Lake Michigan College to Host Annual MLK Community Breakfast
Lake Michigan College invites the community to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual MLK Community Breakfast on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. in Grand Upton Hall at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center in Benton Harbor. This free community event will bring together students, leaders, and the community to honor Dr. King's vision and explore this year's theme: “Steps Toward the Dream." The morning will feature inspiring performances, meaningful student
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Village of Berrien Springs Wins First Place Award for Mechanic Street Improvements
The Village of Berrien Springs is proud to announce that the Mechanic Street Improvements Project has received First Place in the Transportation category ($500,000–$1,000,000) from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Southwest Branch, recognizing excellence in public infrastructure, transportation planning, and project delivery. The Mechanic Street Improvements Project was designed to enhance roadway safety, functionality, and accessibility while supporting long-term infrastructure needs in
United Way of Southwest Michigan and Whirlpool Corporation Donate Appliances to Emergency Shelter Services
United Way of Southwest Michigan recently donated over $3,000 of new Whirlpool Corporation appliances to Emergency Shelter Services in Benton Harbor. These appliances were from the recent online-only Whirlpool Appliance Sale that took place December 3-14 at whirlpoolappliancesale.com. Emergency Shelter Services released a statement about the donation that reads in part: Emergency Shelter Services Executive Director, Reshella Hawkins and Board Member, Amanda Rush extend their deepest gratitude to the
2025 SWMI & National November Housing Market dropped 2% in Sales from a Year Ago
“Heading towards the end of the year, the housing market in SWMI saw a drop in sales, with the average selling prices increasing by double digits over prices from a year ago. Selling prices continued to climb year-over-year in November for the last 4 years.” stated Luke Jeffries, Association Executive, Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS ® , Inc. Jeffries continued, “The number of houses sold in November decreased 2 percent (5 houses) from November 2024 (222 vs. 227). Year-to-date, sales have
Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees Names Dr. Ken Flowers as Next President
The Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees has named Dr. Ken Flowers as the College’s next president. Dr. Flowers brings more than 28 years of experience in higher education, academic administration, and workforce-aligned education. “Dr. Flowers’ leadership reflects the very best of Lake Michigan College,” said Joan Smith, Chair of the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees. “His deep understanding of our students, our community, and the role community colleges play in regional economic vitality make
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Lake Time Brewing & Spirits Wins Gold at 2025 Great American Beer Festival
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Nancy Kiernan Bridgman CGA Director 269-285-2152 NKiernan@BridgmanCGA.org Lake Time Brewing & Spirits Wins Gold at 2025 Great American Beer Festival December 18, 2025 Bridgman, Michigan – The Greater Bridgman Area Chamber & Growth Alliance is thrilled to congratulate Lake Time Brewing & Spirits on earning a gold medal at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival (GABF) 2025 for its beer Astronaut Sauce in the “American Belgo-Style Ale”
Antero Group’s Announces New Director of Engineering, Rachel Hill
Rachel HillAntero Group’s New Director of Engineering We’re excited to announce that Rachel Hill has joined Antero Group as our Director of Engineering. This is a key leadership role for the firm and reflects our continued investment in strengthening our technical capabilities. Rachel brings more than a decade of experience working on civil infrastructure and environmental projects across the country. She has led teams through feasibility, permitting, and design for municipal infrastructure,
Havlicek Appointed to Statewide Tax and Competitiveness Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Arthur Havlicek President & CEO Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber 269-932-4042 info@smrchamber.com Havlicek Appointed to Statewide Tax and Competitiveness Committee Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber CEO to Represent Regional Business Interests in Michigan Chamber Policy Deliberations ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber announced that President and CEO Arthur Havlicek has been appointed to the Michigan Chamber of Commerce’s Tax
Cameron Schinck named Fall 2025 Lake Michigan College Spirit of Nursing Award Recipient
Cameron Schinck of Coloma has earned Lake Michigan College's highest student honor for nursing graduates, the Spirit of Nursing Award, recognizing him as the Fall 2025 graduate who best exemplifies the program's philosophy of excellence, integrity, and compassionate care.With his sights set on a nursing career, Schinck transferred to Lake Michigan College in Spring 2023 after a semester at Adrian College.“Health care and the human body fascinate me. Our bodies work in such amazing ways, so I wanted to learn
Village of Baroda Announces “Countdown on First Street”, A Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration in the Heart of Downtown
The Village of Baroda is thrilled to announce the inaugural “Countdown on First Street”, a brand-new community-wide New Year’s Eve celebration taking place on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in downtown Baroda. This first-ever, family-friendly event will bring neighbors, families, and visitors together for an evening of music, local flavors, winter activities, and a shared countdown as we welcome 2026 in true small-town style. The debut event highlights the vibrancy and collaboration within Baroda’s
SOUTH BEND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO DELIVER 2600 TEDDY BEARS TO CHILDREN IN FIVE AREA HOSPITALS 2025
South Bend International Airport’s (SBN) fourteenth annual Bears in the Air program is providing more than 2600 teddy bears to children in five area hospitals. The bears will be delivered by SBN’s CEO & Executive Director Mike Daigle and SBN team members the week of December 15, 2025, to Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, Beacon Children’s Hospital, Elkhart General Hospital, and Saint Joseph Medical Centers in Mishawaka and Plymouth. Media is invited to the following deliveries: Monday, December 15:1:30
Honor Credit Union Invites the Community to Christmas with Honor in Decatur
Honor Credit Union Invites the Community to Christmas with Honor in Decatur DECATUR, MICHIGAN – December 11, 2025 – Honor Credit Union is spreading holiday cheer in Decatur with its annual Christmas with Honor celebration, taking place on Thursday, December 19th from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Decatur Fire Department. This free, family-friendly event is open to all community members and is designed to bring neighbors together for a joyful evening of festive fun. This year’s celebration will feature a
Lincoln Charter Township Appoints Kacey Dominguez as New Township Manager
Lincoln Charter Township is pleased to announce the hiring of Kacey Dominguez as Lincoln Charter Township Manager. Dominguez currently serves as the Manager for the Village of Stevensville, where she has demonstrated strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to community advancement. During her time with the Village, Dominguez secured local, state, and federal funding for multiple road, safety, parks, and community development projects. She played a key role in the formation of both
Lake Michigan College Awarded $650,000 MiLeap College Success Grant to Transform Student Support Services
Lake Michigan College has been awarded a $650,000 MiLeap College Success Grant from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) to establish a comprehensive Student Success Center that will transform how the college supports students from enrollment through graduation.The Student Success Center represents a strategic response to critical challenges identified through qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including needed student support experiences, and equity
Niles History Center to host special Holiday evening open house!
Visitors will have a chance to experience an evening of lights and music at Historic Chapin Mansion on Saturday, December 13 from 4-7 pm. The Niles History Center will host a special Evening Open House. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the Fort St. Joseph Museum and Chapin Mansion all dressed up for the holidays decorated by various community groups and businesses in our theme: "Sounds of the Season." Don't miss this magical event! The Michiana Chamber Orchestra will bring the theme to life with
Celebrating Leadership, Inspiring Change: Berrien County’s First Community Leadership Academy Graduates
When neighbors come together to learn, listen, and lead, a community’s future begins to shift. Over the past several months, a group of Benton Harbor residents has been doing just that—meeting after work, asking hard questions, and building the skills needed to act on the issues that matter most to them. On Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM community members, partners, and families are invited to gather at the Corewell Center for Wellness for an evening of celebration and connection
Niles-Buchanan YMCA Hosts Annual Hometown Christmas Market Festival on December 20
YMCA of Greater Michiana announces the return of their Hometown Christmas Market Festival at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA (905 North Front Street, Niles, MI) on Saturday, December 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, which welcomed more than 200 families last year, will feature 40 local vendors in the gymnasium, along with free family activities including a festive photo booth with instant prints, a frame-making station, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and
Greater Bridgman Area Chamber & Growth Alliance Welcomes Ace Hardware to Lake Charter Township
The Greater Bridgman Chamber & Growth Alliance (BCGA) is pleased to announce that Ace Hardware will soon open a new location in the Greater Bridgman area. The store will be in Lake Charter Township at the corner of Shawnee and Gast Roads, occupying the former Rite Aid building in the same shopping center as Harding’s Family Friendly Market. The CGA began collaborating with the building’s owner shortly after the property became vacant, actively identifying potential tenants who would bring value to the
Health Happens Here: Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals Supports Community Change with $55,000 Award
Across Berrien County, residents are finding new ways to live healthier— walking connected trails, shopping at local farmers markets, and participating in programs that strengthen neighborhoods. By improving walkability, expanding food access, and responding to residents’ needs— these community-driven efforts show how everyday life can flourish when health becomes a shared priority. A $55,000 award from community partner, Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals to United Way of Southwest Michigan helps
Lake Michigan College moves start date of next Police Academy session
Lake Michigan College is moving the start date of its next Police Academy session to the spring. The Academy, which is held on the College’s Benton Harbor campus, will begin March 16, 2026, after being held during the summer the previous two years. “Our advisory committee, which is made up of local law enforcement professionals, told us that holding the training earlier in the year would be a better fit. We are responding by moving up the start date of the academy to help our local municipalities better
COMMUNITY LEADERS TO DONATE FIRST BEARS TO SOUTH BEND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S FOURTEENth ANNUAL BEARS IN THE AIR PROGRAM
The fourteenth annual Bears in the Air program lands at South Bend International Airport (SBN) when community stakeholders donate the first bears to the program at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3 at the “Bear Den” located in the atrium of the airport. St. Joseph County Airport Authority Board President David Sage will be joined by South Bend Mayor James Mueller, St. Joseph County Commissioner Rafael Morton, Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center Resident Garey Hendrix, and South Bend Chocolate Company
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Honor Credit Union Pays It Forward for Giving Tuesday
Honor Credit Union Pays It Forward for Giving Tuesday BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 2, 2025 – In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, Honor Credit Union is once again living out its mission to give back to its members and the communities it serves. As part of Honor’s annual tradition, each of the credit union’s 484 team members receives $50 to pay it forward, empowering them to support local causes and create meaningful moments of generosity across Michigan. In total, the initiative reflects $24,200
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BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP SET TO BREAK GROUND ON EUCLID AVENUE PARK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Marcy Hamilton Senior Planner/Deputy Executive Director Southwest Michigan Planning Commission 269-925-1137 x1525 hamiltonm@swmpc.org BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP SET TO BREAK GROUND ON EUCLID AVENUE PARK Join us December 4th to celebrate Benton Heights, MI — Benton Charter Township is proud to announce the groundbreaking of the Euclid Avenue Park on December 4th at 2:00pm, a new 10-acre community park that will provide residents of Benton Heights with
2025 SWMI & National October Housing Market dropped 5% in Sales from a Year Ago
“At the beginning of the fall selling season, sales only dropped 5 percent from the end of September (289 vs. 304). Selling prices continued to climb year-over-year in October for the last 6 years,” stated Luke Jeffries, Association Executive, Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS ® , Inc. Jeffries continued, “The number of houses sold in October increased 8 percent (21 houses) from October 2024 (289 vs. 268). Year-to-date, sales have increased 4 percent (2456 vs. 2366).” The inventory of houses
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ST. JOE WINTER BEER FEST RETURNS JANUARY 31, 2026, TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 1
St. Joe Today invites everyone 21 years and older to come out of hibernation and meet up with friends at this lakeside destination during the 2026 St. Joe Winter Beer Fest. The event takes place on Saturday, January 31, from 12:00p-4:00p, outdoors, on the corner of Broad St. and Lake Blvd. in St. Joseph, Mich. With available tickets limited to only 1,150, Paul Knapp, executive director of St. Joe Today said, “We will kick off ticket sales before the holidays at 10:00a on December 1!” Ticket purchasers
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
