Local News Archives

Senate Approves Bicycle Rules For Drivers

bicycle-3

From the Associated Press — Michigan motorists would have to allow 3 feet of clearance while passing a bike on the road under legislation approved by the state Senate. Senators also voted Wednesday to require teen drivers to

Group Fights Minimum Wage Proposal

money223-10

A group that represents small businesses says a proposal to raise Michigan’s minimum wage to $12 per hour would lead to more than 180,000 jobs lost over ten years if approved. National Federation of Independent Business of

Warren Dunes Stewardship Event

dune-3

Volunteers are needed to help protect Warren Dunes State Park from invasive plant species this weekend. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources tells us those who show up Saturday will be pulling garlic mustard from areas off-trail,

Plan To Save Monarch Butterflies

butterfly7

Wildlife officials say the “king” of butterflies could meet the same fate as the passenger pigeon unless people step in to plant more of the monarch caterpillars’ only food source — milkweed. The monarch butterfly population has

Busy Week At Harbor Shores

harborshores3-9

There’s a lot going on at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor this week. The 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship kicked off Tuesday with the Championship ProAm. That gave some golf fans a chance to tee off right

Upton On Farm Bill

agriculture-2

Congressman Fred Upton is hoping to see a new Farm Bill approved in the next month or so. He tells WSJM News he was among the representatives who shot down a Farm Bill proposal last week in

LaSata Talks Surplus

lasata7272-6

Michigan lawmakers are facing a possible surplus of $500 million over the next two years, and it’s looking like at least some of that money will go toward fixing the state’s roads. State Representative Kim LaSata tells

Commission Discusses Short-Term Rentals

southhaven-45

It was a packed South Haven City Hall Monday as the city council considered a motion to amend the short-term rental ordinance. The ordinance amendments would be presented to the planning commission, but first, the city council had

Schuette, Calley Clash As Campaign Heats Up

schuettecalley

Two GOP candidates for governor taking the gloves off early in the campaign. Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette have been trading barbs the past several weeks. Michigan News Network Lansing Bureau Chief

Judicial Forum This Week

gaveltakenbyandrew-105

Working on issues that affect Native American children in Michigan. That’s what is happening at a forum of state, federal, and tribal judges in Petoskey this week. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bridget McCormack is taking part in

State Board Issues LGBT Ruling

gayrightsrainbowflag-10

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Civil Rights Commissions says the state’s civil rights law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The board voted 5-0 to issue the interpretative statement Monday, with

City Commission Hears Harbor Study

harborstudy

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have heard a report on a study done by the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission and others regarding possibilities for development of the local harbor. The Twin Cities Harbor Study took a look at

Click It Or Ticket Underway

michiganstatepolicegood-131

Michigan law enforcement is once again holding the Click it or Ticket campaign to reduce crashes and deaths this coming Memorial Day weekend. Kendall Wingrove with the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning told Michigan News Network

South Haven Community Grants

southhavencommunityfoundation-3

The Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation has announced its latest round of grants. The organization tells us a total of more than $18,000 will be going to nearly 20 local non-profits this year. Recipients of grants

SJ Schools Book Bonanza

stjosephhighschool

Students from kindergarten through the fifth grade will be at the St. Joseph High School Library this Wednesday to pick out books for summer reading. St. Joseph Public Schools Curriculum Director Kelly Gaideski tells WSJM News each

I&M Planning Transmission Line Upgrade

shfkujhfkjewhkfd

Indiana Michigan Power is planning a $92 million transmission line improvement project in the region. Spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM News the Granger-Benton Harbor Transmission Line Rebuild Project will start next spring. “Approximately 46 miles of 138

Unemployment Provision Pulled From Medicaid Bill

healthcare

From the Associated Press — The sponsor of proposed Medicaid work requirements is dropping a provision that would have exempted recipients who live in Michigan counties with higher jobless rates, saying Governor Rick Snyder’s administration worries it

Lawmakers Consider Surplus Options

More talks are expected this week between lawmakers and the governor’s office on whether to spend or save money from a budget surplus. Economists estimate a $500 million surplus for this year and next. Michigan Senate Appropriations

Group Seeks Minimum Wage Increase

money76765776-4

From the Associated Press — The prospect of a $12-an-hour minimum wage by 2022 for all Michigan workers, including tipped servers, could be put to a popular vote this fall. The Michigan One Fair Wage group on Monday

Watervliet Woman Seeks House Seat

paulinewendzel2

The field of candidates in the running for the Republican nomination in the Michigan House in the 79th District includes a Watervliet woman with a long family family history in Bainbridge Township. Pauline Wendzel tells WSJM News

Energy Incentive For Buchanan Apartments

hollander-im-check-2

The owners of an apartment complex in Buchanan have received a check for more than $243,000 from Indiana Michigan Power for making improvements to their facility to save energy. Jason Muniz with Hollander Development Corporation tells WSJM

St. Joe Goes Green

grencommunities

St. Joseph City Commissioners are making their commitment to sustainability official. At this week’s meeting, the commission approved a resolution to pursue bronze certification from Michigan Green Communities. Commissioner Peggy Getty tells WSJM News she and Commissioner

Beach Flags Now Out

170804redflagday0009

In a sign of the summer, the safety flags are now flying at beaches in South Haven. South Haven Area Emergency Services tells us it monitors lake conditions as reported by the National Weather Service. Beach warning