The Benton Harbor Area Schools Community Engagement and Advisory Committee will release its turnaround plan for the district during an online meeting on April 7. The committee was set up last fall on the recommendation of the
Congressman Fred Upton has been in St. Joseph all week speaking with locals about what they need as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues. He tells WSJM News he spoke with some farmers the other day.
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is going to hold a virtual meeting this week. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order allowing governing bodies to meet virtually. The county board
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is asking that 911 not be used to report violations of the governor’s stay at home order. Berrien County Undersheriff Chuck Heit tells WSJM News they have been getting plenty of calls
Help is now available for qualifying businesses and nonprofits in Berrien County to help make their mortgage or rent payment for April or May. Zach Vaughn is the project manager for fiscal development at Cornerstone Alliance and
All parking in the city of St. Joseph is free until further notice. The city’s Public Works Department is suspending the pay-to-park requirements at all parks including Tiscornia Park and Lions Park due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The number of coronavirus cases in Michigan is now 7,615 and the death toll is up to 259. That’s an increase of 1,117 cases from Monday, the largest daily increase to date. The number of deaths is
The state of Michigan is now taking monetary donations as it works to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement: As Michiganders face challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order has led to a virtual shutdown of the state’s tourism industry. Dave Lorenz with Pure Michigan says the impact has been devastating. “It’s certainly damaging all the businesses that connect with consumers,
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says it’s closed a state park in Manistee County due to too many people visiting. The agency has been watching attendance at state parks as the COVID-19 crisis continues, and says
Hundreds of questions are coming in to Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office regarding the executive orders issued by Governor Whitmer related to the coronavirus pandemic. Nessel is posting videos on YouTube answering the most frequently asked ones,
The OutCenter in Benton Harbor has moved to online programming and is making efforts to ensure LGBTQ residents of southwest Michigan are safe in their homes as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Director Mary Jo Schnell tells WSJM
Berrien County is among the hardest-hit areas in west Michigan for COVID-19, with at least 32 cases and one death to date. Kalamazoo County has 24 cases and one death, while Grand Rapids has the most cases
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is answering more questions about the governor’s stay at home order. She released a new video with some answers today. The State Emergency Operations Center has released the following statement: Attorney General
Grand Valley State University is ready to help in the fight against coronavirus. Spectrum Health plans to use the GVSU campus as the site of up to 250 hospital beds. GVSU president Philomena Mantella says the preparations
Berrien County has recorded its first death from COVID-19. The Berrien County Health Department has released the following statement: The Berrien County Health Department is reporting its first death of a resident from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Lake Michigan College is making it official, scrapping in-person, face-to-face classes for the rest of the current semester due to the coronavirus pandemic and the statewide Stay Home, Stay Safe order. LMC had been aiming to resume
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order limiting non-essential veterinary procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her office has released the following statement: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-32, which places a temporary restriction
Michigan’s coronavirus cases continue to rise sharply. As of Monday, they are now 6,498 with 184 deaths. Berrien County’s total is up three from Sunday to 32, while Allegan remains at 2, and Cass and Van Buren
The Michigan National Guard has received a request to aid food banks in four communities across the state. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer says about ten National Guard members will be assigned to each of the
The Berrien County Road Department is advising everyone of a road closure planned for Red Arrow Highway in Chikaming Township and New Buffalo Township that starts next week. It says a contractor will be doing sewer work
The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are teaming up to get fresh produce and other food out to those who need it during the COVID-19 crisis. The two
Gas prices in Michigan are in free-fall as demand plummets and oil prices continue to sink. Triple-A Michigan says the statewide average has fallen 13¢ in the past week to $1.73, which is down 65¢ in the
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has suspended state hiring and promotions and vetoed $80 million in new spending in order to steer money to fighting the coronavirus. “We’ve got a lot of essential services that we’ve got to to
James C. Grannell, 90, formerly of Benton Harbor, passed away, Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Thurston Woods Nursing Home in Sturgis, Michigan. Private family services were held, with a public Celebration of Life Service to be announced
As the numbers of people with COVID-19 continues to rise, many have been asking why the number of people who have recovered haven’t been included. Michigan’s chief medical officer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says it’s due to accuracy
A freshman Detroit state lawmaker has died at the age of 44 from what his family believes was a coronavirus infection. Isaac Robinson died Sunday at Detroit Receiving Hospital just hours after being taken there for breathing
A new channel is being launched by WNIT television in South Bend to help educate children who are home due to COVID-19 shutting down their schools. The PBS affiliate says it will begin broadcasting At Home Learning
Michigan now has 5,486 positive cases of coronavirus, and 132 people have died from it. The Department of Health and Human Services says the average age for those who have died is 64, and those victims range
