Local News Archives

A shelter has been set up at Berrien Springs Middle School for local families displaced by flooding this week. One girl we spoke with, Yurida, told us she had to leave her home quickly when it was

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department continues to help local first responders deal with flooding. Undersheriff Chuck Heit tells WSJM News the department was helping to evacuate some Royalton Township residents on Thursday in the area of of

The current political climate has inspired a local Democrat to run for Michigan House in the 79th District. Joey Andrews operates a solar energy company and works for a family business in the St. Joseph area. He

Two girls are back with their families following a rescue by South Haven Area Emergency Services this week. The department tells us firefighters on Tuesday afternoon rescued the girls who were stuck in a ravine area behind

23 passengers aboard an Indian Trails bus that caught fire on I-94 in Van Buren County Thursday are unhurt. Michigan State Police tell us the bus was in the eastbound lanes of the highway near Hartford when

From the Associated Press — The University of Michigan is changing a policy that allows for classes to begin 10 minutes after their scheduled start. The university announced that the “Michigan Time” policy will be phased out on

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is congratulating one of its corrections officers for having completed a local corrections officer training academy held at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The sheriff’s department tells us Rebecca Laws took part

From the Associated Press — The Michigan House has voted to spend $175 million on road and transportation projects as the winter thaw reveals awful potholes around the state. Governor Rick Snyder had proposed spending the money in

Two shelters are now open in Berrien County for people being driven from their homes due to the flood. The American Red Cross tells WSJM News they’ve opened shelters at Berrien Springs Middle School and at Wesley

The Berrien County Courthouse in Niles will be closed through Monday due to flooding. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us all matters involving traffic citations, arraignments or reporting to probation offices should now report to the

A new plan from state Senator John Proos is designed to allow more wheelchair-accessible vehicles to receive a state registration fee deduction. Proos tells us the idea applies to vehicles that have been specially-modified for wheelchair use.

There has been some historic flooding in the Niles area this week, and Berrien Springs has been hard hit as well. Niles City Administrator Ric Huff tells WSJM News there are some things residents need to do

While the nation debates gun control again, Congressman Fred Upton says he’s always been in favor of some common sense rules. He tells WSJM News he was calling for universal background checks back in the 90s. He

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is partnering with local fire and police departments to respond to flooding throughout the area. Undersheriff Chuck Heit tells WSJM News there are some simple safety rules for drivers to follow as

Benton Harbor Area Schools has shuffled around its business office. At a meeting Tuesday, the board voted to contract with Rehmann Robson accounting firm to manage finances. Trustee Joseph Taylor told WSJM News that comes as the

The arrival of spring can provide some interesting and sometimes severe weather, and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department would like to sign up some volunteers to help spot it. Lieutenant Robert Kirk tells WSJM News there

Flooding in Berrien County this week has been the worst in the Niles and Berrien Springs areas. The city of Niles put out word Wednesday morning the St. Joseph River level is poised to crest at 16.9

Flooding concerns all over southern lower Michigan and they’re being proactive in one area town. Part of Mattawan is threatened by floodwaters. The water is overflowing the banks of the Mattawan Creek which runs through the center

State Representative Kim LaSata has announced her campaign co-chairs as she runs for the Michigan Senate in the 21st District, and they’re some well-known names. LaSata tells us her chair for Berrien County will be Berrien County

From the Associated Press — A new invasive species has turned up in Lake Superior, the bloody red shrimp. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says researchers found a single specimen of the tiny shrimp in the Duluth-Superior

Drivers around Michigan are being advised to watch out for flooded roads this week. AAA’s Susan Hiltz tells WSJM News it is not wise to mess around with a road that’s underwater. “Avoid standing water on flooded

What to do with vacant buildings? That’s a question facing the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education as it puts together a district real estate plan in order to please the state. At a meeting Tuesday,

St. Joseph Public Schools has announced plans to build a new robotics facility. To be named the Edward J. Todd Innovation Center, the 7000 square foot building will be adjacent to the Career Technical Center of the

Michigan State Police recommend homeowners take steps to ensure they’re ready if any of the flooding that’s affected roads this week starts to hit homes. MSP Emergency Management Division Inspector Chris Bush tells WSJM News you can

Celebration Cinema has announced it will begin to do business under the name Studio C. The new entity is intended to serve as an overarching brand for the company’s theatre and consumer show divisions, along with new

The Berrien County Road Department and the Van Buren County Road Commission are both dealing with a large number of roads that have been flooded over this week. Berrien County Road Department Director Jason Lathum tells WSJM

The annual performance evaluation of Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Shelly Walker is now being worked on by the board of education. However, the board is facing one complication. Walker is currently suspended for an unspecified investigation.

The city of St. Joseph is advising everyone of some weather-related closings. The Howard Ice Arena is now shut down because of the warm weather. The city will keep us updated regarding its status. Also, the city

St. Joseph Public Schools Superintendent Ann Cardon tells WSJM News the investigation into a threat against the high school is continuing between the district, St. Joseph Public Safety, and the FBI. Cardon says there have been no