Local News Archives

A shooting in Benton Township is being investigated. Police tell WSJM News 22-year-old Andrew Butler was shot in the left arm by a shotgun just before 1 p.m. yesterday at the Blossom Acres housing complex. They have

A plan from state Senator John Proos to encourage more young people to study math and science while also giving them information on what career fields will be hot in their areas has been approved by the

Work is now underway on the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan’s new shelter. Director Jill Svoboda told WSJM News at Thursday’s groundbreaking the new place on M-139 in Royalton Township will be better for the animals. “It

State Representative Kim LaSata tells us it wasn’t an easy decision, but she had several reasons for voting in favor of legislation easing restrictions on carrying concealed handguns this week. The bill approved by the state House

Kinexus has come out in favor of a plan to encourage businesses to bring large numbers of well-paying jobs to Michigan. The Good Jobs for Michigan plan is legislation that would give tax incentives to companies that create

Officials across Michigan have been split on the handgun legislation approved this week by the Michigan House. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey is among those against it. The plan eliminates a requirement to get a license to

From the Associated Press — A western Michigan city is looking to break a mark set by the Guinness World Records for the most people simultaneously making sand angels at a beach. “Be Someone’s Angel” is scheduled for

The Michigan House has passed a package of four bills that would make concealed pistol licenses optional for people living in the state. The primary bill passed 59 to 49 Wednesday while others passed on similar votes.

The Berrien County Prosecutor has decided no criminal charges will be sought in the carbon monoxide poisoning death of a 13-year-old boy in the pool area of a Niles hotel. Prosecutor Michael Sepic told us Thursday negligence

Michigan State Police Recruit School is in session, with a record 159 prospective rookie troopers beginning 26 weeks of training. First Lieutenant Mike Shaw told Michigan News Network the department has been actively recruiting new personnel from

The Van Buren Conservation District will soon be sending out surveys to residents near Hartford and Watervliet to find out more about how people are affecting the water quality locally. The district’s Erin Fuller tells WSJM News they’re

Two people are hospitalized as the result of a car crash in Cass County. The sheriff’s department tells WSJM News that a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Adam Tyszka of Cassopolis went across the center line on M-62

Former FBI Director James Comey will testify before a U.S. Senate committee this morning at 10 a.m. We will be carrying ABC News coverage of the entire hearing live on News/Talk 94.9 WSJM. Tune in or listen

A new extended kindergarten program could be coming to Benton Harbor Area Schools. Curriculum Director Patricia Robinson tells WSJM News it will essentially be two years of kindergarten for kids who don’t yet seem ready for further advancement. “During

It’s almost time for the Hartford Strawberry Festival. Co-chair Patty Schroeder tells WSJM News it’ll be Friday and Saturday, packed with music, games, runs, parades, a magic show, a renaissance fair, bed races, a pie eating contest, and

A plan from state Representatives Dave Pagel and Kim LaSata to close a property tax loophole involving vacation homes has passed the Michigan House. LaSata tells us some out of state residents who own second homes here

A repaving project will get started on M-51 from Dowagiac to just west of Decatur next week. Michigan Department of Transportation engineer Steve Brink tells us it’s about 9 miles of road, and they’re adding rumble strips.

Work continues on the state budget. Representative Dave Pagel tells WSJM News the big sticking point has been the teacher pension system. GOP leaders in the legislature want to move teachers over to 401(k) style plans. He’s

More K-mart stores are closing in Michigan. Michigan News Network Business Editor Murray Feldman tells us that the retailer, which is owned by Sears, has announced 66 store closings nationwide. “Sears has been struggling to get people into

From the Associated Press — The Michigan House has passed a package of four bills that would make concealed pistol licenses optional for people living in the state. The primary bill passed 59 to 49 Wednesday while others

From the Associated Press — A spokeswoman for Republican Governor Rick Snyder says he’s undecided about signing legislation to require Michigan to create an anti-abortion fundraising license plate. The Republican-led Senate enrolled the bill Tuesday after it previously

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s 15 public universities would get an overall 2 percent boost in state funding under legislation ironed out by lawmakers. A Republican-led conference committee voted 5-1 for the $1.6 billion higher education budget

The Michigan League for Public Policy has held a news conference to discuss the possible effects of the House Republican healthcare bill. They specifically are focusing on what could happen to the Medicaid expansion should the repeal of the

A final plan for Benton Harbor Area Schools to drop ten unused properties could be approved next week by the board of education. At a Tuesday work session, trustees were told a firm will be hired to handle

Anyone interested in learning about the anti-overdose drug Naloxone can do so at an event set for next week in Royalton Township. Nancy King, with Families Against Narcotics, will give a demonstration on how the nasal spray

A resurfacing project is about to start on Napier Avenue and M-140 in Berrien County. Michigan Department of Transportation engineer Chris Jacobs tells WSJM News they’re working on 9.4 miles of M-140 from M-62 to south of Napier Avenue,

Detectives from the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, and southwest Michigan’s two Michigan State Police posts are in Lansing this week for some special homicide training. MSP Lieutenent Chuck Christensen

Crews are testing new water mains installed under Hilltop Road in St. Joseph this week, and expect to finish the entire project next month. Wightman and Associates engineer Andrew Rudd tells WSJM News the work they’ve been

The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center is teaming up with the Morton House this summer to offer some historic tours of Benton Harbor. The Heritage Museum’s Tracy Gierada tells WSJM News they’ll have walking tours, along with

This is CPR and AED Awareness Week, observed by the American Heart Association every year in June to remind people that CPR is easy to learn and can save lives. When a person has cardiac arrest, their