Local News Archives

This year’s Bids for Barks auction to benefit the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan was a resounding success. So says the Humane Society, which tells us a record amount was raised at the event, held May 19

The fight that shut down Silver Beach County Park early on Monday evening is pushing a high school wrestling coach in South Bend to resign. Tony McWilliams posted on Facebook that he was stepping down as the

Democratic Candidate for governor Abdul El-Sayed says he has come up with a plan to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads. He spoke about the plan with Michigan News Network at the Mackinac Policy Conference. “We need innovative approaches

Students at Michigan’s 15 public universities and 28 community colleges are finding more success, according to data reported this week by the state’s Center for Educational Performance and Information. Spokesperson Lauren Leeds tells WSJM News university students

Among those gathered at the Mackinac Policy Conference this week is state Senator John Proos. He told WSJM News just before leaving that he’d be on the island from Wednesday through Friday morning, not just meeting with

AAA of Michigan is calling the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day the 100 deadliest days on the road. For that reason, it’s reaching out to teens and reminding them of some safe driving tips. AAA

Coming up this Saturday is the fourth annual Southwest Michigan Mini Maker’s Faire at Whirlpool Centennial Park in St. Joseph. The fair is organized by Berrien RESA to celebrate that maker spirit that’s been growing in southwest

A Hartford man has been formally charged with felony assault for striking the arm of his uncle with a machete, causing a deep cut, during some sort of dispute between the two last week. 22-year-old Duane Dishman

The Michigan Time to Care Coalition has turned in over 382,000 signatures to the Bureau of Elections, more than enough to qualify for the November ballot. The ballot measure would provide nearly two million workers in Michigan

Hot weather and summer vacation with the kids often means a trip to the beach. South Haven has seven public beaches and all them have beach warning flags that will inform you about swimming conditions in Lake

From the Associated Press — A newspaper investigation has found the Michigan fire marshal’s office hasn’t performed annual inspections of churches, theaters, restaurants or other places of public assemblage as required by state law. The Lansing State Journal

It was a deadlier Memorial Day weekend this year than last. Preliminary reports sent in to Michigan State Police show 15 people were killed in 11 separate crashes, up from 10 dead in 10 crashes in 2017.

Downtown Bridgman will be a livelier place this summer thanks to a new series of events organized by the city and local merchants. Bridgman City Manager Juan Ganum tells WSJM News this past Friday brought the first

A Michigan House committee has approved legislation from state Senator John Proos to encourage high school students to take more STEM classes. Proos tells WSJM News students who take extra science, technology, engineering, or math classes could

From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is expected to sign into law bills inspired by the Larry Nassar scandal, including one that would give childhood sexual abuse victims more time to sue. The current cutoff

Volunteers will be sprucing up part of South Haven on Thursday. SHOUT for South Haven tells us new soil has been placed in the planters on the Dyckman Bridge, which means it’s time for flowers. Starting at

Rowdy crowds at Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph caused police to clear the place out Monday night, but there were no injuries in the incident. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey tells WSJM News his deputies

The Michigan Education Trust is spreading the word to parents about how they can help their children get a college education. Trust Executive Director Robin Lott told Michigan News Network this week parents can save for college

Some of the people getting off the ferry to attend the Mackinac Policy Conference on Tuesday were be handed lollipops by protesters. The lollies came with a plea “not to be a sucker” for Enbridge, the company

From the Associated Press — Michigan workers would receive mandatory sick days under a newly filed initiative that could appear on the November ballot. The group Michigan Time to Care turned in 382,239 signatures Tuesday for a petition

The Harding’s on Niles Avenue in St. Joseph opened on time and with no issues this morning, but that’s after St. Joseph Public Safety responded to a small fire. Officers were dispatched just before 5 a.m. to

Once again on a holiday, a large fight has resulted in a local beach being shut down. Police cleared Silver Beach County Park in St. Joseph before sundown last night due to a disturbance. WSJM News has

An autopsy is scheduled on the body of a 48-year-old Benton Township man found in Lake Michigan off the north pier at Tiscornia Park on Memorial Day. Benton Township police tell WSJM News he’s been identified as

The Michigan House last week approved legislation from state Representative Kim LaSata to expand the OK2SAY tip line to include reporting on sexual abuse, assault, and rape. The bill was part of an 18-bill package intended to

The South Haven City Council has approved a clarifying resolution to amend the short-term rentals moratorium implemented in early May. City Manager Brian Dissette spoke with WSJM News about the matter. “The moratorium does not affect the

The renovation project at the Berrien County Jail is on track. Berrien County Board of Commissioners Chair Jon Hinkelman tells WSJM News the work is going by quietly and fluidly. The $8.4 million project will involve improvements

Southwest Michigan has seen some population gains in the past year. According to Kinexus, after years of population loss, the tri-county region of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties showed a slight increase in 2017. Across the

  Memorial Day is Monday, meaning the summer grill season is here, and food experts are reminding everyone of some basic safety tips for their cookouts. USDA Food Specialist Archie Magoulas tells WSJM News foods should not

Huron County officials are bracing for the seasonal surge of kayakers taking advantage of the north shore of Lake Huron for adventure. Sheriff Kelly Hanson tells Michigan News Network they’ve also handled a surge of rescue calls

Indiana Michigan Power is planning a $92 million transmission line improvement project in the region. Spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM News the Granger-Benton Harbor Transmission Line Rebuild Project will start next spring. “Approximately 46 miles of 138