Local News Archives

High Support For Asian Carp Barrier

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An overwhelming number of residents of Great Lakes state support immediate action to build structural protections to keep Asian carp out of the lakes. The survey commissioned by the Great Lakes Partnership to Block Asian Carp asked

Whitmer Brings Gubernatorial Bid To St. Joseph

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Rainy weather was no deterrent to more than 100 who turned out at Berrien County Democratic Party headquarters Sunday afternoon to hear from gubernatorial frontrunner Gretchen Whitmer. The former state Senate Minority Leader spoke to WSJM News

Secretary Of State Talking End Of Fees

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The state’s unpopular driver responsibility fees are being wiped off the books soon. Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says in a YouTube video those who have had their license suspended for not paying driver responsibility fees

Busy Deer Season Expected

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expecting the deer hunting season this year to be a strong one. DNR deer biologist Ashley Autenrieth tells WSJM News the 2018 forecast notes a robust herd this year due

Wide Range Of Life Expectancies In Berrien

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Life expectancy and health is tied directly to race and your Zip code. In Berrien County and across America racism literally kills. Dr. David Ansell, Vice President Of Community Health at Rush University Medical Center, spoke on

Treasurers Work Together To Fight Fraud

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A partnership that allows the Berrien County Treasurer’s Office help its counterparts in Van Buren County catch fraudulent homestead claims will continue for another three years. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News his office lends

State Senate Candidate Forums Coming Up

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Two candidate forums featuring the Republican and Democratic candidates for the Michigan Senate in the 21st District are set for next month. State Representative Kim LaSata has announced she’ll be at a Berrien RESA Candidate Forum on

Big Emergency Drill Coming Up

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Coming up next month will be a nationwide test of emergency alert systems, and officials in Berrien County want the public to let them know how it goes. Set for Wednesday, October 3 at 2:20 p.m., the

Voter Registration Deadline Soon

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Are you registered to vote? This past Tuesday was National Register to Vote Day and Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says “USA Today” has named Michigan number one in getting people registered to vote. “Every 18-year-old

Effort To Combat Racial Health Disparity

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In Berrien County and across America racism literally kills. Dr. David Ansell, Vice President Of Community Health at Rush University Medical Center, will speak on this shocking reality September 27th at Lake Michigan College’s Hanson Theater. “A

Traffic Changes Likely For Napier

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The public has had a chance to offer input on plans to repave part of Napier Avenue in St. Joseph and Benton townships starting next year. At a forum this week, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission talked

State Recognizes Rail Safety Week

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This past week was Rail Safety Week in Michigan when everyone was reminded to follow the rules of railroad tracks. Sam Crowl with Michigan Operation Lifesaver tells WSJM News they held events all week following a proclamation

Local Schools To Address Literacy

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Officials at Benton Harbor Area Schools are planning a new push to promote literacy. Communications Director Amy Nichols tells WSJM News “We Welcome Literacy” is a community event set for October 8 at the high school. On

Niles Community Schools Building Improvements

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A series of celebrations is underway at Niles Community Schools as the district completes several renovation projects at its buildings. Work has been done at Niles High School, Eastside Connections, Ballard Elementary School, and Niles Cedar Lane.

Lawmaker Brings Attention To Senior Program

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The Michigan House has approved a resolution from state Representative Mary Whiteford to declare September PACE Awareness Month. The Casco Township Republican tells us PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, helps keep senior Michiganders

Andrews University Names Wellness Center

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Andrews University has formally named its wellness center in honor of a former president. The university in Berrien Springs tells us it’s to be called the Andreasen Center for Wellness in recognition of Niels-Erik Andreasen, president emeritus

Work Resumes On Stalled Road Projects

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The lockout that brought road projects to a halt three weeks ago is over and heavy equipment operators were back on many jobs Friday. The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association says when Operating Engineers Local 324 agreed

Increase In Reported Sex Assaults At MSU

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From the Associated Press — Records show that Michigan State University has seen an increase in reports of sexual misconduct and officials are taking longer to investigate those reports. The Lansing State Journal reports that the university’s Office

New Bike Safety Law In Effect

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If you’re driving in Michigan, you now need to allow bicyclists some space on the roadways. That’s as a new law is now in effect. “The new law specifically requires you give bicyclists three feet of space,”

Departments Team Up For Trail Project

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The more than 10 mile trail being planned for Red Arrow Highway in Berrien County is a unique arrangement for the area. Instead of just being a Berrien County Parks Department effort, it’s a joint effort with

Hundreds Busted In Drunk Driving Crackdown

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Police say an end-of-summer crackdown on drunk driving across Michigan led to hundreds of arrests and citations. Michigan State Police announced Thursday the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown that started August 17 and ran through

Halloween Actor Coming To Scream Park

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A special celebrity guest is coming to the Niles Scream Park. The park’s Kellie Welch tells WSJM News Tony Moran, the man behind the mask in the horror classic Halloween will be at the attraction from October

Governor Signs Job Training Plan

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  A skilled trades training program hailed by state Senator John Proos will be permanent in Michigan now that the governor has signed legislation Proos co-sponsored. Proos tells WSJM News the Going Pro Talent Program awards grants