Local News Archives

An effort is underway in the state legislature to eliminate an old law that sometimes makes a man the legal father of a child when, in fact, he is not the child’s father. State Representative Jim Runestad,

The state of Michigan is reminding everyone about the dangers of gas pump skimmers. That’s after five more skimmers were found on pumps around the state in recent weeks. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development spokesperson

The matter of the budget is weighing heavily on the mind of Benton Harbor City Manager Darwin Watson. He tells WSJM News the city is facing a crunch caused by a combination of reductions in property values,

The U.S. Coast Guard, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, and the Berrien County Parks Department continue to hone their skills when it comes to water rescues. On Monday, lifeguards trained at Silver Beach by simulating a drowning. The

If you’re in the market for a new home appliance, Whirlpool has something going on this weekend that may interest you. Saturday will bring the annual Whirlpool Appliance Summer Sale in Benton Harbor. The company’s Gokul Nair

The Benton Harbor Farmers Market opens for the summer this Wednesday. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells our newsroom they organize the events each year to help Benton Harbor residents have access to healthy foods.

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is investigating a reported attempted abduction on Monday morning. It tells WSJM News six women report they were walking along Ogden Avenue in the city around 2:15 a.m. when a

You should stay in Michigan this summer. That’s  message from Travel Michigan vice president Dave Lorenz. He tells Michigan News Network kids will love the waterparks found across the state. On top of that he recommends a

Experts are meeting in Ann Arbor this week to discuss a tsunami warning system for the Great Lakes. Scientists say tsunamis happen on the lakes, although many are too small to notice. In fact, the lakes average

Make it two straight weeks that Benton Harbor and St. Joseph have the state’s lowest average gas prices of the markets surveyed by Triple-A Michigan. Our prices have dropped 11¢ to $2.20 a gallon, while the statewide

A deadly crash in Antwerp Township on Saturday is under investigation. 30-year-old Alex Yeider of Paw Paw was killed when his vehicle was broadsided by another driven by an 18-year-old from Paw Paw shortly before 7 pm

Tears, hugs, and plenty of good memories were shared last night at Shadowland Pavilion at Silver Beach County Park as thousands gathered to say goodbye to St. Joseph Lincoln Elementary Principal Mike Wagner. The 53-year-old died unexpectedly

Indiana Michigan Power is once again warning everyone about a phone scam reported in its service area. Spokesperson Tracy Warner tells WSJM News a would-be victim gets a call from someone claiming to represent the utility. “Someone calls

If you see some emergency response vehicles out in Lake Michigan tomorrow off of Silver Beach, don’t be alarmed. It’s just the Berrien County Parks Department doing some water rescue training. They’ll be out there from 10 to

  Home prices across the U.S. and in Michigan reached all time highs in May and that’s causing some to worry about another boom and bust scenario like we experienced about ten years ago. Jeff Glover owns

More legislation designed to help fight the epidemic of opioid abuse in Michigan has been approved by the Michigan House. State Representative Beth Griffin, of Mattawan, tells WSJM News this latest six-bill package would lead to the

Uber has come to the area. The ride sharing company started operations Friday in Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, New Buffalo and South Haven. Uber is also launching in Saugatuck, Holland, Muskegon, and Grand Haven. The company’s James Ondrey

The Michigan House has supported legislation which allows for flashing advisory signs to be installed on the backs of school buses. State Representative Holly Hughes spoke with Michigan News Network about the plan. “We tested this light

Two people are recovering after a small plane crash in Watervliet Township on Friday. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells WSJM News township police were called out to the Watervliet Municipal Airport around 7:20 p.m. on a

Police are investigating after a body was found in the water at Pier 33 Marina in St. Joseph on Saturday. The department of public safety was called out to the Morrison Channel around 9:30 a.m. and the

Child and Family Services of Southwest Michigan has received official accreditation from the New York-based Council on Accreditation. Child and Family Services Director Joseph Goepfrich tells WSJM News this means they’ve been recognized for meeting best practices

Manslaughter charges stemming from Attorney General Bill Schuette’s Flint water crisis probe have been announced against five people, including Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon. On Friday, Schuette denied claims the charges were

With Father’s Day just about here, dads everywhere are being reminded of the importance of going to the doctor. Men are less likely to see their doctors than women, and in general are less aware of medical

The city of South Haven is gearing up for its annual Fourth of July celebrations. It tells us the Light Up the Lakes fireworks show will be held at dusk on Monday, July 3 this year. The

Legislation approved this week by the Michigan House and Senate to reform the state’s teacher pension system is getting high marks from Mattawan state Representative Beth Griffin. She tells WSJM News it moves newly-hired teachers to 401(k)

Lake Michigan College is celebrating the opening of its wine program’s new tasting room. The Lake Michigan Vintners Tasting Room is located in a store front on First Street in Baroda, and the ribbon cutting was held

The state of Michigan is reminding everyone about the dangers of gas pump skimmers. That’s after five more skimmers were found on pumps around the state in recent weeks. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

The Berrien County Treasurer’s office is bumping back the date of this summer’s foreclosed properties auction. For about 20 years, the auction was held on the third Tuesday of July. However, Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells

From the Associated Press — Construction of a Consumers Energy wind turbine project in Michigan is expected to start three years ahead of schedule.The Michigan Public Service Commission on Thursday approved the Jackson-based utility’s proposal to begin

Three people are facing charges following a meth bust near Buchanan. The Southwest Michigan Enforcement Team tells us detectives searched a home in the township on Tuesday after getting tips about drug activity there. At the home,