Local News Archives

The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors is reflecting back on a strong real estate market in the region for 2017. Association Executive Alan Jeffries tells WSJM News units sold and prices were both up this past year.

Bridgman Public Schools Superintendent Shane Peters has received a positive performance evaluation from the board of education. The board issued a statement this week, telling us Bridgman Public Schools continues to benefit from the leadership of Peters.

Bell ringers are out and about in southwest Michigan seeking donations for the Salvation Army of Benton Harbor. Salvation Army Major David Womack tells WSJM News the dollar or two you put in those kettles can touch

A new map has been created to provide a snapshot of poverty around Michigan. Developed by the University of Michigan and Poverty Solutions, the map identifies each county’s median income, population, percentage of the population living below

The jobs of the future are on the mind of Governor Rick Snyder heading into a new year. He told WSJM’s Pat Moody this week the top priority in 2018 is connecting people to the careers offering

From the Associated Press — Police in southwestern Michigan have released the handwritten note and map that led investigators to the body of a missing teacher in October. Christopher Lockhart expressed regret for killing his wife, Theresa Lockhart,

The Trees for the Troops program has reached a milestone. This year, it delivered its 200,000th Christmas tree to a military family. Waumhoff Farms in Gobles is a drop-off point for Trees for the Troops each year,

From the Associated Press — Rick Snyder says the federal tax overhaul will cause residents’ state income taxes to increase, and he’s committed to ensuring taxpayers ultimately don’t have to pay more. The tax legislation, which President Donald

State Senator John Proos is among the supporters of legislation that would restore a limited state income tax credit for donating cash and food to food banks and community foundations. Proos says under the bill, taxpayers next

The Michigan League for Public Policy is calling on Congress to get serious about approving a legislative replacement for the DACA program. It was in September that President Trump announced his administration will phase out Deferred Action

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is warning everyone about the latest scam going around. This week, it put out notice about a letter that purports to be from an account manager with TD Trust Bank in Canada.

Some legislation designed to increase access to skilled trades training in Michigan has been passed by the state House. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells WSJM News this package of legislation creates a K-12 model program

State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker is urging the Michigan House to approve legislation that would eliminate the state’s statute of limitations when it comes to certain charges of criminal sexual conduct. The plan passed the Senate in October

From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law changes in how the state flags fraud in the unemployment benefits system in the wake of thousands of people being falsely accused. The laws enacted Thursday

Fro the Associated Press —  Rick Snyder has signed legislation keeping intact a law that puts people’s driver’s license at risk if they have three unpaid parking tickets. Michigan in 2012 enacted a law dropping the threshold from

Governor Rick Snyder has no plans to coast and take it easy over his final year in office. He spoke to WSJM News this week about what he has planned after he is term-limited and before. “I

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but holiday depression is real for many Michiganders. That’s why doctors want people to take it seriously and to know how and where to find help.

Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is reminding everyone to be careful about their Christmas trees. He tells WSJM News a tree can go up in flames within a matter of seconds, and then there goes your

Southwestern Michigan College has received a $250,000 donation to its nursing facility expansion. SMC President David Mathews tells WSJM News Kelly and Karen Rose of Elkhart are both former students. Karen studied nursing at SMC, and Kelly

Net neutrality is dead and it’s probably staying that way. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the FCC’s decision last week to kill off rules guaranteeing equal access to information and services on the internet will probably

WSJM sister station Rock 107 WIRX has chipped in to help promote mental health in southwest Michigan. On Wednesday, morning host Brock Havens stopped by MI Journey in Benton Harbor to drop off a check. MI Journey

County and state officials around Michigan are reminding homeowners of a resource they can turn to if they find themselves having trouble paying their mortgages or property taxes. At an event at the county administration building Wednesday,

The holidays may be a time of fun for most of us, but state Senator John Proos reminds everyone of things they need to do to avoid being ripped off. He tells WSJM News online shopping may

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Supreme Court says the state must return more than $550 million to school employees who had money deducted for retiree healthcare. The court ruled 6-0 Wednesday. School employees had 3 percent of

The preliminary analysis by police into a fatal crash involving an Amtrak train in Lawton Tuesday night is that the driver of the pick-up struck by the train had gotten stuck on the tracks. The Lawton Police

No one is hurt following a bus fire in South Haven Township Tuesday night. South Haven Area Emergency Services tells us the bus was a charter that had brought a musical group to South Haven for a

Coming up tonight will be a chance to ring in the holidays with some music courtesy of Benton Harbor Area Schools. The Benton Harbor Area Schools Holiday Concert will be Wednesday, December 19 from 6 p.m. to

Police say one man was killed when an Amtrak train crashed into a pickup truck near Lawton. The crash happened around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Lawton Police Chief Jeffrey Mack says emergency responders found the man outside the

City council chambers in South Haven were filled for the last meeting of 2017 on Monday night. Outgoing council members and Mayor Robert Burr were congratulated by the public along with county and state officials for their

Estimates from retailers show more than 90% of consumers do their holiday shopping after Cyber Monday. This weekend’s Super Saturday is the second busiest shopping day of the year. Best Buy Shopping expert Bianca Jones told Michigan