Local News Archives

The city of Dowagiac is gearing up for its annual Summer in the City celebration this month. Set for July 19 and 20, there will be a total of 50 hours of activities next weekend. They include

Parkinson’s disease patients in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana will benefit from a grant to Andrews University to expand a therapy program focused on speech and swallowing functions. The grant will also make the therapy free for

Congressman Fred Upton is responding to the resignation of U.S. Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who stepped down under pressure on Friday. Acosta handled the prosecution while a U.S. Attorney of Jeffrey Epstein and allowed for a plea

(Lansing, MI – AP) – The Michigan Supreme Court has ordered new trials for two men after finding that Allegan County juries were likely swayed by experts whose testimony went too far. In a unanimous decision, the

From the Associated Press — Health officials in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula are urging people to watch for measles symptoms after a young woman who recently traveled to Ukraine was confirmed to have the highly contagious disease.

The fundraising is underway for a new home for the Hartford Public Library. Director Stephanie Daniels tells WSJM News the goal is to break ground in September on a new facility located on East Street, the site

From the Associated Press — Officials say skeletal remains of two children and three adults unearthed in southwestern Michigan may be those of early settlers of an area community. The recently unearthed remains in Sturgis have been

Two women are recovering after their kayak capsized in Lake Michigan near South Haven on Thursday. South Haven Area Emergency Services says the women, ages 18 and 19 and from out of state, had entered the lake

The Berrien County Health Department is reminding everyone of the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke now that summer is here and we’ve had some days in the 90s. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News

Teachers can save some money on their back-to-school purchases to stock their classrooms at any Meijer store in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Grand Rapids-based retailer is giving teachers a 15% discount on what

Volunteers will hit Michigan roads all over the state this weekend with the latest Adopt a Highway cleanup. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Dan Weingarten told WSJM News earlier this year Adopt a Highway is a way

A reminder for those traveling south on I-196 this evening and early tomorrow morning that the highway is closing for a few hours. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesman Nick Schirripa says it’s part of the Hagar Shore

The body of a South Bend teen who went missing in the water at a Michigan City, Indiana beach on July 6 has been found in Chikaming Township. The Chikaming Township Police Department says the body of

All six candidates in the race for mayor of Benton Harbor will be in the studios of News/Talk 94.9 WSJM on Monday for a town hall forum. We will broadcast it live from 7 to 8 a.m.,

Four finalists will be in St. Joseph next week to be interviewed for the superintendent job for St. Joseph Public Schools. The position is opening up with the departure this summer of Ann Cardon to be the

(Michigan City, IN – AP) – An inmate who escaped Wednesday from the grounds of the Indiana State Prison has been captured. The Indiana Department of Correction says 39-year-old Travis Hornett was apprehended without incident shortly after

Berrien County is holding a pesticide collection event this month. Farmers, greenhouse operators, golf course staff, and gardeners are welcome to drop off unwanted and outdated pesticides at the Clean Sweep Collection site in Benton Harbor on

There will be a vigil this Friday in South Haven to bring attention to the treatment of migrant and refugee families along the southern U.S. border. Pastor Ron VanLente of First United Methodist Church in South Haven

From the Associated Press — Two young people who were charged after the gravesite of former President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford in western Michigan was defaced could see their records wiped clean. Kent County

Oronoko Township officials have had enough of a vacant and dilapidated apartment building on North Lemon Creek Road. Township Supervisor Mike Hildebrand tells us the township has sent a demolition notice to the owners of the building

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is taking nominations for its annual volunteer awards. Volunteer United Manager Julee Laurent tells WSJM News the organization gives out three volunteer awards each fall. “One is the Margaret B. Upton

Police are looking for an escaped prison inmate in Michigan City, Indiana. Media in South Bend are reporting Travis Hornett escaped from a work detail on the prison grounds at the Indiana State Prison. He was wearing

A new environmental protection and conservation effort is being launched by Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate, with Congressman Fred Upton of St Joseph named a House vice chair of the new Roosevelt Conservation Caucus. The

Bangor Mayor Darren Williams will be honored Friday morning by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement for completing the Van Buren County Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program three years ago. Williams has struggled with drug addiction

The Van Buren Conservation District and the Southwest by Southwest Corner CISMA are preparing for a series of workshops on a tree disease that has popped up in the region. The CISMA’s Nor Serocki tells WSJM News

The American Red Cross has issued an urgent call for blood and platelet donations. Red Cross Communications Manager Todd Kulman says there is less than a three-day supply of most blood types and less than two-days of

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says new monthly high water level records were set on Lake Superior, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario in June. Chief hydrologist Keith Kompoltowicz tells WSJM News the other Great Lakes are

A proposed rate increase from Indiana Michigan Power is getting pushback from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Her office says Nessel last week filed a notice of intervention as I&M seeks to raise electric rates by 18.9%

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has met once again with members of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education. Her office says a meeting took place between the administration and school trustees Tuesday. A joint statement was then

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation intended to help farmers affected by wet conditions this year. State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan tells us the plan provides $15 million to private lenders so they can provide low-interest