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 tells WSJM News letters have gone out to the folks who still owe for 2016 and 2017. He says he’s bringing staff to meetings around the county to talk with those who are behind.. ...Read Full Story
A crowdfunding effort is underway for the restoration of a 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 a prominent businessman in the community.. ...Read Full Story
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 Kovnat tells WSJM News the list of recommendations comes out of a December 18 meeting of several municipalities and road departments.. ...Read Full Story
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 of this past week, the board met with district CEO Robert Herrera and agreed to hold its regular meetings each month on the Thursday before Herrera’s CEO meeting the following Tuesday. This way, the board can advise the CEO on any action he might take. New board President Steven Mitchell told WSJM News having more input will be a benefit.. ...Read Full Story
Westbound I-94 in Watervliet Township had to be shut down for about an hour on Saturday due to an ambulance crash. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us the crash happened just before 4:50 p.m. at mile 39. A Pride Care ambulance was transporting a patient to Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph when the driver lost control in slush and snow on the shoulder. The ambulance then rolled over. Medic Andrew Sack, a 22-year-old Battle Creek resident, sustained lacerations to his head during the crash. The patient was a 69-year-old Watervliet woman. Police have not said if she was injured in the crash. The ambulance driver, 21-year-old Kyle Robertson of Bangor, reported being shaken up, but did not sustain any apparent injuries. A second Pride Care Ambulance was dispatched to the scene and transported the patient and the two medics to Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph. Police say all injuries in the crash are believed to be non-life-threatening.. ...Read Full Story
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 Giving is kind of like Shark Tank.. ...Read Full Story
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 Today’s Daniele Crevier tells WSJM News that beer fest will offer a wide variety of locally-produced brews.. ...Read Full Story
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has begun a new year with a clearer idea of its role in the district. On Tuesdayof this past week, the board met with district CEO Robert Herrera and agreed to hold its regular meetings each month on the Thursday before Herrera’s CEO meeting the following Tuesday. This way, the board can advise the CEO on any action he might take. New board President Steven Mitchell told WSJM News having more input will be a benefit.. ...Read Full Story
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 on Lake Michigan and inland lakes and rivers around Berrien County. The new deputies will begin training on the weekends in April, while patrols will begin with Memorial Day weekend and end with Labor Day. To be a marine deputy, one must be at least 18 years old, have a clean record, and pass a swim test. Boating knowledge and a mechanical aptitude also help. The applications for the Marine Division are on the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department website. You can find the applications right here.. ...Read Full Story
Women’s marches will take place in ten Michigan cities Saturday. The third annual event began as a protest against administration policies on the day after President Donald Trump took office two years ago. The events in Adrian, Ann Arbor, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Douglas, East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland, Marquette, and Traverse City are sister marches to a large event in the nation’s capital. Randy Block, with the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network, says he hopes Michigan will turn a corner now that Democratic women have been elected to the three top positions in the state executive branch.. ...Read Full Story
The Van Buren County Courts have received high marks from users in their latest survey. Using a survey that was administered in courts statewide, the court tells us it asked users questions about whether the system in Van Buren County was accessible, timely, and fair, and if customers were treated with courtesy and respect by judges and court staff in 2018. The survey found 95% of court users said they were treated with courtesy and respect by staff, 85% of users said the way the judge or magistrate handled their case was fair, and 89% of users were able to get their business done in a reasonable amount of time. Chief Judge Kathleen M. Brickley says she’s “very proud of the hard work put in by our team at Van Buren County Courts.” Developed with input from judges and court administrators statewide and tabulated by the State Court Administrative Office, the survey enables courts to identify strengths, provide feedback to employees, and target areas for improvement. The survey was completed by a range of court users, including parties to cases, attorneys, jurors, and others.. ...Read Full Story
The United Way of Southwest Michigan is planning to be out in the community volunteering for Martin Luther King Day on Monday. The United Way’s Julee Laurent told WSJM News on Friday they’re working with a variety of local non-profits, faith-based organizations, schools, and businesses to serve southwest Michigan in the spirit of the civil rights legend. Some planned projects include a food drive for area pantries.. ...Read Full Story
Southwest Michigan is about to get hit with some significant snow. WNDU meteorologist David Harker tells WSJM News we’re looking at six to eight inches starting Friday night through Saturday afternoon.. ...Read Full Story
From the Associated Press — The governors of Michigan, New York and Washington are asking the Trump administration for guidance on whether states can provide unemployment benefits to federal employees who are working without pay during the shutdown. Govs. Gretchen Whitmer, Andrew Cuomo and Jay Inslee – all Democrats – issued a joint statement Friday. They say their states are providing unemployment benefits to furloughed federal workers, but federal regulations prevent them from giving the same assistance to those who continue to work without pay. They are calling on the U.S. Department of Labor to provide “clear, unambiguous guidance” on whether the rules can be waived. They say there is no “rational justification” to deny workers the same short-term relief that furloughed employees can receive. The shutdown, the longest ever, entered its 28th day Friday.. ...Read Full Story
The first meetings for the public to offer its thoughts on plans for Berrien County’s parks over the next five years have been held. Berrien County Parks Director Brian Bailey tells WSJM News two sessions were held on Wednesday in St. Joseph. They’re part of the process to draft a new five year parks master plan, and more meetings are coming.. ...Read Full Story
After 46 years on the air at News/Talk 94.9 WSJM, Pat Moody is stepping away from the morning mic March 1st. Michigan’s Great Southwest will no longer start it’s days with Pat’s Moody In The Morning.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is seeking to settle a lawsuit that could upset districts in the Michigan Legislature and the state’s congressional delegation. The Democrat on Thursday filed a brief seeking to halt a trial scheduled for February 5.. ...Read Full Story
A survey conducted by the Berrien County Trial Court has found users overall satisfied with its services. The court tells us it used a survey administered in courts statewide, asking people questions about whether the court was accessible, timely, and fair, and if they were treated with courtesy and respect by judges and court staff. Created by the State Court Administrative Office to ensure accuracy, the survey is designed to help courts identify strengths, weaknesses, and to give feedback to employees. The Berrien County Trail Court says it found 93% of court users said they were treated with courtesy and respect by staff, 80% of court users said the way the judge or magistrate handled their case was fair, and 82% of were able to get their business done in a reasonable amount of time. Court Administrator Carrie Smietanka-Haney says the goal is to “make each member of the public’s court experience as positive as it can be.”. ...Read Full Story
Federal employees fed up with the government shutdown are planning to brave the cold and rally in front of the Federal Building in Detroit Friday. About 2,000 Michiganders work for federal agencies, and a little more than half are working without pay. The rest are locked out of their jobs until the shutdown is resolved. Mark Coryell, president of the union that represents local employees of the EPA, tells us the families are really starting to feel the pinch.. ...Read Full Story
Legislation to reform the auto insurance system in Michigan has been sent to the Michigan Senate Insurance and Banking Committee. State Senator Kim LaSata is part of that committee, and says she is serious about reducing auto insurance costs. She’s ready to get to work reviewing the bill.. ...Read Full Story
A free training session in the use of anti-overdose drug naloxone will be held next week in St. Joseph. Michigan State Police tell us the Southwest Michigan Families Against Narcotics chapter, the Community Healing Center, and the Voice Change Hope Alliance will hold the event at Carol’s Hope on M-139 next Thursday. Those who attend will learn how to administer the nasal spray that gets someone breathing again when they’re having an opioid overdose. Those who complete 90 minute the training will receive a free naloxone kit. It’s recommended you make a reservation for next Thursday’s training by calling Families Against Narcotics. The number is 269-580-8290.. ...Read Full Story
Residents of Cass County are being warned about a rash of recent home and car break-ins. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke says from December 25 through January 15, there have been 20 burglaries and 23 larcenies reported to his office. There’s been a particular spike in activity this week, and police believe there are still some cases that haven’t been reported. Many of the crimes have been around Cassopolis and to the southeast. The sheriff’s department says the suspects are usually breaking into unlocked cars and garages to get property from vehicles and buildings. They’re also breaking into unoccupied homes. Police remind everyone to lock their vehicles and homes. They also say you should let your neighbors know if you’re going to be out of town. Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.. ...Read Full Story
More than 30 tons of ice are slated to be carved into works of art this weekend in downtown Niles as the community holds its 15th annual Hunter Ice Festival. Ice carvers come from all over to turn the downtown area into its own gallery of ice sculptures. There will also be the always-popular Hunter festival ice cream, which is sold out of a booth carved of ice on site. Other features will include a run, chili, and warming centers. The Hunter Ice Festival was started as a way to celebrate the Hunter Brothers Ice and Ice Cream Company, which was a commercial ice harvesting business that operated in the area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Hunter Ice Festival kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday in downtown Niles. The events are weather-permitting.. ...Read Full Story
Michigan State University has a new acting president following the resignation of John Engler, but the search continues for the permanent replacement for Lou Anna Simon. One name that’s popped up is Ingham County Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who presided over the Larry Nassar trial in Lansing.. ...Read Full Story
By Doug Cunningham. ...Read Full Story
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.. ...Read Full Story
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.. ...Read Full Story
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 for next month will go out this Saturday and into next week. Recipients should know there will be no additional payment for next month even if the shutdown ends.. ...Read Full Story
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 will leave the office at the request of the new Democratic majority of the board. The former Michigan governor says he believes he’s leaving his alma matter in a better condition than when he took over following the resignation of Lou Anna Simon as president. She is now facing criminal charges for allegedly helping to cover up the sexual abuses of former MSU and USA Gymnastics sports doctor Larry Nassar.. ...Read Full Story
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 firefighters are scheduled to take the plunge next Saturday.. ...Read Full Story
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 that would classify the substances known as PFAS as hazardous substances under the federal Superfund law. The designation would require the Environmental Protection Agency to report releases of the chemicals into the environment and clean up tainted sites. It also allows the government to sue polluters to recoup cleanup costs. EPA tests have found pollution from PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in public water supplies for 16 million Americans in 33 states, including Michigan. Democratic Reps. Debbie Dingell and Dan Kildee and Republican Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan are sponsoring the legislation.. ...Read Full Story
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 Angela Kurtz tells WSJM News they’ll have guest speakers and announce the winner of this year’s Diversity Award.. ...Read Full Story
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 shouldn’t hold off.. ...Read Full Story
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 on Lake Michigan and inland lakes and rivers around Berrien County. The new deputies will begin training on the weekends in April, while patrols will begin with Memorial Day weekend and end with Labor Day. To be a marine deputy, one must be at least 18 years old, have a clean record, and pass a swim test. Boating knowledge and a mechanical aptitude also help. The applications for the Marine Division are on the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department website. You can find the applications right here.. ...Read Full Story
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 called with the intent to ask for his resignation or to fire him if he did not step down.. ...Read Full Story
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 gets its funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Brown said they have enough funding through HUD to last until the end of February. She says if the partial federal government shutdown continues past the end of next month, they’ll still be ok for a short time.. ...Read Full Story
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, would allow drivers 62 and older to opt-out of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association lifetime medical benefit coverage by using Medicare or other health insurance, and also lets younger drivers opt out and chose less coverage. Nesbitt tells WSJM News it’s time to shut the lobbyists that have blocked reforms for years out.. ...Read Full Story
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 doctor Larry Nassar are enjoying the spotlight, the university’s Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Thursday morning at 8 in East Lansing. Trustee Brian Mosallam, who has been trying to get Engler out as president for almost a year, tells the Detroit Free Press, “John Engler’s reign of terror is over.” Board chair Dianne Byrum has confirmed to Crain’s Detroit Business that the meeting is to be solely focused on the future of Engler’s employment. He took over after Lou Anna Simon resigned due to the Nassar scandal, and she is facing criminal charges related to the university’s cover-up.. ...Read Full Story
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 Kovnat tells WSJM News the list of recommendations comes out of a December 18 meeting of several municipalities and road departments.. ...Read Full Story
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 its regular meetings each month on the Thursday before Herrera’s CEO meeting the following Tuesday. This way, the board can advise the CEO on any action he might take. New board President Steven Mitchell told WSJM News having more input will be a benefit.. ...Read Full Story
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 Today’s Daniele Crevier tells WSJM News that beer fest will offer a wide variety of locally-produced brews.. ...Read Full Story
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 system used by Cass County became inoperable. Kerry Collins, information systems director for the county, said Monday that email functions have since
improved but the system remains unreliable. At times, some emails weren’t delivered as expected. Collins proposed switching to a different email system, but some commissioners balked at the more than $100,000 cost. The commissioners plan to discuss possible solutions again at a meeting Thursday. Last week, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz highlighted the issue for the county’s Board of Commissioners. He noted that they’re “dealing literally with life and death issues.”. ...Read Full Story
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 on January 19. Those who don’t get them that day should get them the following week. The move is being made so the 1.2 million Michigan residents who receive food assistance will have the benefits to feed their families in February even if the partial government shutdown continues into next month. It comes following a directive from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to states. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging everyone who gets food assistance to budget out the extra funds they get this month so they will last all of next month because there will be no funds given out in February. Meanwhile, the state believes Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, benefits will be available in February without interruption. That program covers more than 200,000 mothers, pregnant women and children in Michigan.. ...Read Full Story
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 into the building, allowing access. Officers searched the place and found several guns were gone. The suspects had fled. The owners of the Firing Pin are doing an inventory to determine just how many firearms were taken. Police believe there were several suspects involved. Police found the owner of the vehicle that had crashed into the store and learned it had been stolen overnight from the owner’s Niles home. The owner had left the keys in the unlocked car. Police continue to investigate and ask anyone with information to contact them.. ...Read Full Story
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 responsibility for an annual budget of $49 million, more than 25,000 students, 300 employees, and a variety of classrooms and buildings located throughout Berrien County. RESA says those volunteers are regular citizens whose decisions affect children and build our communities. Berrien RESA Superintendent Kevin Ivers says showing appreciation for the work of school boards should be a year-round process. He adds, too often, citizens neglect to recognize “the dedication and hard work of these men and women.” This January, Berrien RESA is asking all members of the community to take a moment and thank a school board member.. ...Read Full Story
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 statement they received the call around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday and responded along with Michigan State Police and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department. He adds after multiple interviews, they determined there was no credible threat.. ...Read Full Story
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 a prominent businessman in the community.. ...Read Full Story
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 the city attorney and an outside consultant, with the intention to help the city council give direction to the Planning Commission. City Manager Brian Dissette says the council went person-by-person to lay out what categories for both recreational and medicinal marijuana they wanted studied by the Planning Commission.. ...Read Full Story
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 released surveillance photos of a silver Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and of the suspect. Details such as when the thefts began and exactly where they’ve happened have not been released. The suspect is a white woman, who had her hair covered by a knit hat and her neck covered by a scarf in a Meijer store in the surveillance photos released by Three Oaks Police.. ...Read Full Story
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 non-discrimination ordinance is likely about a month away from being presented to the commission by city attorney Laurie Schmidt. Mayor Pro Tem Laura Goos tells us the city will be moving forward as it doesn’t look likely that the state House and Senate will take up any potential changes to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act anytime soon. We asked her about the reaction from residents and businesses around the city she’s spoken with.. ...Read Full Story
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 Giving is kind of like Shark Tank.. ...Read Full Story
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 tells WSJM News letters have gone out to the folks who still owe for 2016 and 2017. He says he’s bringing staff to meetings around the county to talk with those who are behind.. ...Read Full Story
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 nearly 1.4 percent from the fall of 2017. Enrollment peaked in the fall 2011 at 301,919. It’s declined largely because of a shrinking number of college-age students in Michigan and nationwide. The Michigan Association of State Universities ` 2018 enrollment report notes that freshman enrollment was a bright spot, with the schools having 41,452 first-time freshman in fall 2018, up 1.5 percent in fall 2017. Currently, about 60 percent of Michigan students enroll in college the fall after they graduate high school. About 34 percent of Michigan adults age 25 to
34 have at least a bachelor’s degree.. ...Read Full Story
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 International Auto Show in Detroit. This year’s car finalists also included the Honda Insight and Volvo S60/V60. Truck finalists included the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500.
SUV finalists also included the Acura RDX and the Jaguar I-Pace. Last year’s winners were the Honda Accord, Lincoln Navigator and the Volvo XC60. About 55 automotive journalists serve as judges. Eligible vehicles must be new or substantially changed. Organizers accept no advertising, though automakers try to capitalize on the marketing value of the awards, which are now in their 25th year.. ...Read Full Story
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 man with whom she’d allegedly been having an affair.. ...Read Full Story
Marijuana will be discussed tonight in South Haven. The City Council has a special meeting starting at 6 p.m. to get a presentation on the legal status of both medicinal and recreational weed in the state. Following public comment and remarks by experts, the council will be asked to come up with direction and guidance for city staff and the Planning Commission for possible ordinances for both.. ...Read Full Story
A 21-year-old Grand Junction man and two men from the Holland area who are 20 and 18 are in the Van Buren County Jail after being caught breaking into vehicles in the Grand Junction area early Sunday morning. They are accused of breaking into two vehicles and a work trailer in the four-thousand block of 48½ Street in Columbia Township. The three were caught due to their tracks in the snow leading Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputies to a nearby home. All the stolen items were recovered. The three are facing charges of larceny from a motor vehicle, and the youngest suspect is also going to be charged with breaking and entering of a vehicle. They’re being held without bond pending their arraignments.. ...Read Full Story
Property owners in the city of South Haven who don’t agree with the assessed value of their property will be able to appeal that assessment starting in March with the board of review. City Manager Brian Dissette spoke with WSJM News about the plan after a city council meeting this week.. ...Read Full Story
The Smithsonian is bringing a traveling exhibit to Van Buren County this year. The Van Buren District Library’s Kay McAdam tells us the Decatur branch will host “Main Street’s Crossroads: Change in Rural America” this fall. It’s one of six locations in Michigan to be selected as a site for the display. It’s all about how small towns became centers of commerce, trade, local politics, and culture in the United States. McAdam says they also have to put together locally-relevant programs.. ...Read Full Story
A meeting of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education could take place this coming week as district CEO Robert Herrera aims to work more closely with trustees on a vision for the district. After this Tuesday’s CEO meeting, Herrera said he was working to set a meeting date with the board as three new trustees have been elected and another needs to be appointed. He told WSJM News after much organization since he was brought in working under the state, he’d like school board input.. ...Read Full Story
