Local News Archives

A Texas man is facing charges after police say he robbed a gas station in St. Joseph and then led officers on a high speed chase early Friday morning. The St. Joseph Township Police Department says officers

Love Creek County Park now has some brand new skiing equipment, thanks to a donation from the Bitzer Family Fund. The Berrien County Parks Department says without the generosity of the fund, it wouldn’t have been possible

State Representative Brad Paquette of Niles is calling for Michigan’s COVID frontliner scholarship program to be expanded. His office has released the following: State Rep. Brad Paquette, of Niles, is urging Gov. Whitmer to expand the Future

Berrien County saw a slight dip in reported COVID cases in the week after Thanksgiving, but that could be because some testing sites closed down for the holiday. Speaking Friday, Berrien County Health Officer Nicki Britten said

This weekend, Michigan State Police will be holding their annual Stuff a Blue Goose drive. Trooper Holly Higgs with the Niles post tells us why they call the food and toy drive Stuff a Blue Goose. “Traditionally,

Spectrum Health Lakeland President Loren Hamel expects it will be some months before the general population will have a chance to be vaccinated against COVID-19. He said on Friday the Spectrum Health system is waiting on its

From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is asking state lawmakers to approve $300 million in spending to fight the coronavirus into 2021, including money to support the broad-based distribution of vaccines. Thursday’s request is

State Representative Abdullah Hammoud is leading a group of Michigan lawmakers who are endorsing 49ers defensive coach Robert Saleh to become the Detroit Lion’s next head coach. Hammoud says Saleh is a Dearborn native and is highly

Christmas is just weeks away and this year’s stock of trees in Michigan are selling fast. Amy Start is the executive director of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association says sales of trees during the pandemic have been

Michigan is reporting 8,689 additional cases of COVID-19 for Friday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus website says the state has now had a total of more than 389,000 cases of COVID since the

Funerals are still limited to 25 people, and there is concern in the industry that limit could be extended when current COVID restrictions expire. Michigan Funeral Home Directors Association Executive Phil Douma told Michigan News Network this

A $500,000 grant is going to the Region IV Area Agency on Aging so it can help to improve health outcomes among seniors. Agency CEO Christine Vanlandingham tells us a 2019 study found seniors need help addressing

Work to protect the shoreline along Silver Beach in St. Joseph is nearing completion. Berrien County Administrator Brian Dissette told the Berrien County Board of Commissioners on Thursday contractor Triple D Excavating has put large rocks in

A grant of $377,000 is going to Berrien County to help it recoup COVID-19 expenses. Speaking to county commissioners on Thursday, Berrien County Community Development Director Dan Fette said the money has to be used in a

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has secured an extension of the use of the Michigan National Guard to assist in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will continue well into next year. The governor’s office has released the following.

Michigan is reporting 7,146 additional cases of COVID-19 for Thursday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus website says the state has now had a total of more than 380,000 cases of COVID since the

St. Joseph Public Schools is shutting down Brown School through next Friday, December 11 and putting all students into virtual learning. In a letter to parents, superintendent Dr. Thomas Bruce says it’s due to a “significant number

The state of Michigan is out with an interim report on the progress of the Michigan Task Force on Racial Disparities with COVID-19. Chaired by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, it shows significant progress in cutting the average

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proclamation in honor of Day of Persons With Disabilities Day in the state. The governor’s office has released the following: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a proclamation designating today as Day of

The United Way of Southwest Michigan has announced its Volunteer United Youth Scholarship Awards for the season. The group says scholarships are going to Anna Glomski of Paw Paw High School, Jonathan Leach of Ross Beatty High

Recounts in a couple of close Berrien County elections from November are now scheduled. The Berrien County Board of Canvassers will first recount the village president race in Galien this Friday. In that race, Kenneth Chappell and

The Niles Scream Park has been able to donate more than $109,000 to non-profits thanks to a successful season. Park Manager Aaron Smith tells WSJM News that’s in spite of COVID prompting the park to use a

The Silver Beach Hotel’s liquor license has been suspended for alleged violations of the state’s COVID rules. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission says an emergency suspension of the license was issued after an investigation by the St.

Michigan is reporting 6,955 additional cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus website says the state has now had a total of more than 373,000 cases of COVID since the

Allegan County residents can receive free flu vaccines this month at the Allegan County Health Department. Appointments can be made by calling the Health Department and are available on Thursday December 3rd from 1 to 4. Morning

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has recognized Career Exploration and Awareness Month by encouraging the state’s residents to explore new careers. The governor’s office has released the following: To recognize the state’s urgent and growing need for talent and

Police are investigating afterimages of someone climbing the Mackinac Bridge were posted on social media. The Michigan Department of Transportation has released the following: The Michigan State Police is investigating a case of felony trespassing on the

From the Associated Press — The Michigan state House approved a series of bills Tuesday that would provide a greater level of confidentiality for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Under the proposals, victims of crimes and

Three Berrien County Sheriff’s Office K9s have new bullet and stab protective vests. Blek, Maxx, and Mika have received the help from the non-profit Vested Interest in K9s, Incorporated. Their program is open to dogs at least

The Michigan State Police Missing Children’s Clearinghouse is taking entries in this year’s National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest. The agency’s Jolene Hardesty tells WSJM News the contest seeks fifth graders to draw up posters bringing attention