Local News Archives

Union Pier Restaurant Damaged

Some repairs are needed for a restaurant in Union Pier. A car hit the outside of Timothy’s shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday, damaging the exhaust hood system. The restaurant wasn’t able to open as a result of

Boy Missing In Covert Township

Covert Township police are asking for help finding a missing eight-year-old boy. Xavier Preston has not been seen since 10 a.m. Sunday outside his home in the 72-thousand block of 24th Avenue in Covert. He is four-feet

Local Rep Talks State Senate Run

Now running for the Michigan Senate in the 21st District is state Representative Kim LaSata. She tells WSJM News although she’s still on her first term in the House, she’s ready to move on up. She also

Fire Marshall Talks Snow Safety

Michigan Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is asking all state residents to keep their fire hydrants clear of snow so they can be seen and reached by firefighters. Sehlmeyer tells WSJM News the large amount of snow we

MSP Post Looking for Chaplain

Michigan State Police at the Paw Paw post could use a little spiritual guidance. Lieutenant Dale Hinz tells us the post is looking for a chaplain. The chaplain is a volunteer member of clergy who helps state

College Financial Aid Night This Week

Coming up this month will be some events at Lake Michigan College to help students who are looking to navigate the financial aid system. LMC Financial Aid Director Kemmoree Duncomb tells WSJM News Help Night events will

Crash Injures One

A Decatur man is hospitalized at Borgess Lee Memorial in Dowagiac after being hurt in a rollover crash Sunday morning in Pokagon Township. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department tells us 44-year-old Chad Strehlke was trying to pass

Vacancy On RESA Board

Berrien RESA has a school board post to fill. RESA tells us the board this week accepted the resignation of Thomas Fanning, its secretary. Fanning recently suffered an injury after falling at his home and can no

Stevensville Master Plan Released

The new master plan for the village of Stevensville is now online and available for all residents to review. Southwest Michigan Planning Commission Associate Planner Ryan Fellows helped work on the document and tells WSJM News the

Local Scholarship Applications Available

The Berrien Community Foundation is taking applications for this year’s scholarships. Foundation President Lisa Cripps Downey tells us there are four new ones this year, with the BCF administering a total of more than 30. A new

SWM Lawmaker Honored By Police

State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker has been named the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Legislator of the Year. The Lawton Republican tells WSJM News she was selected for the honor due to her work on several fronts,

Local Parks Plan Coming Together

The city of St. Joseph is closer to having a parks master plan. Last year, a series of public meetings took the suggestions of residents for Dickinson Park, Riverview Park, and Whirlpool Centennial Park. At Monday’s city

Large Grant For Youth Program

A program that works with at-risk young people in southwest Michigan has received a $250,000 grant to expand its operations. Youth Solutions, Incorporated is part of Kinexus and an extension of the Jobs for America’s Graduates program.

Local Schools Face Deficit

Benton Harbor Area Schools could be looking at another deficit this year. At Tuesday’s meeting, the board of education was told a reworking of the district’s financial operating plan shows some funds for at-risk students could have

State Police To Hold Recruitment Seminar

Michigan State Police are hoping to recruit more troopers with an event in Kalamazoo next Saturday. They’ll host an informational recruiting seminar to get out information on the wide array of careers possible with the Michigan State

SWM Man Wins Big In Lotto

There’s been another big time lotto winner in southwest Michigan. This time, it’s an Allegan County man whose won $1 million in the Mega Millions game. Manuel Perez III tells WSJM News he plans to use his

Police K9 Gets Protective Vest

A K9 for the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department has gotten some new duds. Lajki is a 26-month-old German Shephard handled by Deputy Mike Martin. Lajki has been with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department for one year, and

Students Reminded Of State Safety Tipline

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is again putting out a reminder to young people about his office’s OK2SAY tip line. AG spokesperson Andrea Bitely tells WSJM News the service has received more than 11,000 tips since 2014.

MDOT: Report Potholes

It’s pothole season in southwest Michigan, and if you’ve driven on I-94 or I-196 you already know that. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schrippa tells WSJM News the road crews are filling potholes and you can

Cornerstone Honors Local Businesses

Cornerstone Alliance and Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce have had their chance to salute southwest Michigan’s biggest business movers and shakers. At their awards breakfast Thursday, Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News JR Automation got the

Winter Activity Day At Fish Hatchery

This Saturday will be Winter Activity Day at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan. That’s a facility where the Michigan Department of Natural Resources breeds millions of fish each year for the state’s lakes. State