Local News Archives

There’s been another big time lotto winner in southwest Michigan. This time, it’s an Allegan County man whose won $1 million in the Mega Millions game. Manuel Perez III tells WSJM News he plans to use his

A K9 for the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department has gotten some new duds. Lajki is a 26-month-old German Shephard handled by Deputy Mike Martin. Lajki has been with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department for one year, and

The Michigan Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education this week kicked off a series of meetings to discuss sexual misconduct policies at Michigan’s public universities and whether changes need to be made to better protect students. State

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is again putting out a reminder to young people about his office’s OK2SAY tip line. AG spokesperson Andrea Bitely tells WSJM News the service has received more than 11,000 tips since 2014.

It’s pothole season in southwest Michigan, and if you’ve driven on I-94 or I-196 you already know that. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schrippa tells WSJM News the road crews are filling potholes and you can

Cornerstone Alliance and Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce have had their chance to salute southwest Michigan’s biggest business movers and shakers. At their awards breakfast Thursday, Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News JR Automation got the

The crew from Y Country radio continues their radiothon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital today. The annual event raises money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which treats children with cancer for free. The Y Country team

From the Associated Press — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer has forced her campaign manager to resign after learning he engaged in past “inappropriate behavior” in the workplace. Keenan Pontoni joined Whitmer’s campaign in August, replacing a previous

The Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor has donated $10,000 to the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph. Dave Driscoll with Kiwanis tells WSJM News the check was handed off this month, partly

This Saturday will be Winter Activity Day at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan. That’s a facility where the Michigan Department of Natural Resources breeds millions of fish each year for the state’s lakes. State

The elimination of driver responsibility fees in Michigan is a good thing, according to state Senator John Proos. He tells us those fees, created in 2003, were just on top of the penalty some drivers, like drunk

The shootings at a Florida High School this week have many parents nervous about sending their kids to school, but education leaders in southwest Michigan say they do all they can to be prepared for dangerous situations.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is willing and able to assist the city of St. Joseph in adding life rings to the north pier. Chief Deputy Robert Boyce tells WSJM News he was on hand for this

Michigan State Police at the Paw Paw post could use a little spiritual guidance. Lieutenant Dale Hinz tells us the post is looking for a chaplain. The chaplain is a volunteer member of clergy who helps state

Starting Thursday and running through the end of Friday is the 12th annual 97.5 Y Country “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Country Cares Radiothon.” Y Country Morning Host Matt Malone tells us the event raises money for

A legal battle over the vaccination of a 2-year-old girl will go to trial in Oakland County. Micheal Schmitt wants his daughter vaccinated, given local health concerns. He told Michigan News Network that includes an outgoing flu

South Haven Area Emergency Services held cold water rescue drills off the South Haven piers on Tuesday. Deputy Chief Tony Marsala tells WSJM News why the training is needed. “Any situation that would involve someone being in

The Berrien Community Foundation is taking applications for this year’s scholarships. Foundation President Lisa Cripps Downey tells us there are four new ones this year, with the BCF administering a total of more than 30. A new

State Representative Kim LaSata is taking a look at drafting legislation designed to crack down on the owners of abandoned, dilapidated businesses. She tells WSJM News the move comes on the heels of legislation she’s working on

One man is recovering after a home fire initially reported as an explosion in Cass County’s Milton Township Tuesday night. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department tells us it happened in the 33,000 block of Bertrand Street around

Changes could soon be coming to the World War I monument in downtown St. Joseph. The Daughters of the American Revolution addressed city commissioners this week to tell them they’re hoping to move a plaque with the

The city of St. Joseph is closer to having a parks master plan. Last year, a series of public meetings took the suggestions of residents for Dickinson Park, Riverview Park, and Whirlpool Centennial Park. At Monday’s city

From the Associated Press — Michigan drivers will get a tax cut, and those who owe extra fees assessed for certain traffic infractions will see them waived under bills approved by the Michigan Legislature. The state House

Berrien RESA has a school board post to fill. RESA tells us the board this week accepted the resignation of Thomas Fanning, its secretary. Fanning recently suffered an injury after falling at his home and can no

Benton Harbor Area Schools could be looking at another deficit this year. At Tuesday’s meeting, the board of education was told a reworking of the district’s financial operating plan shows some funds for at-risk students could have

A state House Committee has sent to the floor the “Rebekah Bletsch Bill,” which would require that convicted criminals be required to listen to the victim impact statements given during sentencing hearings. Representative Holly Hughes of Montague

The flu has been hitting hard in many states, including Michigan. It’s been tough in Kalamazoo County where Cherri’s Chocol’art  in Kalamazoo had to close for several days in January because of the flu. Owner Cherri Emory

Trustees on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education have heard from some parents and staff about the suspension last week of Superintendent Shelly Walker. At Tuesday’s meeting, former board member Elnora Gavin said the board

The national spotlight on the Larry Nassar scandal has cast Michigan in an unflattering light when it comes to how the state handles sexual assault on college campuses. A group of female lawmakers is setting out some