Local News Archives

A Berrien County substitute teacher is getting some recognition for her entry into a video contest. Lauren Mott teaches grades K through 12 at Bridgman and River Valley Schools. She tells us she came to the area

May is National Drug Court Month and in celebration, the Van Buren County Drug Treatment Court will have guest speakers this Friday that will address the impact of drug courts in our area. Speakers will include the

State Representative Mary Whiteford of Casco Township has introduced legislation intended to benefit patients getting prescriptions filled. She tells WSJM News under current rules, pharmacists are not allowed to tell a patient the true cost of their

Everything is back to normal at the Benton Township Walmart after a brief evacuation this morning. The Benton Township Fire Department and Michigan Gas Utilities were called out to the store around 8 a.m. on a report

For the most part April car sales are off about 5%. While it wasn’t a great month, Edmunds.com analyst Jessica Caldwell told Michigan News Network this week it wasn’t terrible either. “April is a solid month, certainly

There is some infighting amongst Democrats running for governor. Gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed is challenging the validity of opponent Shri Thanedar’s ballot petition signatures. El-Sayed filed his complaint Tuesday, hours after Thanedar announced his own complaint saying

A new poll shows Michigan residents want the state to invest in higher education to keep tuition low, and that more than 80% believe their child will receive at least a four-year college degree. The survey was

A drug take-back event this past Saturday resulted in more than 966 pounds of unneeded prescription medications being collected across the state. Michigan State Police tell us the agency’s 30 posts served as drop-off locations for people

It’s Wine Month in Michigan with many activities throughout the state. How are Michigan’s vineyards doing though after an unusually cold April? That question was put to Janelle Jagman of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council.

Set for this month is the grand opening of the new Pilgrim Haven Natural Area near South Haven. Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy President Peter Ter Louw tells WSJM News the 27 acre parcel of land along Lake

A Bloomingdale-based company is planning to invest $12 million in the expansion of broadband internet in Van Buren County over the next few years. Bloomingdale Communications General Manager Steve Shults tells WSJM News the company is rolling

Congressman Fred Upton says “everyone,” including President Trump, deserves some credit for recent improvements in the relations between North and South Korea. Upton tells WSJM News he was pleased to see this past weekend’s developments. “Some very

From the Associated Press — A man who was under the influence of drugs has been convicted of second-degree murder in a crash that killed five bicyclists in southwestern Michigan. The verdict against Charles Pickett was returned Tuesday

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after a 73-year-old man was killed while cutting wood on Tuesday. The department tells us the accident happened around noon in the 58,000 block of White Temple Road in Penn

The Michigan Supreme Court has thrown out the conviction of a Benton Harbor activist who was charged with forgery after submitting petitions to recall a mayor. Edward Pinkney was sentenced to at least 30 months in prison

Everyone will have a chance to learn more about the opioid epidemic at a meeting planned for Wednesday in St. Joseph Township. St. Joe Township Police Officer Rick Knapp tells WSJM News the neighborhood watch program is

From the Associated Press — Michigan election officials are reviewing a letter that requests an investigation into Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s eligibility to run for governor. The state Bureau of Elections received a letter from Pamela Nelson last week.

There’s an effort in Lansing to boost the funding in the fight against a contagious and fatal central-nervous-system disease found in deer, elk, and moose. State Representative Beau LaFave told Michigan News Network more. “Chronic wasting disease

Heads up,GR! That’s the name of a new summer safety campaign in Grand Rapids for pedestrians and bicyclists. Grand Rapids Traffic Safety Manager Chris Zull told Michigan News Network they have a new law requiring drivers to

The changes keep coming for Benton Harbor Area Schools. At a Monday meeting, the board of education voted to part ways with or re-assign several administrators. It also moved to terminate a contract for a gang prevention

While spring has arrived in Michigan, some folks still are trying to catch up on their heating costs from winter. There is still one month available to apply for energy-bill assistance through the State Emergency Relief program.

Everyone is encouraged to take part in a special event set for this Friday to help promote environmental responsibility. Chris Martin with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission tells WSJM News it’s Clean Commute Day. “The goal is

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after a Dowagiac man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Monday. It happened shortly after 5:30 a.m. on Calvin Hill Street near North Shore Drive in Calvin Township. 29-year-old

The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office has cleared two sheriff’s deputies of wrongdoing in a crash this month that killed three. The crash happened the morning of April 15 during a chase. Prosecutor Michael Sepic tells WSJM News

Monday brought the ribbon cutting for the new the Al-Van Humane Society animal shelter on Blue Star Highway in South Haven. Executive Director Jennifer Nuernberg told WSJM News the move means a lot to the staff. “Where

A whole heap of pills and other prescription medications are now being handed off to the Drug Enforcement Agency for safe disposal thanks to a drug take-back event held on Saturday in St. Joseph. Michigan State Police

A 911 call made from an Apple Watch enabled first responders to rescue a man who fell into the Black River in South Haven on Monday. It happened shortly after 8 a.m. at the River Norie Yacht

From the Associated Press — The city of Detroit has been released from active state oversight just over three years after exiting the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. A nine-member review commission unanimously voted Monday on a

Attorney General Bill Schuette’s campaign is getting the support of the White House. President Trump announced his endorsement of Schuette at a suburban Detroit rally Saturday night. “Tonight we’re especially honored to be joined by a really

“Why Our Political Is Behaving So Oddly” is the topic South Haven Speaker Series guest Phil Power address on Thursday, May 10th at the Lake Michigan College South Haven campus. Speaker Series Board President Mark Odland tells