Local News Archives

Upton Introduces Water Quality Legislation

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Some PFAS-related legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House by Congressman Fred Upton and three Michigan colleagues. Upton tells WSJM News the Federal Facility Accountability Act urges federal agencies to help states deal with PFAS contamination

Adopt A Highway Cleanup This Weekend

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The final Adopt a Highway cleanup of the year will be this week. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Dan Weingarten told WSJM News this summer Adopt a Highway is a program that allows groups of volunteers to

Red Arrow Trail Project Planned

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There will be an open house and meeting next week for Berrien County residents to learn more about plans to create a trail along Red Arrow Highway in southern Berrien County. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey

Unity Event This Week In Benton Harbor

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Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad wants to continue the momentum started last week when an anti-crime initiative called Operation Mayberry was announced. The goal is to stop violence in the community, and at Monday’s city commission meeting,

Lincoln Twp Police Seeking K9 Unit

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The Lincoln Township Police Department is looking to establish a K9 unit. The department is now fundraising so it can acquire the dog and the equipment needed to make the unit work. It says a K9 is

United Way Begins Campaign

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The United Way of Southwest Michigan has kicked off its annual campaign. President Anna Murphy tells WSJM News they’re doing something a little different this year by not announcing a monetary goal, and instead using the campaign

“Operation Mayberry” Comes To BH

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“Stop the violence, stop the silence.” That’s the message from Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad as he and other community leaders spearhead a new initiative to reduce violent crime in the city. At a Thursday press conference,

Proos Celebrates Passage Of STEM Plan

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State Senator John Proos is pleased to see some STEM education legislation he sponsored received its final, ceremonial signing by the governor. Last week, Proos tells WSJM News he invited local students and educators to Lansing for

Report Examines Payday Lenders

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A new report sheds light on the dangers of payday loans, prompting consumer advocates to call for new regulations in Michigan. Community Economic Development Association of Michigan Senior Policy Specialist Jessica AcMoody tells us by charging annual

St. Joseph Looking At Downtown Future

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A Chicago-based consulting firm headed up by a St. Joseph native will tackle shaping the future of the city’s downtown. Houseal Lavigne Associates was hired by the city commission this week to begin the study. The firm

Niles Woman Arrested For Deadly Hit-And-Run

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A 23-year-old Niles woman is in the Berrien County Jail awaiting charges for a deadly hit-and-run accident. According to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, her blood-alcohol level was over three times the legal limit when she was

11-Year-Old Dies In Accidental Drowning

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A birthday celebration ended in tragedy in Cass County’s Howard Township this weekend. The sheriff’s department says an 11-year-old boy drowned at a pool party Saturday evening. The boy was in the pool with several other kids

State Facing Teacher Shortage

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Too many Michigan schools districts without enough teachers, according to the head of a administrators group. Wendy Zdeb of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals told Michigan News Network recruiting new teachers is tough, but keeping

Benton Twp Eviction Battle

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Jeremiah Young says because he complained about his roach-infested apartment and its fire hazard rusty electric stove, landlord Harry Toor is trying to evict him from the Benton Township property. “It’s because he told me he’s tired

Lake Township Park Improvements

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A ribbon cutting will be held this month to mark the opening of a new feature at Lake Township Park in Bridgman. Township Treasurer Bob Clark tells WSJM News a renovation project two years in the making

Business Bureau Warns About Check Scam

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If you’ve recently received a mysterious check in the mail, don’t get too excited and cash it. It’s most likely a scam according to the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan. The BBB’s John Masterson told WKZO

New Marina Possible For South Haven

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The city of South Haven is taking steps to acquire another marina. City Manager Brian Dissette tells WSJM News the city council this month voted to send a grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Big Equipment Purchase For St. Joe

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The city of St. Joseph’s Public Works Department is moving ahead on replacing its largest vehicle, the jet/vac sewer cleaner truck. Public Works director Tom MacDonald told the city commission Monday it’s the most important vehicle they

Teen Shot In Benton Township

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The Benton Township Police Department is investigating after a teen was shot early Saturday morning. It happened in the 200 block of Pine Street just after 4 a.m. Responding officers arrived to find a 15-year-old boy with

BH Marijuana Applications

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Benton Harbor is now taking applications for medical marijuana businesses seeking to operate in the city. In a notice put out last week, the city says those proposals could be for any medical marijuana business currently legal