Local News Archives

More people are eligible to get a test for COVID-19 in the state. Michigan’s chief medical officer, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, says first responders and healthcare workers without symptoms are now eligible to get tests without showing any

Governor Whitmer has signed an executive order creating the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist will chair the new panel. “This disease, this infection, has proved particularly deadly to black people in

Boxes of food are being delivered to senior citizens around southwest Michigan thanks to a state program and the Region IV Area Agency on Aging. The agency’s Christine Vanlandingham tells WSJM News the state has bought 10,000

Volunteers are being sought to help with local COVID-19 response efforts. The Berrien County Health Department has released the following statement: With still more than a week left in the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order in

The state of Michigan is reporting 576 new cases of COVID-19 for Monday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says there have been 77 additional deaths from Sunday to Monday. The total number of cases

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order to help address racial disparities with COVID-19 cases in the state. The governor’s office has released the following statement: Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order No. 2020-55 creating

Majority Republicans in the state House are out with their plan to start to reopen the state’s economy. Theirs is a three-step approach, a little different from the five-phase plan released last week by Senate Republicans. The

In the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, Ferris State University pharmacy students and faculty are reviewing articles on COVID-19 for medical professionals at Spectrum Health. College of Pharmacy assistant dean, Dr. Thomas Dowling, says this is great

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have fully recovered, you may be able to help current patients with life-threatening COVID-19 infections by donating plasma. As a result of your infection, your plasma now contains COVID-19

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reporting an additional 633 cases of COVID-19 around the state for Sunday. It’s also reporting 83 additional deaths. In total, the state has recorded 31,424 coronavirus cases and

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says a Niles man is dead after an accident while he was working on a vehicle. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the 1,100 block of Huntly Road in Howard Township around 5

A highway project is scheduled to get started on Monday near New Buffalo. The Michigan Department of Transportation says crews will be completing the resurfacing of more than two miles of I-94 from the Michigan-Indiana state line

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reporting 768 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 for Saturday, and 81 additional deaths. The total number of cases in Michigan is now 30,791 with a total of 2,308

A grant of $375,000 has been awarded to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and four regional partners to help improve the health of damaged forests. The SWMLC, Ottawa County Parks, the Nature Conservancy of Michigan, Chikaming Open

The COVID-19 outbreak is amplifying the usual barriers to food access in Michigan, and older residents are especially vulnerable. That’s why the Food Bank Council of Michigan and Area Agencies on Aging are partnering to distribute “Quarantine

The administration of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has sent a letter to FEMA asking that cost-sharing requirements for COVID-19 related emergency work be waived. The governor’s office has issued the following statement: Governor Gretchen Whitmer this week sent

With the state tax payment deadlines delayed, the Michigan Department of Treasury is advising individuals and businesses about how to pay their taxes for this year. The department has issued the following statement: The Michigan Department of

The focus has been on physical and social distancing and flattening the curve regarding COVID-19, but Governor Gretchen Whitmer is acknowledging this is having an impact beyond that, and she knows people are struggling. In her briefing

The Berrien County Health Department has made contact tracing a major part of its COVID-19 response. During an update for the public on Friday, Berrien County Health Officer Nicki Britten said you may get a call from

The number of COVID-19 cases to be confirmed in Michigan has risen above 30,000. The latest numbers from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services show 760 new cases statewide from Thursday to Friday. That brings

The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced a new partnership to provide Michigan residents with mental health help during the COVID-19 pandemic. The officer has released the following statement: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Stay Home,

The Berrien County Heath Department ha identified more cases of COID-19 in a nursing center. The department has released the following statement: The Berrien County Health Department and Spectrum Health Lakeland are working to care for several

When can Michiganders expect to see the state’s economy begin to reopen amid the COVID-19 outbreak? Appearing on national television Friday morning, Governor Whitmer hopes that by May 1st, restrictions can be eased. “We are looking very

As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts everyone’s lives, experts say it’s important to make sure mental health is a part of the recovery discussion. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News this situation is naturally

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is starting to think about how some aspects of life could return to semi-normal. At this week’s meeting, Board Chair Mac Elliott noted Oronoko Township has approved a resolution asking for

The Berrien County Health Department is now sharing demographic information on the COVID-19 cases the county has had. It says due to the number of confirmed and presumed cases in Berrien County, it’s now able to share

With hospitals around the country making COVID-19 their main focus and losing a massive amount of revenue, Congressman Fred Upton thinks emergency loans they got through the CARES Act should not have to be paid back. He

One of the biggest summertime events in Michigan is the latest to fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Cherry Festival in Traverse City is not going to be held this summer. Executive director Kat Paye 

The Berrien County Health Department is looking to the future as it works to prevent and mitigate the COVID-19 epidemic locally. Health officer Nicki Britten told the Berrien County Board of Commissioners on Thursday this situation is