A plan to close a tax loophole that’s hurt southwest Michigan communities is moving forward in Lansing. State Representative Dave Pagel tells WSJM News under current rules, some owners of vacation homes in Michigan claim the homestead
Michigan’s roads will be busy this Memorial Day. AAA of Michigan is predicting 1.2 million Michiganders to travel 50 miles or more during the holiday weekend. Spokesperson Susan Hiltz told WKZO News the economy is the reason travel keeps
Legislation now in the Michigan House would allow state residents to place bets on horse races through their smart phones. State Representative Dan Lauwers, of Brockway Township, tells Michael Patrick Shiels there are 20 states in which
A plan from state Senator John Proos to put the hammer down on those who steal veterans grave markers has cleared a committee. Proos tells us his plan would make it a felony to steal a veteran
Two people are facing drug charges following a traffic stop in Van Buren County Friday. The sheriff’s department tells us deputies stopped a vehicle in the area of County Road 687 and County Road 376 in Bangor
Southwest Michigan farmers are heading into the summer with a sigh of relief. Mark Longstroth, with MSU Extension, tells WSJM News they’re probably out of the woods when it comes to freezes. “There’s a possibility that after
A South Haven Army veteran is planning to honor American soldiers who have died in Afghanistan with a special event this Memorial Day. Major Craig Massey served in the Army from 1969 to 1993, and then reenlisted
Comcast needs employees for its new Benton Township XFinity store, and there will be a special gathering this month to help it find them. The company tells us there will be a hiring event at the Holiday
The chairperson of the Republican National Committee will headline the 122nd annual Lincoln Tribute Dinner this weekend. It’s a familiar face and a familiar name. Former Michigan Republican Party Chairperson Ronna Romney McDaniel, the niece of former
West Nile virus has been identified in Michigan. It’s in a turkey found in Barry County, and two crows. One was in Kalamazoo County and the other was in Saginaw County. Jennifer Eisner, with the Michigan Department
Michigan drivers could buy an optional license plate to show their support for law enforcement under legislation being co-sponsored by state Senator John Proos. He tells WSJM News proceeds from the sale of the special plate would go
A summer construction map has been released by the Berrien County Road Commission. Engineer Brian Berndt tells WSJM News big projects this year include the replacement of a culvert on Territorial Road over Blue Creek. That $1 million project
Set for this Saturday is a day of barbecue, blues, and bluegrass in St. Joseph. Thousands are expected to head down to Whirlpool Centennial Park for the annual BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival. The headliner is Jonny
Volunteers will hit the beach in Benton Harbor Saturday to pick up trash. Cleanup organizer Carol Drake tells WSJM News they’ll work in pairs to seek out anything that doesn’t belong in the sand at Jean Klock
From the Associated Press — Republican legislative leaders have canceled budget talks with Governor Rick Snyder’s administration due to their dispute with the governor over switching new teachers away from a pension into a 401(k) retirement plan. Snyder
The town of Portage, Michigan is coming to grips with the death of the teen in Times Square, as her sister remains hospitalized. Principal Eric Alburtus at Portage Central High School told Michigan News Network Alyssa Elsman graduated
From the Associated Press — A panel is recommending that Michigan restore the pay of statewide elected officials to levels that were in place before a 10% cut was imposed in 2010. The State Officers Compensation Commission said
Self-defense is claimed in a shooting death in Benton Township earlier this month. At a Thursday hearing, Jade Roy testified that she and her boyfriend, Derrick Bailey, encountered her ex-boyfriend the night of May 1 at the
One of the two men accused of attacking Michigan State Police Trooper Garry Guild is headed to prison. 21-year-old Michael Barber faces up to 15 years behind bars for the most serious conviction, assault with intent to
Police are looking for a suspect in a Thursday shooting in Benton Harbor Police from agencies all over Berrien County have paid tribute to the fallen from within their ranks Police had to kick several hundred colleges
From the Associated Press — Groups that want to legalize recreational marijuana and repeal a law that requires union-level wages on state-financed building projects can begin gathering voter signatures. The Board of State Canvassers approved the form of
A plan that would establish a statewide definition of truancy has been approved by the Michigan Senate. The legislation from state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker lays out what counts as being chronically absent, and then creates a process
The Fourth of July Parade is coming back to South Haven. They didn’t have one last year, but Assistant City Manager Kate Hosier tells WSJM News it’s back on. The route will be a bit different this year.
Police are looking for a suspect in a Thursday shooting in Benton Harbor. The department of public safety tells us it happened around 6:30 at the intersection of Main and McCord. Officers arrived to find 38-year-old Dondrell
Coming up this Saturday is one of the biggest fundraising events of the year for the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. It’s the annual Bids for Barks auction, set to be held at Pier 1000 in Benton
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is asking for the public’s help in finding a man who’s been missing since last week. It tells WSJM News Willie Brand was last seen Wednesday, May 10 in the area
An annual event to honor fallen police officers from Berrien County has been held in St. Joseph. The Berrien County Police Officer Memorial Day Program took place Thursday at Lake Bluff Park. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey told
Lincoln Township police are investigating after several cars were damaged by gunfire at a Stevensville dealership recently. We’re told it happened at Tyler Honda on Red Arrow Highway in Stevensville at the end of April. Someone opened
Police in South Haven are keeping their eyes peeled for alcohol on the beach this summer. Police Chief Natalie Thompson tells WSJM News an incident Wednesday at South Beach illustrates why it’s not allowed. Several hundred Kalamazoo College
05-18-17 WSJM News Now 5 PM
