Local News Archives

Berrien County’s newest park should be open to the public by the end of the summer. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey gave an update to county commissioners this week on Paw Paw River County Park located

Anyone with opinions on what should be done to improve Napier Avenue between the St. Joseph River and I-94 is welcome to attend an open house on the subject next week. Southwest Michigan Planning Commission Associate Planner

From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and lawmakers will have hundreds of millions of dollars more to budget than they expected at the turn of the year. His administration and legislative on Wednesday agreed to

A forum will be held in South Haven next month for everyone to learn a little more about marijuana. Marc Sprague is one of the organizers and tells WSJM News the event is a function of Concerned

With more than 50 fire deaths in Michigan so far this year, State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer has announced a statewide community risk reduction initiative. He spoke with Michigan News Network about who is the most at

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s House has passed legislation that lets parents leave their newborns in secured boxes at hospitals, fire departments and police stations in addition to personally surrendering them to emergency services personnel and

The city of St. Joseph’s public art display will be unveiled this Friday. This year’s display, “The Magical Kingdom of St. Joseph,” is set to feature 15 sculptures of knights, dragons, and horses located downtown. The display

A series of meetings will take place in Van Buren County over the next few months for residents to learn more about a road millage proposal voters will consider in August. The Van Buren County Road Commission

Congressman Fred Upton is pushing for a site in Michigan to be selected by the U.S. Department of Defense for a missile defense facility. Upton tells WSJM News the Pentagon has been studying possible places for a

The state of Michigan will unload unclaimed property with a couple of auctions this weekend. The Michigan Department of Treasury tells us its annual unclaimed property auction will be held in Lansing on Friday and Saturday. The

The owners of an apartment complex in Buchanan have received a check for more than $243,000 from Indiana Michigan Power for making improvements to their facility to save energy. Jason Muniz with Hollander Development Corporation tells WSJM

A special guest will be coming to St. Joseph next week to help raise money for 79th District Michigan House candidate Troy Rolling. Rolling Campaign Manager Al Baker tells WSJM News Dr. Alveda King will speak on

The St. Joseph Kiwanis Club has started a new effort to help improve parks in the community. St. Joseph Kiwanis Community Parks Foundation Chair Chris Wagner tells WSJM News the group will raise money for all of

In a sign of the summer, the safety flags are now flying at beaches in South Haven. South Haven Area Emergency Services tells us it monitors lake conditions as reported by the National Weather Service. Beach warning

From the Associated Press — State officials are asking Michigan residents to help find the next Christmas tree that will stand outside the Capitol building in Lansing. Department of Technology, Management and Budget Director Dave DeVries says the

Set for this Memorial Day in South Haven will be a roll call of all the American soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Vietnam-era veteran Major Craig Massey of the U.S. Army will spend

Congressman Fred Upton is among the lawmakers who have signed a discharge petition on immigration reform. Upton tells WSJM News a discharge petition is a little-used tactic for frustrated members of the House to force a vote

18 people have been sentenced in a bank fraud case out of west Michigan. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Grand Rapids tells us the fraud ring targeted Bank of America, and allowed the defendants to obtain more

Coming to Hartford High School on Wednesday will be Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. He’s going to chat with students enrolled in the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program. Youth Solutions Director Kristin Harrington tells WSJM News the

A household chemical recycling event is slated for this weekend in Berrien County. The Berrien County Parks Department tells us it will collect chemicals, home medical waste, electronics, and personal documents on Saturday at the Southeast Berrien

A candlelight vigil will be held this week in St. Joseph to remember the victims of unsolved murders in Benton Harbor. Lisa Gorman with Freedom Life Church in Benton Harbor tells WSJM News she’s worked with many

St. Joseph City Commissioners are making their commitment to sustainability official. At this week’s meeting, the commission approved a resolution to pursue bronze certification from Michigan Green Communities. Commissioner Peggy Getty tells WSJM News she and Commissioner

Governor Rick Snyder’s strategy to fill more than 800,000 job openings was discussed Monday  in Jackson. Local business leaders and educators came together to give input on the proposed “Marshall Plan for Talent,” as Snyder has called

From the Associated Press — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is appealing a court ruling that blocked state reimbursements to private schools for the cost of inspections and other state requirements. The appeal was filed Monday on behalf

The water level at the Berrien Springs Hydroelectric Dam will be coming down later this month for maintenance. Indiana Michigan Power plans to draw down the level of the water by three-and-a-half feet at a rate of

American Craft Beer Week is underway, celebrating small businesses make beer. Craftbeer.com Editor-In-Chief Jess Baker tells us people are fans of craft beers because they have flavor and are always different. She says it’s also about community.

A ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down a federal law that bars gambling on sports gives states like Michigan the chance to legalize sports betting. State Senator Rick Jones is not a fan. He spoke

If you’re a fan of mermaids, then you’ll want to be in South Haven this Memorial Day weekend. Set for May 25 through May 28 is the first ever Mermaid MegaFest. Organizer Brad Carrier tells WSJM News

The millage rate is locked in. At a Monday meeting, St. Joseph City Commissioners gave their final reading to some millage increases they discussed last week. The street millage is going up by 2.55 mills, or about

Residents in northern Michigan and the U-P should be careful with fire this week as dry, windy conditions are expected to heighten the risk of wildfires. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fire Prevention Specialist Paul Rogers spoke