The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has received the gift of gratitude for its efforts to keep the community safe. The department tells us on Thursday it received a care package for each deputy from Operation Gratitude, a
The United Way of Southwest Michigan had volunteers out and about throughout Berrien and Cass counties Thursday for its eighth annual Day of Action for Seniors. Volunteer Engagement Manager Julee Laurent tells WSJM News teams from businesses,
Progressive groups say they’re encouraged by victories in the races for governor, attorney general, and secretary of state, as well as in ballot initiatives to clean up elections and legalize marijuana. Katie Fahey with Voters Not Politicians,
From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder is joining President Donald Trump’s call to lower Michigan and U.S. flags to half-staff through sunset on Saturday to honor the victims of the mass shooting at a bar
The annual Harvest Gathering food drive run by the Michigan Attorney General’s office is being described as a success this year. AG spokesperson Megan Hawthorne tells us Attorney General Bill Schuette started the Harvest Gathering in 1991
It’s a matter of grave concern for families of the recently-deceased in the city of South Haven cemetery. The city council approved a resolution for fairer burial plot pricing this week. City Manager Brian Dissette tells us
Plenty of Michigan residents are headed out for Thanksgiving. New estimates have been released from Triple-A Michigan showing 1.7 million planning a trip of at least 50 miles. The projection is up 5% from last year’s numbers,
It had been projected that about four-million people would vote in Tuesday’s midterm election in Michigan, and that wound up being low. The total came to 4.3 million voters, and at 55% turnout it is the highest
Now that Michigan voters have legalized recreational marijuana, anti-legalization group Healthy and Productive Michigan has its work cut out for it. President Scott Greenlee tells WSJM News he’s been getting calls from local communities interested in keeping
Residents and business owners from St. Joseph are being asked to weigh in on a master plan for the downtown that’s being drafted right now. Paul Finn, a planner with the firm Houseal Lavigne, tells WSJM News
Now that the election is over, what’s next? Oakland University Political Science Professor Dave Dulio told Michigan News Network he wouldn’t be surprised if opponents challenged proposals one and two — gerrymandering and recreational marijuana. “Similar with
The County Road Association of Michigan is mostly pleased with the results of Tuesday’s elections around the state. Spokesperson Jeff Bleiler tells WSJM News despite the failure of a new road millage in Van Buren County, Michigan’s
South Haven Public Schools could be a step closer to having a new superintendent. The South Haven Board of Education on Tuesday announced it’s narrowed its list of four finalists down to one. That finalist is Kevin
Video Playback Not Supported Embed This Video Southwest Michigan is staying red following the 2018 election. While Democratic candidates Gretchen Whitmer and Debbie Stabenow won the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races respectively, Berrien County Democrats weren’t as
From the Associated Press — Voter turnout for Michigan’s midterm election was the highest in 56 years. More than 4 million people cast ballots, with 4 percent of precincts still untallied as of Wednesday morning, according to unofficial
From the Associated Press — Work has started on the second phase of the Gateway Transformation Project at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. Officials say improvements are focused on airline ticket counters and baggage
An emergency road closure is in place in Berrien County. The Berrien County Road Department tells us Elm Valley Road between Wells Road and Boyle Lake Road in Buchanan Township has been shut down due to a
South Haven Area Emergency Services was able to make short work of an industrial fire on Wednesday morning. The agency tells us its responders quickly contained a fire reported at Lakeshore Iron on County Road 687 near
Now that Michigan voters have approved Proposal 3, they will be able to register the same day they cast their ballot. Michigan Secretary of State-elect Jocelyn Benson told Michigan’s Big Show Wednesday morning the proposal partly spelled
A second attempt to pass a county-wide road millage in Van Buren County failed on Tuesday. The millage was to bring the county’s primary road up to good condition as about 67% of the primary roads are
Voters in many areas across Berrien County selected their county commissioners Tuesday. Among the contested races, 1st District Commissioner David Volrath has defeated a challenge from Patricia Camarena-Rose Barbary. 9th District Commissioner Ezra Scott also retains his
From the Associated Press — Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer says her initial legislative priorities will include cleaning up drinking water and fixing the roads. The Democrat spoke with reporters in Detroit on Wednesday after her victory over Republican Bill
The three proposals initiated by voter petitions have passed in Michigan. Among those is Proposal 2, which changes the way Michigan’s legislative districts are drawn. Voters Not Politicians founder Katie Fahey commented to Michigan News Network. “We’ve
Proposal 1 to legalize recreational marijuana has been approved by Michigan voters, but that doesn’t mean you can smoke a joint today. Attorney Matthew Abel of the Cannabis Council says the new law won’t take effect until ten
In the tightest election of his career, Congressman Fred Upton has won reelection for a 17th term in the U.S. House. Upton held off on a victory speech at Shadowland Pavilion in St. Joseph until close to
While there was positive news for Democrats around Michigan on Tuesday, in southwest Michigan, Democrats didn’t fare as well. Republicans appear to retain the state legislative seats despite some attempts by local Democrats to dislodge them. One
Tuesday was a good day for Republican state legislative candidates in Van Buren County. Winning the race for the Michigan Senate in the 26th District was Aric Nesbitt, a former state representative and lottery commissioner. He told
Pauline Wendzel is headed to the state House. The Watervliet native defeated Democrat Joey Adams in the race to succeed state Senator-elect Kim LaSata on Tuesday and spoke to WSJM News after declaring victory. Wendzel says auto
The rate of homelessness among Michigan veterans continues to trend down. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development this week released its Annual Homeless Assessment Report, which found the total number of reported veterans experiencing homelessness
A study on the future of transportation in the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor areas will be discussed at an open house next week. “Principles in Motion” is the new Long Range Transportation Plan for the area.
