Local News Archives

Health Department Talks Beach Monitoring

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The Berrien County Health Department is charged with monitoring E-coli levels at beaches around the area each summer. Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News health officials test 14 beaches for E-coli each week. “The samples that

Water Rescue In St. Joseph Saturday

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Two kayakers are uninjured after they were rescued about a mile southwest of the St. Joseph south pier on Saturday. The Berrien County Marine Unit responded when a 911 call came in shortly after 6:30 p.m. One

Utility Seeking Major Rate Increase

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A rate hike could be coming to customers of Indiana Michigan Power as it plans a major investment in the Cook nuclear power plant and other work to improve electric transmission reliability. I&M spokesperson Tracy Warner tells

MDOT Struggling With Excessive Rain

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The Michigan Department of Transportation is among the agencies scrambling to cope with issues created by the heavy rain southwest Michigan has been experiencing lately. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the latest problem is the

Police Release Fireworks Parking Rules

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Everyone who heads to downtown St. Joseph for the fireworks show on Wednesday is advised to have patience as traffic will be heavy and parking will be restricted. The St. Joseph Department of Public Safety says there

Land Conservancy Offers Hiking Program

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A new program intended to get more people out and about in nature is being launched by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. Conservancy associate Miko [[ meeko ]] Dargitz tells us Hike Our Preserves, or HOP, offers

South Haven Beach Cleared for Swimming

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South Haven’s South Beach has been cleared for swimming. That’s after the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department tested water samples from the beach on Thursday for E-coli levels. On Wednesday, samples from South Beach showed elevated levels

Meth Bust In South Haven

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A South Haven man is facing charges after a meth bust in the city on Thursday. 24-year-old John Louis Booker was arrested following a two month investigation into the distribution of crystal meth in South Haven and

SWM Home Sales Up In May

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Southwest Michigan home sales remain strong with May’s numbers topping May of the previous year and April of this year. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says May home sales were up over April by 22%, and

Upton Backing Disaster Declaration Request

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As Michigan farmers struggle with weather that has caused them losses this year, Congressman Fred Upton and colleagues from the state have sent a letter to the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking for a disaster declaration.

State Launches Crop Recovery Portal

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The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has launched an online portal for farmers to find the help they need after severe weather this year that has damaged their crops or prevented them from planting. Farmers