St. Joseph Today is busy making preparations for the seventh annual BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival. Set for Saturday, May 18, the event will feature headliner JD McPherson performing with his back to Lake Michigan starting at 6:50 p.m. at Whirlpool Centennial Park. St. Joe Today’s Daniele Crevier tells WSJM News McPherson isn’t the only performer. There will be a lineup of six beginning at 12:30.. ...Read Full Story
Plans have been announced by Andrews University for a new agricultural center on campus. Sustainable Agriculture Department Chair Katherine Koudele tells WSJM News the former dairy is being converted into three barns that could be used for ag education programs.. ...Read Full Story
John’s guest this week is Merry Stover, the Executive Director of the Soup Kitchen in Benton Harbor, Michigan. They talk over the origins of Soup Kitchens, the Depression, and its modern day incarnations. Why are so many people in need of the help at this Soup Kitchen and the volunteers who work on and on with those in need of a break and some healthy food? She recounts so many experiences and introduces so many interesting people. . ...Read Full Story
White, sticky foam that’s fouled quite a few Michigan shorelines is more dangerous than previously believed. That’s why state environmental officials are warning people not to touch it. Prior warnings about toxic PFAS foam advised against swallowing it, but new data shows high concentrations of unsafe chemicals in the foam, so the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is telling people to stay away from it altogether. Deb MacKenzie-Taylor is the toxicology and response section manager with DHHS.. ...Read Full Story
Testimony on a package of bills to update Michigan’s high school graduation requirements was taken by the state House Education Committee this week, and on hand was state Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan.. ...Read Full Story
New legislation in the U.S. House and Senate is intended to help prevent a repeat of the Larry Nassar debacle at Michigan State University. At a press conference this past week, Congressman Fred Upton joined colleagues to announce the ALERT Act. The act would require university leaders to certify they have reviewed any reports of sexual abuses perpetrated by university employees each year. Upton said he’s found backing for the idea among local education leaders.. ...Read Full Story
Coming up on May 18 will be the next Whirlpool Appliance Sale to benefit the United Way of Southwest Michigan. Whirlpool Senior Manager of Global Operations Gokul Nair tells WSJM News they will sell new, discontinued, refurbished, and obsolete products that had been sitting in warehouses as part of the event.. ...Read Full Story
Drivers are being notified of a street closure planned in South Haven next week. The city tells us Broadway Street from Church Street to Conger Street will be shut down Monday and Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. while a contractor removes the asphalt and concrete for the installation of a new water line. The street in the same area will be closed again on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. while the work is finished up. Anyone with questions can contact the South Haven Public Works Department.. ...Read Full Story
Representatives of the Pure Michigan campaign will announce this year’s picks for the Pure Michigan Trail and Trail Town designation program on Tuesday. Although they haven’t yet said which communities will be awarded those distinctions, it’s probably a good sign for South Haven that the announcement is being made there. South Haven Visitors Bureau Director Scott Reinert tells WSJM Nwws the community does have a robust trail system.. ...Read Full Story
A new program has been announced by the Berrien Community Foundation to give free hearing aids to low-income seniors. The foundation’s Lisa Cripps-Downey tells WSJM News the Starkey Hearing Foundation is expanding to Berrien County this year thanks to the Frederick S. Upton Foundation. As part of the Hear Now Mission, the BCF is working with Dr. Kasewurm’s Professional Hearing Services in St. Joseph to get these hearing aids to those in need.. ...Read Full Story
