Local News Archives

One of the last police or public safety departments in Berrien County to get body cameras for officers will soon have them. The St. Joseph City Commission has approved the purchase of 24 cameras, and Deputy Public

With time short in the lame-duck legislative session, some policy groups and youth advocates are hopeful lawmakers will pass Raise the Age legislation. Michigan is one of only four states that automatically prosecutes all 17-year-olds as adults.

A 16-year-old Mishawaka High School student is behind bars on a preliminary murder charge for the death of a 17-year-old pregnant schoolmate whose body was found near her northern Indiana home in a restaurant’s dumpster. Dr. Dean

He’s keeping his plans close to the vest when it comes to whether or not controversial legislation will be signed coming out of the lame duck session of the Legislature. But Governor Snyder told WDIV-TV in Detroit

AAA Michigan says average gas prices statewide are up 6¢ in the past week to about $2.34 per gallon following a string of declines linked to lower oil prices. The Dearborn-based auto club says early Monday the

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

Now that Michigan lawmakers are in Lansing for a few more weeks as the session winds down, the Insurance Alliance of Michigan is urging them to tackle auto insurance reform. Spokesperson Mark Fisk tells WSJM News now

By Doug Cuningham Michigan’s Women’s Commission is calling on every law enforcement agency in the state to review all policies and procedures regarding preservation and processing of rape evidence kits. The goal is to make sure such

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

There’s a new scam that targets those who may owe overdue taxes, and the Michigan Department of Treasury is putting out a warning. Spokesperson Ron Leix tells WSJM News the scammer will send a letter through the

Berrien County Drain Commissioner Christopher Quattrin is asking Benton Harbor City Commissioners to lend their support to a clean-up project for the Ox Creek drain system. At this past week’s commission meeting, the body was told easements

Lake Michigan College is starting a truck driving program. At this past 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

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has helped ten families and 34 kids have a merry Christmas this year. On Saturday, sheriff’s deputies took the children on the annual Shop with a Cop trip to the Niles Wal-Mart.

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

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

We Care Incorporated in South Haven is providing Holiday Meal Baskets for Families in need. They anticipate needing more than 400 meal baskets this year. Interim Executive Director, Susan Trabucchi tells us you can help. “People can

State lawmakers have sent Governor Rick Snyder a bill that delays a requirement that farm animals confined in small spaces be given more room. The rules apply to egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs. Attorneys for Animals President

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has been awarded a health insurance grant for one of its K9s. Undersheriff Chuck Heit tells WSJM News the grant comes through the National Police Dog Foundation. “We were eligible to put

Michigan State Police out of the Paw Paw post have gone the extra mile to save a child’s Christmas. The post tells us one of its troopers was sent out to investigate an apartment break-in in Galesburg

From the Associated Press — The University of Michigan Law School is receiving $33 million, which officials say is the largest gift in its history and entirely intended for students. The gift announced Thursday comes from Chris

Funding for the year has been approved for seven senior centers by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners. At this week’s meeting, more than $2.3 million from the county-wide senior millage was put aside for the centers

By Doug Cunningham As GM moves to lay off thousands and close plants to pivot toward an electric and autonomous automotive future, what will that future really look like? Will driving be obsolete? And will Michigan be

At long last, US 31 will be completely connected to I-94 within five years. Congressman Fred Upton announced a $20 million federal grant late Thursday afternoon. “One of the critical pieces was the acknowledgement by the state

Two bills from state Representative Kim LaSata designed to bring consistency to Michigan election rules have been approved by a Senate committee. LaSata’s plan would allow someone running for a township office to submit a $100 filing

There will be some real party animals hanging out this Saturday at the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. That’s because they’re holding the annual Holiday Party for the Animals and Open House at the shelter in Royalton

With marijuana now legal to possess in Michigan, Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey wants everyone to know the rules. He tells WSJM News you should treat marijuana in a similar way to alcohol, at least when driving.