Enrollment at Southwestern Michigan College is up this year. SMC says it’s managed to buck enrollment trends being seen at many other community colleges in Michigan. It’s one of just seven community colleges in the state with
The Berrien County Trial Court’s Family Division has opened a new waiting room just for children. The new kid-friendly waiting area for children attending their own Child Protective Services proceedings is located on the fourth floor of
State Representative Brad Paquette of Niles is working to explain the auto insurance reforms coming to Michigan next year. On Wednesday night, he held a tele-town hall with state Representative Jason Wentworth to answer questions from callers.
Lincoln Elementary School in South Haven is preparing to do its part to protect the ecosystem. The school is installing a pollinator garden, which will give budding young botanists a chance to grow. Lincoln Elementary teachers will
Coming to Bloomingdale Middle and High School this week is a series of activities designed to help the kids overcome peer pressure, make good decisions, and to be friendlier with one another. Principal Mary Spade tells us
Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad says good things are happening in the community. At this week’s city commission meeting, Muhammad said street work is underway all over the city thanks to the new income tax. “So far,
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
Notification has gone out to around 48,000 people who are state employees in Michigan warning them of a possible temporary layoff starting October 1 if a new budget isn’t in place. Republicans in the House and Senate
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
From the Associated Press — Michigan’s 48,000 state government workers have been notified of potential temporary layoffs in case the next budget is not enacted before October 1. Budget director Chris Kolb and department directors emailed employees
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
