News
Bluegrass band Neshama to perform at Niles church
NILES — A Nashville, Tennessee band with Michigan roots will seek to provide joy through music Friday with a free performance for the Niles area. ...
Beau Brockett Jr., Author at Leader Publications - Page 2 of 19
Buchanan
United Federal Credit Union renovates its original branch
BUCHANAN — Bill Beckman said United Federal Credit Union’s philosophy is “people helping people.” With renovations complete, the Buchanan branch manager said the credit union’s ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, February 18, 2020 9:23 am
Business
CJ’s Pizza’s owner returns to first shop
NILES — Opening CJ’s Pizza and Subs two weeks ago was a homecoming for Jeff Harrell. About 10 years ago, Harrell was serving pizzas under ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, February 18, 2020 9:21 am
Berrien County
Lake Michigan College to host free FAFSA night to all
BENTON HARBOR — Lake Michigan College views itself as a resource for the communities it encapsulates, said Jeremy Schaeffer, director of admissions and recruitment. As ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, February 18, 2020 9:20 am
Berrien County
Second Amendment sanctuary vote denied
ST. JOSEPH — Late Thursday morning, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to reaffirm the commitment to the Bill of Rights they took ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, February 14, 2020 8:47 am
Buchanan
Buchanan chamber to host fundraising trivia night
BUCHANAN — Participating in an upcoming night of trivia, food, drinks and friendly competition could lead to more merriment across Buchanan in the months ahead. ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 13, 2020 9:17 am
Brandywine Education
The Young Americans, Brandywine students perform together
NILES — The Brandywine Middle/Senior High School gymnasium was a swathe of orange, yellow and red Tuesday night. Dozens of students, guided by the traveling ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 13, 2020 9:14 am
News
Niles enters into ‘Home Town Takeover’ competition
NILES — Last Friday, a small group of Niles residents submitted a video to a national television channel’s contest, hoping to bring in a team ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 13, 2020 9:13 am
Buchanan
Buchanan a finalist in statewide fan contest
BUCHANAN — Carter Aalfs yelled through a megaphone. Nora Kaltenbach jumped and danced on the bleachers. Around them, dozens of Buchanan students decked out in ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 13, 2020 9:12 am
News
Island Park bridge to be improved
NILES — Since Island Park was closed off to the public in February 2018 due to major flooding on the St. Joseph River, its most ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, February 12, 2020 8:35 am
Brandywine Education
Tennis courts will come back to Brandywine
NILES — Athletic staff at Brandywine Community Schools could not recall the final season the district’s tennis courts were played on. Some remember their remnants, ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, February 12, 2020 8:34 am
News
Cards stacked against demolishing blighted complex, but residents are ready to fight
NILES — Blocks of blighted property are just beyond Lindsey and Theodore Schrader’s backyard. The remains of National Standard’s Wayne Street buildings loom behind them, ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, February 12, 2020 8:34 am
News
Aggravated stalker ditched parole tether
NILES — A convicted aggravated stalker was sent behind bars Monday morning for ditching his parole tether. Austin Rosenthal, 27, of S. Third St. in ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, February 11, 2020 8:35 am
News
Niles community group seeks to support students with mentors, minority teachers
NILES — HOPE’s mission is in its acronym: Helping Our People Evolve. The Niles community group seeks to positively affect people individually through advancements in ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, February 11, 2020 8:35 am
Dowagiac
Path from community college to four-year college smoothed out
DOWAGIAC — Katherine Gries shared her situation transparently: most students at her employer, Southwestern Michigan College, enroll with plans to transfer to receive a bachelor’s ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, February 11, 2020 8:32 am
Buchanan
Fernwood director shares stories of the floral field
BUCHANAN — Under the bolded names of leaders in the world of plants at the Sims Education Center, Fernwood executive director Carol Line shared the ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Monday, February 10, 2020 8:41 am
News
Secure, smooth voting practiced in Niles in wake of Iowa caucus
NILES — Niles City Clerk Linda Casperson is ready for a smooth, secure election process for Niles voters. When voters line up at their precinct ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Monday, February 10, 2020 8:41 am
Buchanan
Buchanan man invents device to help limit drownings
BUCHANAN — Buchanan resident Jerry Hinz watched someone nearly drown in his arms at a New Buffalo marina in October 2019. Now, he has developed ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, February 7, 2020 8:55 am
Education
Ring Lardner’s Evan Winkler receives outstanding assistant principal award
NILES — On Feb. 3, Evan Winkler, Ring Lardner Middle School assistant principal, was recognized as among the best assistant principals in the state for ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, February 7, 2020 8:54 am
Berrien County
Wanted Bridgman fugitive arrested in Mexico
BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO — A former Bridgman man charged with criminal sexual conduct and accosting a minor in 2015 was caught in Mexico on Feb. ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 6, 2020 8:50 am
Buchanan
Buchanan native becomes first-ever BMX freestyle Olympic qualifier
NILES — In 2019, BMX freestyle cyclist athlete Hannah Roberts dominated world competitions in her sport. Now, she is the first-ever qualifier for the BMX ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 6, 2020 8:49 am
News
Future US-12, M-51, Third Street work meant to increase safety, lessen traffic
NILES — Kyle Rudlaff, a lifelong Berrien County resident, recalled a time when people thought US-12 would be the big beltway connecting the industrial corner ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 6, 2020 8:42 am
Berrien County
Wanted Bridgman fugitive arrested in Mexico
NORTHWEST MEXICO — A former Bridgman man charged with criminal sexual conduct and accosting a minor in 2015 was caught in Mexico thanks to a ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, February 5, 2020 9:38 am
Buchanan
Basketball tournament to honor Buchanan man, fraternity that supported him
BUCHANAN — Avery Brown, of Buchanan, would have turned 30 Feb. 24, but gun violence prevented that from happening in 2018. Brown’s relatives, however, intend ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, February 5, 2020 9:10 am
News
Niles city rules require marijuana odor regulations
NILES — As Niles City Council considered, voted and passed ordinances to allow marijuana businesses in town, one issue was frequently raised: What about the ...
