Local News Archives

The book for the Berrien County fall land auction is now available. County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News up for grabs at the auction this month will be around 150 properties. “These are ones that did

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is considering who will serve on the Community Engagement and Advisory Committee the state has proposed for turning the district around. At work session this past week, board President

With a new school year now started, Michigan State Police are telling parents and students about the stiff penalties that can come with cyberbullying. Trooper Holly Higgs with the Niles post tells WSJM News cyberbullying is using

As the days start to cool in Michigan, some people might be able to offset the cost of summer utility bills with the Michigan Home Heating Credit. Eligible households that paid for heat last winter have until

A new partnership between the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and Berrien RESA has been announced to help children dealing with trauma. The sheriff’s department says Handle with Care is designed to ensure a child who experiences a

Berrien RESA is preparing for its next Festival of Families. RESA Superintendent Kevin Ivers tells WSJM News this is the seventh year for the event, intended to connect parents and kids with educational services in the area.

No one is hurt, but a home in Van Buren County’s Arlington Township is destroyed following a fire on Friday. South Haven Area Emergency Services says firefighters from multiple departments responded to the blaze on County Road

A campaign intended to attract new residents to southwest Michigan has been launched by Cornerstone Alliance. Cornerstone’s Christina Frank tells WSJM News Vacay Every Day will extol the virtues of southwest Michigan to those who visit the

The Bridgman Public Library is letting all patrons know it will be closed starting on Friday, September 20 through Monday, October 7. The reason is renovations. The library is receiving new carpeting, a fresh coat of paint,

Due to anticipated high demand, the South Haven Speaker Series is now selling tickets online for its September 19 engagement with former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm. Granholm will be at the Listiak Auditorium in South Haven to

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is notifying those who receive healthcare through the Healthy Michigan program that work requirements are going to kick in on January 1. Spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News because

The Lincoln Township Police Department is reminding everyone to lock their cars as it’s investigating a rash of thefts from parked vehicles. It says around 4:30 a.m. on Friday, officers were called to area of Greg Drive,

The Michigan Department of Transportation will close the eastbound I-94 ramp to Watervliet at M-140 on Monday, and it’s going to stay closed for about seven weeks. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the closure is

From the Associated Press — Michigan will get $27.9 million in federal funds to help families and communities deal with the opioid crisis. U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow said Wednesday the U.S. Department of Health

Indiana has its first death, and the nation’s third, linked to the use of e-cigarettes. The State Department of Health says an adult over the age of 18 was confirmed as the first vaping-related death in that

“A step backward” for July home sales is how the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors is presenting the numbers for the month. The number of homes sold fell from 390 in July 2018 to 317 this year,

A public forum is set for next month in Benton Harbor over Indiana Michigan Power’s rate hike request and long-term plans for meeting the electrical needs of the area. The Michigan Public Service Commission will hold the

A class action lawsuit settlement by St. Joseph-based United Federal Credit Union managed to stay under the radar for several months. UFCU agreed to a $1.75 million settlement over claims it charged deceptive overdraft fees, and members

Prices are up, but the number of homes sold in the area in July fell by 19% compared to a year ago. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says home sales were also down by 14% from

The St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center is seeing increased attendance as word of mouth gets around and the county’s population ages. The center’s board president, Rick Freridge, gave some numbers to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday

First responders with South Haven Area Emergency Services have been honored for their efforts to keep local beaches and Lake Michigan safe this summer. SHAES tells us the city of South Haven recognized the team on Wednesday.

A cleanup event along Ox Creek in the Benton Harbor area late last month attracted 29 volunteers from several organizations. Southwest Michigan Planning Commission senior planner Marcy Hamilton tells us local Rotary clubs, the Two Rivers Coalition,

New Age Laboratories in the city of South Haven tests soil, food, air, water and many other substances. The company would like to start testing medical marijuana for safety in the community. Assistant City Manager Kate Hosier

Lake Michigan did not break its all-time high water level record in August, but it was very high when compared to average. That’s according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which released its Great Lakes water

Set for this Saturday is the Southwestern Michigan College Renaissance Faire. Taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Student Activity Center off Dailey Road in Dowagiac, the event will be a chance for knights

From the Associated Press — Two people have been arrested for flying a drone over Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor during the Wolverine’s football season opener against Middle Tennessee State. The drone was reported about 10:17 p.m.

Berrien County Prosecutor Mike Sepic is confirming there is an active criminal investigation against County Commissioner Teri Sue Freehling in connection with a civil lawsuit against her, the estate of her late husband, and county Drain Commissioner

Governor Whitmer is confident that the state’s first-in-the-nation ban of flavored vaping products will hold up in court. “I’ve consulted my lawyers, I’ve consulted the attorney general, and I think we are squarely on solid legal footing

Benton Harbor Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis is working on launching some new block clubs in the community. He said at Monday’s city commission meeting there’s been strong interest. “I’m happy to renew that project, and with