Local News Archives

The holidays may be a time of fun for most of us, but state Senator John Proos reminds everyone of things they need to do to avoid being ripped off. He tells WSJM News online shopping may

Southwestern Michigan College has received a $250,000 donation to its nursing facility expansion. SMC President David Mathews tells WSJM News Kelly and Karen Rose of Elkhart are both former students. Karen studied nursing at SMC, and Kelly

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have voted to move forward with work that could lead to medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. This past week, they approved the adoption of an ordinance allowing for such facilities. The move

Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is reminding everyone to be careful about their Christmas trees. He tells WSJM News a tree can go up in flames within a matter of seconds, and then there goes your

The Angels Program of Michigan State Police has now been rolled out to every post around the state. MSP First Lieutenant Kevin Caldwell tells WSJM News Angels uses volunteers to get people struggling with substance abuse problems

If you’re a smoker who would like to quit, the Berrien County Health Department has some good news for you. It’s signing people up for the next round of Freedom from Smoking classes. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells

County and state officials around Michigan are reminding homeowners of a resource they can turn to if they find themselves having trouble paying their mortgages or property taxes. At an event at the county administration building this

WSJM sister station Rock 107 WIRX has chipped in to help promote mental health in southwest Michigan. On Wednesday, morning host Brock Havens stopped by MI Journey in Benton Harbor to drop off a check. MI Journey

The committee that will oversee the city of Benton Harbor’s new income tax has now been chosen. At a session this past week, the Benton Harbor City Commission approved eight applicants for the body that will make

A Dowagiac man has drowned after he fell through the ice on the St. Joseph River near South Bend while fishing Friday afternoon. Deputies say a witness saw 43-year-old Leonard Baldwin disappear through the ice, but they

A couple in an SUV drove off the end of a private drive in the dark, and wound up in School Section Lake in Van Buren County’s Bangor Township just after 8 pm Friday. The woman managed

Net neutrality is dead and it’s probably staying that way. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the FCC’s decision this month to kill off rules guaranteeing equal access to information and services on the internet will probably

The Marquette Greenway hiking and biking trail in Harbor Country is getting a financial boost. The Pokagon Fund held a giveback dinner at the Bentwood Tavern in New Buffalo last week, raising nearly 97-hundred dollars of the

AAA Michigan says the state is going to see a record number of residents traveling over the holidays. Spokesperson Susan Hiltz told Michigan News Network 3.5 million Michiganders will be on the road and in the air

Estimates from retailers show more than 90% of consumers do their holiday shopping after Cyber Monday. This weekend’s Super Saturday is the second busiest shopping day of the year. Best Buy Shopping expert Bianca Jones told Michigan

Governor Rick Snyder says the new federal tax law will cause state income taxes for Michigan residents to increase. That’s unless the state legislature acts soon. The tax bill would eliminate the personal exemption. CPA Sarah Russell

From the Associated Press — Rick Snyder has signed legislation delaying increases in registration fees and safety training fees for motorcyclists. The hikes were scheduled to start taking effect two months ago. But now some will begin next

Unit 2 at the Cook nuclear power plant will soon begin its second life. On Sunday, the Unit 2 reactor will begin operating beyond its initial 40 year license period under the renewed license granted by the

The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors is reflecting back on a strong real estate market in the region for 2017. Association Executive Alan Jeffries tells WSJM News units sold and prices were both up this past year.

Bridgman Public Schools Superintendent Shane Peters has received a positive performance evaluation from the board of education. The board issued a statement this week, telling us Bridgman Public Schools continues to benefit from the leadership of Peters.

Bell ringers are out and about in southwest Michigan seeking donations for the Salvation Army of Benton Harbor. Salvation Army Major David Womack tells WSJM News the dollar or two you put in those kettles can touch

A new map has been created to provide a snapshot of poverty around Michigan. Developed by the University of Michigan and Poverty Solutions, the map identifies each county’s median income, population, percentage of the population living below

The Trees for the Troops program has reached a milestone. This year, it delivered its 200,000th Christmas tree to a military family. Waumhoff Farms in Gobles is a drop-off point for Trees for the Troops each year,

From the Associated Press — Rick Snyder says the federal tax overhaul will cause residents’ state income taxes to increase, and he’s committed to ensuring taxpayers ultimately don’t have to pay more. The tax legislation, which President Donald

State Senator John Proos is among the supporters of legislation that would restore a limited state income tax credit for donating cash and food to food banks and community foundations. Proos says under the bill, taxpayers next

The Michigan League for Public Policy is calling on Congress to get serious about approving a legislative replacement for the DACA program. It was in September that President Trump announced his administration will phase out Deferred Action

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is warning everyone about the latest scam going around. This week, it put out notice about a letter that purports to be from an account manager with TD Trust Bank in Canada.

Some legislation designed to increase access to skilled trades training in Michigan has been passed by the state House. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells WSJM News this package of legislation creates a K-12 model program

State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker is urging the Michigan House to approve legislation that would eliminate the state’s statute of limitations when it comes to certain charges of criminal sexual conduct. The plan passed the Senate in October

From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law changes in how the state flags fraud in the unemployment benefits system in the wake of thousands of people being falsely accused. The laws enacted Thursday