Local News Archives

A lot of things have seen a spike in popularity in recent months because of COVID-19 as people are kept from doing their usual activities. For example, more people are riding bicycles than ever. Matt Penniman is

The Berrien County Youth Fair may not be happening this year, but you’ll still be able to see the grandstand shows that had been planned, only in 2021. The youth fair says after the decision to postpone

Maintenance work on some Amtrak railroad crossings will begin this week in the Galien area, meaning those crossings will be closed to traffic. The Berrien County Road Department says the Cleveland Avenue Amtrak railroad crossing in the

The Michigan Department of Transportation is inviting Paw Paw area residents to an online discussion it’s going to host about an upcoming road project. It’s reconstructing the I-94 interchange at M-40 in Paw Paw. MDOT is seeking

The Berrien County Road Department says a shipment of large components for a Cass County gas plant will come through the area on Tuesday. The equipment will take up the entirety of John Beers Road as it

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is teaming up with other United Way organizations from around the state for a campaign to tell the story about what they’ve been doing to help their communities during the COVID-19

Lakeshore Public Schools Superintendent Phil Freeman says it’s been all-clear at the district when it comes to additional COVID-19 cases among football players. One player tested positive a day or two after attending a workout on July

From the Associated Press — A northern Michigan restaurant lost thousands of dollars in sales after a busboy said he had COVID-19, but the employee simply wanted a day off and lied. David Hritco is manager of

Cornerstone Alliance continues to work with southwest Michigan businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them to apply for assistance. Cornerstone Vice President of Communications Christina Frank tells WSJM News even before the pandemic shut everything down,

From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers will return to session to pass a multibillion-dollar plan to resolve the deficit caused by the coronavirus shutdown – with a mix of spending cuts, a drawdown of the state’s

Michigan is reporting 489 additional cases of COVID-19 for Monday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had 74,152 cases of the illness since the start of the pandemic. It reported seven

President Trump made a threat on Monday to send federal law enforcement into U.S. cities, including Detroit, to deal with unrest. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel have released the following statement: In response

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is taking registrations now for its annual School Supply Spectacular in Cass County. United Way Volunteer Engagement Director Debbie Ramirez tells WSJM News they give away 1,000 backpacks loaded with school

07-20-20 WSJM Afternoon News

A Sodus Township man is dead following a crash in Weesaw Township on Sunday afternoon. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us officers were called out to Pardee Road north of West Warren Woods Road just before

The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has been awarded a $20,000 grant for bird monitoring and restoration of grassland and savanna habitat. The Cornell Labs Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative has announced the grant, which the land conservancy

From the Associated Press — Revenue from Detroit’s three casinos has plummeted nearly 60% so far this year as the gambling halls’ months-long closure in response to the coronavirus pandemic continues. The decline also is leaving the

From the Associated Press — A politically-connected conservative college in southern Michigan has defied warnings from state and public health officials by holding an in-person graduation ceremony. The Detroit News reports Hillsdale College held graduation Saturday evening.

Construction has begun on Indiana Michigan Power’s new solar facility near South Bend. I&M spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM News the St. Joseph Solar Farm will feature 57,000 solar panels on 210 acres of property next to

State Representative Pauline Wendzel has introduced legislation intended to help state state’s licensed professionals during the pandemic. Her bill would require the state to a credit or prorate a fee on the renewal of a license if

A new online portal has been launched by the Berrien County Health Department to help employers make wise decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM NJews the “Back2WorkSafe Employer and Organization Wellness Tracking Tool”

Flights are increasing at the South Bend International Airport. SBN CEO Mike Daigle told WSJM News this week July and August will see much greater capacity than the previous months as people venture out during the COVID-19

The first Adopt a Highway cleanup project of the year was slated to get started this weekend. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Dan Weingarten tells WSJM News they had one scheduled for this spring, but it had

The city of South Haven has installed some hand washing stations around the downtown area. The Downtown Development Authority and South Haven/Van Buren Convention and Visitor’s Bureau collaborated with the city on the effort. The goal is

A Chicago man is dead after his motorcycle was rear-ended by a suspected drunk driver on I-94 in Lake Township Sunday morning. Michigan State Police say the crash happened in the westbound lanes near mile marker 19

Coming soon will be a new kind of radio station in southwest Michigan. Launching on Monday is QYQ radio, at 106.1 FM. QYQ Director of Content Bill Gamble tells WSJM News it will be an alternative station,

South Haven Area Emergency Services says it believes the body of a Lansing man who disappeared in Lake Michigan off North Beach on July 12 has been found. SHAES tells us the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department

After 19 murders in Grand Rapids this year and a lot of gun violence in the past few months, community members and police are calling for a stop to it. Marian Barrera-Young is an activist with the

Beware of China. That was the message from U.S. Attorney General William Barr who spoke about the People’s Republic of China at the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids this week. “It is clear that the

Large parties and groups visiting bars have been blamed for the recent spike in coronavirus numbers in Michigan. But what about big protests we’ve seen across the state? Are they also part of the problem? Governor Gretchen