Representative Brad Paquette of Berrien Springs will serve as the vice chairman of the House Education Committee this year. He says he lean on his experience as a teacher in the new role. “I’m a public school
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees has voted to accept the resignation of interim president John Engler immediately rather than when he had wanted it to take effect next Wednesday. The board also moved to appoint
Due to the partial federal government shutdown, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is planning to issue Food Assistance Program benefits early for February. Department spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News the Bridge Card payments
Interim Michigan State University president John Engler is resigning effective next Wednesday, January 23, at 9 a.m. In an 11-page letter to the MSU Board of Trustees, he outlines the accomplishments of his tenure but notes he
Donations are being taken now as southwest Michigan police and fire agencies prepare for their annual Polar Plunge to support the Special Olympics. Andrew West with Special Olympics Michigan tells WSJM News more than 75 officers and
From the Associated Press — Three members of Congress from Michigan want to make federal funds more readily available to clean up public water supplies contaminated with a group of toxic chemicals. The lawmakers have introduced a bill
Lake Michigan College will kick off a week of activities to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. on Monday with its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration and Diversity Award ceremony. Event planner
Since there’s a partial government shutdown, plenty of people are wondering if they should or can hold off on filing their 2018 taxes. Levy & Associates owner Lawrence Levy in Southfield tells the Michigan News Network you
The deadline to apply to be a deputy in the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division has been extended to February 15. Each boating season, the sheriff’s department has its marine deputies enforce the Marine Safety Act
John Engler is out as the interim president of Michigan State University. The “Detroit Free Press” says multiple sources have confirmed the former governor will resign before the MSU Board of Trustees meeting Thursday morning, which was
Lakeview Terrace in St. Joseph has a new executive director. The downtown high-rise operated by the Housing Commission is now in the hands of Nicol Brown, who was introduced to the city commission this week. The facility
Senate Bill 1 for the new legislative session is signaling the intent of majority Republicans to go after the high costs of auto insurance in Michigan. The bill, introduced this week by Senator Aric Nesbitt of Lawton,
It looks like the end is looming for John Engler’s tenure as interim president of Michigan State University. Following recent comments in which the ex-governor said some of the survivors of sexual abuse by former MSU sports
The Niles-Buchanan-Cass Cities Area Transportation Study has compiled a list of road projects that should be a priority in the next four years around southern Berrien County and Cass County. Southwest Michigan Planning Commission Associate Planner Brandon
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has begun a new year with a clearer idea of its role in the district. On Tuesday, the board met with district CEO Robert Herrera and agreed to hold
There will be plenty to do in downtown St. Joseph next weekend as the seventh annual Downtown Chili Tour takes place on Friday and the fourth annual outdoor Winter Beer Fest is set for Saturday. St. Joseph
From the Associated Press — Officials say problems with an email system used by a county in southwestern Michigan are hampering government operations. The South Bend Tribune reports the problems began several weeks ago when the email
Due to the partial federal government shutdown, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is planning to issue Food Assistance Program benefits early for February. The department tells us February benefits will start to go out
Police are investigating after guns were stolen from a store in Niles on Tuesday morning. The Niles Police Department tells us officers responded to the Firing Pin on 5th Street around 4:15 a.m. when a vehicle crashed
Berrien RESA is marking School Board Recognition Month, when the members of local school boards across the county are celebrated for the extra work they do for their communities. RESA tells us its school board members bear
An anonymous tip about what St. Joseph Public Safety calls a “potential threat of harm” at St. Joseph High School has turned out to be inaccurate and unfounded. Interim public safety director Steve Neubecker says in a
A crowdfunding effort is underway for the restoration of an historic home in Niles. The Chapin Mansion was built in 1882 by Henry and Ruby Chapin. Niles History Center Director Christina Arseneau tells WSJM News Henry was
There is a lot of interest among South Haven residents to see what direction the city takes on marijuana businesses. An overflow crowd packed city council chambers for an informational meeting Monday that included a presentation from
Three Oaks Police are asking for help identifying a woman accused of stealing credit cards from vehicles and then using them at gas stations and stores south of the border in South Bend and Mishawaka. Authorities have
Work is progressing toward the city of St. Joseph potentially becoming the 45th local government in the state to add specific civil rights protections for the LGBT community into a local ordinance. A draft of the proposed
The United Way of Southwest Michigan is gearing up for its second Pop Up Giving event to raise money for a local non-profit starting a new initiative. The United Way’s Jennifer Tomshack tells WSJM News Pop Up
A series of three meetings is planned over the next couple of months for Berrien County property owners who are behind on their taxes to get signed up on a payment plan. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski
From the Associated Press — Figures show enrollment at Michigan’s public universities has declined for the seventh consecutive year. MLive.com reports the collective headcount at the 15 institutions totaled 286,854 in the fall off 2018, down 3,884 or
From the Associated Press — The Hyundai Genesis G70, Hyundai Kona and the Ram pickup have received North American car, sport utility and truck of the year awards. The awards were announced Monday at the North American
The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office says the wife of an active duty Army sergeant who was shot and killed on New Year’s Eve in St. Joseph Township is charged with murder in his death along with the
