Local News Archives

There will be extra police patrols out on the road this Fourth of July holiday period as officers look out for drunk and drugged drivers. It’s time once again for a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

The Berrien County Health Department is advising everyone to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites this summer. The county hasn’t yet had any cases of mosquito-borne illness, but department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News mosquito activity

A school aid budget that eliminates a funding gap between districts has been approved by the Michigan Legislature. The $17.1 billion K-12 budget would eliminate a longstanding base per-student funding gap among districts and boost overall funding

There will be a virtual meeting Thursday to discuss the performance of the Palisades nuclear power plant in 2020. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Viktoria Mitlyng tells WSJM News the NRC and plant staff will give a report

Congressman Fred Upton has released a statement after he attended the White House signing ceremony of a resolution, which he supported, to reverse regulations loosening methane emission standards. Upton’s full statement is below: “Climate change is real

The first Market Van Buren Business Recognition Awards were held this week in South Haven. Market Van Buren’s Zach Morris tells WSJM News the event was held to celebrate those businesses that have continued to make the

From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers are nearing final approval of a $17.1 billion K-12 budget, one that would eliminate a longstanding base per-student funding gap among districts and boost overall funding by a substantial 10%.

The city of New Buffalo is receiving some grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for recreational water projects. The DNR this week announced more than $4 million in grants for recreational boating projects around the

Buchanan’s Thrill on the Hill has been canceled for this summer. The event’s Facebook page says due to the amount of planning needed to hold the event, a decision on whether to hold it had to be

Spectrum Health has been named one of the 2021 Best Companies for Multicultural Women by Seramount, an organization that recognizes companies that create and use best practices in hiring, retaining, and promoting multicultural women in the United

The next budget for the city of Benton Harbor anticipates a shortfall that will require dipping into the fund balance. During a budget hearing Monday night, city finance staff told commissioners with some income tax revenue lost

Groups advocating for affordable housing in Michigan say systemic fixes are needed to keep people in their homes once the federal moratorium on evictions ends. The Biden administration has extended the moratorium through July 31, but said

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued an opinion stating that  sex-reassignment surgery should not be required for a person to change the gender listed on their birth certificate. Nessel’s office has released the following: Michigan Attorney

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is conducting a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over drunk driving enforcement campaign for the Fourth of July holiday period. The department has released the following: This Independence Day, law enforcement in

From the Associated Press — A cliff wall broke away at a national park along Lake Superior in northern Michigan, stunning some boaters who captured it on video. Sandstone and dirt crashed into the lake Saturday at

The Mendel Center is looking for some volunteers. Director Grace Kelmer tells WSJM News says with the new season approaching and things returning to normal, it’s now taking applications from those who would like to help. The

Southwestern Michigan College has boosted scholarships dramatically for next year to make higher education more affordable. SMC offered $880,000 in the 2021 budget, hiking that 62% to $1.4 million for 2022. SMC President Joe Odenwald tells WSJM

As floods closed highways in Detroit this past weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation is factoring future flood events into its project planning. Speaking on the MDOT podcast “Talking Transportation” this week, spokesperson Rob Morosi said the

The St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education has approved a new strategic plan for the 2021-2022 school year centered on equity and inclusion for all students. It’s the result of months of work by staff, the

Watervliet City Manager Tyler Dotson has received a contract extension from the city commission. The body held a special meeting last week and approved keeping on Dotson for another three years. That will take him through July

From the Associated Press — COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for employees at one of Michigan’s largest health care providers. Henry Ford Health System in southeastern Michigan says the policy starts Sept. 10 and covers employees, medical

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will welcome President Joe Biden to Michigan on Saturday. The two will visit Traverse City, where they will be marking and celebrating the progress the country has made so far to battle COVID-19. Biden

Voters in Michigan want to keep local control over short term rental properties. That’s one of the results of a statewide survey taken by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association about rental properties like Air BNB’s. The

A new study finds Michigan’s marijuana industry did $3.2 billion of business in 2020. The study was done by the Anderson Economic Group for the Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association and found there are 400 licensed medical marijuana

With the summer well underway, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is advising everyone to take steps to avoid mosquitoes. It says the first mosquito-borne virus of the year has been found in Bay, Oakland,

The cities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the deadly Yore Opera House fire. The St. Joseph City Commission approved the closure of Lake Boulevard/Port Street from Ship to State streets

The records lobbies of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department will be back open to walk-in service starting next Tuesday. The department says the lobbies provide services that include gun permits, sex offender registration, fingerprinting, and printed copies