Local News Archives

Proos Talks GOP Debate

proose232-5

State Senator John Proos liked what he heard in Wednesday night’s Republican gubernatorial debate. Dr. Jim Hines, state Senator Patrick Colbeck, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, and Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley squared off at a forum organized

Peters Makes Open Internet Appeal

garypeters242424

An effort is underway in the United States Senate to block the FCC from implementing its repeal of net neutrality protections, and Senator Gary Peters of Michigan is a part of it. Speaking on the Senate floor

AARP Grants For Cities

railing

With the nation facing an aging population, many communities are examining ways to become places where people of all ages can thrive. Now, cities and towns in Michigan ready to roll up their sleeves and get to

Lawmaker Praises Veterans Office

griffin-locals-mtg_-4

State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan is hailing word that Van Buren County has now hired a veterans services officer. She’s been behind legislation to create grant programs for counties to have full-time staff that work to

LaSata Talks “Kayak Tax”

forest-4

State Representative Kim LaSata is among the Michigan lawmakers calling on the Michigan State Waterways Commission to drop plans for a tax on small watercraft like canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards. She tells WSJM News the House

SJ Company Saluted For Energy Efficiency

led-light-bulb_g1ncghjo

A check for $50,000 will be presented this week to Kay Manufacturing in St. Joseph by Indiana Michigan Power for Kay’s efforts to become more energy efficient. Kay Manufacturing President Brian Pelke tells WSJM News the company

Andrews Team Helps In Puerto Rico

puerto_rico_1-2

A group of 20 Andrews University faculty, staff, students, and graduates have returned from a trip to Puerto Rico to help provide mental health services there following Hurricane Maria. Andrews Associate Professor of Psychology Melissa Ponce-Rodas tells

Lakeshore Leaders Look Ahead

lakeshorehs1-4

There is still work ahead for leaders at Lakeshore Public Schools after this week’s failure of a bond proposal. Voters rejected the $21 million bond on Tuesday on a vote of 2,300 to 1,907. Lakeshore Superintendent Phil

Blue Star Trail Celebration

bluestartrail

The Friends of the Blue Star Trail will celebrate the grand opening of the recently completed section of the Blue Star Trail in Saugatuck Township on Sunday, May 20. The celebration will kick off at the south

South Haven Speaker Series Tomorrow

southhaven-41

“Why Our Political Is Behaving So Oddly” is the topic South Haven Speaker Series guest Phil Power address on Thursday, May 10th at the Lake Michigan College South Haven campus. Speaker Series Board President Mark Odland tells

House Opposes “Kayak Tax”

It doesn’t look like you’re going to be forced to pay any fees to register paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks with the state. The Michigan House has voted overwhelmingly to oppose the so-called “kayak tax” floated by

Roadside Park Arson Under Investigation

fire-9

An arson at the Flowing Wells Roadside Park in Bainbridge Township is under investigation. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells WSJM News someone noticed the bathrooms at the park on fire around 10 p.m. last Friday and

Mackinac Conference This Month

mackinacbridge3-5

1,700 business leaders and politicians will attend the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island later this month. Highlights include a keynote speech from former Speaker of the House John Boehner and a governor’s debate between the top

Berrien County Election Results

electiongood-39

Voters headed to the polls on Tuesday is some communities around Berrien County, in all cases deciding school funding. The biggest was a bond for Lakeshore Public Schools, which voters rejected. The vote was 2,300 no to

Van Buren County Election Results

electiongood3-24

A couple of Van Buren County communities held elections on Tuesday. In South Haven, voters were asked to renew the operating millage for South Haven Public Schools. It accounts for more than 42% of the district’s operating

Steve Martin Speaks To Economic Club

stevemartin2

It was a packed house as Steve Martin chatted with the crowd at the Mendel Center in Benton Township Tuesday night. Martin was the closing guest for the season of the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan. “A

More Testimony On Nassar Legislation

Victims of Larry Nassar are at the state capitol this week to testify in favor of new child protection legislation. Former diver Sterling Riethman from Kalamazoo was abused by Nassar at his MSU clinic. She testified on

SJ Public Safety Plans This Summer

hfdskhfdkjhfkjhsd

St. Joseph City Commissioners and the public have been updated by Public Safety Director Brian Uridge on plans to better police the community this summer. Last summer, St. Joe Public Safety changed traffic patterns to reduce congestion

Reward Increased For Murder Suspect

mims-3

The reward for information leading to the arrest of Benton Harbor murder suspect Antwan “Tank” Mims has been doubled from $10,000 to $20,000. At a press conference Tuesday, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis

Orchards Mall Up For Auction

orchardsmall-11

The Orchards Mall is up for sale. WSJM News has learned the owner of the mall is auctioning it off through a Farmington Hills-based company, with a starting bid of $750,000. The auction is scheduled to be