Local News Archives

Recent controversies surrounding Bangor Public Schools have led to the publication of an online petition seeking to oust the school board and the former superintendent, who is now the chief operations officer. The petition on Change.org as of Wednesday afternoon had about 140 signatures. It lists the recent internet posting of a video featuring teachers engaged in an inappropriate conversation as among the reasons there needs to be changes in the district. It also cites confusion over administrator qualifications, teacher pay, and academic rankings. The petition states, “We are tired of the good ol’ boy network.” The school board is not required to respond to the petition. Its next meeting is Monday, March 20 at 6 p.m.... [Read Full Story]

Stealing groceries has ended the law enforcement career of a man once named the Berrien County “Deputy of the Year.” Lieutenant Trent Babcock was fired this week for shoplifting nearly $200 in groceries from the Niles Walmart in February. He entered a guilty plea to retail fraud charges on March 3, and was ordered to pay $400 in court costs and fees. Sheriff Paul Bailey has told several media outlets that he fired Babcock on Monday, but did not give any further details. Babcock was the county’s “Deputy of the Year” in 2013, prior to his promotion to lieutenant.... [Read Full Story]

There’s no school in Lawrence today, but not because of the weather. It’s what has been happening inside the building, mainly the spread of a nasty virus between classmates and staff that prompted the administration to call for a time out. Health officials are working with school officials in Van Buren County to try and limit the spread of the contagious virus.... [Read Full Story]

Senators Tonya Schuitmaker of Lawton and Rick Jones of Grand Ledge are introducing bills to require the Executive and Legislative branches of state government be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. The package goes one step farther than the effort in the House, which has proposed a modified and limited version of the law be applied to the legislature. The act requires that upon request, that any citizen can ask for a copy of any public document, and with the advent of new technologies, that includes E-mail and other communications. Michigan is one of only two states where FOIA isn’t in place for the governor and Legislature. The move toward transparency was prompted in part by the Flint water crisis.... [Read Full Story]

With power now restored for most Michiganders from last week’s wind storms, many of those impacted are picking up the pieces. Experts say that means it’s a busy time for scammers. Lori Conarton, with the Insurance Institute of Michigan, tells us most wind damage will be covered by insurance policies, however those who are renting properties may find themselves in a tough spot.... [Read Full Story]

A Michigan Senate resolution seeking to establish the right to hunt and fish in the state constitution has the backing of Senator John Proos. He tells WSJM News hunting and fishing are traditions that deserve legal protection.... [Read Full Story]

The deficit at Benton Harbor Area Schools has gone down. The district says it’s been reduced by more than 39% in the last two years. That’s a statistic cited in a resolution the board of education approved Tuesday night to oppose the threatened closure of three district buildings by the state. Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker tells WSJM News the numbers show things are turning around.... [Read Full Story]

Blues guitarist Jonny Lang will headline this year’s BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival in St. Joseph. St. Joe Today’s Brian Smith tells WSJM News Lang had to cancel last year because of a family issue, but promised to come back this year. He’s made good on the promise. Smith’s looking forward to a successful BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass.... [Read Full Story]

Things have been going well for the Krasl Art Center as it seeks $1.7 million as part of a place-making initiative to reopen its grounds and offer an outdoor space. Executive Director Julia Gourley tells us the campaign is now approaching the $1 million mark, having raised $920,000. The money has come from local foundations, businesses, and individuals who want to support the arts. The outdoor area Krasl is planning would be available to the whole community and will feature a newly-commissioned sculpture from artist Richard Hunt as the centerpiece. It’ll be open to the public for use at any time. Anyone interested in finding out more can go to Krasl.org.... [Read Full Story]

Sheriff’s investigators in Cass County believe drugs and alcohol factored into a late Sunday rollover in Wayne Township. 34-year-old Lucas Black of Dowagiac swerved out of the way of a passing vehicle on Ruby Road before 10 p.m. Black was rushed by ambulance to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac. His current condition was not disclosed.... [Read Full Story]

No jail time for one of the first officials sentenced in connection to the Flint water crisis. Corrine Miller ordered staff to delete emails detailing Legionella in the Flint River water. She was ordered to complete community service and write an apology letter to the people of Flint. Todd Flood, with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, says Miller received the light sentence because she was one of the first officials to cooperate with investigators.... [Read Full Story]

Retired Lakeshore football coach Denny Dock will be inducted in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on March 25th in Ann Arbor. Dock coached the Lancers from 1988-2013 also spent time as head coach at Hartford from 1981 to 1983 and Dowagiac from 1984 to 1987. Over his career, Dock compiled a record of 263 wins and 76 losses, going and 209-64 at Lakeshore. Dock continues to serve as the Lakeshore softball coach, leading the Lancers to six state championships, the most recent in 2011.... [Read Full Story]

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s superintendent is dropping a plan to give a letter grade to every public school and instead will issue a report card showing indicators such as each school’s proficiency on the state exam. Superintendent Brian Whiston had intended to develop the A-F grading system as part of an effort to make Michigan a top state for education. But the concept, while supported by some Republicans in the GOP-led Legislature, is controversial and has been questioned by many in the education community. Two officials who were briefed by Whiston – State Board of Education member Tom McMillin and Michigan Association of School Administrators Executive Director Chris Wigent – told The Associated Press that the state Department of Education’s default accountability plan will be a “dashboard” format with no grades.... [Read Full Story]

Miss Blossomtime 2017 is Kaylee Chapin, of Watervliet. The annual pageant was held Monday night at the Mendel Center in Benton Township. Taking the position of first runner up was Miss Bridgman McKenna Smith, followed by Miss Edwardsburg Katelyn Boyer as second runner up. Miss Congeniality is Miss Lawrence Devin Gray. Hunter Ackerman, of Hartford, was named Mr. Blossomtime on Sunday night. The newly crowned Blossomtime royalty will be featured in the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade through Benton Harbor and St. Joseph on May 6.... [Read Full Story]

Wayne State University is bringing more than 1,000 middle school students and teachers to campus Tuesday for the school’s first STEM Day. Wayne State’s Julie Hasse told Michigan News Network the students will have a chance to use science to pull off something that sounds miraculous.... [Read Full Story]

The question of what to do with Second Street near Lions Park Beach in St. Joseph appears to have been settled. At a Monday meeting, city commissioners voted to preserve Second Street as a public right of way, effectively rejecting a proposal from a local property owner to beautify the area and turn it into a walkway. Mayor Mike Garey told WSJM News he’s not comfortable taking private money to make changes to a public street.... [Read Full Story]

A new partnership called Trading Places will help Michigan inmates reintegrate into society. Heidi Washington, Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections, told Michigan News Network they’re working with two organizations to train prisoners.... [Read Full Story]

A Little Free Library is coming to Benton Harbor this weekend as part of National Reading Month. The Berrien County Democratic Party will hold an event on Sunday at the Wide Awake United Church of Christ at the corner of Bellview and Pipestone in Benton Harbor to put the finishing touches on the Little Free Library which will be installed in the city later this year.... [Read Full Story]

We are under a winter weather advisory until 11 tonight. The National Weather Service is predicting most areas will get two-to-three inches of snow today, with another inch tonight. Some more lake effect snow is possible tomorrow, and forecasters are predicting a total of 3 to 5 inches for the area by the time the system is done. Much more is expected along the East Coast, and that storm is going to impact anyone planning to fly today and tomorrow.... [Read Full Story]

Increased oil production in the U.S. is helping to put pressure on gas prices. We’re starting this week with prices averaging $2.32 in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph according to Triple-A Michigan, which is a drop of 8¢ a gallon. Statewide, we’re down 7¢ to $2.34. The auto club says the lowest average price is in Traverse City at $2.29, with the highest in Jackson at $2.41. Oil services company Baker Hughes tells AAA that seven oil rigs in the U.S. went into production last week, bringing the total to 609, which is the most since October 2015.... [Read Full Story]

Mr. Blossomtime for this year is Hunter Ackerman of Hartford. This year’s Miss Blossomtime will be crowned tonight at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College starting at 7 p.m. If you can’t make it to LMC for the event, tune in to News/Talk 94.9 WSJM for coverage with Zack East, Sandie Lieberg, and Lindsay Kay Zvonar. Something new this year is a public vote for one of the queens in the top ten. The other nine will be selected by the judges.... [Read Full Story]

We all have things to do this weekend because of the switch from daylight savings this weekend, and an hour less to do them, because we will all be springing forward tonight.... [Read Full Story]

(Lansing, MI – AP) – Michigan should make community college free for all and give merit-based scholarships to high school graduates who attend the state’s public universities, says a commission formed by Governor Rick Snyder. The panel released a report Friday that calls for getting rid of grade levels and instead advancing students only once they master content.... [Read Full Story]

Mr. and Miss Blossomtime will be crowned Sunday and Monday night. The pageant has been running for over 110 years in southwest Michigan and the public gets a say for the first time. One of the Queens will be elected to the top ten based on votes on the Internet, and the other nine will be selected by the judges. The poll can be found here, and this year’s Queens can be found by following this link. Tickets are available for $15 for Sunday and $20 for Monday night. If you can’t be there in person, News/Talk 94.9 WSJM will again broadcast Monday night’s event with Zack East, Sandie Lieberg, and Lindsday Kay Zvonar.... [Read Full Story]

Evening tours of the Van Buren County Courthouse and Jail are now being offered starting next Thursday. Frank Hardester is the trial court administrator in Van Buren County and tells our newsroom the tours are being done to show people why they’re asking for a millage to pay for upgrades.... [Read Full Story]

The Michigan House has approved legislation to prohibit a lawmaker who resigns or who has been expelled from office from running in the special election to fill the seat. The bill which passed 72-36 Thursday is a response to former Representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat running in special elections to finish the remainder of their terms in 2015. Representative Aaron Miller of Sturgis sponsored the bill.... [Read Full Story]

Exactly what caused an Allegan County Sheriff’s deputy to lose control and crash on M-40 in Valley Township early Friday morning is under investigation. Extensive damage was done to the police car when it went into a ditch and hit several trees. The deputy was not hurt thanks to the airbags deploying and his seat belt. He was treated and released from a hospital, and the department is waiting to figure out just what happened before any action is taken. The crash happened just before 4 a.m.... [Read Full Story]