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
Video Playback Not Supported <iframe class=’wpb_videoplayer video-single-player-iframe’ allowfullscreen scrolling=’no’ width=’600′ height=’330′ frameborder=’0′ src=’https://www.wsjm.com/wp-content/plugins/wpb-video/wpb-video-embed/wpb-video-embed.php?blogid=&id=56474&flag_call=singleVideo&playerid=&player_slug=&chkFlagFrom=meta_insert_video’></iframe> Bears in the Air has taken off once again at the South Bend International Airport. On Wednesday, the airport launched its annual campaign, collecting
Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies and South Haven police have a 30-year-old Bangor man locked up on attempted murder and assault charges. Brandon McCollum is accused of shooting his 28-year-old girlfriend in the ankle and hitting her
Changes have been approved to the state’s new minimum wage law by the Michigan Senate. The Government Operations Committee voted to push back the full implementation of the $12 minimum wage to 2030 instead of 2024, and
State Representative Mary Whiteford of Casco Township has been named to the Michigan House Committee on Committees. That’s a body that decides which lawmakers get assigned to which legislative committees when the new term begins in January.
With snow now on the ground in southwest Michigan, 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
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
By Doug Cunningham One Fair Wage is urging state lawmakers to uphold Michigan’s constitution and not vote to thwart the will of hundreds of thousands of voters who signed petition to raise Michigan’s minimum wage. One Fair
