Local News Archives

Even without much rain in northern Michigan lately, the CEO of one vineyard says they’re doing just fine so far. Maria Dalese is the CEO of Chateau Chantal on Old Mission Peninsula and told Michigan News Network

The future of the Line 5 oil pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac will be the topic of two hearings in Traverse City, one Saturday, and the other on Monday. Liz Kirkwood, executive director of the group

A bill from state Senator John Proos that has sparked opposition from the Berrien County Board of Commissioners is also being opposed by the Berrien County Democratic Party. At this week’s board of commissioners meeting, Democratic Party

From the Associated Press — A Republican who had been seeking his party’s nomination for Michigan secretary of state has withdrawn from the race.The Detroit News reports that Shelby Township Clerk Stanley Grot cited family obligations Friday when

From the Associated Press — Officials are expanding an investigation into toxic chemicals in drinking water from private wells in part of southwestern Michigan. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality tested 25 residential wells for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl

Self-defense is being claimed by the suspect in a Gobles shooting death in June. At the preliminary hearing for Troy Taylor on Thursday in Van Buren County, his 14-year-old daughter testified her father had come to the

In case you’re wondering if Wallace Avenue in St. Joseph will be back open in time for next Friday’s season opening football game at St. Joseph High School, part of it will be. St. Joe City Engineer

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is going to work with New Buffalo Area Schools on security. At this week’s meeting, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved an arrangement that will have a sheriff’s deputy stationed at

From the Associated Press — Authorities have positively identified a couple whose remains were recovered from the wreckage of a small plane that crashed more than 20 years ago in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Mackinac County Sheriff Scott

A work requirement for able-bodied adults with no dependents who are receiving food assistance will go into effect across Michigan in October. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News those affected

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is appealing a decision that allowed Ibrahim Parlak to stay in the United States. Last month, an immigration judge approved Parlak’s application for deferral of deportation under the Convention Against Torture.

The upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend will have a lot of us on the road for a final summer trip. As has been the case for years, extra police patrols will also be out there. Berrien County

No direct answer from Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Schuette to a question on the future of Governor Snyder’s Healthy Michigan program if he’s elected. The Medicaid expansion provides health insurance for 680,000 people in the state. At

How many prisons does the state need? The Michigan Department of Corrections and state lawmakers say not as many as we currently have, and the announcement was made this week that the Ojibway Correctional Facility in the

An Allegan man is headed to federal prison for a little more than 20 years for sexually exploiting children. 27-year-old James Pyle was sentenced in federal court in Grand Rapids for the crimes. On Facebook in 2014,

A billboard urging Paw Paw Public Schools to change the school nickname from “Redskins” is now up on I-94. The sign was paid for by the Michigan Coalition Against Racism in Sports & Media, of which Benjamin

The music world has lost an icon. The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has died at her home in Detroit at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer. Franklin has been in hospice care for much of

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is pushing for an increased vaccination rate in the state. Spokesperson Angela Minicuci tells WSJM News this is the time of year to do that. “As we approach the

Congressman Fred Upton has announced a $180,000 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant for the Allegan Conservation District. It’s specifically for the Allegan Conservation District Project, intended to encourage the implementation of best management practices to reduce sediment

Some southwest Michigan wineries have come out on top in a statewide contest. Held in Lansing on August 9 was the 2018 Michigan Wine Competition. Kathy Sturm with the Lake Michigan Wine Trail tells WSJM News out

The Allegan Area Educational Service Agency is being sued by the U.S. Justice Department for failing to protect two female teachers who were subjected to sexual harassment by a supervisor. The department says the suit, filed Wednesday

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s unemployment rate fell by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.3 percent in July. Figures released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget show Michigan’s jobless rate was

If you’re a resident of Bangor or thinking of moving to Bangor, you’re invited to the End of Summer Bash and Fire Prevention Fun Day on Wednesday, starting at five at the Bangor High School and Middle

Court proceedings in a Dowagiac murder trial are being pushed back to next month. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz says the preliminary exam for Rolandis Russell has been rescheduled from tomorrow until September 10. Russell is facing

One ticket is complete in the governor’s race, as Republican Bill Schuette has named Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons as his running mate. He said several factors went into the choice. “One

The state of Michigan will begin collecting sales taxes on online purchases from out of state sellers next month. The Michigan Department of Treasury tells us a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has prompted it to change

Now in full swing in Berrien Springs is the 2018 Berrien County Youth Fair. The rides opened up Monday evening, just in time for Kids Day on Tuesday. That’s when the kids through high school age got

The Ojibway Correctional Facility in the western Upper Peninsula will close in December. The Michigan Department of Corrections announced the closure today as the prisoner population continues to decline statewide. State Representative Scott Dianda, who represents the

It was last year when the Equifax data breach affected almost 147 million people, but most people did not take action to protect themselves even with the risk of identity theft. Floria Schaub, researcher at the University