Local News Archives

The Michigan Department of Transportation is advising drivers of some work coming up on I-196 in Van Buren County. It tells us there will be lane closures on I-196 at Blue Star Highway in South Haven all

The latest Roads and Bridges Report from the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council has been delivered to the legislature. The council’s Roger Belknap tells WSJM News the report uses data from road commissions to determine what shape

461 degrees and 62 certificates will be handed out to 514 students as Lake Michigan College holds its 70th commencement ceremony this weekend. LMC President Trevor Kubatzke tells WSJM News he can’t wait to personally hand out those awards

Leaders in Van Buren County are considering their next steps now that a courthouse and jail improvement millage has failed. The plan to put about $32 million into the facilities was shot down by voters Tuesday. Van Buren

The Michigan League for Public Policy has released its annual Making Ends Meet in Michigan report, which shows how much you have to earn in order to get by in each county. Policy analyst Peter Ruark tells

Traffic fatalities are on the rise in Michigan, as more than 1,000 people were killed on the state’s roads in 2016. Kendall Wingrove, with the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, tells WSJM News there was a

The Berrien County Health Department has honored former state Representative Al Pscholka with its Friend of Health Award. The department bestowed the award on Pscholka Wednesday at its headquarters in Benton Township. Pscholka said six years in Lansing

Congressman Fred Upton has backed off in his opposition to the Republican healthcare bill. After meeting with President Donald Trump Wednesday morning, Upton said he’s flipping his position after introducing a new amendment to the legislation designed

A Coloma man has been charged with open murder in the shooting death of an Eau Claire man this week. The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office tells WSJM News 37-year-old Nicholaus Kling was shot in the chest three

From the Associated Press — More than 200 lead water pipes will be removed from a southwest Michigan city this summer. MLive reports the Kalamazoo City Commission approved a nearly $850,000 construction contract on Monday with Rieth-Riley Construction

Congressman Fred Upton’s opposition to the current Republican effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act has gotten the attention of the White House. CNN is reporting the southwest Michigan congressman and Congressman Billy Long of

Officials say Michigan traffic deaths rose 10% last year as drug-impaired, bicyclist and motorcyclist traffic deaths increased. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning noted Wednesday that it’s the second consecutive year to show a 10% increase.

Landslide. Van Buren County voters have told county leaders in no uncertain terms they do not want to pay more taxes to renovate the jail and court buildings. The 20-year millage proposal was destroyed by nearly 3,000

From the Associated Press — Legislation advancing in Michigan aims to let residents legally leave a vehicle running unattended on private property. The bill, approved 77-30 by the House Tuesday, was proposed after a Detroit-area man was ticketed

Some awards have been given out for projects throughout Michigan to preserve historic buildings. State Historic Preservation officer Brian Conway tells Michigan News Network one went to the rehab of the Strathmore Hotel in Midtown Detroit, and

A victory for Benton Harbor Area Schools as its sinking fund millage was renewed by voters Tuesday. The sinking fund is a millage that generates about $1.3 million per year for the district to handle building maintenance

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and all drivers are being reminded to pay extra attention for those on two wheels. Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson tells WSJM News folks in cars need to give more time

Cornerstone Alliance has moved to a temporary headquarters as it prepares a new permanent facility at 80 West Main in downtown Benton Harbor. Vice President Greg Vaugh tells WSJM News the new place downtown could help Cornerstone

Coming soon to Benton Township will be a full service Comcast Xfinity store. Comcast is closing down its Benton Harbor office to make way for the new retail location where you’ll be able to do all of

Don’t expect Congressman Fred Upton to help House leadership get approval of the latest healthcare bill. He tells WSJM News the plan removes protections for those with preexisting conditions, which for him has been essential to any

From the Associated Press — Michigan would make it a crime to intentionally shine a laser at an aircraft under legislation going to Governor Rick Snyder for his expected signature. Pointing a laser at an aircraft — which

Former state Representative Al Pscholka will be getting another honor this week. It’s already been announced he will be given a distinguished service award by Lake Michigan College on Sunday at LMC’s 70th annual commencement. Now comes

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have rejected a request by the city manager to repay about $140,000 to the federal government for the rehabilitation of a home. In 2012, the city put the house at 1111 Superior Street

The fireworks will go on in South Haven. The city council voted 5-1 last night to bring back the Light Up The Lake fireworks event on July 3, despite some concerns from the public. Mayor Bob Burr

An argument of some sort ended with gunshots and one person dead in Benton Township Monday night. There aren’t a lot of details as yet, but police say 37-year-old Nicholaus Kling of Eau Claire stopped another vehicle

Complications arising from a traffic light replacement project have led the Benton Harbor City Commission to assert its authority on construction contracts. Commissioners last year approved some traffic light replacements near Pipestone and Wall Streets. Cornerstone Alliance

Current and former Kalamazoo County sheriffs are trying to sell voters on the consolidation of the county’s multiple 911 dispatch centers in advance of Tuesday’s election. Sheriff Richard Fuller is asking voters to pay for it with

From the Associated Press — Social justice advocates have held a May Day rally in front of Michigan’s Capitol to show solidarity with immigrants and refugees.Members from Black Lives Matter, the American Civil Liberties Union and others gathered

Michigan State Police tell us they were able to collect more than 597 pounds of medication this past weekend as a result of their annual drug takeback event with the Drug Enforcement Agency. MSP posts all across

The Bissell Pet Foundation’s latest Empty the Shelters event, held this past Saturday, has resulted in more than 1,500 dogs and cats finding new homes. The Grand Rapids-based organization paid the adoption fees for folks looking to