Local News Archives

A 24-year-old Benton Harbor man will spend the next 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The FBI arrested Joseph Favorite on July 1, 2021 after a

The new owners of South Haven’s Dairy Queen on Phoenix Street have some big plans. They are working with the city planners on an update to the city ordinance to allow them to turn the parking lot

A new book on the history of athletics at Hope College has been published by a South Haven man. Tom Renner was the longtime spokesperson for Hope College and is a retired firefighter for South Haven Area

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved the yearly equalization report, stating the value of real and personal property for the county. Berrien County Equalization Director Warren Parrish told commissioners Thursday his office studies the value

The Michigan Department of Transportation and several other state departments have entered a memorandum of understanding with the National Parks Service to work together to develop programs for more sustainable and equitable travel to national parks in

Broadband proposals for federal ARPA funds are starting to come into the Berrien County Board of Commissioners. Speaking Thursday, Commissioner Teri Freehling said two applications for broadband expansion projects have come in to BC Bit, both of

The Cass County Prosecutor’s office has several events planned for Crime Victims’ Rights Week next week. It says it wants to promote service, trust and hope by bringing together prosecutors, elected officials, schools, students, law enforcement, the

Lake Michigan College will host its 75th annual commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 1 at The Mendel Center. LMC says a total of 398 students will receive 406 degrees and certificates from 42 areas of study, including

The Michigan Department of Transportation is defending recent closures of the Mackinac Bridge due to a build up of ice on the cables and bridge towers. Kim Nowack is the director of the Mackinac Bridge Authority and

Maple syrup season is wrapping up in Michigan. There’s a festival in Vermontville, south of Lansing, this weekend to celebrate all things maple syrup. President of the festival, Steve Hayes, has been making maple syrup for about

Michigan State Police are continuing to investigate the shooting death of 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya by a Grand Rapids police officer. Attorney General Dana Nessel says her office would take over deciding if the officer should be charged

State Senator Kim LaSata is calling on colleges and universities to end COVID-19 mandates. She introduced a resolution approved in the Senate this week opposing them in all public colleges and universities. LaSata says, “For yet another

The candidates have been finalized for the August primaries in southwest Michigan. The filing deadline was this week. Running for Congress as Republicans in the Fourth District, which covers Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, and north to Holland,

The avian influenza has been identified in five Michigan counties this year and state officials are urging those with backyard flocks to take precautions. While none of the bird flu cases have been in commercially sold flocks,

Palisades plant owner Entergy is responding to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request this week for federal funds to keep the nuclear facility open. Entergy has issued a statement saying the company’s “focus at Palisades Power Plant remains on

A new foundation has been started in the Benton Harbor area to raise funds for the establishment of an indoor athletics facility. Harbor Impact Foundation President Rodney Alexander tells WSJM News the foundation started as Harbor Impact

From the Associated Press — Ten Republicans have filed petitions to run for governor by the deadline, a record number in recent history, creating a huge field for a primary electorate that will decide who challenges Democrat

As the shutdown date for the Palisades nuclear power plant in Van Buren County nears, Governor Gretchen Whitmer is seeking federal funds to keep it open. She sent a letter this week to the U.S. Department of

The individual who the Michigan Attorney General’s office believes murdered 16-year-old Eric McGinnis on May 17, 1991 in St. Joseph has been named. The attorney general’s office says, “The main suspect who is believed to have committed

Niles Police are looking for a suspect who stole the purse from an 80-year-old woman as she left the Methodist Church on Cedar Street. He left his BMX bike to try grabbing her purse several times before

A 53-year-old Wisconsin man is being treated at Spectrum Health Lakeland for a gunshot wound to his right thigh. Benton Township police have arrested a 52-year-old Wisconsin woman for allegedly shooting him during an argument Tuesday in

Researchers at Wayne State University are developing an alternative method of monitoring groundwater for toxins. The process is typically labor-intensive and expensive; it requires installing wells, which can cost local public health departments millions. Or with phytoscreening,

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold the latest meeting on the safety of the Palisades nuclear power plant this month. The NRC says the 2021 record of the plant will be discussed by staff responsible for plant

The Benton Harbor Planning Commission is organizing an entire week of sessions for work to be done on the city’s next master plan. City commissioners were told this week Benton Harbor Planning Week will start June 6

Planning is underway for this summer’s Berrien County Land Auction. Each year, the Berrien County Treasurer’s office sells off properties that have been foreclosed at the auction. Berrien County Commissioner Mamie Yarbrough told Benton Harbor City Commissioners

Lake Michigan College will be offering a wide variety of summer camps this year for kids, adults, and families. Hanson Technology Center Director Chad Dee tells WSJM News a lot of them are happening at the Fab

Coming back this summer in downtown St. Joseph is Antiques on the Bluff. St. Joseph Today Director Amy Zapal tells WSJM News there will be dozens of sellers at Lake Bluff Park offering a variety of items.

Berrien RESA is planning a celebration for school personnel with an event next month. RESA Superintendent Eric Hoppstock tells WSJM News HEARTwork 2022 is part of the ongoing Learn by Heart campaign, which highlights good work by