Local News Archives

“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”

Championship To Showcase Local Beer, Wine

fghdkjhkjsdhkjfd

When the Senior PGA Championship takes place this summer at Harbor Shores, lovers of fine wines and other beverages will have a chance to check of what’s made right here in southwest Michigan. The Southwest Michigan Tourism

Upton Hoping For Parlak Decision

parlak-image-e1485788856539

Congressman Fred Upton is waiting for the latest word on the fate of Ibrahim Parlak. The Kurdish immigrant has been fighting deportation to Turkey for years with Upton on his side. Upton tells WSJM News he went

City Holds Back On Parks Grant

whirlpoolfountain2-9

The city of St. Joseph will hold off until next year to pursue a state grant for improvements at Whirlpool Centennial Park. At Monday’s meeting, the commission was asked to allow the public works department to seek

Soft Lockdown At Covert Schools

covertschools

Everyone’s fine after Covert Public Schools went into a state of soft lockdown for most of Tuesday. The Covert Township Police Department tells us the decision to go into lockdown was made by the police chief and

Lawmakers Talk Marijuana Licensing

State officials held an education session Monday in East Lansing for medical marijuana license applicants. The topics included construction code standards for facilities, along with information on the paying the excise tax due to the state. Director

Legislation Clarifies Teacher Pension Rules

proose232-4

Legislation now introduced in the Michigan House and Senate would exempt students working part-time at a community college from contributing to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System. Co-sponsor state Senator John Proos tells WSJM News, right

Proposal For Life Rings Moving Forward

piersj

St. Joseph City Commissioners have indicated their support for installing life rings along the north pier. At Monday’s meeting, the city commission instructed the city manager to work out a maintenance agreement with the Berrien County Sheriff’s

BH Tigers Welcomed With Pep Rally

bh-basketball-e1522081997263

It’s been a triumphant return home for the Benton Harbor Tigers boys basketball team. A pep rally was held Monday for the Tigers as they returned home from winning the state championship on Saturday. The team won partly

Oberon Day Celebrated

oberon-2

Beer enthusiasts celebrated Oberon Day Monday as Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo released its iconic beer for the season. The brewery describes the beer as “a wheat ale fermented with Bell’s signature house ale yeast, mixing a spicy

Policy Group Questions Pure Michigan Value

mackinaccenterforpublicpolicy-2

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has taken another shot at the Pure Michigan tourism advertising campaign. Mackinac Center Policy Analyst Michael LaFaive tells WSJM News a Michigan Auditor General review found more than $13 million in

40 Under 40 List Unveiled

businesspeople-2

The first ever 40 Under 40 list has been released, and it includes a cross section of southwest Michigan’s best and brightest go-getters under the age of 40. Announced on Monday’s Moody in the Morning show, the

Stabenow Pleased With Spending Plan

lakehuron-3

Michigan’s senior US Senator Debbie Stabenow is pleased with the $1.3 trillion federal budget that got final approval from the Senate and signed by President Donald Trump last week. She says it has money to fight the

State Park Cleanups This Month

dune-2

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is planning some clean-up events at west Michigan state parks this month, and it could use some volunteers. Specifically, it tells us those who show up will be removing invasive plant

Local Grower Picked For State Panel

michiganapples-5

A local fruit grower has been picked by Governor Rick Snyder to sit on the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission. Herb Teichman, owner of the Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm in Eau Claire, will be on that body created in

LaSata Talks Shoreline Protection

warrendunes-3

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

Teens Reminded Of Smoking Dangers

smoking5

This past Wednesday was 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

Governor Approves Road Renaming

mihalik-3

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