Local News Archives

A Bloomingdale-based company is planning to invest $12 million in the expansion of broadband internet in Van Buren County over the next few years. Bloomingdale Communications General Manager Steve Shults tells WSJM News the company is rolling

Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley has announced the launch of a new website to draw attention to issues with the Soo Locks. The locks, located between Lake Huron and Lake Superior, allow ships to travel between Lake Superior

A Berrien County substitute teacher is getting some recognition for her entry into a video contest. Lauren Mott teaches grades K through 12 at Bridgman and River Valley Schools. She tells us she came to the area

Visitors to some of Berrien County’s most popular parks will soon be able to use credit cards to gain entrance. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey tells WSJM News Wi-Fi technology will be installed at the entrances

There’s an effort in Lansing to boost the funding in the fight against a contagious and fatal central-nervous-system disease found in deer, elk, and moose. State Representative Beau LaFave told Michigan News Network more. “Chronic wasting disease

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning says alcohol and drug-related crashes remain a significant problem in the state, even though a new report shows overall traffic deaths decreased 3% last year. MSP spokesperson Kendall Wingrove tells

While police in southwest Michigan work to educate the public about the dangers of opioids and also collect unneeded opioid prescriptions, Congressman Fred Upton is thinking federal legislation. He tells WSJM News he’s hoping for quick passage

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a Saturday rollover crash that resulted in three people being ejected from their vehicle. Police tell us it happened just before 2 p.m. on Quaker Street near Savage Road in in

Set for this month is the grand opening of the new Pilgrim Haven Natural Area near South Haven. Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy President Peter Ter Louw tells WSJM News the 27 acre parcel of land along Lake

May will bring the first of two Girls on the Run 5Ks planned in southwest Michigan this year. Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan Dirctor Julie Bos tells WSJM News the organization will stage the runs

State Representative Mary Whiteford of Casco Township has introduced legislation intended to benefit patients getting prescriptions filled. She tells WSJM News under current rules, pharmacists are not allowed to tell a patient the true cost of their

Benton Harbor is getting a new theater. Planned for May of 2019 is the brand new GhostLight Theatre to be located at 101 Hinkley Street right behind the Citadel Dance and Music Center. GhostLight co-owner Martha Hesse

Congressman Fred Upton says “everyone,” including President Trump, deserves some credit for recent improvements in the relations between North and South Korea. Upton tells WSJM News he was pleased to see last weekend’s developments. “Some very good

There’s a new Republican in the running for the Michigan Senate in the 26th District. That’s the district currently represented by state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, who is being term limited out of office. The latest to announce

Wading through streams and searching nets for aquatic insects might not be for everyone but, Van Buren Conservation District Director AJ Brucks tells us she really enjoys it. That’s just what she’ll be doing this Sunday with

State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan is backing legislation to remove an outdated law from the books in Michigan. Griffin tells WSJM News her bill would repeal a 1931 law which references the sentencing guidelines for committing

Van Buren County Animal Control is looking to adopt all of its pooches this Saturday with another Empty the Shelters event. Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department Operations Lieutenant Jim Charon tells WSJM News the Bissell Pet Foundation

Set for this Saturday at Madonna University in Livonia is the 8th annual Missing in Michigan gathering. It’s held by Michigan State Police each year to highlight missing persons cases that remain unsolved. Jolene Hardesty with the

In Lansing, debate is ongoing over legislation that would create a work requirement for those receiving Medicaid. State House Speaker Tom Leonard spoke to Michigan News Network about it. “This is something that I do personally support,”

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass has announced a name change. The organization tells us it is now going to be called Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lower West Michigan. The change comes as the

The Michigan Senate has signed off on the recommended Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund parks grants for the coming year. State Senator John Proos tells WSJM News the trust fund is supported by interest earned on funds

Set for Monday is the annual legislative senior and veterans expo in Van Buren County. The gathering was started about ten years ago by state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker as a way for her to stay in touch

Addiction experts are hoping to better educate the public about the nation’s opioid epidemic to help reduce the number of deaths. At a forum at St. Joseph Township Hall Wednesday, Berrien County Health Department Substance Abuse Prevention

The Van Buren District Library has big plans for Cinco de Mayo this Saturday. Van Buren District Library Adult Education and Community Relations Coordinator Kay McAdam told WSJM News more. “We decided that each of our seven

From the Associated Press — Enbridge Inc. has agreed to pay a $1.8 million penalty in a deal with the U.S. government, which accused the Canadian oil transport company of missing deadlines for inspecting pipelines to prevent

President Trump will be in our area next week. His campaign says the President will hold a rally on Thursday May 10 at South Bend’s Atlantic Aviation. He is expected to discuss the federal tax cuts, promote

The anti-bullying Relentless Tour will stop by Niles High School next week. Relentless features motivational speaker and former Michigan State University basketball player Anthony Ianni who tells WSJM News he started the tour in 2015 to urge

Local police have been honored by the Berrien County Health Department with its 2018 Friend of Public Health Award. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the award is given each year to an individual or organization that

Now on display at businesses throughout Berrien County are specially-decorated KitchenAid stand mixers. St. Joseph Today’s Amy Zapal tells us it’s a project called “Stand Mixers on Parade,” intended to thank the appliance maker for its support

Work begins Monday on a bridge over the Galien River, and drivers are being advised to give themselves a little extra time if they head that way. The Michigan Department of Transportation tells us it’s doing improvements