Local News Archives

State Senator John Proos has thrown his support behind a state board set up to help prevent sexual abuse and domestic violence. He tells us a 2012 executive order from the governor set up the Michigan Domestic

From the Associated Press — Democratic U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters of Michigan say they will oppose President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Stabenow, who’s up for re-election to a fourth term, and

Whirlpool’s annual “Rock the Boat” cardboard boat race is coming up Thursday in the St. Joseph River. The United Way of Southwest Michigan benefits from the annual event at The Inn at Harbor Shores. Ryan Cheevers is

There will be a little extra time on the commute for those who use M-43 in South Haven. The Michigan Department of Transportation is shutting down M-43 entirely for two-tenths of a mile between Blue Star Highway

A K9 with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department is getting extra protection in the form of a bullet and stab-protective vest. The vest comes courtesy of Vested Interest, a non-profit that has supplied more than 3,000 protective

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is taking issue with a state law governing speed limits in townships. At a Thursday meeting, the board approved five resolutions setting new speed limits on stretches of road around the

As many as 50,000 people will descend on downtown St. Joseph this Saturday and Sunday for the 57th annual Krasl Art Fair. The fair’s Dee Hodgson tells WSJM News the big event is one of the premier

A charge of assault with a dangerous weapon has been filed against a former officer for the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety over an incident that occurred in May. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells us

Labor, civil rights, and health groups, along with seven states, have made their final arguments in court challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision not to ban a pesticide that they say is dangerous. The EPA had proposed

The South Haven Board of Education has voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Robert Herrera as he assumes a similar role at Benton Harbor Area Schools. Dr. Herrera’s resignation is effective on July 17. The

The new buyer of the Orchards Mall in Benton Township intends to keep it as a mall property. That’s according to a realtor who helped sell the mall in an online auction last month. Steve Silverman of

From the Associated Press — Michigan regulators will take public comments on a proposal for more anchor supports in the Straits of Mackinac to bolster twin oil pipelines. Enbridge Inc. is asking the Department of Environmental Quality to

If you haven’t visited the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, this could be a great weekend to stop by. The museum is having its annual Fish Boil Fundraiser this Saturday. The museum’s Ashley Demming tells WSJM

Michigan businesses and cities are being invited to become part of a global vision for a cleaner future. The Zero Emissions Vehicle Challenge, announced on Tuesday, is encouraging companies and communities to use their purchasing power and

A former officer with the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety has been charged for actions during a police chase in May. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office tells us that on May 10, 51-year-old Patrol Officer Steven

Frpm the Associated Press — A former western Michigan day care provider has been ordered to pay $1.8 million after pleading guilty to child neglect in the death of a toddler by an 8-year-old girl. The Muskegon Chronicle reports

In Grand Rapids, they’re waiting for a bad smelling, rare corpse flower to bloom. Senior horticulture manager at Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Wendy Overbeck, told Michigan News Network they’ve had the flower for 18 years, but

The Michigan Department of Transportation will hold an open house next week in Niles to talk about its plans to reconstruct the US-12-M-51 interchange. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the $25 to $30 million project

Congressman Fred Upton says a trade war possibly kicked off by the Trump administration’s tariffs on foreign goods will only hurt consumers. The Trump administration is putting 25% tariffs on 800 Chinese products worth $34 billion while

This week brings the annual Celebrate Bridgman festivities. The fun begins Thursday with an Under the Big Top presentation by the Curious Kids Museum, and then the Family Night and Teen Dance downtown. Both Friday and Saturday

A Dowagiac woman is recovering at a hospital in Kalamazoo after being pulled from a fiery wreck on Wednesday morning. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department tells us 31-year-old Trisha Smith was westbound on Dewey Lake Street near

A major change is coming to Lakeland Health. It announced on Wednesday it is integrating with Spectrum Health out of Grand Rapids. Lakeland CEO and President Loren Hamel tells WSJM News the much larger Spectrum will bring

A nature preserve in the Paw Paw area has won an award from the U.S. Forest Service. The Portman Nature Preserve has been selected for the Wings Across the Americas Award for its efforts in the area

Attorneys for the city of Flint and the state of Michigan are asking a federal judge to throw out a class-action suit over Flint water, arguing they can’t be sued because of government immunity. The lawsuit is

Lakeland Health has announced it’s integrating with Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health. Spectrum, which is the largest employer in west Michigan with 26,000 employees and 12 hospitals, will make the move with Lakeland official October 1. Lakeland, which

The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway program will begin its second roadside cleanup of the year this Saturday. MDOT’s Dan Weingarten tells WSJM News more than 2,800 groups statewide are signed up to protect their

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is looking to the future as the district’s new superintendent and CEO is set to start next week. At a Tuesday board meeting, Trustee Martha Momany said Robert Herrera,

President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, is preparing for a fierce confirmation battle amidst the turmoil of the upcoming midterm elections. Michigan Senator Gary Peters expressed some concern. “I’m concerned about his ruling on the Consumer

Some Michigan business owners are endorsing a campaign that backs paid sick time for workers. Londell Thomas is manager for the MI Time to Care Campaign. He spoke with Michigan News Network about the effort. “Right now,

A $2.6 million expansion is being planned by Mattawan-based Tri-Mation Industries. Zachary Morris with Kinexus tells WSJM News the company is an automation solutions company founded in 1995 that right now has 35 employees. Its new 40,000