The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is relaxing one of the rules for its deputies and dispatchers this month. Sheriff Richard Behnke tells WSJM News the office is taking part in No Shave November. They’re doing it to
It’s a blow to southwest Michigan retail. WSJM News has learned the Target store in Benton Township is closing. We’ve been told by a manager the store on Fairplain Drive will shut down on February 3. The
Several state elected officials will learn what it’s like to be homeless this week. That’s because they’re spending Wednesday night pretending to be homeless as part of a challenge issued by the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. Spokesperson
New data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has found a 40% increase in cases of child lead poisonings in Southeastern Grand Rapids. Paul Hann is the Executive Director of the Healthy Homes Coalition
This Tuesday is an election day in many southwest Michigan communities. In Berrien County, Benton Harbor voters will consider a local income tax proposal. They will decide if city residents should pay a 1% income tax, while
From the Associated Press — Nearly half of local officials in Michigan’s large municipalities report struggling to find enough people with the necessary skills to work at the polls on Election Day. The figure is included in a
From the Associated Press — Maggots were discovered in food at a Michigan prison during three incidents last summer. The Detroit Free Press says they’re the first discoveries since Trinity Services Group was hired to supply food in
Andrews University is planning a Veterans Day tribute for this week. The event at the Howard Performing Arts Center will be Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Andrews tells us the program will be one of reflection and thankfulness
Kalamazoo County will be the site of a pilot program in Michigan to fight opioid abuse if the governor approves it. State Representative Brandt Iden tells WSJM News a supplemental budget bill sent to the governor this
Cases of Hepatitis A are on the rise in the state, prompting the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to activate its Community Health Emergency Coordination Center. Department Spokesperson Angela Minicuci tells Michigan News Network that
State Senator John Proos has received a special honor from the Michigan Sheriffs Association. He’s been named the group’s 2017 Legislator of the Year. New MSA president and Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey presented Proos with the
The full Michigan House will soon hear a bill to allow golf carts to be driven on state trunk lines if certain safety provisions are met. State Representative Aaron Miller of Constantine sponsored the measure because he
Bills to prevent wage theft will soon be introduced in the Michigan legislature. A report from the Economic Policy Institute earlier this year found Michigan workers across all demographic groups are losing $429 million every year as
Berrien County Clerk Sharon Tyler wants voters to be ready for next week’s elections. She tells WSJM News the Berrien County communities holding elections will be the cities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, along with Chikaming
When Veterans Day is marked this month in St. Joseph, the ceremony will be held in a new venue and with a new host. Lest We Forget’s Hank Richmond tells us the annual ceremony previously organized by
The new federal tax reform proposal is still being reviewed by experts, but one southwest Michigan analyst tells us it looks to him like corporate rate cuts included in the plan will make big difference. Tom Austin
Michigan State Police are launching a new pilot program to catch drivers under the influence of a controlled substance, and Berrien County is one of five counties picked to be a part. MSP First Lieutenant Jim Flegel
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to know if you spot a black bear den this fall. That’s especially in the northern Lower Peninsula. Spokesperson Katie Keen spoke with Michigan News Network about black bear dens.
Hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico and Texas have the support of Allegan-based Perrigo. The producer of generic drugs and baby formula has given $25,000 to charities responding to Hurricane Maria and $15,000 to organizations helping with
New safety features are being added to roads around southwest Michigan, and you may not even notice them. The Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schirripa tells WSJM News the agency has identified areas where cars are more
State Senator John Proos tells us the latest anti-concussion legislation signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder will ensure coaches and volunteers with youth leagues are up to date on the latest science. The plan recently signed
A new invasive plant species has shown up in southwest Michigan. The Van Buren Conservation District’s Eleanor Serocki tells WSJM News Japanese stilt-grass has been found along a former snowmobile trail near Niles. It’s a persistent grass
It’s time to fall back, and with that in mind, Michigan Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer has a few tips for everyone. Sehlmayer tells WSJM News when you’re turning your clocks back on hour this evening, you should
A donation of nearly 90 educational books has been made by the YMCA of Southwest Michigan to a church reading program in Benton Harbor. The First Church of God’s Robin Shipkosky tells WSJM News the program was
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey has been named the 2018 president of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association. Sheriffs’ Association Director Blaine Koops tells WSJM News Bailey was picked to represent law enforcement from all over the state because
The OutCenter in Benton Harbor is hoping a large crowd turns out this Saturday for their annual holiday concert. The event will be held at the Heritage Museum in St. Joe, with the OutCenter’s Mary Jo Schnell
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources tells us its plan to seek public ideas for preventing the spread of the Asian carp into the Great lakes has led to a strong response. DNR Senior Water Policy Advisor
Now that the Michigan House has failed to approve a package of legislation designed to reduce auto insurance rates, it’s back to the drawing board. So says state Senator John Proos. He tells WSJM News he wasn’t
After you turn your clocks back one hour this weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation is hoping you will take extra care when behind the wheel throughout the weeks to follow. MDOT spokesperson Michael Frezell tells WSJM
A woman who was injured in an officer-involved shooting in Mattawan Friday morning has been treated and released from a Kalamazoo hospital. Michigan State Police Lieutenant Chuck Christensen tells WSJM News the incident began around 8 a.m.
