The annual “spit-tacular” International Cherry Pit Spitting Championship returns to southwest Michigan this weekend. The 45th such event will be held Saturday at Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire, and the farm’s Monica Teichman says it’s a
From the Associated Press — A Canadian energy company is suing the shipping company whose tugboat anchor allegedly dented an aging oil and gas pipeline in Michigan earlier this year. MLive reports that Enbridge Energy’s lawsuit filed Tuesday
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is inviting volunteers to come down to Grand Mere State Park near Stevensville this weekend to help fight invasive species. The DNR says one of its stewardship days is Saturday starting
Set for next week is a film screening courtesy of Fernwood Botanical Garden and Chikaming Open Lands intended to spread awareness of conservation issues. Jen Thompson with Chikaming Open Lands tells WSJM News this is the fourth
With huge crowds at Silver Beach for Independence Day this week, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us peace was maintained. Sheriff Paul Bailey says several police agencies had a large number of officers at the beach
We’re still months away from doing our taxes, but state Senator John Proos is putting out a reminder about some new tax donation options. One would allow you to put some of the taxes you’ve paid toward
One child has been killed and another is in a hospital in critical condition following a crash in Allegan County on Wednesday. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department tells us the children were riding a small dirt bike-style
A couple from South Haven have been honored for their years of service to the community. The Rotary Club of South Haven tells us John and Sue Gillett were presented the club’s Community Service Award at the
A Three Rivers woman is dead after being hit by a car on M-40 in Porter Township Thursday morning. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department tells WSJM News that 76-year-old Shirley Boersma was crossing the road when she
A Michigan City man is in the Berrien County Jail awaiting extradition to Indiana for an armed robbery in his hometown. The man was pulled over by a Berrien County deputy this morning for defective equipment on
The number of bats in Michigan testing positive for rabies has increased, according the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Spokesperson Lynn Sutfin spoke with Michigan News Network about the outbreak. “As of the 28th of June,
The November election could be pivotal for Michigan’s future, and a new effort is encouraging all Michiganders to make their voices heard. AARP of Michigan is kicking off its Be the Difference campaign to engage more voters
From the Associated Press — Michigan residents may designate part of their state income tax refund to finance a World War II memorial in suburban Detroit. The Detroit Free Press reports that Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation
Applications are now being taken for the 2018 St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Club Foundation grants. The Rotary Foundation tells us a total of $61,000 will be handed out to non-profits, with special consideration being given to projects
A meeting will be held next week in Eau Claire for everyone to learn more about Japanese knotweed. The invasive plant is a threat to infrastructure in southwest Michigan as the weed can grow through concrete. The
Since your dog is going to be terrified of fireworks today and tomorrow, animal welfare organizations are recommending you keep it in a safe place so it won’t run off. Also, Al-Van Humane Society Director Jennifer Nuerenberg
As cleanup is ongoing in the western Upper Peninsula following massive flooding last month, federal help is coming. The Federal Highway Administration said Tuesday morning it will provide $2 million from the Emergency Relief program. Chris Bush
Congressman Fred Upton remains disappointed in the U.S. House’s failure to pass an immigration reform plan. Since President Trump signed an executive order to end the separation of families detained at the border with Mexico, Upton tells
A Benton Harbor woman is close to getting an unusual property tax problem resolved, thanks to action by the city commission this week. At Monday’s meeting, commissioners waived about $12,000 in back taxes for the woman whose
A suspect has been identified in one of the shootings this past weekend in Benton Harbor. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety tells us it has obtained a warrant for 22-year-old Tarone Devon Washington on charges
From the Associated Press — The deadline to register to vote in the August 7 primary election is just days away. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says the deadline is Monday, July 9. She says every community will
The risk of wildfire started by fireworks is higher than normal this Fourth of July because of the recent hot, dry weather. The heat is drying out vegetation, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The
Lock you car and don’t leave the keys inside. That’s the bottom line from a rash of car thefts in the past week in Cass County. The sheriff’s department says nine vehicles have been stolen over the
A huge traffic headache this morning in Kalamazoo, as a freight train derailed. Police say approximately 15 train cars went off the rails downtown. No one was hurt. The city’s Department of Public Safety says the train was
A Granger man has died from injuries sustained in a weekend boating accident on Big Fish Lake in Marcellus. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department announced the death this morning of 55-year-old Michael Mondovich and deputies now believe
From the Associated Press — A western Michigan golf course owner says the state is unfairly targeting him after elevated levels of chemical contaminants were found in nearby wells. Andrew Dykema tells MLive.com that Michigan’s Department of Environmental
Benton Harbor City Commissioners have voted to rename city hall the Dr. Wilce L. Cooke Municipal Building. At a Monday meeting, the commission approved the move in honor of the former mayor. Cooke served from 1981 to
One of the largest fireworks displays on this side of Lake Michigan will happen Tuesday night in South Haven with Light Up the Lake. The fireworks are synced to music played on 103.7 Cosy FM and for
The Alliance for the Great Lakes is offering everyone a chance to take a pledge to avoid using plastic on this Fourth of July. Spokesperson Jennifer Caddick tells WSJM News plastic in the lakes is a major
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says construction of a second Great Lakes navigation lock for large freighters will be included in its 2020 budget request to the Trump administration. Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Sugrue of the agency’s
