Monday Round-up

News Highlights:

State budget cuts hit home in Southwest Michigan
As the dust begins to settle on $349 million in state budget cuts ordered last week, the local impact is beginning to sink in -- from state trooper posts to county fairs to local health departments. The Kalamazoo Gazette breaks down what the budget cuts will have in store for Southwest Michigan, including the topics of: state police, human services, healthy care, agriculture & county fairs, the arts, and revenue sharing.

Carrier to Discontinue Tyler Brand Line and Close Plant in Niles, Michigan
The previous article speaks about how Berrian County has been able to weather the storm better than other areas in SW Michigan. That was before it was announced that 500 jobs were to be cut in by the closing of a plant in Niles. These are huge job losses for a city with a population of only 11 thousand residents.

More on the story: News of Tyler Refrigeration closing is 'devastating'


Which is our kind of town?
Article debates on whether Southwest Michigan is more like Chicago or Detroit.

Volunteers begin building playground for kids at Kalamazoo's Peace House
PRI Americorps Maggie Haitt and Ernest Cawvey helped make the improvements at the Peace House that the article speaks about.