Congressman Fred Upton has announced a couple of affordable housing loans for communities in Van Buren County. His office tells us a total of $1.55 million is coming to the county from the United States Department of
A major endeavor is under way to educate soybean farmers about helping save honeybees. The Honey Bee Health Coalition this month unveiled a management plan for growers. Adam Dolezal, assistant professor at the University of Illinois Urbana
Monday was the first day back in class for students at Central Michigan University after another student allegedly killed his parents in a dorm before spring break. The university is making counseling and therapy dogs available to
The Michigan Department of Treasury has released its preliminary list of municipalities with underfunded retirement liabilities, and Benton Harbor makes an appearance. Treasury spokesperson Ron Leix tells WSJM News a new state law requiring local units of
The Michigan House has approved a package of bills to limit the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide containers, which are said to be snorted for a fleeting-high by the state’s youth. State Representative Stephanie Chang spoke
Governor Rick Snyder has approved a disaster declaration for 17 counties affected by recent flooding in Michigan, including Berrien County. Snyder’s move Monday opens up the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund to local governments for clean-up. The
The deadline is approaching to apply for disaster clean up help from Team Rubicon. The volunteer service run by veterans announced this week it would provide damage assessments, muckout operations, and debris removal around Berrien County for
$100 million is the price tag for Governor Snyder’s ambitious plan to expand job training programs for all ages. Called the “Marshall Plan for Talent,” he tells WSJM News the reaction has been positive from lawmakers so far
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 American Red Cross has closed its last flood shelter. The organization closed its shelter shelter in Berrien Springs at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Sunday after moving there from Berrien Springs Middle School last week
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has released his office’s annual list of the top consumer complaints for the past year. Complaints about credit and finance companies led the way in 2017. Schuette says the complaints were about
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Michigan’s population grew 0.4% from April 2010 to July 2016. That’s a slower rate than other nearby states. Western Michigan University Economics Professor Susan Pozo tells WSJM News a reason could
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 $100,000 grant has been awarded to the River Valley Senior Center by the Pokagon Fund to help pay for an ongoing renovation project. The center’s Tim Hawkins tells WSJM News the Pokagon Fund money will help
Andrews University has broken ground on a new health and wellness center. Andrews Associate Vice President of Development Audrey Castelbuono tells WSJM News they’re now working full speed ahead on the $17.5 million, 76,000 square fooot facility
Kinexus is getting ready for a jobs fair next month at Lake Michigan College, and this one is focused specifically on one industry. Spokesperson Mary Morphey tells WSJM News it’s the fastest growing sector of the southwest
Lest We Forget and the Exchange Club of Southwest Michigan are teaming up to honor veterans as part of this May’s Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores. The Exchange Club’s Jim Ashbrook tells WSJM News they did
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
It’s time once again for state Senator John Proos’ Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament. Proos tells WSJM News it’s a way for communities throughout his district to demonstrate their support for the local high school, with last year’s
The Michigan Department of Transportation has released its 2018 construction map. Spokesperson Jeff Cranson tells WSJM News the map can help drivers plan their routes ahead of the busy construction season to avoid being stuck in work
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,
Former state Representative Al Pscholka has found a new job. He’s working at Kinexus as the Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs. That role will have the Stevensville-based Pscholka working with government leaders relating to
The first federal legislation inspired by last month’s school massacre in Parkland, Florida could get a vote in the U.S. House next week. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News he’s been a co-chair of the Working Group
The Safe Shelter for Domestic Violence in Benton Harbor has launched a social media campaign to get regular people thinking about whether someone they know could be a victim of abuse. Safe Shelter’s Tiffany Griffin tells WSJM
Michigan has terrible infrastructure. That’s the conclusion of the American Society of Civil Engineers which this week issued a report card for the state in 2018, giving it a grade of D+. The Michigan section of the
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
