Local News Archives

2018 A Deadly Year On The Great Lakes

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From the Associated Press — A water safety nonprofit group says 2018 has been a deadly year on the Great Lakes, with at least 110 drownings recorded. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project , which has tracked

Court To Celebrate Adoptions

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Coming up this month will be Adoption Day at the Van Buren County Courthouse in Paw Paw. Veronica Stillson with the Van Buren County Circuit Court Family Division tells WSJM News it’s a day when several adoptions

Veteran Homelessness Down

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The rate of homelessness among Michigan veterans continues to trend down. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development this week released its Annual Homeless Assessment Report, which found the total number of reported veterans experiencing homelessness

Effort To Weed Out Invasive Plants At SMC

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Students at Southwestern Michigan College have had a chance to learn about local invasive plant species and also fight them on their campus in Dowagiac. SMC Agriculture Tech Coordinator Stacey Rocklin tells WSJM News a group of

Snyder Calls For Civility

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From the Associated Press — Governor Rick Snyder has given another pitch for civility in government and politics. Snyder spoke Friday at the Detroit Economic Club, taking friendly questions about his two terms from the head of DTE

A Look At Implementing Proposal 2

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Michigan’s legislative districts could drastically change now that voters have approved Proposal 2. The ballot proposal hands over the drawing of districts to a citizens commission, taking that power away from the state legislature. Katie Fahey with

Adjustment To Cemetery Fees

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It’s a matter of grave concern for families of the recently-deceased in the city of South Haven cemetery. The city council approved a resolution for fairer burial plot pricing this week. City Manager Brian Dissette tells us

Officials Urge Measles Vaccinations

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From the Associated Press — Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated and take other precautions after confirming 15 cases of measles in Michigan this year. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services gave an

Adoption Day Set For This Month

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Coming up this month will be Adoption Day at the Van Buren County Courthouse in Paw Paw. Veronica Stillson with the Van Buren County Circuit Court Family Division tells WSJM News it’s a day when several adoptions

BH Schools Released From Consent Agreement

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Benton Harbor Area Schools has been released from its consent agreement with the Michigan Department of Treasury. Treasury spokesperson Ron Leix tells WSJM News since the district’s cooperative agreement with the Michigan Department of Education has been

One Dead In Mobile Home Fire

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The Covert Township Police Department is investigating a fatal fire on Friday. It tells us the Covert Township Fire Department, Michigan State Police, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, South Haven Area Emergency Services, and Pokagon Tribal

Snyder Priorities Include Environmental Cleanup

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From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder says his legislative priorities before leaving office include pushing through fee increases to pay for environmental cleanup, water infrastructure and recycling needs. The Republican governor met with GOP lawmakers

Hundreds Of Volunteers Serve Seniors

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The United Way of Southwest Michigan had volunteers out and about throughout Berrien and Cass counties Thursday for its eighth annual Day of Action for Seniors. Volunteer Engagement Manager Julee Laurent tells WSJM News teams from businesses,

State Drive Collects 400,000 Pounds Of Food

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The annual Harvest Gathering food drive run by the Michigan Attorney General’s office is being described as a success this year. AG spokesperson Megan Hawthorne tells us Attorney General Bill Schuette started the Harvest Gathering in 1991

Anti-Legalization Group Continues Marijuana Fight

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Now that Michigan voters have legalized recreational marijuana, anti-legalization group Healthy and Productive Michigan has its work cut out for it. President Scott Greenlee tells WSJM News he’s been getting calls from local communities interested in keeping

What’s Next After Elections

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Now that the election is over, what’s next? Oakland University Political Science Professor Dave Dulio told Michigan News Network he wouldn’t be surprised if opponents challenged proposals one and two — gerrymandering and recreational marijuana. “Similar with

Steel Plant Fire Contained

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South Haven Area Emergency Services was able to make short work of an industrial fire on Wednesday morning. The agency tells us its responders quickly contained a fire reported at Lakeshore Iron on County Road 687 near