A crash late Saturday night or early Sunday morning in Bloomingdale Township has claimed the life of a 30-year-old Plainwell man. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department was called just before 8:30 Sunday morning to the 12-thousand
The blueberry crop in southwest Michigan has been weak this year. Michigan State University Extension fruit educator Mark Longstroth tells WSJM News growers are hurting. “We had a really disappointing year in blueberries,” Longstroth said. “We think
Two 16-year-olds from Berrien County are recovering after being hurt in a crash in the city of St. Joseph Saturday night. The driver hit a tree on Botham Avenue east of Thayer near First Church of God,
Now that winter is here, state Senator John Proos is reminding everyone of where they can turn for help if they have trouble staying on top of their heating bills. He tells us there is a simple
From the Associated Press — A coalition of agencies and groups in the Great Lakes region has released a plan for developing solutions to problems caused by invasive mussels. The strategy is intended to guide investments, policies
With the winter now here, the Berrien County Road Department is reminding everyone of rules they have to follow when it comes to shoveling. The department tells us every year it gets calls about people and snow
The village of Berrien Springs will kick-off the Christmas season this coming week with Kindle Your Christmas Spirit in Downtown Berrien Springs. On Thursday, the downtown streets will be closed from 6 to 9 p.m. to allow
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released its final plan to stop the Asian carp from getting into the Great Lakes. It centers around the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, and involves a
The Michigan Senate this week approved legislation from state Senator John Proos to give a tax break to micro-distillers. Senate Bill 579 would reduce the state’s overall liquor markup by 2% over a period of four years,
A $150,000 donation from Lakeland Health Foundations will help to start up a new center in southwest Michigan for those suffering from a substance abuse problem. Lakeland Vice President of Quality Kendall Troyer tells WSJM News Carol’s
Congressman Fred Upton is pleased the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has set aside more than $32 million to start work on a new Soo Lock. The Soo Locks in the St. Marys River allow for shipping
From the Associated Press — The international ArtPrize competition has announced the schedule and advisory committee for a Michigan art event. Project 1 will be held from September 7 to October 27 next year in Grand Rapids.
Leaders at Southwestern Michigan College are working to make sure students understand SMC’s policy on marijuana now that Michigan voters have opted to decriminalize the substance. SMC President David Mathews tells WSJM News no marijuana is allowed
Bangor residents are invited to the Railroad Cafe this Saturday, December 1 from noon to 2 p.m. for coffee and conversation with the Bangor Police Department. Coffee with a Cop is a mission to break down barriers
Michigan soybean farmers are feeling the effects of the trade war between the U.S. and China since China has not been buying their soybeans. An educator with Michigan State Extension in Isabella County, Paul Gross, told Michigan
By Doug Cunningham A 127 year old Benton Harbor non-profit foster care service is at a crossroads filled with changes. Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan is changing its name and adding a sexual assault survivor’s
You can brew your own beer or even make your own wine at home but one lawmaker says marijuana is different. Michigan Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof has introduced legislation that would ban growing marijuana at home.
The annual Toys for Toys drive gets underway this weekend. The effort to collect new, unwrapped toys for kids officially starts with a drive at Martin’s in Stevensville on Saturday morning. The Twin Cities Toys for Tots
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a farm death in Hartford on Friday. It tells us deputies were sent to Red Arrow Dairy on County Road 362 around 6:30 a.m. when a 35-year-old male worker
by Doug Cunningham Registered nurses at Sturgis Hospital are urging hospital administrators to delay changes to close the oncology clinic, critical care and obstetrics units. A community town hall on the changes is planned Monday at 7
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal crash near Niles on Friday. It happened just before 11:40 a.m. on US-12 at the end of the off ramp from southbound US-31 in Bertrand Township. Sheriff’s deputies
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month and the Van Buren County Sobriety Court is entering its second operational year. Rachel Lindley is the Specialty Courts Administrator, tells us about the Sobriety Court. “Van Buren County’s Sobriety
A coalition of agencies and groups in the Great Lakes region has released a plan for developing solutions to problems caused by invasive mussels. The strategy is intended to guide investments, policies and research into zebra and
The city of South Haven has fired its finance director after finding financial irregularities in an audit. The city issued word Friday that Finance Director Wendy Hochstedler has been fired, effective immediately. Hochstedler began working as the
The Grand Rapids-based Bissell Pet Foundation will hold its latest “Empty the Shelters” event on Saturday to encourage pet adoptions. 49 shelters in Michigan are among 81 across the country taking part, and they include South Haven’s
The city of St. Joseph’s 2019 calendar will be delivered to homes and businesses this weekend. Earlier this month, the city commission approved having high school students deliver them. Mayor Mike Garey says the idea came from
From the Associated Press — Bills designed to ease upgrades to 5G wireless systems in Michigan are heading toward Governor Rick Snyder’s desk. The Senate took a final procedural step Thursday, a day after the legislation was
With World AIDS Day this Saturday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging everyone to “Know Your Status,” and get tested. Spokesperson Lynn Sutfin tells us between 2013 and 2017, there was an average
From the Associated Press — A bill moving forward in Michigan’s Legislature is designed to keep secret the identity of donors who give money to nonprofit groups, including organizations involved in elections. Such groups running issue ads already
An effort is getting underway to build a new home for Hartford Public Library. Library Director Stephanie Daniels tells WSJM News they’re waiting for the paperwork to clear on the acquisition of the old Red Arrow Elementary
