Local News Archives

AAA Warns About Distracted Driving

traffic_zy5td1fu-5

Almost 90% of drivers are worried about distracted driving. A new survey by AAA finding that it’s the top concern among drivers. That’s even more so than drunk driving and aggressive driving. Susan Hiltz is a spokesperson

State Marks Vietnam Veteran Day

americanflag-53

Thursday marked the first annual Vietnam Veterans Day in Michigan. The state legislature designated March 29th as the day to honor their service. Lynn O’Brien is the Director of Veteran Affairs for State Senator Mike Kowal. “They

One Arrest In Meth Bust

casscountysheriff-40

One man is facing charges following a meth bust in Cass County this week. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department tells us its drug enforcement team searched a home in the 70,000 block of Kenmoore Drive in Ontwa

Community Celebrates Tiger Champions

team

The streets were lined with well-wishers as the triumphant Benton Harbor Tigers basketball team rode atop a fire engine through the city Thursday in a parade to celebrate their state championship. It ended at the high school

Drive Collects 10,000 Books

united-way-17-75th-a-5

A recent book drive undertaken by the United Way of Southwestern Michigan collected more than 10,800 books for kids from kindergarten all the way through the 12th grade in Berrien and Cass counties. The United Way’s Julee

State Awards Hepatitis Vaccine Grants

medical54-24

The Allegan County Health Department has received a $20,000 grant from the state to increase hepatitis A vaccinations. It tells us the money comes from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which set aside a

Police Warn Students About Making Threats

berriensheriff-6

As threats shut down schools across southwest Michigan following last month’s Parkland, Florida shootings, police want the culprits to know they’re making a big mistake. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey tells WSJM News someone who threatens a

Arrest Made In School Threat Case

police564-46

An arrest has been in made in the case of a threat made this month to the Countryside Academy in Benton Township. The police department tells us officers were called to the charter high school on March

Upton Talks School Safety

upton-13

With hundreds of thousands of young people having held demonstrations around the country this past weekend, Congressman Fred Upton is hoping there can be some kind of gun legislation approved in Washington soon. He tells WSJM News

LMC Raises Tuition

lakemichigancollege2-30

The Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees has approved a tuition hike. At a Tuesday meeting, the board voted to raise tuition for in-district students by 2% and out-of-district students by 5%. LMC leaders say increased operating

Gun Class Sparks Backlash

blank-13

From the Associated Press — A Michigan class that teaches residents how to build their own semi-automatic AR-15 rifles drew protests from gun control advocates following recent mass shootings involving the weapon. Organizers say the class held Tuesday

Engler Talks Student Safety

msulogo2015-14

Michigan State University interim president John Engler speaking following charges against Dean William Strampel. Engler told Michigan News Network their focus is to create one of the safest, if not the safest campus environment when it comes

Chicago Joins Michigan To Fight Asian Carp

asiancarpgood-12

Chicago is supporting a federal plan to shield the Great Lakes from invasive Asian carp by strengthening defenses at a crucial Illinois choke point. The city has joined the Great Lakes Basin Partnership to Block Asian Carp, an initiative

Stabenow Targets Drug Prices

stabenow-image-3

Prescription drug prices must come down. That’s the message from Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow is is introducing a three bill package to lower the cost of medicine. She told Michigan News Network there are more lobbyists in

Whitmer Falls Behind

gretchenwhitmer2-5

A surprising turn of events in the race for governor. Polling numbers from a MRG Michigan Survey show Democratic candidate Shri Thanedar is now leading Gretchen Whitmer by three points — 21 to 18%. Michigan News Network

Classes Canceled Again In Dowagiac

police9-24

It’s another day off for students at Dowagiac Union Schools. The district will be shut down on Thursday due to threats received at the high school and the middle school on Tuesday. They remain under investigation. The

More Changes At BH Schools

bentonharborareaschools-26

Some big staff and building changes have been approved by the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education. At a Wednesday meeting, the board voted to notify five administrators, including the high school principal, their contracts aren’t

SMC Talks Long Term Plans

president-mathews1

Leaders at Southwestern Michigan College are thinking about the long term. The board of trustees held a nine hour meeting this week to take at look at SMC’s strengths, weaknesses, and threats. President David Mathews tells WSJM

St. Joe Seeking Water Grant

saintjosephcityhall-23

The city of St. Joseph could get a state grant to help residents replace lead water lines near their homes. At Monday’s city commission meeting, St. Joe Public Works Director Tom MacDonald said there’s a new state

“Be Nice” Program In South Haven

southhaven-horizontal-2

South Haven Public Schools are signing on to the “Be Nice” program that started in Grand Rapids and is making its way around Michigan. Sandy VanderRoest of South Haven Public Schools spoke with WSJM News about the

Transplant Symposium Underway

medical57-15

Encouraging minorities to sign up for organ donations. That’s one of the main topics at a transplant symposium happening at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit this week. It’s attracting transplant experts from around the country. Transplant Dr.

Final Four In School Spirit Tournament

spirit2-2

We’re down to the final four in state Senator John Proos’ annual Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament. Each year, Proos asks students throughout his district to submit photographic evidence of their school spirit to his social media accounts.

Watervliet Citgo Station Robbed

michiganstatepolicegood-113

Michigan State Police are looking for three men who robbed the Citgo station on M-140 in Watervliet just before midnight Tuesday night. One of the three had a gun and got money from the register, while the

Charges Against Former Nassar Boss

strample

From the Associated Press — A prosecutor says a Michigan State University official failed to supervise Larry Nassar at a critical time when the sports doctor was facing allegations of sexual misconduct in 2014. Bill Forsyth announced charges Tuesday

Dowagiac Schools Closed Due To Threat

police9-23

Dowagiac Union Schools is closed for Wednesday due to threats found in two of the district’s buildings on Tuesday. One was found in a high school restroom, and the other in a middle school restroom. The district

Winner Of Asian Carp Contest Announced

asiancarpgood-11

From the Associated Press — The state of Michigan has declared a winner in its contest to find new ideas for preventing Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes. The top award of $200,000 in the “Carp Tank”