Local News Archives

With school districts around Michigan looking at massive budget cuts due to COVID-caused shortfalls on the state level, will the federal government take action to bail them out? Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News there is legislation

218 additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified around Michigan for Thursday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that brings the total since the start of the pandemic to 59,496. There are 26 additional

From the Associated Press — The leader of a nursing home group says expanded coronavirus testing is crucial to reopening the facilities to visitors, saying Michigan may be close to relaxing restrictions in a phased way. Melissa

Home sales in southeast Michigan were down 68% in May due to the economic shutdown because of the coronavirus. However, the CEO or Realcomp, Karen Kage, told Michigan News Network things are picking up. “When you look

From the Associated Press — Michigan restaurants and bars could sell cocktails and other liquor for pickup or delivery and would see a temporary cut in state liquor prices under legislation overwhelmingly approved by state Senate. Supporters

The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors will host a blood drive next month. It says the drive will be on Wednesday, July 29 from noon to 5:45 p.m. at Hidden Pointe Hall on Nickerson Avenue in Benton

This weekend will be a free fishing weekend in Michigan. Suzanne Stone with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division tells WSJM News events that are normally scheduled during the state’s two free fishing weekends per

A new COVID-19 testing site is opening Thursday in Niles. The Rite Aid on South 11th Street offers drive-through testing. The Rite Aid in Bridgman has also been a testing location for several weeks. Rite Aid Clinical

Southwestern Michigan College is gradually reopening its campus, announcing appointments will be available during limited hours starting on Monday, June 15. SMC tells us all services are still available remotely, but if someone prefers to visit campus

The state of Michigan has filed another lawsuit against the owner of two Midland County dams that collapsed and caused major flooding last month. Attorney General Dana Nessel says Boyce Hydro should pay civil fines and cleanup

From the Associated Press — A federal court has sided with pipeline company Enbridge in a dispute over plans to deal with a potential oil spill in Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has officially declared June to be Pride Month in Michigan. Her office has released the following statement: Governor Gretchen Whitmer today declared June 2020 Pride Month in Michigan to celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals and recognize the

Indiana Michigan Power is working to restore service to those who lost power during storms overnight and on Wednesday. I&M has released the following statement: I&M crews restored power to more than 90% of customers who lost

The Berrien County Youth Fair is planning a drive-through food fair for this month. The Berrien County Youth Fair has released the following statement: The Berrien County Youth Fair has decided to host a Fair Food Drive

The Michigan Department of Transportation is planning a series of town hall meetings on its long term transportation plan for the state. MDOT has released the following statement: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be hosting

Just because things are opening up, that doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. So says Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad, who is asking that everyone still wear masks, social distance, and practice diligent hygiene. She

A motion has been filed for the Michigan Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a negligence lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids. The high court had decided not to hear the case. The suit

Michigan House Republicans are raising concern over what they say is Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s flawed policy of placing recovered COVID-19 nursing home patients back into the facilities from which they came. Among a group of six representatives

Some long-awaited rate relief is in store for Michigan drivers, as the state’s new no-fault auto insurance law is set to take effect next month. Among the changes — no longer will drivers be required to carry

The St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education is bracing for major deficits in the district due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Thomas Bruce gave the board a budget road map for the coming year at a

A 17-year-old from Niles was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries after he crashed a vehicle into a Cass County home Monday. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says deputies were called to the scene

There will be a march for peace this weekend in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor as residents of the two communities seek to come together. St. Joseph Mayor Pro Tem Laura Goos says everyone’s invited to walk

Congressman Fred Upton and his Problem Solvers Caucus are looking to craft legislation to help fight police brutality. He tells WSJM News in the weeks that have followed the death of George Floyd, he and others in

The number of new COVID-19 cases around Michigan was up by just 108 on Tuesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the total is now at 59,107 since the start of the pandemic. There

One person is dead after a crash in Casco Township on Tuesday morning. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department and South Haven Area Emergency Services were called to the scene on 62nd Street south of 109th Avenue around

No one is hurt after a house fire in Dowagiac on Monday that was started by a child playing with a lighter. The Dowagiac Fire Department says it was called to the fire at 318 East Division

Two people were rescued from Lake Michigan off South Haven on Tuesday after they ran into some trouble while kayaking. South Haven Area Emergency Services tells us responders were dispatched to Packard Park around 2 p.m. The

Bigger venues will be allowed to reopen soon under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s latest executive order. Michigan Convention and Visitor Bureaus Director Larisa Draves explained why they’re necessary in these trying times. “Larger venues such as stadiums will