Local News Archives

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is gearing up for another Bid United online auction. To be held next week, Bid United is a totally online auction with a wide variety of items and services up for

Identity thieves and other scammers are ready and waiting to ruin the holiday season. However, Michiganders can reduce the chances to become a scam victim. With shoppers distracted by their to-do lists and opening their wallets frequently,

Andrews University in Berrien Springs has announced a successful United Way campaign for 2018. It tells us the employees were able to beat their campaign goal of $20,000 and raise more than $22,000 in gifts and pledges.

Entry to Michigan state parks will be free on Friday. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources tells us it could be a new Black Friday tradition — heading to the great outdoors. The Opt Outside movement started

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan is gearing up for another Mustachio Bashio early next month. The third annual Mustachio Bashio will be Saturday, December 1 starting at 5:30 p.m. at North Pier Brewing Company in Benton

It’s an earlier than usual start for ski resorts in Michigan as many are open because there have been colder temperatures and snow. Mickey MacWilliams, the executive director of the Michigan Snow Sports Industry Association, spoke with Michigan

Thanksgiving is the top day for home cooking fires, and Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is reminding everyone of some safety tips. First of all, he says those who use portable deep fryers to cook turkeys

From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is seeking a final $372 million budget bill before he leaves office, proposing to spend more on addressing water contamination and hiring 246 additional children’s protective services caseworkers

There are extra Michigan State Police troopers out and about on the state’s roads as Thanksgiving approaches. MSP Special First Lieutenant Jim Flegel tells WSJM News Thanksgiving is a dangerous time to be driving. “Last year, we

The Four Winds Casino has donated 1,200 food baskets to those in need for this Thanksgiving. Casino Vice President of Government Affairs Scott Brewer tells WSJM News the employees asked the casino to purchase the items, and

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says a Dowagiac man is facing charges after hitting a police vehicle while possibly driving drunk. The department tells us a sheriff’s deputy had pulled over a vehicle that had been reported

From the Associated Press — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is opening an office in Traverse City. The DEA’s Detroit Field Division says the new post will help the agency identify, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations

By Doug Cunningham What does the new post-election political landscape mean for the Great Lakes? The Alliance for the Great Lakes is optimistic, seeing opportunities at both the state and federal levels to advance environmental protections. Alliance

A $500,000 grant from DTE Energy to the Motown Museum in Detroit will support its  plans for an expansion of the facility. CEO and Chairwoman of the Motown Museum Robin Terry told Michigan News Network this week

An area grocery chain is being bought out. Grand Rapids-based SpartanNash is purchasing Martin’s Super Markets and all 21 of its locations in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. SpartanNash owns 139 stores under the names D&W Fresh

As they work to reach a new contract with City Manager Darwin Watson, Benton Harbor City Commissioners have voted to terminate his old contract. At a Monday meeting, the vote was unanimous to end the contract originally

Ground has been broken at the state’s women prison in Ypsilanti for a new vocational center. This marks construction of the third  of what are known as “vocational villages” in the state — the first for a

An amendment to the short-term rental ordinance has been approved by the South Haven City Council. At Monday’s meeting, the vote was four to two to update the rules that govern homes that are rented out to

City officials in Benton Harbor are still waiting on results from water tests after elevated levels of lead were found in eight of 35 homes recently tested. At Monday’s city commission meeting, City Manager Darwin Watson said

This holiday shopping season is expected to be a good one for retailers. Meagan Holland of the Michigan Retailers Association tells Michigan News Network the organization does a monthly survey in conjunction with the Federal Reserve Bank

New legislation from Congressman Fred Upton is designed to protect senior citizens from being impoverished due to medical problems. He and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell have introduced the Protecting Married Seniors from Impoverishment Act. It would extend spousal

From the Associated Press — With their grip on power set to loosen come January, Republicans in several states are considering last-ditch laws to weaken Democrats and advance a conservative agenda. Michigan Republicans want to water down a

Gathering with family on Thanksgiving provides a good opportunity to discuss health history. So says the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which is pushing the holiday as “National Family History Day.” Spokesperson Lynn Sutfin spoke

From the Associated Press — Michigan State University has joined a list of universities nationally that provide on-campus housing to students in recovery from substance abuse disorders. The East Lansing school says its Collegiate Recovery Community is in

Muskegon and Kent counties were the first in west Michigan to pull the plug on prosecuting marijuana cases after the November 6 election, and Kalamazoo County has joined them. Prosecutor Jeff Getting told WKZO News with the

AAA Michigan says average gas prices statewide are down 12¢ in the past week to about $2.48 per gallon ahead of the Thanksgiving travel period. The Dearborn-based auto club says early Monday the average price for self-serve

Flooding earlier this year is prompting the closure of Red Bud Trail in Buchanan for two weeks starting next Monday. The closure is just north of the Wheatberry restaurant according to the Berrien County Road Department. They

This past Thursday was the Great American Smokeout, when smokers were urged to give quitting a go. The Berrien County Health Department’s Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News 17% of Berrien County residents are still smokers, which is

The Ghostlight Theater in Benton Harbor is ready to begin renovations on its Arts District building now that it’s completed the location’s purchase. Ghostlight’s Martha Hesse tells WSJM News thanks to a successful fundraising campaign, they now

A new partnership is in place between Benton Harbor Area Schools and Western Michigan University. Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera made it official this week, bringing in WMU to provide training to district teachers and