Local News Archives

Van Buren Youth Fair Underway

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The Van Buren Youth Fair is underway in Hartford this week. Monday was Armed Forces Day with free admission to veterans and active duty military personnel. Also happening Monday was the opeing of the midway rides. One

Bridge Closure Starts This Week

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The Michigan Department of Transportation will shut down a bridge near Union Pier for some construction work this week. Spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News as part of construction on five bridges over I-94 near the Michigan-Indiana

Soybean Growers Face Tariff Effects

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Michigan soybean growers are being hit by the Trump administration’s new tariffs on China. Michigan Farm Bureau Field Crops Specialist Kate Thiel tells WSJM News direct sales of soy to China are expected to drop by 23%.

No Wake Zone Could Expand

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The no wake zone in the St. Joseph River in the area of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor could be moved about 176 yards to the south. At a meeting this past week, St. Joseph City Commissioners

Upton: Trade War Bad For Consumers

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Congressman Fred Upton says a trade war possibly kicked off by the Trump administration’s tariffs on foreign goods will only hurt consumers. The Trump administration is putting 25% tariffs on 800 Chinese products worth $34 billion while

Van Buren Company Expanding

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A $2.6 million expansion is being planned by Mattawan-based Tri-Mation Industries. Zachary Morris with Kinexus tells WSJM News the company is an automation solutions company founded in 1995 that right now has 35 employees. Its new 40,000

Board Looks Forward To CEO

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The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is looking to the future as the district’s new superintendent and CEO is set to start next week. At a meeting this past week, Trustee Martha Momany said Robert

Call For Blood Donations

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The Red Cross is once again putting out a call for blood donations due to a summer shortage. The Red Cross says more than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups during

Honor For Nature Preserve

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A nature preserve in the Paw Paw area has won an award from the U.S. Forest Service. The Portman Nature Preserve has been selected for the Wings Across the Americas Award for its efforts in the area

Group Campaigns For Paid Sick Time

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Some Michigan business owners are endorsing a campaign that backs paid sick time for workers. Londell Thomas is manager for the MI Time to Care Campaign. He spoke with Michigan News Network about the effort. “Right now,

Major Project Planned For Niles

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The Michigan Department of Transportation will hold an open house next week in Niles to talk about its plans to reconstruct the US-12-M-51 interchange. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the $25 to $30 million project

Improvements For SJ Water Plant

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St. Joseph City Commissioners have signed off on $13 million in upgrades to the water plant. At Monday’s meeting, they approved phase one of work laid out in a 2014 Capital Improvement Plan. St. Joseph Water Treatment

Calls For Pesticide Ban

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Labor, civil rights, and health groups, along with seven states, have made their final arguments in court challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision not to ban a pesticide that they say is dangerous. The EPA had proposed

State Tip Line Busy For Summer

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The Michigan Attorney General’s OK2Say school tip line continues to receive information from students even during the summer months. The AG’s office says 365 tips came in to OK2Say during June, with the top tip category being

Adopt A Highway Cleanup Today

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The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway program will begin its second roadside cleanup of the year today. MDOT’s Dan Weingarten tells WSJM News more than 2,800 groups statewide are signed up to protect their own

Museum Fish Boil Today

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If you haven’t visited the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, today could be a good day to stop by. The museum is having its annual Fish Boil Fundraiser. The museum’s Ashley Demming tells WSJM News she

Beach Conditions Online

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Now you can check on swimming conditions at South Haven’s beaches before you go. The city has added swimming conditions on its website that are updated periodically throughout the day. The website is South-Haven.com, where you can

BH Naloxone Training

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There will be a free Narcan training event next week in Benton Harbor. Organized by Families Against Narcotics and Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health, the session will be a chance for anyone to learn more about overdoses, the

State Chemical Warning

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More than a dozen Michigan communities have elevated levels of a dangerous chemical. That’s the finding of 2012 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality report that was suppressed until this year. Lisa Wozniak is the Executive Director of

County Salary Study

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A salary study for county employees will be conducted by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners following a Thursday meeting. The board voted to proceed with the study proposed by Commissioner Jeanette Leahey. She told WSJM News

Jury Appreciation Month

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Those who make the sacrifice to serve on juries are being recognized this month with Jury Appreciation Month in Michigan. Van Buren County Trial Court Administrator Frank Hardester tells WSJM News jurors have a usually thankless job,

Phone Scam Warning

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Police departments in Coloma Township and St. Joseph Township are both warning the public of a phone scam that’s been going around. The departments say they’ve taken several reports phone calls regarding warrants or tax issues. Sometimes, the

Stabenow, Peters Opposing Trump Nominee

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From the Associated Press — Democratic U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters of Michigan say they will oppose President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Stabenow, who’s up for re-election to a fourth term, and