Community Corner
🌱 What upgrades are finally coming to Benton Harbor’s Bobo Brazil Center?
Be sure to catch A Motown Christmas on the Benton Harbor Patch calendar
Good morning Benton Harbor! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What upgrades are finally coming to Benton Harbor’s Bobo Brazil Center?
- How will new Sunday alcohol hours change Benton Harbor dining?
- Heading out from Benton Harbor? See the latest gas and travel outlook.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Benton Harbor? Post it to Benton Harbor photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Find out what's happening in Benton Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Benton Harbor Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near Benton Harbor.
Find out what's happening in Benton Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Not as cold with high clouds, with a high of 37 and low of 33 degrees.
- Wednesday: Areas of morning fog, temps: high: 40, low: 31.
- Thursday: Breezy with rain, with a high of 47 and low of 20 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Commissioners move forward with Phase 2 of improvements at the Bobo Brazil Community Center (wsjm.com) — Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved using $521,000 in state grants for Phase 2 renovations at the Bobo Brazil Community Center, moving the long-closed facility closer to reopening. Work will upgrade bathrooms, interior space, and key electrical and mechanical systems, addressing concerns from some commissioners about visible progress from earlier roof and window repairs. 
2. Alcohol sales at restaurants to be allowed before noon on Sundays in Benton Harbor (wsjm.com) — Benton Harbor restaurants and bars can now serve alcohol before noon on Sundays after city commissioners lifted a local restriction for Class C license holders. Officials say the change helps downtown businesses compete with nearby Benton Township and St. Joseph and could strengthen the city’s commercial tax base, although two commissioners opposed the move.
3. Experts: Record 3.9M Michiganders set for holiday travel. Allow extra time (bridgemi.com) — If you’re driving from Benton Harbor for the holidays, expect record Michigan travel and gas around $2.85 per gallon locally. AAA urges residents to leave early, watch for heavy traffic the weekend before Christmas, and prepare vehicles and devices for winter roads and digital security risks.
4. Michigan researchers flag rising grape disease and pest risks (fruitgrowersnews.com) — Grape growers around Benton Harbor are being warned about rising disease and pest threats, including grapevine trunk disease, black rot, sour rot, and the nearby spread of spotted lanternfly. Michigan State University experts shared updated control strategies, diagnostic testing options, and promising new insecticide trials during a field day at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor.
📸 Around Benton Harbor
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
📣 Benton Harbor Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- GAME NIGHT!
Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library Saint Joseph, MI 49085
5:30 pm - Upton Choir & Orch. Holiday Concert
St. Joseph High School , 2521 Stadium Dr , St Joseph
7:00 pm - Watervliet Panthers vs Coloma Comets
Watervliet High School , 450 E St Joseph St , Watervliet
6:00 pm - Keith Scott Blues
Watermark Brewing Company , 5781 St Joseph Ave , Stevensville
6:00 pm - Open Mic Night at the Box Factory
Box Factory For the Arts , 1101 Broad St , St Joseph
6:30 pm - Out of the Box Open Mic Night
Box Factory For the Arts , 1101 Broad St , St Joseph
6:30 pm - Aerial with Emily - November+ 6-week Series
The Collective , 401 Klock Rd , Benton Harbor
5:45 pm - Holiday Hangout: Make Cards & Presents
Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library Saint Joseph, MI 49085
3:00 pm - Peter George
Tosi's Restaurant , 4337 Ridge Rd , Stevensville
6:00 pm - Tosi's - Solo
Tosi's Restaurant , 4337 Ridge Rd , Stevensville
6:00 pm - GLWA SEASON BEATINGS 2025
Top Notch Physiques , 6740 Red Arrow Hwy , Coloma
7:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Furnaces and water heaters are common carbon monoxide or CO poisoning sources.
Have a professional inspect heating systems, water heaters and any other fuel-burning appliances and equipment every year. Learn more about CO at… (Nextdoor ) - Looking to find someone to haul away 2 reclining sofas.
One is broken - thanks Dogs! But the other works just fine. If you do Haul Away, please message me. (Nextdoor Benton Heights)
- Veterans Staffing posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance in Benton Harbor. Apply here.
- Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Benton Harbor. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Benton Harbor here.
Ok Benton Harbor! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.