Southwestern Michigan College is increasing its tuition for the 2019-2020 year. The SMC Board of Trustees approved the changes Monday night, saying state appropriations for the college are about the same as they were 17 years ago
A St. Joseph woman has been named the United States Coast Guard District 9 Spouse of the Year by Armed Forces Insurance, putting her in line to be named the national Military Spouse of the Year. Valerie
Congressman Fred Upton is among the members of the U.S. House to vote for a resolution to end President’s Trump’s emergency declaration for a border wall with Mexico. Upton told us previously the idea of the president
Everything is back to normal for part of a CSX railroad line in St. Joseph that had to be shut down on Monday due to some track damage. CSX tells us one of its engineering teams spotted
From the Associated Press — The city of Detroit’s incentives for Fiat Chrysler to build a new assembly plant include $12 million in tax abatements over a dozen years and 200 acres of land. Mayor Mike Duggan’s office
The United Way of Southwest Michigan aims to collect 5,000 books at 40 locations across Berrien and Cass counties with its Spring Into Reading book drive next month. The United Way tells us it’s teaming up with
A bit of a transformation is in the works for the Whirlpool Centennial Park in St. Joseph. The city will apply for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant for just over $286,000 of the
The case of the 2014 death of a man who had the freedom to come and go as he pleased from the Eau Claire Adult Foster Care home will be up to a jury to decide. The
From the Associated Press — The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is planning to reopen to the public in April in its new building. The Ann Arbor school says new exhibits will be on display
Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield has made it clear that there will be no action taken by lawmakers under his watch to expand the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include specific protections on the basis of
From the Associated Press — Three Michigan universities are teaming up with Spectrum Health to tackle the state’s opioid crisis through physician training. The University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University are working with
Plans for an Arby’s restaurant in Benton Township are moving forward. The Benton Township Planning Commission on Monday approved the preliminary site plan for the Arby’s to be located on the southwest corner of M-139 and Napier
The Krasl Art Center has announced it’s naming the East Garden of its new Sculpting Community after a local supporter. The East Garden on the Krasl grounds is to be named for the late Maria “Lupe” Hopp
With tax season now well underway, the Michigan Department of Treasury has some tips for those looking to hire a tax preparer. Spokesperson Ron Leix reminds everyone that hiring the wrong person or service could harm you.
Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski has an advisory for anyone who still owes their 2017 property taxes. He tells WSJM News the deadline to pay is soon, and a fee could hit some of those who owe.
A Van Buren County man will spend 7 to 15 years in prison for shooting and killing his ex-wife’s new boyfriend during a heated argument last year. Troy Taylor pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in December after
If you liked getting your cider and donuts from Jollay Market in Coloma, you need to find somewhere new. The family-owned market is shutting down, with the announcement being made on Facebook Monday morning thanking customers for
Indiana Michigan Power expects most customers in southwest Michigan to have their electric service restored by 11 pm. The utility says there will likely be a small number in the Buchanan area, however, who will be in
A violent train-car collision just west of Kalamazoo in Oshtemo Township has killed everyone on board the vehicle. Michigan State Police say there were three people in the car when Amtrak’s Wolverine 355 train slammed into it
When President Trump this month signed a funding package to avoid another partial government shutdown, one thing that was not included was a re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Congressman Fred Upton, a longtime supporter of
St. Joseph Today has announced rhythm, blues, and rock singer JD McPherson will be the headliner for this year’s BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival. To be held at Whirlpool Centennial Park in St. Joseph on May 18,
High lake levels and winds along with constant wave action within the Black River Channel in South Haven have caused increased erosion between the channel and the north parking area at South Beach. South Haven Director of
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced it will issue March and April food assistance benefits early to reduce the gap between benefits payments that resulted from the partial federal government shutdown. The department
The Van Buren District Library is putting a different spin on March Madness with a bracket competition called March Book Madness. The library’s Kay McAdam tells us they’re putting 64 works of literature up against each other,
The Consumers Energy Foundation has announced it’s providing $1.5 million to non-profits around Michigan this year for projects aiming to preserve, restore, and protect natural resources. Consumers spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the first Planet Awards
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning to begin at 7 a.m. Sunday and continue through 1 a.m. Monday. The service says it expects sustained west winds of 35 to 40 miles per hour
A Decatur man is in custody following a chase with police in Van Buren County on Friday. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us a deputy tried to pull over a Pontiac Grand Prix for a
Manufacturing in southwest Michigan remains strong. Kinexus CEO Todd Gustafson tells WSJM News the latest state report for the region shows the manufacturing industry grew by 5% in 2018. Gustafson says the industry is southwest Michigan’s economic
Legislation from Senator Gary Peters is aimed at boosting protections for the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act would give the U.S. Geological Survey the authority to support the Great Lakes Science Center with
A dispute between Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative Republicans over the reorganization of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality was resolved this week with a compromise, something being hailed by state Representative Beth Griffin. The Mattawan Republican
