Local News Archives

Saying these are “unprecedented times” calling for “unprecedented measures,” the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is canceling this year’s annual wine festival. It’s normally held the third Saturday in June, but the coronavirus pandemic has organizers deciding

All elective surgeries and procedures are being canceled by Bronson Healthcare starting Wednesday. Patients are being notified. The move is among the latest responses to the coronavirus pandemic. The hospital system says the decision will reduce the

The Tulip Time Festival in Holland is another victim of the coronavirus as the festival has been canceled this year. Gwen Auwerda is executive director of Tulip Time and says many volunteers and visitors are in the

Congressman Fred Upton is back home in southwest Michigan getting updates on local efforts to combat coronavirus. Upton spoke to the St. Joseph City Commission Monday night, just moments after a conference call with Republican leadership in

South Haven City Manager Brian Dissette says the city is still operating as close to normal as possible, but there are some significant changes going forward in light of the coronavirus pandemic. “We are open at City

Water shutoffs have been put on hold in the city of Benton Harbor. At a Monday meeting, the Benton Harbor City Commission unanimously voted to put a moratorium on shutoffs while the COVID-19 outbreak continues. Mayor Marcus

Governor Gretchn Whitmer has ordered a temporary ban on all events of more than 50 people or assemblages in shared indoor spaces over 50 people. The governor’s office issued the following statement: “Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is updating the way it reports cases of COVID-19 each day. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement: “As of tomorrow, March 17, the Michigan Department

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi has announced it is closing all of its Four Winds Casino locations in Michigan and Indiana. The Pokagons issued the following statement: “In consideration of recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control

Area restaurants are coping as best they can with the new order to close for anything other than deliveries, carryout, or drive-thru service. In downtown St. Joseph, Julie Thomson owns Zoup and Biggby Coffee. “We have 50

BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass will not happen this spring. St. Joseph Today director Amy Zapal tells WSJM News they will be moving the event to the fall. “We have decided that we will reschedule BBQ, Blues &

With schools closed for at least the next three weeks, one of the biggest questions that has come up, other than childcare for families that need it, is how are districts going to ensure students have enough

The Salvation Army in Benton Harbor says it’s continuing to offer services to those in need around the area. The organization has released the following statement.   “The Salvation Army Men’s Shelter in Benton Harbor is continuing

Spectrum Health Lakeland President Loren Hamel says the organization is taking the COVID-19 outbreak “unbelievably seriously.” He was joined Monday by other Lakeland managers for an update on coronavirus in the community. Hamel said it is not

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive order to expand the eligibility for unemployment benefits in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Her office has issued the following statement. “Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-10

The South Haven City Council will meet as scheduled tonight, but the city is calling on residents to not attend and to watch it online. Here is the full statement from the city: The City of South

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Temporarily Closing Bars, Theaters, Casinos, and Other Public Spaces; Limiting Restaurants to Delivery and Carry-Out Orders    LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-9, which temporarily closes theaters,

St. Joseph Charter Township is closing its Township Hall starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 16. The following is the statement released by the township this morning:   In order to ensure the safety of our

Governor Whitmer is ordering that all restaurants and bars be closed to dine-in customers, effective at 3 p.m., to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The businesses can stay open for takeout and delivery. A Whitmer spokeswoman

Michigan has 53 cases of COVID-19 coronavirus as of 11 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. State officials said 20 new cases were confirmed on Sunday, and there is evidence over the weekend of community spread of the

The state of Michigan is not yet following the lead of Illinois in closing down restaurants and bars due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Governor Whitmer continues to stress the need for social distancing to flatten the

All gatherings of more than 250 people have been banned through April 5 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. On Sunday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Robert Gordon gave an example for the ban. “In the

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order aimed at curbing price-gouging of emergency supplies and food during the coronavirus outbreak. The temporary measure, which takes effect Monday, restricts a person or business from reselling goods or

State officials are not going so far as to order restaurants, bars and hotels to close due to the coronavirus outbreak, but some are doing so voluntarily. The Stray Dog in New Buffalo has issued a statement

Benton Harbor Area Schools will continue to offer meals to students during the three week statewide closure of schools. The district says meals will be available for all students each weekday from March 16 through April 3

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced eight additional positive cases of COVID-19 in the state. This brings Michigan’s total to to 33. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement: The

Several southwest Michigan libraries have announced they are closing due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Maud Preston Palensky Library in St. Joseph says it has closed. It said on Facebook it had hoped people would self-quarantine, but

Comcast has announced new steps to help people stay connected as the nation responds to the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, the company said it was making two months of broadband service available for free to low-income customers.

Interfaith Action of Southwest Michigan is planning a series of presentations on refugees for this month. The group, which represents churches and other faith-based organizations around the area, says angles to be addressed include who refugees are,