Local News Archives

A former Berrien County employee charged with embezzlement from the county is now facing charges of criminal sexual conduct involving a minor and producing child pornography, according to the Berrien County Prosecutor’s office. 60-year-old Joel Johnson was

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is hearing more about a plan for a new county juvenile center. In June, commissioners were told the lifespan of the current building in Berrien Center is almost up. During a

Lake Michigan College is hailing state approval of a new program that it says will increase the number of nurses with bachelor’s degrees at Michigan hospitals. LMC Marketing Director Jennifer Shoemaker tells WSJM News the Legislature and

Indiana Michigan Power has announced a new $19 million project to improve the electric transmission system in the Niles area. Spokesperson Schnee Doyle tells WSJM News the Four Flag Transmission Line Project will start next fall and

Next Tuesday is the primary election in Michigan, and groups such as the Voting Access for All Coalition are encouraging people to make a plan to vote. Michigan has many options for how to vote: You can

In the latest 2022 Kids Count in Michigan Data Profile, there’s been improvement in 10 of 14 key areas in the last decade. They include declines in rates of child poverty, and births to teens and children

The search for Logan Sweet of Hamilton has ended. The missing man’s body was found by a volunteer around 3:20 p.m. Wednesday near 134th Avenue and 32nd Street in Monterey Township in Allegan County. Sweet had been

Whirlpool Corporation has been named to Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Employers for Women 2022. The list by the magazine ranks 400 American companies due to their dedication to their female workforce and diverse representation. Whirlpool says

Programs developed by a local organization to manage the COVID-19 pandemic are being taken nationwide. The Region IV Area Agency on Aging (RIVAAA) has been recognized by USAging for two programs it developed and launched during the

The U.S. Senate has given final approval to the Creating Helpful Incentives for the Production of Semiconductors for America, or CHIPS, Act. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the bill would fund $52 billion in incentives to

A couple of classic welcome signs have been restored and installed along US-12 at the east and west entrances to the village of Three Oaks. The village council’s Joe Hinman tells WSJM News the roughly ten-foot signs

Township officials around Berrien County are waiting on the results of a broadband availability survey being undertaken by the county government. DCS Technologies is mapping the county, address by address, to determine where there is broadband and

The biggest construction project Dowagiac has seen in recent memory has been approved. Dowagiac City Council on Monday conditionally awarded contracts worth about $8 million for three companies to complete to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, manholes

Sales in June dropped some for Michigan retailers by about five percentage points from May. However, Michigan Retailers Association spokesperson Andrea Bitely told Michigan Ness Network retailers are have a good outlook for the next three months

Buchanan city officials are looking to revitalize an industrial area at its southern border after closing on the purchase of the former Baroda Tire property, 708 S. Redbud Trail, on Monday. As part of the revitalization, officials

Voters head to the polls next Tuesday to decide primaries across Michigan, and here in southwest Michigan, there will be several. Thanks to redistricting, the region’s districts have been drastically altered, meaning you are likely in a

Progress is being made on fixing the roof of the Van Buren County Historical Museum in Hartford after a storm tore the roof off the front of the building on June 13. A tarp is over the

A four-year-old Allegan County boy kidnapped by his non-custodial parents has been found safe. The sheriff’s office says Gordon Greene the Third was taken by Gordon Green Jr. and his mother, Angela Etts, during a supervised visit

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says 19,653 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week. That is an average of approximately 2,808 new cases daily. There were 137 deaths from the virus for

As the calendar nears August, it can only mean one thing for downtown St. Joseph – artists from near and far are getting ready to turn the street into their own personal canvas. Chalk the Block returns

Van Buren County Veterans Services will issue its first two emotional support animals to local veterans under a new program this week. Director David Krzycki tells WSJM News he had the idea of offering the animals to

Roen Salvage Company got to work on dredging the inner harbor in St. Joseph on Tuesday. Dredging is done in the harbor every year to remove excess sediment from the river to ensure a clear pathway for

Voters will head to the polls next Tuesday to cast their ballots in primaries and to decide on proposals. Starting with the primaries for Michigan House in southwest Michigan, there are now several districts to consider. The

The Van Buren Conservation District will hold Healthy Water Week next week. The district’s Kyle Mead tells WSJM News county residents can stop by the office in Paw Paw all week to have water from their home

An active shooter in Cass County has been taken into custody after opening fire on nearby vehicles and objects across Calvin Township and Penn Township. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke Reports that a 46-year-old Calvin Township man

The House select committee investigating the events of January 6, 2021 has wrapped up its first round of hearings with more likely in September. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News he didn’t vote for the creation of

If you’re an animal lover, Berrien County Animal Control could use your help. Interim shelter manager Ashley Herr tells WSJM News they’re in dire need of volunteers to care for the dogs and cats. Right now, they’ve