The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is urging more people to wear their seat belts when in a vehicle as the percentage that do so is dropping. The office has released the following: Michigan’s seat belt
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is resuming some regular operations that were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Starting this week, some customer service centers and field offices will be open
Benton Harbor City Commissioners have renamed the Britain Avenue bridge over Ox Creek in honor of a local girl who was killed at the age of 12 in 1996 when she fell into a sinkhole caused by
If your summer electric bill is up, it’s probably because of the air conditioning. Indiana Michigan Power says you can reduce your cooling costs by 3% to 4% for each degree you raise your thermostat. Spokesperson Michael
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is conducting a survey of residents in Berrien and Cass counties to study the community’s knowledge and level of concern with local water quality issues. The commission says it’s all part of
There’s a new athletic director coming to Lake Michigan Catholic Schools, and it’s someone you may know. Phil McDonald of WSJM Sports will start with the district as the AD next week. McDonald has been with WSJM
Police agencies in Berrien County are working to reduce gun violence that’s been escalating for the past couple of years. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey tells us they’ve seen gun crimes increase this year, in particular, with
Soon coming to Netflix will be a segment of Unsolved Mysteries that was shot in South Haven. The South Haven Visitors Bureau tells us a crew from the show was in town this month filming along the
An apartment fire over the weekend in Dowagiac is under investigation. Firefighters were called to Parkside Apartments on East Railroad Saturday evening and noticed the fire in one part of the duplex. No one was home in
The National Blueberry Festival in South Haven will be an in-person event this year thanks to the state eliminating COVID-19 restrictions. The festival was mostly held online last year. That said, some events are still off this
The Van Buren County Historical Museum is back open to the public after being closed since March 2020 due to COVID-19. Publicist Roylinda Rumbaugh says their volunteers have been “very busy creating fresh exhibits.” The Popular Murder
Gas prices are up 9¢ cents this week according to Triple A Michigan and are now averaging $3.27 a gallon statewide. Patrick DeHaan at Gas Buddy says the oil industry is still struggling to emerge from the
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission took public comments at a meeting in Benton Township this week as it prepares to redraw the state’s legislative district maps. The body was created by a vote of the people
The 38th annual National Night Out is set for Tuesday, August 3 with events taking place across the country. The St. Joseph Township Police Department says a local celebration will be at Maiden Lane Community Park from
Enes Evren/iStock (SPRING, TX.) — A chemical spill at a water park in Texas sent dozens of people to the hospital, according to officials. The incident began around 2:30 p.m. in a children’s pool at Six Flags Hurricane
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education will work with the Michigan Association of School Boards to create a strategic plan for the district. During a meeting this past week, Superintendent Andrae Townsel asked trustees to
The 47th annual Steve’s Run at Southwestern Michigan College will be back in person this year, and moved to a new location. Last year, Steve’s Run was virtual. This year, it will be in downtown Dowagiac. SMC
Young adults who have experienced foster care on or after their 13th birthday now have more time to apply for a scholarship from the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. The
With Michigan Works receiving a new $2 million state grant to help provide career training and education in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, there’s never been so many opportunities for a person to get a higher
There is an Adopt a Highway cleanup event taking place today. The Michigan Department of Transportation says its volunteers are on the sides of highways picking up trash throughout southwest Michigan, and drivers should watch out for
ABC News (NEW YORK) — Over 55 million Americans are at risk for flash flooding this weekend as severe weather heads toward the Northeast. Portions of the Northeast are nearly five times wetter than average for July
A Decatur man is in jail following a chase with police in Van Buren County. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says it was looking for 49-year old Charles Walter White for some warrants when it got
The city of Coloma is celebrating Christmas in July today. Mayor Marsha Hammond tells WSJM News with the Glad Peach Festival canceled for the summer, the city wanted to give people other reasons to come downtown. So,
Volunteers will be at Grand Mere State Park next Saturday, July 24 pulling invasive plant species. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says they’ll pull spotted knapweed to help keep native plants thriving. Those who go out
This weekend brings the Summer in the City festival in Dowagiac. It started Friday. The chamber of commerce says the events get underway on Saturday at 9 a.m. and will continue through 2:30. The community celebration is
Two series of webinars are planned by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services this summer as part of its Stay Well initiative. Spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News these webinars are focused on mental health
Republican state senators have approved the repeal of the Michigan law that Governor Gretchen Whitmer used to order emergency lockdowns at the beginning of the pandemic, when Michigan was among the states hardest hit by COVID-19. The
The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department has announced the hiring of a new county health officer. Danielle Persky will replace the retiring Jeff Elliott. He has served in that role for 38 years and will serve in
State Senator Kim LaSata is working to help ensure railroad crossings in Lincoln Township are repaired. The township has said on social media several crossings throughout the area are in need of work, and they are now
A Dowagiac man has been found guilty of first degree criminal sexual conduct for the rape of his 14-year-old stepdaughter. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz tells us 43-year-old Corey Devon Roddy was convicted Thursday after two difficult
