Local News Archives

A new tax reform plan is unlikely to come out of Congress this year. Congressman Fred Upton tells us the House has many things it has to get done this month, and the idea of another tax

If you have a daily commute that takes you on highways in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, or Ottawa counties, then the Michigan Department of Transportation could use your input. Spokesperson John Richard tells WSJM News the

US-31 will finally be expanded all the way to I-94. The office of Congressman Fred Upton announced on Thursday a $20 million grant to the Michigan Department of Transportation for the project. It’s been on MDOT’s build

One of Southwest Michigan’s largest Christmas parades is happening Friday in Dowagiac. It’s the 37th annual Candle-light Christmas Parade downtown. Parade Chairman Max Sala spoke with WSJM News about the planned events. “There’s over 130 units that

Over one million lights will be glowing starting Friday night in downtown St. Joseph with the annual Light up the Bluff celebration and lighting of the city’s Community Tree Lighting Ceremony. Danielle Crevier with St. Joseph Today

There are still a few session days remaining, but state Senator John Proos has said his goodbyes to his colleagues in Lansing. After three terms in the House and two in the Senate, the St. Joseph Republican

Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies are looking for suspects in a drive-by shooting in Niles Township. It happened just before 3 a.m. at 1126 Lawndale Avenue, with the home being hit by several bullets. That home is just

The city of Bridgman will celebrate Christmas this weekend as it opens up its Holiday Village. Several businesses in the downtown area will have sales and special Christmas-related activities going on Saturday. Among other things, there will

It’s official. You can now possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and have as much as 10 ounces locked up in a safe spot in your home thanks to the passage of Proposal 1 last month.

There are still several critical tasks Congress must get done before the year ends, and Congressman Fred Upton is confident they will be finished in time. He tells WSJM News the House may have taken some time

A study is underway at Lake Michigan College to determine how faculty and support staff could help ensure students adjust to college life in order to succeed. LMC VP of Student Services Barbara Craig tells WSJM News

From the Associated Press — Bills advancing in Michigan’s Republican-controlled Legislature would strip power from the incoming Democratic secretary of state. A state Senate panel voted 4-1, on party lines, Wednesday for bills to have a bipartisan

From the Associated Press — The Republican-controlled Michigan Senate has approved hotly contested legislation that would ease landowners’ ability to fill in or build on wetlands. The bill, which won passage 23-14 along mostly party lines Tuesday, next

Two programs are getting a boost from the South Haven Rotary Club. This week, they gave a $675 grant to South Haven’s elementary schools to support the new “Reading to Succeed” program and also donated a $500

South Haven’s Planning Commission is being asked to approve erosion control measures like armor stone at six properties on Monroe Boulevard. The Harbor Commission voted 4-to-2 Monday night to make the recommendation after homeowners and erosion experts

Three area shelters will be receiving gift baskets thanks to the United Way of Southwest Michigan and a group that meets monthly called Drinks with Mary. Julee Laurent of the United Way says they are having a

By Doug Cunningham One Fair Wage and its allies want Governor Snyder to veto the gutting of Michigan’s minimum wage legislation. They say undermining the minimum wage legislation is both unconstitutional and illegal. When it became clear

The Michigan Department of Treasury is warning about a scam. Spokesman Ron Leix says a phony letter is being sent that threatens taxpayers about an overdue tax bill. “That’s not how we operate,” says Leix. “We send

The buyer of the Orchards Mall has been identified as a developer out of Flint who also owns the Cherryland Center in Traverse City, an outdoor mall. According to Moody on the Market, Vijaya Kumar Vemulapalli along

The city of South Haven has adopted its new short-term rental regulations. The rules cover those homes which are rented out to vacationers for short periods of time. The issue has been a hot button in South

Lake Michigan College is starting a truck driving program. At this week’s meeting of the LMC Board of Trustees, the sale of 6.5 acres of excess LMC property at the Bertrand Crossing Campus was authorized for a

Congressman Fred Upton remembers former President George H.W. Bush as someone who could work with others and get things done. With Bush’s services this week, Upton tells WSJM News he knew the former POTUS well. When Upton

The Michigan Department of Transportation is looking for some help keeping an eye on the roads this winter. The agency says it’s seeking Road Watchers to report on conditions around west Michigan highways. Volunteers will be polled

By Doug Cunningham The Poor People’s Campaign is a national call for a moral revival in America that organizers hope will lead to an end to poverty and systemic racism. Two activists from the campaign  – Rev.

The South Haven Planning Commission will spend the next few months looking into a ban on recreational marijuana businesses following a vote by the City Council on Monday directing them to do so. City Manager Brian Dissette

A pair of events put on by Rock 107 WIRX in September are helping out Benton Harbor’s Emergency Shelter Services. The station gave the check for just over $1,100 to shelter officials on Tuesday, with the money

The flu season is underway with confirmed cases throughout the state. As part of National Influenza Vaccination Week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents to get a flu shot. Last year only

Gas prices in the state stand at an average of $2.27 a gallon according to GasBuddy, with Triple-A Michigan noting it’s the lowest they’ve been for nearly a year and a half. However, those prices are on