Local News Archives

There’s a new boss at the Cook nuclear power plant in Bridgman. Cook plant spokesperson Bill Schalk tells WSJM News Kelly Ferneau becomes the plant’s 16th manager since 1969, and the first woman in charge at Cook.

State Representative Beth Griffin is praising an announcement this week that more than $31,000 in grants are going to FIRST Robotics teams around Van Buren County. She tells us the robotics teams are an excellent way for

The Mattawan Food Pantry has received a little extra boost thanks to the Wolverine Pipe Line Company. Lead pipeline controller Al Goodrich presented the food bank last month with a check for $1,600 to help families in

Going on this weekend is the 14th annual Hunter Ice Festival in Niles. The fun kicked off Friday, and events take place throughout town through Sunday. Lisa Crotau with Niles Mainstreet tells WSJM News it’s all about

From the Associated Press — A new study says the base cost to educate a regular K-12 student in Michigan is $9,590. That figure doesn’t include transportation, food or capital costs.The report released Wednesday was funded by foundations

The 25th Annual Ice Breaker Festival in South Haven is coming the first weekend in February and ice carving is a big draw to the festival, according to Susan Diepen of the South Haven Chamber. She spoke

From the Associated Press — Michigan State University has agreed to allow white nationalist Richard Spencer to speak on campus during spring break. The deal signed Thursday says Spencer can appear on March 5. But he’ll be at

State Senator John Proos is among the Michigan lawmakers who voted this week to override a veto from Governor Rick Snyder to a tax cut lawmakers have approved. Proos tells us this cut makes it less expensive

The winter Thrill on the Hill event in Buchanan has been canceled. The annual event features sledding down the big hill downtown on snow produced on site. The Buchanan Chamber of Commerce tells us Thrill on the

The Niles Amtrak station is getting rid of its ticket window this spring. Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari tells WSJM News March 1 will bring that change. He says ticket windows aren’t really needed at Amtrak stations anymore.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is giving out $3.6 million in grants around the state to fight invasive species. The DNR’s Joanne Foreman tells us the Van Buren Conservation District is getting $60,000. One problematic invasive

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s unemployment rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.7 percent in December while the size of the state’s workforce grew by 12,000 people. Figures released Thursday by the Michigan Department

As the number of senior citizens increases, so does the need for the funding of services. The same millage that has been on the ballot for over 20 years in South Haven will be on the ballot

The Michigan House has received a report from a task force that investigated mental health treatment over the past several months. The task force held meetings all over Michigan speaking with doctors, law enforcement, and advocates about

A Hartford man is dead after being struck by a car in Berrien Township Thursday morning. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us it happened on Old US-31 just north of Deans Hill Road around 7:20 a.m.

Detroit isn’t on Amazon’s list of cities under consideration for the online retail giant’s second headquarters. Seattle-based Amazon on Thursday named 20 cities that didn’t include the Motor City, which had submitted a proposal. Amazon plans to

Filling up could start emptying your wallet again in the next few days. Refinery problems in Missouri and Illinois get the blame according to GasBuddy.com analyst Patrick DeHaan. So, how much can we expect to pay? “Prices

A couple of locations in southwest Michigan have been added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund Sites Redevelopment Focus List. The office of Congressman Fred Upton tells us this means the EPA views those sites as having

From the Associated Press — The Michigan Senate has approved a tax cut that goes further than fixing an unintended consequence of the federal tax overhaul. A bill approved unanimously Wednesday and sent to the House would gradually

Next week will be all about spreading the word about human trafficking for the Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division. Sergeant Paul Leonard at the Paw Paw post tells WSJM News troopers will hand out cards to

Two resolutions urging the U.S. Senate to cut funding to sanctuary cities and to pass Kate’s Law have received approval from the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee. The resolutions from state Senators Tonya Schuitmaker and Patrick Colbeck were

Set for this Saturday is the return of a popular winter event in Cass County. Parks Director Scott Wyman tells WSJM News they’re holding the 12th annual Discover Winter Nights at Dr. T.K. Lawless Park. Discover Winter

The Benton Township Police Department is looking for a suspect following an armed home invasion on Wednesday afternoon. It happened in the 1300 block of Whispering Trail around 2:15. When officers arrived at the scene, they checked

State grants totaling more than $31,000 are going to seven Van Buren County school districts for their FIRST Robotics teams. State Representative Beth Griffin announced the grants this week. She says they range in size from $2,500

Students and others have had a chance to learn and think a little bit about privilege thanks to a program at Lake Michigan College this week. Wednesday brought a privilege walk at the college as part of

Two suspects are facing charges following a chase in Van Buren and Kalamazoo counties on Tuesday morning. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us deputies tried to stop a vehicle for an obstructed license plate around

From the Associated Press — For the first time in Governor Rick Snyder’s tenure, the Michigan Legislature has voted to override one of his vetoes. The Republican-led legislature voted Wednesday to support a tax cut for people who

Benton Harbor City Commissioners are looking at getting the city’s housing rehabilitation program up and running again, although they want it done right. At Tuesday’s meeting, they heard about a proposal to bring in the Southwest Michigan

The Berrien Community Foundation is refreshing its competitive grant program for the new year. BCF Program Director Susan Matheny tells WSJM News the grants are being replaced by the new For Good Grants to be available twice

From the Associated Press — A gymnast has told a Michigan judge of her confusion and embarrassment at age 9 when a now-disgraced former sports doctor sexually abused her during a medical examination. Seventeen-year-old Jessica Thomashow said Tuesday