Local News Archives

The city of New Buffalo is receiving some grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for recreational water projects. The DNR this week announced more than $4 million in grants for recreational boating projects around the

Buchanan’s Thrill on the Hill has been canceled for this summer. The event’s Facebook page says due to the amount of planning needed to hold the event, a decision on whether to hold it had to be

Spectrum Health has been named one of the 2021 Best Companies for Multicultural Women by Seramount, an organization that recognizes companies that create and use best practices in hiring, retaining, and promoting multicultural women in the United

The next budget for the city of Benton Harbor anticipates a shortfall that will require dipping into the fund balance. During a budget hearing Monday night, city finance staff told commissioners with some income tax revenue lost

Groups advocating for affordable housing in Michigan say systemic fixes are needed to keep people in their homes once the federal moratorium on evictions ends. The Biden administration has extended the moratorium through July 31, but said

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued an opinion stating that  sex-reassignment surgery should not be required for a person to change the gender listed on their birth certificate. Nessel’s office has released the following: Michigan Attorney

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is conducting a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over drunk driving enforcement campaign for the Fourth of July holiday period. The department has released the following: This Independence Day, law enforcement in

From the Associated Press — A cliff wall broke away at a national park along Lake Superior in northern Michigan, stunning some boaters who captured it on video. Sandstone and dirt crashed into the lake Saturday at

The Mendel Center is looking for some volunteers. Director Grace Kelmer tells WSJM News says with the new season approaching and things returning to normal, it’s now taking applications from those who would like to help. The

Southwestern Michigan College has boosted scholarships dramatically for next year to make higher education more affordable. SMC offered $880,000 in the 2021 budget, hiking that 62% to $1.4 million for 2022. SMC President Joe Odenwald tells WSJM

As floods closed highways in Detroit this past weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation is factoring future flood events into its project planning. Speaking on the MDOT podcast “Talking Transportation” this week, spokesperson Rob Morosi said the

The St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education has approved a new strategic plan for the 2021-2022 school year centered on equity and inclusion for all students. It’s the result of months of work by staff, the

Watervliet City Manager Tyler Dotson has received a contract extension from the city commission. The body held a special meeting last week and approved keeping on Dotson for another three years. That will take him through July

From the Associated Press — COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for employees at one of Michigan’s largest health care providers. Henry Ford Health System in southeastern Michigan says the policy starts Sept. 10 and covers employees, medical

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will welcome President Joe Biden to Michigan on Saturday. The two will visit Traverse City, where they will be marking and celebrating the progress the country has made so far to battle COVID-19. Biden

Voters in Michigan want to keep local control over short term rental properties. That’s one of the results of a statewide survey taken by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association about rental properties like Air BNB’s. The

A new study finds Michigan’s marijuana industry did $3.2 billion of business in 2020. The study was done by the Anderson Economic Group for the Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association and found there are 400 licensed medical marijuana

With the summer well underway, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is advising everyone to take steps to avoid mosquitoes. It says the first mosquito-borne virus of the year has been found in Bay, Oakland,

The cities of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the deadly Yore Opera House fire. The St. Joseph City Commission approved the closure of Lake Boulevard/Port Street from Ship to State streets

The records lobbies of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department will be back open to walk-in service starting next Tuesday. The department says the lobbies provide services that include gun permits, sex offender registration, fingerprinting, and printed copies

The completion of a new commercial and residential development in Benton Harbor will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday. City Center Lofts is located at the corner of Main Street and Pipestone Street in a

A donation of $2.8 million has been made to Andrews University so it can establish a new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The legacy donation comes from the family of Dr. Fay Bradley, a Pittsburg State law

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has awarded nearly $60 million in contracts to promote COVID-19 vaccination among high risk populations. The department has released the following: Six contracts totaling nearly $60 million have been

From the Associated Press — Many companies are rethinking their office space in COVID’s wake and making changes to help employees feel more comfortable about returning in person. Food and pharmaceutical company Ajinomoto overhauled the plan for

South Haven is dealing with sewer overflows. The Golf Course Lift Station had to discharge raw wastewater intermittently starting at 8 a.m. Friday and ending at 12:30 a.m. Sunday due to the rain. About 10,000 gallons went

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus and Baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson will return to Benton Harbor for a special scholarship fundraiser event supporting Lake Michigan College students this summer. “Lake Michigan College Legends Scholarship Fundraiser