Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order to start a liquor buy-back program to help restaurants and bars harmed by the COVID-19 disaster. The governor’s office has released the following statement: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today signed
13 new testing sites for COVID-19 are opening this week around Michigan, and one will be in Benton Harbor. The site at InterCare on M-139 is a drive-thru testing center, meaning the patient will not have to
State Senator Kim LaSata is calling on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to ease some of the COVID-19 restrictions on landscaping companies. She’s sent a letter to the governor warning that a failure to allow Michigan residents to follow
For a second straight day, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Michigan is under 1,000. Governor Gretchen Whitmer says while the state hasn’t reached the point yet to start easing back on some restrictions, it is
An assisted living facility has been identified by the Berrien County Health Department as a site where COVID-19 has been spread. The health department has released the following statement: The Berrien County Health Department and Spectrum Health
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan rose by 997 from Sunday to Monday. The latest numbers from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services show 115 additional deaths from the illness. The total
COVID-19 has hit the highest levels of Spectrum Health Lakeland. Hospital president Dr. Loren Hamel says his twin brother, chief operating officer Dr. Lowell Hamel, tested positive last week after not feeling well for most of the
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched what it’s calling a “warmline” to help people experiencing mental health problems during the COVID-19 crisis. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement: Starting
Strong winds and high waves will batter the Lake Michigan shoreline today. The National Weather Services has issued both a Gale Warning and a Lakeshore Flood Warning for Berrien and Van Buren counties. Winds along the shore
There has been a substantial decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Michigan. The Department of Health and Human Services says there were 645 new cases Sunday compared to 1,392 on Saturday, and the number
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reporting 1,210 new cases of COVID-19 for Saturday, bringing the state’s total to 23,993. It says there have been 111 additional deaths since Friday, making the state’s total
One employee of the Cook nuclear power plant near Bridgman has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The employee is now quarantined at home, and the plant says it’s taking all possible precautions. The Cook plant has released the
The South Haven Performance series has announced the cancellation of its May, June, and July concerts. It says the decision was made due to the COVID-19 crisis with the agreement of the artists involved. It hopes to
The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have announced 13 new drive-thru testing locations for COVID-19. The following statement was released by the State Emergency Operations Center: Thirteen new
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Friday. It says officers were in the southeast area of the city shortly after 10 p.m. when they heard several gunshots. They
First responders face extra stress right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in South Haven they’re getting extra encouragement from the community. South Haven Area Emergency Services Director Ron Wise tells WSJM News they had a
State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan will hold a teletown hall next week on the COVID-19 pandemic. Her office says it will be held on Tuesday starting at 6:30 p.m. She will give everyone an update on
The self-response rate for the U.S. Census in Berrien County is currently at 48%. That’s according to Berrien Census Hub Coordinator Kathy Stady, who heads up the Berrien Community Foundation’s census promotion effort. She tells WSJM News
@MyKitchenTable is the name of a daily column Congressman Fred Upton is now writing as he works mostly from home. He tells us he’s been talking with a variety of officials as he waits out the COVID-19
Firefighter and paramedic Brandon Hinz will be the next director of South Haven Area Emergency Services. He’ll take over for Ron Wise when Wise retires on September 30. Hinz has been a firefighter and EMT for SHAES
The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber is asking for an easing of Michigan’s stay home order as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The chamber has released the following statement: Arthur Havlicek, President of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, today
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor those who have died as a result of COVID-19. The governor’s office has released the following statement: Governor Gretchen Whitmer has
Self-employed workers who have found themselves affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to apply for unemployment benefits starting next week. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following statement: Michigan’s self-employed workers, gig
Michigan is reporting 1,279 new cases of COVID-19 for Friday, bringing the state’s total up to 22,783. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the number of deaths statewide is now 1,281, up by 205
Michigan Farm Bureau is asking Governor Whitmer to make a change to the expansion and extension of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order to allow garden centers to reopen. MFB says over 32,000 messages were sent to
The St. Joseph City Commission will be the latest area governmental body to move its meetings to the virtual world on Monday night. The commission canceled its last regular meeting on March 30 due to the COVID-19
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is creating the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities to try to figure out why the virus is impacting African-Americans at higher rates than other races. “The task force will start meeting this
Traveling to anyone’s home except your own is now banned in Michigan starting Saturday and going through the end of the month. That’s among the changes to the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order issued by Governor Whitmer
Several health insurance companies have agreed to waive costs associated with the treatment of COVID-19. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement: The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) announced that the
High water levels on the Great Lakes have caused over $37 million in damage to county roads. The data being released by the County Road Association of Michigan from a survey of 38 responding counties. Director Denise
