Local News Archives

This is normally a busy time for Amtrak with travelers heading out for the holidays. However, this year Amtrak spokesman Mark Magliari expects travel will be down 80% below normal. He told Michigan News Network this week

From the Associated Press — A state scientist says Michigan’s rate of new COVID-19 cases has been dropping for more than 29 days. The state last week reported its lowest weekly new case total – 28,072 –

Thousands of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are waiting to be shot into the arms of healthcare workers in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said as of Wednesday, more than 37,000 healthcare workers

For some, Christmas Eve means finding last minute gifts, prepping a meal, and getting ready for church. Catholic churches will be holding evening and midnight masses tonight. Father Adam Nowak told Michigan News Network it’s important because

From the Associated Press — A woman has been charged with making threats against a Detroit-area Republican election official. The FBI says Monica Palmer received photos of a mutilated body, a day after after she had initially

It’s crunch time for shoppers picking up those last minute items for Christmas. This year, Meijer has seen a huge increase in people buying items for the kitchen as families look for ways to bond and create

A special delivery was made to Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph on Wednesday. Spokesperson Jessica Springer tells WSJM News it was courtesy of South Bend International Airport. “Today, they dropped off about 300 Teddy bears which

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is offering seniors special online programs throughout the coming week to help cope with COVID-caused loneliness during Christmas and New Year’s. Spokesperson Lynn Sutfin tells WSJM News similar programs

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has updated its priority group guidance for COVID-19 vaccination. It’s also announced 37,000 healthcare workers in Michigan have received vaccines. The department has released the following: Michigan Department of

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel closed out the run up to Christmas this week by telling people what they can do if they’ve fallen victim to scammers. All December, Nessel presented “20 Days of Scams” in the

The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees spent part of its monthly meeting this week reviewing its accomplishments in 2020. SMC President Joe Odenwald presented a list that included the development of SMC’s first online courses, preparation

Michigan is reporting 3,443 additional cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had a total of more than 469,000 cases since the pandemic started. Michigan reported 77

From the Associated Press — Michigan residents who receive food assistance from the state can use their benefits at restaurants. The program could give a boost to restaurants that are prohibited from offering indoor dining because of

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a break-in to the Dollar General store in Lawrence this week. It says deputies were called to the store on Paw Paw Street at 8 a.m. Tuesday. They learned

The COVID-19 pandemic has had some positive impacts, including helping people realize in many cases, they can work from anywhere. To that end, Cornerstone Alliance has offered money to people to move here to work called Move

South Haven police are investigating a shooting Tuesday night. Officers were called to Bronson South Haven Hospital when a 26-year-old woman showed up with a gunshot wound, They determined she had been shot in the 21-thousand block

A series of online chats is being held at Paw Paw Public Schools to help parents navigate the challenges of COVID-19. The district says Parent Chats start out as a presentation on a given topic, like anxiety.

Benton Harbor City Commissioners are looking at how to administer Community Development Block Grant funds. A lengthy discussion was held during a Monday meeting in which the commission considered a proposal to address deficiencies found by HUD

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has acquired a drone thanks to donations from two local partners. Honor Credit Union and Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services teamed up to provide the funding for the department’s EVO

Michigan is reporting 3,082 additional cases of COVID-19 for Tuesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state has had a total of more than 466,000 cases since the pandemic started. Michigan reported 173

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation to stop water shutoffs during the pandemic. It’s one of several bills she signed Tuesday. The governor’s office has released the following: — Today, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bills 241, 676, 1137, 1234 and 1246

Police are investigating a fatal shooting in Benton Harbor on Monday. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety says officers were called to the 800 block of Ogden around 1:40 p.m. after several reports of gunfire in

The pandemic may be holding some people back from going all out on Christmas gifts this year, but not like the industry expected. Jennifer Rook with the Michigan Retailers Association says retail sales are down just a

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says Detroit’s chief financial officer will become Michigan budget director. Dave Massaron will start January 4. Chris Kolb is resigning to become vice president for government relations at the University of Michigan. Massaron says

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the state is holding another liquor buyback program to help struggling restaurants during the pandemic. The governor’s office has released the following: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that her administration will take

From the Associated Press — Congress has approved a five-year extension of a program designed to deal with long-term environmental injuries to the Great Lakes. The U.S. Senate voted unanimously Sunday to continue the Great Lakes Restoration

Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved the creation of a Citizen Review Board to provide oversight and increase transparency with the local police department. During a Monday meeting, commissioners heard support for the idea from several members

Congressman Fred Upton is hailing House passage of a COVID-19 relief package. It was approved Monday night. Upton’s office has released the following: U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today voted for and the U.S. House passed

As the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is underway around the country, Michigan officials say they will do what they can to help people overcome reluctance to get a shot. Governor Gretchen Whitmer says skepticism in minority communities

The County Road Association of Michigan is highlighting a new technique being used by the Berrien County Road Department during the recent rebuild of Napier Avenue. The department installed road fabric in the asphalt. It’s a waterproof