Volunteers for the Alliance for the Great Lakes will be hitting hundreds of beaches this Saturday as part of the group’s annual September Adopt a Beach cleanup. The alliance’s Jennifer Caddick tells WSJM News those volunteers make a
Information on what the public wants added to their communities has been gathered by Wightman and Associates as part of its annual PARK(ing) Day events in southwest Michigan. The engineering and architectural firm set up temporary parks
A $7.2 million expansion is being planned for the Berrien County Jail. On Thursday, the county board of commissioners approved moving forward with finalizing plans for the work. It will mean the addition of new cell areas
A Van Buren County man has been convicted of first-degree murder in the beating death of his wife. A jury found Brent Bogseth guilty on Friday. Bogseth will be sentenced November 7. 32-year-old Kimberly Bogseth’s body was
In this week’s WSJM Week in Review, for September 16, 2016, the owners of the St. Joseph Dunkin Donuts are picking up the pieces after an SUV crashed into the front of the store Wednesday, Benton Harbor
A Niles man is now charged with a pair of counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of assault and resisting police in Cass County. 44-year-old Marty Ray Gipson was arrested while wielding a
Beer taxes won’t be jumping by 200% in Michigan if state Representative Al Pscholka has anything to say about it. Republican Rep. Tom Hooker of Byron Center, near Grand Rapids, is proposing the increase and wants to
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling more than 1.9 million vehicles worldwide because their air bags might not deploy in a crash. The recall affects certain Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Lancia vehicles from the 2010-2014 model years. Most
The murder trial of a Van Buren County man is now in the hands of the jury. The prosecutor’s office claims that Brent Bogseth was angry over his wife’s affair with a neighbor, crushed her skull with
A man who made threats while wielding a machete is in custody in Cass County, thanks to quick action by sheriff’s deputies armed with rubber bullets. The department says deputies were called to a home on Little
A cleanup event planned for this Saturday at Benton Harbor’s Jean Klock Park has been rescheduled. Friends of Jean Klock Park says due to expected rain, they’ve bumped the volunteer event back to Sunday. It was supposed
Legislation designed to improve phone service in rural areas is making its way through Congress. The House Energy and Commerce Committee held discussions this week on the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2015. Congressman
Friday is the big day for fans of the St. Joe Bears and Lakeshore Lancers. The two football teams square off at Lakeshore’s Al Stockman Stadium for their annual rivalry game. Lakeshore Head Coach Brian Keim tells
Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad has met with Governor Rick Snyder to discuss the future of the city and its relationship with the state. The meeting on Tuesday took place at the Romney Building in Lansing, and
The Michigan Board of Education has issued new guidelines to districts on how to treat LGBT students. The guidelines are voluntary, but have spurred criticism from conservative lawmakers, especially over restroom and bathroom policies for transgender students.
Nine cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed in west Michigan, specifically in Ottawa County. Kristina Wieghmink, with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, says they’re all travel-related cases in people ranging in age from
Governor Rick Snyder has ordered that flags be lowered Friday in the state Capitol complex and within the northern Michigan legislative district of a lawmaker who was killed in a traffic accident. Flags will be lowered to half-staff
A 2-year-old boy is being treated at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo after he was struck by a car in Sodus Township Thursday. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells our newsroom deputies were called to Meadow Springs Trailer
A suspected drunk driver has turned out to be the cause of a power outage that affected parts of Lincoln and St. Joseph Townships overnight Thursday. The Lincoln Township Police Department says 72-year-old Thomas Zabadal, of St.
Michigan’s jobless rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent in August from July, remaining at its lowest level in 15 years. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says that total employment recorded a reduction of 7,000 in
The for-profit college ITT Technical Institute says in a federal filing that it will stop operating Friday. Carmel, Indiana-based ITT Educational Services Inc. said in a Wednesday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it would stop
At least one Michigan lawmaker wants to raise the state’s beer tax by 244%, and the organization that represents wine and beer sellers is crying foul. State Representative Tom Hooker, of Byron Center, introduced the plan on
A plan from state Representative Dave Pagel to help people in rural and urban areas get access to fresh fruits and veggies is getting high marks from the American Heart Association. The legislation had a hearing in
The city of Flint is again making national headlines this week as Donald Trump has paid it a visit. On Wednesday, Trump toured the city’s water plant, and spoke at an historically black church. He said Flint
A suspect has been arrested in a string of burglaries in Dowagiac. The police department tells our newsroom the home break-ins happened between between last Wednesday and Monday of this week. Homes on Orchard Street, Oak Street,
Lake Michigan College’s wine and viticulture program has gotten a big boost from the state. A $1 million grant from the Michigan Talent and Economic Development Agency announced on Wednesday will enable it to open a new
50 graves markers honoring veterans have been damaged by vandals at a cemetery in Bangor. Police Chief Tommy Simpson tells WSJM News the graves of veterans at Arlington Hill Cemetery are given special markers with American flags on
The Michigan House has approved a plan to offer health benefits to the families of fallen first responders. State Representative Al Pscholka tells our newsroom it’s the right thing to do. “This is a common sense approach
Michigan’s education board has approved guidance to schools on creating an inclusive environment for LGBT students. The guidelines are voluntary but have spurred criticism from conservative lawmakers, particularly over restroom and bathroom policies for transgender students. The Democratic-controlled
The Michigan House gave final approval to bills Wednesday that would further regulate medical marijuana nearly eight years after its use was first authorized by voters. The main legislation, which passed 83-22, would impose a new tax and
