A new work of public art is going to be celebrated this weekend in Dowagiac. The city will dedicate a 67 foot mural along Pennsylvania Avenue that remembers the Orphan Train. The Orphan Train was a network
Sensational Spas suffered some damage in a Thursday night fire. It was reported shortly before 8 p.m. and at least three fire departments, including Lincoln Township, Baroda, and Royalton Township, responded. The building suffered smoke damage. No
A property tax loophole that allowed second homeowners in Michigan to get a reduced rate by claiming their second property is a homestead will now be closed. Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill Wednesday from state Representatives
Kinexus is now among the groups on record hoping to see an end to Michigan’s Driver Responsibility fees. Testifying in the state House Wednesday about a bill that would do away with them was Kinexus Senior Director
From the Associated Press — Michigan municipalities would be prohibited from levying local taxes on food and beverages under a bill advancing to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk for his expected signature. No local government in Michigan is now
A group of volunteers will spend this weekend sprucing a St. Joseph baseball field, and they could use your help. Lars Petzke with the St. Joseph Baseball Association tells WSJM News they’ll be fixing up Wells Field
From the Associated Press — Two Michigan counties say they are suing about a dozen drug manufacturers and distributors for deceptive marketing and sale of opioids. The joint lawsuit was announced Thursday by Wayne County Executive Warren Evans
The heatwave we had in the area recently was great for juice and wine grapes in southwest Michigan. Couple that with mostly favorable weather all summer, and St. Julian Winery vice president and winemaker Nancy Oxley says
The murder trial for Kalamazoo massacre suspect Jason Dalton appears to about to be delayed again. His defense attorney is appealing an appeals court ruling about the admissibility of statements Dalton made to police to the Michigan
A vacancy on the St. Joseph City Commission will remain just that until after the elections next month. City commissioners this week said a post left empty with the resignation of former member Chris Heugel should be
From the Associated Press — Prosecutors say a girl charged after a social media prank led an 11-year-old Michigan boy to take his own life has been placed in a juvenile court program. Marquette County Prosecutor Matt Wiese
This Saturday will bring another Bissell Pet Foundation Empty the Shelter event. That’s when the Grand Rapids-based Bissell will pay the adoption fees for animals at shelters all over the state. Taking part is the Cass County
Coloma Community Schools Superintendent Pete Bush says this week’s lockdown situation caused by the reported sighting of a student with a gun was handled according to state protocols. He tells WSJM News as soon as a teacher
Happening this Thursday through Saturday is an event organized by COSY radio, or SuperHits 103.7, to collect supplies for those in need around southwest Michigan. COSY’s Paul Layendecker tells WSJM News it’s Project Personal Care. COSY personalities
Testimony was taken in Lansing Wednesday about bills to eliminate some driver responsibility fees in Michigan. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson told the joint Competitiveness Committee she supports eliminating the fees, which have been in effect since
Congressman Fred Upton is urging legislative leaders to do more to fight the nation’s opioid epidemic. He testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday as it held a proceeding for members to talk about
St. Joseph Public Safety Director Brian Uridge is pleased with how his department’s summer safety strategy worked. Now, he wants to improve it for next year. At Monday’s city commission meeting, Uridge said the plan for this
From the Associated Press — Reaction has been running negative in public hearings toward Indiana Michigan Power’s request for a nearly 20 percent rate hike to improve its electric distribution system in Indiana. People living in the Fort
With Berrien County experiencing an increase in opioid deaths in recent years, the health department is hoping more people will learn how to administer Naloxone, a drug that revives overdose victims. Berrien County Health Department Prevention Specialist
A Grand Junction man who allegedly held police at bay for 15 hours at his barricaded home in June 2016 is on trial in Van Buren County. Jason Kohlhoff is charged with six counts of attempted murder.
Anyone interested in what it’s like to be a Michigan State Police trooper will have a chance to learn with a citizens academy set for the next few months. MSP Trooper Jesse Binns with the Niles post
The investigation continues into the Coloma Junior High School student who was possibly seen with a gun this week while at school. Coloma Township Police Chief Jason Roe tells WSJM News there were enough credible reports from
A ban on bump stocks could soon be in the works. Congressman Fred Upton told Michigan’s Big Show this week most members of Congress didn’t even know what bump stocks were before the Las Vegas massacre shooter
He’s been the state consent agreement consultant for Benton Harbor Area Schools since February of 2016, and now, he’s retiring. Don Weatherspoon, who is also the state’s consent agreement consultant with Pontiac Schools, steps down at the
Berrien RESA and the Cook nuclear power plant near Bridgman are teaming up next week to teach local kids about nuclear power. The plant’s Irene Weaver tells WSJM News they’re holding an art contest, asking kids to
Set for Saturday in Bridgman is the 8th annual Weko Beach Brewers Festival. Calli Berg with the Greater Bridgman Chamber of Commerce tells WSJM News the event celebrates one of southwest Michigan’s fastest growing art forms and
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is looking for an 18-year-old woman in connection with a Friday morning home invasion and assault in Lawrence Township. It tells us 18-year-old Brittany Baham is known to have contacts in
From the Associated Press — Coaches and others involved in youth sports would have to complete concussion awareness training at least once every three years under legislation headed to Governor Rick Snyder for his signature. The bill cleared
A Holland man suspected of killing his girlfriend yesterday is in custody this morning and is expected to be charged with open murder later today. The report of the killer at large triggered a shelter in place
A special prosecutor says he’ll add a charge of involuntary manslaughter against Michigan’s chief medical executive in a criminal investigation of the Flint water crisis. Dr. Eden Wells was in court Monday for a key hearing on
