Local News Archives

While the nation debates gun control again, Congressman Fred Upton says he’s always been in favor of some common sense rules. He tells WSJM News he was calling for universal background checks back in the 90s. He

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is partnering with local fire and police departments to respond to flooding throughout the area. Undersheriff Chuck Heit tells WSJM News there are some simple safety rules for drivers to follow as

Benton Harbor Area Schools has shuffled around its business office. At a meeting Tuesday, the board voted to contract with Rehmann Robson accounting firm to manage finances. Trustee Joseph Taylor told WSJM News that comes as the

The arrival of spring can provide some interesting and sometimes severe weather, and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department would like to sign up some volunteers to help spot it. Lieutenant Robert Kirk tells WSJM News there

Flooding in Berrien County this week has been the worst in the Niles and Berrien Springs areas. The city of Niles put out word Wednesday morning the St. Joseph River level is poised to crest at 16.9

Flooding concerns all over southern lower Michigan and they’re being proactive in one area town. Part of Mattawan is threatened by floodwaters. The water is overflowing the banks of the Mattawan Creek which runs through the center

State Representative Kim LaSata has announced her campaign co-chairs as she runs for the Michigan Senate in the 21st District, and they’re some well-known names. LaSata tells us her chair for Berrien County will be Berrien County

From the Associated Press — A new invasive species has turned up in Lake Superior, the bloody red shrimp. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says researchers found a single specimen of the tiny shrimp in the Duluth-Superior

Drivers around Michigan are being advised to watch out for flooded roads this week. AAA’s Susan Hiltz tells WSJM News it is not wise to mess around with a road that’s underwater. “Avoid standing water on flooded

What to do with vacant buildings? That’s a question facing the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education as it puts together a district real estate plan in order to please the state. At a meeting Tuesday,

St. Joseph Public Schools has announced plans to build a new robotics facility. To be named the Edward J. Todd Innovation Center, the 7000 square foot building will be adjacent to the Career Technical Center of the

Michigan State Police recommend homeowners take steps to ensure they’re ready if any of the flooding that’s affected roads this week starts to hit homes. MSP Emergency Management Division Inspector Chris Bush tells WSJM News you can

Celebration Cinema has announced it will begin to do business under the name Studio C. The new entity is intended to serve as an overarching brand for the company’s theatre and consumer show divisions, along with new

The Berrien County Road Department and the Van Buren County Road Commission are both dealing with a large number of roads that have been flooded over this week. Berrien County Road Department Director Jason Lathum tells WSJM

The annual performance evaluation of Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Shelly Walker is now being worked on by the board of education. However, the board is facing one complication. Walker is currently suspended for an unspecified investigation.

The city of St. Joseph is advising everyone of some weather-related closings. The Howard Ice Arena is now shut down because of the warm weather. The city will keep us updated regarding its status. Also, the city

St. Joseph Public Schools Superintendent Ann Cardon tells WSJM News the investigation into a threat against the high school is continuing between the district, St. Joseph Public Safety, and the FBI. Cardon says there have been no

Michigan lawmakers are set to focus on the governor’s proposed spending of additional road funding. House Speaker Tom Leonard spoke to Michigan News Network Monday and said he wants to speed-up the process: “That $175 million is

Pothole season is well underway across Michigan — and the state’s pothole hotline is being swamped with calls, according to Diane Cross with the Michigan Department of Transportation. “Drivers truly have got to drive defensively,” says Cross.

Truck weight restrictions took effect Monday to avoid damaging Michigan roads as the weather begins to warm up. The restrictions are imposed on all state highways from the Michigan-Indiana and Michigan-Ohio state lines north to Muskegon County. Dan

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers that mandatory ice shanty removal dates are approaching. For counties in the southern Lower Peninsula, shanties must be removed from the ice by midnight Thursday, March 1. For

There will be stepped up security at St. Joseph High School Tuesday following a threat made by a student on Monday. St. Joseph Public Schools Superintendent Ann Cardon says she’s been told by police the threat is

Consumers Energy is aiming to completely eliminate coal from its energy portfolio in the coming decades. Spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the utility announced several long-term energy goals on Monday. “By 2040, we expect to be

Firefighters worked Monday night to battle a fire at a Coloma restaurant. Berrien County Central Dispatch tells us one department responded to El Asadero Mexican restaurant on North Paw Paw Avenue. Witnesses reported a large amount of

Experience. That’s what state Representative Dave Pagel says he has heading into the race for the 21st District Michigan Senate seat. He has announced he’s running to replace the term-limited state Senator John Proos. Pagel tells WSJM

The OutCenter in Benton Harbor is now offering the families of LGBT individuals in southwest Michigan a place to gather and consult with the help of some moms. Moms are IN at the OutCenter co-founder Kathryn McBride

More than $38,000 has been raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by 97-5 Y Country radio with its 2018 radio-thon. For 12 years, Y Country staff have held the fundraiser, asking people to donate to St.

Being prepared for emergencies is among the top priorities for schools in Michigan, and here in Berrien County, helping them is a function of the sheriff’s department’s emergency management and homeland security division. The office’s Captain Rockey

From the Associated Press — A reserve deputy plans to run across Michigan to honor the state’s fallen officers. WXMI-TV reports that Kent County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Squad Reserve Deputy Matt Garbarino will run from the fallen officer

A tip to Covert Township Police has helped find a missing eight-year-old boy. Police Chief Jay Allen confirms to WSJM News that Xavier Preston was found this morning in a “neighboring community” thanks to the tips that