Local News Archives

Berrien County’s newest park is now open to the public. Paw Paw River County Park in Watervliet will be free to access. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey told WSJM News earlier this year the new park

PBS travel show host Rick Steves wants you to know the facts about Michigan’s November 6th marijuana legalization and regulation ballot proposal. His home state of Washington legalized recreational pot in 2012. Six years later, he says,

Anticipating a more even balance between Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House after the upcoming elections, a group of House members is stepping up its push for new procedural rules from the next Speaker. Congressman Fred

The latest in a series of “Empty The Shelters” pet adoption events put on by the Bissell Pet Foundation is set for Saturday at more than 60 facilities in the state, including three in southwest Michigan. Kathy

A donation of $100,000 has been made to Southwestern Michigan College as it completes a major renovation project at its nursing facility. The money from 1st Source Bank will be used to build a collaboration space in

More than $1.17 million has been raised by the Cherry Beach Project for the purchase of three acres of land in Chikaming Township, meaning the project’s goal has been met. Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte tells WSJM

State rules that prevent people with criminal records from seeking professional licenses would be eased under legislation that passed the Michigan House this week. State Representative Brandt Iden tells WSJM News “good moral character” regulations often disqualify

A motion picture that was filmed almost entirely in South Haven and released in 2017 will be shown locally at no charge on October 13th at the Listiak Auditorium. The event is sponsored by the South Haven-Van

The Berrien County Health Department is advising everyone to get their flu shot before October ends. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the shot and the nasal spray are widely available, including at the health department. They’re

It will cost Enbridge Energy as much as $500 million dollars to move the Canadian company’s Line 5 oil and natural gas pipelines 100 feet underground in the Straits of Mackinac, but spokesman Ryan Duffy says it’s

There’s a new poll out from the Glengariff Group for “The Detroit News” and WDIV-TV that shows Democrat Gretchen Whitmer continues to hold a double-digit lead over Republican Bill Schuette in the race for governor. Republican Lieutenant

Two Berrien County communities are on a list no one wants to be on. Benton Harbor is ranked as the state’s most violent city for 2017 based on FBI data, with Benton Township ranked 10th. In between

State Representative Kim LaSata is planning to hold a town hall forum later this month on opioids. She will convene the meeting at Kinexus in Benton Harbor and be joined by members of the Berrien County Sheriff’s

Hunting season is here, and the Van Buren County Conservation District is reminding both hunters and campers what they can do to help reduce the spread of invasive species. It says you should never move firewood, and

From the Associated Press — Michigan residents could register to vote online under bills nearing Governor Rick Snyder’s desk. The state House approved the legislation unanimously Wednesday. The measures previously passed the Senate and are expected to

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is helping to provide extra security at Benton Harbor High School as the district looks to reduce fights and increase order. Sheriff Paul Bailey tells WSJM News two deputies are stationed at

Additional testing will be done on a two-month old infant found dead in Coloma Township this week after an autopsy performed on Wednesday was inconclusive. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us the case remains under investigation,

The proposal to legalize the recreational marijuana in Michigan could mean more than $130 million per year for state coffers. Josh Hovey with the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol tells WSJM News the proposal specifies how

A new website has been launched by the Michigan Department of Treasury for residents to search for unclaimed property. Treasury’s Terry Stanton tells us the department receives unclaimed properties like dormant bank accounts, life insurance policies, stocks

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has begun using a drone to help identify the sources of PFAS contamination. Randy Rothe is with the DEQ’s Gaylord office where they’re using the device equipped with an infrared camera

Hartford Public Schools officials are addressing a drug issue at the high school. Superintendent Andrew Hubbard has sent a letter to parents and posted it on the district’s website and Facebook page saying they are working with

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of an infant in Coloma Township. It tells us officers were sent to a home in the 5,100 block of Little Paw Paw Lake Road shortly before 10

A tunnel will be built in the bedrock under the Straits of Mackinac to house a new pipeline to replace Enbridge Energy’s 65-year-old Line 5 pipelines. Governor Snyder’s office announced the agreement with the Canadian firm, saying

With the weather turning colder and furnaces firing up, this is Fire Prevention Month in Michigan. State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer tells WSJM News there have been 91 fire deaths in the state this year, many because

Congressman Fred Upton is hailing last week’s passage of legislation designed to help in the fight against opioid addiction. He tells WSJM News the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act goes back about a year, and is

The percentage of uninsured adults in rural Michigan dropped by 22 points since the state expanded Medicaid, according to a recent study by Georgetown University and the University of North Carolina. The state Legislature passed a bill

  One of the highest profile murder cases in Berrien County history will get underway on January 29. Antwan Mims has been ordered held on $5 million bond after a preliminary hearing Tuesday before Judge Arthur Cotter.

The old Michigan State Police Post in South Haven is owned by the city and they lease out the building. The property around the building, however, is still owned by the state and they want the city

From the Associated Press — A U.S. House candidate is among 18 people arrested for disorderly conduct during a protest in Detroit for a higher minimum wage and the right to form unions. Democrat Rashida Tlaib was taken

Congress hasn’t made a significant investment in to upgrade and fix the National Park system in more than 50 years, but that could soon change. A vote in the U.S. Senate this week could advance legislation to