E. coli in Lake Michigan more common this summer than last
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2:42
South Bend Police Department recognized for completing crisis...
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0:35
Local boxer brings home Golden Gloves Championship
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1:01
5th annual Ivy Impact Gala held
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0:46
13th annual Radiothon for Five Star Life takes place
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1:05
Amazon investing $11 billion into New Carlisle data center
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1:52
German company Verbio buys new ethanol plant in South Bend
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0:54
61st annual Salvation Army Pancake Day held
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5:26
Rep. Rudy Yakym calling for the protection of Jewish students...
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1:26
Wet, warm & windy this weekend
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4:24
Michiana Crime Stoppers shredding event
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1:16
’IvyCares’ program setting students up for success in and...
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1:45
Windy and wet this weekend, but unseasonable warmth as well
Many people have been heading to the beaches for the holiday, but on Tuesday, the beach at the warren dunes closed due to high E. coli levels.
Officials at the Warren Dunes claimed that E. coli likely came from the clay pits and creek that runs through the park and washes out into Lake Michigan. The Berrien County Health Department does the water testing, and says heavy rain causes runoff, which washes feces and bacteria into the creek and lake. The health department will issue advisories if the E. coli levels are high enough to cause sickness when ingested. They will then test the water daily until levels are low again.
There have already been high levels of E. coli at Lions Park Beach and Michiana Beach this summer. That already adds up to more instances than last summer. Gillian Conrad of the Berrien Co. Health Dept. says that they cannot pinpoint the exact cause because the lake water is always moving around, but they think it has to do with amount of rainfall and storms the area has had this summer. Conrad recalls less instances of high E. coli levels in 2017, and also less heavy rainfall events.
If you are ever planning a beach day to Lake Michigan, check here for a list of current advisories before you make the trip.