Republican legislative leaders are asking Michigan’s attorney general to issue an opinion on the state’s authority to close persistently low-performing public schools in Detroit as soon as the end of this academic year. The letter released Friday was written by Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof and House Speaker Kevin Cotter. They want Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette to weigh in because Republican Governor Rick Snyder interprets a law rescuing the Detroit district from debt to mean the State School Reform/Redesign Officer cannot close any district school until 2019. The top lawmakers say the law’s “plain language” authorizes Detroit school closures by the end of this school year and to say otherwise ignores legislative intent. Attorney general opinions are legally binding on state agencies and officers unless reversed by a court.... [Read Full Story]
Two Republicans who were forced out of the Michigan Legislature in a sex scandal have filed lawsuits, claiming their rights were violated during the investigation by their House colleagues. Todd Courser of Lapeer County is seeking millions of dollars. Cindy Gamrat of Allegan County is seeking at least $25,000. They filed separate lawsuits this week in federal court in western Michigan. Gamrat is serving as her own lawyer.
Courser quit the House last year while Gamrat was expelled by lawmakers. Courser was accused of soliciting an aide to send a phony email to cover up an affair with Gamrat. Separately, Courser is facing criminal charges related to the scandal. He denies wrongdoing. Charges against Gamrat were dismissed by a judge.... [Read Full Story]
The terror attacks of September 11, 2001 will be remembered this weekend with a special motorcycle ride through southwest Michigan. Berrien Riders President Todd Kimball tells WSJM News the 16th Ride to Remember leaves from the Berrien County Courthouse at noon Sunday. He says hundreds of riders show up.... [Read Full Story]
Residents of Van Buren County who are looking to get rid of old tires or household chemicals will have a chance to do so this month with some help from the Van Buren Conservation District. It’s holding a recycling event on Saturday, September 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Haven Public Works building on 8th Avenue. You can drop off passenger tires there for free, and they’ll take latex paint for $2 per gallon and household chemicals for $1.10 per pound. Also, they’ll take hearing aids, eye glasses, walking canes, American flags which will be donated to the local Lions Club and VFW. You can find out more at VanBurenCD.org/recycling.... [Read Full Story]
Southwestern Michigan College is attempting to break a world record, while having some childhood fun at the same time. WSJM’s Jacob Holmes has more.... [Read Full Story]
A symposium on the invasive Japanese knotweed is planned for this month in St. Joseph. The Van Buren Conservation District’s Erin Fuller tells WSJM News the knotweed has been spreading across the west coast of Michigan, and poses a threat to some infrastructure.... [Read Full Story]
The Michigan Department of Transportation will be busy in the next several weeks, and it’s advising drivers of several highway lane closures coming up. First, there’s a single lane closure planned for eastbound I-94 at the Pipestone Road exit in Benton Harbor while bridge repairs are made. It will be in effect on Monday. Up next is a single lane closure with flag controls on M-40 between I-94 and County Road 653 near Paw Paw starting Monday and running through September 19 while they do repairs. Also, MDOT plans to close the ramp from westbound I-94 to the I-94 business loop at exit 33 in Benton Harbor starting Monday. It’ll reopen Wednesday after some pavement repairs are finished. Last but not least is a single-lane closure planned for eastbound I-94 from Mile Marker 25 to M-63, or the Niles Avenue exit in St. Joseph Township. They’ll be doing pavement repairs and the closure will be just for one day. You can stay on top of all MDOT projects with its MIDrive app.... [Read Full Story]
It’s time once again for the Realtors Association of Southwest Michigan’s Suitcases for Kids drive. Each year, the group collects duffel bags, backpacks, and personal care items to be given to children in the local foster care system. Realtors Association Director Gary Walter tells WSJM News they need all the help they can get.... [Read Full Story]
The federal government owns an estimated 640 million acres of land, including about 3.6 million acres in Michigan, and a coalition of more than three dozen sportsman, wildlife, and environmental groups is asking presidential candidates to commit to keeping these lands public. Collin O’Mara, with the National Wildlife Federation says people need to keep fighting to maintain access to public lands.... [Read Full Story]
Legislation to help automakers develop autonomous cars is expected to make its way through the Michigan legislature soon. State Representative Brandt Iden, of Kalamazoo County, says the bills would let companies test autonomous vehicles without a human researcher in the driver’s seat. They would also help with the development of a new test facility, and allow automakers to operate an on-demand vehicle network. Iden is also expecting the package to move quickly through the House.... [Read Full Story]
This Saturday brings the 20th annual Lemon Creek Harvest Festival at Lemon Creek Winery in Berrien Springs. Tasting Room Manager Cathy Lemon tells WSJM News they’ll have live music, dancing, hay rides, a farmers market, and wine tastings. It’s $10 to get in.... [Read Full Story]
The Michigan legislature is back at work after having taken the summer off, and there’s plenty on the legislative agenda. State Representative Al Pscholka tells WSJM News the biggest thing will be an energy policy reform package.... [Read Full Story]
This Sunday brings the 16th Ride to Remember in southwest Michigan. It’s a motorcycle ride to raise money for the American Red Cross. Berrien Riders President Todd Kimball tells WSJM News registration starts at the Berrien County Courthouse at 10 a.m. and the ride begins at noon.... [Read Full Story]
Coming up Monday will be a torch run in St. Joseph to raise money for the Special Olympics in Michigan. Special Olympics Community Representative Kristin Howell tells WSJM News law enforcement officers from across Berrien County are expected to take part.... [Read Full Story]
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to let Michigan’s new ban on straight-party voting take effect for the November election. The court on Friday rejected a request by state officials to halt lower court rulings that blocked the Republican-sponsored law signed by Governor Rick Snyder. The court’s decision means Michigan voters will still be able to use the popular straight-ticket option, which allows them to support all candidates from one party with a single mark. In issuing a preliminary injunction, a federal district judge ruled the law would create longer lines and disproportionately burden black voters who are more likely to use the straight-ticket option. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request for a stay pending appeal. Forty other states prohibit straight-party voting.... [Read Full Story]
In this week’s WSJM Week in Review, for September 9, 2016, the total funds raised for the first Denise Bohn Strong Golf Outing are released, a late Benton Harbor pastor will be honored with a street name, and more.... [Read Full Story]
With a bumper cherry crop in Michigan this year, Shoreline Fruit has donated 40,000 pounds of tart cherries to Feeding America of West Michigan. Bruce Veliquette is a Shoreline board member and owner of Cherry Ke Inc in Kewaydin.... [Read Full Story]
The price at the pump is on the way up. Patrick DeHaan with Gas Buddy says supplies are low because they were “likely affected by Hurricane Hermine.” He adds the storm “shut down a lot of the infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico.” A lot of the large crude carriers can hold up to two-million barrels of crude oil, and if there’s a large storm that would affect how quickly the oil can be offloaded and brought into the country, supply will take a hit.... [Read Full Story]
(South Bend, IN – AP) – Two primary streets in South Bend closed since May have reopened. Mayor Pete Buttigieg and other city officials on Thursday removed a barricade, reopening Michigan Street, which goes through downtown South Bend. That street and Main Street were closed to install roundabouts and to prepare to convert the streets from one-way to two-way. Full conversion of the two streets will occur in three phases over the next two months. The goal of the $20 million project is to make the city’s downtown friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists and to slow down vehicles traveling through downtown. The project also included new curbs, sidewalks and trees.... [Read Full Story]
An agreement between eight Michigan community colleges is now in place that will allow students to transfer credits between the schools in pursuit of advanced manufacturing jobs. Macomb Community College President Jim Jacobs describes why the agreement is important.... [Read Full Story]
A burglary at a Van Buren County auto repair shop is under investigation. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says someone broke into Complete Care Automotive on M-43 in Almena Township overnight Wednesday and stole some expensive tools. The department also notes Kalamazoo Fence Company, about two miles to the west, was also broken into that night, although it doesn’t know yet if the crimes are related. Anyone with information on the break-ins is asked to contact police.... [Read Full Story]
A settlement has been announced in a lawsuit filed against the owners of Celebration Cinema. Last month, the National Association of the Deaf and a deaf St. Joseph resident sued Loeks Theaters over the chain’s lack of closed captioning services. The suit alleged a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and sought remedial action. Last week, Celebration Cinema announced it is adding closed captioning technology at all of its locations. It’s also installing descriptive audio devices for the blind. On Thursday of this week, the settlement of the suit was announced, with the CEO of the National Association of the Deaf saying the organization is pleased with Celebration Cinema’s recent changes. The closed captioning tech will be in all of its locations by mid-October.... [Read Full Story]
If you’re interested in law enforcement, the Michigan State Police post in Paw Paw may have the right class for you. It’s offering a citizen’s academy set to start this month. Post Lieutenant Dale Hinz tells WSJM News, for eight weeks, troopers will teach their students all about the tools of their trade.... [Read Full Story]
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey and sheriff’s department chaplain Brian Hall were among the guests on hand for Thursday’s September 11 memorial ceremony at the state House in Lansing. State Representative Al Pscholka tells WSJM News the names of fallen first responders from the last year were read.... [Read Full Story]
A group of six veterans from Berrien County will be among 70 Michigan veterans flying to Washington, D.C. this Saturday as part of the latest Talons Out Honor Flight. The group’s Bobbie Bradley says they’ll get a free flight to see the memorials to the wars they fought. She tells WSJM News it can be an emotional experience.... [Read Full Story]
Anyone in Michigan could report drug overdoses without fear of being prosecuted for illegal possession under legislation nearing Governor
Rick Snyder’s desk. The Senate voted 30-7 for legislation Thursday to expand a law exempting people from prosecution if they report an overdose from an illegal substance. The bills won House approval in May and could get a final vote next week.The protections would extend to people of any age for any controlled substance. A 2015 law protects people under 21 from charges when reporting an overdose or medical emergency arising from prescription drug and painkiller use.Michigan also provides immunity to minors helping someone in danger from
alcohol intoxication. One opponent says the new legislation is tantamount to “de facto” drug legalization.... [Read Full Story]
The name of a man killed in a crash on I-94 near Paw Paw Wednesday has been released. Michigan State Police say 38-year-old Ryan Cramer, of Mattawan, was killed when his van crossed over from the westbound side of the highway into the eastbound lanes around 9 a.m. It hit a semi head-on. Police are still investigating why the van crossed the median. The driver of the semi, an Chicago man, was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries.... [Read Full Story]
Michigan would tax and regulate medical marijuana in a tiered licensing system under legislation that has cleared a big hurdle in the legislature.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 25-12 for a bill Thursday to require a state operating license to grow, process, sell, transport or test marijuana used for medical purposes. Another bill clarifies that allowable marijuana includes non-smokable forms such as oils, food items and pills. “Provisioning centers” that sell marijuana to patients or their caregivers would pay a 3 percent tax on their gross retail income. Advocates say the measures are necessary due to confusion over Michigan’s 2008 voter-approved initiative that legalized medical marijuana. The Senate voted nearly a year after the legislation won House approval. The House could take final votes as early as next week.... [Read Full Story]
More than $34,000 has been raised by the first ever Denise Bohn Strong Golf Outing. The event was held on August 6 at Indian Lake Hills Golf Club in Eau Claire to raise money for the children of Midwest Family Broadcasting’s Denise Bohn, who was murdered in April. Denise’s three kids were left with no parents, and so friends, coworkers, and loved ones organized this month’s golf outing to collect money for their education. Denise’s signature “Save the TaTas” fundraiser for the Komen organization for this year became Denise Bohn Strong. Connie Bohn, Denise’s mother, says the event far exceeded her expectations. She thanked each and every volunteer and golfer who made it all possible.... [Read Full Story]
The 100th anniversary of Ratcliffe Field in South Haven will be commemorated Friday night when the South Haven Rams host the Plainwell Trojans. Tara Wilkenson is the marketing coordinator for the high school and says they’re turning it into a big community party.... [Read Full Story]
