Local News Archives

Extra dredging is being done this week in the St. Joseph outer harbor thanks to action by the St. Joseph City Commission on Sunday. The body held a rare weekend meeting to authorize the reimbursement of the

The Berrien County Health Department has launched a newer, more detailed version of its COVID-19 online dashboard. First released in April, the dashboard features up to date information on the latest COVID-19 cases in the county. It

Following several nights of unrest around the country, Congressman Fred Upton is calling for peace. After a Monday night that brought some unrest in Kalamazoo, Upton says it’s time for everyone to “heed the advice of George

There was a violent flare-up in downtown Kalamazoo Monday night. Public Safety Chief Kerry Ann Thomas called on surrounding law enforcement to restore peace, but the damage was done. “Six people were arrested on eight charges,” Thomas

Michigan is reporting 199 additional cases of COVID-19 for Tuesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that brings the state’s total to 57,731 since the start of the pandemic. There are 37 additional deaths

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appealed to the federal government to provide assistance to states for COVID-19 testing and budget shortfalls. Whitmer testified before the the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on Tuesday.

As protests continue across the country and here in Michigan, “the fight will not be won on the streets.” That’s the message to young people from Cle Jackson, president of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP. “It’s won

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is defending the state’s action in keeping nursing homes safe during the coronavirus. A final report on how many people in nursing homes have died from the virus is due in the coming weeks.

The Michigan National Guard is assisting with COVID-19 testing in Allegan County nursing homes. The Allegan County Health Department has released the following statement: In effort to increase COVID-19 testing across Michigan, Allegan County Health Department (ACHD)

The Mackinac Bridge Mac Pass toll system windshield stickers that allow for quicker, touch-free crossing are still free to account holders, but only until July 1. The Mackinac Bridge Authority says the stickers will cost $1 each

Benton Harbor City Commissioners are thanking the community for helping to make a weekend demonstration peaceful. The Sunday march and rally in response to police violence against black Americans was held without incident, and City Commissioner Ron

Congressman Fred Upton has signed on to a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking more information about a dam in Midland County has breached and caused massive flooding. Upton, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, and the leadership

The United Way of Southwest Michigan has begun its annual Christmas in June food drive. Spokesperson Jennifer Tomshack tells WSJM News the agency collects food for 38 pantries around southwest Michigan each June when they see need

The South Haven Rotary has announced the creation of four new scholarships for students at South Haven High School. Rotary President Mark Odland says the organization has supported education in the community for many years, and for

The state of Michigan has announced bottle and can returns will soon be accepted once again. The following statement has been released by the Michigan Department of Treasury: Today, Treasury issued a Notice Regarding Phased Reestablishment of

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging those who organize protests following the killing of George Floyd to make sure the demonstrations will be safe. Speaking Monday after a weekend of protests and riots in some cities, the governor

Michigan is reporting 135 additional cases of COVID-19 for Monday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that brings the state’s total to 57,532 since the start of the pandemic. There are 25 additional deaths

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ended Michigan’s stay home order. The office of the governor has released the following statement: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-110, rescinding her Safer at Home order and moving the entire

From the Associated Press — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has lifted Michigan’s coronavirus stay-at-home order. Whitmer said Monday that restaurants can reopen to dine-in customers next week and she has eased limits on gatherings. Some businesses where close

St. Joseph Public Schools is now accepting Schools of Choice applications for the next academic year. The district says the applications will be taken through June 30. Parents can fill out and submit their student applications online,

A 20-year-old man from the Lawton area is facing charges after he broke into a home while intoxicated and fell asleep on Monday morning. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says deputies were called to the home

South Haven Emergency Services has a new executive director. Brandon Hinz is taking over for Ron Wise, who is retiring in September but remains on staff as an advisor until then. Hinz has been a firefighter and

The Pokagon Gaming Authority has set June 15 as its target date to reopen its four casinos. The following statement has been released by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi: The Pokagon Gaming Authority announced today that it

A demonstration against police brutality following the killing of George Floyd was held Sunday afternoon in Benton Harbor. It began with a march from First Congregational Church on Bellview Street to Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park,

There are eight more people in Berrien County who have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the county’s total to 626 with 49 deaths and 476 recoveries. In Cass County, the number of cases is up one from

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on Saturday in Volinia Township. It says deputies were called to the scene on Church Street east of Lawrence Road around 6:20 a.m. They learned

Michigan is reporting 263 additional cases of COVID-19 for Saturday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the total number of cases around the state since the start of the pandemic is now 56,884. 57

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist are urging communities to set aside safe areas for protests as demonstrations take place nationwide. The governor’s office has released the following statement: Today Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and

With normal graduation celebrations on hold this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, communities around southwest Michigan are saluting their grads in new ways. That’s what happened on Friday night in South Haven as a “2020 Dream

(Lansing, MI – AP) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer is hinting she will soon reopen more regions of Michigan, expressing optimism as long as the rate of new coronavirus cases continues downward and testing increases. She didn’t specify