2016 was a successful year for the Grand Rapids-based Bissell Pet Foundation. Spokesperson Holly Kroeze tells WSJM News they managed to find homes for thousands of dogs and cats with their Empty the Shelter adoption events statewide.
Coming up on Monday will be a celebration of the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary, and everyone’s invited. Rotary President Stephen Smith tells WSJM News they’re holding the second annual Celebrate Rotary Presidents’ Night to End Polio at
State Senator John Proos is once again holding a Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament to find out which community has the most pride in its schools. His office holds the bracket-style competition every year, inviting schools to send
If you enjoy ice skating at the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena in St. Joseph, you’re running out of time to do it for the season. St. Joseph Deputy Public Works Director Greg Grothous tells WSJM
A couple of Van Buren County Sheriff’s corrections officers have completed a new training program to better serve the jail. The sheriff’s department tells WSJM News Jessica Spears and Cody Moore studied at the Kalamazoo Valley Community
A Bangor man will stand trial for the shooting death of a Hartford man last month. The Van Buren County Prosecutor’s office says 19-year-old Thurman Fletcher is charged with open murder and felony firearm in the death
Three people are facing charges following a meth bust in Cass County this week. The sheriff’s department tells our newsroom officers searched a home in the 1,200 block of Rose Street in Howard Township Thursday afternoon. A
The Lake Michigan Foundation’s takeover of the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan will be a good thing for members, as well as the community at large, according to its new director. Mendel Center Executive Director Mike Nadolski
Legislation has been approved by the Michigan House to expand the Freedom of Information Act in the state so that it covers legislators, the lieutenant governor, and the governor. State Representative Kim LaSata tells WSJM News the plan
JC Penney says it will close seven of its 42 Michigan stores by the end of the year. The department store chain announced 138 store closings Friday. Michigan News Network Business Editor Murray Feldman tells us it’s all
AAA of Michigan is asking everyone to make this a safe St. Patrick’s Day by not drinking and driving. The auto club tells WSJM News nearly 4.5% of fatal crashes in Michigan last year happened during St. Patrick’s
No one is hurt following a crash between a school bus and an SUV in Cass County on Friday. The sheriff’s department tells WSJM News deputies were called to the scene on M-60 near Pine Lake Street in
A Lawton man is in the Van Buren County Jail following a drunken crash Thursday night. The 22-year-old’s vehicle was found in a swampy area submerged in about four feet of water near Marcellus. Sheriff’s deputies arrived
Legislation which would grant districts greater flexibility in implementing school calendars and schedules has passed a state committee. Sponsor state Representative Daniela Garcia spoke with Michigan News Network about it. “What this would do is allow our
South Haven Public Schools Superintendent Robert Herrera is a finalist for another job in west Michigan. He is among six up for the job of superintendent for Allendale Public Schools in Ottawa County. Dr. Herrera has headed
Last week’s wind storms and subsequent power outages have prompted Michigan State Police to issue a warning about carbon monoxide. MSP First Lieutenant Gabriel Covey tells WSJM News some folks around the state got sick last week
If Royalton Township leaders get their way, the township could get some big park improvements next year. The township has applied for two state grants, totaling $300,000, to pay for work at Bicentennial Park and the nature
State Senator John Proos is once again expecting the Michigan legislature to roundly approve a resolution calling on the federal government to do more to ensure the Asian carp doesn’t get into the Great Lakes. He tells
Individuals and businesses who helped the United Way of Southwest Michigan in the past year reach its fundraising goal have been saluted by the organization. It held its annual awards dinner Thursday at the Mendel Center, with
“Penny wise but pound foolish” is how Congressman Fred Upton describes the president’s new budget proposal. Upton has issued a brief statement on the plan. He writes that the budget “acknowledges our unsustainable national debt and does
The Lake Michigan College Foundation is taking over the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan. As the club has faced increased costs in recent years, it sent a letter to members this week telling them that handing off
President Donald Trump’s federal budget aims to eliminate the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and that’s expected to get some tough opposition from Michigan’s congressional delegation. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow told WKZO News she’s going to fight the
From the Associated Press — Members of Michigan’s House of Representatives have passed bills that would make the governor, lieutenant governor and the legislature accountable under the state’s Freedom of Information Act. The package of bills was voted
Firefighters say they managed to save a dog from a fire in Casco Township Thursday morning. It was reported in a home on Baseline Road near 70th Street shortly before 9 a.m. A passerby reported the place
From the Associated Press — President Donald Trump wants to eliminate federal support of a program that addresses the Great Lakes’ most pressing environmental threats. Trump’s 2018 budget released Thursday would remove all funding for the Great Lakes
State Superintendent Brian Whiston is waiting for word from the attorney general’s office on whether he can cut funding for school districts with offensive nicknames if they don’t change them. In particular, he wants to force Paw
Cornerstone Alliance is moving to a new facility in Benton Harbor. President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News they’ve found new digs on West Main, while Mosaic CCDA will take over Cornerstone’s current property on West Wall Street.
The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over spring campaign kicks off Thursday. Judge Geno Salomone stood in front of law enforcement officers talking about case after case of drunk drivers who went before him in court this
The new partnership agreement between Benton Harbor Area Schools and the state of Michigan is starting to come together. Benton Harbor Superintendent Dr. Shelly Walker tells WSJM News she’s learning new things each day about how the partnership
Everyone’s welcome to come out on March 31 to see the Michigan Army National Guard engage in some training in Dowagiac. Guard Captain Ryan Kimball tells WSJM News about 50 guardsmen will board a Chinook helicopter as
