The United Way of Southwest Michigan is running a children’s book drive all throughout this month. The organization’s Julee Laurent tells WSJM News they’ve got book drive stations in businesses and other locations all over Berrien and
Business Leaders for Michigan, an organization that represents the state’s 80 largest employers, has launched a new campaign to help guide Michigan’s economic development in the long term. Spokesperson Kelly Chesney tells WSJM News the Plan for
The Michigan House has approved legislation to create a process for moving sick or frail inmates from the state’s prisons and into medical facilities. State Representative Dave Pagel, the plan’s sponsor, tells WSJM News the legislation only
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
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
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. Treasury tells
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
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,
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,
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.
Country music is back at the Berrien County Youth Fair this summer. “We will be having LoCash in the house at 7 p.m. (Wednesday, August 15),” says Kala Hoover of the fair’s board of directors. She notes
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
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is inviting new hunters to sign up for safety classes. All first-time hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, must successfully complete a safety course. Cpl.
The Berrien County Treasurer’s office is once again reminding everyone the property tax payment deadline this year is April 2. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News anyone who hasn’t paid their 2015 taxes by then could lose
A new program is being launched in Allegan County to have sheriff’s deputies spend more time in local schools in an effort to improve security. State Representative Mary Whiteford tells WSJM News it was the idea of
The United Way of Southwest Michigan is looking at the next stage of flood recovery. It put out word Thursday many families displaced by the flooding are returning to their homes and identifying what kind of help
The Michigan House has approved legislation to create a process for moving sick or frail inmates from the state’s prisons and into medical facilities. State Representative Dave Pagel, the plan’s sponsor, tells WSJM News the legislation only
The Michigan League for Public Policy is not pleased with a proposal in Lansing to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients. League policy analyst Emily Schwarzkopf tells WSJM News implementing such requirements would be messy. “People on
A South Bend, Indiana woman is now facing a charge of murder in a Van Buren County fire that killed a woman last year. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us the body of 31-year-old Jessica
From the Associated press — Michigan’s unemployment rate in January was unchanged from the 4.7 percent rate recorded in December. Figures released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show Michigan’s January jobless rate was
Business owners in South Haven will likely get a visit from the Mayor or City Manager before the end of the year. Referred to as business retention visits, South Haven’s City officials are ready to learn and
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team is searching Muskrat Lake for the body of a prowling suspect who is presumed to have drowned. Deputies were called to a home on 2nd Avenue shortly after 10
February saw more tips sent in to the state’s OK2Say tip line than any month before. Michigan Attorney General’s office spokesperson Andrea Bitely tells us the tip line was created in 2014 for students to have a
From the Associated Press — The state has shut down a northern Michigan funeral home after an inspection found unsanitary conditions in an embalming room, human cremated remains stored alongside those of animals and other violations. Michigan’s Licensing
The newest member of the Berrien RESA Board of Education is Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education Trustee Martha Momany. The RESA Board tells us it appointed her this week to serve a term that runs
A program that brings smart thermostats to southwest Michigan is now available for all customers of Indiana Michigan power. I&M spokesperson Tracy Warner tells us IM Home allows you to install an app on your phone that
Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent Shelly Walker has been rated as ineffective by the board of education. Walker heard her yearly performance evaluation at a board meeting Wednesday. Her overall score was 36%. Trustee Joseph Taylor told
A new $700,000 challenge grant has been announced to help the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan as it prepares to move into its new facility. Humane Society Director Jill Svoboda tells WSJM News the Yeager family, longtime
Federal legislation to crack down on websites that promote human trafficking has the support of Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News the “Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act” passed the House last
The Berrien County Health Department says now is the time to make sure you and your family are prepared for a disaster. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the recent flooding has been proof of that. First,
