An hour after Donald Trump assumed the presidency Friday, his administration indefinitely suspended a pending rate cut for mortgage insurance required for FHA backed loans, which are popular with first-time home buyers and those with poor credit. Marla Thomas, a mortgage loan officer for Inland Home Mortgage, told Michigan News Network the action will affect millions of homeowners... [Read Full Story]
From the Associated Press — Officials from the state and a utility say a six-month partnership to improve lighting on Michigan roadways is cutting costs and reducing energy use. The Michigan Department of Transportation last year participated in DTE
Energy’s Energy Efficiency Business Program. The department installed nearly 13,000 energy efficient LEDs on a number of Detroit-area freeways and reported a reduction in energy use. Detroit-based DTE and the state say Monday the lighting upgrade is expected to save an estimated $2 million in energy costs in 2017. In a statement, Michigan’s Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley says he looks forward to “additional partnership and savings in the future.” DTE is giving MDOT a $1 million rebate check to help offset the cost of the department’s investment in energy efficiency improvements.... [Read Full Story]
From the Associated Press — About 80 acres in western Michigan are being added to North Ottawa Dunes park in Ottawa County. The land in Spring Lake Township was acquired through a property exchange. Ottawa County Parks says it contributed $400,000 from a millage. The parcel will increase the size of the park to 593 acres. It is along the eastern edge of the dunes and is surrounded by park on three sides. It is primarily back dune forest dominated by sugar maple, American beech, eastern hemlock and red oak. Ottawa County Parks will survey the new property early this year and then mark trails during spring and summer. The park is part of a freshwater dune system along the Lake Michigan shoreline.... [Read Full Story]
AAA Michigan says gas prices statewide have fallen by about 11¢ per gallon in the past week. The Dearborn-based auto club says Monday the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline was about $2.29 per gallon. That’s about 66 cents more than it was at the same point last year. The lowest average price was about $2.16 per gallon in the Flint area, while the highest average was about $2.48 in the Marquette area. It was the third week in a row Flint had the lowest average and the second consecutive week that Marquette had the highest. In Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, we’re averaging $2.19 a gallon, down 12¢. AAA Michigan surveys daily fuel prices at 2,800 gas stations across the state. The auto club is warning the recent downturn in prices may just be temporary with OPEC’s December monthly output report awaiting release.... [Read Full Story]
Several dozen men and women took to the streets of downtown St. Joseph on Saturday as one of many Women’s Marches held nationwide. About 60 took part locally, while crowds were much larger in big cities. The crowd in Chicago is estimated at around a quarter-million people, and around 500,000 marched in Washington, DC. That rally included a few busloads of people from here in southwest Michigan. Organizers of the marches say the rhetoric of the November election cycle “insulted, demonized, and threatened” women nationwide. A focus was placed on LGBT rights along with women’s and voting rights, and climate change.... [Read Full Story]
Roads around Michigan have been hammed by the weather this winter. The Van Buren County Road Commission’s Larry Hummel tells WSJM News frequent thaws and freezes mean more potholes that are difficult to patch.... [Read Full Story]
A case of suspected animal abuse is under investigation in Lawrence. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department was tipped off to a situation at a home in the 200 block of South Exchange Street Sunday morning and found three dogs with no heat, water, or electricity in the vacant home. Animal feces, urine, and trash was found scattered throughout. Deputies say the dogs were confined to the basement without any care, and have been sent to Van Buren County Animal Control. Charges are being pursued against a 32-year-old Hartford woman in the case. Her name has not been released. The Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office will review the report from deputies.... [Read Full Story]
We now know who’s going to lead St. Joseph Today. Its board announced this week that Amy Zapal, the current director of the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joe, will be the tourism and business group’s next director. Zapal tells WSJM News she looks forward to taking on her new role with St. Joe Today.... [Read Full Story]
The recent warm weather isn’t likely to damage southwest Michigan crops. Mark Longstroth, with the MSU Extension office in Paw Paw, tells WSJM News the crops went dormant in November or December, and the warm temperatures haven’t returned long enough for them to become vulnerable to another freeze.... [Read Full Story]
The Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA is merging with the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. The two organizations have been sharing some programs since last year, and it’s worked out so well they say they’re going ahead with the full merger. Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA Board of Directors President Bob Kenegy says the move will enable the new YMCA of Southwest Michigan, as it’s being called, reach a greater area and offer better services. Each entity will still have its own branch, but now they’ll be pooling resources. Collectively, the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph and Niles-Buchanan YMCAs have more than 14,000 members.... [Read Full Story]
Southwest Michigan has closed out 2016 with an improved employment picture as the tourism industry continued to expand. The latest economic outlook report from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research shows hospitality jobs in the region jumped by more than the state average. That’s according to the institute’s Brian Pittelko.... [Read Full Story]
Three schools in Benton Harbor are in immediate danger of being shut down by the state. On Friday, the Michigan School Reform Office released its latest list of failing schools identified as being reviewed for the Next Level of Accountability. That means they could be targeted for closure within the next 30 to 45 days. Reform Office Director Natasha Baker tells WSJM News the International Academy at Hull, the STEAM Academy at MLK, and the Dream Academy are on the list. She’s talked with the local superintendent.... [Read Full Story]
State agriculture officials say chronic wasting disease has been identified in two female deer in central Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said Friday the deer were from a Mecosta County farm. It’s the second time the neurological disease has been found in a farmed facility in Michigan. The other was in 2008 when a white-tailed deer tested positive in Kent County. Officials say samples from the two deer were submitted for testing as part of the state’s mandatory chronic wasting disease surveillance program. State officials say they are quarantining the farm and working with the farmer to test all deer from the herd. All deer within a 15-mile radius will undergo increased testing as well. An informational meeting will be Wednesday in Big Rapids.... [Read Full Story]
St. Joseph city leaders are looking at replacing the parking meters used at local parks. City Manager John Hodgson tells WSJM News the new ones would allow access to parks based on license plates, rather than the passes given out to residents each year. Since each residence currently just gets two parking passes, letting people into parks based on their vehicle’s license plate could be more convenient.... [Read Full Story]
You can now get tickets to the next Child and Family Services Daddy-Daughter Dance. The first annual event was held last year, suggested by the Safe Shelter for Domestic Violence as a way for dads to show their young girls what a healthy relationship looks like. That’s according to Child and Family Services Director Joseph Goepfrich.... [Read Full Story]
Michigan State Police motor carrier officers will spend next week trying to raise awareness about human trafficking. MSP Lieutenant Susan Fries tells WSJM News they’ll primarily be talking with truckers and the management of trucking companies. They’re in a good position to catch human traffickers because they frequently stop at rest areas, where victims can often be found.... [Read Full Story]
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, of Michigan, plans to oppose Senator Jeff Sessions’ nomination at attorney general, citing his sketchy history of race issues. He’s not the only nominee the Democrat opposes.... [Read Full Story]
State Representative Kim LaSata says she is “deeply concerned” about the fate of three Benton Harbor schools targeted for possible closure this week by the Michigan School Reform Office. In jeopardy are the Dream Academy, the International Academy at Hull, and the STEAM Academy at MLK. They are currently under review for failing to perform, and LaSata, who represents Benton Harbor in Lansing, said in a statement she’s been in contact with the reform office and local school officials trying to reach the best outcome for the students. She adds parents of the students at those schools should get an update sometime around early March.... [Read Full Story]
President Donald Trump says he wrote Friday’s inaugural address himself. University of Michigan Director of Debate Aaron Kall told Michigan News Network he believes it would benefit Mr. Trump to hire a professional speech writer.... [Read Full Story]
A new list of the salaries of Michigan House members and their staff is now available online. State Representative Beth Griffin, of Mattawan, tells us it represents “the first step this legislative session to make information about the use of taxpayer dollars more available to the public.” Thanks to the list, we know that as a state representative, Griffin is paid about $71,000 a year, as are all the state reps. State House salaries range from around $30,000 to more than $100,000, depending on the position. Griffin says the House wants to make transparency a priority, and this publication is a step in that direction. You can find the list right here.... [Read Full Story]
Michigan health officials are reminding travelers of some steps they should take to protect themselves from the Zika virus. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Eden Wells tells WSJM News not only are pregnant women at risk for the mosquito-borne illness, but women who are not pregnant should still take precautions for a time.... [Read Full Story]
Leaders with the city of St. Joseph are thinking about the future of Niles Avenue. At a work session this week, the city commission heard about the planning commission’s efforts to draft a long term vision for the corridor, says City Manager John Hodgson.... [Read Full Story]
A Niles woman is facing charges after a meth bust in Cass County this month. The Cass County Enforcement Team says it searched a home in the 1,000 block of Huntly Road in Howard Township on January 12 after getting some tips. It says officers found meth paraphernalia, marijuana, and crack. 46-year-old Andrea Sutfin was arrested for possession of meth, cocaine, and marijuana. She’s now in jail on $20,000 bond. Police ask anyone with information about drug activity to call them.... [Read Full Story]
On Saturday, thousands of Michigan women will take to the streets in opposition to what they say is a wave of discrimination since the November election. Sarah Eisenberg is one of the organizers of the Women’s March on Lansing, which is expected to draw more than 5,000 people. She says the event is not about President Donald Trump, but about a narrative of intolerance that she believes needs to be addressed at the state and local level.... [Read Full Story]
Three schools in Benton Harbor are in immediate danger of being shut down by the state. On Friday, the Michigan School Reform Office released its latest list of failing schools identified as being reviewed for the Next Level of Accountability. That means they could be targeted for closure within the next 30 to 45 days. Reform Office Director Natasha Baker tells WSJM News the International Academy, the STEAM Academy, and the Dream Academy are on the list. She’s talked with the local superintendent.... [Read Full Story]
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Department of Corrections has slapped its latest food contractor with more than $2 million in penalties for inadequate staffing and other problems since it began providing meals in September 2015. Department spokesman Chris Gautz told the Detroit Free Press the penalties against Trinity Services Group include $905,000 for unauthorized meal substitutions, $357,000 for delays serving meals, $356,000 for inadequate staffing levels, and $294,000 for sanitation violations. Gaultz says the department believes staffing problems lead to other issues. The penalties were first reported Thursday by Gongwer News Service. They show significant problems persist with the privatization of prison food services after the state and its first prison food contractor, Philadelphia-based Aramark Correctional Services, ended their contract early. A message seeking comment was left Friday at Trinity’s Florida headquarters.... [Read Full Story]
From the Associated Press — The U.S. Department of Transportation has designated a testing facility in Michigan for driverless vehicles as a proving ground for such technology. Those involved in the effort say proposals were sought for the Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds Pilot program after it was announced last year and 10 facilities were selected, including the American Center for Mobility in Washtenaw County’s Ypsilanti Township. The facility is being built at the site of a former General Motors plant. It’s also where B-24 bombers were made during World War II. It will be available for use by private industry, government, standards bodies and academia. Companies will be able to lease office space, garages and other amenities. It will include real-world environments with the ability to test under varied, yet controlled conditions.... [Read Full Story]
From the Associated Press — For the first time in its 87-year history a Grand Rapids Polish hall will allow women to become official members. MLive reports that as many as 30 women are scheduled to be granted membership on Valentine’s Day at St. Ladislaus Aid Society. Discussion for the change came during Pulaski Days 2016, when more female volunteers came to work at the club than male volunteers. Over the course of the last eight months, current members voted to allow women members into the club on three different occasions. Andie Crapsey, 2016-2017 Grand Rapids Pulaski Queen, will become the Polish hall’s first female member. Grand Rapids currently has 14 Polish halls. St. Ladislaus Aid Society is one of the few Polish halls in the city that don’t allow women to become a member.... [Read Full Story]
The city of South Haven wants residents to know about some tax breaks it has made available to those with low incomes. City Manager Brian Dissette tells WSJM News a resident who is struggling financially may qualify to have more than one tax waived for the year.... [Read Full Story]
Southwest Michigan has closed out 2016 with an improved employment picture as the tourism industry continued to expand. The latest economic outlook report from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research shows hospitality jobs in the region jumped by more than the state average. That’s according to the institute’s Brian Pittelko.... [Read Full Story]
