Shows
News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJMAlways Learning with Berrien RESA - The Holiday Bazaar at Blossomland Learning Center!Jonny Reinhardt talks with Berrien RESA Superintendent Eric Hoppstock as well as Aaron Rubley and Sarah Cramer about this fun Holday fundraiser! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2024-12-0609 min
Blossomland NewsGov. Whitmer announces MI Mask Aid: 4 million free masks to protect vulnerable populations from COVID-19Four million free masks are being provided to Michigan residents who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 through a partnership involving the state, Ford Motor Company and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced today.
Low-income residents, seniors, schools and homeless shelters will benefit from the MI Mask Aid partnership that is part of the Mask Up Michigan campaign.
“Michigan needs to continue to ‘mask up’ to protect us all from COVID-19,” Gov. Whitmer said. “Vulnerable populations may have difficulties buying masks and our schools need face coverings to keep students, staff and community...2020-08-1403 minBlossomland NewsBerrien COVID-19 Weekly Update: Risk Remains Low; Infection Rate Trending Slightly UpOn average, each person in Berrien County, Michigan with COVID is infecting 0.85 other people. Because each person is infecting less than one other person, the total number of current cases in Berrien County, Michigan is shrinking.
A significant percentage (3.4%) of COVID tests were positive, meaning that Berrien County, Michigan’s testing meets WHO minimums but needs to be further expanded to detect most new cases. Identifying and isolating new cases can help contain COVID without resorting to lockdowns.
In the region, Michigan and Ohio have slow and contained disease growth. Indiana and Illinois are at ri...2020-08-1400 minBlossomland NewsGovernment drone sent to watery Lake Michigan grave by bald eagleEscanaba, MI (Blossomland News) - An Upper Peninsula bald eagle launched an airborne attack on a drone operated by a Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) pilot last month, tearing off a propeller and sending the aircraft to the bottom of Lake Michigan.2020-08-1403 minBlossomland NewsGovernor Whitmer Extends Protections for Nursing Home Residents and Staff, Grocery Store WorkersThe governor continued to protect Michigan’s frontline workers in grocery stores, pharmacies and long-term care facilities by signing Executive Orders 2020-168 and 2020-169. The governor’s orders extend existing safety measures, including 2 hours a week of reserved shopping time for vulnerable populations, to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies.
“For the past five months, Michiganders have stepped up and done their part to fight COVID-19, and frontline workers in our hospitals, grocery stores, nursing homes, and more have put their own lives on the line to protect our families,” said Governor Whitmer. “Our fight is n...2020-08-1202 minBlossomland NewsVandenHeede nearly quadrupled Paquette in fundraising this past quarterDan VandenHeede, a retired teacher, Niles City Councilman, and Democratic candidate for State Representative in Michigan’s 78th State House District, nearly quadrupled his Republican opponent in fundraising this past quarter.
“This campaign has always been about bringing together a coalition of people from all sides of the political spectrum who believe that change can happen and are sick of politics as usual. This fundraising quarter, in which 70 percent of my donors contributed $50 or under, proved that we have the support and momentum it takes to go all the way,” VandenHeede said.
Brad Paquette, the curren...2020-08-1201 minBlossomland NewsBerrien County COVID-19 Weekly Update: Infection Rate Dips - Now At Low RiskBerrien County is now at low risk as the infection rate has dipped to 0.73 On average, each person in Berrien County, Michigan with COVID is infecting 0.73 other people. Because each person is infecting less than one other person, the total number of current cases in Berrien County, Michigan is shrinking. According to covidactnow.org.*
Over the last week, Berrien County, Michigan has averaged 5.8 new confirmed cases per day for every 100,000 residents. As context, if these rates were to continue, 2-20% of Berrien County, Michigan’s population would be infected in the next year, according to covidactnow.org.*...2020-08-0701 minBlossomland NewsGovernor Whitmer Signs Executive Directive Recognizing and Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis, Creates the Black Leadership Advisory CouncilToday Governor Gretchen took action to elevate Black voices in state government, signing Executive Order 2020-163, which creates the Black Leadership Advisory Council. The governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-9, recognizing racism as a public health crisis and taking initial steps to address it within state government. Under the Executive Directive, the governor asked MDHHS to make health equity a major goal, as well as required implicit bias training for all state employees.
“Since I was sworn in as governor, I have made it a top priority to include more people of color, more women, and more me...2020-08-0607 min
Blossomland NewsChokwe Pitchford more than triples last democratic candidate's fundraising record.Benton Harbor, MI (Blossomland News) - At this point in 2018, the Joey Andrews for 79th district campaign had raised $11,000. Chokwe Pitchford released a Campaign Finance Report (CFR) on Friday, July 24, showing over $37,000 in campaign contributions to date, from more than 875 unique donors.
“My brothers campaign in 2018 was groundbreaking at the time, says Pitchfords campaign manager, Nealie Andrews. “Joey excels at field organizing, which is why he was hired to do it for the Michigan Democratic Party this year. The lessons learned in 2018 were and are invaluable to helping inform what we do in Chokwes campaign, even w...2020-08-0201 minBlossomland NewsGovernor Whitmer: President Trump Should Focus on Saving American Lives, Not Threatening to Delay the 2020 ElectionLansing, Michigan (Blossomland News) - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after President Trump published a tweet suggesting America should postpone the 2020 election:
“It’s clear that the president is more focused on his chances in the 2020 election than on protecting families from a virus that has killed more than 150,000 Americans," said Governor Whitmer. "The truth is that mail-in absentee voting is safe, simple, and patriotic – so much so that the president and more than a dozen of his closest advisors have done it. If we could hold an election in 1864 in the midst of a Civi...2020-07-3000 minBlossomland NewsBerrien County COVID-19 Weekly Update (Medium Risk), Statewide, bars are closed for indoor service and indoor gatherings are restricted to no more than 10 people.Statewide, bars are closed for indoor service and indoor gatherings are restricted to no more than 10 people2020-07-3003 minBlossomland NewsBlack Lives Matter Mural Proposal To Be Mulled Over By Saint Joesph City CommissionThe Saint Joesph City Commission is reviewing a proposal by community activist Trenton Bowens to paint a Black Lives Matter mural on Stadium Drive near Saint Joseph High School. The proposal was submitted at a special social justice meeting held on July 20th. At the regular meeting of the Saint Joesph City Commission of July 27th, commissioners agreed the idea deserves a review.2020-07-3002 minBlossomland NewsViral Video Showing Large Gathering in Benton Harbor Prompts ConcernsA snapchat video showing a recent large gathering in Benton Harbor, Michigan is causing concerns. The video shows over 100 revelers in close proximity to each other without face coverings.2020-07-2800 minBlossomland NewsCommunity Steps Up to Rebuild Cherry Beach StairsAccording to Chikaming Township Parks, Preserves, and Beaches the community effort to rebuild the stairs at Cherry Beach has been completed on July 25th. The restoration was organized by Joe Sipek. Over $7,000 was raised in a "Go Fund Me" fundraiser and many volunteers helped with the project.
In January, high lake levels and waves caused the destruction of the steps which were recently restored by the Chikaming Township Parks in 2019. The Parks Department budget could not accommodate yet another restoration - so the community stepped up to complete the project.
The construction is now fully...2020-07-2801 minBlossomland NewsCOVID-19 Weekly Update: Berrien County remains at HIGH risk; Trending Down Since Mask MandateSince the state mask mandate took effect, Berrien County has seen a .03 overall decrease in infection rate, and has started back on a downward trend.2020-07-2403 minBlossomland NewsGov. Whitmer and AG Nessel Respond to President Trump's Threat to Send Federal Law Enforcement to DetroitIn response to President Trump’s threat to send federal law enforcement into cities across the nation, including Detroit, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following statements:
"It is deeply disturbing that President Trump is once again choosing to spread hateful rhetoric and attempting to suppress the voices of those he doesn't agree with," said Governor Whitmer. "Quite frankly, the president doesn't know the first thing about Detroit. If he did, he would know that for nearly two months now, Detroiters have gathered to peacefully protest the systemic racism and discrimination that Black Am...2020-07-2101 minBlossomland NewsState Contractor Charged in $2 million Unemployment Fraud SchemeA Detroit woman was charged in a criminal complaint for her alleged role in a multi-million dollar unemployment insurance fraud scheme aimed at defrauding the State of Michigan and the U.S. Government of funds earmarked for unemployment assistance during the COVID19 pandemic, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.2020-07-2004 minBlossomland NewsMichigan Jeweler Buries 1 Million Dollars of Treasure - Here's Where to Find ItHard hit Jeweler Johnny Perri maybe closing up his business for good but, he intends to go out with a bang. Mr. Perri is burying over 1 million dollars worth of inventory of coins, and gems, and inviting you on a quest to find the treasure.2020-07-2001 minBlossomland NewsCOVID-19 Weekly Update: Berrien County remains at HIGH riskAccording to Covid Act Now, Berrien County continues to be at high risk as of the 7/15/2020 update. On average, each person in Berrien County, Michigan with COVID is infecting 1.15 other people. As such, the total number of active cases in Berrien County, Michigan is growing at an unsustainable rate.2020-07-1602 minBlossomland NewsClose-Knit Berrien County Masks Up With No ProblemThere were a series of incidents across the state over the past few days, including one death resulting from a dispute over a "mask up" request. There have been no such incidents reported in Berrien County. Berrien County is a close-knit community, our friends and neighbors are retail employees, police officers, and business owners. We've shown earlier this year after the tragic death of George Floyd that we are a community of both peace and progress.2020-07-1500 minBlossomland NewsGovernor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Extending Protections for Nursing Homes Residents and Maintaining Special Hours of Operations at Grocery Stores for Vulnerable MichigandersToday, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Orders 2020-148 and 2020-149, extending COVID-19 adaptation in long-term care facilities to protect residents and staff, and extending existing safety measures, including 2 hours a week of reserved shopping time for vulnerable populations, to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies.
“The frontline workers across the state have been the heroes of this pandemic and we must do everything we can to protect both them and our most vulnerable Michiganders.” said Governor Whitmer. “This virus is still widespread and poses a real danger to our families, and these extensions will be crucial in protectin...2020-07-1502 minBlossomland NewsChokwe Pitchford leads Pauline Wendzel in a new poll by 1 pointCommunications director for the Chokwe Pitchford campaign Kim Jorgensen Gane said, “Chokwe’s appeal is indicative of the times in which we’re living. Considering how difficult it’s been for so many years for democrats to make a dent on the west-side of this state, and in the 79th district and Berrien County especially, we feel he is exactly the right candidate for this moment in history.”2020-07-1301 minBlossomland NewsAttorney General Nessel Warns Of Fake 'Face Mask Exempt' Cards Ahead of July 13th MandateMichigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan & the Upper Peninsula are warning Michiganders about fraudulent cards that falsely claim to exempt the holder from wearing face coverings in businesses and other areas where such personal protective equipment is required.2020-07-1303 minBlossomland NewsNew Executive Order Makes Not Wearing a Mask a Misdemeanor Crime Subject to $500 FineGovernor Gretchen Whitmer announced a new executive order, which reiterates that individuals are required to wear a face covering whenever they are in an indoor public space. It also requires the use of face coverings in crowded outdoor spaces. to people who refuse to wear a face covering, with a few exceptions, such as those who are medically unable or children under the age of five.
Violators claiming a medical exemption can later attempt to prove their case in court where a judge can review HIPPA protected information. Similar to Michigan's Seat Belt Law.
The...2020-07-1300 min