It’s been one year since the first sale of recreational marijuana in Michigan. The state Marijuana Regulatory Agency says there has been more than $440 million worth of pot sold, with the state taking in more than
LOCATION Positive cases of COVID-19 Deaths Recovered* as of 11/12/2020 Van Buren County 2,800 45 816* Cass County 2,095 30 719* Michigan 366,242 9,324 165,269**
A Berrien County teacher has been named as the Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2020 Educator of the Year. The Michigan Farm Bureau has released the following: Steve Rigoni’s passion for education brought him to Countryside Academy in Benton
An apartment fire in Niles is under investigation. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says a 9-1-1 call came in just before 5 a.m. Tuesday of a fire at Leisure Ridge Apartments in the 13-hundred block of Leisure
We are a week away from the end of the Department of Health and Human Services order suspending dine-in service at restaurants. Governor Whitmer was asked Tuesday afternoon what way the state was looking for the possible
From the Associated Press — State Representative John Chirkun said Monday he had tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming at least the 10th member of the Legislature to be infected since the pandemic hit Michigan. Also, two
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging everyone to be cautious about how they donate money this holiday season. Her office has released the following: The holiday season can spark feelings of generosity and the desire to donate to charities,
Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation today to mark World AIDS Day. The governor’s office has released the following: Governor Gretchen Whitmer recognized the millions of individuals whose lives have been impacted or taken by HIV/AIDS by proclaiming today as AIDS Day
From the Associated Press — Michigan casinos could launch online sports betting and gambling games in December once state lawmakers waive the remaining time they have to review proposed licensing rules. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
From the Associated Press — Michigan mayors are asking the Legislature to act quickly to ensure two-dozen cities collecting income taxes don’t lose revenue because non-residents are working at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Officials warn that
Children in Van Buren County can now get free books thanks to a program at the Van Buren District Library. It says participants in the November Read to Give Challenge logged 790 books during the month, far
Love Creek County Park now has some brand new skiing equipment, thanks to a donation from the Bitzer Family Fund. The Berrien County Parks Department says without the generosity of the fund, it wouldn’t have been possible
The Berrien County Health Department is suggesting those who attended Thanksgiving gatherings consider getting themselves tested for COVID-19. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News health officials advised people to stay at home, but they know many didn’t.
There’s a new post commander at the helm of the Michigan State Police post in Niles. With the departure of First Lieutenant Mike Dawson, Lieutenant Ryan Schoonveld has now been promoted. As post commander, Schoonveld will be
Michigan is reporting 10,428 additional cases of COVID-19 for Sunday and Monday combined. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus website says that averages out to 5,214 per day across the two days. Michigan has
LOCATION Positive cases of COVID-19 Deaths Recovered* as of 11/12/2020 Van Buren County 2,733 42 816* Cass County 2,060 29 719* Michigan 360,449 9,134 165,269**
Municipal leaders across Michigan are calling on state lawmakers to adopt a Community Stabilization Plan that addresses the dire fiscal situation facing communities across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has caused a host
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says he expects 5,000 residents a day will receive vaccines once they are made widely available. Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday, Duggan also discussed the logistics of vaccinating some 700,000 city
A Cass County man is recovering after he was injured by a falling tree over the weekend. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says it happened at the man’s property in the 18,000 Block of Brownsville Road in
From the Associated Press — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants state legislators to approve a $100 million COVID-19 relief plan when they return to session during December. The Democratic governor sent a letter to leaders of the
The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is reminding the community of revised contact tracing procedures as cases of COVID-19 rise. The department has released the following: Over the past month, the number of positive COVID-19 cases reported
From the Associated Press — The coronavirus pandemic has forced supporters of a new passenger train service to northern Michigan to put off plans for test rides on the proposed 240-mile line. The Detroit Free Press cites
From the Associated Press — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says he expects 5,000 residents a day will receive vaccines once they are made widely available. Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation” Sunday, Duggan also discussed the logistics
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department has received more than $127,000 in federal CARES Act money. The department says it worked closely with the Van Buren County Finance Department to apply for the assistance during the pandemic.
Lake Michigan College will continue to offer remote learning options for students when the spring semester starts. LMC has released the following: Due to the ongoing pandemic and the recent rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the state,
A house fire Saturday night has claimed two lives in Cass County. The sheriff’s department was called to help the Porter Fire Department in the 70-thousand block of Tharp Lake Road a few minutes after 5 p.m.
Anyone age 13 or older can now get tested for COVID-19 at Rite Aid stores. The drug store chain announced on Tuesday it’s expanding the testing after previously only offering it to those 18 years of age
Andrews University is receiving a grant of $2.25 million to help at-risk students succeed and to improve the enrollment of minority students, focusing specifically on the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi in Dowagiac. The U.S. Department of Education
Michigan has passed 350,000 total COVID-19 cases and 9,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus website shows the state adding 8,080 additional cases of COVID for Saturday.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is recommending a $200,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for a parks project in St. Joseph Township. Township Manager Denise Cook tells WSJM News it’s for the Carronde Park Water
