Local News Archives

The Michigan Department of Transportation is advising drivers of a highway project to get started in Van Buren County on Monday. It says crews will be repairing the I-196 bridge over the Van Buren Trail. The work will include an epoxy overlay, bridge railing replacements, substructure patching, guardrail replacements, and approach repaving. One lane of I-196 will remain open in each direction while the project is done. It’s scheduled to be finished in mid-August.. ...Read Full Story

Flint is under a coronavirus curfew. Mayor Sheldon Neeley says effective immediately, there is a city-wide curfew nightly from 9 pm to 6 am for the next 30 days, adding the pandemic needs to be taken seriously.. ...Read Full Story

Alcohol sales skyrocketed in the first days of the COVID-19 crisis, prompting the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to advise people to take it easy. According to data from the Nielsen Market Research Firm, national sales of alcoholic beverages spiked 55% in the week ending March 21, compared to the same time last year. Sales of spirits like tequila, gin, and pre-mixed cocktails jumped 75%compared to the same dates in 2019. Beer purchases were up by 66% while wine was up 42% year-on-year. With this being Alcohol Awareness Month, the commission reminds everyone excessive drinking can compromise a person’s immune system. Therefore, it recommends everyone follow safe consumption guidelines. They are one drink a day for women of all ages and men over age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men under age 65.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Commissioner Bill Chickering is not seeking reelection. He represents the fifth district, which includes the city of St. Joseph, two precincts in St. Joseph Township, and the village of Shoreham. He told his fellow commissioners during Thursday’s virtual meeting he’s appreciated working with them.. ...Read Full Story

Businesses in Van Buren and Cass counties are being advised to screen their employees for COVID-19 each day. The Van Buren and Cass District Health Department’s Danielle Persky tells WSJM News the Screening Checklist for Businesses lays out procedures employers should follow to increase safety.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan’s chief medical officer says we’ve not yet seen the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun warned Thursday that more people will be getting sick.. ...Read Full Story

There are now 10,791 COVID-19 cases in the state, with a total of 417 deaths. The increase from Wednesday to Thursday, however, was not as high in the number of new cases as the day before. There are 1,457 new cases Thursday compared to 1,719 on Wednesday. Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging people to stay home and stay healthy.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Health Department is closely monitoring the county’s 40 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and tracking a lot of potential contacts. County Health Officer Nicki Britten told the Berrien County Board of Commissioners during Thursday’s virtual meeting there’s been a great deal going on behind the scenes.. ...Read Full Story

The Cook nuclear power plant near Bridgman will do an extended test of its siren system this Saturday. The plant has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has put out a warning about video teleconference hijacking. She says the possibility becomes more of a concern with so many events now taking place via internet due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Nessel’s office has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Governor Whitmer is canceling in-person, face-to-face classes for K-12 schools the rest of this school year. The following is from her office:. ...Read Full Story

The following is a statement from the PGA of America and KitchenAid regarding the cancellation of the 2020 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores in May.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Treasury is advising everyone about scams that are likely coming as a result of the COVID-19 stimulus payments the government is making to everyone. Treasury has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive order declaring a state of disaster and expanding the state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her office has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Michigan State Police say rumors that the border has been closed to medical professionals are false. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College’s Fab Lab is making personal protective equipment to help local agencies respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Hanson Technology Center Director Chad Dee tells WSJM News the equipment at the makers space has allowed local volunteers to produce face shields.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is warning park visitors to maintain social distance when at the attractions. DNR Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson tells WSJM News Tippy Dam Recreation Area in Manistee County was shut down this week because people weren’t following the rules.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan has another record increase in both the number of coronavirus cases and deaths from the illness over a 24-hour period. The new numbers from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services show 9,334 cases, up by 1,719 from Tuesday. COVID-19 has claimed 337 lives, with that number higher than the day before by 78. The youngest to die from it was 25, with the oldest being 107.. ...Read Full Story

She’s said repeatedly she has no interest in being on the ticket as the running mate for the Democratic presidential nominee, but Gretchen Whitmer is being talked about for that possibility. MSNBC’s Brian Williams asked Democratic front-runner and former Vice President Joe Biden about his list.. ...Read Full Story

Curbside bulk pickup by Republic Services in the city of South Haven is being put on hold. Republic Services is suspending that temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but says residents can still use the transfer station at 200 Aylworth Avenue to drop off bulk items like furniture. That transfer station is open for city residents only starting next Monday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. Yard waste will still be picked up at the curb, and regular trash collection is not impacted by the bulk pickup change.. ...Read Full Story

(East Lansing, MI – AP) – Hundreds of new health care graduates from Michigan State University are available to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. State officials have made a desperate plea for health professionals to treat people as the number of virus cases rises each day. MSU says the state has created a temporary license for nurses who usually first take a national exam. Doctors from the colleges of Human Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine also can work ahead of their medical residencies. The number of coronavirus cases reported statewide reached 7,615 with 259 deaths. A nursing home in Cedar Springs in Kent County says 31 residents and five staff members have COVID-19.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan League for Public Policy has released a list of recommendations for steps the state should take to protect residents during the COVID-19 crisis. President Gilda Jacobs tells WSJM News while Governor Gretchen Whitmer so far has done a “pretty remarkable job,” there are still Michigan residents who could use extra support.. ...Read Full Story

$250,000 is going to be donated by Horizon Bank to non-profits throughout the area to help with COVID-19 response. The bank says its donations will go to United Ways, food banks, and those that provide rental assistance. CEO Craig Dwight says with this being an unprecedented time, “it’s critical for those that have the resources to do what we can to assist those who are feeling the most immediate impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.” Meanwhile, the bank is encouraging other companies and individuals to take similar steps if possible.. ...Read Full Story

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Community Engagement and Advisory Committee will release its turnaround plan for the district during an online meeting on April 7. The committee was set up last fall on the recommendation of the Michigan Department of Treasury. Its goal is to turn around the finances and academic performance of Benton Harbor Area Schools. Its recommendations were originally set to be released in March, but that got pushed back by the COVID-19 crisis. The April 7 virtual meeting will include members of the Benton Harbor Area Schools and representatives of the committee. Treasury tells us the plan is to have a community presentation at a later date, depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. Information on the online meeting will be put on the Community Engagement and Advisory Committee’s website.. ...Read Full Story

Congressman Fred Upton has been in St. Joseph all week speaking with locals about what they need as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues. He tells WSJM News he spoke with some farmers the other day.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is going to hold a virtual meeting this week. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order allowing governing bodies to meet virtually. The county board is taking advantage and relying on YouTube to stream this Thursday’s meeting. It will be held at 10:30, the board’s usual meeting time. To watch, just find the YouTube channel called Berrien County, Michigan. Those who want to make public comments during the meeting can use the live chatbox.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is asking that 911 not be used to report violations of the governor’s stay at home order. Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit tells WSJM News they have been getting plenty of calls about people violating the order. Unfortunately, the calls are going to the 911 dispatch center. That’s not the number you’re supposed to call.. ...Read Full Story

Help is now available for qualifying businesses and nonprofits in Berrien County to help make their mortgage or rent payment for April or May. Zach Vaughn is the project manager for fiscal development at Cornerstone Alliance and says they’re partnering with the Berrien Community Foundation and the Southwest Michigan Tourist Council for a zero-interest loan program for those payments for April. He tells us it came out of assistance requests through the Small Business Association.. ...Read Full Story

All parking in the city of St. Joseph is free until further notice. The city’s Public Works Department is suspending the pay-to-park requirements at all parks including Tiscornia Park and Lions Park due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a Facebook post, the city notes all of its parks remain open for people to use. Social distancing guidelines to stay at least six feet apart from others remain in effect.. ...Read Full Story

The number of coronavirus cases in Michigan is now 7,615 and the death toll is up to 259. That’s an increase of 1,117 cases from Monday, the largest daily increase to date. The number of deaths is up by 75, also a new high. In southwest Michigan, Allegan County has 3 cases, Berrien County is up from 32 to 35, Cass County has four cases, which is unchanged, Kalamazoo County is unchanged at 24, St. Joseph County has gone from 3 to 4 cases, and Van Buren County now has 7, up from 4 on Monday. There are deaths in southwest Michigan. Berrien and Cass counties have each recorded their first deaths with one each, and Kalamazoo County still has one person who has died from COVID-19.. ...Read Full Story

The state of Michigan is now taking monetary donations as it works to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order has led to a virtual shutdown of the state’s tourism industry. Dave Lorenz with Pure Michigan says the impact has been devastating.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says it’s closed a state park in Manistee County due to too many people visiting. The agency has been watching attendance at state parks as the COVID-19 crisis continues, and says Tippy Dam Recreation Area is now off limits. The DNR has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

The OutCenter in Benton Harbor has moved to online programming and is making efforts to ensure LGBTQ residents of southwest Michigan are safe in their homes as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Director Mary Jo Schnell tells WSJM News many LGBTQ people face extra hazards.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County is among the hardest-hit areas in west Michigan for COVID-19, with at least 32 cases and one death to date. Kalamazoo County has 24 cases and one death, while Grand Rapids has the most cases on this side of the state with 96 and one death. State Representative Pauline Wendzel is reminding people she is ready and willing to help.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is answering more questions about the governor’s stay at home order. She released a new video with some answers today. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Grand Valley State University is ready to help in the fight against coronavirus. Spectrum Health plans to use the GVSU campus as the site of up to 250 hospital beds. GVSU president Philomena Mantella says the preparations are now underway.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County has recorded its first death from COVID-19. The Berrien County Health Department has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Lake Michigan College is making it official, scrapping in-person, face-to-face classes for the rest of the current semester due to the coronavirus pandemic and the statewide Stay Home, Stay Safe order. LMC had been aiming to resume classes on April 14, but distance learning will continue through May 1 when the semester ends. Summer classes are also being impacted. The summer term will now run from June 8 to August 21, and all courses will be done through distance learning online. The semester had been scheduled to start May 11.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan’s coronavirus cases continue to rise sharply. As of Monday, they are now 6,498 with 184 deaths. Berrien County’s total is up three from Sunday to 32, while Allegan remains at 2, and Cass and Van Buren counties still have four cases. Kalamazoo County has recorded its first death and has 24 cases. St. Joseph County has also reported its first three cases of coronavirus. The city of Detroit remains the hardest hit with 1,801 cases and 52 deaths, followed by Wayne County’s 1,394 cases and 31 deaths and Oakland County’s 1,365 cases and 48 deaths. There are COVID-19 cases recorded now in 62 of Michigan’s 83 counties. Most of the Upper Peninsula has so far been spared, as 11 of the U.P.’s 15 counties have no positive cases as yet.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan National Guard has received a request to aid food banks in four communities across the state. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer says about ten National Guard members will be assigned to each of the sites to help. The sites are in Ann Arbor, Comstock Park, Flint, and Pontiac. The food distribution sites requested Michigan National Guard personnel to help with mobile food distribution, which serves between 300 and 600 Michigan families each day. Guard members will direct traffic for the drive-through distribution site and help with packing bags of fruit and handing bags to cars. The guard members will perform their duties with personnel protective equipment to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including gloves and hand sanitizer. There are also members of the Michigan National Guard serving the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Road Department is advising everyone of a road closure planned for Red Arrow Highway in Chikaming Township and New Buffalo Township that starts next week. It says a contractor will be doing sewer work under the road, meaning it will be closed to traffic at different times from Monday through the next four or five weeks. Intersections including Community Hall, Townline and Union Pier Road, and Berrien Street will be closed. The road department is doing the infrastructure work to be ready for a larger road project planned for later in the year. The posted detour route will be Kruger Road to Lakeside Road to Warren Woods Road.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are teaming up to get fresh produce and other food out to those who need it during the COVID-19 crisis. The two announced on Monday the partnership will enable restaurants to sell food and pantry items, which currently can be sold only by stores. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Gas prices in Michigan are in free-fall as demand plummets and oil prices continue to sink. Triple-A Michigan says the statewide average has fallen 13¢ in the past week to $1.73, which is down 65¢ in the past month and $1.08 lower than last year. The Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area has the second-lowest prices in the state of the areas surveyed by the auto club at $1.70, just a penny higher than Flint and Grand Rapids.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has suspended state hiring and promotions and vetoed $80 million in new spending in order to steer money to fighting the coronavirus.. ...Read Full Story

As the numbers of people with COVID-19 continues to rise, many have been asking why the number of people who have recovered haven’t been included. Michigan’s chief medical officer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says it’s due to accuracy at this point.. ...Read Full Story

A freshman Detroit state lawmaker has died at the age of 44 from what his family believes was a coronavirus infection. Isaac Robinson died Sunday at Detroit Receiving Hospital just hours after being taken there for breathing problems. His mother, former state Representative Mary Robinson, says he had not received a COVID-19 test before being rushed to the hospital. She tells Crain’s Detroit Business her son had refused to seek medical attention despite having trouble breathing for several days and adds he was dead within five hours of being hospitalized.. ...Read Full Story

A new channel is being launched by WNIT television in South Bend to help educate children who are home due to COVID-19 shutting down their schools. The PBS affiliate says it will begin broadcasting At Home Learning programs for grades six through twelve on Monday over the air on temporary channel 34.5. The programs will be available from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays. WNIT advises people to rescan their televisions to find the new channel. Below is a full statement from WNIT:. ...Read Full Story

Michigan now has 5,486 positive cases of coronavirus, and 132 people have died from it. The Department of Health and Human Services says the average age for those who have died is 64, and those victims range from 25 to 97 years old.. ...Read Full Story

The North American International Auto Show will not be held this year in Detroit, as the venue is becoming a temporary hospital. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District is working with FEMA on the project, and over 250,000 square feet of the convention facility is being adapted to medical care space. Governor Whitmer has signed off on the change, saying it will help save lives by constructing a large alternate care facility in Detroit. Hospitals in southeast Michigan have been overrun by COVID-19 patients and have been close to capacity. Construction at TCF Center, formerly called Cobo Center, will start within days. McCormack Place in Chicago is also being turned into a hospital.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order to expand absentee voting for May’s elections. The order will make absentee ballots available to everyone via mail. The order also encourages everyone to vote absentee, although at least one polling place per justification will still have to be open. The governor’s office has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

A big jump is being reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in COVID-19 cases statewide. The new figures released Saturday show an increase of 993 cases to 4,650. An additional 19 have died, bringing that total to 111. In southwest Michigan, Allegan County has gone from 1 to 2 cases; Berrien from 18 to 22; Cass from 1 to 2; Kalamazoo from 11 to 15; and Van Buren County’s number is up from 3 to 4 from Friday. There remain no confirmed cases in St. Joseph County. No one has died from coronavirus in southwest Michigan to date, and the Berrien County Health Department says three of the people in the county who tested positive have fully recovered.. ...Read Full Story

Michigan has launched a website for people to volunteer to help out in their communities as the COVID-19 crisis continues. They’re seeking medical professionals as well as residents who just want to contribute. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department Of Natural Resources has announced some changes at state parks due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The parks remain open, but some amenities have been closed. The DNR has released the following statement:. ...Read Full Story

Governor Whitmer’s office has issued the following statement regarding the approval by President Trump of a major disaster declaration for Michigan.. ...Read Full Story