Local News Archives

Relief is coming to Michigan residents who owe money in the form of driver responsibility fees. Michigan Secretary of State’s office spokesperson Fred Woodhams tells WSJM News the fees will be totally a thing of the past

Congressman Fred Upton is pushing for more money for states next year to treat mental illness. He tells WSJM News he and some colleagues this week sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee asking for money

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is celebrating another successful fundraising year. On Thursday, the United Way held its 75th anniversary celebration, noting it managed to raise more than $4.2 million in the latest capital campaign. In

School systems around the country are reviewing their security systems and procedures, including in Bangor. Bangor Public Schools Superintendent Lynn Johnson tells WSJM News the work is ongoing. “We’ve done a lot,” Johnson said. “We’re working with

The St. Joseph Township Police Department is investigating a crime involving a local ATM that has international implications. The department tells us officers were called out to the United Federal Credit Union at 2580 South Cleveland around

Southwestern Michigan College is telling everyone in the area not to fall for a phone scam that shows up on caller ID as the college. SMC tells us someone calls with a high pressure sales pitch for

Leaders at the Countryside Academy in Benton Township are working to calm parents upset about a threat the high school received this week. On Wednesday, a threat to shoot up the school was found written on a

From the Associated Press — Michiganders should be able to register to vote online, state senators say. The lawmakers voted 35-1 Thursday for five bills that would enact an electronic voter registration database operated through Secretary of State

State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker is being ripped by students in Allegan for her remarks about the national student demonstrations this week calling for gun law reforms and honoring the victims and survivors of the Parkland, Florida school

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for a few volunteers who would like to help remove invasive plants from Warren Dunes State Park this weekend. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. stewards of

Now that Governor Rick Snyder has approved a disaster declaration for 17 counties affected by flooding this month and last month, Congressman Fred Upton is hoping to get some federal relief for businesses that were hurt. He

This week’s meeting of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education brought a statement from School Board President Marletta Seats about the status of ongoing investigations. Seats read a prepared statement, saying parents have asked her

An open house will be held this month for Benton Harbor-area residents to hear about possible plans for improvements to Napier Avenue. The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission’s Ryan Fellows tells WSJM News a study is currently in

Lake Michigan College has announced the creation of four new scholarships for students. Offered through the Lake Michigan College Foundation, three of the funds will support students in advanced manufacturing, culinary management, and wine making. Another is

Now seeking a second term in the Michigan House representing Van Buren County is state Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan. She tells WSJM News she filed paperwork on Thursday to run for re-election. Griffin says it’s been

Relief is coming to Michigan residents who owe money in the form of driver responsibility fees. The Michigan Secretary of State’s office tells us beginning on March 31, those who have entered into a payment plan on

There was testimony in Lansing Thursday from John Engler, the president of Michigan State University. Following the school’s failed handling of complaints about sexual assault from former spots doctor Larry Nassar, the Michigan Senate Subcommittee on Higher

Classes were cancelled for Thursday at the Countryside Academy in Benton Township due to a threat found in a men’s room on Wednesday. The Benton Township Police Department tells WSJM News officers were called out to the

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has received an update on the academic progress of district students since the partnership agreement with the state went into effect. Acting Superintendent Patricia Robinson tells WSJM News there’s

Benton Harbor is going to get a pair of grants totaling nearly $800,000 from the Michigan Department of Treasury. The money will be used for a new fire engine and to replace water meters in the city.

Bottled water sales in the United States are skyrocketing, but a new report looks at what is actually being sold to those customers. In “Take Back the Tap,” Food and Water Watch researchers look at the booming

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s first veteran fund has been approved by lawmakers in the state House. They voted 107-1 Wednesday to create the County Veteran Service Fund, which would deploy veteran service officers to each county

You’re running out of time to go skating at the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena in St. Joseph this winter. The city of St. Joe tells us the arena will be closing for the season this

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department will have its eye on drivers this weekend as southwest Michigan celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. Chief Deputy Robert Boyce tells WSJM News it’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” time. “In partnership

The Michigan Secretary of State’s office is praising the Michigan Legislature for approving the creation of a new 30-day grace period for drivers to affix their new license plate tabs when they renew their registration each year.

As students protested school violence across the country Wednesday, the U.S. House was voting to increase security in schools. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the STOP School Violence Act had its vote, passing 407 to 10.

Three people are now in custody following a couple of police chases on Wednesday in Van Buren County. Michigan State Police tell us troopers were involved in two separate chases with the same suspects, one of whom

The Michigan Senate this week approved a resolution co-sponsored by state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker to salute the women who hold elected office in the state. The resolution declares March 19, next Monday, as Women in Public Office

High school students at schools around southwest Michigan and the entire country have raised their voice to speak out against violence. At Lakeshore High School Wednesday morning, the kids walked out to chants of “enough is enough.”

South Haven City Manager Brian Dissette is tasking the city council with addressing a list of priorities he gave to them at a meeting last night. The council members also added to the document, and Dissette says