Local News Archives

The city of South Haven will mark 150 years today. It was on May 10, 1869 that Village President George Hannahs gaveled to order the first meeting of the South Haven Village Council. Exactly 150 years later,

It looks like the number of Benton Harbor High School seniors who will graduate this year is dramatically up from a projection made in March. At that time, Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO Robert Herrera said only

This Saturday is everyone’s chance to help make a difference for those in need with the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Mark White is a letter carrier in the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph

NBA star Wilson Chandler is teaming up with Cornerstone Alliance to pursue the renovation of the facade of the historic Farmers and Merchants Bank building in downtown Benton Harbor. Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News

Congressman Fred Upton kicked off testimony regarding the U.S. Department of Energy’s budget before the House Subcommittee on Energy Thursday. Speaking to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Upton said the energy budget is critical at a time when

The state of Michigan says a new PFAS contamination site has been found in Van Buren County. Specifically, it’s at the former Du-Wel Metal Products plating facility in the city of Hartford, and residents of Hartford and

A Cass County man with a long criminal history has been found guilty in a shooting case. The Cass County Prosecutor’s office tells us a jury on Wednesday convicted Justin Huffman of assault with a dangerous weapon,

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan is hoping people will come out to gamble their tails off this Saturday for the first ever Bets for Pets Casino Night. Humane Society Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the

From the Associated Press — Law enforcement will be unable to permanently take ownership of cash and other property seized in drug cases unless certain conditions are met under legislation signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

A nine-year-old boy is charged with open murder for allegedly shooting his adoptive mother at their home near Sturgis. Investigators say the boy, who came from a troubled home and had a history of mental issues, shot

Under cover of the dead of night, the state House has passed its version of no-fault auto insurance reform. The vote shortly after 2 a.m. overhauls the system and lets drivers completely opt-out of the mandatory unlimited

Kinexus is teaming up with the Michigan Department of Transportation for a summer jobs program for young people. 60 youths will be hired for the Youth Development Mentoring Program, says its director, Don Marshall. He tells us

The public will have another chance next week to weigh in on the Berrien County Parks Department’s plans for the next few years with two open houses next week. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey told WSJM

Spectrum Health Lakeland is notifying another 1,000 patients of a data security issue discovered with one of its vendors. Lakeland says the vendor is OS, Incorporated, a billing services company. It has confirmed to Lakeland an unauthorized

Supporters are speaking out this week in favor of a pair of anti-vaping bills with opponents saying they don’t go far enough. Michigan Senate Bills 106 and 155 would ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vaping products

South Haven Area Emergency Services says no one was hurt on Wednesday when a semi that was hauling vegetables was destroyed by fire on I-196. The vehicle was bound for Grand Rapids when the fire broke out

Baroda will be getting nearly a million dollars from the federal government to build a roadway through its industrial park. The U.S. Department of Agriculture loan of $983,000 is coming from the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.

St. Joseph Public Schools administrators are thanking voters for passing the renewal of the district’s operating millage. Superintendent Ann Cardon says they were a bit concerned about what voter turnout would be with rainy weather yesterday. “This

A settlement has been reached that allows voters to take a photograph of their own ballot but only while in the voting booth, known as the “ballot selfie.” Secretary of State spokesman Shawn Starkey says many other

There’s a twist in a cold case murder in southwest Michigan. The Van Buren County Prosecutor’s office has dropped all charges against Michael Leon Curry in the murder of his neighbor, Wilda Wilkinson, in her Bangor home

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s Board of Education has selected Kalamazoo Public Schools Superintendent Michael Rice to be the next state superintendent. The board voted 5-3 for Rice on Tuesday after conducting final interviews with three

Voters headed to the polls Tuesday to decide on some local matters. In Berrien County, St. Joseph Public Schools had a $5.8 million millage renewal on the ballot. It easily passed. In Royalton Township, voters were asked

Berrien County police officers will be honored next week in St. Joseph. Wednesday brings the annual Peace Officers Memorial Day Service at the Berrien County Law Enforcement Officer’s Monument along the bluff. The event is hosted by

The Michigan Senate on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 1, the plan to reform the state’s auto insurance system. Applauding the move is the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, with Research Director Michael Van Beek telling WSJM News

The OutCenter in Benton Harbor is planning to host a town hall this month on discrimination faced by LGBTQ Michiganders and the protections they have. Set for May 16 at Lake Michigan College, the presentation will feature

From the Associated Press — A northern Michigan village is weighing a possible tobacco ban at its parks and beaches following complaints about discarded cigarette butts. The Elk Rapids Village Council is expected to hear testimony Monday

Lawmakers are taking aim at high car insurance premiums by giving initial approval to a plan that would no longer make Michigan the only state to require drivers to buy unlimited medical benefits through their auto insurer.

The recruitment of volunteers for the 2020 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores is underway. The PGA of America is looking for 1,600 people to help make the event run smoothly upon its return to the

A Pure Michigan Trail Town is now in southwest Michigan. South Haven was one of four towns to be awarded the designation Tuesday morning by Travel Michigan vice president Dave Lorenz. “Communities like this really make Pure

The resignation of the city’s former finance director has been rejected by Benton Harbor City Commissioners. At a Monday meeting, some commissioners indicated they never received the resignation letter of former Finance Director Andrew Clark. He stepped