The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission recently honored the Paw Paw River Water Trail Project with its 2020 Graham Woodhouse Intergovernmental Effort Award.

The award is presented annually to projects that exemplify cooperation between and among governments, nonprofits and private entities. It was established to recognize and reward the partners who execute complex, regional problem solving that optimizes limited resources.

The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission recently honored Teri Sue Freehling with its 2020 Welch-Lackey Leadership Award.

Freehling has been a SWMPC member since 2016. She became vice chair in 2018, and has been SWMPC chair since February 2020.

Herald Palladium - Napier Avenue, between the bridge over the St. Joseph River and 450 feet east of Union Avenue, is expected to be reduced from four to three lanes by the end of the year.

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved the second leg of the Napier Avenue project Thursday.