Kathleen Brickley will serve another two-year term as the Chief Judge of the Van Buren County Courts. The Michigan Supreme Court appointed her for the fourth term, which will run from January 1, 2020 to December 31,
Congressman Fred Upton welcomed news this month from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that farmers in southwest Michigan can now apply for help to recover from poor weather this year that’s damaged their crops. Upton says he
Retailers are following today’s Black Friday frenzy with the 10th annual Small Business Saturday. Michigan Retailers Association spokeswoman Meagan Holland says it’s an opportunity to keep your own community thriving by shopping your hometown stores. “If you
A disaster declaration for the entire Great Lakes shoreline in Michigan — more than 3,000 miles — is being sought by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners from the governor and the Michigan Legislature. At a meeting
Preparations are underway for the next Kindle Your Christmas Spirit in Downtown Berrien Springs celebration. The village says the party will be Thursday, December 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. The downtown streets will be closed to
Several programs are being run at Benton Harbor Area Schools to get the students more engaged, and also bring in their parents. Interim Superintendent Patricia Robinson tells WSJM News one recent event was Family Literacy Night this
Allegan County has announced the launch of its new Smart 911 system. Allegan County Central Dispatch Director Jeremy Ludwig tells WSJM News Smart 911 allows residents to register themselves with central dispatch so if they ever call
Michigan State Police out of the Niles post will be doing their annual Stuff a Blue Goose toy drive on Friday. Troopers will be at the Niles Walmart on South Eleventh Street from 9 a.m. to 1
Supporters of the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph are being asked to step forward and help it overcome a financial bump in the road. Board President Judy Sokolowski tells WSJM News expenses for the
A new effort is being launched by Michigan Works to train more workers to be in the healthcare field in southwest Michigan. The goal is to train more than 100 certified nursing assistants and personal care assistants
From the Associated Press — A state grant will help connect 14 rural homes in northern Michigan to a municipal water system after their wells were found to be contaminated with potentially toxic chemicals. The Michigan Department
High winds have been battering southwest Michigan today, causing thousands of power outages. Lake Michigan coatal areas have been affected the most. Indiana Michigan Power put out the below statement just before 5 p.m. “Strong, frequent winds
New self-serve kiosks are coming to Secretary of State branch offices throughout Michigan. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says they’ve had a one-month pilot program with the new machines, and they’re more reliable and easier to use
The area’s housing market continues to show signs of strength. The latest numbers for October are out from the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors, showing a 6% rise in sales over a year ago with 345 homes
One-point-seven million Michigan residents are traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday this year. Most are driving, but more than 151,000 are flying, with many in and out of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. “We
Power is expected to be restored around 3 pm in South Haven. Indiana Michigan Power says a high-voltage line pole was broken this morning, and that disrupted service at two substations in the area. The entire city
The city of South Haven has no electricity. City officials tell WSJM News both of their transmission lines from American Electric Power are down, with no estimate on when restoration will happen. The outage began around 9:45
From the Associated Press — A budget impasse in Michigan is starting to take a toll on government programs and services. Sheriff’s offices, jails, charter schools, private colleges, hospitals, local governments and nonprofits are casualties of the
Michigan lawmakers are being asked to put the brakes on the implementation of work requirements for Healthy Michigan enrollees. A coalition of healthcare and anti-poverty organizations filed a lawsuit last week challenging the Trump administration’s approval of
With high winds expected Wednesday, utilities are scrambling to be prepared. Consumers Energy spokesperson Brian Wheeler says even though it’s a holiday week, the company’s crews will be ready. “Right now, we’re looking at severe weather, high
As family cooks everywhere are getting ready to prepare their Thanksgiving meals this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding them of how to safely cook that bird. USDA technical information specialist Chrystal Okonta tells WSJM
All that remains for legal recreational marijuana businesses to set up shop in Buchanan now is state and local licensing. The city commission this week approved a zoning ordinance amendment to allow for those companies. The state
A Van Buren County man has an additional 300,000 reasons to give thanks this week. The Michigan Lottery says the 62-year-old has chosen to remain anonymous after claiming his jackpot from the Super Bingo instant game. He
From the Associated Press — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has named Jonathan Brater to be the next director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections following the retirement of current director Sally Williams. Brater, who will take
Public attention is growing about an effort to get a disaster declaration for the entire Great Lakes coast in Michigan. The Berrien County Board of Commissioners last week approved a resolution asking the governor and Michigan Legislature
The city of St. Joseph will not be purchasing the former Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarters from the U.S. Coast Guard. The federal government needed a decision by the end of this month with an asking price of $445,000.
Anyone who owes late fees to the Bridgman Public Library has a chance to pay them off this month while helping those in need. The library tells us they will accept donations of unopened, non-perishable food items
A new policy is going into effect at Spectrum Health Lakeland hospital in St. Joseph requiring visitors to wear ID badges. Starting December 2, anyone age 12 or older visiting someone at the in-patient area of the
Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski and Benton Harbor Interim City Manager Ellis Mitchell are putting out an appeal for help to be found for the residents of the New Harbor Condominium complex on Riverview Drive now that
The National Weather Service is expecting some wild winds in the coming days. It’s issued a high wind watch to be in effect Wednesday morning through Wednesday night. Meteorologist Andrea Honor tells WSJM News this will bring
