The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department’s initial estimate for flood damages is about $3.5 million, but the number will go up as some roads in Royalton Township still can’t be accessed. Several agencies responding to floods gave the
The Michigan House has approved a bill from state Representative Beth Griffin intended to expand access to broadband internet in rural areas. The Mattawan Republican tells WSJM News her plan, approved Wednesday, would put a cap on
State Senator John Proos is putting the word out to young people in southwest Michigan about the Michigan Attorney General’s OK2Say tip line. Proos tells WSJM News it’s an anonymous way someone can report a potentially-dangerous situation
Invasive species and you. That’s what the Van Buren Conservation District has been talking about this week as the spring approaches. The district’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News this is Invasive Species Awareness Week and she hopes
Residents of a mobile home community in Berrien Springs evacuated last week due to flooding will get some help cleaning up their properties this weekend. Volunteers will descend on the River Springs Estates mobile home community Saturday
It’s almost moving day for the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the new shelter in Royalton Township is pretty much ready, and they’re just waiting for a green light from the
The search continues for a missing kayaker in the Paw Paw River near Watervliet. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us 35-year-old Cory Wright has been missing since around 8 p.m. Tuesday. That’s when police were called
Three bids have come into the Berrien County Land Bank for the vacant Alreco Metals property in Benton Harbor. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News two of the three met the county’s requirements for consideration.
From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers have approved legislation that would upgrade mental health resources in hospitals and schools as part of a slew of reform bills shuffling through the state House. One bill passed Wednesday in
Last week’s mass shooting at a high school in Florida has many parents around the country nervous about sending their kids to class each day, but school leaders in southwest Michigan say they do all they can
As floodwaters recede throughout southwest Michigan, there comes the risk of people trying to scam flood victims. The Better Business Bureau of West Michigan’s Phil Catlett tells us the bogus contractors can be very persuasive and slick,
Among the businesses in southwest Michigan that have stepped forward to help flood victims is United Federal Credit Union. UFCU announced on Tuesday a $5,000 donation to United Way of Southwest Michigan and the Berrien Community Foundation’s
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has ordered Superintendent Shelly Walker to undergo two examinations as it continues an investigation into her performance. At a Wednesday meeting, the surprise resolution was read by Trustee Lisa
The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office is putting out word to parents and children in the area that it takes any potential threat to a school seriously and will pursue criminal charges when applicable. Prosecutor Michael Sepic tells
It took a Cass County jury about ten minutes to conclude that driving a riding lawnmower while intoxicated is enough to warrant a drunk driving conviction. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz tells us the case involves 32-year-old
It’s possible Congress will approve some gun control measures following the nation’s most recent mass shooting, this time at a high school in Florida on Valentine’s Day. That’s the thought of Congressman Fred Upton, who tells us
Southwest Michigan residents are proving to be caring when it comes to their neighbors. The United Way of Southwest Michigan tells WSJM News the disaster relief fund it set up last week to help out folks affected
From the Associated Press — Michigan residents will get a $25 tax cut per individual within a few years under legislation signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder. The Republican governor signed the bills Wednesday at his Capitol office
A whole lot of bridge work is about to get started in Berrien County. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News MDOT will be doing repairs on the bridges going over I-94 at M-239,
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department continues to remind drivers to obey barricades posted by the road department. The sheriff’s department tells us even if the barricades have been moved to the side of the road, it’s not
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team is searching the Paw Paw River for a missing kayaker. Emergency crews were called to the river near the 42-hundred block of R. Smith Street in Watervliet just before 8
A year of probation is the penalty for a Buchanan man for the deaths of two people from Indiana last April in a crash. 81-year-old Charles Habenicht pulled out in front of a motorcycle in Oronoko Township,
The Bridgman Police Department could use the public’s help in catching some vandals who have damaged windows around town. The department says on its Facebook page someone’s been shattering glass doors and windows with what appears to
From the Associated Press — State legislators have stalled an attempt to repeal a statute that regulates vehicular transportation of marijuana. The Michigan Senate voted 19-16 Tuesday against the House bill Tuesday. It would annul a law that classifies
The search is on in St. Joseph for a man who robbed a gas station in the 2800 block of Niles Avenue Tuesday night. Public safety tells WSJM News the suspect is a white man who was
A new report from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research takes a look at west Michigan’s economy now versus at the start of the Great Recession. Upjohn economist Brian Pittelko tells WSJM News they looked at data
State and federal leaders from southwest Michigan are waiting for Governor Rick Snyder to accept Berrien County’s disaster declaration following this month’s floods. State Senator John Proos tells WSJM News he toured Berrien Springs and Niles Monday
The Berrien County Treasurer’s office says the Orchards Mall in Benton Township is once again facing foreclosure. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the mall’s owners owe $275,000 in property taxes from 2015, and if it’s not
Unit 2 of the Cook nuclear power plant is about to undergo another refueling outage. Cook plant spokesperson Bill Schalk tells WSJM News Unit 1 just wrapped up a refueling outage late last year. When Unit 2
Indiana Michigan Power is hoping to restore power soon to 300 homes in Berrien County affected by flooding. Spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM News the restorations come slowly as public safety officials give them the all-clear. She
