Local News Archives

Nothing is imminent, but plans are being drafted for the eventual reopening of Four Winds casinos in Dowagiac, Hartford, New Buffalo, and South Bend. The casinos are working with the Pokagon Gaming Commission on how to reopen

It could be because it’s a holiday weekend and not as many local health departments report to the state on weekends, but Michigan’s coronavirus deaths for Sunday are just five, a low not seen in weeks. Overall,

Michigan is reporting 452 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 54,365. There have

The Michigan Department of Corrections has completed COVID-19 testing of every prisoner in its system. The department has released the following statement:  Following the completion Friday of testing prisoners at Michigan Reformatory in Ionia for COVID-19, the

Boat registrations in Michigan will remain valid through the end of July under an executive order issued this week by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Her officer has released the following statement: Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order

Indiana Michigan Power is working to restore electric service in St. Joseph this Saturday morning. Around 1,500 customers are without power due to an equipment failure. I&M says the estimated restoration time is 12 p.m.  

From the Associated Press — The state appeals court has let stand an injunction blocking Michigan’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes, saying a lower judge did not overstep in ruling for two businesses that sued. In a 3-0

State Representative Pauline Wendzel has announced the launch of her new Senior Spotlight campaign. She tells WSJM News she wants to do something for the high school seniors who have been robbed of their normal traditions this

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended her stay home order through June 12 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The office of the governor has released the following statement: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-100 to extend Michigan’s Safer at

COVID-19 won’t stop the St. Joseph Municipal Band from performing a Memorial Day concert. The city says the band will do a virtual concert on this weekend to be featured on its YouTube channel. The Memorial Day

The Berrien County Health Department is seeing the number of COVID-19 cases continue to go up. However, Berrien County Health Officer Nicki Britten says there’s good news. “The good news is that our percent positive rate is

The 1:1 computer initiative in St. Joseph Public Schools is being expanded to all grade levels in the fall. First launched in 2012 at Upton Middle School, the program provides laptop computers for students and had just

Seven new positive cases of coronavirus are being confirmed in Berrien County, bringing the total to date to 571 with 43 deaths. That number is up by three from Thursday. The Berrien County Health Department says 368

From the Associated Press — Beer flowed in the wee hours Friday and pancakes were back on the griddle as bars and restaurants reopened in northern Michigan in time for the Memorial Day weekend after a two-month

Restrictions on realtors not being allowed to show or list homes during April due to the COVID-19 pandemic are reflected in the latest monthly report on existing home sales in the area. The Southwestern Michigan Association of

The reconstruction of Center Street in South Haven is done. The city re-opened the street with a socially-distanced ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Scott Smith, City Manager Brian Dissette, Congressman Fred Upton, state Senator Aric Nesbitt, and

A 53-year-old St. Joseph woman is facing federal charges of wire fraud and filing a false tax return. The U.S. Attorney’s office is accusing Kris Fratzke of setting up a shell company called Mid America Fittings and

FEMA has approved Governor Whitmer’s request for a federal emergency declaration that will provide additional resources to Midland County to respond to flooding. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following statement: Today, FEMA approved

State budgets across the country have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic, and legislation introduced this week in the U.S. House aims to help them. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the SMART Fund would provide $500

Memorial Day weekend will have a lot of Michiganders heading outdoors, but the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over. Van Buren Cass District Health Department spokesperson Danielle Persky tells us everyone should still be wearing face coverings and keeping

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has some big decisions to make when it comes to Berrien Bus. Berrien County Transportation Coordinator Evan Smith addressed the board on Thursday, saying Transportation Management Incorporated, which is responsible for

A grant of more than $263,000 is going to the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety for new equipment purchases. The department says the funds come from the Michigan Department of Treasury via the Financially Distressed Cities,

A 50-year-old Benton Harbor man will spend 15 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for five bank robberies in Michigan and Indiana. U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge says Kevin Turner was sentenced Thursday

From the Associated Press — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has prevailed in a high-stakes challenge from Republican lawmakers who sued over her authority to declare emergencies and order sweeping restrictions during the coronavirus outbreak. A judge said a

Students in Hartford have received some help from Michigan State Police, and maybe without even knowing it. The Paw Paw Post says Sergeant Tom Brower helped to load vans full of food for students on Thursday. The

Michigan has 501 new COVID-19 cases and 69 new deaths, though the state says 31 of those on Thursday are from reviews of death certificates which happen three times a week. Overall, the state is up to

South Haven City Manager Brian Dissette will be the next county administrator of Berrien County, assuming the contract negotiations go well. The Berrien County Board of Commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously to begin working on a contract

More parts of the economy are opening up. Governor Whitmer has signed a new executive order reopening veterinarian offices and pet grooming, auto showrooms by appointment only, more retail by appointment only, and expanding available medical and

Legislation intended to help the nation’s smallest businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic has been introduced in the U.S. House with the backing of Congressman Fred Upton. He tells WSJM News Congressman Dan Kildee is the main sponsor

A donation of $500,000 is being made by the American Electric Power Foundation to non-profits throughout Indiana and southwest Michigan. AEP spokesperson Schnee Garrett tells WSJM News this is in addition to nearly $250,000 donated in April