Local News Archives

MDOT Five Year Plan

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The Michigan Department of Transportation has released its next five-year plan and is taking the public’s comments. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the biggest projects tend to be in the large metro areas, although there

Upton On Parlak Victory

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Congressman Fred Upton expects Ibrahim Parlak may seek U.S. citizenship now that a federal immigration judge has allowed him to avoid deportation. The judge last week approved Parlak’s application for deferral of removal under the Convention Against

Proos Endorses LaSata

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State Representative Kim LaSata has received the endorsement of the man she is running to replace in the Michigan Senate’s 21st District. State Senator John Proos tells WSJM News he’s backing LaSata because he believes her priorities

Boy Injured In Fireworks Accident

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A 12-year-old boy has lost part of his hand and suffered injuries to his face due to a fireworks accident over the weekend in Berrien Township. Michigan State Police tell us the incident happened shortly after 10

Commission: Investigate LGBT Complaints Despite AG

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From the Associated Press — The Michigan Civil Rights Commission has directed an agency to continue investigating complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity despite the state attorney general having declared its interpretation of

Pfizer Planning MI Expansion

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From the Associated Press — Pfizer Inc. has been awarded $11.5 million in state incentives to build a new manufacturing facility in Michigan and add 450 jobs. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved the deal Tuesday. State officials

Casco Twp Considering Rental Rules

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The city of South Haven isn’t the only municipality having to deal with the short-term rental issue. Casco Township has seen a rising number of homes being acquired by investors to rent out as short-term vacation homes.

Michigan’s Credit Rating Goes Up

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Standard and Poor’s has increased Michigan’s credit rating. Michigan Department of Treasury spokesperson Ron Leix tells WSJM News this is the first credit rating increase for the state in the past ten years. S&P has moved Michigan

Buchanan Dog Park Opens

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The city of Buchanan has opened its first dog park. City Manager Bill Marx tells WSJM News the Field of Dreams Dog Park, located at the south end of Clark Street and is part of the McCoy Recreation

New Health Clinic For South Haven

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Bronson Healthcare is opening a new walk-in clinic in South Haven. The Bronson FastCare location will be there for anyone seeking treatment without an appointment for minor conditions or illnesses like sore throats, flu, ear and sinus

Missing Kayaker Search Continues

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The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department continues its search for a missing kayaker out of Kalamazoo. 35-year-old Michael Scott was reported by friends as missing shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday near the Jasper Dairy Road boat launch along

New Wind Farm Planned For MI

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From the Associated Press — DTE Energy says it has plans for 50 to 70 wind turbines in southern Michigan’s Branch County. The Daily Reporter says the utility made a presentation Thursday to county commissioners in Coldwater.

MDOT Bridge Closure In Effect

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The Michigan Department of Transportation has shut down a bridge near Union Pier for some construction work. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News as part of construction on five bridges over I-94 near the Michigan-Indiana state line,

Register Of Deeds Applications

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Applications are now being accepted by Berrien County to fill the vacant Register of Deeds office. That elected office was left by the death this summer of Lori Jarvis, whose elected term ran through December 31, 2020.

State Police Recruitment Event

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New recruits are being sought by the Michigan State Police. Trooper Kellie Shaffer with the Paw Paw Post will be hosting a recruitment seminar on July 28, and says they’re always looking for people interested in joining

Search For Missing Kayaker

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The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department will resume its search for a missing kayaker on Monday. It tells us 35-year-old Michael Scott of Kalamazoo was reported by friends as missing shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday near the Jasper

Block Grant Budgets

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Benton Harbor City Commissioners this week signed off on a couple of budgets for federal Community Development Block Grants. At a meeting on Monday, the commission heard unused funds from 2014 through 2017, totalling about $1.1 million,

Biden Coming To BH

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Former Vice President Joe Biden will kick off the 75th season of the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan’s Speakers Series. Biden will address members at the Mendel Center on the Lake Michigan College campus in Benton Township

Bridgman Welcomes New Principal

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There’s a new principal at Bridgman High School. Superintendent Shane Peters tells us the board of education on Monday voted unanimously to hire Gerald Heath for the position. He replaces Sam Stine, who became the Bridgman Public

High Marks For Youth Program

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A new study from the University of Michigan has found the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program has a major effect on the students who participate. Youth Solutions Director Kristin Harrington tells WSJM News the 10-year-old program helps