Fire deaths in Michigan were up by 144% during January. Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer tells WSJM News the state has recorded 18 fires resulting in 22 deaths, all accidental and preventable. “One common thing that
A new award for volunteers in Cass County has been created by the United Way of Southwest Michigan. It says Judge Susan L. Dobrich Volunteer Leadership Award for Cass County will go each year to one volunteer
A report has been released by members of the U.S. House on the trafficking of synthetic opioids. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the final report of the U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking lays the
Police agencies around the nation and in Michigan have been experiencing trouble with recruitment the last couple of years. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey tells WSJM News he sees departments all over that are hearing from fewer
Construction is nearing completion on the first building that will house a new marijuana growing operation in Lawrence. 305 Farms began work on the 40-acre site in 2020. CEO Matthew Peon tells WSJM News the plan is
From the Associated Press — Michigan’s second-largest county is dropping a mask requirement for schools and day care facilities, pointing to a sharp decline in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations and rising vaccination rates. The announcement by Oakland
The Boys and Girls Club’s South Haven Youth of the Year is 14-year-old Yoselin Cortez. She was given the honor at a celebration at South Haven High School Thursday and will now represent the Boys and Girls
Michigan Works is looking for staff to help replace lead water lines in Benton Harbor. Director of Business Solutions Mark O’Reilly tells WSJM News they’re going to need laborers, landscapers, and administrative staff. The labor positions will
A new initiative has been announced to help Van Buren County prepare for the closure of the Palisades nuclear power plant in June. Southwest Michigan Planning Commission Director John Egelhaaf tells WSJM News the Palisades Economic Recovery
An online event was held Friday by the Berrien County Health Department to explore COVID vaccine hesitancy in Benton Harbor. Health officials noted even if it’s not 100% effective at stopping you from getting COVID, the vaccine
Linden J. Freel, 89, of Niles, passed away Monday, February 7, 2022. He will be interred at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens and his family will be remembering him privately. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared a state of emergency over the ongoing blockade at the Ambassador Bridge because of COVID-19 mandates. “Today I’m using my authority as premier of Ontario to declare a state of emergency
To ensure City of Benton Harbor families have access to health care services and blood lead testing, InterCare Community Health Network continues to offer ongoing appointments and local events. Although blood lead tests cannot tell you if
Tired of paying so much to get gas? US Senator Debbie Stabenow and other senators, have introduced a bill to suspend the federal gas tax, which is 18¢ a gallon from now through the end of the
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is asking Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan State Police to investigate reports that someone was allowed access to voting machines in Roscommon County. She says unauthorized access to the machines is
From the Associated Press — A southeastern Michigan man who prosecutors said claimed to be a sovereign citizen of the United States has been charged after sending three $1 million checks to the state to pay his
Congressman Fred Upton says his goal is to get legislation creating an active shooter alert system approved in May during Police Week. He’s introduced the Active Shooter Alert Act, which would enable police to send out alert
A Hagar Township official is calling on Berrien County to develop a strategy for distributing funds for the expansion of broadband under the federal ARPA plan. Hagar Township Trustee Peter Colovos spoke to the Berrien County Board
The Ambassador Bridge between the U.S. and Canada was closed in both directions Thursday as Canadian truckers and others protested vaccine mandates in Canada. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow told Michigan News Network Governor Gretchen Whitmer was working
A new award for volunteers in Cass County has been created by the United Way of Southwest Michigan. It says Judge Susan L. Dobrich Volunteer Leadership Award for Cass County will go each year to one volunteer
From the Associated Press — A judge has restored federal protections for gray wolves across much of the U.S. after they were removed in the waning days of the Trump administration. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said
With then Ambassador Bridge shut down in both directions Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer called on the government of Canada to fix the situation. The governor’s office has released the following: Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement
In recent months, law enforcement in Michigan has seen an uptick in phone scams, and over time, the scammers have updated their tactics to make the scams more believable. Detective Sergeant Jay Barkley from the Michigan State
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is telling three Mackinaw City hotels she is issuing a notice of intended action for deceptive practices. Hamilton Inn Select Beachfront, Beach House Hotel, and Crown Choice Inn & Suites are accused
From the Associated Press — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed a $74.1 billion state budget that would significantly boost education spending, pay bonuses to frontline workers and cut taxes for retirees and low-income families. The election year
The U.S. House has approved a continuing budget resolution to prevent a government shutdown. Congressman Fred Upton told WSJM News before the Tuesday vote the continuing resolution freezes spending at 2021 levels. He believes it’s time for
The United Way of Southwest Michigan has given away a two year lease on a car as part of its annual car challenge. Spokesperson Jennifer Tomshack tells WSJM News the challenge is possible thanks to support from
$2.7 million in a Going Pro Talent Fund grant has been awarded to Michigan Works Berrien, Cass, Van Buren to help 63 southwest Michigan businesses train their employees. Michigan Works Director of Business Services Mark O’Reilly tells
A $1.2 billion bill to fight COVID-19 has been approved by the Michigan Legislature. The plan is the latest from funding that was enacted by Congress and President Joe Biden last year. It includes $300 million to
There’s been a change to this year’s lineup for the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan Speaker Series. It’s dropped television personality Lara Logan after she was dropped by talent agency UTA this year. That was due to
