Local News Archives

A survey has been launched by the Buchanan Area Recreation Board as it works on a joint parks and recreation plan for Buchanan City and Township. The board says the plan will lay out a five year

he Niles Scream Park has welcomed its 2.3 millionth interior visitor. The park told us more: The Board of Directors for the Niles Scream Park is pleased to announce that they welcomed interior visitor number 2,300,000 on

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety has received the 2021 Leland Gayheart Prevention Award. It says Leland Gayheart was a 23-year-old firefighter who lost his life due to a burn injury in 1991. As a tribute,

From the Associated Press — A school board in northern Michigan plans to send a protest over sportsmanship following a soccer player’s 16-goal record-setting game against a winless team. The backlash over Kevin Hubbell’s performance continued Monday

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s redistricting panel has voted to advance multiple draft congressional and legislative maps to public hearings and gave commissioners more time to submit their own plans. The proposals that received support Monday

Lakeshore Public Schools has implemented a mask mandate to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The board of education approved the update to its Return to Learn plan Monday night. Superintendent Greg Eding issued a statement after

Lazy Ballerina Winery in St. Joseph is moving its tasting room to a new location that’s just a few doors down from its current location. The St. Joseph City Commission signed off on the move Monday night

A new tentative contract for police has been approved by the St. Joseph City Commission. The body was told during a Monday meeting the three-year contract covers 16 officers in the bargaining unit. City Manager John Hodgson

The YMCA of Greater Michiana will hold a ribbon cutting for a new addition to its new location in Niles this week. Work on the new $2.6 million, 14,000 square foot addition started in June of last

St. Joseph Public Schools will host a couple of presentations this month on diversity, equity, and inclusion with students, parents, staff, and the community. Dr. Adolph Brown will present “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover: Diversity,

A suspect is in custody after threats were made to Cassopolis Public Schools this week. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says the district had a heavy police presence on Monday after a tip came in on Sunday.

Spectrum Health Lakeland is working with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department to hold a drug takeback day this month. The hospital says it will be a chance for the community to dispose of unneeded prescription drugs in

The American Red Cross is urging potential blood donors to come forward this month as the organization struggles witha blood supply shortage. The Red Cross told us the following: The American Red Cross continues to experience an

Michigan State Police have announced the results of the agency’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over drunk driving enforcement period for Labor Day weekend. State police say they made more than 10,0000 traffic stops during the roughly

The state of Michigan has gained 9,137 new COVID-19 cases for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The Department of Health and Human Services says there have been 1,064,557 people to test positive for the virus since March 2020.

The bottled water distribution effort continues in Benton Harbor as the Michigan Department of Health and Humans Services has announced the pickup sites for this week. The department says water will be available on Tuesday at Abundant

From the Associated Press — The University of Michigan says it plans to expand environmental justice efforts after a $11.1 million gift. The school will establish the Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment, a scholarship

From the Associated Press — A soccer player has broken the Michigan high school and national records for most goals in one game, but not everyone is cheering. Kevin Hubbell of Benzie Central is one of the

From the Associated Press — The president of the University of Michigan says he’ll return to teaching and research “if nothing more interesting comes along.” Mark Schlissel spoke Thursday, two days after saying he would leave the

A grant of $6 million has been announced for the Midwest Energy and Communications Southwest Michigan Advanced Research and Technology Park in Cassopolis. The grant will be used for the construction of road, sewer, and water infrastructure

A new network of biking trails will be coming to the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area thanks to Whirlpool. The Benton Township Board this past week approved a multi-phased project to create the network of trails in and

The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is planning flu vaccine clinics to be held at multiple locations across the two counties this month. The department says getting vaccinated against the flu reduces the spread of the illness,

From the Associated Press — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed spending $6.3 million in federal rescue funding to reduce a backlog of felony cases in Michigan courts that was caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The governor’s office

The Veggie Van will be making a stop in Bridgman this month. Spectrum Health Lakeland says the mobile farmers market will be available from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19 at Southwestern Medical Clinic on

The Cass County Parks Department is planning to celebrate the fall and Halloween with a Harvest Fest. Parks Director Scott Wyman tells WSJM News Cass County 4-H is also holding its Trunk-or-Treat event at the same time

The Area Agency on Aging of Region 4 is planning a presentation to help people better understand dementia. “A Journey Through Dementia Minds” will be held at the Heritage Center in St. Joseph and also over Zoom

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says a 20-year-old Niles woman is dead after a crash in Niles Township on Friday. Deputies were called to the 2,600 block of Old US-31 around 3:40 p.m. on a report of

From the Associated Press — Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed a bill that would have eased restrictions on feeding birds in areas where deer and elk roam. Whitmer says the bill clashes with state efforts to keep certain

A shortage of affordable housing is a problem nationwide, and it’s also being felt in southwest Michigan communities. During a forum with candidates for the St. Joseph City Commission this week, the candidates were asked how St.