Local News Archives

Unusual Tax Situation Resolved

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A Benton Harbor woman is close to getting an unusual property tax problem resolved, thanks to action by the city commission this week. At Monday’s meeting, commissioners waived about $12,000 in back taxes for the woman whose

Warrant Issued In BH Shooting

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A suspect has been identified in one of the shootings this past weekend in Benton Harbor. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety tells us it has obtained a warrant for 22-year-old Tarone Devon Washington on charges

Voter Registration Deadline

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From the Associated Press — The deadline to register to vote in the August 7 primary election is just days away. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says the deadline is Monday, July 9. She says every community will

DNR Fire Warning

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The risk of wildfire started by fireworks is higher than normal this Fourth of July because of the recent hot, dry weather. The heat is drying out vegetation, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The

Golf Course Owner: State Unfair About Water

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From the Associated Press — A western Michigan golf course owner says the state is unfairly targeting him after elevated levels of chemical contaminants were found in nearby wells. Andrew Dykema tells MLive.com that Michigan’s Department of Environmental

South Haven Fireworks Online

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One of the largest fireworks displays on this side of Lake Michigan will happen Tuesday night in South Haven with Light Up the Lake. The fireworks are synced to music played on 103.7 Cosy FM and for

Study Shows Better Chances For New Soo Lock

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says construction of a second Great Lakes navigation lock for large freighters will be included in its 2020 budget request to the Trump administration. Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Sugrue of the agency’s

Police Urge Holiday Preparedness

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Michigan State Police are reminding everyone to be prepared for emergencies ahead of Independence Day. MSP First Lieutenant Gabriel Covey tells WSJM News all drivers should keep an emergency kit in their vehicle. “Include things like water,

New Bike Safety Laws On Books

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New bike safety laws will take effect in Michigan in about three months. The measures were prompted by the bicycle tragedy in Kalamazoo in June 2016 when a man who was high on drugs plowed into a

Photo Contest For West MI

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A photo contest is being held by the West Michigan Tourist Association as it prepares to put together its 2019 West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide. The association tells us it wants photos that depict the beauty of

Report Looks At West MI Jobs

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There have been some clear changes in Berrien County’s employment picture since the end of the Great Recession. The latest economic outlook report from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research takes a look at such trends throughout

Scholarships For Foster Kids

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When kids age out of foster care in Michigan, what do they do if they want to go to college? Fundraising efforts have been underway for the past several years through Fostering Futures to raise scholarship money

School To Fight Cancer

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The St. Joseph High School football team is going to team up to fight cancer this year, and there are ways you can help. The Team Up Against Cancer campaign’s Regina Ciaravino tells WSJM News the Bears

Commission Not Pleased With Tax Bill

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A second local governmental unit is on record opposing a bill from state Senator John Proos to exempt utilities from paying personal property taxes on new equipment, including transmission lines and power generation devices like solar farms

LMC Salutes President

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High marks for Lake Michigan College President Trevor Kubatzke. At a meeting this week, the LMC Board of Trustees gave Kubatzke a positive performance evaluation. President Michael Lindley told WSJM News since Kubatzke came on in April

Berrien Community Foundation Scholarships

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$185,000 in scholarships will be handed out by the Berrien Community Foundation in the 2018-2019 academic year. The foundation announced the scholarship recipients at a reception last week. Foundation Program Manager Susan Matheny tells WSJM News the

City Manager Settling In

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Watervliet has a new city manager. His name is Tyler Dotson, and he comes from Blissfield, Michigan. Dotson is working a set of goals he would like to accomplish for the city. He tells us building relationships

South Haven Lift Rescue

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A group of people who became stuck in a lift near South Haven Saturday afternoon are now safe thanks to South Haven Area Emergency Services. SHAES tells us a power outage caused the group to be caught

County Auction Book Out

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The latest book of foreclosed properties set to be auctioned off by the Berrien County Treasurer’s office is now available. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the new book has 183 properties, of which 181 were foreclosed