Local News Archives

World Water Day Today

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Folks from all ends of the state are being called upon to raise their voices for clean water. World Water Day is Thursday, and a coalition of organizations is rallying in the capital city to show elected

Bangor Schools Closed Due To Threat

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Bangor Public Schools will be closed on Thursday due to a threat found written on one of the stalls in a restroom. Bangor Interim Superintendent Lynn Johnson says in a letter to parents a custodian found the

Part Of Road Renamed For Trooper

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Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation from state Representative Kim LaSata to rename a stretch of Red Arrow Highway in Berrien County in honor of a fallen state police trooper. She tells WSJM News Red Arrow Highway

Final Eight In School Spirit Tournament

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State Senator John Proos is congratulating the schools left in his annual Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament. He announced the Elite 8 this week, telling WSJM News we’re now down to Michigan Lutheran versus Lake Michigan Catholic, River

Unemployment Edges Up

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From the Associated Press — Michigan’s unemployment rate edged upward to 4.8% in February. Figures released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget show Michigan’s jobless rate last month rose from 4.7% in January. It was seven-tenths

House Approves Bike Passing Bill

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From the Associated Press — A bill advancing in Michigan’s Legislature would require drivers to allow 3 feet (0.9 meters) of clearance while passing a bike, unless it’s impracticable. Wednesday’s 98-10 vote in the House comes after months

Home Sales Slightly Down

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The latest housing numbers are out from the Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors, and they show the regional market slightly sluggish in February. The association’s Alan Jeffries tells WSJM News the number of units sold in February

Police Investigate Dowagiac Shooting

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The Dowagiac Police Department is investigating a Wednesday shooting. It tells us officers were called to a home in the 300 block of Pokagon Street shortly before 11 a.m. when a woman called 911 to report she

South Haven Leaders Set Priorities

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The South Haven City Council has its priorities for the upcoming fiscal year following a meeting this week. The top three priorities for the year are development of “missing middle” housing options, economic development, infrastructure repairs. South

Lt. Gov. To Snag Endorsement

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Calley is expected to be officially endorsed by Governor Rick Snyder. Calley, who has been lieutenant governor alongside Snyder for more than seven years, will host the governor at a campaign event today

Check Your School’s Financial Health

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A new website has been launched by the state of Michigan Treasury Department to make financial information about public school districts available to parents. Treasury spokesperson Ron Leix tells WSJM News the site is easy to use,

Blue Ice Forms Up North

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This is quite a sight in northern Michigan. Blue ice is piled 20 feet high along the shores of Mackinaw City. Jamie Mersch is the executive director of the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce and told Michigan

Commission Hears About Industrial Property

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Benton Harbor City Commissioners have to decide what to do with the vacant Alreco industrial property in town. At Monday’s meeting, they heard from Berrien County Commissioner Mamie Yarbrough that the county land bank has two bids

Softball Team Collecting Equipment

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A new effort is underway to collect equipment for the Benton Harbor Tigers girls softball team. Benton Harbor Area Schools Varsity Softball Coach Chris Glisson tells us he started the collection drive to get all sorts of

Health Dept Aims To Fight Teen Smoking

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Wednesday is National Kick Butts Day, a day for health officials and parents to remind teens of the dangers of smoking. The Berrien County Health Department’s Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News teens need to know the facts

Coalition Talks Suicide Prevention

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A meeting held at the Berrien County Health Department Tuesday aimed to spread the message that 911 is the number to call when a loved one is feeling suicidal. Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition founder Trent Watford

Shoreline Protection Bill Signed

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Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation from state Representative Kim LaSata intended to strengthen a program for the clean-up of waterways in the state. LaSata tells WSJM News confusion was created several years ago when the Michigan

Governor Approves Road Money

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Another $175 million dollars in road funding has been signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder. That’s on top of the the $600 million already allotted by state lawmakers. Michigan News Network Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick

Names Released In Deadly Crash

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More details are now public regarding a deadly crash between three vehicles on M-139 in Oronoko Township. The Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department says 61-year-old Karen Johns of Eau Claire was killed in the crash Monday morning.

Website Shows School Finances

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From the Associated Press — The fiscal health of each public school in Michigan now can be viewed on a new website. The Michigan Treasury department says the MI School Financials Dashboard is easy to use and provides

State Updates Cyber Security Rules

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From the Associated Press — Open-records disclosures can no longer include information on cybersecurity plans and vulnerabilities in Michigan. Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation Monday that allows for the exclusion of cybersecurity information shared with Michigan State Police

Trash Contract In Place

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Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad has an update for residents regarding the city’s new garbage contract. At Monday’s meeting, Muhammad said the final contract with We-Cycle Industrial Sanitation is signed, and the trash cans to be used

Former State Rep Running For MI Senate

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Running for Michigan Senate in the 20th District is a familiar name in west Michigan politics. Former Republican state Representative and current Allegan County Clerk Bob Genetski is hoping to replace state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker when she’s

Niles Trooper To Be Honored This week

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A Michigan State Police trooper from the Niles post will be honored at an event in East Lansing this week. State police tell us the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission’s annual awards presentation will be Wednesday, and