The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has been able to help a Galien woman avoid losing her home as a result of possible title fraud. Deputy Kelly Laesch tells WSJM News the situation involving Joy came to her
With Michigan’s presidential primary on March 10, efforts are being made to promote civic engagement at Southwestern Michigan College. SMC political science professor Mary Young-Marcks tells WSJM News SMC Votes is a campaign designed to inform students
Congressman Fred Upton is glad President Trump has changed his mind about funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The president’s budget proposal for 2021 includes full funding for the program, at $320 million. In previous years,
Police in Allegan County are looking for a man and a woman who have been accused of throwing dogs out of their moving vehicle last week. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department says deputies were called out to
Repairs need to be made to the Howard Family Trail Bridge in the city of St. Joseph. The bridge goes over the CSX railroad tracks, and Parks and Grounds deputy director Greg Grothous told city commissioners this
There’s a new telephone scam targeting Michigan residents. Attorney General Dana Nessel is joining forces with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Robert Gordon and Michigan State Police to get the word out about this
From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers have advanced bills to ensure wrongfully convicted prisoners can sue for compensation after some exonerees’ cases were dismissed due to a conflict over how long they had to file a
There has been plenty of interest in Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s new Robocall Crackdown Team. Nessel’s office says since the outfit was created in November, more than 1,700 people have signed up for it. During that
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has released its 2019 Michigan Context and Performance Report Card. It ranks elementary and middle schools around the state based on their test scores while factoring in what percentage of a
The floods that devastated parts of southwest Michigan two years ago are still being felt in some parts of Berrien County. The city of Niles has not yet been able to reopen Island Park because of damage
The Michigan Secretary of State’s Mobile Branch Office will be in South Haven this week registering people to vote in the March 10 primary election. The office offers most of the services available at a regular branch
State, federal, and local officials held the first ever Michigan High Water Coordinating Summit to discuss the challenges facing the state with uncommonly high water levels. Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy director Leisl Clark says
Repairs need to be made to the Howard Family Trail Bridge in the city of St. Joseph. The bridge goes over the CSX railroad tracks, and Parks and Grounds deputy director Greg Grothous told city commissioners this
A bill from state Representative Brad Paquette aimed at making it easier for people to afford to have a concealed pistol license is pending in a House committee. The Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee held a
From the Associated Press — Economists are forecasting that household income and employment for Detroit residents will increase over the next four years. Researchers with the University Economic Analysis partnership said Monday that Detroit’s unemployment rate will
The city of St. Joseph has sent out 3,300 letters to property owners that likely have lead or galvanized water lines coming in to their homes or inside the buildings as part of the state mandate to
A public hearing will be held this month regarding a proposal to have several Berrien County school districts start their academic years before Labor Day for the next few years. Berrien RESA has submitted a request for
A campaign underway at Southwestern Michigan College aims to promote civic engagement among students. SMC Votes is being run in order to get more students voting in the March 10 presidential primary. The college says it will
Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent Matthew Wandrie will be the next superintendent of Berrien RESA. The RESA Board of Education picked Wandrie for the job on Monday following its interviews with the final two superintendent candidates. The other
Set for February 20 is the next Pop Up Giving event of the United Way of Southwest Michigan. Marketing manager Jennifer Tomshack tells WSJM News Pop Up Giving is a way for non-profits to make Shark Tank-like
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services has launched a website to explain how the state’s auto insurance system is going to change this year. Due to reforms signed into law last year, unlimited personal injury
Michigan lawmakers are cheering President Trump’s proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget for fully funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $320 million. The Trump administration had tried to wipe out funding for the GLRI every year he’s
A popular restaurant in the Arts District of Benton Harbor is looking to expand. The Mason Jar Cafe is requesting a zoning change for vacant lots at the corner of Fifth and Park streets in Benton Harbor
The Pokagon Fund has announced the hiring of its new director. Dan Petersen started on Monday. The 38-year-old Petersen was previously the president of EightCAP, Incorporated, a community action agency in Ionia County. WSJM News asked him
Consumers Energy is now taking entries in its second annual Put Your Town on the Map competition. Spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the Consumers Energy Foundation is putting up $50,000 to be awarded to three small
Berrien County Register of Deeds Lora Freehling will spend part of this year going around the county speaking at senior centers. She says her talks will focus on the role of the Register of Deeds and the
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is planning several volunteer stewardship days at Warren Dunes State Park throughout February. It says you don’t need experience when it comes to helping remove invasive plants from the park. This
The search for a new superintendent at Berrien RESA has been narrowed down to two. The RESA Board of Education says it will interview the candidates this coming week. They are Berrien RESA Assistant Superintendent Eric Hoppstock
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission has received some recognition for a couple of websites it created to educate the public on local resources and how they can be protected. The Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals has
Lake Michigan College will hold a FAFSA Assistance Night this month. LMC staff will be available to answer questions and help students apply for financial aid. Students of all ages who plan to attend college in the
