From the Associated Press — A Michigan lawmaker is proposing legislation to create a central database of disciplined police officers to boost accountability and help departments vet prospective new hires. The Detroit News reported over the weekend
The American Red Cross is now testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The Red Cross Great Lakes Division has released the following statement: Beginning today and for a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of workplace protections for LGBTQ Americans. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following statement: Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme
The Dowagiac Police Department is investigating two separate drive-by shootings that were reported over the weekend. It says officers were called to a home on James Street around 6:30 p.m. Saturday on a report of a shooting.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer this week signed legislation backed by state Senator Kim LaSata to change the way property taxes are collected in villages around Michigan. Senator LaSata’s office has released the following statement: A bill that would
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 told WSJM News this week as destinations closed, travel
The Great Lakes continue to set new water level records heading into the summer. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the following information on Friday: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that Lakes
They don’t think it’s safe, but they do it anyway. Those are the results of a survey released today by Triple Michigan on local drivers. Spokesperson Adrienne Woodland tells Michigan News Network the survey showed while 94%
At least 1,000 people took to the streets of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Saturday afternoon to march for racial equality. Gathering across from the Berrien County Courthouse, the mayors of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph stood
The St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education is bracing for major deficits in the district due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Thomas Bruce gave the board a budget road map for the coming year at a
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is reminding the public about the risk of accidentally spreading invasive species while moving firewood. Invasive insects that are a threat to trees can be easily transported into new
While COVID-19 has gotten all the healthcare headlines lately, the Berrien County Health Department doesn’t want people to forget other, more basic health needs. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News people have let certain things go. “Adults
South Haven’s new splash pad is starting to take form. Originally scheduled to be completed by now but delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the pad will be similar to St. Joseph’s Whirlpool Centennial Fountain. The $612,000 attraction
Newly introduced legislation in Lansing would require all law enforcement agencies to adopt “duty to intervene” policies. The sponsor is state Senator Ruth Johnson, who spoke to Michigan News Network about the plan. “It would require all
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
