Local News Archives

Prices are up, but the number of homes sold in the area in July fell by 19% compared to a year ago. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says home sales were also down by 14% from

From the Associated Press — Bills going to Governor Gretchen Whitmer would make it a state-level crime to steal mail, including packages left on doorsteps. The Legislature gave final approval to the legislation Thursday. It is a

The St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center is seeing increased attendance as word of mouth gets around and the county’s population ages. The center’s board president, Rick Freridge, gave some numbers to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday

First responders with South Haven Area Emergency Services have been honored for their efforts to keep local beaches and Lake Michigan safe this summer. SHAES tells us the city of South Haven recognized the team on Wednesday.

A cleanup event along Ox Creek in the Benton Harbor area late last month attracted 29 volunteers from several organizations. Southwest Michigan Planning Commission senior planner Marcy Hamilton tells us local Rotary clubs, the Two Rivers Coalition,

New Age Laboratories in the city of South Haven tests soil, food, air, water and many other substances. The company would like to start testing medical marijuana for safety in the community. Assistant City Manager Kate Hosier

Lake Michigan did not break its all-time high water level record in August, but it was very high when compared to average. That’s according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which released its Great Lakes water

Set for this Saturday is the Southwestern Michigan College Renaissance Faire. Taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Student Activity Center off Dailey Road in Dowagiac, the event will be a chance for knights

From the Associated Press — Two people have been arrested for flying a drone over Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor during the Wolverine’s football season opener against Middle Tennessee State. The drone was reported about 10:17 p.m.

Berrien County Prosecutor Mike Sepic is confirming there is an active criminal investigation against County Commissioner Teri Sue Freehling in connection with a civil lawsuit against her, the estate of her late husband, and county Drain Commissioner

Governor Whitmer is confident that the state’s first-in-the-nation ban of flavored vaping products will hold up in court. “I’ve consulted my lawyers, I’ve consulted the attorney general, and I think we are squarely on solid legal footing

Benton Harbor Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis is working on launching some new block clubs in the community. He said at Monday’s city commission meeting there’s been strong interest. “I’m happy to renew that project, and with

Congressman Fred Upton is pleased the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a disaster designation for Berrien, Cass, and St. Joseph counties due to weather this year that has damaged crops. He tells WSJM News the goal

The book for the Berrien County fall land auction is now available. County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News up for grabs at the auction this month will be around 150 properties. “These are ones that did

A new partnership between the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and Berrien RESA has been announced to help children dealing with trauma. The sheriff’s department says Handle with Care is designed to ensure a child who experiences a

South Haven Area Emergency Services is reminding everyone to stay off the Lake Michigan piers when there’s a lot of wave action. It says SHAES and the South Haven Police Department on Tuesday were called out to

It’s taken a few decades, but a natural gas plant is about to get under construction in Niles. Ground was broken Wednesday morning on the Indeck Energy Center, which carries a price tag of roughly $1 billion.

Renovations to the Secretary of State branch office in Dowagiac are now done, and will reopen later this month. The branch has been in a temporary office at the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District in Cassopolis on

South Haven police are investigating after a student at Baseline Middle School was found with a gun. In a message to parents, district officials say other students who knew of the weapon let an adult at the

By Doug Cunningham Digital Vapor Den in St. Joseph sells the flavored nicotine vape juice, the product suddenly banned in Michigan by Governor Whitmer. In fact, owner Dylan Gatties says it’s most of his business. Gatties thinks

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is moving to make Michigan the first state to ban flavored e-cigarettes. The Democrat announced Wednesday that she ordered the state health department to issue emergency rules. They will prohibit the sale and misleading

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is considering who will serve on the Community Engagement and Advisory Committee the state has proposed for turning the district around. At a Tuesday work session, board President Stephen

From the Associated Press — A Michigan lawmaker has returned to session for the first time in months after being charged with trading votes for campaign money. State Representative Larry Inman, a Republican from Williamsburg near Traverse

Poor living conditions at a condominium development in Benton Harbor are prompting Mayor Marcus Muhammad to suggest intervention by the city commission. At a Monday meeting, Muhammad said the commission should schedule a retreat to discuss the

Berrien RESA is preparing for its next Festival of Families. RESA Superintendent Kevin Ivers tells WSJM News this is the seventh year for the event, intended to connect parents and kids with educational services in the area.

The high water levels on the Great Lakes the last two years are doing more than just causing erosion and making beaches considerably smaller. The water is also washing ashore pieces of shipwrecks along Lake Huron. The

The Benton Harbor City Commission has hired its auditing firm for the year. At a brief Monday meeting, the body opted to go with CPA firm Rehmann Robson to conduct the audit for the fiscal year that

Congressman Fred Upton is spending his final week touring around the Sixth District before the U.S. House gets back to work next week. He tells WSJM News a major priority will be budgets for the federal government

As a new school year begins, concerns remain about the use of electronic cigarettes by minors. It’s now illegal in Michigan, but it’s only been like that for a short time since a bill from state Representative

The Dollar General has returned to St. Joseph. The new Dollar General location is open at 2108 Cleveland Avenue. That’s where the Family Video was located until it closed this summer. It didn’t take Dollar General long