Local News Archives

He’s been the face and the voice of the Cook nuclear power plant for 24 years, and now Bill Schalk has retired. As Cook spokesperson, Schalk tells us it was his job to keep the public informed

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on Friday night in Porter Township. It was reported just before 10:30 at Sunset Boulevard near South Beechwood Street. Sheriff’s deputies tell us 39-year-old Travis Lee Schlabach

Water filters are being made available for all residents of Benton Harbor starting this past week. The Berrien County Health Department’s Nicki Britten tells us the filters are certified to reduce the risk of lead exposure in

Michigan State Police are advising everyone about an e-mail scam that’s been making the rounds. MSP says it’s been hearing about an increase in e-mails containing malicious links or attachments sent to businesses and individuals. They’ve had

The federal government is proposing to gut rules that protect consumers from short-term payday loan companies. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau already put the Obama-era Payday Lending Rule on hold, but on Wednesday, the agency said it

The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors is notifying organizations throughout the region that it’s offering grants to community and neighborhood projects. The Placemaking Challenge Grants are intended for smaller projects intended to improve a community in an

A Benton Harbor man is facing charges following a heroin and meth bust this week. The Southwest Enforcement Team tells us police conducted a sting on Tuesday following a nine month investigation into the 36-year-old suspect for

Coming soon to the gym at Lake Michigan Catholic High School will be live donkeys. District fundraiser Chris Glendening tells WSJM News Donkey Basketball is a sport in which the participants ride around on donkeys trying shoot hoops.

With last week’s frigid weather shutting down many businesses and many government offices, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners this week took a minute to salute those county employees who still came out to work. The board

From the Associated Press — A funeral and a public memorial will be held next week to honor former U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress in U.S. history. Dingell died Thursday at age 92 while

There’s a new trustee on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education. At a meeting on Thursday, district CEO Robert Herrera appointed Denise Whatley-Seats to fill a vacancy left with the recent resignation of Lisa Gulley.

By Doug Cunningham Despite her concerns about the GOP passed requirement tying work rules to Healthy Michigan benefits, Governor Whitmer is still approving the new policy. That’s because she has little choice. The Michigan League for Public

With tattoos all the rage these days, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is holding a conference this month for tattoo providers to make sure they’re in compliance with all of the rules about health

The longest-serving member of Congress in history has died. Dearborn’s John Dingell represented the Detroit area from a 1955 special election following the death of his father until his retirement in 2015, and died Thursday at the

As a measles outbreak continues in Washington state, many are blaming the state’s relaxed laws on vaccine exemptions. According to The Washington Post, Washington is one of 17 states that allow philosophical exemptions from vaccinations, meaning virtually

The Orchards Mall in Benton Township has paid its taxes. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the mall’s new owners, Durga Property Holdings out of Cincinnati, submitted a check for more than $220,000 on Tuesday.

Fernwood Botanical Garden near Buchanan is one of 21 botanical gardens to be selected for a new U.S. Botanic Garden exhibit. “Celebrating New American Gardens” will be on display through October 15 in Washington, DC. The U.S.

Believe it or not, the Michigan Secretary of State is still using an antiquated mainframe computer system for vehicle records, and by antiquated, the department says it’s from the 1960s. That is about to change, as the

From the Associated Press — Michigan regulators have opened an investigation into a compressor station fire that raised concerns about keeping natural gas flowing to millions of residents in bitterly cold weather. The Public Service Commission voted 2-0

Relief is being noticed from flooding along the St. Joseph River in Royalton Township. Berrien County Sheriff’s Captain Rockey Adams says the water is starting to recede and there’s been a “significant reduction” of water from yards

The M-51 interchange with US-12 or 3rd Street in Niles will be rebuilt by the Michigan Department of Transportation sometime in the next four years. Exactly what it will look like is still up for debate, but

For the first time since William Milliken was governor in 1977, the state Legislature is poised to overturn an executive order by a governor. The House voted along party lines Wednesday to overrule Governor Whitmer’s attempt to

The South Shore Line is offering a 10% discount on monthly passes during the month of March to help make up for four days of suspended service during last week’s bitter cold spell. Officials with the South

Former Congressman John Dingell, the longest serving member of Congress in American history, is receiving hospice care. The 92-year-old Dingell was diagnosed last year with cancer and also suffered a heart attack last fall. His wife, Congresswoman

The new Michigan Department of Transportation director says at least $1.5 billion more is needed to improve the condition of state highways. That is nearly double what is now being spent and in line with figures from

It’s normally not an envelope people enjoy getting: a summons for jury duty. However, officials in Van Buren County are doing what they can to make it a little easier with a new online system. You can

Congressman Fred Upton is praising President Trump for using his State of the Union to try to reach across the aisle. “He’s recognizing for sure that we have divided government,” says the St. Joseph Republican. “And to

Baseball season will be here before you know it, and the South Bend Cubs are putting out a call for fans to submit photos and videos taken at Four Winds Field. Some will be used in promotional

The Berrien County Road Department is asking people to avoid Derfla and Linden drives off of Bacon School Road in St. Joseph due to flooding. They’ve placed signs up warning drivers of the problem with the St.