Local News Archives

I-94 Repaving Starts Next Week

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A repaving project is about to get started on I-94 in Van Buren County. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News  they’ll start the work on eastbound 94 between 56th Street and M-51 Monday.

Coloma Wins Spirit Tournament

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The winners of state Senator John Proos’ annual Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament for 2018 are the Coloma Comets. They beat out the River Valley Mustangs in the final round of the tournament, which is a March Madness-like

City Accepts Castle Donation

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Here’s something you’ve probably never heard before. The city of St. Joseph has accepted the donation of a castle. At Monday’s meeting, Marketing Director Susan Solon told city commissioners Turner Construction, the company doing work at Lakeland,

Board Names Interim Superintendent

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There is now an interim superintendent in place at Benton Harbor Area Schools. During an eight minute meeting Monday, the board of education voted to appoint Patricia Robinson, the district’s assistant superintendent, to serve as head administrator

Bills Require Temporary Immigration Status On IDs

From the Associated Press — Bills that would require Michigan driver’s licenses and state ID cards to show certain immigration statuses are headed to the House floor. On Tuesday the Michigan House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure unanimously

Pence To Speak At Commencement

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From the Associated Press — Vice President Mike Pence is set to give the commencement speech next month at southern Michigan’s Hillsdale College. The former Indiana governor and U.S. lawmaker is scheduled to give the address on May

Gun Group Seeks Information

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The group Michigan Open Carry is suing the Michigan State Police to clarify how the department uses money raised from concealed carry fees. President Tom Lambert spoke with Michigan News Network about the effort. “In the 2015-2016

False Fraud Victims Get Key Decision

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From the Associated Press — The Michigan Supreme Court is taking a fresh look at a lawsuit filed on behalf of thousands of people who were wrongly accused of defrauding the unemployment program. The state appeals court said

Employee Finds Camera Hidden In Restroom

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Imagine finding a camera in the restroom where you work. That’s what happened to a female employee at Clementine’s in South Haven last Saturday. South Haven Police were called to investigate. Chief Natalie Thompson told WSJM News

Police Forum This Month

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The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is planning a community forum for this month as it seeks to improve its relations with the public. Set for Tuesday, April 24, “Improving the Quality of Policing Through Transformational

Adopt A Highway Cleanups This Month

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The Michigan Department of Transportation is gearing up for this year’s first Adopt a Highway cleanup event this month. Spokesperson Dan Weingerten tells WSJM News all kinds of organizations throughout the state sign up to pick up

State Warns About Unemployment Fraud

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The unemployment agency in Michigan is reminding businesses and individuals to beware of identity theft. Michigan Talent Investment Agency Deputy Director of Unemployment Insurance Michelle Beebe tells WSJM News recent data breeches have led to a jump

Anti-Bullying Tour Crosses Michigan

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Students in schools in Grand Ledge and Lansing heard about bullying Monday from someone who was bullied as a kid. It was former Michigan State basketball player Anthony Ianni. Now a motivational speaker for the state of

Statewide Tornado Drill This Week

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There will be a statewide tornado drill this week. Organized by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, the drill will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday. MSP Spokesperson Dale George tells WSJM News

Rash Of Vehicle Break-Ins

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Police are asking for the public’s help in catching a suspect who has been stealing items from parked vehicles around the St Joseph area. On its Facebook page, the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety writes the

South Haven To Get Gino’s East

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It looks like later this summer getting true deep-dish Chicago style pizza will mean a much shorter drive. Gino’s East says on its website that it’s planning to expand to South Haven soon. An exact opening date

LaSata Talks MSU/Nassar Scandal

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Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard is going through a report from a bipartisan House panel on Michigan State University’s response to the sexual abuse conducted by former sports doctor Larry Nassar. WSJM News asked state Representative Kim

Nesbitt Running For Senate

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Now in the running for Michigan Senate in the 26th District is former state Representative and Michigan Lottery Commissioner Aric Nesbitt. The Lawton Republican tells us he’s throwing his hat in the ring because he wants to

Flood Damage Loans Available

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Congressman Fred Upton is pleased the federal government is putting up some of its resources to help those affected by floods this year in Berrien County. This month, the Small Business Administration announced it will offer low-interest

Plans Continue For Napier Avenue

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The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission would like to hear more from the public about what is wanted for Napier Avenue as it drafts a report ahead of the road’s repaving starting next year. Planner Ryan Fellows tells

Presentation On Jean Klock Park

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A presentation set for this coming week at the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph will focus on the history of Jean Klock Park in Benton Harbor. Heritage Museum Curator Tracy Gierada tells WSJM News

LMC Tuition Going Up

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The Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees has approved a tuition hike. LMC President Trevor Kubatzke tells us the board voted Tuesday to increase tuition for both in-district and out of district students, keeping the rate as

Possible Plan For Vacant Site

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Benton Harbor City Commissioners have to decide what they want done with the vacant Alreco Metals property, and now they have solid information on one of their options. At Monday’s meeting they learned the Berrien County Land

Department Marks Health Week

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Health agencies around the country are hoping everyone will take some time this week to think about how much of a difference their efforts have made. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News it

Foreclosures Down

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Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski has tallied up the totals, and he tells us about 185 property owners will be foreclosed this year for failure to pay their 2015 taxes. The deadline was Monday, and Witkowski tells

Special Trains For Tulip Time

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Holland’s Tulip Time Festival this year will run May 5 through the May 13, and it’s expected to draw more than 500,000 thisyear. If you don’t want fight traffic and hunt for a parking space, Amtrak can