Local News Archives

05-31-23 WSJM Afternoon News

A 22-year-old man has been arrested on multiple charges after driving a stolen vehicle through Cass County. Sheriff Rick Behnke says his deputies were involved in a pursuit in Calvin Township and Penn Township at about 6

Former Hartford Police Chief Tressa Beltran is facing several drug charges as a result of her conduct as chief. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Wednesday the 57-year-old Beltran has been charged with eight felony counts and

To set a baseline before anti-gull devices are installed, we visited Orchards Mall to document the gull situation. Earlier this month, the owners of Orchards Mall signed up with a Chicago-based firm for sonic devices to repel

Road work will start Monday on M-152 from the Berrien and Van Buren county line to M-51 in Cass County’s Silver Lake Township. The Michigan Department of Transportation will also start work Monday to resurface 16 miles

Benton Township police have arrested a 19-year-old Coloma man in connection with a triple shooting at Benton Township Park on Sunday. He is awaiting arraignment in the Berrien County Jail on several charges. Police are urging anyone

Benton Township Police Department says 83-year old Julius Oats, a Benton Township resident, is in custody for the suspected murder of 64-year-old Robert Lee Jones, also an area resident. Jones was apparently shot in the neck and

Firefighters in Lincoln Township were dispatched to two fires at the same location this week. The department says they were called to a residential structure fire in the 6700 block of Cleveland Avenue on Monday. The fire

The Benton Harbor Farmer’s Market will resume for the year on June 21. The Berrien County Health Department’s Carla Smart-White tells us this is the 13th year for the market at Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park.

After a burst of steam in March, the housing market in southwest Michigan chilled in April, with sales and selling prices falling behind last year. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says the number of homes sold

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to help the Spring Creek Equestrian Center in Three Oaks add a classroom space to go along with its programs. Sally Bogert with the Friends of Spring Creek Equestrian Center tells

At least one injury is being reported after a structure fire at Briarwood Apartments in Benton Township Tuesday afternoon. Residents were allegedly forced to jump from a third floor balcony during the blaze, according to witnesses on

The Greater Bridgman Area Council for Growth and Advancement has announced the lineup for its summer Courtyard Concert series. The live music shows will be presented in the newly improved downtown Bridgman Courtyard on Lake Street. A

Set for June 25 is the second annual OutCenter Harbor Country Hearts Party in Three Oaks. The OutCenter’s Mary Jo Schnell tells us it’s a big fundraiser for the Benton Harbor center, and they’ll give out their

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has released more information about a fight that shut down Silver Beach on Memorial Day. Undersheriff Chuck Heit tells us there was a large group of people gathered at the beach around

An investigation into the death of a Benton Harbor man while in police custody has found no wrongdoing on the part of police. Michigan State Police say 48-year-old Douglas Lee Davis, Jr. died at Corewell Health South

The Culpepper and Merriweather Big Top Circus is coming to Dowagiac for two performances Tuesday, June 20. Hosted by the Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature Big Cats, Aerialists, Horses, Leo the Clown, Daredevils and

Scott Olson/Getty Images (DAVENPORT, Iowa) — A partially collapsed apartment building is set to be demolished in eastern Iowa on Tuesday morning, despite calls for a delay from members of the community who say their loved ones

One person was arrested for a fight at Silver Beach County Park on Memorial Day. Exactly what led to the fight has not yet been released. Police have also not said where the arrested person was from.

The family of fallen Paw Paw Fire Lieutenant Ethan Quillen will receive half of the proceeds from Sunday morning’s annual pancake breakfast held by South Haven Area Emergency Services. SHAES Chief Brandon Hinz was asked by us

Hospitals across Michigan and the United States are making a new effort to screen patients for suicide risk. Here in southwest Michigan, Corewell Health has been doing that for years. Corewell Niles Emergency Department Nurse Manager Camille

Eight new Michigan State Police motor carrier officers have joined the ranks following the graduation of the 26th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School last week in Lansing. Motor carrier officers are armed uniformed members of the MSP

Congressman Bill Huizenga is hailing passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act in the U.S. House last week. He tells us the legislation, which he co-sponsored, is intended to crack down on the production of fentanyl by classifying

The Ferry Street Resource Center has found a new temporary home following a fire that destroyed its office this month. Ferry Street Director Ric Pawlowski tells us they’ve set up shop in the lower level of the

James Lee and Bradley Gillespie in photos released by police. — Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (CLEVELAND) — One of the two inmates who escaped from an Ohio prison has been found dead, authorities said. Bradley

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has reached out to township officials across the county to help them plan for green energy projects. At a meeting this past week, commissioners and township representatives heard from MSU Extension’s

There’s an encouraging economic report from the Michigan Retailers Association as the Michigan Retail Index survey came in at 60.6 this week. Andrea Bitely with the Michigan Retailers Association says 70% of the state’s retailers are expecting