The Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park in Cass County has been designated as an International Dark-Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association, making it one of only two areas in the state with that distinction. The Cass
From the Associated Press — A judge has set aside a life sentence for a man who was convicted of killing his pregnant girlfriend when they were teenagers and burying her body in southwestern Michigan. The decision
In the history of the city of St. Joseph, just two police officers have ever been killed in the line of duty. Deputy Public Safety Director Steve Neubecker says the first of those, 23-year-old Patrolman Francis LaMunion,
With Berrien County Prosecutor Mike Sepic not seeking another term, the first to announce his candidacy for the office is Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Steve Pierangeli. He has been with the office for more than 15 years,
The Michigan House of Representatives has approved legislation designed to better protect Michigan’s vulnerable children and improve the performance of the state’s Children’s Protective Services division. State Representative Matt Hall of Marshall tells us his bill requires
The date is set for a joint meeting of the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph city commissions along with the St. Joseph Township board to discuss the formation of the work group on the Twin Cities Harbor
The city of New Buffalo has been awarded a $112,000 grant from the state to further develop a local trail system. The office of state Representative Brad Paquette says the money comes from the 2019 Recreation Passport
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded 51 Michigan water systems with its Water Fluoridation Quality Award for the year. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin tells WSJM News most
Some awards to recognize those who have worked to improve infrastructure in the past year around southwest Michigan have been announced by the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. Associate planner Kris Martin tells WSJM News the group’s board
The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners has approved a resolution asking the Michigan Legislature and the governor to declare the Great Lakes shoreline a disaster area. Van Buren County Administrator John Faul tells WSJM News the
The reconstruction project on Center Street in downtown South Haven has been able to continue this week thanks to cooperative weather. South Haven Downtown Development Authority Director Deb Davidson tells WSJM News the project normally would be
Suggestions are being heard in Lansing on how to reduce jail populations. The 21-member Jail and Pretrial Incarceration Task Force was created by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and has support from Republican legislative leaders, like Speaker of the
We reported this month that Michigan State Police are working with the trucking industry to help stop human trafficking. Another industry that is responding to the crime is hospitality. Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association President Justin Winslow
Congressman Fred Upton is hailing House passage last week of the PFAS Action Act. He tells us the legislation would designate the substances under the EPA’s Superfund program to accelerate the clean-up process at military facilities and
From the Associated Press — A Lake Michigan community has voted to spend $20,000 to kill as many as 30 deer at two parks in western Michigan. The unanimous vote by the Muskegon City Commission is an
Southwest Michigan farmers will gather at Lake Michigan College next month for the annual Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days conference. MSU Extension pest management educator Mike Reinke tells WSJM News the event is a trade show for those
The cost of a Michigan state parks Recreation Passport is about to go up. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson tells WSJM News the price will go up by $1 in March,
The Michigan Department of Transportation unveiled five pedestrian bridges being built as part of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge to Canada in Detroit last week. Speaking on the MDOT podcast, Talking Transportation, the governor’s point man
Nobo of Michigan, LLC has been granted the permits it needs to move forward with opening a medical marijuana production and processing facility in Benton Harbor. The Benton Harbor City Commission, after much discussion, granted permits to
Set for this coming Monday is the 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration at Lake Michigan College. LMC President Trevor Kubatzke tells WSJM News they’re expecting more than 600 people, one of the biggest groups
Benton Harbor Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis hopes to help bring about a change of attitudes in the community as he works to reduce gun violence. He tells WSJM News gun crimes have been increasing in recent
The South Haven Harbor Commission is thinking about how to handle increased water levels in Lake Michigan. It’s held a meeting to discuss the problem as Harbor Master Kate Hozier tells WSJM News city leaders want to
Congressman Fred Upton has met with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss shoreline erosion and high water levels in the Great Lakes. He tells WSJM News he and two other Michigan
This week, as part of the investigation of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent a letter to Enbridge, Incorporated requesting documents dating back to 1953. State Senator Ed McBroom, an Upper
Michigan is one step closer to granting municipalities the right to tax residents when spraying for mosquitoes. The bills have passed the House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee. Brian Ellison of the Michigan Libertarian Party is
The Soo Locks have been closed for routine maintenance and repairs. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will use the shutdown period, which runs through March 25, to work on the gates and electronics, and also to
From the Associated Press — A Michigan lawmaker has apologized after telling a young female reporter that a group of high school boys could “have a lot of fun” with her. State Senator Pete Lucido, a Republican
From the Associated Press — A task force says Michigan should reclassify many traffic offenses as civil infractions, release more defendants before trial without requiring them to pay money and take other steps to reduce jail populations
From the Associated Press — Michigan would lift its ban on stun guns under legislation advanced by lawmakers. The bill would allow the sale, possession and “reasonable use” of a stun device by those 18 and older.
Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education Trustee Patricia Rush is resigning. At Tuesday’s school board meeting, Rush said she ran for the board in 2018 because of her commitment to social justice, and upon being seated,
