The pandemic has exacerbated the struggles of low-income Michiganders, including the severe housing cost burden faced by many renters. New funding can help ease that burden, including $622 million available through the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Berrien County Health Department is preparing for more residents to become eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. It has released the following: The Berrien County Health Department and Spectrum Health Lakeland, along with area federally qualified health centers
Former Paw Paw insurance agent Brian Lietzau will spend three years on probation and serve six months of house arrest after pleading no contest to embezzling from a vulnerable adult. The 60-year-old will pay roughly $70,000 in
A 21-year-old Holland man is facing two felony charges for threatening to kill President Biden, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Joshua Docter turned himself in today (Tuesday) and was arraigned on a
From the Associated Press — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has declined Republicans’ request to investigate whether nursing home orders issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer led to COVID-19 deaths or if related data is inaccurate, citing a
The Michigan Department of Treasury has announced some grants will be available to financially distressed cities in Michigan. The department has released the following: Cities, villages and townships experiencing financial struggles can now apply for a grant
Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved some minor changes for a couple of streets as part of ongoing planning. During a Monday meeting, the city commission approved a request to the Michigan Department of Transportation that East
The Michigan Department of Transportation has gotten recognition from the American Society of Civil Engineers for its use of a new method of inspecting bridges. MDOT spokesperson Dan Weingarten tells WSJM News the agency has been using
The Michigan Department of Labor and Opportunity says the response to the state’s new Michigan Reconnect program has been strong. In fact, acting Director Susan Corbin tells WSJM News it’s been “incredible.” “We announced today that so
A 73-year-old Benton Township woman is dead after being struck by a vehicle on Monday. The Benton Township Police Department says it happened at Cinema Way and Orchard Crossing shortly before 11:30 a.m. Officers arrived to find
New COVID-19 cases to be identified in Michigan for Sunday and Monday total 3,143. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that works out to an average of 1,571 per each day. The state also
From the Associated Press — Michigan appears poised to amend a 1,000-patron limit so more Detroit Tigers fans can attend home games on Opening Day and after. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office said Monday that the state health
From the Associated Press — A newly published report says powerful wind gusts linked to global warming are harming water quality in Lake Erie and perhaps elsewhere in the Great Lakes. The study by scientists at Canada’s
This is Sunshine Week, a time to promote access to public information in government. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson calls it “disgraceful” that Michigan is ranked 50th of 50 states in government transparency. “That’s why two years
The Michigan Department of Transportation resumes work this week on connecting US-31 to I-94. On Saturday, crews will begin rebuilding the Main Street or the I-94 Business Loop between Crystal Avenue and I-94 in Benton Township. The
Great Lakes water levels in 2021 are tracking below last year’s levels, although Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, and Erie remain well above long-term average levels. That’s according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which
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
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
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
There are now 55 new Michigan State Police troopers ready to serve the state. Michigan State Police say graduation has been held for the 138th Trooper Recruit School as the graduates prepare to head off to their
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
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
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
Police are investigating a fatal shooting in Benton Harbor early Friday. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety says officers were called to the area of Highland and McCord shortly before 1:30 a.m. They found 29-year-old Tevin
A 25-year-old Benton Harbor man is dead following a crash in Benton Township early Saturday. The Benton Township Police Department says officers were called to the scene at South Benton Center Road and East Britain Avenue shortly
The Benton Township Planning Commission this week approved the construction of a new 100,000 square foot building in the Cornerstone Industrial Park. Cornerstone Alliance says Michigan-based CBK Construction will start the project as soon as possible. Located
It’s the end of an era in the UP as the Munising News will end its operation at the end of March. Owner Willie Peterson says they just haven’t been able to find employees. He has tried
4H kids in Berrien and Van Buren counties are being challenged to collect recyclable plastic materials that will be melted down into benches, tables, garden planters, etc. The material will be donated back to the community. The
Lakeshore Public Schools superintendent Phil Freeman and school board president Dr. Jason Beckrow are responding to a staff member questioning the decision to repurpose two single stall staff bathrooms at Lakeshore High School to gender neutral, fully
We now know who won the historic billion-dollar Mega Millions jackpot. The four-person Wolverine FLL Club matched all of the numbers drawn on January 22nd. The winning ticket was bought at Kroger on Grand River Avenue in
