The state of Michigan is urging an appeals court to restore the state’s ban on straight-party voting in the fall election. A Detroit federal judge says the ban violates the rights of black voters. But in a court filing Wednesday, Attorney General Bill Schuette says the law is “rational” and “imposes a minimal burden” on voters. Schuette wants a federal appeals court to quickly suspend an injunction issued by Judge Gershwin Drain. Ballots must be printed soon. The fall election would be the first affected by a new law that ends straight-party voting, the ability to vote for candidates of one party with a single mark, from president to drain commissioner. Straight-party voting is popular in Michigan cities with large black
populations, which tend to vote for Democrats.... [Read Full Story]
Some police agencies in Michigan have received new technology to read fingerprints on the go. The Eaton County Sheriff’s Department is one of five departments to get the mobile scanners. Sheriff Thomas Reich says they have already been put to use.... [Read Full Story]
A 75-year-old Glendale man is dead in an apparent drowning in Van Buren County. Michigan State Police say troopers were called out to Three Legged Lake in Bloomingdale Township around 4 p.m. Wednesday when a boat was spotted anchored in the water with no occupants. Troopers at the scene found reason to believe the 12-foot boat had been occupied, so divers were called in and they began searching. They found the man’s body in about seven feet of water. The victim’s name has not yet been released, and police are investigating.... [Read Full Story]
State Senator John Proos is reminding Michigan taxpayers of one way they can support the Red Cross. He says a new law has allowed for a checkoff box on state income tax forms so residents can help out the organization.... [Read Full Story]
The blueberry crop in southwest Michigan is looking strong this year. Mark Longstroth, with MSU Extension, says that comes after a couple of low-yield years.... [Read Full Story]
Road commissions in southwest Michigan have a reminder for those who are posting campaign signs around their communities during this election season. They say it’s important to remember the signs should not block any views of the road, driveways, or intersections. The Van Buren County Road Commission’s Larry Hummel says that applies to any sign, in general.... [Read Full Story]
A new promise has been made to graduates of Buchanan Community Schools. The Buchanan Promise, a scholarship for all grads, was announced Wednesday. Made possible through a permanent endowment and managed by the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, the program will award up to $2,500 per year, for a maximum of $10,000, to students to pay for college. Foundation President Robert Habicht says this creates a whole new range of possibilities for graduates.... [Read Full Story]
When Turnip the skunk visits schools, nursing homes and other places there will be no need to hold noses. As a sort of animal ambassador for Grand Rapids’ John Ball Zoo, she’s been de-scented ahead of her role to educate people about skunks. The Grand Rapids Press reports Wednesday that Turnip won’t be on exhibit at the zoo. Instead, she is being trained. She will take strolls with staff and meet zoo visitors.
Zookeeper Sarah Bontinen says skunks often are misunderstood. The zoo wants to see the year-old Turnip to show how interesting and useful the animals can be. Bontinen says “skunks only spray when they feel imminent danger” and “they don’t want to spray unless they feel like they have to.”... [Read Full Story]
The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s is coming up Saturday in St. Joseph. Walk manager Kristin Burt says they will welcome anyone, and even their dogs, at the event. She says “anyone with a brain is at risk for this disease, and that’s why we want anyone and everyone to come to this walk and have more awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and help us raise funds that can help find a cure.”... [Read Full Story]
From fraudulent charges to frozen accounts, thousands of Michiganders dealt with the fallout from the massive data breach at Wendy’s restaurants. And so did their financial institutions, which is why the state’s credit unions say they’re fighting back.... [Read Full Story]
A Lawrence couple is hospitalized in Kalamazoo after hitting a deer on their motorcycle in Cass County. The sheriff’s department says 65-year-old Leonard and 63-year-old Terri Lee Strefling suffered minor injuries in the crash, which happened around 7:30 last night in Volinia Township. The deer ran out in front of their bike as they were headed north on Decatur Road. Police say both people were wearing helmets, and alcohol wasn’t a factor.... [Read Full Story]
If you like to check out garage sales, this is your weekend. Starting Friday, you can catch garage sales on the US 12 Heritage Trail in southern Michigan from New Buffalo to Detroit.... [Read Full Story]
Scientists are retrieving data from an underwater robot for the first time since it was deployed to gather information about the Lake Michigan fish food supply. The U.S. Geological Survey and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute launched the vehicle August 1. It is measuring volumes of algae and tiny animals called zooplankton, which form the base of aquatic food chains. Experts say the findings will help develop estimates of how many predator fish Lake Michigan can support. They say it’s been hard to develop accurate measures of algae and zooplankton using conventional technologies. The robot will ply the southern portion of the lake for 25 days, at depths ranging from 9 feet to 150 feet. It’s being removed temporarily Tuesday so scientists can download data and recharge the battery.... [Read Full Story]
According to a new analysis, if the federal minimum wage had grown at the same pace as increases in worker productivity, it would be nearly $19 an hour in 2016. Meanwhile, business groups argue that raising the wage could lead to job loss, especially in the midwest and south. David Cooper, with the Economic Policy Institute, says he doesn’t believe increasing the minimum wage would lead to job losses, as some business groups say.... [Read Full Story]
No one’s injured, but there were some tense moments at a Berrien Springs Senior Living Community Tuesday when a fire broke out in one of the units. The Oronoko Township Fire Department was dispatched to Timber Ridge Manor at US-31 around 6 p.m. when a stove top caught fire. The building filled with smoke, causing residents to be evacuated. Firefighters had the situation under control quickly, and used fans to clear the building while residents waited outside. The building did not suffer any fire damage, nor was there serious damage to the unit where it started. Everyone was let back in by 8 p.m... [Read Full Story]
Coming up this week will be a presentation on the history of the St. Joseph lighthouses. To be held Thursday at the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, the presentation will cover everything from the origins of the lights to their restoration, says museum curator Tracy Gierada.... [Read Full Story]
Those who must pay child support have an easier option. Pay at a 7-Eleven, or Family Dollar store. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Bob Wheaton says it’s as easy as going to MISDU.com.... [Read Full Story]
Two are facing charges following a Monday shooting in Dowagiac. The department of public safety says a car parked in the 200 block of Halstead Street was damaged by gunfire around 3 a.m. During their investigation, officers identified a possible suspect, and by afternoon, had determined where he could be found. When they went to pick him up, he ran off and hid in a nearby garage, along with a 17-year-old girl. Eventually, they surrendered. Police say their search turned up two sawed-off shotguns and ammunition. The suspect was wanted on a domestic assault warrant, while the 17-year-old was wanted on a bench warrant. The two are now in the Cass County Jail while police seek break-in, felony firearm, and property damage charges against the man. The girl is facing gun charges.... [Read Full Story]
General Motors and its autonomous technology company Cruise Automation are testing self-driving cars on the streets of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Testing of self-driving electric Chevrolet Bolts began in Arizona about two weeks ago. It’s the second city for GM’s real-world tests. Autonomous Bolts with Cruise Automation software have been driving around San Francisco since May 20. GM spokesman Kevin Kelly says the company is considering other cities for tests but wasn’t ready to announce locations. He would not say how many Bolts are being tested. Although the cars drive autonomously, Kelly says they all have human backup drivers. GM acquired San Francisco-based Cruise Automation in March for $581 million in cash and GM stock. Kelly says the company has opened an office in Scottsdale.... [Read Full Story]
It’s almost time for the 71st annual Berrien County Youth Fair. The event will be next week at the youth fairgrounds in Berrien Springs. Executive Director Karen Klug tells WSJM News, first and foremost, they’ll have a variety of youth exhibits. However, that’s not all.... [Read Full Story]
A Benton Harbor man convicted in the shooting death of a Benton Township business owner has been sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison. Roy Thompson was found guilty by a jury of second degree murder in June in the death of David Krieger last December. The 53-year-old was killed during a confrontation with Thompson about a dog the suspect allegedly kicked near Krieger’s family business, Michiana Supply in Benton Township.... [Read Full Story]
State officials are taking public comments on a plan by Enbridge Energy Partners to install additional supports for its twin oil pipelines in the waterway where Lakes Michigan and Huron meet. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality says a 20-day comment period began Monday for an Enbridge application for a permit to place the steel supports beneath sections of the Straits of Mackinac pipelines.... [Read Full Story]
Three people are in the Van Buren County Jail after leading police on a chase before a fiery crash in Arlington Township. The sheriff’s department says a deputy tried pulling over an unregistered car on County Road 665 near 38th Avenue in Waverly Township. 22-year-old Walker Woods of Kalamazoo took off and led the officer on a chase down several rural roads and through a vineyard at speeds up to 85 miles an hour before crashing onto a tree about 15 minutes later on 44th Avenue. The car burst into flames and the three ran off through a swamp before being caught. Woods was wanted for five warrants, while passenger Ryan Grady of Dowagiac had three warrants. A 24-year-old Decatur woman is also facing several charges.... [Read Full Story]
The city of St. Joseph is currently in the process of replacing two key officials, and the applications are in. City Manager John Hodgson says, first, the city is looking for fill the job of clerk and finance director, which will remain combined. After that, they’ll look at hiring a new public safety director.... [Read Full Story]
More than 3,200 beverage containers, about 1,500 pounds of lumber, 17 pairs of sunglasses and a folding bed have been pulled from a western Michigan river. The Muskegon Chronicle reports Monday that volunteers in the Fifth Annual Muskegon River Cleanup also removed 400 pounds of scrap metal, seven tires, 74 shoes, four inflatable rafts and two cellphones from the waterway. About 300 people helped remove trash Saturday from the river, northwest of Grand Rapids. Some volunteers were on the river in kayaks, canoes and inflatable tubes.... [Read Full Story]
A Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department K9 has received a bulletproof vest, thanks to a donation from a Gross Pointe Shores organization. The department says Tico, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois who’s been with the department for two years, will have extra protection due to the generosity of Sharon Peters and Vested Interest in K9s. Tico works with the department’s Deputy Jason Stasienko in narcotics enforcement. Tico is also certified in tracking, handler protection, and building searches, among other things. The sheriff’s department says Vested Interest in K9s is an organization that works to protect police K9s throughout the country. It thanked Vested Interest, calling it a “wonderful organization.”... [Read Full Story]
St. Joseph City Commissioner Mary Goff has been honored for serving 30 years on the body. At a Monday meeting, commissioners commended her for her service, saying it’s been a pleasure to work together. Goff told us she’s proud to have been able to help guide the city as it’s grown over the years. She pointed to a few accomplishments of the commission.... [Read Full Story]
Donald Trump gave a major economic policy speech in Detroit Monday, and on hand were plenty of protesters. Trump’s ongoing dispute with the parents of a fallen US Army officer has continued to be a topic of controversy. While Trump has said he has strong support in the military community and his campaign believes the spat with the Khan family will soon blow over, Brandon Dillon, who heads up the Michigan Democratic Party, says the state’s Republicans should take a stand.... [Read Full Story]
A celebration is planned for next month to mark the 100th birthday of South Haven’s Ratcliffe Field. The South Haven Rams have played football at the field on Hubbard Street since 1916, making it one of the state’s oldest continually-used high school sports fields. South Haven Public Schools Marketing Coordinator Tara Wilkinson says the school and the local historical association are teaming up to celebrate the field on September 9.... [Read Full Story]
Police say they are investigating whether a Berrien Springs woman accidentally left her car running while it was parked in her garage, leading to her carbon monoxide death on Sunday. 78-year-old Anna Bacchiocci was found dead in her home on Appian Way Sunday evening, along with her dog. She was discovered by her son and daughter in law who had gone to check on her. Responding officers performed air quality tests and found the home had a high level of carbon monoxide, and six people had to be treated. They were all released at the scene. The Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department says a check of possible carbon monoxide sources ruled out several possibilities, but it’s still looking into whether the car was left running in the attached garage.... [Read Full Story]
