Local News Archives

Michigan has 293 new cases of COVID-19 for Sunday and Monday. The Department of Health and Human Services says there were 56 deaths, with 37 being found during vital records reviews. So far, there have been 891,057

A Michigan House committee has approved legislation from state Representative intended to help restaurants and bars recoup liquor license fees paid during the pandemic. Wendzel’s office has released the following: State Rep. Pauline Wendzel’s legislation that will

Environmental-justice advocates urged the federal government to invest in restoring the Great Lakes, confronting the climate crisis and standing up for front-line communities. President Joe Biden’s proposed budget includes billions of dollars for water infrastructure projects in

After backlash for moving Secretary of State branches to making appointments online only, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced some changes this morning. “We have immediately added 350,000 new appointments for branch offices. They’re online and available

From the Associated Press — A man accused of killing two neighbors in southwestern Michigan told police that he shot them last week because they were too loud and he couldn’t sleep. That’s according to a court

A 13-year-old and a 16-year-old from Benton Harbor are recovering after they were shot in Benton Township late on Monday. The Benton Township Police Department says officers were sent to 105 South Fair Street around 11:40 p.m.

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved the Harbor Riverfest, to be held August 6 and 7 at Yarbrough Park along the St. Joseph River. Speaking during a Monday meeting, Mayor Marcus Muhammad said the event, largely organized

Berrien Springs is bringing back the Pickle Festival after a 16 year hiatus with a full day of family fun. The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber has released the following: The Village of Berrien Springs, the Berrien Springs

This coming weekend will offer three free recreation opportunities in Michigan. It’s a Free Fishing, Free Recreation Passport, and Free ORV weekend. That means you can go fishing without a license, go ORVing on state tails without

Berrien County could soon expand Madeline Bertrand County Park near Niles. Berrien County Parks Director Jill Adams tells WSJM News a state grant of $300,000 plus a 25% local match would make way for the purchase of

From the Associated Press — Faygo has added another flavor to its more than 50-flavor lineup. The Detroit-based beverage maker says Monday that Faygo Firework combines cherry, blue raspberry and lime flavors and will roll out across

Michigan has 419 new cases of COVID-19 for Sunday and Monday. The Department of Health and Human Services says that is equal to roughly 210 new cases each day. There were 11 deaths since Saturday. So far,

From the Associated Press — A British man who told authorities that he wanted to work in the U.S. was stopped after swimming across a river between Michigan and Canada. Police say the 47-year-old man told first

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has announced $2 million in COVID-19 workplace safety grants. The department has released the following: As the economy continues to open back up and employers strive to keep their

A 31-year-old Vandalia man is hospitalized at South Bend Memorial after being hurt in a crash around 1 a.m. today (Monday) in Calvin Township. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says Michael Deweerd’s vehicle hit a tree after

Michigan Works is planning a Career and Community Expo for this month. Talent Exchange Specialist LaRon Harris tells WSJM News this will be a day of job interviews, food, music, prize giveaways, and more. Michigan Works will

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Michigan were 388 for Saturday. That brings the pandemic total to 890,345. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says there were 72 deaths from the virus, with 66

Hartford is receiving a $375,000 state grant to improve its water quality. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced more than $5 million in grants statewide as part of the MI Clean Water plan. The grants

Paw Paw Public Schools will place a bond proposal on the August ballot. Superintendent Rick Reo tells WSJM News the district has been studying its needs for a few years now, and conducted community forums and surveys

State Senator Kim LaSata’s Small Business of the Month award for June has gone to JD’s Marina of Watervliet and Sister Lakes. LaSata launched the Small Business of the Month Award this year to highlight those small

You can now get a COVID-19 vaccine just by showing up to a walk-in clinic run by Spectrum Health Lakeland. Spectrum Health Lakeland Primary Care Director James Savoie tells WSJM News they opened up the clinics in

With the summer underway, tick season is also underway. Berrien County Health Department Communications Manager Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News there has been an increase in tick activity, which is a problem considering the bugs cause lime

The United Way of Southwest Michigan has launched a summer food drive. Spokesperson Jennifer Tomshack tells WSJM News Summer Stock Up is intended to help local food pantries continue their mission during a lull period. “People are

Michigan will have a free fishing weekend the weekend of June 12. The Michigan Wildlife Council has released the following: Michiganders and visitors purchased a record 1.5 million state fishing licenses in 2020 – a jump from

From the Associated Press — A northern Indiana man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty for his role in the 2019 torture-slaying of a woman whose body was dumped in southern Michigan.

The Benton Harbor Arts Association has been awarded a grant of $4,000 from the state of Michigan’s Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo for a mural project in the Benton

The Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor has been awarded a $150,000 donation by Indiana Michigan Power so the club can continue having an Academic Success Coach at the Fettig Youth Campus. The donation will support

Congressman Fred Upton is calling on the federal government to commit to continued harbor dredging around southwest Michigan. He’s sent a letter to the leaders of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development asking them to

JBS, the world’s largest meat processor was forced to shut down nine beef plants in the United States this week, including one in Plainwell, following a cyberattack. George Quakenbush is the Executive Director of the Michigan Beef

The number of new COVID-19 cases has dropped to 446 for Friday. That brings the pandemic total to 889,957. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says 27 people died of COVID-19 with that total now