Local News Archives

South Haven Area Emergency Services was able to make short work of a truck fire on Thursday. SHAES says firefighters were called out to the I-196 rest area in Casco Township north of South Haven around 7:45

South Haven Area Emergency Services has launched a new campaign to educate the public and visitors about the dangers of Lake Michigan. Director Brandon Hinz tells WSJM News they’re looking to get localized beach safety messages out.

Michigan is reporting 645 additional cases of COVID-19 for Thursday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had 71,842 cases of the illness since the start of the pandemic. It reported 16

The city of South Haven has installed hand washing stations around its downtown. The city has released the following statement: The Downtown Development Authority and South Haven/Van Buren Convention & Visitor’s Bureau has collaborated with the City

Some policy analysts believe new childhood vaccination data in Michigan show cause for concern. According to a new report, statewide vaccination rates over the past decade were at their lowest in 2009, with only four Michigan counties

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is taking registrations now for its annual School Supply Spectacular in Cass County. United Way Volunteer Engagement Director Debbie Ramirez tells WSJM News they give away 1,000 backpacks loaded with school

From the Associated Press — A school district in western Michigan is suggesting it might drop its Indians nickname. Saugatuck says the name will be discussed at a Monday school board meeting, which will be conducted by

The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has been awarded a $20,000 grant for bird monitoring and restoration of grassland and savanna habitat. The Cornell Labs Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative has announced the grant, which the land conservancy

From the Associated Press — The city of Detroit will have a memorial day to honor more than 1,400 residents who have died from COVID-19. Families are being invited to share photos that will be enlarged and

The National Federation of Independent Business has announced its endorsements of Michigan House candidates for this year. NFIB Michigan Director Charlie Owens tells WSJM News they are all incumbents because the group looks at voting records to

There were 891 additional cases of COVID-19 reported in Michigan for Wednesday. That’s the highest daily number since May. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said during a Wednesday conference the new cases aren’t just because

Some people in Michigan did not like that an emergency alert was put out this week to notify everyone to wear masks, per Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order. Republican state Senator Bradley Slagh of Zeeland has requested

Some large components of electrical generators will be moving through Berrien County this summer, and that will affect traffic. Berrien County Road Department Director Jason Latham tells WSJM News the equipment for a new gas plant in

Coaches from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan have joined Governor Gretchen Whitmer in her pleas for people to mask up. During Whitmer’s Wednesday COVID update, the governor was joined by MSU Basketball Coach Tom

From the Associated Press — An uncommon mosquito-borne virus has infected a person in western Michigan’s Ottawa County. The case of Jamestown Canyon virus is only the fourth confirmed infection in Michigan since 2018. Most people don’t

Governor Gretchen Whitmer had one message during a COVID-19 update on Monday: wear a mask. She said mask wearing can reduce COVID transmission by 70%, something people ought to think about if they want schools to re-open

A 30-year-old Grand Junction man is in a Kalamazoo hospital in critical condition after being stabbed in Van Buren County this week. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says deputies were called to the 55,000 block of

Michigan is reporting 891 additional cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had 71,197 cases of the illness since the start of the pandemic. It reported four

Congressman Fred Upton is now part of a House caucus task force working on police reform legislation. He tells WSJM News a previous House bill designed to reduce incidents of police violence didn’t make the grade, and

An award will be given to the city of South Haven this month for its efforts to accommodate the disabled. The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan’s Kristen Potts told WSJM News this month the organization will give

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has extended the increased food assistance available to eligible Michigan residents for the rest of July. Spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News at the start of the pandemic, the

From the Associated Press — The first female to publicly say she was sexually abused by a team doctor at the University of Michigan says she hopes to inspire other women and men to come forward. Cathy

The Michigan Secretary of State says absentee ballot numbers continue to grow as the state’s August 4 primary elections draw near. More than 1.6 million absentee ballots have been sent out to voters who requested them. Of

Construction has begun on Indiana Michigan Power’s new solar facility near South Bend. I&M spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM Newsthe St. Joseph Solar Farm will feature 57,000 solar panels on 210 acres of property next to the

State Representative Pauline Wendzel has introduced legislation intended to help state state’s licensed professionals during the pandemic. Her bill would require the state to a credit or prorate a fee on the renewal of a license if

Three people are safe after their canoe capsized in the Black River channel in South Haven on Tuesday. South Haven Area Emergency Services says two adults and a three-year-old child were in the canoe. Responder Matthew Dey

A new online portal has been launched by the Berrien County Health Department to help employers make wise decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM NJews the “Back2WorkSafe Employer and Organization Wellness Tracking Tool”

The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Michigan has now passed 70,000 and Governor Gretchen Whitmer is hinting schools may not be able to re-open. Since mid-March, more than 6,000 Michigan residents have died from

You can now call them the Paw Paw Red Wolves. The Paw Paw Public Schools Board of Education this week voted to officially accept the new team name and mascot proposed by a committee of students. That’s

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a Lansing man who went missing in Lake Michigan while swimming on Sunday. Executive Petty Officer Matthew Binns with the St. Joseph Coast Guard station tells WSJM News