Local News Archives

South Haven Area Emergency Services helped to put out a barn fire in Covert Township Tuesday morning. It says getting to the scene in the 73,000 block of County Road 378 was difficult due to its location

With temperatures expected to warm up in Michigan on Wednesday into the 40s and even 50s in some areas, the U.S. Coast Guard says there’s no such thing as safe ice. Coast Guard Station Tawas Chief Petty

A new coalition is urging the Michigan Legislature to tackle the epidemic of gun violence. Michigan ranks 21st for overall gun homicides, though that number is far greater when race is factored in – the state ranks

A new survey shows increasing concern among teachers in Michigan classrooms. 91% of those surveyed in late January said they were extremely or very concerned about the growing teacher shortage and its impact in the classroom. Michigan

Governor Whitmer spoke to the Detroit Chamber Monday about how important Detroit’s international border crossing is to Michigan’s economy. When speaking about the week-long closure of the Ambassador Bridge, Whitmer said she remains concerned about similar economic

From the Associated Press — A 40-year-old snowboarder who won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics has been honored with a parade in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Nick Baumgartner walked the streets of Iron River with the

Lakeshore Public Schools will no longer require students to wear masks as of Tuesday. At a Monday meeting, the board of education approved a resolution changing the Return to Learn plan to end the mask mandate. Superintendent

St. Joseph City Commissioners have agreed to hold a special meeting with the Downtown Development Authority to discuss the concept of paid parking downtown. At its last meeting, the commission told the DDA to further explore the

Low income Michigan residents could qualify for free home weatherization services through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The agency’s Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity Director Kris Schoenow tells WSJM News federal funds

Coming up this month, you’ll be able to find a yeti at Tiscornia Beach in St. Joseph. City Recreation Manager Carrie Ogonowski tells us while most people don’t think of heading to Tiscornia in the winter, it’s

Michigan lawmakers are working on the next state budget after hearing the governor’s proposals. State Representative Jack O’Malley of Lake Ann in Benzie County says she will not get all of what she wants. “When I got

With Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health formalizing their merger last month, creating the new BHSH System, what will change? BHSH Lakeland President Loren Hamel tells WSJM News the move was made to ensure there are more resources

From the Associated Press — The federal government will pay $360,000 to local authorities who responded to the shooting at a Michigan high school in November. Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin says the money will go for overtime and

From the Associated Press — More than $1.1 million in grants have been awarded to 17 coastal management projects and programs in Michigan. Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy says the funding will help protect,

Free bottled water continues to be provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and distributed by local, paid residents of the City of Benton Harbor. Residents are being encouraged to use bottled water

What was your favorite ad in the Super Bowl? Michigan State University Marketing Professor Bob Kolt told Michigan News Network several of the commercials stood out during Sunday’s broadcast. “We picked Amazon Alexa as number one and

We’re about two months away from Tax Day. Your W-2 is one thing, but you’re not totally ready to file your taxes unless you have the proper documentation of money earned outside of your employer. That could

Governor Whitmer is pleased the Ambassador Bridge has reopened between Detroit and Windsor. The bridge had been shut down due to Canadian protests for nearly seven days. The closure caused significant financial losses for Michigan’s working families

A $1.2 billion bill to fight COVID-19 has been approved by the Michigan Legislature this past week. The plan is the latest from funding that was enacted by Congress and President Joe Biden last year. It includes

The Friends of Berrien County Trails have announced a series of public engagement activities and a survey as it works on a master plan for the trails system. The group’s Marcy Hamilton tells WSJM News there will

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved an ordinance requiring lead water service lines installed around the city to be replaced. The city attorney told commissioners at meeting this past week the ordinance would require property owners to

Fire deaths in Michigan were up by 144% during January. Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer tells WSJM News the state has recorded 18 fires resulting in 22 deaths, all accidental and preventable. “One common thing that

A new award for volunteers in Cass County has been created by the United Way of Southwest Michigan. It says Judge Susan L. Dobrich Volunteer Leadership Award for Cass County will go each year to one volunteer

A report has been released by members of the U.S. House on the trafficking of synthetic opioids. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the final report of the U.S. Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking lays the

Police agencies around the nation and in Michigan have been experiencing trouble with recruitment the last couple of years. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey tells WSJM News he sees departments all over that are hearing from fewer

Construction is nearing completion on the first building that will house a new marijuana growing operation in Lawrence. 305 Farms began work on the 40-acre site in 2020. CEO Matthew Peon tells WSJM News the plan is

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s second-largest county is dropping a mask requirement for schools and day care facilities, pointing to a sharp decline in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations and rising vaccination rates. The announcement by Oakland

The Boys and Girls Club’s South Haven Youth of the Year is 14-year-old Yoselin Cortez. She was given the honor at a celebration at South Haven High School Thursday and will now represent the Boys and Girls

Michigan Works is looking for staff to help replace lead water lines in Benton Harbor. Director of Business Solutions Mark O’Reilly tells WSJM News they’re going to need laborers, landscapers, and administrative staff. The labor positions will

A new initiative has been announced to help Van Buren County prepare for the closure of the Palisades nuclear power plant in June. Southwest Michigan Planning Commission Director John Egelhaaf tells WSJM News the Palisades Economic Recovery