Local News Archives

Time is running out for those who are behind on their property taxes to avoid foreclosure. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the deadline to pay is April 1, and this is especially important for

The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan is planning a transportation forum for next month. Program Director Lewis Whalen tells WSJM News the event will be a chance for anyone to ask questions and express concerns to representatives

Older Michiganders outraged over the soaring cost of prescription medications are turning up the heat on lawmakers and drug companies. Lisa Dedden Cooper, manager of advocacy with AARP Michigan, says a new “Stop Rx Greed” campaign is

A new officer is about to start at the Lincoln Township Police Department. Echo is a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois recruited to be the department’s K9, and she just arrived in the United States from Poland this month.

Kinexus has announced the creation of an economic development organization for Van Buren County. Market Van Buren was formed to respond to the marketplace needs of both the private and public sectors in the area, says Director

The Healthy Berrien Consortium in partnership with Riverwood Center is offering free mental health first aid training next month. The eight hour course will be on Thursday, April 18. Riverwood Center Mental Health First Aid Instructor Kimberly

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has announced a new website that will track progress on the redistricting process in the state. She tells WSJM News her office is preparing to put out applications to serve on

A student essay contest has been launched by Talons Out Honor Flight. The organization takes veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to their memorials in Washington, D.C. for free, and the two winners of the

From the Associated Press — A stretch of mid-Michigan highway has been designated to honor a state trooper who was fatally shot during a 1982 traffic stop. The bill to name a portion of U.S. highway 127

State Representative Beth Griffin is praising Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s creation of a PFAS commission. The governor has set up the panel to develop drinking water standards for the chemicals. Griffin tells us Whitmer “took an important step

This coming week will be all about developing a global perspective at Lake Michigan College. LMC Internationalization Committee member Amy Scrima tells WSJM News it’s International Education Week, a series of events featuring food and discussion. Tuesday

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued a new directive aimed at helping state residents avoid opioids. Spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News it’s due to a law signed by former Governor Rick Snyder

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department continues to search for a man missing out of Dowagiac, and it has an update. 78-year-old Larry Waldschmidt has Alzheimer’s and needs insulin. He was reported missing Wednesday evening by family. Police

April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, and there will be several activities at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan. Prevention and Outreach Specialist Allie Kibler-Campbell tells WSJM News they’re planting a pinwheel garden outside

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered an audit of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association after the non-profit raised the annual fee included in auto insurance premiums by $28, bringing the total to $220 per vehicle. Insurance Alliance for

Discussions will get underway later this spring regarding a potential change in the Village of Stevensville. Village President Steve Slavicek tells WSJM News he is taking applications from people looking to serve on a committee to look

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is not going to be gutted in the federal budget after all. President Trump had included a 90% slashing of the program’s funding in his budget proposal, but announced in Grand Rapids

Some businesses in Allegan and Van Buren counties will be able to obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration due to heavy rains that soaked parts of the state between August 26 and

In a sign of spring, the Berrien County Road Department is preparing to lift the annual frost rules. It says the seasonal weight restrictions went into effect on March 11. They’re implemented each year to help prevent

The Covert Township Fire Department held a ceremony this week to welcome its new fire engine, and wouldn’t you know it, the ceremony was interrupted by a fire. Firefighters were holding a “push-in” ceremony for new Engine

A Medal of Valor from the National Sheriff’s Association has been awarded to a Berrien County Sheriff’s deputy. At this week’s meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, Undersheriff Church Heit introduced Deputy Paul Grenon. He

Benton Harbor High School will soon have a new security camera system. Following a special CEO meeting on Thursday, Benton Harbor Area Schools Chief of Operations Troy Boone told WSJM News a South Bend company is being

Berrien County Commissioners are hoping to help spur the roll out of broadband internet in rural areas. Commissioner Teri Freehling tells WSJM News the Finance Committee will present a resolution of support next week for broadband development.

A public defender has been named for Van Buren and Allegan counties. Chad Catalino of Grand Haven will lead the newly-created Allegan and Van Buren Counties Public Defender’s Office. It’s being set up as a joint venture

Included in President Trump’s budget proposal for next year is a cut of $4.5 billion to the National Institutes of Health, something Congressman Fred Upton doesn’t support. He tells WSJM News this interferes with the intent of

Cornerstone Alliance is planning to build a spec building that could be ready for a new employer to move into if it chooses to locate in Berrien County. Cornerstone tells us it’s put out a request for

From the Associated Press — Michigan State Police want to invest more than $2 million dollars in technology to livestream patrol car dashboard cameras. The Detroit Free Press reports that the agency believes the technology upgrade would

Police in LaPorte County, Indiana have a man jailed following a high-speed chase overnight which began in Berrien County. The suspect has outstanding warrants out of Tennessee according to Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit. He crashed after

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a missing and endangered elderly man. It says 78-year-old Larry Waldschmidt was reported missing from the 2,400 block of Jefferson Street in Dowagiac by a family member around 6

Authorities in Allegan County are investigating a fire in Valley Township that killed a 23-year-old man. A single wide trailer caught fire shortly after midnight Thursday, and a sheriff’s deputy noticed William Hedges laying about 15 feet