Local News Archives

State Police Recruit Academy Underway

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128 prospective Michigan State Police troopers are now taking part in a training academy in Lansing. MSP Captain Monica Yesh tells WSJM News the recruits go through 26 weeks of all-day study that covers topics including traffic

Anti-Overdose Training Coming Up

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An opioid overdose prevention training event is set for this month in Benton Harbor. This time organized between the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Voice Change Hope Alliance, it will be offered in the afternoon

Lakeland Now A Division Of Spectrum

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Lakeland Health is now officially a division of Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health. The board for each entity has signed the deal and finalized it. Spectrum Health Lakeland President Loren Hamel tells WSJM News Lakeland’s 4,000 employees have

Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash

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A Dowagiac man is dead following a motorcycle crash in Cass County on Monday. The sheriff’s department tells us it happened just before 3 p.m. near the intersection of M-51 south and Pokagon Street in Pokagon Township.

State Names 211 Schools HeartSafe

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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has awarded 211 schools with the MI HeartSafe School designation for the current year. Spokesperson Lynn Sutfin tells WSJM News the HeartSafe program was created five years ago to

Obama Endorses Whitmer

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From the Associated Press — Former President Barack Obama is endorsing Gretchen Whitmer for governor, Garlin Gilchrist for lieutenant governor and 19 other Michigan Democrats running for Congress or the Legislature. The twenty-one candidates in the state are

Driver Responsibility Fees Gone

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Expect longer waits at the Secretary of State branch offices in Benton Harbor, Niles, and Dowagiac over the next few days. That’s because the unpopular driver responsibility fees are now off the books, and people who have

High Support For Asian Carp Barrier

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An overwhelming number of residents of Great Lakes state support immediate action to build structural protections to keep Asian carp out of the lakes. The survey commissioned by the Great Lakes Partnership to Block Asian Carp asked

Whitmer Brings Gubernatorial Bid To St. Joseph

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Rainy weather was no deterrent to more than 100 who turned out at Berrien County Democratic Party headquarters Sunday afternoon to hear from gubernatorial frontrunner Gretchen Whitmer. The former state Senate Minority Leader spoke to WSJM News

Secretary Of State Talking End Of Fees

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The state’s unpopular driver responsibility fees are being wiped off the books soon. Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says in a YouTube video those who have had their license suspended for not paying driver responsibility fees

Busy Deer Season Expected

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expecting the deer hunting season this year to be a strong one. DNR deer biologist Ashley Autenrieth tells WSJM News the 2018 forecast notes a robust herd this year due

Wide Range Of Life Expectancies In Berrien

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Life expectancy and health is tied directly to race and your Zip code. In Berrien County and across America racism literally kills. Dr. David Ansell, Vice President Of Community Health at Rush University Medical Center, spoke on

Treasurers Work Together To Fight Fraud

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A partnership that allows the Berrien County Treasurer’s Office help its counterparts in Van Buren County catch fraudulent homestead claims will continue for another three years. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News his office lends

State Senate Candidate Forums Coming Up

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Two candidate forums featuring the Republican and Democratic candidates for the Michigan Senate in the 21st District are set for next month. State Representative Kim LaSata has announced she’ll be at a Berrien RESA Candidate Forum on

Big Emergency Drill Coming Up

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Coming up next month will be a nationwide test of emergency alert systems, and officials in Berrien County want the public to let them know how it goes. Set for Wednesday, October 3 at 2:20 p.m., the

Voter Registration Deadline Soon

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Are you registered to vote? This past Tuesday was National Register to Vote Day and Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says “USA Today” has named Michigan number one in getting people registered to vote. “Every 18-year-old

Effort To Combat Racial Health Disparity

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In Berrien County and across America racism literally kills. Dr. David Ansell, Vice President Of Community Health at Rush University Medical Center, will speak on this shocking reality September 27th at Lake Michigan College’s Hanson Theater. “A

Traffic Changes Likely For Napier

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The public has had a chance to offer input on plans to repave part of Napier Avenue in St. Joseph and Benton townships starting next year. At a forum this week, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission talked

State Recognizes Rail Safety Week

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This past week was Rail Safety Week in Michigan when everyone was reminded to follow the rules of railroad tracks. Sam Crowl with Michigan Operation Lifesaver tells WSJM News they held events all week following a proclamation

Local Schools To Address Literacy

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Officials at Benton Harbor Area Schools are planning a new push to promote literacy. Communications Director Amy Nichols tells WSJM News “We Welcome Literacy” is a community event set for October 8 at the high school. On

Niles Community Schools Building Improvements

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A series of celebrations is underway at Niles Community Schools as the district completes several renovation projects at its buildings. Work has been done at Niles High School, Eastside Connections, Ballard Elementary School, and Niles Cedar Lane.

Lawmaker Brings Attention To Senior Program

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The Michigan House has approved a resolution from state Representative Mary Whiteford to declare September PACE Awareness Month. The Casco Township Republican tells us PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, helps keep senior Michiganders

Andrews University Names Wellness Center

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Andrews University has formally named its wellness center in honor of a former president. The university in Berrien Springs tells us it’s to be called the Andreasen Center for Wellness in recognition of Niels-Erik Andreasen, president emeritus