Local News Archives

Tuesday Land Auction Nets $40,000

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The fall Berrien County Land Auction netted about $40,000 for the foreclosure fund this week. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News Tuesday’s auction had lower attendance than usual. “Not as many bidders as we had

Upton Introduces Water Quality Legislation

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Some PFAS-related legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House by Congressman Fred Upton and three Michigan colleagues. Upton tells WSJM News the Federal Facility Accountability Act urges federal agencies to help states deal with PFAS contamination

St. Joseph Honors Parks Board Mainstays

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Two long-time members of the St. Joseph Parks Advisory Board are being recognized for a quarter-century each on the panel. Mayor Mike Garey presented honorary street signs Monday night to Sylvia Lieberg and chairwoman Gloria Mance to

Community Sues To Keep Prison Open

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From the Associated Press — A township in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is suing to stop the closing of a prison. Marenisco Township in Gogebic County says the state didn’t do an economic-impact study as required by law. The

Adopt A Highway Cleanup This Weekend

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The final Adopt a Highway cleanup of the year will be this week. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Dan Weingarten told WSJM News this summer Adopt a Highway is a program that allows groups of volunteers to

Red Arrow Trail Project Planned

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There will be an open house and meeting next week for Berrien County residents to learn more about plans to create a trail along Red Arrow Highway in southern Berrien County. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey

Unity Event This Week In Benton Harbor

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Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad wants to continue the momentum started last week when an anti-crime initiative called Operation Mayberry was announced. The goal is to stop violence in the community, and at Monday’s city commission meeting,

Lincoln Twp Police Seeking K9 Unit

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The Lincoln Township Police Department is looking to establish a K9 unit. The department is now fundraising so it can acquire the dog and the equipment needed to make the unit work. It says a K9 is

Bicyclist Hurt In Van Buren County

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An 88-year-old man is recovering after he was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle in Van Buren County over the weekend. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us it happened shortly before 5 p.m.

United Way Begins Campaign

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The United Way of Southwest Michigan has kicked off its annual campaign. President Anna Murphy tells WSJM News they’re doing something a little different this year by not announcing a monetary goal, and instead using the campaign

“Operation Mayberry” Comes To BH

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“Stop the violence, stop the silence.” That’s the message from Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad as he and other community leaders spearhead a new initiative to reduce violent crime in the city. At a Thursday press conference,

Proos Celebrates Passage Of STEM Plan

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State Senator John Proos is pleased to see some STEM education legislation he sponsored received its final, ceremonial signing by the governor. Last week, Proos tells WSJM News he invited local students and educators to Lansing for

Report Examines Payday Lenders

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A new report sheds light on the dangers of payday loans, prompting consumer advocates to call for new regulations in Michigan. Community Economic Development Association of Michigan Senior Policy Specialist Jessica AcMoody tells us by charging annual

St. Joseph Looking At Downtown Future

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A Chicago-based consulting firm headed up by a St. Joseph native will tackle shaping the future of the city’s downtown. Houseal Lavigne Associates was hired by the city commission this week to begin the study. The firm

Niles Woman Arrested For Deadly Hit-And-Run

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A 23-year-old Niles woman is in the Berrien County Jail awaiting charges for a deadly hit-and-run accident. According to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, her blood-alcohol level was over three times the legal limit when she was

11-Year-Old Dies In Accidental Drowning

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A birthday celebration ended in tragedy in Cass County’s Howard Township this weekend. The sheriff’s department says an 11-year-old boy drowned at a pool party Saturday evening. The boy was in the pool with several other kids

State Facing Teacher Shortage

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Too many Michigan schools districts without enough teachers, according to the head of a administrators group. Wendy Zdeb of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals told Michigan News Network recruiting new teachers is tough, but keeping

Benton Twp Eviction Battle

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Jeremiah Young says because he complained about his roach-infested apartment and its fire hazard rusty electric stove, landlord Harry Toor is trying to evict him from the Benton Township property. “It’s because he told me he’s tired