Local News Archives

There will soon be a new face on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education. It’s Margaret Gast, who was picked Tuesday to fill the vacancy created with the resignation of Elnora Gavin. Gast — no

Nearly 1.5 million Michiganders will travel at least 50 miles this Fourth of July. AAA spokesperson Susan Hiltz tells WKZO News that’s an increase of about 3.5%. She thinks more folks are traveling for a variety of reasons.

The Michigan Youth Leadership Academy will graduate 24 young men from the Benton Harbor area this Thursday. MSP Sergeant DuWayne Robinson tells WSJM News the program, offered since about 2006, teaches a variety of life skills to

St. Joseph City Commissioners are pleased with the performance of City Manager John Hodgson. This week, the commission held a closed session review for Hodgson. When they came out, they granted him a 1.5% pay increase. In

From the Associated Press — Online retailer Amazon.com plans to create 1,600 jobs in Michigan by opening a “fulfillment center” in the Detroit area. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board on Tuesday approved a $5 million grant for Amazon

A workplace death is under investigation in Niles. Shortly after 5 this morning, Niles police say 64-year-old Dennis Kobb was run over by the rear wheels of a semi while moving an empty trailer from the loading

The new Republican healthcare plan proposed in the U.S. Senate is being blasted by some women’s groups. Janele George, with the National Women’s Law Center, tells us she’s concerned because the bill allows what are known as

Horizon Bancorp, the owner of Horizon Bank, has announced a bit of a change for the institution which it says will result in savings. It’s converted Horizon Bank from a national bank to an Indiana state-chartered non-member

Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley recently proposed to institute a part-time legislature, and now, there’s a new proposal on the table. State Representative Jeff Yaroch has introduced a resolution to eliminate the separate state House and Senate to

St. Joseph City Commissioners have approved a Whirlpool request that a commercial rehabilitation district be created in the area of its tech center on Upton Drive. That move comes as the appliance maker aims to bring a

Earlier this month it was a Bridgman woman who won $300,000 from a Michigan Lottery scratch off. Now, it’s a Niles man who has won $208,000 from the Fantasy 5 game. The Michigan Lottery tells us 59-year-old

The South Haven Police Department has big law enforcement plans for the Fourth of July weekend. Sergeant Patrick Carlotto tells WSJM News they’ll have more than 75 officers from multiple departments stationed all over town, many at

With the summer here, the Berrien County Health Department is reminding everyone of how they can protect themselves from mosquitoes. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News prevention is key. For example, you can help stop an increase

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s high school graduation requirements would include a mandatory career readiness course under recommendations announced by Governor Rick Snyder. Snyder on Monday urged lawmakers to change the graduation requirements, known as the Michigan

Two Decatur teenagers allegedly went to Knoxville, Tennessee last week to make a deal for some high-grade marijuana, and didn’t come home alive. Police in Knoxville say 18-year-olds Sergio Rivera and Jaleon Morris were shot and killed

A state senator from Traverse City is seeking to end the controversy over the use of the Redskins nickname by schools. The school board in Paw Paw earlier this year voted to keep the nickname in place,

The death of a 21-year-old Galien man is being investigated by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies tell WSJM News Christopher Herman was hit by a train around 10:30 Saturday night on Main Street near Elgin Street

A new collaborative aims to connect businesses in Michigan with skilled, experienced older workers. “Experience for Hire” is working to find candidates to help fill the 100,000 unfilled jobs in the state. AARP Michigan is part of

The Berrien Community Foundation has announced $130,000 in scholarships. It held its 17th annual scholarship celebration Thursday announcing the awards with a birthday party theme as this is the 65th birthday for the Berrien Community Foundation. Specifically

The Michigan Senate has approved legislation setting up new standards for doctors and pharmacies that prescribe and dispense certain prescription drugs that could be abused. State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker tells WSJM News her legislation requires the state’s prescription

The latest Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act is being shunned by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. The Michigan Democrat told Michigan News Network the Senate bill would cut coverage while increasing costs. “This bill is exactly

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of a 22-year-old man who was hit by a train Saturday night in Galien. It happened around 10:30 p.m., and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

There’s been another blow to the Orchards Mall in Benton Township. The Sears Hometown Store is closing. It’s posted a message on its Facebook page announcing a going out of business sale. The sale will run through

The South Haven Community Foundation has awarded $14,000 in grants to local non-profits. The money will be used to make facility improvements, provide summer programming for children in need, fund mentoring programs, and host music and speaking

Southwest Michigan’s housing market slowed down a little during the month of May. After April saw a record-setting number of homes sold in the region, May saw sales slip about 4% from the previous year. However, prices

The city of St. Joseph and the Krasl Art Center are teaming up to offer a recycling program for this summer’s Krasl Art Fair and the Fourth of July celebrations. Since the two events will essentially be

Governor Rick Snyder is expected to sign a bill lifting Michigan’s ban on switchblades. The plan from state Senator Rick Jones, of Grand Ledge, lifts a law which Jones says is misunderstood. He tells WKZO News the ban

157 students will graduate this weekend from a state academy that teaches job skills to the disabled. The Michigan Career and Technical Institute, located in Plainwell, was started in 1944 to train World War II veterans. In

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department has identified a 6-year-old boy who was killed in a landscaping accident this week. It tells us Holden High, of Dowagiac, died when he fell off a skid loader he was riding

A live Asian carp has been found closer to Lake Michigan than ever before. Jennifer Caddick, with the Alliance for the Great Lakes, tells WSJM News one was found Thursday at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam