Local News Archives

Former state Senator John Proos is ready to talk about what he’s doing next. Proos left office last year after 14 years in Michigan government. He told WSJM News on Monday he’s started a consulting firm intended

The Insurance Alliance of Michigan says now is the time for auto insurance reform. Director Tricia Kinley tells us the issue has attracted support from state lawmakers of both parties, and she’s optimistic this time. Kinley says

A citizen-led initiative has meant the donation of 22 kits for treating serious bleeding emergencies to South Haven Area Emergency Services and the South Haven Police Department. South Haven Area Emergency Services tells us the kits will

Plans are underway in South Haven for the city’s sesquicentennial. It was 150 years ago in 1869 that South Haven became a village. Groups of community leaders have been meeting in recent months to discuss celebration possibilities.

A Dowagiac man has been honored by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Elders Council for his efforts to help the community. Brian Antisdel, a Pokagon citizen, received an eagle feather at a recent ceremony led by a

The Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant has received a $42,000 rebate from Indiana Michigan Power for its efforts to increase energy efficiency. Plant Manager Tim Lynch tells WSJM News the plant in November completed the

A program that connects Michigan students with job skills and employment could be on the chopping block. State Representative Beth Griffin tells WSJM News when she got a look at Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed budget for the

Due to daylight saving time this weekend, police and other safety agencies are reminding all drivers to be extra careful about pedestrians with the start of a new week. Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning spokesperson Kari

A consulting firm out of Southfield that has helped Detroit Public Schools Community District reduce student losses could soon be helping Benton Harbor Area Schools do the same. Eric Foster with Banks and Company told school board

The new three-year asset management plan of the Berrien County Road Department is now online. The plan covers all aspects of the road agency’s resources and lays out improvement plans for the roads over the next three

From the Associated Press — Advocacy groups are lobbying Congress to pump more money into programs to protect Great Lakes water quality. More than 100 representatives of organizations in the region are in Washington, D.C., this week

Michigan would stay on Eastern Standard Time year round and ditch the twice-annual time change under a bill from a northern Michigan lawmaker. Representative Michele Hoitenga is proposing the change, which would make the state the third

No specific reasons were laid out for the resolution, but the Benton Harbor City Commission has voted “no confidence” in City Manager Darwin Watson. At a hastily-called special meeting Thursday which was unable to be attended by

When Berrien County communities seek grants to improve parks, they’ll have support from the Berrien County Board of Commissioners. At this week’s meeting, the board approved a resolution stating its backing for those projects on the grounds

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is looking to turn the school district around, and it took the first step at a meeting on Thursday. Last week, the board was told it’s facing a possible

A Stevensville woman who has been seeking to avoid tax foreclosure while being treated for breast cancer is getting some of the help she needs. Shannon O’Brien came to Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski in December when

Weko Beach in Bridgman could soon be seeing some changes. For one, Bridgman Parks and Recreation Director Joan Guilfoyle tells WSJM News the beach could be going back to the policy stating dogs are not allowed on

A list of recreation and parks projects recommended for state grants by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board has been approved by the state House. Thursday’s vote moves the list of grants on to the Michigan

The Berrien County Road Department and the Van Buren County Road Commission will implement seasonal weight restrictions to try to protect the roads from damage as the spring arrives. Van Buren County Road Commission Engineer-Manager Larry Hummel

From the Associated Press — A top Republican lawmaker is strongly criticizing Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposal to raise taxes on some businesses while providing relief to retirees and low-income workers. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said Wednesday that “taking

Jealousy over a woman is at the heart of a stabbing in Cass County. Jurors have convicted 45-year-old Michael Johnson of Sturgis on two felony assault charges for stabbing a 51-year-old Vandalia man, who is the father

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House say it’s too early to consider, but a freshman Democrat from Detroit is preparing to move to take action against President Trump. Rashida Tlaib says she will file the impeachment resolution

A Stevensville woman with stage 3 breast cancer is struggling to keep her home, and there are ways you can help. Shannon O’Brien owes on her property taxes, and Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski is working with

Michigan State Police are investigating the death of a 36-year-old Benton Harbor woman in Buchanan. She was hit and killed by a truck while trying to cross Red Bud Trail near Howe Lane just after 9 pm

From the Associated Press — The Environmental Protection Agency says the average gas mileage for the fleet of U.S. new vehicles rose slightly in 2017 to a record 24.9 mpg. But an environmental group says the 0.2

The Van Buren Conservation District is taking registrations for its annual Farming for the Future conference, which is set for this month. The district’s Colleen Forestieri tells WSJM News the day-long events are intended to help local

A bi-partisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House is backing a resolution intended to reduce the use of national emergency declarations by presidents. Among the co-sponsors of the plan is Congressman Fred Upton, who tells WSJM

Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey is being honored by the Boy Scouts of America with the organization’s Soaring Eagle and Good Turn awards this week. The LaSalle Council of the Boy Scouts tells us the awards are

From the Associated Press — Michigan officials say they’re stepping up financial support for recycling infrastructure projects. The state Department of Environmental Quality says it’s boosting available funding for grants from $500,000 to $3.7 million and is extending

Despite bad news this week about the JC Penney closing, the new owners of the Orchard Mall in Benton Township have been working to turn things around on the tax front. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells