Local News Archives

There is now a Republican in the race for Michigan House in the 79th District. The seat currently held by state Representative Kim LaSata is up for grabs because LaSata is instead running for the state Senate this year. Republican Troy Rolling of Benton Township tells WSJM News he’s jumped into the race because he’s got the background to fill the spot. Rolling tells us state government needs to ensure young people have real job skills by the time they finish high school He knows there’s a talent shortage facing businesses.. ...Read Full Story

It’s time to spring forward this weekend. Michigan State Police tell us the time to move your clocks ahead one hour will be 2 a.m. Sunday. Due to everyone losing an hour of sleep with the time change, state police ask all drivers to take extra care going into the next week. Also, the time change is a good opportunity to review your own safety precautions at home. Michigan State Police say you can double check your emergency kit, making sure it has enough water and food for 72 hours, medicine, flashlights, and batteries. The state fire marshal also tells everyone the time change is when you should switch out your smoke and carbon monoxide batteries. You can get more Daylight Saving Time tips at Michigan.gov/MIReady.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Treasury is telling taxpayers it’s taking some extra steps this year to help prevent tax-related identity theft. As a result, some individual income tax returns may be selected for identity confirmation.. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan played a critical role in training Navy pilots during World War Two, and as part of the Michigan Maritime Museum’s Lecture Series, that’s going to be discussed next week. Troy Thrash, President and CEO of Air Zoo Aerospace and Museum, will present “Air Zoo-Restoring the Past, Igniting the Future” next Wednesday. He’ll be talking about restoring aircraft that have been at the bottom of Lake Michigan. Ashley Demming from the Michigan Maritime Museum spoke with WSJM News about the engagement.. ...Read Full Story

A multi-agency flood relief center is being set up in Niles for the next few days to help distribute flood cleanup supplies. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us agencies including Berrien County Office of Emergency Management, the city of Niles, the Salvation Army of Niles, the United Way of Southwest Michigan, Team Rubicon, and the Red Cross of Southwest Michigan will come together for the effort. Starting this Friday, March 9 and running through Monday, March 12, the agencies will be at the First Presbyterian Church on South Fourth Street in Niles to give out flood cleanup supplies and hand out information. Anyone looking for more information can call the church at 683-7600.. ...Read Full Story

It’s quite the scene at St. Joseph High School this Friday and Saturday as a FIRST Robotics competition featuring 40 teams takes place. St. Joseph High School Principal Greg Blomgren tells WSJM News the St. Joe team, the Average Joes, is hosting the event where kids design and build robots to manipulate blocks in specific ways.. ...Read Full Story

Southwestern Michigan College will host more than 60 employers from Michigan and Indiana for a jobs fair this month. Set for next Wednesday, the Internship and Career Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the student activity center on the Dowagiac campus. SMC tells us the job fair comes as employers nationwide are planning to hire 4% more new graduates from the class of 2018 as compared to last year. The companies on hand for next week’s SMC job fair include banks, manufacturers, social service agencies, healthcare providers, and others. To attend, all you have to do is show up to SMC on Wednesday, March 14. To find out more, look right here.. ...Read Full Story

Country music is back at the Berrien County Youth Fair this summer.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Defendants in Michigan would be compelled to listen to victim impact statements under legislation that has moved through the House. The House passed the bill 105-2 Thursday in honor of the late Rebekah Bletsch, a 36-year-old who was murdered in 2014 while jogging on a western Michigan road. In December Bletsch’s convicted murderer, Jeffrey Willis, spurred further
outrage for walking out of her family’s victim impact statements while blowing a kiss. The proposed law would amend the state’s William Van Regenmorter Crime Victim’s Rights Act with an amendatory law in Bletsch’s name requiring the defendant’s presence during the sentencing hearing. The bill is now proceeding to the Senate.. ...Read Full Story