The Michigan Senate is preparing to consider legislation from state Representative Pauline Wendzel designed to help breweries around the state. Wendzel tells WSJM News Michigan law currently limits the number of barrels breweries can distribute on their
COVID-19 cases are decreasing in Berrien County. During a Friday update with the CEO of Spectrum Health Lakeland, Berrien County Health Officer Nicki Britten said the picture is looking better, even after large events like Memorial Day
Congressman Fred Upton says small businesses hit by COVID-19 will get a break now that Congress has updated the rules of the federal Paycheck Protection Program. He was a champion of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act,
AAA of Michigan is urging everyone to avoid falling back into dangerous driving habits as they leave their homes and return to the road during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spokesperson Adrienne Woodland says the “pandemic has highlighted the
The County Road Association of Michigan is warning that roads along the Great Lakes shoreline around the state will require $53.4 million in immediate fixes to remain functional in the coming year. That’s due to shoreline erosion
Spectrum Health Lakeland has announced a new strategy to address racial and ethnic health equity in southwest Michigan. President Loren Hamel says the Spectrum Health Lakeland Board of Directors met this week and approved a capital fund
From the Associated Press — A proposed constitutional amendment to consider electronic communication and data as personal property has unanimously passed the Michigan Senate. If it passes the state House, voters would decide in November whether or
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an order lifting restrictions on overnight travel and camps. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following statement: Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-120, which lifts restrictions on overnight
South Haven City Manager Brian Dissette has been in Berrien County this week learning the ropes for his new job as county administrator. During a Thursday meeting of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, retiring Administrator Bill
Since many college students are not able to do an internship this year because of COVID-19, Hello West Michigan will hold a virtual professional development conference for them next Thursday. It’s called West Michigan Intern Connect. Executive
SHOUT for South Haven has rescheduled a flower planting event it had to put off due to COVID-19. The organization says volunteers will now be filling planters with soil and planting flowers along the Dyckman Avenue bridge
The state Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic is discussing efforts to reopen Michigan’s economy. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Orlene Hawks was asked about working with various industries in working groups to
There won’t be a Fourth of July fireworks show in Niles this year. Despite the city council approving the event this week, organizers quickly found it wasn’t feasible. The Niles Daily Star reports vendors were difficult to
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved a contract with a security firm in case the Berrien County Health Department has to set up a COVID-19 isolation and quarantine facility. The contract with Lange Investigation and
Berrien County Administrator Bill Wolf has been given a positive send off by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners. At a Thursday meeting, Chair Mac Elliot read a resolution honoring Wolf for his 15 years as admin.
State Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan is among the Republican lawmakers slamming the administration of Governor Gretchen Whitmer over its nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Griffin tells WSJM News the governor has put seniors at
Traffic at South Bend International Airport is starting to rebound after it dropped by a large amount when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Vice President of Marketing Julie Curtis tells WSJM News as destinations closed, travel plummeted. “We
The state has rolled out a map of public WiFi hotspots throughout Michigan. The program was spearheaded by the Michigan Public Service Commission to help people get access to internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. MPSC Commissioner Tremaine
Fernwood Botanical Garden near Buchanan has announced it will reopen to the public on June 16. Fernwood has released the following statement: Fernwood reopened exclusively for members beginning on June 5. Now the garden will be open
From the Associated Press — Michigan lawmakers are backing legislation that would waive a requirement that they pass the next state budget in less than three weeks, citing uncertainty over a major shortfall caused by the coronavirus
With school districts around Michigan looking at massive budget cuts due to COVID-caused shortfalls on the state level, will the federal government take action to bail them out? Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News there is legislation
218 additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified around Michigan for Thursday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that brings the total since the start of the pandemic to 59,496. There are 26 additional
From the Associated Press — The leader of a nursing home group says expanded coronavirus testing is crucial to reopening the facilities to visitors, saying Michigan may be close to relaxing restrictions in a phased way. Melissa
Home sales in southeast Michigan were down 68% in May due to the economic shutdown because of the coronavirus. However, the CEO or Realcomp, Karen Kage, told Michigan News Network things are picking up. “When you look
From the Associated Press — Michigan restaurants and bars could sell cocktails and other liquor for pickup or delivery and would see a temporary cut in state liquor prices under legislation overwhelmingly approved by state Senate. Supporters
The Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors will host a blood drive next month. It says the drive will be on Wednesday, July 29 from noon to 5:45 p.m. at Hidden Pointe Hall on Nickerson Avenue in Benton
This weekend will be a free fishing weekend in Michigan. Suzanne Stone with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division tells WSJM News events that are normally scheduled during the state’s two free fishing weekends per
A new COVID-19 testing site is opening Thursday in Niles. The Rite Aid on South 11th Street offers drive-through testing. The Rite Aid in Bridgman has also been a testing location for several weeks. Rite Aid Clinical
Southwestern Michigan College is gradually reopening its campus, announcing appointments will be available during limited hours starting on Monday, June 15. SMC tells us all services are still available remotely, but if someone prefers to visit campus
The state of Michigan has filed another lawsuit against the owner of two Midland County dams that collapsed and caused major flooding last month. Attorney General Dana Nessel says Boyce Hydro should pay civil fines and cleanup
