Local News Archives

Legislature Guts Minimum Wage, Sick Time Laws

From the Associated Press — The Republican-led Michigan Legislature has passed bills that would delay a minimum wage hike and scale back paid sick leave requirements. It is an unprecedented lame-duck strategy that was endorsed legally by

MDOT Seeking Road Watchers

The Michigan Department of Transportation is looking for some help keeping an eye on the roads this winter. The agency says it’s seeking Road Watchers to report on conditions around west Michigan highways. Volunteers will be polled

State Urges Flu Shots

The flu season is underway with confirmed cases throughout the state. As part of National Influenza Vaccination Week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents to get a flu shot. Last year only

Gas Prices Moving Up

Gas prices in the state stand at an average of $2.27 a gallon according to GasBuddy, with Triple-A Michigan noting it’s the lowest they’ve been for nearly a year and a half. However, those prices are on

City Manager Signs New Contract

Benton Harbor City Manager Darwin Watson has a new contract in place. At this week’s Benton Harbor City Commission meeting, Mayor Marcus Muhammad said Watson signed the new employment agreement on November 28. That’s after city commissioners

Cass County Shop With A Cop Held

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has wrapped up another Shop with a Cop event, taking ten kids from Marcellus Elementary School on a free shopping trip to Meijer for the holidays. The eighth trip also featured gifts

Commission Asked To Support Ox Creek Clean-Up

Berrien County Drain Commissioner Christopher Quattrin is asking Benton Harbor City Commissioners to lend their support to a clean-up project for the Ox Creek drain system. At Monday’s commission meeting, the body was told easements would need

Cass County Woman Wins Big In Lotto

A Cass County woman has won $300,000 in a Michigan Lottery game. The Lotto tells us the player, who has chosen to remain anonymous, struck gold with a 25th Anniversary Wild Time instant game ticket. The 53-year-old

State Warns About Tax Scam

There’s a new scam that targets those who may owe overdue taxes, and the Michigan Department of Treasury is putting out a warning. Spokesperson Ron Leix tells WSJM News the scammer will send a letter through the

State Police Talk Human Trafficking Rescue

Michigan State Police say their efforts to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking in southwest Michigan are ongoing after five victims were recovered over the weekend. Detective-Lieutenant Shane Criger tells WSJM News the five victims police

State Surplus Store To Open

From the Associated Press — The state’s Surplus Store in Lansing is opening for one day for walk-ins interested in computers, phones, cameras, jewelry and other items. Those items and other property like sporting goods, musical equipment and

Human Trafficking Victims Recovered In SWMI

Five human trafficking victims have been identified and rescued by Michigan State Police and the Kalamazoo Area Human Trafficking Task Force. MSP says 20 people were targeted as potential victims during the weekend initiative in southwest Michigan.

LaSata Receives Committee Assignment

State Senator-elect Kim LaSata has been named to the Senate Committee on Committees for the 2019-2020 legislative term. LaSata is one of three freshman senators to be picked for the five-person panel, and this is her first

Bad Year For Blueberries In SWM

The blueberry crop in southwest Michigan has been weak this year. Michigan State University Extension fruit educator Mark Longstroth tells WSJM News growers are hurting. “We had a really disappointing year in blueberries,” Longstroth said. “We think

Teens Hurt In St. Joseph Crash

Two 16-year-olds from Berrien County are recovering after being hurt in a crash in the city of St. Joseph Saturday night. The driver hit a tree on Botham Avenue east of Thayer near First Church of God,

Officials Issue Snow Removal Reminder

With the winter now here, the Berrien County Road Department is reminding everyone of rules they have to follow when it comes to shoveling. The department tells us every year it gets calls about people and snow