The recounts are scheduled. The Michigan Secretary of State’s office says the first county to do a presidential recount is Oakland County, near Detroit. Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown says she’s confident the recount will show no one tampered with the results.... [Read Full Story]
The sentencing for a Hartford woman charged in the death of her baby son early this year has been postponed. Autumn Atchley was scheduled Monday to be sentenced for being an accessory after the fact to the death of 8-month-old Carter Donovan. However, the matter was adjourned until January 30. Baby Carter died on February 19 in the care of Brandon Beshires while Atchley was at an appointment. Prosecutors say that Atchley gave false information to police at first to cover for Beshires when she discovered her baby had been killed. Beshires is charged with murder in the case. Athley is facing up to five years in prison.... [Read Full Story]
The names of a man and woman killed in a Sunday crash in Van Buren County have been released. The sheriff’s department tells our newsroom 22-year-old Jaylen Weller and 20-year-old Kylie Benkert, both from Dowagiac, were killed when Weller lost control of their car on M-40 in Porter Township around 4 p.m. The car hit a pickup driven by a Marcellus man, who was not injured. Police say slick roads were the cause of the crash. It closed part of M-40 between Lawton and Marcellus for several hours Sunday.... [Read Full Story]
President-elect Donald J. Trump will visit Grand Rapids on Friday as part of his “thank you” tour of states that contributed to his victory.
Transition officials announced the Michigan visit Monday on a call with reporters. The rally will be held at 7 p.m at the DeltaPlex Arena.
Tickets to the event are available on a first come-first serve basis at https://www.donaldjtrump.com/schedule/register/grand-rapids-mi4/ .
The rally was announced as Michigan, responding to a federal court order, began its recount of the presidential race that Trump won narrowly over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Michigan’s appeals court will hear arguments Tuesday on a Trump request to halt the recount. Trump ended his presidential campaign in the early morning hours of Election Day with a rally at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.... [Read Full Story]
Police and firefighters are blasting a Republican-sponsored plan to cut their retiree health care benefits, calling it an “unconscionable” attack on people who risk their lives protecting the public. Unions for officers and firefighters, along with groups representing chiefs and prosecutors, spoke out against the legislation Monday during a Capitol news conference. Ken Grabowski of the Police Officers Association of Michigan says Republicans’ consideration of the new plan during the post-election session is “an insult to every police officer and retired police officer in this state.” He says those who would support the bills during the “lame-duck” period are an “enemy of public safety” and police “will never forget.”
Republican House Speaker Kevin Cotter has said addressing unfunded liabilities will protect benefits that could be lost if cities declare bankruptcies.... [Read Full Story]
Everyone’s OK and things are back to normal at Niles High School after the building was put on lockdown Monday. The administration sent a letter out to parents telling them the place was put on lockdown shortly before 11 a.m. when an airsoft gun was found in a student’s backpack. That student has since been caught. Airsoft guns shoot plastic pellets, but can resemble real guns. The high school principal says no threat was made and no one was in any danger. The school says it’s working with police on the matter.... [Read Full Story]
(Elkhart, IN – AP) – Authorities have identified a 29-year-old man as the person who died after gunfire involving two northern Indiana police officers. The Elkhart Police Department says Norman Gary of Elkhart died at the scene from gunshot wounds about 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Police Chief Ed Windbigler says the officers were at a reported burglary when they ran toward nearby gunfire. Police say three others suffered non-life-threatening wounds in the gunfire, but aren’t sure anyone was shot by the officers.... [Read Full Story]
(Detroit, MI – AP) – A federal judge in Detroit has ruled that the recount of Michigan’s presidential results can begin at noon on Monday, a decision that gives the state more time to complete the count ahead of the December 13 deadline. Judge Mark Goldsmith issued his ruling late Sunday night that rejected an effort by state officials to wait two business days to get started hand-counting about 4.8 million ballots. Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein requested a recount, but Republican President-elect Donald Trump sued elections officials to stop it.... [Read Full Story]
The first snowfall of the season is being blamed for a deadly crash in Van Buren County’s Porter Township. A 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman from Dowagiac were killed when she lost control of her car and it veered into the path of a pickup truck driven by a Marcellus man. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says he tried to swerve to avoid the car, but wasn’t able to do so. The accident closed M-40 for three hours for the investigation and clean-up.... [Read Full Story]
Once again this Christmas season, you can give a friend or loved one the gift of energy. Consumers Energy is allowing folks to buy energy vouchers that they can give to someone to apply to their heating or electric bill for the season. That’s according to Spokesperson Debra Dodd.... [Read Full Story]
A big donation this week to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, thanks to the Berrien Community Foundation and folks like you. The community foundation’s Lisa Cripps Downey on Wednesday presented Sheriff Paul Bailey with a check for more than $52,000, all raised after the July 11 shootings at the courthouse.... [Read Full Story]
Two people have been killed in a crash on M-40 in Van Buren County. The accident happened Sunday afternoon, with police blaming wintry weather conditions. Van Buren County dispatch says the crash was between a car and a pickup truck between 94th Avenue and Shaw Road. The area is south of Lawton and north of Marcellus. There has been no information released about which vehicle the victims were in. As of 5:45 p.m. Sunday, MDOT says M-40 remains closed in both directions between Shaw Road and 94th Avenue.... [Read Full Story]
With violent incidents now seeming to happen on a regular basis at college campuses around the U.S. you may be wondering if local institutions have taken steps to be prepared. Lake Michigan College President Dr. Bob Harrison tells WSJM News they have. At LMC, they’re constantly sensitive to security issues and how to respond.... [Read Full Story]
It’s time once again for Bears in the Air. That’s an annual collection drive done by South Bend International Airport which kicked off for the year this week. They take teddy bears to be given to kids in hospitals all over the region. Airport Director Mike Daigle tells WSJM News they’ve given out more than 3,500 bears in the past five years.... [Read Full Story]
Work will begin next year on setting up a new countywide transit system in Berrien County. Community Development Director Dan Fette tells WSJM News the county currently has four separate bus systems, which a recent study found has created a fragmented and confusing transit network for folks to navigate. The board of commissioners this week authorized moving forward with a new authority that would handle a consolidated bus service.... [Read Full Story]
The Detroit Lions have named Benton Harbor High School Football Coach Elliot Uzelac the 2016 Detroit Lions-Farm Bureau High School Football Coach of the Year. Uzelac has led the Benton Harbor Tigers for two seasons now. In 2016, the Tigers were undefeated in the regular season, and made it to the playoffs for the first time. For comparison, the Tigers 4 and 50 in the six years prior to his arrival. Benton Harbor’s last winning season had been in 1989 before Uzelac showed up. Since he’s been with the team, the Tigers are 16 and 6. Uzelac is now in his 47th year of coaching.... [Read Full Story]
Researchers who played a critical role in the discovery of lead in Flint, Michigan, drinking water say tests reveal another rise in water quality.
Virginia Tech says lead wasn’t detected in 57% of 154 Flint homes tested in November — up from 44% in July. Flint has a lead problem because it used water from the Flint River for 18 months without treating it to prevent pipe corrosion. As a result, the water caused lead to leach from old pipes and into homes. But since fall 2015, the city has been tapped into a regional water system that uses corrosion controls. That’s why the testing results have improved. Nevertheless, researcher Marc Edwards emphasized again that residents still should keep a lead filter on their kitchen taps.... [Read Full Story]
Michigan State Police will be out in force on I-94 starting Monday as they look to keep the highway safe for the holiday season. MSP Inspector Pat Morris tells WSJM News they’re specifically focusing on that road because it’s where a lot of crashes happen this time of year.... [Read Full Story]
The community of Hartford is gearing up to celebrate Christmas with its 15th annual Christmas in Hartford event. It’ll be next Saturday downtown. Organizer Pete Sinclair tells WSJM News they’ll start with a chili cook off, followed by the parade at 6 p.m. It takes off from the middle school, and winds up at the community center.... [Read Full Story]
You can consider this the start for a push of legalized marijuana use in Michigan via the 2018 ballot. More than 300 people will be at the Lansing Radisson on Sunday for the “Capital Conference.” Organizer Rick Thompson says the first order of business is to help medical marijuana businesses navigate the latest rules changes at the state and local levels.... [Read Full Story]
With only 23 days left until Christmas, the North American Aerospace Defense Command — or NORAD — is already prepping for its 61st annual yuletide tradition. That’s according to NORAD Spokesman Michael Kucharek.... [Read Full Story]
Death threats. That’s what an Electoral College voter from Metro-Detroit says he’s been receiving ever since last month’s election. Michael Banerian is a student at Oakland University and youth vice chairman of the Michigan Republican party, who says he’s not letting it get to him.... [Read Full Story]
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has taken the first step toward setting up a countywide bus system. The board this week authorized moving forward with the formation of an authority that could consolidate various transit services. Community Development Director Dan Fette tells WSJM News that’s after an exhaustive study on the area’s needs.... [Read Full Story]
Downtown St. Joseph is going to the dogs. On Saturday, the 18th annual Reindog Parade will be held downtown. That’s when folks dress up their canine friends and march down State Street with Santa as the head of the procession. St. Joseph Today’s Daniele Crevier tells WSJM News it’s a lot of fun to see the dressed up pooches.... [Read Full Story]
Children in the foster care system around Michigan will have a better Christmas this year, thanks to Operation Good Cheer. The gift collection drive is held each year by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Child and Family Services to make sure each foster kid gets a present. That’s according to Spokesperson Bob Wheaton.... [Read Full Story]
The bluff has been lit. Hundreds gathered in downtown St. Joseph Friday night for the annual Light the Bluff celebration to kick off the holiday season. After a few words from St. Joe Mayor Mike Garey and a song from the high school choir, up went the lights on the community Christmas tree. Moments later, everyone counted down the lighting of the rest of the bluff. More than one million lights will illuminate the area throughout the winter. After the lighting ceremony, folks wandered the downtown area to check out live mannequins in store windows.... [Read Full Story]
The nation’s jobless rate fell to 4.6% in November. That’s a nine-year low. However, coupled with weak pay increases in 2016, it suggests longer-term challenges for the US economy. Employers added 178,000 jobs last month. Michigan News Network Business Editor Murray Feldman explains where the jobs are right now.... [Read Full Story]
Ford is recalling more than 680,000 midsize sedans mainly in North America because the front seat belts may not hold people in a crash.
The recall covers certain 2013 to 2016 Ford Fusion, 2013 to 2015 Lincoln MKZ and 2015 and 2016 Ford Mondeo cars. Ford says heat generated when the seat belt pre-tensioners deploy can cause cables to break. If that happens the belts may not hold people. Ford says it knows of two injuries related to the problem. Pre-tensioners tighten seat belts when they sense that cars are stopping. Dealers will inject insulation into the pre-tensioners to protect the cables from heat at no cost to owners. The recall is expected to begin on January 16. Most of the cars are in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.... [Read Full Story]
The U.S. Senate could give final approval to the 21st Century Cures legislation next week. The plan, heavily pushed by Congressman Fred Upton, would speed up the approval of new drugs and medical device while setting aside $6.3 billion for disease research.... [Read Full Story]
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered flags to be lowered to honor a Detroit police officer killed in the line of duty. The governor’s office says in a release that U.S. and Michigan flags will be lowered to half-staff Friday on all state buildings and within the state Capitol complex for Wayne State University Police Officer Collin Rose. He was shot November 22 as he tried to arrest DeAngelo Davis and died the next day. Davis faces murder and gun charges. A funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday in suburban Detroit. Visitation was held Wednesday at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. Snyder says Rose, a canine officer, “dedicated his life to protecting” people and “was well-respected by his colleagues and the communities he served.”... [Read Full Story]
