Berrien County Administrator Brian Dissette is working to stay on top of developments with the new $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus bill. He told county commissioners Thursday he’s been meeting with the local Strategic Leadership Council to understand
Michigan is reporting 2,091 new cases of COVID-19 for Thursday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had more than 603,000 COVID cases since the pandemic started. 23 deaths were reported for
The COVID-19 relief bill signed by President Joe Biden is expected to provide much-needed economic relief for Michigan’s small towns and rural communities. Matt Hildreth, executive director of RuralOrganizing.org, said the pandemic exacerbated the struggles of rural
If you’re planning to take a trip this year, you’ll want to prepare yourself for a different travel experience. AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland explains what travelers should expect. “Face coverings are still gonna be required on planes,
Firefighters from South Haven Area Emergency Services helped Ganges Township firefighters knock out a blaze in waste disposal tanks at Scenic View Dairy on 62nd Street in Fennville. The Ganges Township fire department was dispatched shortly before
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved a settlement agreement with Jason Latham, the former director of the Berrien County Road Department. The board approved the agreement on Thursday. Board Chair Mac Elliott read a brief
Interviews will be held with four finalists for the Lakeshore Public Schools superintendent. The board of education reviewed the 21 applicants to succeed the retiring Phil Freeman, noting they came from Michigan, Colorado, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. The
Students will soon be roaming the halls of Benton Harbor High School, although in a socially distanced, safe manner. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education, Superintendent Andrae Townsel outlined for parents
A buyer for the Albemarle plant in South Haven has been found. The chemical company announced several years ago it was looking to sell the facility, and the purchase by W. R. Grace and Company out of
The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and Cornerstone Alliance have held their annual Business Recognition Awards, saluting businesses and organizations that continued to thrive in the past year despite the pandemic. The event was held virtually Wednesday, and
How much longer will elected bodies and other boards continue to meet virtually instead of in-person? The Berrien County Board of Commissioners Administration Committee was told on Wednesday there’s a bill in the Michigan Senate to allow
Congressman Fred Upton is working on a version 2.0 of his 21st Century Cures legislation. He met with President Joe Biden last week to discuss how the first bill, passed in 2016, has been working. Upton and
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s Four Winds Casinos are using March to spread awareness about gambling addiction and how to get help. The Pokagons say around two million U.S. adults are estimated to meet the criteria for
Michigan has 2,316 new COVID-19 cases for Wednesday for a total of 601,284 in the past year. The Department of Health and Human Services reports 7 people have died to bring that number to 15,706. State chief
From the Associated Press — The Michigan Legislature, where majority Republicans have blasted Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer over severance payments to top officials, has disclosed nearly $700,000 in separation agreements or legal settlements over the past decade.
A high school in western Michigan has reopened, a day after a student accidentally detonated a homemade explosive in a classroom. Meanwhile, the boy’s father is in hot water after a search of his home in Newaygo
March 10, 2020 everything changed in Michigan with the first confirmed cases of COVID-19. Governor Gretchen Whitmer reflected on the efforts of the past 12 months Wednesday, recalling the efforts made to keep people as safe as
The U.S. House has given final approval to President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The office of Senator Gary Peters has released the following: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after
The Region Four Area Agency on Aging is offering a class to explain the Medicare sign up process. Anyone who’s turning 65 soon and has questions is welcome to attend. The Area Agency on Aging says getting
The Berrien County Health Department says if you now qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine and want to sign up for one through them, the thing to do is to check their website on a regular basis. The
Benton Harbor Area Schools is receiving a $3 million literacy grant. Superintendent Andrae Townsel announced during Tuesday’s board of education meeting the federally funded grant from the Michigan Department of Education will be used to begin building
Congressman Fred Upton expects House passage of the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package Wednesday. He tells WSJM News it will be an entirely partisan vote. “Unfortunately, the rule or the procedure to bring up the COVID package
Would you like to see more movies and TV shows made in Michigan? Efforts are underway to bring back film incentives to the state, according to David Haddad of the Michigan Film Industry Association. He says the
A new superintendent is in place at the Van Buren County Intermediate School District. The district says David Manson took over the position on Monday, March 1. He was previously the assistant superintendent, and has more than
Michigan is reporting 954 new cases of COVID-19 for Tuesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus dashboard shows Michigan has had a total of more than 598,000 COVID cases since the start of the
A defense attorney for former Governor Rick Snyder makes his case in front of a Flint District Judge to have charges dismissed in the Flint water crisis. Attorney Brian Lennon wants two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect
From the Associated Press — Gretchen Whitmer has signed at least $2 billion in COVID-19 relief spending while vetoing $650 million after Republicans didn’t negotiate with her and tied aid to legislation that would have curbed her
A combined increase in demand coupled with a global decision to continue to limit production means we can all expect to be paying more at the pump later this week. Patrick DeHaan is an analyst at GasBuddy.com.
Water and sewer rates in the city of St. Joseph and communities served by its water are going up in July. Finance director Deb Koroch says the reason is the city’s $16 million loan from 2018 to
No one is hurt after an apartment fire Monday night in Benton Harbor. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety and the St. Joseph Department of Public Safety responded to the blaze at the River Terrace Apartment
