Benton Harbor

BENTON HARBOR - Some Benton Harbor leaders say they've been fed up with the leadership of the city's state-appointed emergency financial manager. Now, the group is planning to do something about it. "The jig is up and we're demanding all emergency managers in Michigan are removed," said Commissioner Marcus Muhammad. They want Joseph Harris, their state-appointed emergency financial manager, gone. "We're organizing to show the rest of Michigan and the country that our government doesn't believe in democracy," said Rev. Charles Williams with the National Action Network, Michigan.

A Benton Harbor man accused of murdering the mother of his child was officially charged in the case Monday. Isaiah Casnave, 21, is accused of shooting and killing 24-year-old Tanita Broyles at her Madison Avenue home in Benton Harbor early Friday morning. Police arrested him Saturday, hiding in the trunk of a car not far from the crime scene. Casnave and Broyles have a 1-year-old child together. Bond was set at $2 million. Broyles had a personal protection order against Casnave and just last week filed a criminal sexual conduct complaint against him.

BENTON HARBOR - It was a night of beautiful dresses and sparkly crowns. Dozens of young local women competed in southwest Michigan Monday night for the chance to be crowned the new Miss Blossomtime. 23 "community queens" vied for the Miss Blossomtime title at Lake Michigan College's Mendel Center. Congratulations to Kaitlyn Kennedy of Buchanan, who was crowned the winner of the title. Winners receive thousands of dollars in prizes and scholarships. Monday night's contest lasted 3 hours and 47 minutes -- the longest in Blossomtime history!

BENTON HARBOR — A Benton Harbor man who was stabbed in the neck following a New Year’s Day argument has died and another Benton Harbor man has been arrested in connection with the crime. Police in Benton Harbor identified the victim as Jerry Pullen, 24. Arrested and arraigned Tuesday on an open murder charge was David Lee Roseburgh, 25. Police said the argument and stabbing occurred just before 1 a.m. Friday at 1184 Jennings St. Pullen was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and transferred to Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, where he later died.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. - When is it enough to get involved? That's what the Benton Harbor School superintendent is asking parents after fights between teens have become a problem inside and outside the schools. And we're talking about some big fights.                      It's a story we've been following for months. WSBT's Denise Bohn was live in Benton Harbor Tuesday night and spoke with the superintendent and the city's mayor.

BENTON HARBOR - An issue that is a hot topic in Benton Harbor had people marching outside the governor's house. We are talking about Michigan's new emergency Financial Manager Law. They marched in front of Governor Rick Snyder's home near Ann Arbor Monday. They are upset with the law making it easier for Michigan to take over financially struggling local governments and school districts. That is what has been done in Benton Harbor About 1,000 people took part in the demonstration, which began at a park and ended outside Governor Snyder's gated neighborhood.

Police say a man was found dead from exposure in the city of Benton Harbor Friday. Johnnie Lee Jackson-Wayne was found lying face down in a snow bank near Broadway and Empire Avenue around 11:30 a.m. Police say his body was transported to Lakeland Medical Center where a medical examiner determined there were no signs of foul play. Click here to see the location on a map

The teacher's union in Benton Harbor has agreed to the cuts proposed by the school board - 13 teachers will lose their jobs.   There will also be a 10 percent pay cut and changes to their insurance plans.   Now the plan goes back to the school board for another vote Friday night.   The plan must be submitted and approved by the state superintendent next week to avoid a state takeover of the schools.

A midday crash Tuesday at Napier and Crystal avenues killed a 79-year-old Benton Harbor resident. The driver causing the crash faces preliminary charges of negligent vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving. Benton Charter Township Police say 45-year-old Gregory Williams was driving east on Napier Avenue at a high rate of speed and disregarded a red traffic light at the intersection. Williams' Trailblazer then collided with a car and that impact resulted in other vehicles being struck and damaged.

Benton Harbor schools are getting a multi-million dollar grant to help students. The school district will get around$675,000 a year for five years. This money is coming from the Michigan Department of Education. It will be used for after school programs and summer academic and enrichment activities at four magnet schools and for some high school students. The Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor will partner with the schools.

The water levels are also a concern along Lake Michigan as we enter boating season, but in this case the concern is too little water. Levels that are too low. Monday crews are expected to begin dredging harbors in New Buffalo and St. Joe. It's a big for commercial shippers who haven't seen levels this low since the 1960's. Consequently, not as many ships could dock last year, but this year, business owners are more hopeful. To the average person a dredge looks like a complicated, strange machine.

A Benton Harbor man accused of murdering the mother of his child was officially charged in the case Monday. Isaiah Casnave, 21, is accused of shooting and killing 24-year-old Tanita Broyles at her Madison Avenue home in Benton Harbor early Friday morning. Police arrested him Saturday, hiding in the trunk of a car not far from the crime scene. Casnave and Broyles have a 1-year-old child together. Bond was set at $2 million. Broyles had a personal protection order against Casnave and just last week filed a criminal sexual conduct complaint against him.

Every single teacher and staff member at Benton Harbor High School got a pink slip in the mail today. The Superintendent announced the entire high school staff of about 90 people are being laid off as part of a "turnaround plan" to avoid state takeover. The school is one of the lowest performing schools in the state, falling into the 5th percentile when it comes to graduation rates and academic performance. Under the plan, which was approved by the state, the administration can re-hire half of their current staff, but must replace the other half with new teachers and faculty.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. - About half of the 90 teachers and staff at Benton Harbor High School are being let go. Union officials say they just learned a few days ago the district is going to send out pink slips to the entire faculty this week. The district plans on calling back only half of the current teachers and filling the rest of the positions with new hires. This is part of a so-called "turnaround" program at the high school, approved by the state, to avoid a takeover.

BENTON HARBOR - Fire swept through a Benton Harbor home early Sunday. Around 2:30 a.m., firefighters were called to 160 Robbins Ave. Crews from the St. Joseph Fire Department helped Benton Harbor Fire battle the blaze. The first 911 dispatch called for all off-duty Benton Harbor firemen, all city volunteer firemen and the St. Joseph Fire Department. Flames were seen shooting from the roof when they arrived. Despite the heavy damage, there was no word of any injuries.

A Benton Harbor firefighter, badly burned when responding to a call last month, is now out of the hospital. Lt. Doug Bell's spirits are remarkably well, though his body is just starting to heal. “It was scary,” he said during an interview at his house, Friday, “there was probably three times that night I could've lost my life, and I didn't.” Bell was the only full-time Benton Harbor firefighter to respond to a burning home on Jennings Ave. just after midnight on March 14. He says he was trying to enter the house from a back door when he apparently tripped and fell into the garage.

MISHAWAKA - The long anticipated wait for some shoppers is over. Whole Foods opened in Mishawaka on Wednesday inside the former Border's bookstore. The opening created a lot of excitement over there with thousands of people packing the store all day. Not only does Whole Foods fill a vacant storefront in Mishawaka, it added about a hundred new jobs to the city this year as well. Newcomers and patrons wanted to experience the hype first-hand. "I would usually go to Chicago or Ann Arbor, but it's nice to have one right here now,” said Brad Gorman of Benton Harbor.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. - The PGA of America announced on Monday that volunteer positions are now available for the 75th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, which will be played May 20-25, 2014 at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Mich.  Nearly 2,000 volunteers are needed to serve on more than 30 committees ranging from player transportation, marshals, leaderboards, golf shop operations and contestant evacuation. Advance registration opened early for those who volunteered in 2012 and more than 800 volunteers have already signed up in a little over six weeks.  General public registration begins April 8. Each volunteer is required to pay a $130 fee and will receive: • An official Senior PGA Championship Volunteer Uniform, which includes a 75th Senior PGA Championship-branded golf shirt, wind jacket and hat • A copy of the Official 75th Senior PGA Championship Program • Meal/water vouchers • A one-time $10 discount for use at the Senior PGA Championship Golf Shop • Preferred Parking • One “any day” ticket for a guest • One round of golf, excluding cart, during specific dates/times at Harbor Shores will also be awarded to those volunteers who complete all of their assigned shifts Volunteers at the Senior PGA Championship will receive access to the grounds through a PGA Volunteer Credential for all six days of Championship Week.

The Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union made its voice loud and clear - Enough with the public safety officers in Benton Harbor. Union members say the program is not working. That's where crime fighting and firefighting are done by the same people. The union is asking the state treasurer and city emergency manager to end the arrangement. This all comes after Lt. Doug Bell was seriously injured last month inside a burning home. The union wants the city to go back to a fire department staffed with 12 full-time firefighters.