Local News Archives

No one is hurt following a crash between a school bus and an SUV in Cass County on Friday. The sheriff’s department tells WSJM News deputies were called to the scene on M-60 near Pine Lake Street in

A Lawton man is in the Van Buren County Jail following a drunken crash Thursday night. The 22-year-old’s vehicle was found in a swampy area submerged in about four feet of water near Marcellus. Sheriff’s deputies arrived

Legislation which would grant districts greater flexibility in implementing school calendars and schedules has passed a state committee. Sponsor state Representative Daniela Garcia spoke with Michigan News Network about it. “What this would do is allow our

South Haven Public Schools Superintendent Robert Herrera is a finalist for another job in west Michigan. He is among six up for the job of superintendent for Allendale Public Schools in Ottawa County. Dr. Herrera has headed

Last week’s wind storms and subsequent power outages have prompted Michigan State Police to issue a warning about carbon monoxide. MSP First Lieutenant Gabriel Covey tells WSJM News some folks around the state got sick last week

If Royalton Township leaders get their way, the township could get some big park improvements next year. The township has applied for two state grants, totaling $300,000, to pay for work at Bicentennial Park and the nature

State Senator John Proos is once again expecting the Michigan legislature to roundly approve a resolution calling on the federal government to do more to ensure the Asian carp doesn’t get into the Great Lakes. He tells

Individuals and businesses who helped the United Way of Southwest Michigan in the past year reach its fundraising goal have been saluted by the organization. It held its annual awards dinner Thursday at the Mendel Center, with

“Penny wise but pound foolish” is how Congressman Fred Upton describes the president’s new budget proposal. Upton has issued a brief statement on the plan. He writes that the budget “acknowledges our unsustainable national debt and does

The Lake Michigan College Foundation is taking over the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan. As the club has faced increased costs in recent years, it sent a letter to members this week telling them that handing off

President Donald Trump’s federal budget aims to eliminate the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and that’s expected to get some tough opposition from Michigan’s congressional delegation. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow told WKZO News she’s going to fight the

From the Associated Press — Members of Michigan’s House of Representatives have passed bills that would make the governor, lieutenant governor and the legislature accountable under the state’s Freedom of Information Act. The package of bills was voted

Firefighters say they managed to save a dog from a fire in Casco Township Thursday morning. It was reported in a home on Baseline Road near 70th Street shortly before 9 a.m. A passerby reported the place

From the Associated Press — President Donald Trump wants to eliminate federal support of a program that addresses the Great Lakes’ most pressing environmental threats. Trump’s 2018 budget released Thursday would remove all funding for the Great Lakes

State Superintendent Brian Whiston is waiting for word from the attorney general’s office on whether he can cut funding for school districts with offensive nicknames if they don’t change them. In particular, he wants to force Paw

Cornerstone Alliance is moving to a new facility in Benton Harbor. President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News they’ve found new digs on West Main, while Mosaic CCDA will take over Cornerstone’s current property on West Wall Street.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over spring campaign kicks off Thursday. Judge Geno Salomone stood in front of law enforcement officers talking about case after case of drunk drivers who went before him in court this

The new partnership agreement between Benton Harbor Area Schools and the state of Michigan is starting to come together. Benton Harbor Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker tells WSJM News she’s learning new things each day about how the partnership

Everyone’s welcome to come out on March 31 to see the Michigan Army National Guard engage in some training in Dowagiac. Guard Captain Ryan Kimball tells WSJM News about 50 guardsmen will board a Chinook helicopter as

The Michigan Department of Transportation has begun work on seven traffic signal replacements around St. Joseph. City Engineer Tim Zebell tells WSJM News the new signals going in around town are different in that they sit on mast

Recent controversies surrounding Bangor Public Schools have led to the publication of an online petition seeking to oust the school board and the former superintendent, who is now the chief operations officer. The petition on Change.org as

Stealing groceries has ended the law enforcement career of a man once named the Berrien County “Deputy of the Year.” Lieutenant Trent Babcock was fired this week for shoplifting nearly $200 in groceries from the Niles Walmart

There’s no school in Lawrence today, but not because of the weather. It’s what has been happening inside the building, mainly the spread of a nasty virus between classmates and staff that prompted the administration to call

Senators Tonya Schuitmaker of Lawton and Rick Jones of Grand Ledge are introducing bills to require the Executive and Legislative branches of state government be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. The package goes one step farther than

With power now restored for most Michiganders from last week’s wind storms, many of those impacted are picking up the pieces. Experts say that means it’s a busy time for scammers. Lori Conarton, with the Insurance Institute

A Michigan Senate resolution seeking to establish the right to hunt and fish in the state constitution has the backing of Senator John Proos. He tells WSJM News hunting and fishing are traditions that deserve legal protection. “The

The deficit at Benton Harbor Area Schools has gone down. The district says it’s been reduced by more than 39% in the last two years. That’s a statistic cited in a resolution the board of education approved

Blues guitarist Jonny Lang will headline this year’s BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival in St. Joseph. St. Joe Today’s Brian Smith tells WSJM News Lang had to cancel last year because of a family issue, but promised

Things have been going well for the Krasl Art Center as it seeks $1.7 million as part of a place-making initiative to reopen its grounds and offer an outdoor space. Executive Director Julia Gourley tells us the

Sheriff’s investigators in Cass County believe drugs and alcohol factored into a late Sunday rollover in Wayne Township. 34-year-old Lucas Black of Dowagiac swerved out of the way of a passing vehicle on Ruby Road before 10