A one-year contract extension and a 2% raise will be going to Berrien County Administrator Bill Wolf following his annual performance evaluation by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners. Personnel Committee Chair Bill Chickering said at this
The Berrien County Health Department is receiving a state grant of $250,000 to pay for the water filters it’s giving out to residents of Benton Harbor. Following the discovery of elevated lead levels in some homes last
The Environmental Protection Agency has released its PFAS Action Plan, and Senator Gary Peters says it doesn’t go nearly far enough. Peters tells WSJM News the plan announced on Thursday falls far short of what’s needed. “Basically,
From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is criticizing a Detroit TV station’s decision to broadcast a segment and publish an online story that features people’s unflattering and sexist comments on social media about her dress
The Berrien County Road Department is applying a new strategy when it comes to road maintenance and repairs. Director Jason Latham tells WSJM News they’ve developed an asset management plan as the department works toward getting more
Leaders at Benton Harbor Area Schools are seeking to switch out some contracts to reduce costs. At this week’s CEO meeting, the district CFO said bids are being put out for both transportation and food services. Currently,
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will not see changes anytime soon. In a rare move, the Republican-led Michigan Senate has rejected Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s order to restructure the DEQ, the first time lawmakers have outright blocked
Advocate volunteers are needed by the Sexual Assault Response Team of Berrien County. Alyssa Pliml, a registered nurse with the program, tells WSJM News the team works with the survivors of sexual assault, and those who serve
A plan to help with the expansion of broadband internet in rural areas of Michigan is being worked on by state Representative Beth Griffin and state Senator Aric Nesbitt. Griffin tells WSJM News she’s reintroducing the legislation
From the Associated Press — Legislation advancing in Michigan would limit law enforcement’s ability to take ownership of cash and other property in drug cases that don’t result in convictions. The Senate voted 36-2 Wednesday, sending the bill
Student athletes who would like to improve their throwing technique with the help of a former Major League pitcher will have a chance to do so this weekend in Paw Paw. Tom House was a pitcher for
(Flint, MI – AP) – The city of Flint has agreed to use a scientific model to determine which homes likely have lead or steel water lines as officials try to comply with a 2017 agreement to
The YouthBuild program in Benton Harbor is receiving a grant of nearly $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News YouthBuild is a chance for at-risk young people to earn their high
Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera is waiting on word from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office on what’s next for the district following a legal change last year that may eliminate its cooperative agreement with the
2018 was a busy year for the Berrien County Land Bank. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells us the entity manages foreclosed properties that can’t be sold at auction. He notes a big deal in 2018 was
(Dearborn, MI – AP) – Ford Motor Company is recalling nearly 1.5 million pickup trucks in North America because the transmissions can suddenly downshift into first gear. The recall covers F-150 trucks from the 2011 through 2013
Finding ways to lower Michigan’s auto insurance rates is on the front burner for a state Senate committee. At a committee hearing today, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan again pushed for overhauling the system, and state Senator Tom
Republican leaders in Lansing are responding to Governor Whitmer’s State of the State address. They did away with the traditional canned response immediately following the speech in favor of a press conference this morning instead. House Speaker
From the Associated Press — Gretchen Whitmer wants Michigan to be the 17th state to adopt a hands-free driving law that restricts the use of mobile devices while driving. The Democrat got behind the newly introduced legislation in
A 24-year-old Kalamazoo woman is in the Van Buren County Jail for allegedly stealing mail from more than a dozen homes in Columbia and Geneva townships. The sheriff’s department thinks she likely has more victims, and they’re
A discussion on coastal management will take place in South Haven this week. “Planning for Resilient Coastal Communities” is is set for Thursday at South Haven High School. The presenters will focus on the Great Lakes and
The five-year deficit elimination plan for Benton Harbor Area Schools is being reworked by district officials with the Michigan Department of Treasury. Following a meeting this week, district CEO Robert Herrera told WSJM News the preliminary deficit
Freshman state Representative Pauline Wendzel says Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s first State of the State address had a lot to like, even for Republicans like her. “It was a very encouraging speech, and I was glad to hear
The deadline to avoid another partial shutdown of the federal government is fast approaching, and Congressman Fred Upton tells us he’s encouraged about the chances of beating it. He says a verbal agreement to allow for a
Congressman Fred Upton remembers John Dingell as a witty, hardworking, and well-versed member of Congress. Upton had to miss Dingell’s funeral on Tuesday in Dearborn because the weather stopped his plane from being able to land, but
This week’s icy weather has prompted Lake Michigan Catholic High School to cancel the planned donkey basketball game for this week. The plan had been to stage a basketball game between LMC staff and students, all of
The Berrien County Health Department has announced the cancellation of two of its water filter pick-up dates for the city of Benton Harbor. It tells us because of high demand and the weather, it’s had to cancel
Indiana Michigan Power crews are making progress getting electric service restored following the overnight ice storm. The 2 p.m. update from the utility shows just over 3,000 in Michigan without power, down from around 6,000 this morning.
Weather kept Fred Upton and as many as 90 other members of Congress from attending the funeral in Dearborn for former Congressman John Dingell. Congressman Billy Long of Missouri tweeted shortly before noon that an impromptu service
Indiana Michigan Power crews are at work restoring service after freezing rain and sleet caused widespread issues in the area. As of 9:30 this morning, the utility was reporting over 6,000 customers without electricity in Michigan and
