A new report looks at the effects immigrant entrepreneurs have on Michigan’s economy. The Michigan League for Public Policy report says immigrants account for 12% of business owners in the state, and 20% of Main Street business
From the Associated Press — Authorities say beachgoers formed human chains along the shores of Lake Michigan to rescue swimmers caught in rough water blamed for two drownings over the weekend. Officials in western Michigan say three other
The 19-year-old woman accused of kidnapping a toddler from his Grand Rapids home last week is now facing charges of kidnapping involving child enticement. Iyesha Gibbs was in court today in Grand Rapids for her arraignment, and
Michigan voters decide tomorrow who will face off in the November election for governor, and all seven candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties are making a furious effort to win over the undecided voters in the
Cornerstone Alliance is making an aggressive push to bring more retailers to Benton Township. Some Berrien County Commissioners have had a chance to see the county’s newest park firsthand. Rick Snyder has toured a water system project
This year’s summer auction of property tax-foreclosed properties by Berrien County is one of the most successful ever in terms of selling parcels of land that had homes or vacant businesses. Treasurer Bret Witkowski says they had
Next Tuesday is the National Night Out and the first ever held in Allegan County. You’re invited to Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park Tuesday, August 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. for food and drink, giveaways, and demonstrations of
Two men in their 50s are recovering with just minor injuries after a plane crash in Dowagiac this weekend. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the Saturday evening incident, which happened around 7 p.m. The 54-year-old pilot
Michigan’s latest water crisis is coming from a chemical used in manufacturing, fire suppression foam, and other uses. PFAS has turned up in wells north of Grand Rapids, near Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, and most recently,
Banking will get a little more convenient for Honor Credit Union members in Buchanan next year, as currently their closest branches are in Niles and Berrien Springs. The financial institution is announcing plans to open a branch
State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker has endorsed Aric Nesbitt in the race for Michigan Senate in the 26th District. Schuitmaker currently occupies that post and is being term-limited out of office. She tells WSJM News Nesbitt, a former
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public about the latest phone scam. It tells us it has been hearing from residents who have been called by someone claiming to be working for the sheriff’s
A new effort is being launched by a bi-partisan group in Congress to get some procedural rules changed so more can get done. Spearheaded by the Problem Solvers group, Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the “Break
We will get to vote on a constitutional change regarding how congressional and state legislative districts are drawn. The Michigan Supreme Court issued a ruling around 10:30 Tuesday night dismissing a lawsuit challenging the ballot proposal from
Election workers in Berrien County have been busy this last dew weeks preparing for next Tuesday’s primaries. Berrien County Clerk Sharon Tyler tells WSJM News voters should know there are some new machines in place. “The difference
Housing permits for single family home construction have increased nearly 4% in Michigan during the first half of this year, but production is not meeting the demand. Bob Filka is the CEO of the Home Builders Association
With the state of emergency declared this past weekend in Kalamazoo County for PFAS in the drinking water in the city of Parchment and Cooper Township along with the discovery of the chemicals in northern Kent County,
Tuesday will bring the 35th annual Police National Night Out as local police departments look to mingle with the public and establish good relations. St. Joseph Township Police Officer Rick Knapp tells WSJM News there will be
Andrews University will hold its summer graduation ceremonies this weekend. Graduation coordinator Dalary Payne tells WSJM News there will be 305 students receiving degrees. It’s a diverse bunch. “There are 49 countries represented by the graduates this
Two men are facing charges following two separate drug raids in Benton Harbor in the past two weeks. The Southwest Enforcement Team tells us it raided a home in the 200 block of Hull Street on Tuesday,
Michigan Sixth District candidate for Congress George Franklin is making one final push to drum up support for his primary candidacy with a tour this weekend. Franklin, seeking the Democratic nomination to take on Congressman Fred Upton
Cornerstone Alliance is making an aggressive push to bring more retailers to Benton Township. Cornerstone President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News the group has hired The Retail Coach, a national retail recruitment and development firm, hoping to
The Bridgman Police Department has closed its investigation into a reported dog attack on a child and says the story was not true. Early this week, the department on Facebook asked for the public’s help in identifying
Berrien County’s newest park is close to opening to the public. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey tells WSJM News he took some county commissioners on a tour of Paw Paw River County Park in Watervliet this
From the Associated Press — Michigan officials are warning dog owners to keep their pets at home if they’re sick to prevent the spread of canine influenza. The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development said Thursday that
Berrien County officials are looking for a new chief public defender and the county commission has approved assigning chief assistant public defender Christopher Renna to head up the department on an interim basis. Renna will assume that
Berrien County will be helping out Cass County on managing transportation services. After tabling a resolution to allow county transportation and planning coordinator Evan Smith to work one day a week for Cass County last week, commissioners
It’s time once again for Chalk the Block in downtown St. Joseph. St. Joe Today’s Amy Zapal tells WSJM News it starts Friday with chalk art right on the pavement downtown. It’s provided by both amateurs and
Congressman Fred Upton isn’t terribly concerned there will be a government shut down this fall. President Trump has threatened one if he doesn’t get his border wall, but Upton tells WSJM News the spending plan outlined by
This Saturday will bring the third annual Breastfeeding on the Bluff event in downtown St. Joseph. The Berrien County Health Department’s Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News hundreds of moms will head to the bluff across the street
