Local News Archives

09-18-19 WSJM Afternoon News

Starting this Saturday will be the final Adopt a Highway cleanup of Michigan roads for the year. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Dan Weingarten tells WSJM News there are more than 2,800 volunteer groups who pick up

A drug treatment resource in the St. Joseph area is already making a difference for police in Berrien County. Michigan State Police Trooper Holly Higgs of the Niles post tells WSJM News since Carol’s Hope expanded to

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s ban on flavored vaping products is now in effect. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says her emergency rules banning those flavored nicotine vaping products were released Wednesday. The ban was developed

From the Associated Press — The strike against General Motors by the United Auto Workers is playing out amid a corruption scandal inside the UAW that has caused distrust of the union leadership among many rank-and-file members.

The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is holding a tour this week designed to teach residents how the environment is protected via wastewater treatment plants. Senior planner Marcy Hamilton tells WSJM News they’re going to tour the Galien

The fall Berrien County land auction has been held, netting more than $288,000 for the county’s foreclosure fund. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News 112 of 120 properties were sold Tuesday. That money goes into

Congressman Fred Upton is pushing for a renewal of the federal pipeline safety law. He tells WSJM News the current law will expire on September 30, and negotiations are ongoing between different House committees. “Even if it

State and local health officials are urging everyone to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites as an increased number of Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases have been reported in Michigan this year. Berrien County Health Department

State Senator Kim LaSata is holding a Veteran of the Year contest. She says southwest Michigan is blessed with a large community of veterans, and she wants to recognize them for their service. Anyone who wishes to

A tele-town hall meeting will be held this Wednesday by state Representative Brad Paquette of Niles. He says with recent changes to Michigan’s auto insurance law, he wants to speak with residents to help them understand how

Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education President Stephen Mitchell has died. Board Vice President Joseph Taylor issued a statement Tuesday, saying the board, the district, and the community “are forever grateful for President Mitchell’s leadership and

From the Associated Press — Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging Republican legislative leaders to send her budget bills this week, so she has time to review and sign them before a September 30 deadline. Whitmer wrote

Chris Heugel’s exit as president of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber is due to his return to the hospitality industry. Heugel tells our Pat Moody he’s taken a job with Aimbridge Hospitality, which is North America’s third-largest

A 25-year-old man is jailed for allegedly breaking into the Flagship True North Fish Market in Benton Harbor early Tuesday morning. Officers responded to the alarm just after 4 a.m. and found the suspect nearby. He was

From the Associated Press — More than 30 of Michigan’s state parks are hosting fall harvest festivals this year. They feature activities such as hayrides, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, costume contests, haunted trails, nature programs and horse-drawn carriage

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved a six month moratorium on new billboards. At a Monday meeting, Mayor Marcus Muhammad read from the resolution stating the ban on new off-premises advertisements is to be in effect while

Berrien County is set to move forward with making improvements to the waterways in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. The St. Joseph City Commission gave final approval to a long-term lease agreement with the county for two

There is no official word as yet, but sources confirm to WSJM News that there is a change coming at the top of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. The board of directors plans to issue a statement

Around 800 students and faculty members from Andrews University are set to be out and about around southwest Michigan volunteering for non-profits next week. That’s because the third annual Change Day is Tuesday. Change Day coordinator Teela

The fall color season is about to start in Michigan. County Road Association of Michigan spokesperson Dustin Earley tells WSJM News people from outside of the state come here just to check out the fall colors. The

The rest of the varsity football season at River Valley High School has been cancelled. River Valley School District Superintendent William Kearney says the team was left with too few players to complete the season after the

A 26-year-old Bangor woman is headed to prison for a stabbing attack on a man in Grand Junction in December. Niki Leigh Murphy was sentenced to between 10 and 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to

A Benton Township man is facing an attempted murder charge for allegedly shooting his girlfriend in front of a home in the 13-hundred block of Agard early Monday morning. Police were called to the Sunny Spot gas

More than 49,000 members of the United Auto Workers union went on strike early Monday as contract talks with General Motors broke down. Union members walked out of factories and set up picket lines at 33 plants

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department K9 Faust has caught a man who is accused of crashing a car that may have been stolen in Berrien County. The 59-year-old Niles man was found by Faust while trying to

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging everyone to check out some of the state’s trails this month. DNR Trail Coordinator Paul Yauk tells WSJM News many people don’t even know about the recreation opportunities that

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is notifying those who receive healthcare through the Healthy Michigan program that work requirements are going to kick in on January 1. Spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News because