Michigan’s first fatal overdose involving what’s known as purple heroin has been reported in Van Buren County. The Van Buren-Cass District Health Department says it received a report of the death involving Brorphine, a potent synthetic opioid
The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is investigating a shooting that occurred overnight on Saturday. It says officers responded to the 500 block of Catalpa on a report of shots fired around 2:30 a.m. They found
The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is helping Van Buren and Cass counties draft their next parks plans, and the public is invited to get involved. Senior planner Marcy Hamilton tells WSJM News surveys are now online seeking
Michigan State Police have released the following: Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reporting more 3,300 positive test results. “The data shows we are continuing to see alarming increases in the incidence
With Halloween just about here, St. Joseph Today is challenging downtown businesses to show off the best pumpkin decorations they can. St. Joe Today Operations Manager Daniele Crevier tells WSJM News Pumpkins on Parade will run through
Everyone is being urged to get a flu vaccine as the winter approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bronson Healthcare says it’s important to get the flu shot every fall, but this year it’s all the more important.
Berrien County’s 911 Telecommunicator of the Year is Melissa Hensley. During a meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners this week, Hensley received the honor with the 911 Advisory Board’s Jack Fisher saying she helped save
Juris Silenieks of Grand Rapids is Southwestern Michigan’s new cross country coach. SMC made the announcement Friday as it works to get the new Roadrunners cross country team up and running after it was disbanded 25 years
State Senator Kim LaSata and state Representative Brad Paquette are teaming up for a joint office hour. The two lawmakers will be at Wonderland Cinema and Cafe in Niles this coming Tuesday to chat with residents. The
From the Associated Press — Michigan State University is planning to increase in-person classes and open dorms starting in January, but will skip spring break. MSU President Samuel Stanley Jr. said in a letter Thursday to students,
From the Associated Press — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed into law legal protections for Michigan businesses and other employers that are sued by infected people despite having followed all coronavirus safety protocols. She also codified rules
Spectrum Health this week issued a pledge to eliminate structural racism and promote social equity within its organization. Spectrum Health Lakeland Vice President of Health Equity Lynn Todman tells WSJM News this shows it’s serious about addressing
The Berrien County Trial Court is moving back into a previous stage of its reopening. The court has released the following: In compliance with the Michigan Supreme Court’s Administrative Orders 2020-14 and 2020-19, the Berrien County Trial
Unemployment continues to get smaller in southwest Michigan. Kinexus Group chief operating officer Jake Gustafson says Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties together are at 7.3% unemployment, down 1.1% from August. “Our sub-8% is a great result
Benton Harbor will receive a $5.6 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to remove lead water lines. The grant will also support a study to optimize the city’s lead corrosion control treatment to improve public health
COVID-19 didn’t stop the South Haven Rotary from observing a tradition by planting trees at a local park this year. On Wednesday, Rotarians planted two trees in Stanley Johnston Park on the city’s north side. City Manager
COVID-19 cases are on the rise almost everywhere, but the share of new cases in rural Michigan counties is outpacing the new caseload in metro counties. According to an analysis by The Daily Yonder, nearly 70% of
Spectrum Health has made an anti-racism pledge as part of its ongoing effort to eliminate structural racism and promote social equity. The organization announced this month it’s also made Martin Luther King Junior Day a paid holiday
Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit gives high marks to a new law just signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He briefed the Berrien County Board of Commissioners on Thursday regarding Senate Bill 321. The bill expands the eligibility
The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced a couple of roads will be closed as it gets to work on the completion of US-31 to I-94 in Benton Township. MDOT says there will be total closures of
(Detroit, MI – AP) – A federal appeals court has suspended a decision that would allow groups to offer free or reduced price rides to polling places in Michigan. The court issued a stay to allow the
(Lansing, MI – AP) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is launching a four-day bus tour across Michigan with Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential campaign before the November 3 election. No passengers will actually be on the bus, due to
Due to the potential spread of Covid-19 at Hartford Public Schools, the district has decided to go 100% Remote Learning for all students for the next two weeks. Their expected return date will be November 9th. Since
Less than two weeks from this year’s election, and a huge number of voters are requesting to vote absentee according to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “More than three million Michigan citizens have requested their ballot,” said
The Detroit Police Department is creating the office of internal and external relations for community relations. Chief James Craig says people who have had negative experiences with his officers can use the new department, and it will
The Berrien County Health Department and the leaders of local schools have issued an open letter to the community, pleading with everyone to keep their guard up as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise. The
Some St. Joseph residents aren’t used to seeing anyone other than somebody white campaigning for office. Police were called over the weekend on state House candidate Chokwe Pitchford and county commission candidate Rayonte Bell along with one
The Benton Township Police Department is investigating an armed robbery at the Family Farm and Home Store on Thursday. It says officers were called to the store on Cinema Way around 9:40 a.m. They were told a
A donation of $250,000 has been announced for Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates by the Consumers Energy Foundation. Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is a program run by Youth Solutions. It helps students graduate high school and then seek
The Michigan Harvest Gathering food drive is underway, this year virtually due to COVID. The annual effort kicked off on Tuesday as the Food Bank Council of Michigan announced a goal of 3 million meals and $330,000
