Local News Archives

Niles Community Schools Building Improvements

A series of celebrations is underway at Niles Community Schools as the district completes several renovation projects at its buildings. Work has been done at Niles High School, Eastside Connections, Ballard Elementary School, and Niles Cedar Lane.

Lawmaker Brings Attention To Senior Program

The Michigan House has approved a resolution from state Representative Mary Whiteford to declare September PACE Awareness Month. The Casco Township Republican tells us PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, helps keep senior Michiganders

Andrews University Names Wellness Center

Andrews University has formally named its wellness center in honor of a former president. The university in Berrien Springs tells us it’s to be called the Andreasen Center for Wellness in recognition of Niels-Erik Andreasen, president emeritus

New Bike Safety Law In Effect

If you’re driving in Michigan, you now need to allow bicyclists some space on the roadways. That’s as a new law is now in effect. “The new law specifically requires you give bicyclists three feet of space,”

Departments Team Up For Trail Project

The more than 10 mile trail being planned for Red Arrow Highway in Berrien County is a unique arrangement for the area. Instead of just being a Berrien County Parks Department effort, it’s a joint effort with

Hundreds Busted In Drunk Driving Crackdown

Police say an end-of-summer crackdown on drunk driving across Michigan led to hundreds of arrests and citations. Michigan State Police announced Thursday the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown that started August 17 and ran through

Halloween Actor Coming To Scream Park

A special celebrity guest is coming to the Niles Scream Park. The park’s Kellie Welch tells WSJM News Tony Moran, the man behind the mask in the horror classic Halloween will be at the attraction from October

Governor Signs Job Training Plan

  A skilled trades training program hailed by state Senator John Proos will be permanent in Michigan now that the governor has signed legislation Proos co-sponsored. Proos tells WSJM News the Going Pro Talent Program awards grants

Al-Van Humane Society Anniversary

The Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven is a non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to providing emergency food and shelter for homeless pets. Providing public education is an important part of Al-Van’s efforts to reduce the number

School Threat Suspect Arrested

The man wanted for calling in a phony threat about someone with a gun at Eau Claire High School earlier this month is now in the Berrien County Jail. Police arrested 32-year-old Justin Bashore of Niles during

Governor Snyder: Road Lockout Is Over

More than 150 stalled road projects across Michigan will resume because road builders have agreed to end a lockout of a union of heavy equipment operators. Governor Snyder announced the end of the labor impasse Thursday. He

Vote On Spending Plan Likely

A major federal spending bill will be considered by the U.S. House this week to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month, and among its supporters is Congressman Fred Upton. He tells us the

West Nile Death In Allegan County

A death from the West Nile virus has been announced in Allegan County. West Nile, a mosquito-borne illness, can lead to serious neurological complications, especially in the elderly or people with diabetes or hypertension. The Allegan County

Planning Underway For Red Arrow Trail

The public has had a chance to review a possible Red Arrow Highway trail project being planned in Berrien County. At an open house on Wednesday, Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey told WSJM News the master

August SWM Home Sales Report

Home sales in southwest Michigan dropped a bit during August. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors tells us in August the number of houses sold dropped 7% from August of 2017. Also, the average and median selling

South Haven Short-Term Rental Forum

The South Haven City Planning Commission is having a workshop session on Thursday evening to continue discussions on Phase 2 amendments to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance. Assistant City Manager Kate Hosier spoke with WSJM News about the

Cass County Appoints New Treasurer

Cass County has a new treasurer. Hope Anderson of Cassopolis has been named by the Treasurer Appointment Committee as the successor to Linda Pruett, who died this summer. Anderson will serve through the end of Pruett’s term

BH Schools Hosting Literacy Event

Officials at Benton Harbor Area Schools are planning a new push to promote literacy. Communications Director Amy Nichols tells WSJM News “We Welcome Literacy” is a community event set for October 8 at the high school. On

Woman Sentenced In Fatal Crash

From the Associated Press — A 22-year-old woman has been sentenced to 11/2 to 15 years behind bars for a crash into an icy southwestern Michigan lake that killed her boyfriend, who was a passenger in the

LaSata, Haight To Appear At Candidate Forums

Two candidate forums featuring the Republican and Democratic candidates for the Michigan Senate in the 21st District are set for next month. State Representative Kim LaSata has announced she’ll be at a Berrien RESA Candidate Forum on