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
UPDATE: All lanes are now open after the right lane was blocked on Westbound I-94 at mile marker 46 is now open after multiple semi-tractor trailers and vehicles were involved in an accident. According to the Van
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
From the Associated Press — The Republican-led Michigan Legislature has passed bills that would delay a minimum wage hike and scale back paid sick leave requirements. It is an unprecedented lame-duck strategy that was endorsed legally by
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
There have been plenty of complaints from Michigan residents over the past seven years since the state expanded what fireworks are allowed, and state lawmakers have heard them. Representative Jim Lilly of Park Township, just outside Holland,
A pregnant woman and her seven-year-old son have been killed in a house fire in southwest Michigan early this morning. White Pigeon Fire Chief Troy Andrews says six others, mostly children, were taken to the hospital and
Benton Harbor City Manager Darwin Watson has a new contract in place. At this week’s Benton Harbor City Commission meeting, Mayor Marcus Muhammad said Watson signed the new employment agreement on November 28. That’s after city commissioners
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has wrapped up another Shop with a Cop event, taking ten kids from Marcellus Elementary School on a free shopping trip to Meijer for the holidays. The eighth trip also featured gifts
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 Monday’s commission meeting, the body was told easements would need
A Cass County woman has won $300,000 in a Michigan Lottery game. The Lotto tells us the player, who has chosen to remain anonymous, struck gold with a 25th Anniversary Wild Time instant game ticket. The 53-year-old
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 us now is
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
Michigan State Police say their efforts to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking in southwest Michigan are ongoing after five victims were recovered over the weekend. Detective-Lieutenant Shane Criger tells WSJM News the five victims police
By Doug Cunningham The Michigan League For Public Policy says lame-duck GOP legislative attempts to gut minimum wage and sick leave legislation is both anti-democratic and bad public policy. So Governor Snyder should veto them. Gilda Jacobs
From the Associated Press — Advocates of paid sick leave are planning to launch a 2020 ballot drive if a new law is gutted by Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature. MI Time to Care filed petition language Monday, days
From the Associated Press — The state’s Surplus Store in Lansing is opening for one day for walk-ins interested in computers, phones, cameras, jewelry and other items. Those items and other property like sporting goods, musical equipment and
