Local News Archives

St. Joseph has lost one of its most prominent benefactors, as John Howard has died at the age of 99 in Holland. It’s hard to miss his name on things like the John and Dede Howard Ice

There is a possibility that Red Arrow Highway between about Bridgman and New Buffalo could go from four lanes to three lanes in the coming years as part of a repaving project, and some Berrien County Commissioners

The winner of Celebration Cinema’s 2018 Celebrated Service Award is Sophia’s House of Pancakes in Benton Township. Each year, the theater chain’s employees nominate businesses for the honor, and then the public votes on the winner. A

Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey this week laid out to some members of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners highlights this past year for the parks department. He tells WSJM News parks revenue was up this

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan has received a donation from the Benton Harbor-Fairplain Lions Club that now has triple its original value because of the ongoing capital building fund. Humane Society General Operating Manager Alissa Saul

From the Associated Press — Michigan residents will be able to use the internet to register to vote under laws signed by Governor Rick Snyder. The measures enacted Thursday require the state to develop an interface so voter

Two meetings are set for next month for the Pokagon Fund to tell the public about its Harbor Country Community Needs Assessment study. The Pokagon Fund worked with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan and others

By Doug Cunningham An innovative new Medicaid program allows Michigan to negotiate with drug companies to potentially lower the costs of innovative and costly new drug therapies. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services just gave

Police in both Michigan and Indiana are investigating the death of a Granger woman found outside a Cass County home this week. The body of 54-year-old Dawn Smith was found Wednesday afternoon, and Michigan State Police located

A chief deputy has been hired for the Berrien County Register of Deeds. Register of Deeds Lora Freehling tells us Cindi Connell joined the ROD office this week. She comes to the office with eight years of

Too many foster youth in Michigan struggle in their transitions to adulthood, trying to go to school, get a job, and find a place to live, according to a new report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

A new partnership is in place between Benton Harbor Area Schools and Western Michigan University. Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera made it official this week, bringing in WMU to provide training to district teachers and

Party doesn’t matter when it comes to one of the top legislative issues: bringing down the state’s high auto insurance rates. Members of both parties have identified it as their main concern going forward. Incoming House Speaker

Andrews University has announced a new formal partnership with the government of Ghana. At a meeting this week, Andrews President Andrea Luxton signed the agreement with the Ghana ambassador to the United States to create educational opportunities

UPDATE — Police say the woman has been located. Original story: Police are looking for a Granger, Indiana woman who went missing in Michigan this week. 55-year-old Dawn Marie Smith was last heard from by phone on

Two Venezuelan men have been sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank larceny after being busted trying to rob an ATM in St. Joseph. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Grand Rapids tells us 32-year-old Christian

Video Playback Not Supported Embed This Video Raises have been approved for teachers at Benton Harbor Area Schools. At Tuesday’s district CEO meeting, Superintendent and CEO Robert Herrera made it official for most of the school system’s

From the Associated Press — A state scientist says he made recommendations six years ago to his superiors on how to limit exposure in Michigan to contamination from industrial compounds known as PFAS, but received no immediate

Michigan State Police are investigating the discovery of a body on the Lake Michigan shore in Allegan County. The body was found north of South Haven around 8 a.m. Wednesday, and investigators say it appears to have

South Haven Public Schools is going with Kevin Schooley as the new superintendent. The board of education voted unanimously to hire him away from the same job in Watervliet to succeed Robert Herrera. Herrera left to become

The new code of conduct for students at Benton Harbor Area Schools is now officially in place. At Tuesday’s CEO meeting, district CEO and Superintendent Robert Herrera signed off on the plan that he tells WSJM News

The Bridgman Police Department has put out a warning about a phone scam. It says it’s been getting calls from local reisdents who have been contacted by someone claiming their children or grandchildren have been arrested. The

Raises have been approved for teachers at Benton Harbor Area Schools. At Tuesday’s district CEO meeting, Superintendent and CEO Robert Herrera made it official for most of the school system’s teachers. He told WSJM News they’re getting

The Ghostlight Theater in Benton Harbor is ready to begin renovations on its Arts District building now that it’s completed the location’s purchase. Ghostlight’s Martha Hesse tells WSJM News thanks to a successful fundraising campaign, they now

This Thursday is the Great American Smokeout, when smokers are urged to give quitting a go. The Berrien County Health Department’s Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News 17% of Berrien County residents are still smokers, which is a

The Michigan Department of Transportation is ready to go for the winter. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News construction projects in southwest Michigan, especially Berrien County, look like they’ll all be wrapped up before the end of

By Doug Cunningham Creating economic development while balancing the needs of companies, communities, governments and working families is a big job. It’s a job the Cornerstone Alliance has been doing for 30 years in Berrien County. Rob

State Representative Mary Whiteford of Casco Township has been selected as the Republican Assistant House Majority Floor Leader for the next legislative session. Whiteford tells us she’s glad to have moved up into a new leadership position.

Video Playback Not Supported Embed This Video A team from the University of Michigan has spent the past year studying problems faced by the city of Benton Harbor and how they could be addressed. At a Monday