Local News Archives

A paving project is about to get started on M-140 in Berrien and Van Buren counties. It will be about ten miles of the road from South Haven to Watervliet. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schirripa

Following news this month that the state of Michigan saw a continued increase in opioid deaths last year, Michigan State Police in southwest Michigan tells us they’ve seen the trend locally. Although she doesn’t have exact numbers,

A new partnership between Benton Harbor Area Schools, the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, and others is enabling children in Benton Harbor to take part in positive, educational activities this summer at two area parks. “Summer Impact”

Indiana Michigan Power and its Cook nuclear power plant have announced a landmark donation to the Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion project. Lakeland CEO Loren Hamel tells WSJM News AEP and its foundation are giving $375,000 to the

The Van Buren County community of Breedsville will hold a ribbon cutting on a newly reconstructed bridge next week. On Friday, they’ll celebrate completion of the Pine Street bridge, which leads into town from the south. The

There are more than 46 million cars and trucks with defective Takata air bags have yet to be repaired, with only 35% of car owners getting the free repairs from dealerships. In Michigan, Stephen Ridella of the

A 19-year-old Edwardsburg man is recovering after a single-vehicle crash in Cass County Saturday afternoon. The sheriff’s department tells WSJM News it happened around 3:50 on Runkle Street near Beebe Road in Milton Township. The driver, Trevor

The Berrien County Health Department is hoping parents will talk with their kids about the dangers of marijuana following a recent report which found many teens don’t take the drug seriously. Prevention specialist Kerri Teachout tells WSJM News the

Berrien County is planning a pesticide container recycling event. Next Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 3 pm. they’ll take empty pesticide containers to be recycled free of charge. They have to be rinsed out, dry, and cut to

State Senator John Proos is co-sponsoring new legislation designed to ensure cancer patients have access to all forms of chemotherapy. Senate Bill 492 requires an insurance plan, as long as it covers chemotherapy, to cover all varieties

Businesses in downtown Kalamazoo will be vying for the title of the city’s best salsa-maker on Saturday. It’s the third-annual Kalamazoo Salsa Cook-Off. Millennium Restaurant Group’s Brandy Gulley told WKZO News the free event starts at 11 a.m.

The city of Bridgman is getting to work on a new master plan, and it’s inviting residents to make their thoughts known. A master plan guides development within a community for years to come, and as Bridgman

Volunteers are being sought to serve as sexual assault victim advocates in Berrien County. Teresa Yoakum, an RN with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, tells WSJM News they need compassionate people who can sit and comfort the survivor of

The Pokagon Fund has announced the commissioning of a new sculpture that will be displayed in downtown New Buffalo as part of the ongoing redevelopment project there. The fund has kicked in about $1.6 million in the

The American Heart Association and the Michigan Health Food Access Campaign are teaming up to expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables. David Hodgkins, with the association, tells Michigan New Network the Michigan Corner Store Initiative will allow

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is weighing its options when it comes to the county road commission. Berrien County Administrator Bill Wolf tells WSJM News he’s been studying the road commission after some recent turmoil, and it’s

From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder is asking President Donald Trump for a disaster declaration after flooding caused damage in four mid-Michigan counties. The request made Friday seeks supplementary federal aid to help people with temporary

A fugitive wanted for a pair of Thursday night murders in southwest Michigan has been found and arrested in South Bend, Indiana. 32-year-old Zachary Patten of Portage was taken into custody Friday. No additional details were given.

Authorities in southwest Michigan are looking for a man they believe killed two people in separate Thursday night homicides. The suspected killer, 32-year-old Zachary Patten, is considered armed and dangerous and remains on the run. Authorities with

From the Associated Press — A new policy at the Michigan Department of Corrections is opening the door for more transgender inmates to receive transition-related treatments. The revised policy was put into place June 26. Prior to the change, inmates were only

Congressman Fred Upton says he is pulling for his friend, Arizona Senator John McCain. It was revealed this week McCain has been diagnosed with brain cancer, an aggressive form of it. Upton tells WSJM News McCain has

The Berrien County Democratic Party is planning to hold a summer celebration this weekend. The Food, Family, and Freedom Celebration will be Saturday at Lincoln Charter Township Park in Stevensville. Party Communications Chair Dr. Larry Feldman tells

One year after the first Rock the Boat Cardboard Boat Races for the United Way of Southwest Michigan, the event has proven to have staying power. 30 boats took part in Thursday’s second annual event, compared to

If you haven’t been to Hartford this week for the Van Buren Youth Fair, you’re running out of time. The events continue through the end of Saturday. Fair board member Paul Garrod tells WSJM News there are still

Funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been preserved in a House spending bill which passed committee this week. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the initiative’s usual allocation is included in environmental spending legislation the

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is looking for a person of interest following a Wednesday shooting. The department tells us officers were called to Lakeland Hospital around 12:30 p.m. to investigate a patient who was

Set to begin next month is a series of meetings of the new state House Mental Health Task Force. Sitting on that body will be Berrien Springs state Representative Dave Pagel, who tells WSJM News the goal

From the Associated Press — Congressional Republicans are moving forward with legislation to roll back the Endangered Species Act, amid complaints that the 44-year-old law hinders drilling, logging and other activities. House and Senate committees were holding simultaneous

The host of a show on News/Talk 94.9 WSJM will be among the four speakers on stage at the Mendel Center for the 2017-18 Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan Speaker Series. Dave Ramsey will be the first

State Senator John Proos has issued a warning to southwest Michigan residents about summer tax scams. He tells us the would-be scammers call unsuspecting homeowners claiming they owe back taxes. The scammer then demands immediate payment. Proos