Local News Archives

Seniors in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties will be able to get a Home Safe Home kit to help prevent falls. The Region IV Area Agency on Aging will be giving them away on September 22

Michigan had 6,313 new cases of COVID-19 from Saturday through Tuesday. The Department of Health and Human Services says it averages to around 1,578 per day and brings the pandemic total to 961,953. There were 29 deaths

Indiana Michigan Power has over 300 employees and contractors working in Louisiana to help Entergy restore power after Hurricane Ida. The crews left before Labor Day and have been spending several days making repairs. Line workers, forestry

Michiganders are drawing new voting-district maps, with help from data from the 2020 census, but advocates for LGBTQ political representation say the census figures lack some key information. Sexual orientation and gender identity are topics not included

Today is the first day all students, staff, and visitors to Berrien County schools need to wear a mask indoors. The order was issued by the Berrien County Health Department late last month. Several parents protested the

Berrien County residents are invited to weigh in on the county’s next master plan with a survey that’s now online. The county is updating its master plan, which is a framework for future land use and physical

Michigan State Police say there’s been a decrease in violent crime in Benton Harbor last month. The agency maintains an increased presence in the city as part of the Michigan’s Secure Cities Partnership. Following an increase in

The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk is back in person this year. About 30,000 people crossed the five-mile span this year. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was there to celebrate the Labor Day tradition. “I think it’s important to

Michigan football broadcasters Jim Brandstatter and Dan Dierdorf have announced this season will be their last in the broadcast booth. Brandstatter thanked his listeners, wife, and Dierdorf during the announcement, which came just before Michigan kicked off

A trail is being planned from Niles to Berrien Springs, and plans are in the works for a pedestrian bridge over Lake Chapin as part of the effort. Indiana Michigan River Valley Trail Committee member Deb Conley

The OutCenter in Benton Harbor is offering some programs for young people and schools as a new academic year begins. Director Mary Jo Schnell tells WSJM News the center wants to help foster safe spaces within schools.

The United Way of Southwest Michigan is now signing up volunteers for its annual Rake A Difference event. The United Way’s Jennifer Tomshack tells WSJM News this will be the eleventh year for Rake A Difference. “We

Spectrum Health Lakeland will offer some drive through flu shot clinics this fall. It says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone age six months and older as the best

The St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Club Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the 2021 funding cycle. It says for 2021, a total of up to $68,000 will be awarded and determined by the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor

Michigan State Police are looking for volunteers for the Angel Program. Lieutenant Scott Ernstes of the Paw Paw post tells WSJM News the Angels Program was started locally in 2017 to help people struggling with a drug

Benton Harbor Area Schools is getting to work on its strategic plan. In July, the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approved hiring the Michigan Association of School Boards to help craft the plan that will

There are posters for TalkSooner.org, the anti-drug abuse website and app, at all 77 Michigan Department of Transportation rest stops this Labor Day weekend. TalkSooner’s Vicki Kavanaugh tells WSJM News the campaign to prevent youth substance abuse

The Michigan Department of Transportation will close several of its rest areas in the coming month for maintenance work. In southwest Michigan, the Watervliet rest area on westbound I-94 will be closed September 9 through September 29.

The Mackinac Bridge Walk makes its triumphant return this Monday after being canceled last year due to the pandemic. Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson James Lake, speaking on the MDOT podcast Talking Transportation this week, said vehicle

From the Associated Press — It’s the height of mosquito season in Michigan and the first West Nile virus cases have been found in residents in the southeastern part of the state. West Nile virus, as well

Set for next month is the Bangor Apple Festival. It will take place between October 7 and October 9 after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Organizers say the annual event features food, entertainment, games,

The week of September 5 through September 11 is National Suicide Prevention Week, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is hoping Michiganders reflect on how they can help loved ones who are struggling. Spokesperson

Now in operation in the St. Joseph River between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor is a water taxi. Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News the organization has talked about having a water taxi to take

Clean, lead-free water is now available at Benton Harbor High School. The city and Nalgene have installed a water filtration system for students and staff to fill up water bottles. Nalgene’s Rasta Smith tells our newsgathering partners

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says there have been 4,448 new COVID-19 cases for Thursday and Friday. Those bring the total in the pandemic to 955,640. The state lost 51 people to coronavirus those

The Michigan Career and Technical Institute graduated 207 students during the 2020-2021 school year. The school hosted a student recognition and graduation ceremony at its campus in Barry County on Tuesday to honor 64 graduating students from

Congressman Fred Upton is anticipating some rough weeks ahead in the U.S. House as lawmakers will return this month with two major spending bills to contend with. He’s tells WSJM News anxious for a House vote on

South Haven’s new public disk golf course will open Friday. Retired South Haven Visitors Bureau Director Scott Reinert tells WSJM News the course is a partnership between several South Haven area groups. It’s located on property owned

Berrien County residents are invited to weigh in on the county’s next master plan with a survey that’s now online. The county is updating its master plan, which is a framework for future land use and physical