Local News Archives

Deadline Approaching For Grant Program

The deadline to apply for a Frederick S. Upton Foundation grant through the Berrien Community Foundation is quickly approaching. The foundation tells us the date is March 15 for those wishing to receive a grant in during

Superintendent Placed On Leave

Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Shelly Walker has been placed on non-disciplinary paid administrative leave pending an investigation by a law firm. At a Tuesday work session, the board of education voted unanimously to put Walker on

City Manager Contract To Be Reviewed

The contract of Benton Harbor City Manager Darwin Watson will be the topic of discussion when city commissioners hold a special meeting on Wednesday. Watson received his performance evaluation at Monday’s commission meeting, but it was done

GM Posts Operating Profit

General Motors has posted an operating profit of $12.8 billion for 2017. CEO Mary Barra told Michigan News Network she expects a good year ahead with new crossover vehicles now on the market, and new pickup trucks

MSU Announces Interim Athletic Director

From the Associated Press — Michigan State has hired Bill Beekman to be the school’s interim athletic director. Interim school president John Engler made the appointment Monday. Beekman will keep his role as vice president of the school and

State To Remove 90 Year Old Dam

From the Associated Press — Officials are preparing to remove a 90-year-old dam in southwest Michigan to help restore habitat for native fish. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and other organizations will

Illness Closes SWM School District

The rash of schools being closed due to illnesses has come to southwest Michigan. Eau Claire Public Schools says in a Facebook post its buildings will be closed through Thursday with many students missing class. During the

Man Charged In SWM Fire, Murder

A South Bend man is facing a murder charge in the death of a Decatur woman. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us the body of 31-year-old Jessica Lynn True was found in a Decatur home

Police Investigate Supermarket Break-In

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a break-in at Roger’s Foodland last month. It tells us around 1 a.m. on January 11, four men entered the Royalton Township business by prying their way through the front

Michigan Increases Solid Waste Intake

Last year, the state of Michigan increased its intake of solid waste, or trash, by 3.1% over 2016. That’s a somewhat projected figure, according to Tiffany Brown with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. She spoke with

What’s Next For Al Pscholka?

Michigan Budget Director Al Pscholka is not going to get into the race for the 21st District state Senate seat currently held by John Proos. “The bottom line was really quality of life for me and my

DNR Stocks 830,000 Fish

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources stocked the state’s inland lakes with more than 830,000 fish in the fall of 2017. The numbers were released on Monday, and DNR Fish Production Manager Ed Eisch tells WSJM News

Proos Welcomes News Of Prison Closure

State Senator John Proos says the planned closure of a state prison this spring in Muskegon is a sign that efforts to reduce crime and prevent repeat offenses among inmates are working. He tells WSJM News the

Upton Talks Legislation To Protect Athletes

Congressman Fred Upton is hailing this week’s House passage of legislation designed to protect athletes from sexual predators. He tells us the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 passed 406