Local News Archives

State health officials are planning on a series of town hall meetings next year to discuss the opioid crisis. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin says five people a day are dying from

Southwestern Michigan College is celebrating the graduation of 23 new nurses. The SMC nursing program held a ceremony for the graduates this month as the students now head into the country’s largest healthcare profession. SMC Vice President

Work started this week on a shoreline protection project in South Haven. South Haven Area Emergency Services tells us crews from deBest, Incorporated of South Haven placed large limestone boulders along the Lake Michigan coast to protect

A new lifeline has been given to a longtime favorite in South Haven. Hudsonville Ice Cream is taking over production of Sherman’s Ice Cream next year, meaning popular Sherman’s flavors will live on. Sherman’s announced this year

After years of work, the Cherry Beach Project in Chikaming Township has ended in success. The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board this month announced its next round of recreation grants to communities around the state, and

Reducing the stigma that can be associated with drug addiction is a goal of the Berrien County Health Department as it works to fight drug overdose deaths. Berrien County Health Department Communications Manager Gillian Conrad tells WSJM

Congressman Fred Upton says legislation that would help to protect the Great Lakes is likely to go on to final approval with the president’s signature. He tells us the Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act was approved

Critics of a bill being considered by Michigan lawmakers that would allow payday lenders to offer longer-term, higher dollar loans say the legislation puts the most vulnerable Michiganders at risk. House Bill 5097 would allow payday lenders

The St. Joseph Township Police Department is urging residents to be on the lookout for mail thieves. It posted a message on its Facebook page Friday saying it’s received information about persons going through mailboxes and opening

From the Associated Press — The American Civil Liberties Union is defending 14 Amish families in southern Michigan in a dispute with a county health department over outhouses and plumbing. The Lenawee County Health Department has filed

A new University of Michigan study finds the number of e-cigarette users who began vaping at age 14 or younger has more than tripled in the last five years. “We compared rates from 2014 to 2018 and

Members of the Benton Harbor community are being invited to take a survey that has been put online by the Benton Harbor Area Schools Community Engagement and Advisory Committee. The Michigan Department of Treasury says the committee

Bridgman Public Schools Superintendent Shane Peters has received another positive performance evaluation. His annual review conducted by the Bridgman Board of Education has led to him receiving a three year extension on his contract. Peters is now

The housing market in the area for the year remains hot. The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors says November set records in the year-over-year comparison dating back to 2006 for average and median selling prices and total

Gambling is expanding in Michigan. Governor Whitmer today signed bills legalizing sports betting and internet gambling through the state’s casinos. It’s anticipated sports books will be open around the state in time for the NCAA Men’s Basketball

Congressman Fred Upton is hoping legislation intended to ease the labor shortage faced by farmers each year could eventually lead to immigration reform. He tells WSJM News the House last week passed his Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has been asked for help in getting part of a road in Pipestone Township paved. A resident of the township addressed the board about Tabor Road between Evans and South Pipestone

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the creation of the Michigan Poverty Task Force. Housed within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, or LEO, the task force will bring together representatives of 19 state agencies to

A holiday tradition will continue in Van Buren County this weekend as members of the Rotary Club of South Haven will ring the bell to raise money for the Salvation Army. The South Haven Rotarians have collected

The 136th Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School will graduate this Friday in Lansing. 43 new Michigan State Police troopers will have officially completed the program, and after the ceremony, they’ll head off to their new posts.

Governor Whitmer this week expressed her desire to have the Pure Michigan advertising campaign continue after the current funding runs out at the end of 2019, and now there’s a bill in the state House to do

Holiday meals are being provided to 58 Bridgman-area families thanks to the combined efforts of Bridgman Cares and Honor Credit Union. Honor’s Community Assistant Vice President Thomas Newnum said when he heard Bridgman Cares had fallen short

Berrien County Administrator Bill Wolf is resigning. At Thursday’s meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, Wolf read a statement saying although the board in February extended his contract through the end of 2021, at “that

Van Buren County Sheriff Dan Abbott is putting out word to the community to not be alarmed tomorrow by what’s going to be a heavy police presence at Paw Paw Early Elementary and Paw Paw Late Elementary

A remark by President Trump about the late John Dingell during a rally in Battle Creek as he was being impeached is not sitting well. After mocking the last name of Dingell, he recalled the phone call

From the Associated Press — Michigan conservation officers say three elk have been shot in Otsego County. It’s the elk third poaching case in northern Michigan in about a month. Lieutenant Jim Gorno of the Department of

From the Associated Press — The agency overseeing Michigan’s marijuana business is recalling vaping products containing an additive that health officials have linked to injuries and deaths. The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency said Tuesday it’s recalling the

Michigan State Police out of Paw Paw are advising everyone of a new phone scam that spoofs the state police district headquarters phone number. Detective Sergeant Carey Casperson tells WSJM News with this scam, the caller wants

It won’t be long before sports betting and online gambling will be legal in Michigan. Bills to allow it through the state’s casinos have made their way to Governor Whitmer. “I do plan to sign it,” says