98.3 The Coast

In today's news: The city of St. Joseph is moving forward with a proposal to help generate revenue for improvements downtown.  Benton Harbor City Commissioners will be asked next week to approve the transfer of land owned by the city to the Benton Harbor Housing Commission so that the Harbor Towers apartment complex can qualify for federal improvement funds. Everyone's invited to Coloma this weekend for two days of fun with the Coloma Glad Peach Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Now on the job as the new superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools is Dr. Simone Griffin, who started Monday.  Fruit crops in Southwest Michigan remain healthy despite the hot weather the region has been experiencing lately. says the region's crops are in "really great shape." The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services continues to urge COVID vaccinations for everyone age six months and older as recent recommendations coming from the federal government have caused some confusion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: A Berrien Springs farm has been awarded a $175,000 grant by the Michigan Commission on Agriculture and Rural Development to help with an expansion project.  The Salvation Army of Benton Harbor is planning a celebration for its 100th anniversary next month.  The South Haven City Council has voted to continue supporting Market One and the work it does to encourage economic development in the region for another year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Riverwood Center CEO Ric Compton is sounding the alarm about some upcoming changes to how the state manages behavioral health services.  Plans to develop the former Overton property in South Haven into housing have hit another delay.  A new invasive species has been found at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Congressman Bill Huizenga has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate.  Dr. Simone Griffin will officially start as the new superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools on Monday, July 28.  Bond has been set at $2 million for a South Bend man charged in the shooting death of a woman in Niles Township this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The city of Benton Harbor has received a statewide award for its community master plan. The Berrien County Sheriff's Department says a woman who was found dead in Niles Township on Monday had been shot, and her boyfriend is now charged with open murder in the case. The Hartford Public Library will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this Saturday with a special event. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Construction begins this week on the new Lakeshore Trail, a multi-use pathway along M-63 connecting Benton Harbor and St. Joseph to several parks and beaches along Lake Michigan.  FEMA and Michigan State Police will hold a briefing on the safety plan for the Palisades nuclear power plant next month.  The South Haven Regional Business Hub has announced the hiring of a new executive director. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the first round of medical debt forgiveness through a collaboration with the non-profit, Undue Medical Debt.  The next phase of housing construction is in the works at Harbor Shores as the development this week asked for a new brownfield plan on three parcels near Upton Drive, Whitwam Drive, and M-63 to help recoup some of the cost.  As downtown Buchanan businesses continue to struggle with a drop in customers due to major construction work going on in the area, the Buchanan Area Senior Center has launched a new promotion to help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The Michigan Department of Transportation has made a presentation to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners to explain its planned reconstruction of Main Street in downtown St. Joseph in 2027.  St. Joseph City Commissioners have recommended that Berrien County make some changes to the Brownfield plan for properties near Harbor Shores so new housing developments planned on those parcels can proceed.  The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber has announced the hiring of a director for the new Central Berrien Chamber Growth Alliance, or CGA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The Berrien County Sheriff's Department Emergency Management Division and the Van Buren County Office of Domestic Preparedness are marking the successful test of the region's public alert system on Wednesday.  Benton Township leaders say residents will be better served now that a brand new, fully automated trash collection truck has been delivered to the public works department.  The Van Buren County Sheriff's Department is saluting some of its 911 dispatchers for their quick action to help others during severe weather back in May. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: City leaders in Benton Harbor say the fight for a terminated $20 million federal grant supporting clean energy and sustainability programs isn't over.  Now up and running for the season is the city of Benton Harbor's Summer Youth Employment Program.  Set for July 26 at Union Park in Benton Harbor is the Berrien County Health Department's third annual Dad’s Day in the Park, a chance for dads of all walks of life to bring their families, have some fun, and mingle with other dads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The Van Buren Youth Fair is now underway at the fairgrounds in Hartford.  It's mid-July, a couple of weeks past the Michigan Legislature’s deadline to approve a budget, and it's still nowhere near that point.  The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber is highlighting a successful year of the Greater Bridgman Area Chamber and Growth Alliance, or CGA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: New rules just approved by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners should help keep the peace at Silver Beach, but they'll also apply to all county parks.  Berrien County is receiving a little more in grant funding to help support development of the Lakeview Trail along M-63.  Congressman Bill Huizenga is expecting the U.S. House to get to work on Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills when it returns to Washington next week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Congressman Bill Huizenga says the "Big, Beautiful Bill" approved by Congress last week will ensure that major tax cuts approved in 2017 aren't rolled back while helping to rightsize the nation's budget.  The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety is warning everyone that vehicle thefts have been on the rise lately.  State Senator Aric Nesbitt has sent a letter to U.S. Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz requesting a federal investigation into a Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant awarded to a major donor to Governor Gretchen Whitmer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Lake Michigan College has secured a grant to help it set up a new system to help students in need of emergency assistance so they can stay in school and avoid falling behind.  172 artists from all over the country are coming to St. Joseph this weekend for the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, and that includes artists from right here in Southwest Michigan.  City leaders in Benton Harbor will be joined by Congresswoman Hailey Stevens, state Representative Joey Andrews, and the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission next week for an event to highlight work that's been done in the community to promote clean energy and environmental protection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Benton Harbor City Commissioners have voted to purchase nine pieces of property that have been foreclosed by the Berrien County Treasurer's office before they're auctioned off by the treasurer this year.  The South Haven City Council is looking into the possibility of a service fee to pay for a lifeguard program.  The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff is this weekend in downtown St. Joseph, and 172 artists are preparing to head to town for the event. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The Berrien County Sheriff's Department has released body camera footage of a deputy-involved shooting on June 30 in Niles Township.  The Bicentennial Bridge connecting Benton Harbor and St. Joseph will remain in its open position at least through Tuesday while MDOT waits for an out of state expert to arrive. A public meeting is set for July 17 for everyone to learn more about plans to reconstruct Red Arrow Highway in Lake Township this summer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Zena, a sweet, cuddly kitten with a big heart and a playful spirit. Zena is full of energy and curiosity, always up for a new adventure or a fun game, and her goofy antics are sure to bring a smile to your face. Friendly and affectionate, Zena loves making new friends and snuggling up once playtime is over. With her loving nature and charming personality, Zena is ready to fill her forever home with lots of laughter, love, and endless cuddles. Her estimated birthday is March 27th, 2025. She has started on her kitten-series of vaccines, tested negative for Feline AIDS and Feline Leukemia, and will be spayed when she is a little bit older. Reach out to Paws of Hope at information@pawsofhope.org to learn more about Zena. The link to our adoption application is: https://www.pawsofhope.org/adoption-applicationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The Bicentennial Bridge between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor will be closed all weekend due to mechanical problems, likely creating a traffic headache with tonight's fireworks in St. Joseph. However, St. Joseph Department of Public Safety Director Steve Neubecker tells us they have made adjustments to the traffic plan. Congressman Tim Walberg is praising U.S. House passage of a massive federal government spending bill that will slash funding to Medicaid and make permanent President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts.  Coming up July 19 at the Hartford Public Library will be a discussion on artificial intelligence and how it could affect the daily lives of everyone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The Bicentennial Bridge between Benton Harbor and St. Joseph will be closed to vehicular traffic until at least Tuesday, July 8.  The U.S. Coast Guard will be out in force around Lake Michigan this Fourth of July weekend to make sure everyone's being safe on the water.  State Representative Brad Paquette has spoken on the Michigan House floor in favor of legislation that would prohibit schools in the state from serving foods containing certain unnatural ingredients.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.