Local News Archives

Group Wants Info On Gun Fees

The group Michigan Open Carry is suing the Michigan State Police to clarify how the department uses money raised from concealed carry fees. President Tom Lambert spoke with Michigan News Network about the effort. “In the 2015-2016

Three Dead Following Chase

Three people are dead following a chase with police in Berrien County on Sunday morning. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells WSJM News it all started shortly after 5 a.m. when dispatch got a call about a

SJ Police Work With Schools On Safety

Protecting students is a top priority for St. Joseph Department of Public Safety Director Brian Uridge. He told city commissioners this past week he’s been in regular talks with schools at all levels to be prepared for

K9 Getting Protective Vest

A K9 with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a donation from the non-profit Vested Interest in K9s, Incorporated. German Shephard Luca has been with the Allegan County

Support Animal Workshop This Month

Coming up this month at the Disability Network Southwest Michigan will be a presentation on the dos and don’ts of service animals. The network tells us the free workshop is being offered to address confusion about what

Repaving On I-94

A repaving project is about to get started on I-94 in Van Buren County. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News  they’ll start the work on eastbound 94 between 56th Street and M-51 Monday.

Credit Union Helping Moms

Honor Credit Union is hoping customers will step forward to help out moms in need this spring. The credit union will have donation boxes set up at its locations throughout southwest Michigan through May 7 to collect

Electric Rate Hike Coming

The Michigan Public Service Commission has given approval to Indiana Michigan Power to raise its electric rates. MPSC spokesperson Nick Assendelft tells WSJM News I&M asked the state for permission to do so in May of last

State Fights Unemployment ID Theft

The unemployment agency in Michigan is reminding businesses and individuals to beware of identity theft. Michigan Talent Investment Agency Deputy Director of Unemployment Insurance Michelle Beebe tells WSJM News recent data breeches have led to a jump

One Dead In Cass County Crash

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on Friday night. It tells us a Jeep Cherokee driven by 32-year-old Gary May of New Haven was northbound on Kessington Road in Mason Township

St. Joseph Gets Castle Donation

Here’s something you’ve probably never heard before. The city of St. Joseph has accepted the donation of a castle. At Monday’s meeting, Marketing Director Susan Solon told city commissioners Turner Construction, the company doing work at Lakeland,

Watch Out For This Invasive Beetle

Everyone in southwest Michigan is being asked to keep their eyes open for an invasive insect that could pose a threat to trees. The Southwest by Southwest Corner CISMA’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News it’s the Asian

Kinexus Saluted By National Group

Kinexus in Benton Harbor is a great place to work. So says The Nonprofit Times, a trade group representing non-profit organizations around the country. It’s selected Kinexus as one of its top 50 non-profits when it comes

Coloma Wins Spirit Tournament

The Coloma Comets are the winners of state Senator John Proos’ annual Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament for 2018. They beat out the River Valley Mustangs in the final round of the tournament, which is a March Madness-like

Special Amtrak Trains For Tulip Time

Holland’s Tulip Time Festival this year will run May 5 through the May 13, and it’s expected to draw more than 500,000 thisyear. If you don’t want fight traffic and hunt for a parking space, Amtrak can

State Police Watching Out For Texters

Troopers from the Michigan State Police post in Niles will be out in extra force for the rest of this month watching out for distracted drivers. MSP Sergeant Matt Waters tells WSJM News police statewide are taking

Report Examines Cigarette Tax Evasion

A new report from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy takes a look at the rate of cigarette tax evasion, noting how common smuggling is largely depends on what a given state’s cigarette tax is. Fiscal Policy

Beaches Being Prepped For Summer

Despite the recent weather, summer is actually coming to southwest Michigan at some point and that means getting South Haven’s beaches ready for visitors. City Manager Brian Dissette tells WSJM News work on the City’s North Beach

Praises Praises SWM Veteran

State Senator John Proos has saluted a southwest Michigan veteran by inviting him to the Michigan Capitol. Juanito Dela Cruz of Riverside got applause from state lawmakers this week. Dela Cruz served 19 years in the U.S.

Upton: Time To Replace Line 5

Congressman Fred Upton says the recent leak of coolant into Lakes Huron and Michigan from an underwater line containing electric cables in the Straits of Mackinac is a sign Enbridge’s Line 5 needs to be replaced. Speaking

Bill To Help Parents Of Stillborn Babies

The Michigan House has unanimously approved a bill proposed by Representative Mary Whiteford of Allegan County designed to help the parents of stillborn babies. Whiteford tells WSJM News it would give a one-time income tax personal exemption

Volunteers Cleaning Up Litter

The Michigan Department of Transportation is gearing up for this year’s first Adopt a Highway cleanup event this month. Spokesperson Dan Weingerten tells WSJM News all kinds of organizations throughout the state sign up to pick up

State House Allows Parental Eavedropping

From the Associated Press — Michigan’s House wants to give parents free reign in listening to their children’s conversations. In a 105-3 vote, lawmakers passed the bill that adds parental exemptions to Michigan’s eavesdropping prohibition. Eavesdropping is defined

Zoo Asks For Change To State Law

Officials at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids are calling on the Michigan Legislature to amend the state’s current Large Carnivore Act. Zoo CEO Peter D’Arienzo tells Michigan News Network it currently prevents the breeding of

Drug Raid In Benton Harbor

No details have been released yet by Michigan State Police, but authorities from several police agencies raided a Benton Harbor home last night for a drug bust. A block of Catalpa near Colfax was blocked off by

Bill Bans Dog Breed Rules

From the Associated Press — No bans on pit bulls allowed, Michigan’s Senate says. The chamber voted 22-13 on Thursday to prohibit local governments from dictating breed-specific regulations on dogs. The legislation will benefit canines that are perceived

Dispatchers Of The Year Saluted

Two people have been picked as Berrien County’s Dispatchers of the year. At Thursday’s Berrien County Commission meeting, the honor was given to Eric Ruth and Lanny Duffel. Ruth, who works for Niles Dispatch, handled a call

State Approves Electric Rate Hike

The Michigan Public Service Commission has given approval to Indiana Michigan Power to raise its electric rates. MPSC spokesperson Nick Assendelft tells WSJM News I&M asked the state for permission to do so in May of last