Local News Archives

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

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have plenty to say about who is hired to do the city’s landscaping. At Monday’s meeting, the commission discussed at length who should be hired to cut grass in the city, and how.

Berrien RESA is planning a couple of family reading events around the area for this month. It tells us the Parents as Teachers Program and libraries of Berrien County are teaming up for Read Around the County.

The issue of short term rentals is back in southwest Michigan. This time, the cities of St. Joseph and South Haven are both speaking up in opposition to House Bill 4046, which would wipe out local ordinances

South Haven City Manager Brian Dissette is floating his fiscal year 2019=2020 budget for public comment over the next two city council meetings. He says the City Council took action to formally introduce the proposal on Monday,

A new milestone has been reached by Carol’s Hope, the addiction recovery center that opened late last year in the St. Joseph area. Michigan State Police Lieutenant Melinda Logan tells WSJM News they’re now able to be

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced record high water levels are forecast on several of the Great Lakes over the next six months. Corps hydrologist Keith Kompoltowicz tells WSJM News new records are expected for

The executive director of the Pokagon Fund is stepping down. The fund’s board of directors announced Monday that Janet Cocciarelli is leaving the organization, effective June 7, to spend more time with family in the Grand Rapids

The Drug Enforcement Agency is touting a very successful National Prescription Drug Take Back Day last month. Held on April 27, the DEA says nearly 64-hundred collection sites took in and destroyed nearly 469 tons of medicines.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas in the state is up 3¢ from a week ago. Triple-A Michigan says the average is $2.91, but notes prices have slipped from a high for the year

A disorderly conduct charge is being faced by a 36-year-old Dowagiac woman who was arrested late Friday night while naked and high on meth. Police were called to the 200 block of Dewey Street around 11:30 pm

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has released two surveillance photos as part of the investigation into a recent fire at the Niles Walmart. The Walmart was evacuated the afternoon of April 27 when a fire broke out

Two people are in the Cass County Jail awaiting arraignment on charges of possession with intent to deliver meth. The county’s drug enforcement team raided a home in the 21-thousand block of Calvin Hill Street in Calvin

Tomorrow is an election day, with millage and bonding requests before voters around the state. Locally, Royalton Township voters are being asked to approve a small millage increase for the fire department to raise $35,000 over five

Two veteran southwest Michigan law enforcement officers will be honored next week. They’ll be in Lansing on Monday for the 26th annual Michigan Peace Officers Memorial Service at the Michigan Capitol. Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department Detective

From the Associated Press — State funding is available for local efforts to control or get rid of invasive plants in Michigan’s inland lakes. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy says a new grant program

St. Joseph Today is busy making preparations for the seventh annual BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival. Set for Saturday, May 18, the event will feature headliner JD McPherson performing with his back to Lake Michigan starting at

Plans have been announced by Andrews University for a new agricultural center on campus. Sustainable Agriculture Department Chair Katherine Koudele tells WSJM  News the former dairy is being converted into three barns that could be used for