Local News Archives

With time running out before Congress heads home for elections and holidays, Congressman Fred Upton is still holding out hope there could be a new COVID-19 relief bill. He tells WSJM News the Problem Solvers Caucus has

The Van Buren County Courts are preparing to resume jury trials. Administrator Frank Hardester tells WSJM News they shut everything down when COVID arrived. “Most of the jury trials were adjourned, or in some fashion or form

Lakeshore Public Schools has received a donation of 250 masks as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation’s Kathleen Wolf tells WSJM News the specially designed masks come from Dr. Gyl Kasewurm of Professional Hearing Services.

The Healthy Michigan Plan has topped 800,000 enrollees for the first time. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News Healthy Michigan is the state’s expanded Medicaid program, made possible by the

South Haven’s next city manager will be Kate Hosier. She’s been serving as interim city manager since the departure of Brian Dissette this past summer, and the South Haven City Council voted to hire her on a

Legislation from state Senator Kim LaSata to make court officers and corrections offers eligible for Michigan’s Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is now on its way to the governor for final approval. LaSata’s office has released the following:

More than 60,000 Michigan residents have applied for college scholarships through the state’s new Futures for Frontliners program since it was announced this month. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following: With just over

From the Associated Press — The University of Michigan has canceled undergraduate study abroad programs for the school’s upcoming winter term due to concerns over the COVID-19 virus, continuing travel restrictions and planning time needed for students.

From the Associated Press — Michigan is reporting that Black residents are no longer being disproportionately infected and killed by the coronavirus, after they accounted for a staggering 40% of deaths and 29% of cases in the

Market Van Buren has been working to secure loans for small businesses throughout the county. Market Van Buren has released the following: Help is on the way for small businesses in Van Buren County, thanks to Market

More than 11,000 businesses across Michigan have been awarded grants through the Michigan Small Business Restart Program. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following: More than 11,300 small businesses and nonprofits across Michigan have

Southwest Michigan farmers are getting into the fields to pick the fruit. Michigan State University Extension’s Mark Longstroth in Van Buren County give an update. “Fruit harvest is well underway with apple harvest in Berrien County and

Among the first questions in Monday night’s St. Joseph City Commission meeting came from Abigail Brotzke with a question a lot of people are asking. “I was wondering if there is going to be any trick-or-treating this

If you want to enroll your child in the 2020 Michigan Education Trust program, the deadline is coming up on Wednesday. Robin Lott is the executive director of Michigan’s Office of Post Secondary Financial Planning. “You’re basically

American Electric Power has a goal of having 100% of its 2,300 cars and light duty trucks replaced with electric vehicles within the next decade. AEP’s total fleet is composed of nearly 8,000 vehicles, including medium- and

Michigan has reported 1,308 new COVID-19 cases with 5,000 more recoveries over the weekend. The state Department of Health and Human Services reports since March, we are now at 122,735 cases. There were also 8 deaths reported

School kids in southwest Michigan are invited to take part in an essay competition through state Senator Kim LaSata. Her “MI COVID-19 Hero” essay contest is for all K-12 students in the district. One winner will be

The group Unlock Michigan is under investigation by Attorney General Dana Nessel. They are accused of illegally collecting some of their petition signatures for their effort to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act. The

Lakeshore’s Stewart Elementary is closed until Wednesday due to a teacher testing positive for COVID-19. The district says it learned of the test result late Friday and anyone the teacher has been in close contact with is

More than two weeks after a deadly shooting at University Park Mall in Mishawaka, the suspect is now behind bars. 21-year-old Dazhon Howard turned himself in over the weekend. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 1

Get your flu shot. That’s the advice of the Berrien County Health Department as it prepares to offer free clinics at its offices in Benton Harbor and Niles every Friday beginning on October 2. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners next week will consider hiring a non-profit to do a broadband availability survey. That’s after the body on Thursday heard from Southwest Michigan Planning Commission Director John Egelhaaf, who gave an

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is inviting everyone to sign up to Rake A Difference this fall. The United Way’s Debbie Ramirez tells WSJM News the annual Rake A Difference day is now scheduled for November

State Senator Aric Nesbitt has introduced legislation that would allow community colleges in Michigan to offer four-year programs for bachelor’s degrees in nursing. The plan was approved this week by the state Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform.

Enrollment at Southwestern Michigan College is a bit higher this year than had been expected. SMC President Joe Odenwald told the SMC Board of Trustees this week fall enrollment finished at 1,800 students, 88 higher better than

A virtual career fair will be held by the Michigan Department of Transportation next month. MDOT Recruitment Unit Manager James Fults tells WSJM News they’re looking to hire more than 100 winter plow drivers, as well as

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association has received a $2.5 million grant from the Michigan Department of Treasury to support restaurant and lodging industry workers who were financially hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. The association’s Amanda Smith

The final Adopt A Highway clean-up of the year is now underway in Michigan. Dan Weingarten with the Michigan Department of Transportation tells WSJM News a wide variety of community groups pick up trash along the sections

Michigan lawmakers are considering legislation that would stop banning people with drug convictions from receiving food assistance. Senate Bill 1006 would waive a lifetime prohibition on SNAP benefits for Michiganders convicted of felony convictions from two or