Local News Archives

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

This is the time of year when people use electric space heaters to help heat their homes. Fire officials says electric space heaters are safe, but only if you use them properly. South Haven Area Emergency Services

A plan to make improvements along the Kalamazoo River in Allegan and Kalamazoo counties could soon come to fruition. State Representative Mary Whiteford tells us she’s meeting Friday with the Outdoor Discovery Center to get information on

Legislation backed by Congressman Fred Upton is designed to protect senior citizens from being impoverished due to medical problems. He tells WSJM News the Protecting Married Seniors from Impoverishment Act would extend spousal protections for Medicaid beneficiaries

From the Associated Press — Legislation moving in Michigan’s Senate would authorize the Mackinac Bridge Authority to help implement a deal to replace twin oil pipelines in a crucial Great Lakes channel. The Republican-led Senate Government Operations Committee

George Perles has resigned as a member of Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees after nearly 12 years. In stepping down, he cites his age and the progression of his Parkinson’s disease. Perles was first elected to

A lot more people in the state are registered to be organ donors through the Michigan Secretary of State’s office. Senator John Proos applauded the announcement by Ruth Johnson’s office this week. “That registry has gone from

From the Associated Press — A judge has turned aside a legal challenge aimed at trying to keep a prison open in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. State law requires the Corrections Department to consider the economic impact on

A $150,000 donation from Lakeland Health Foundations will help to start up a new center in southwest Michigan to help those suffering from a substance abuse problem. Lakeland Vice President of Quality Kendall Troyer tells WSJM News

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

The days of paying a 10¢ deposit on all your carbonated beverage bottles and cans will be over if legislation proposed by a Detroit-area Republican gets passed in the lame duck session. Representative Joe Bellino of Monroe

The push for new rules in the U.S House continues. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the Problem Solvers group appears to be gaining momentum with so many new members having been elected this month. The Problem

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

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