Local News Archives

The Michigan Department of Treasury is telling those who owe taxes to the state to reach out to make arrangements during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, it’s offering collections assistance to newly-unemployed Michiganders paying on past-due state

It’s too early to tell if Michigan will have a state shutdown like has happened in Illinois, New York, and California. Governor Whitmer said Friday afternoon the situation is changing rapidly, but said right now, she’s not

Berrien County has announced the closure of its county buildings due to COVID-19. The county has issued the following statement: Based on the current spread of COVID-19 throughout the United States and the region, Berrien County announced

As of Friday afternoon, there were still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Berrien County, but that is expected to change. In a livestream on Friday, Spectrum Health Lakeland President Loren Hamel said there is strong demand

Michigan’s COVID-19 positive cases now stand at 549, a jump of 225 from Thursday. There remain none in southwest Michigan – Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. Oakland County has 184, followed by

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-17, which imposes temporary restrictions on non-essential medical and dental procedures beginning as soon as possible but no later than March 21, 2020 at 5:00pm. The governor’s office has issued

Cass County has announced the closure of several of its buildings. Cass County administration has released the following statement: County Building and Law & Courts Building Closed Through Tuesday. Effective at noon today, March 20, 2020 Cass

Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel says COVID-19 related scams are on the rise. Her office has received more than 800 consumer complaints. The Michigan Attorney General’s office released the following statement on Thursday: The Michigan Department of Attorney

Don’t look for a travel ban or stay home order from Governor Whitmer anytime soon following orders in California for people to shelter in place at home. “We are on the front end of aggressive actions that

Michigan households now are receiving 2020 census forms in the mail – and while the goal is to count everyone, there is concern that some children may be overlooked. Millions of federal dollars are at risk if

The Berrien County Health Department is preparing for the area’s first COVID-19 cases. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News as of late Thursday afternoon, the county still had no confirmed cases. “But we do expect that to

Governor Whitmer announced today that Michigan’s licensed distilleries are now permitted to produce ethanol-based hand sanitizers in order to help meet demand as the state of Michigan mitigates the spread of COVID-19. The State Emergency Operations Center

Local restaurants are working to adjust to the new normal of only being allowed to serve customers via takeout as the COVID-19 outbreak continues. Jayme Bendoski with the Full Circle Cafe in Stevensville tells WSJM News she’s

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has voted to proceed with applying for some grants to expand two county parks. At a Thursday meeting, it authorized the Berrien County Parks Department to put in for a $300,000

Getting things done at a Secretary of State branch office in Michigan will be a bit different for the next several weeks or months. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson tells WSJM News the changes are due to

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is remaining flexible when it comes to the COVID-19 outbreak. At this week’s meeting, Chair Mac Elliott said the nation’s response to the crisis has once again shown that “when we

The number of coronavirus cases in Michigan is now 336, with three deaths. All three deaths have been in metro Detroit, which has been the hardest hit with positive cases so far. There are no cases in

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is waiving the need for a state Recreation Passport for entry at state parks and other destinations for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. The DNR says state parks are a

Big changes are being made by Michigan’s largest grocery retailer. Meijer will no longer be open 24 hours starting Friday night for the length of the coronavirus pandemic. The chain, based in suburban Grand Rapids, will close

The Region IV Area Agency on Aging is closing its Creative Campus on Aging and main offices to visitors, but keeping an information line open. The Area Agency on Aging has released the following statement: “As Region

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi has donated nine pallets of food from its Four Winds Casino locations to food banks as the COVID-19 outbreak continues. The Pokagons shut down all of their casinos in Michigan and Indiana

Three lives have been lost in Michigan from the COVID-19 outbreak. The first was a man in his 50s at a Beaumont Health hospital in Wayne County early Wednesday. The two latest deaths are of a woman

There will not be a Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade this year. The annual event in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor is being canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, and had been scheduled for May 2nd. The Blossomtime

From the Associated Press — Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Honda and Toyota confirm they will temporarily shut down all of their North American factories due to the coronavirus threat. Ford said its plants will close after

A rash of car break-ins has been seen in Hartford lately. The Hartford Police Department put out word on Wednesday it’s handled 16 larceny from vehicle cases in the past five days. 13 of them were in

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive order allowing public bodies to meet remotely. Her office has issued the following statement: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-15 to

Tax foreclosures in Michigan are now being delayed until May 29 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Whitmer made the announcement Wednesday afternoon in the latest in a series of executive orders over the past week. “There

The Berrien County Health Department is investigating a case of possible COVID-19 exposure at a concert at Andrews University in Berrien Springs. The concert artist, singer Sandi Patty, announced on her Facebook page on Tuesday she had

Congressman Fred Upton is expecting the U.S. Senate to get to work on an economic stimulus package this week. He tells WSJM News it will likely be around $1 trillion to carry the country through the coronavirus.

As the coronavirus outbreak continues, the PGA of America is considering its options when it comes to the 2020 Senior PGA Championship, which is still set for May 19 through May 24 in Benton Harbor. A statement