Local News Archives

Stealing groceries has ended the law enforcement career of a man once named the Berrien County “Deputy of the Year.” Lieutenant Trent Babcock was fired this week for shoplifting nearly $200 in groceries from the Niles Walmart

There’s no school in Lawrence today, but not because of the weather. It’s what has been happening inside the building, mainly the spread of a nasty virus between classmates and staff that prompted the administration to call

Senators Tonya Schuitmaker of Lawton and Rick Jones of Grand Ledge are introducing bills to require the Executive and Legislative branches of state government be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. The package goes one step farther than

With power now restored for most Michiganders from last week’s wind storms, many of those impacted are picking up the pieces. Experts say that means it’s a busy time for scammers. Lori Conarton, with the Insurance Institute

A Michigan Senate resolution seeking to establish the right to hunt and fish in the state constitution has the backing of Senator John Proos. He tells WSJM News hunting and fishing are traditions that deserve legal protection. “The

The deficit at Benton Harbor Area Schools has gone down. The district says it’s been reduced by more than 39% in the last two years. That’s a statistic cited in a resolution the board of education approved

Blues guitarist Jonny Lang will headline this year’s BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival in St. Joseph. St. Joe Today’s Brian Smith tells WSJM News Lang had to cancel last year because of a family issue, but promised

Things have been going well for the Krasl Art Center as it seeks $1.7 million as part of a place-making initiative to reopen its grounds and offer an outdoor space. Executive Director Julia Gourley tells us the

A plan from Mattawan state Representative Beth Griffin to help schools improve energy efficiency and make other building improvements has been approved by the Michigan House. Griffin tells WSJM News the plan would let schools enter into lease-purchase

Everyone’s being reminded to be extra careful behind the wheel this week because of daylight saving time. AAA’s Susan Hiltz told WKZO News the loss of an hour usually causes a jump in car crashes for about

A 19-year-old Indiana man will face trial in connection with an attack on a Michigan State Police trooper in Berrien County. A preliminary examination was held Tuesday for Travis Wise, of Middlebury. Wise and 21-year-old Michael Barber, of

County road officials may learn some new techniques to keep the roads in shape this week. Representatives from Michigan’s 83 counties will meet through Thursday for the County Road Association of Michigan’s 2017 Highway Conference in Lansing,

Sheriff’s investigators in Cass County believe drugs and alcohol factored into a late Sunday rollover in Wayne Township. 34-year-old Lucas Black of Dowagiac swerved out of the way of a passing vehicle on Ruby Road before 10

No jail time for one of the first officials sentenced in connection to the Flint water crisis. Corrine Miller ordered staff to delete emails detailing Legionella in the Flint River water. She was ordered to complete community

Retired Lakeshore football coach Denny Dock will be inducted in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on March 25th in Ann Arbor. Dock coached the Lancers from 1988-2013 also spent time as head

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s superintendent is dropping a plan to give a letter grade to every public school and instead will issue a report card showing indicators such as each school’s proficiency on the state

Miss Blossomtime 2017 is Kaylee Chapin, of Watervliet. The annual pageant was held Monday night at the Mendel Center in Benton Township. Taking the position of first runner up was Miss Bridgman McKenna Smith, followed by Miss

Wayne State University is bringing more than 1,000 middle school students and teachers to campus Tuesday for the school’s first STEM Day. Wayne State’s Julie Hasse told Michigan News Network the students will have a chance to use

The question of what to do with Second Street near Lions Park Beach in St. Joseph appears to have been settled. At a Monday meeting, city commissioners voted to preserve Second Street as a public right of

A new partnership called Trading Places will help Michigan inmates reintegrate into society. Heidi Washington, Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections, told Michigan News Network they’re working with two organizations to train prisoners. “The work that they

St. Joseph city officials say there’s good news and bad news when it comes to an effort to get a possibly-endangered section of the bluff restored. City Manager John Hodgson tells WSJM News CSX Railroad, which owns

A Niles teen is among the winners of an international art contest being run by some transportation groups. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Michael Frezell tells WSJM News International Aviation Art Contest invited kids between 6 and 17

Lovers of beer will have something special to do this weekend in Benton Township. Saturday brings the 8th annual Art of Beer Festival at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College. Center Director Mike Nadolski tells WSJM

The snow in southwest Michigan this week is pretty much over. WNDU meteorologist David Harker tells WSJM News it should taper off by late Tuesday morning. He notes our snow system is contributing to the blizzard expected in the

From the Associated Press — A car that crashed into the Kalamazoo River in Battle Creek more than a week ago has been recovered. Dive teams, police officers and firefighters searched starting March 4 after the crash was

A Little Free Library is coming to Benton Harbor this weekend as part of National Reading Month. The Berrien County Democratic Party will hold an event on Sunday at the Wide Awake United Church of Christ at

We are under a winter weather advisory until 11 tonight. The National Weather Service is predicting most areas will get two-to-three inches of snow today, with another inch tonight. Some more lake effect snow is possible tomorrow,

Increased oil production in the U.S. is helping to put pressure on gas prices. We’re starting this week with prices averaging $2.32 in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph according to Triple-A Michigan, which is a drop of

Mr. Blossomtime for this year is Hunter Ackerman of Hartford. This year’s Miss Blossomtime will be crowned tonight at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College starting at 7 p.m. If you can’t make it to LMC