Local News Archives

Childhood marriage would be banned under a package of bills moving forward in Lansing. Lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee passed the plan to outlaw marriage for anyone under 18. Pastor Austin Kreutz told lawmakers to support

Are you ready for summer, hot weather and cranking up your air conditioning? Consumers Energy says it’s prepared to meet Michigan’s energy needs this summer. “A lot of people will be thinking about the readiness of the

The first recreational marijuana operation in Benton Township has been given preliminary approval. Trustees on Tuesday approved a special use permit for Richard Plangger to grow and sell recreational marijuana at 2390 Pipestone Road. Previously, Plangger has

Michigan is poised to ban the use of handheld mobile devices while driving as legislation to crack down on distracted driving has been approved in the Legislature. How much of a difference will the rule change make?

Prosecutors around Michigan are speaking out against legislation now under consideration in Lansing that would prohibit a life in prison without parole sentence for anyone under the age of 19. Among them is Cass County Prosecutor Victor

The AFrican AMErican History & Literature Gallery is donating the proceeds from their fundraiser in Stevensville to the Unified Civic Monuments Project (UCMP). The FUNrasier Pop-up is located at 4150 Roosevelt Road, outside the Lighthouse Attic Resale

State Representative Pauline Wendzel has been appointed to a new Michigan House task force looking into energy issues. She tells us the Energy Reliability, Resilience, and Accountability Task Force is seeking to reduce power outages around the

Ferry Street Resource Center in Niles is working to find a new temporary location following a fire that destroyed its building last week. Director Ric Pawloski tells us he stood and watched the historic building at 620

After a chance encounter with the leader of a national organization, one young leader in southwest Michigan has been tapped for a nationwide role. Berrien County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford has been named to two committees by the

The owners of Orchards Mall have paid for a deterrent system to push the thousands of gulls away from their property, but now, will they craft a plan to bring businesses back in? A lot is riding

Southwestern Michigan College named 43 students to the President’s List for the Spring 2023 semester. Students honored on the President’s List must earn a perfect 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale while carrying a full

A showcase of car and motorsports culture by day and a music festival by night, one unique southwest Michigan event is revving up for a milestone event this summer. GRIDLIFE Festival Midwest is celebrating its 10th anniversary

The Benton Township Police Department is searching for any information on the identity of several suspects believed to have trespassed and damaged property at B&Z Company, Inc. in Benton Harbor. Through Facebook, BTPD posted several pictures of

Safe Kids Greater South Haven is donating 260 life jackets to the city for use on the beaches this summer. The city council approved accepting the gift of 13 boards with as many as 20 life jackets

Set for May 30 is the Greater Bridgman Area Council for Growth and Advancement annual meeting. The alliance will discuss its accomplishments from the past year while looking ahead to 2023. The CGA says achievements in the

The seagull invasion at Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor could soon be a thing of the past. At Tuesday’s regular Benton Charter Township board meeting, County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford said the mall has paid Chicago-area company Bird-X

Berrien RESA is planning some celebrations for this month as students graduate from their programs. RESA says graduation ceremonies will be held for the Math and Science Center, and Lighthouse Education Center and ASD Program, and the

Early fall enrollment numbers for Lake Michigan College have been encouraging so far. Vice President of Student Affairs Nygil Likely told the LMC Board of Trustees Tuesday they’ve got a busy orientation schedule set for next month.

With the deadline looming for Congress to approve a debt ceiling increase, Congressman Bill Huizenga says President Biden should have been talking to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy much sooner. Speaking to Bloomberg news this week, Huizenga said

$2.2 million in street work has been approved by Benton Harbor City Commissioners for this year. At a meeting this week, Mayor Marcus Muhammad said the investment will go toward local streets and alleys. That’s not all.

Coming back for the season next weekend will be the St. Joseph Farmers Market. St. Joseph Today’s Daniele Crevier tells us the event will take place Saturday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The markets

The Indeck natural gas power plant in Niles has been shut down this week as it works to address noise issues that have prompted residents to complain. Niles City Administrator Richard Huff tells us residents of a

Ground has been broken on a new $28 million dollar hangar and maintenance facility at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. It will allow a ‘fighter wing’ to be housed at the base. It will

State House Representative Brad Paquette (R-Niles) is inviting his Southwest Michigan constituents to attend a virtual town hall meeting for people seeking answers about potential COVID vaccine-related injuries. While vaccination programs are a vital component of public

From the Associated Press — Former state Representative Leslie Love, a Democrat from Detroit, has announced she will seek Michigan’s open Senate seat next year. Love joins a small crowd of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination against

A Planned Unit Development at Harbor Isle Marine has been approved by St. Joseph City Commissioners, but with some conditions. At a Monday meeting, the marine’s Scott Sinar said the business is looking to sell and rent