Local News Archives

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

Several new laws took effect this week in Michigan aimed at getting the opioid crisis under control. State Representative Hank Vaupel of Fowlerville sponsored one of them, which limits opioid prescriptions to just a seven-day supply. He

Three Michigan members of Congress and one from Ohio are speaking out after visiting refugee children at Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids. Republican Bill Huizenga of Zeeland says Congress needs to take action now, and they

A Benton Harbor woman is close to getting an unusual property tax problem resolved, thanks to action by the city commission this week. At this week’s meeting, commissioners waived about $12,000 in back taxes for the woman

A bill is before the state House Health Policy Committee to set up a mental health phone hotline referral system. Representative Mary Whiteford of the South Haven area has worked as an emergency room nurse and wants

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,

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

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

If you’ve moved since the last election or haven’t registered to vote for whatever reason and want to cast a ballot in next month’s primary, you’re short on time. Secretary of State spokesman Fred Woodhams tells WSJM

It may be smokin’ hot on South Haven’s beaches this week, but smokin’ — or vaping for that matter — are definitely not welcome. They’ve been banned by South Haven’s City Council. The ordinance approved this week

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act turns 100 this week, leading conservation groups to dub 2018 the “Year of the Bird,” and to ask the Trump administration to live up to the spirit of the law. The MBTA

Boaters are being reminded of their role in helping to stop the spread of invasive species this summer. The Van Buren Conservation District’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News you must wash your boat after it’s been used.

Four people were killed on Michigan roads between July 3 and 4 this year, according to the preliminary numbers from Michigan State Police. Special First Lieutenant Jim Flegel tells WSJM News that compares to 14 people killed on

Indiana Michigan Power is once again warning customers about a phone scam that’s going around. Spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM News customers have reported getting calls from someone who claims to be with the utility. The scammer

From the Associated Press — Police and fire officials say it’s doubtful that a boat that once carried passengers to an island amusement park in the Detroit River can be salvaged after the vessel caught fire at

Three Michigan members of Congress and one from Ohio are speaking out after visiting refugee children at Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids. Republican Bill Huizenga of Zeeland says Congress needs to take action now, and they

The United States is now imposing tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese imports. Beijing immediately responded with the same 25% tariff. Sheila Ronis is a Distinguished Professor of Management at Walsh College in Troy and warns the

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