Local News Archives

Two teenagers are expected to face charges soon after being caught breaking into cars in Dowagiac this week. Police were called to a home in the 200 block of First Avenue around 1 a.m. on Christmas Eve

For the first time in 13 years, Michigan will not fund the television or radio spots meant to promote tourism in the state. The tax dollars were not included in last week’s budget deal between the governor

From the Associated Press — Overdose tracking systems are giving near real-time glimpses into the ravages of the opioid-fueled drug crisis. The Hudson Valley Interlink Analytic System in New York is among a number of surveillance systems

From the Associated Press — A University of Michigan library has acquired a trove of roughly 1,000 images of Native Americans from the 19th through the early 20th century from a longtime collector. They represent some 80

91 of the nation’s largest corporations didn’t pay any federal income taxes during 2018 — the first year of the Trump administration’s new tax law — according to a new report. The study by the Institute on

Michigan State Police have stepped up patrols to make the roads safer this holiday week. Operation Care will mean additional highway enforcement for the Christmas and New Year’s periods. The traffic initiative is a cooperative effort with

A Kalamazoo man is facing multiple charges following a 10 month investigation into criminal sexual conduct in Van Buren County. The Bangor Police Department says the 32-year-old suspect is alleged to have committed the sex assaults between

A 22-year-old Niles woman will serve 128 days, or about four more months, in jail for an attack in September at an apartment complex in the city. Sigourney Broyles was sentenced on Monday to 180 days in

From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says an update is expected at the start of 2020 regarding a criminal investigation into the Flint water crisis that was one of the worst man-made environmental disasters

From the Associated Press — Attorney General Dana Nessel says lawmakers should revisit Michigan’s unique law that shields drugmakers from product liability lawsuits. She said Monday that the 1995 law has “absolutely” has affected her strategy to

The Van Buren Conservation District is offering southwest Michigan farmers a way to help ensure their produce is safer. It says Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety is working with fresh produce farms on a voluntary and confidential basis

Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is reminding everyone to be safe with their Christmas trees this holiday week. He told WSJM News there are fires caused by dry Christmas trees each year. Make sure your tree

Benton Harbor City Commissioners are slated to consider a tax break for a new development along Riverview Drive next month. The city commission will hold a public hearing on January 21 to talk about establishing a Commercial

Petitions seeking to outlaw a second-trimester abortion procedure in Michigan are now in the hands of state elections officials. The Michigan Values Committee of Right to Life of Michigan turned in boxes containing almost 380,000 petition signatures

The Michigan State Police Trooper of the Year award is going to one in west Michigan. Trooper Evan Alkema is stationed at the Wayland Post, between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. In making the announcement, MSP officials say

Making any drives for the holidays this week won’t cost an arm and a leg at the gas pump. The latest survey of stations around the state by Triple-A Michigan finds the statewide average price up just

It’s the end of an era for agriculture in southwest Michigan, as Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire is closing at the end of this year. The farm made the announcement on Facebook over the weekend, saying

A member of the Whirlpool team will now be part of the board of the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan. The BBB says Adam Aukerman is among six new members picked to begin serving three year

A website has been launched for the Benton Harbor Area Schools Community Engagement and Advisory Committee. Michigan Deputy State Treasurer Joyce Parker tells us Michigan.gov/EngageComm will provide meeting agendas and minutes, committee member bios, outreach meeting dates,

There will soon be a new chief judge of the Berrien County Trial Court. At a meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners this month, current Chief Judge Gary Bruce said he’ll be stepping down from

State health officials are planning on a series of town hall meetings next year to discuss the opioid crisis. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin says five people a day are dying from

Southwestern Michigan College is celebrating the graduation of 23 new nurses. The SMC nursing program held a ceremony for the graduates this month as the students now head into the country’s largest healthcare profession. SMC Vice President

Work started this week on a shoreline protection project in South Haven. South Haven Area Emergency Services tells us crews from deBest, Incorporated of South Haven placed large limestone boulders along the Lake Michigan coast to protect

A new lifeline has been given to a longtime favorite in South Haven. Hudsonville Ice Cream is taking over production of Sherman’s Ice Cream next year, meaning popular Sherman’s flavors will live on. Sherman’s announced this year

After years of work, the Cherry Beach Project in Chikaming Township has ended in success. The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board this month announced its next round of recreation grants to communities around the state, and

Reducing the stigma that can be associated with drug addiction is a goal of the Berrien County Health Department as it works to fight drug overdose deaths. Berrien County Health Department Communications Manager Gillian Conrad tells WSJM

The deadline for the Legislature to get a budget passed and sent to the governor to be signed is now July 1. Representative Greg Van Woerkom of Norton Shores sponsored the bill in an effort to prevent

Congressman Fred Upton says legislation that would help to protect the Great Lakes is likely to go on to final approval with the president’s signature. He tells us the Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act was approved

Critics of a bill being considered by Michigan lawmakers that would allow payday lenders to offer longer-term, higher dollar loans say the legislation puts the most vulnerable Michiganders at risk. House Bill 5097 would allow payday lenders

The St. Joseph Township Police Department is urging residents to be on the lookout for mail thieves. It posted a message on its Facebook page Friday saying it’s received information about persons going through mailboxes and opening