The 134th Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School is now underway in Lansing. MSP Sergeant Michael McDonald tells WSJM News there are 149 prospective troopers now training Sunday through Friday each week from 5 a.m. to 10
Berrien County Animal Control is planning some rabies shot clinics for pets over the next month or so. It tells us it will be at the Bertrand Township Fire Department in Buchanan this Saturday from 10 a.m.
The Michigan State Police Trooper of the Year award has gone to Trooper Blaine Bachman of the Wayland Post in Allegan County. Michigan State Police announced the 2017 Trooper of the Year awards this week at a
State Representative Dave Pagel is expecting a recently-released report from the Michigan House CARES task force to lead to years of legislation designed to help the mentally ill. He tells WSJM News the mental health task force
Michigan’s unemployment system is the worst in the region. At least, that’s the analysis of the Michigan League for Public Policy. It has released a report on the unemployment insurance system, finding Michigan pays benefits to the
Lake Michigan College is the recipient of a $180,000 Michigan Talent Investment Agency grant. The award was announced Thursday by Talent Investment Agency Director Wanda Stokes. She says the agency is giving out a total of $1.8
There’s a new boss at the Cook nuclear power plant in Bridgman. Cook plant spokesperson Bill Schalk tells WSJM News Kelly Ferneau becomes the plant’s 16th manager since 1969, and the first woman in charge at Cook.
State Representative Beth Griffin is praising an announcement this week that more than $31,000 in grants are going to FIRST Robotics teams around Van Buren County. She tells us the robotics teams are an excellent way for
The Mattawan Food Pantry has received a little extra boost thanks to the Wolverine Pipe Line Company. Lead pipeline controller Al Goodrich presented the food bank last month with a check for $1,600 to help families in
Going on this weekend is the 14th annual Hunter Ice Festival in Niles. The fun kicked off Friday, and events take place throughout town through Sunday. Lisa Crotau with Niles Mainstreet tells WSJM News it’s all about
From the Associated Press — A new study says the base cost to educate a regular K-12 student in Michigan is $9,590. That figure doesn’t include transportation, food or capital costs.The report released Wednesday was funded by foundations
The 25th Annual Ice Breaker Festival in South Haven is coming the first weekend in February and ice carving is a big draw to the festival, according to Susan Diepen of the South Haven Chamber. She spoke
From the Associated Press — Michigan State University has agreed to allow white nationalist Richard Spencer to speak on campus during spring break. The deal signed Thursday says Spencer can appear on March 5. But he’ll be at
State Senator John Proos is among the Michigan lawmakers who voted this week to override a veto from Governor Rick Snyder to a tax cut lawmakers have approved. Proos tells us this cut makes it less expensive
The winter Thrill on the Hill event in Buchanan has been canceled. The annual event features sledding down the big hill downtown on snow produced on site. The Buchanan Chamber of Commerce tells us Thrill on the
The Niles Amtrak station is getting rid of its ticket window this spring. Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari tells WSJM News March 1 will bring that change. He says ticket windows aren’t really needed at Amtrak stations anymore.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is giving out $3.6 million in grants around the state to fight invasive species. The DNR’s Joanne Foreman tells us the Van Buren Conservation District is getting $60,000. One problematic invasive
From the Associated Press — Michigan’s unemployment rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.7 percent in December while the size of the state’s workforce grew by 12,000 people. Figures released Thursday by the Michigan Department
As the number of senior citizens increases, so does the need for the funding of services. The same millage that has been on the ballot for over 20 years in South Haven will be on the ballot
The Michigan House has received a report from a task force that investigated mental health treatment over the past several months. The task force held meetings all over Michigan speaking with doctors, law enforcement, and advocates about
A Hartford man is dead after being struck by a car in Berrien Township Thursday morning. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us it happened on Old US-31 just north of Deans Hill Road around 7:20 a.m.
Detroit isn’t on Amazon’s list of cities under consideration for the online retail giant’s second headquarters. Seattle-based Amazon on Thursday named 20 cities that didn’t include the Motor City, which had submitted a proposal. Amazon plans to
Filling up could start emptying your wallet again in the next few days. Refinery problems in Missouri and Illinois get the blame according to GasBuddy.com analyst Patrick DeHaan. So, how much can we expect to pay? “Prices
A couple of locations in southwest Michigan have been added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund Sites Redevelopment Focus List. The office of Congressman Fred Upton tells us this means the EPA views those sites as having
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Senate has approved a tax cut that goes further than fixing an unintended consequence of the federal tax overhaul. A bill approved unanimously Wednesday and sent to the House would gradually
Next week will be all about spreading the word about human trafficking for the Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division. Sergeant Paul Leonard at the Paw Paw post tells WSJM News troopers will hand out cards to
Two resolutions urging the U.S. Senate to cut funding to sanctuary cities and to pass Kate’s Law have received approval from the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee. The resolutions from state Senators Tonya Schuitmaker and Patrick Colbeck were
Set for this Saturday is the return of a popular winter event in Cass County. Parks Director Scott Wyman tells WSJM News they’re holding the 12th annual Discover Winter Nights at Dr. T.K. Lawless Park. Discover Winter
The Benton Township Police Department is looking for a suspect following an armed home invasion on Wednesday afternoon. It happened in the 1300 block of Whispering Trail around 2:15. When officers arrived at the scene, they checked
State grants totaling more than $31,000 are going to seven Van Buren County school districts for their FIRST Robotics teams. State Representative Beth Griffin announced the grants this week. She says they range in size from $2,500
