Local News Archives

The city of Dowagiac has taken a step to ensure reliable electric service to residents. The city runs its own utilities, and so is responsible for keeping the lights on in town and this week, the city

Michigan State Police are investigating a crash on eastbound I-94 Wednesday afternoon that closed the highway for a few hours. They say a Berrien County Sheriff’s Department patrol car was hit from behind by a pickup on

Michigan lawmakers have given final approval to legislation that would soften “zero-tolerance” expulsion and suspension requirements by inserting what backers say is some common sense into the process. Bills approved overwhelmingly by the House Wednesday would require school

Michigan communities, college campuses and utilities can seek a state designation honoring their commitment to high-quality tree care. Applications for certification as a Tree City, Tree Campus or Tree Line USA must be submitted to the Department

Vintage snowmobiles will be allowed to cross the Mackinac Bridge during a special event. The Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway and the St. Ignace Visitor’s Bureau are teaming up to host the ride Saturday. MLive.com reports only

Lake Michigan College has released the names of its four finalists for president. The LMC Board of Trustees plans to bring in the four for in-person interviews next month. In no order, the first candidate is Dr.

Entergy is hoping to show southwest Michigan it still cares about the community, even though the Palisades plant is shutting down. The company had volunteers on site this week for the ribbon cutting on a Habitat for

Michigan Democrats are expressing their reservations about Exon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson becoming the next secretary of state. Flint Democratic Congressman Dan Kildee tells us Tillerson has questionable ties to Russia. Kildee also worries about Trump’s EPA

The Benton Harbor Board of Education has picked Marletta Seats to fill a vacant trustee position. Seats, who is a Berrien County Commissioner, was voted in Tuesday night, three to two. She told us she wants to help

Police could use your help in finding the Grinch who stole a Toys for Tots donation jar from a gas station in Dowagiac. The department of public safety tells our newsroom it happened at the Shell Mart

The average American will spend $936 on holiday gifts this year. That the second highest amount on record, according to the National Retail Federation. Kathryn Greiner, with University of Michigan Credit Union, tells us the pressure to provide

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund will be awarding money to four recreation projects in Berrien County next year. State Senator John Proos tells WSJM News the biggest one is the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail along the

The 21st Century Cures Act is now signed into law. After more than two years of work, Congressman Fred Upton stood by Tuesday to watch President Obama give the package final approval. Obama praised Congress for pulling

Light snow this morning will lead to colder air moving in over the next couple days. WNUD Meteorologist David Harker says a large mass of arctic air will be coming our way. “We’re looking at overnight lows

Pharmacists across Michigan could dispense, without a prescription, a drug that reverses the effects of an overdose under legislation going to Governor Rick Snyder. The state House unanimously approved the bill Tuesday. The sponsor, Republican Representative Anthony Forlini of

A Benton Harbor man has pleaded guilty for the death of an eight-month-old boy. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells us Brandon Beshires pleaded guilty Monday to first degree premeditated murder in the death of Carter Donovan

Now that snow is piling up around southwest Michigan, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t create a carbon monoxide risk in your home. Lisa Prunty, with Michigan Gas Utilities, tells WSJM News you should check your heating,

With Congress poised to repeal the Affordable Care Act, about 887,000 people in Michigan stand to lose their health insurance. That’s according to a report from the Urban Institute. Joan Alker, with the Georgetown University Center for

A new feature is coming to Lions Park Beach next year. To celebrate the 100th birthday of the Lions Club International, the local chapter is installing a five foot statue of a lion there. The Lions Club’s

Thanks to GPS and other technology, the Michigan Department of Transportation is able to better coordinate and supply its snow plows this winter. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tell us they put automatic vehicle location devices in all the

Cornerstone Alliance has completed its five year plan for the economic development of Berrien County. President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News it comes after six months of working with businesses and communities to find out what Cornerstone

Southwest Michigan’s newest elected officials are being sworn in over the next week. A ceremony is planned for this Thursday at the Berrien County Courthouse to swear in state Representative-election Kim LaSata. Her husband, Judge Charles LaSata,

If you’re looking for some good gifts for friends or loved ones this month, maybe you should consider the gift of preparedness. That’s a suggestion from the Michigan State Police Emergency Management division. 2nd Lieutenant Gabriel Covey

Cyber retailers have started out the week with some big gains. Monday is Green Monday, a term coined by EBay in 2007 to describe its best sales day in December, traditionally the second Monday of the month. About

A crash on Sunday has resulted in the closure of one lane of the westbound in I-94 bridge over Red Arrow Highway in Stevensville. Michigan State Police say a car and a semi crashed into each other,

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can offer information leading to the arrest of the suspect who shot and killed a Benton Harbor man over the weekend. Police

Police say a man whose body was found in the snow in Benton Harbor over the weekend had been shot several times. According to the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, the victim is 28-year-old Joshua Deairest

Colder air will be moving in, on the heals of the area’s latest heavy snow. WNDU Meteorologist David Harker says we’ll see a steady decline in temperatures the rest of the week. “We’re talking as low as

A 24-year employee of the South Haven Police Department is now the new Chief of Police. Natalie Thompson was selected from a field of thirty-three other candidates who applied for the Police Chief position. The recommendation comes

Avoiding alcohol and distractions behind the wheel aren’t the only things you should be doing to help keep the roads safe. AAA has released a new report finding drowsy driving is a huge threat to driver safety,