Local News Archives

The American Red Cross is putting out a call for donations of type O and AB blood. It says recent severe weather led to the cancellation of some 250 blood drives, resulting in more than 8,500 uncollected

Police officers in South Haven are not planning to start checking into the immigration status of locals. Chief Natalie Thompson on Thursday issued a statement reassuring anyone who might fear having their immigration status checked by the

Michigan State Police are investigating a head-on two vehicle crash near Buchanan on Wednesday night. It happened in the area of North Red Bud Trail and Miller Road around 8:35. Troopers say a vehicle driven by 48-year-old

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Senate has passed legislation designed to ensure a police officer’s bad behavior is not hidden if the officer resigns and takes a new job elsewhere. The bill approved unanimously Thursday next

(Lansing, MI – AP) – The state says Michigan’s unemployment rate rose to 5.3% in February, while the number of people entering the job market continued to grow. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget said

Housing prices are down a bit in Michigan’s Great Southwest. The latest monthly report from the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors notes February’s average selling price dropped 22% from January, while the median price of $114,000 was

You can count state Senator John Proos as a fan of the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline. He tells us he’s introduced a resolution in the state Senate calling on the president and the U.S. secretary of state

Captain Scott Kelly is the latest guest to appear before the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan. The retired NASA astronaut addressed the crowd at the Mendel Center Wednesday night, reflecting on what he learned during his more

You can now submit applications to the United Way of Southwest Michigan for its annual Volunteer Recognition Event, set for July. Spokesperson Ryan Cheevers tells WSJM News they gather each year to give out awards to young

Congress will likely be hammering out a federal budget all the way through the summer, according to Congressman Fred Upton. He tells our newsroom President Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Meals on Wheels,

The high school drop-out rate in Michigan is continuing its decline. Lauren Leeds, with the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information, tells WSJM News the trend for several years has been positive. “If you look back

State Representative Beth Griffin, of Mattawan, is introducing legislation that directs Michigan’s Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission to develop a new curriculum for high school students about the dangers of opioids. Griffin says young people should

Human trafficking victims would get help rebuilding their lives under legislation approved by the Michigan House. House members unanimously approved the measure on Wednesday. Republican Representative Bronna Kahle, of Adrian, sponsored the bill that could forgive prostitution-related offenses

There’s a new board chair in place at Honor Credit Union. At a meeting this week, former Honor CU Board Chair Larry Olson stepped down and handed the gavel to Mimi Elwell. Olson has served on the

Coming up next week is a hospitality jobs fair at Lake Michigan College. Organized by Kinexus, the fair will include more than 50 employers in the hospitality industry seeking to hire people right now. Kinexus Director of

AMBER Alert is being issued for Burton Police Department. Child#1: Arinna Buning, white female, Age 2, brown hair, hazel eyes, 3 foot tall, 28. Pounds, wearing a  pink coat purple pants and blue snow boots. Child#2: Lincoln

Benton Harbor is among the best places in the country in which to retire early, according to at least one report. A study from Magnify Money published this month takes a look at factors including the cost

From the Associated Press — Michigan officials are taking applications from owners of forest land who would like to enroll their property in a program that shields it permanently from development. Michigan’s Forest Legacy Program uses federal and

Wednesday brings the 11th annual Chili Cook Off and Walk in Buchanan. Randy Hendrixson, with the chamber of commerce, tells WSJM News 31 chilies will compete for three awards as folks walk around the downtown and sample

A report from Crain’s Detroit Business finds Michigan has ranked fourth in the nation for power outages over the last six years, despite ranking tenth in population. Judy Palnau, with the Michigan Public Service Commission, tells WSJM News there

A Niles-based metal stamping company seeking to expand into Benton Township has been granted a tax break to make it possible. Modineer is looking to locate its coating division in the township, creating 21 new jobs. Township

Two Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies have received extra training to be better prepared for service as corrections officers. The sheriff’s department tells our newsroom Devonte Hureskin and Brandon Dipert just wrapped up a four-week course at the

Southwest Michigan grape growers still have another nervous month ahead of them. That’s because of all this warmer-than-usual weather. MSU Extension’s Brad Baughman tells WSJM News the crop could be in trouble if it stays warm for a

Lawmakers met in Lansing Tuesday to discuss eliminating the state’s twice annual time change. Jada Paisley, with the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, told them eliminating Daylight Saving Time would have a negative effect on her industry.

From the Associated Press — The rusty patched bumblebee is officially an endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the designation took effect Tuesday, making the rusty patched bumblebee the first bee species in the continental

From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has written letters to every member of Michigan’s congressional delegation to warn how House Republicans’ health care legislation would “adversely impact” the state’s most vulnerable residents. The Republican governor’s letter,

The two anglers who drowned in Keeler Lake over the weekend have been identified. According to Michigan State Police, the victims were 45-year-old Douglas McIntyre of Decatur and 64-year-old Robert Novick of Illinois. The two died at

A retired Kellogg Corporation vice president is said to be eyeing a run for Congress in Michigan’s 6th Congressional District. Lansing’s MIRS News reports George Franklin is considering running against Congressman Fred Upton if the St. Joseph

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is crediting the cable barrier in the median on I-94 with preventing what could have been a very bad accident Monday afternoon. Deputies say the driver of a semi fell asleep

A southwest Michigan teenager will be returning home soon after being found in Ames, Iowa on the campus of Iowa State University. Michigan State Police issued an Endangered Missing Advisory yesterday for 16-year-old Joy Dene Martin of