coordination is needed with “multiple levels of government” and advocacy groups. He says no new release date has been set.... ...Read Full Story
The small Van Buren County village of Breedsville is finally getting its south side bridge replaced. The bridge on County Road 215 over the Black River partially collapsed in December of 2015, causing a big headache for anyone trying to get into town from the south. Village Clerk Linda Norton tells WSJM News drivers have had to take a multi-mile detour to get in. On Monday, though, work finally started on replacing the bridge. Norton was pleased.... ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — If you want to tip off authorities about fish and game violations in Michigan, there’s an easy way: Send a text message. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says its Report All Poaching hotline has begun accepting text messages in addition to telephone calls. The number is 800-292-7800. Text messages may include photos. The hotline is toll-free and is monitored 24-hours a day, seven-days-a-week. It’s operated by the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division, which also offers a web-based reporting form. After receiving a text, the Report All Poaching system immediately replies with a message stating that a dispatcher soon will be in touch. The dispatcher will then request details as would be done during a phone call. The system provides rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of poachers.... ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — House Speaker Tom Leonard is defending his unorthodox decision to allow the defeat of an income tax cut bill that’s a top priority for many majority Republicans. Leonard told The Associated Press Tuesday he’s “proud” he listened to an overwhelming number of Republicans who wanted to vote despite him knowing it would likely fall short. He dismisses criticism as coming from within the “Lansing bubble.” He says he has no regrets and the failed vote isn’t necessarily a “bad thing.” Twelve Republicans joined all but one Democrat to defeat the measure last week, raising questions about why he didn’t clear the voting board and continue to seek support later. Leonard says while cutting taxes remains a priority, the House will next focus on criminal justice and public records legislation.... ...Read Full Story