Local News Archives

The 33rd annual Eau Claire Cherry Festival will be held on Wednesday, the Fourth of July. The festival’s Cindy Glassman Cantrell tells us the downtown area of Eau Claire is shut down for the fun, which is

The Berrien County Health Department has activated a heat alert for this entire weekend, warning everyone to take steps to keep themselves healthy and safe. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News you need to be sure to

Dowagiac will hold its fireworks tonight. The fifth annual fireworks celebration in Dowagiac will be at dusk at the Dowagiac Municipal Airport. The show is possible thanks to the Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac and donations from

Air conditioners are buzzing and likely won’t be turning off until next week all over southwest Michigan with this heat bubble that’s slowly moving over the eastern U.S. In order to be sure your home stays as

Thousands of people are expected to pack into Silver Beach County Park, Tiscornia Park and Jean Klock Park on Wednesday for the city of St. Joseph’s July 4th fireworks show. St. Joseph Deputy Public Safety Director Steve

USA Today has included Red Arrow Highway in its list of beautiful scenic drives around the United States. In a piece published this week, USA Today picks one route from each state to identify as offering lovely

Benton Harbor Area Schools will be led by Dr. Robert Herrera, after all. The school board, state officials, and Herrera have agreed on a start date of July 17 for him to serve as the district’s CEO.

From the Associated Press —  Rick Snyder has signed a $16.8 billion education budget that includes a sizable increase in base aid for lower-funded K-12 districts in Michigan. The outgoing Republican governor approved his final education budget Thursday. It

She is sometimes known as the Sand Pirate, and she’s perhaps southwest Michigan’s most renown sand sculptor. Janet Moore Schrader tells WSJM News she started sculpting with sand after winning a battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is reminding everyone of what the rules are for shooting off fireworks now that the Fourth of July is just about here. Chief Deputy Robert Boyce tells WSJM News, first of all,

Berrien County Commissioner Jeanette Leahey is hoping to conduct a county salary study. For the past few meetings, she has asked other commissioners for their input as the Personnel and Human Services Committee weighs its options. Leahey

There have been some clear changes in Berrien County’s employment picture since the end of the Great Recession. The latest economic outlook report from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research takes a look at such trends throughout

It’s going to be very hot over the next few days in Michigan, especially in southern lower Michigan. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued an excessive heat watch from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening.

The man accused of a murder last Thursday in Van Buren County is behind bars on a $3 million bond. Troy Taylor was arraigned yesterday on open murder and felony firearms charges for allegedly shooting and killing

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Jim McCloughan of South Haven has another honor. He was named a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow this week by the South Haven Rotary Club. That is given in appreciation for a

While Michigan is making some progress in child well-being, a new report shows it’s still falling behind its neighbors. The 2018 Kids Count Data Book released Wednesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation assesses how kids are

For the first time in 18 years, there are currently no emergency managers in charge of any Michigan cities or school districts. Michigan Department of Treasury spokesperson Ron Leix tells WSJM News Highland Park Schools got out

The Michigan Department of Transportation will be shutting down two I-94 ramps this Friday in Van Buren County so they can be reconstructed. MDOT tells us the ramps at exit 52 in Lawrence are being rebuilt. That’s

The latest book of foreclosed properties set to be auctioned off by the Berrien County Treasurer’s office is now available. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the new book has 183 properties, of which 181 were foreclosed

Retiring Lake Michigan College Trustee Judy Truesdell has been saluted for her years of service by the LMC Board of Trustees. At a meeting this week, the board sent Truesdell off with a resolution commending and thanking

From the Associated Press — Michigan officials are looking for accomplished motorcyclists who could teach others to ride. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says safety class instructors play essential roles in the Michigan Rider Education Program. Johnson

The US Supreme Court says government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. The justices are scrapping a 41-year-old decision in

Antwan “Tank” Mims of Benton Harbor is now on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list for two murders on March 25 at a house party. The FBI’s Jeffrey Downey says Mims walked up to Cortez Miller

A temporary kids museum is coming to South Haven. Set to be open from July 1 through September 3 is the non-profit Forever Curious Children’s Museum. It will be located in a storefront on Phoenix Street, and

A new name will be added to the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List” later this morning in Benton Harbor. The bureau, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Michigan State Police, Benton Harbor Public Safety, and the Berrien County Sheriff’s

A 61-year-old Pipestone Township man is in bad shape after being attacked by his pit bull. Michigan State Police were called to the home in the 63-hundred block of Pipestone Road at 6:30 Tuesday night on a

One of the highlights of summer in Michigan’s Great Southwest is the South Haven Art Fair, and it’s coming up soon. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Art Fair which brings a blend of talent

High marks for Lake Michigan College President Trevor Kubatzke. At a Tuesday meeting, the LMC Board of Trustees gave Kubatzke a positive performance evaluation. President Michael Lindley told WSJM News since Kubatzke came on in April of

The St. Joseph High School football team is going to team up to fight cancer this year, and there are ways you can help. The Team Up Against Cancer campaign’s Regina Ciaravino tells WSJM News the Bears

Police have caught a murder suspect out of Van Buren County who had been on the run since last week. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us 38-year-old Troy Lee Taylor was arrested Tuesday afternoon. Investigators