Local News Archives

The state’s unpopular driver responsibility fees are being wiped off the books soon. Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says in a YouTube video those who have had their license suspended for not paying driver responsibility fees

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expecting the deer hunting season this year to be a strong one. DNR deer biologist Ashley Autenrieth tells WSJM News the 2018 forecast notes a robust herd this year due

Life expectancy and health is tied directly to race and your Zip code. In Berrien County and across America racism literally kills. Dr. David Ansell, Vice President Of Community Health at Rush University Medical Center, spoke on

A partnership that allows the Berrien County Treasurer’s Office help its counterparts in Van Buren County catch fraudulent homestead claims will continue for another three years. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News his office lends

Two candidate forums featuring the Republican and Democratic candidates for the Michigan Senate in the 21st District are set for next month. State Representative Kim LaSata has announced she’ll be at a Berrien RESA Candidate Forum on

Coming up next month will be a nationwide test of emergency alert systems, and officials in Berrien County want the public to let them know how it goes. Set for Wednesday, October 3 at 2:20 p.m., the

Are you registered to vote? This past Tuesday was National Register to Vote Day and Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says “USA Today” has named Michigan number one in getting people registered to vote. “Every 18-year-old

In Berrien County and across America racism literally kills. Dr. David Ansell, Vice President Of Community Health at Rush University Medical Center, will speak on this shocking reality September 27th at Lake Michigan College’s Hanson Theater. “A

The public has had a chance to offer input on plans to repave part of Napier Avenue in St. Joseph and Benton townships starting next year. At a forum this week, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission talked

A new report looks at the outcomes of kids who are born to young parents. Researchers from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found 9% of all 18 to 24-year-olds in Michigan — or about 85,000 people —

This past week was Rail Safety Week in Michigan when everyone was reminded to follow the rules of railroad tracks. Sam Crowl with Michigan Operation Lifesaver tells WSJM News they held events all week following a proclamation

Officials at Benton Harbor Area Schools are planning a new push to promote literacy. Communications Director Amy Nichols tells WSJM News “We Welcome Literacy” is a community event set for October 8 at the high school. On

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be applying lampricides to the Campbell Creek system in Van Buren County starting on Tuesday. Administrator Scott Grunder tells WSJM News the goal is to fight the invasive sea lamprey,

A series of celebrations is underway at Niles Community Schools as the district completes several renovation projects at its buildings. Work has been done at Niles High School, Eastside Connections, Ballard Elementary School, and Niles Cedar Lane.

New disciplinary and security measures are being put in place at Benton Harbor High School. District CEO Robert Herrera announced Friday it has “become apparent that a minority of students at Benton Harbor High School are not

The Michigan House has approved a resolution from state Representative Mary Whiteford to declare September PACE Awareness Month. The Casco Township Republican tells us PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, helps keep senior Michiganders

Andrews University has formally named its wellness center in honor of a former president. The university in Berrien Springs tells us it’s to be called the Andreasen Center for Wellness in recognition of Niels-Erik Andreasen, president emeritus

If you’re driving in Michigan, you now need to allow bicyclists some space on the roadways. That’s as a new law is now in effect. “The new law specifically requires you give bicyclists three feet of space,”

The University of Notre Dame will be making a lot of money in parking revenue on October 20 when Garth Brooks performs at Notre Dame Stadium. Parking lots will open at 10 a.m. for the 7 p.m.

There’s a guilty plea connected to accused Benton Harbor double murderer Antwan Mims, but not in his case. His wife, Yalonda Mims, has entered a guilty plea to a charge of recording a fraudulent quit claim deed

The more than 10 mile trail being planned for Red Arrow Highway in Berrien County is a unique arrangement for the area. Instead of just being a Berrien County Parks Department effort, it’s a joint effort with

Police say an end-of-summer crackdown on drunk driving across Michigan led to hundreds of arrests and citations. Michigan State Police announced Thursday the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown that started August 17 and ran through

A special celebrity guest is coming to the Niles Scream Park. The park’s Kellie Welch tells WSJM News Tony Moran, the man behind the mask in the horror classic Halloween will be at the attraction from October

  A skilled trades training program hailed by state Senator John Proos will be permanent in Michigan now that the governor has signed legislation Proos co-sponsored. Proos tells WSJM News the Going Pro Talent Program awards grants

The Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven is a non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to providing emergency food and shelter for homeless pets. Providing public education is an important part of Al-Van’s efforts to reduce the number

The man wanted for calling in a phony threat about someone with a gun at Eau Claire High School earlier this month is now in the Berrien County Jail. Police arrested 32-year-old Justin Bashore of Niles during

More than 150 stalled road projects across Michigan will resume because road builders have agreed to end a lockout of a union of heavy equipment operators. Governor Snyder announced the end of the labor impasse Thursday. He

A major federal spending bill will be considered by the U.S. House this week to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month, and among its supporters is Congressman Fred Upton. He tells us the

A death from the West Nile virus has been announced in Allegan County. West Nile, a mosquito-borne illness, can lead to serious neurological complications, especially in the elderly or people with diabetes or hypertension. The Allegan County

The public has had a chance to review a possible Red Arrow Highway trail project being planned in Berrien County. At an open house on Wednesday, Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey told WSJM News the master