american airlines’ Inaugural service to O’Hare to take off from SOUTH BEND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
WHAT: American Airlines’ inaugural service from South Bend International Airport (SBN) to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) takes off operated by regional partner, The Landline Company, on a 35-seat luxury motorcoach. To celebrate the new service, passengers on board the 1:35 p.m. departure will be treated to a gate party with snacks and SBN giveaways. Passengers will board from SBN’s newest Gate 10. Two SBN Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting trucks will send off the departure with a water
2025 SWMI & National August Housing Market Hits the Highest Point for the Year
“Southwest Michigan’s housing market sales in August 2025 were the highest of the year and were the first time in the year when sales were over 300 homes sold. Sellers benefited from higher selling prices in August compared to August 2024. Selling prices reached their highest level compared to a year ago and for the last twenty years in the year-over-year comparison,” stated Luke Jeffries, Association Executive, Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS ® , Inc. Jeffries continued, “The number of
Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees Invites Community Input on Presidential Candidate Dr. Ken Flowers
The Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees announced today that it is considering Dr. Ken Flowers, Executive Vice President, for the position of College President and is inviting the community to participate in an open forum to meet the candidate. Following open forums held in mid-September where input was shared on desired qualities for the institution's next president, the Board has advanced Dr. Flowers as a candidate in the search process. The Board emphasized that this represents one step in a
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Honor Credit Union Promotes Dr. Paige Eagan, Ph.D. to Board Director
Honor Credit Union Promotes Dr. Paige Eagan, Ph.D. to Board Director BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 2, 2025 – Honor Credit Union is proud to announce the promotion of Dr. Paige Eagan, Ph.D. to Director on its Board of Directors. Elected to the role on September 16, 2025, following two years of service as an Associate Director, Dr. Eagan brings a wealth of professional experience, strong community engagement, and a deep commitment to Honor’s mission of providing financial solutions for its
LMC Visual & Performing Arts Department Hosts Jazz Band Concert Oct. 22
Lake Michigan College's Jazz Band will transform the Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre into an intimate jazz venue when performers and audiences share the stage for a unique concert experience at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. The on-stage seating arrangement will create an immersive atmosphere, placing audience members in the heart of the performance. LMC Jazz Band will perform a diverse repertoire spanning swing, samba, and salsa. A highlight of the evening will be El Abrazo, translated to "The Embrace," which
Wine & Roses Vocal Concert to feature LMC choral groups Oct. 15
Romantic ballads and familiar standards will fill the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, when the LMC Visual & Performing Arts department presents the Wine & Roses Vocal Concert. This free event will feature two student choral ensembles, LMC Vocal Chamber and Vox LMC, under the direction of Rebecca Derbas-Selvidge. This is an immersive concert experience with audience seating provided on the Jenkins Theatre stage with the performers. A cash wine bar featuring
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From Healing to Homeownership: ‘Project T’ Breaks Ground in Benton Harbor with 28 New Homes and a Vision for Dozens More
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Erin Hudson Executive Director & CEO Harbor Habitat for Humanity Ehudson@harborhabitat.org P: (269) 925-9635From Healing to Homeownership: ‘Project T’ Breaks Ground in Benton Harbor with 28 New Homes and a Vision for Dozens More Public-private partnership led by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), Renovare Development, Harbor Habitat for Humanity, and Whirlpool Foundation invests in sustainable, attainable homes to build generational
Bridgman Launches Capital Campaign for ''Salute the Troops'' Playground
Bridgman Launches Capital Campaign for "Salute the Troops" Playground For Immediate Release: October 1, 2025 Bridgman, Michigan – The Greater Bridgman Area Chamber and Growth Alliance (BCGA), in partnership with the Bridgman American Legion Post 331 and the City of Bridgman, is proud to announce the launch of a capital campaign to develop the new Salute the Troops community playground. This unique project will honor the service and sacrifice of veterans while providing a safe and engaging place for
Honor Credit Union Announces Winners of 2025 Annual Teacher Awards
Honor Credit Union is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Annual Teacher Awards, marking 16 years of recognizing and supporting exceptional educators. This year, Honor recognized 40 teachers from its 28 branch communities in Michigan, awarding each a $500 digital gift card to enhance their classrooms, for a combined total of $20,000 invested in local education. Originally founded as Berrien Teachers Credit Union 91 years ago, Honor remains deeply committed to giving back and celebrating the
SOUTH BEND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO CELEBRATE THE COMPLETION OF FIVE-YEAR $105 MILLION AIRFIELD PROJ
South Bend International Airport (SBN) will celebrate the completion of the five-year $105 million Taxiway Bravo Realignment and Ramp Reconstruction project with a ribbon cutting on the airfield on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The Taxiway Bravo realignment was needed for safety and separation. The project corrected the taxiway’s geometry to enhance pilot wayfinding and separated the taxiway from the terminal ramp. These are both important as SBN has grown with larger aircraft and more frequent
Lake Michigan College Career Services Hosts Two Free October Events for Students and Community
Lake Michigan College Career Services will host two free October events on the Benton Harbor campus, both open to LMC students and community members. Wear Your Confidence – Tues., Oct. 7, 1:30 p.m.Wear Your Confidence offers an empowering afternoon focused on career readiness strategies. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. with a brief opening by Kathi Szabo, LMC Career Development Specialist, who will discuss the importance of first impressions and personal branding in job searches and career advancement. Then,
Public invited to tour renovated welding lab at Lake Michigan College
Lake Michigan College will showcase a $1.8 million investment in workforce development when it hosts a community open house of its newly renovated welding lab from 1 – 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26. The lab is located in the Hanson Technology Center on the College’s Benton Harbor Campus located at 2755 E. Napier Avenue. Enhanced safety, air quality, space utilization, and learning environments were central to the planning of the renovation project. Specific upgrades in the 3,325-square-foot welding lab include
LMC Receives Highest Grade for Serving Michigan Veterans
For the second consecutive year, Lake Michigan College has received Gold-Level certification from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Office, earning the top mark from the state agency. Colleges and universities are graded on seven important criteria for serving veterans, and the Gold standard is the highest certification available. Schools must offer services in at least six of the seven areas to qualify. "Congratulations on becoming a Gold-Level Veteran Friendly school for the 2025-26 academic year. Your
Blue Water Ramblers mix traditional folk with modern themes at Box Factory concert
Blue Water Ramblers mix traditional folk with modern themes at Box Factory concertST. JOSEPH, MI – The Michigan-based band Blue Water Ramblers will bring their lively mix of traditional and original folk songs to the Box Factory stage on October 18. The Blue Water Ramblers perform in the time-honored stylings of a string band — writing and performing traditional folk music with modern themes. Along with playing guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and viola, the musicians take turns harmonizing to create a
Community Leadership Academy Launches First Cohort: Local Leaders Begin Their Journey to Build a Healthier Berrien County
On September 17, the Community Leadership Academy officially launched its inaugural cohort at the Corewell Health Center for Wellness in Benton Harbor. The dynamic 10-week pilot program brings together passionate residents from across the Benton Harbor area to embark on a transformative journey of learning, collaboration, and action. Participants will engage in workshops, community-building activities, and leadership development sessions designed to empower them as changemakers in their
Lake Michigan College Women’s Athletic Pioneer Liz Miller and Family Honored with Softball Field Dedication
Lake Michigan College honored the founder of LMC's women's athletics program and her family on Saturday, Sept. 20, during the dedication ceremony of the Liz and Lloyd Miller Family Field. The ceremony took place on the recently built softball field at the West Campus Complex before a softball doubleheader between the LMC Red Hawks and Bethel University Pilots. More than 100 attendees celebrated the honor, including softball alumni, former coaches and alumni from multiple sports, current student-athletes and
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Edgewater Automation to Host Third Annual Poker Run in Support of Local FIRST® Robotics Teams
Edgewater Automation will host its third annual Poker Run on Saturday, September 27, 2025, to raise funds for local FIRST® Robotics teams. The event will bring together the community for a Berrien County Sheriff-escorted car and motorcycle cruise, a cookout lunch, and raffle prizes, all to support the next generation of innovators. Participants are invited to join the fun on motorcycles, classic cars, or daily drivers as they follow a five-checkpoint route hosted at local schools by FIRST®
Dowagiac Area History Museum Receives $1 Million Endowment Gift, Plans Layout Transformation
The Dowagiac Area History Museum, the free-admission community museum dedicated to preserving the history of Dowagiac, Cass County, and Sister Lakes, shared updates with its supporters at its annual “Keep History Alive” fundraising event on Wednesday night. In their remarks, Director Steve Arseneau and Dowagiac Mayor Don Lyons shared the following with the crowd of museum supporters: Lyons and his wife, Joan, have committed $1 million to a new endowment fund for the museum. The Lyons’ commitment is being
Removing Barriers: Berrien Community Foundation Announces Emergency Book Fund for Lake Michigan Coll
Benton Harbor, MI. - Students at Lake Michigan College facing severe financial hardship and having difficulty purchasing books for classes have received a major boost with a contribution from the Berrien Community Foundation. The Berrien Community Foundation is making a $50,000 contribution to create an emergency book fund for the 2025-26 school year. “With the help of generous donors who are dedicated to removing barriers to student success, we are able to work with Lake Michigan College to help
Innovative LMC – Berrien RESA Partnership Fills Major Need & Saves Taxpayer Dollars
BENTON HARBOR, MI – In February of 2024, Lake Michigan College (LMC) and Berrien Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) forged a groundbreaking partnership that brings career and technical education (CTE) to local students while avoiding costly new construction and additional taxpayer expense. Addressing a Critical Gap Unlike neighboring Van Buren and Kalamazoo counties, Berrien County lacks a centralized CTE facility. Despite three separate millage attempts over several decades, voters have
LMC Visual & Performing Arts Department announces Fall 2025 semester performances
The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department has announced its schedule of student performances for the Fall 2025 semester. All events will be held in the LMC Mendel Center on the Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. Oct. 10 Student Music Recital, Deckmann Studio, noonOct. 15 Wine & Roses Vocal Concert, Jenkins Theatre, 7 p.m.Oct. 22 Jazz Band Concert, Jenkins Theatre, 7 p.m.Oct. 28 Illuminate: Shining a Light on Female
Lake Michigan College Named #13 Community College in America by SmartAsset
Lake Michigan College (LMC) has earned national recognition as the 13th-best community college in the United States, according to SmartAsset's 2025 Best Community Colleges study. This prestigious ranking highlights LMC's exceptional commitment to student success, academic excellence, and educational value. LMC was recognized as the top community college in Michigan for the second year in a row. SmartAsset's comprehensive study evaluated 585 two-year colleges nationwide that offer associate degrees and
NEW SHOW ALERT! One Night in Memphis® – The #1 Tribute to Presley, Perkins, Lewis, & Cash Coming to the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center
BENTON HARBOR, MICH. – Get ready for a night of rockabilly, country, gospel, and pure 1950's rock and roll with One Night in Memphis - The #1 Tribute to Presley, Perkins, Lewis, & Cash. It’s coming to the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre for one performance only on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. This high energy concert takes you back to Dec. 4, 1956, the night when four of the biggest names in early rock and roll – Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash –
FALL FEST PART OF LOVE LOCAL WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 19-21
Everyone’s favorite fall activities are coming together during Love Local Weekend, September 19-21. Throughout Michigan’s Great Southwest, businesses will host extended shopping hours, complimentary gift wrapping, new products, specials, and a wide variety of area events! Weekend activities include the annual Fall Fest and weekly St. Joe Farmers Market in downtown St. Joseph on Saturday, September 20 from 9:00a-2:00p. Fall Fest activities in Lake Bluff Park include: St. Joe Farmers Market |
Southwest Michigan Record Show returns to Benton Harbor
BENTON HARBOR, MI – The Southwest Michigan Record Show, a vinyl record fair in its third season, will hold its Fall event on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Grand Upton Hall, Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, 1100 Yore Ave., Benton Harbor. Nearly 30 vendors from five states will occupy 65 tables to sell a variety of music-related items. Customers can explore pre-loved LPs, new vinyl releases, 45s, CDs, cassettes, record supplies, and more. Whether you are brand new to vinyl or a seasoned veteran, this is a
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Wightman Director of Marketing Named Marketing Professional Services Chapter President
Benton Harbor, Mich.— Wightman is proud to announce that Nicollette Cardwell, Director of Marketing, has been named the 2025-2026 President of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Southeast Michigan Chapter. Cardwell, who joined Wightman in 2022, has been instrumental in leading the firm’s marketing and communications initiatives, driving brand visibility, and supporting strategic development strategies within the company across its Great Lakes service region. With more than 14 years of
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HYPE Event Returns to Foster Young Professional Entrepreneurship in Southwest Michigan
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Arthur Havlicek President & CEO info@smrchamber.com 269-932-4042 HYPE Returns: Local Entrepreneurs Compete for Capital and Community Support HYPE provides a platform for entrepreneurs ages 21–40 to share ideas, network, accelerate their businesses and compete for funding. September 11, 2025 Saint Joseph, MI - On August 1st, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, announced the return of HYPE – Highlighting Young Professional Excellence, a Shark Tank-style
Lake Michigan College to dedicate the Liz and Lloyd Miller Family Field on Sept. 20
BENTON HARBOR, MICH. – Lake Michigan College invites the community to attend the naming dedication of the Liz and Lloyd Miller Family Field on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 11:45 a.m. on LMC’s Benton Harbor campus. The ceremony will take place immediately before the softball doubleheader between the LMC Red Hawks and the Bethel University Pilots that starts at noon. RSVP for this event is not required. The event will include a ribbon cutting and brief comments from the Miller family and College leaders. Following
United Federal Credit Union Named a Top 100 Global Workplace Leader for Second Consecutive Year
United Federal Credit Union has once again been recognized as one of the Top 100 Global Inspiring Workplaces, ranking 13th in 2025, marking its second consecutive year on the prestigious list. The honor highlights United’s continued commitment to fostering a workplace culture built on positivity, innovation, and purpose. The Global Top 100 list by Inspiring Workplaces Group (IW) is drawn from the highest-scoring winners in each of IW’s regions worldwide, including Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin
Corewell Health ™, in Collaboration with Lakeland Care Network, Offers Community Flu Clinics in Southwest Michigan
Corewell Health™, in collaboration with Lakeland Care Network, is offering influenza (flu) vaccines to adults 18 years and older at drive-thru and walk-in clinics throughout Southwest Michigan.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for nearly everyone ages six months and older as the best protection from this serious illness. The optimal time to get the flu vaccine is September through October, to provide better protection, but individuals can get a shot anytime
St. Joseph, MI Businesses: How to Respond to the CTA, BOI and FinCEN Now
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. However, filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report will help you avoid fines
Regional Chamber’s HYPE Pitch Competition Fuels Dreams for Young Entrepreneurs
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Arthur Havlicek President & CEO info@smrchamber.com 269-932-4042 Regional Chamber’s HYPE Pitch Competition Fuels Dreams for Young Entrepreneurs November 21, 2024 Stevensville, MI – Southwest Michigan’s brightest entrepreneurial talent gathered at the Watermark Solarium last night for the debut of HYPE – Highlighting Young Professional Excellence. Hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber in partnership with the Emerge Innovation Hub, this dynamic
