Beau Brockett Jr., Author at Leader Publications

Buchanan

Buchanan enters second season of new esports league

BUCHANAN — March 17 is a big matchup for the Buchanan Bucks, said Bryan Pearson, one of Buchanan High School’s newest coaches. That day, his ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, March 6, 2020 8:47 am

Buchanan

Buchanan teen sewing, selling sock creatures

BUCHANAN — On a quiet day at Alan Robandt Antique, Vintage, & Modern, customers may hear a faint humming from the floor above. The 1906 ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, March 5, 2020 8:52 am

Education

Niles students prepare to perform ‘The Music Man’

NILES — Many people may know the plot of the 1957 musical, “The Music Man.” Many people may also know the Niles High School actors ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, March 3, 2020 8:46 am

Education

PHOTO STORY: NHS decorates classroom doors for Black History Month

NILES — While Black History Month’s last day was Saturday, Niles High School’s celebration of it is in full swing. Students, teachers and staff decorated ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, March 3, 2020 8:44 am

Berrien County

LWV details how to vote early for 2020’s four elections

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — A few days out from the March 10 presidential primary election, the League of Women Voters of Berrien and Cass Counties hosted ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Monday, March 2, 2020 8:40 am

Horizons

Marijuana businesses brace for changes, a bright future

On a chilly November morning, George Lynch sits on a camping chair in the bones of an auto care center. Behind him are wooden beams, ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Sunday, March 1, 2020 7:45 pm

Horizons

Michiana manufacturing businesses cite growing workforce as key to growth

Think of the word “manufacturing.” What are its associations? Dirty floors, oily equipment, dingy warehouses, poor conditions and poor pay. That, said Brooke Kostielney, is ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Sunday, March 1, 2020 7:36 pm

Berrien County

Nonprofits, city services offer transportation solutions as county efforts lurch forward

The bright blue garage of New Heights Auto Services on M-139, oddly, is easy to miss. Hundreds of drivers likely do so each day on ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Sunday, March 1, 2020 7:10 pm

Buchanan

Buchanan Promise has time to fulfill goals, but impact is already seen

When Becky and JT Adkerson prepared to build a new home for their family three years ago, they had no intentions of moving out of ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Sunday, March 1, 2020 6:04 pm

Brandywine Education

Southwest Michigan’s shining stars setting a bright light for the future

While no quantitative studies can prove it, perhaps the question high school seniors are asked the most is, “What are your plans after graduation?” These ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Sunday, March 1, 2020 5:58 pm

News

Former Detroit Lions en route to opening Niles pot shop

NILES — Two former Detroit Lions were subject to no pass interferences during Wednesday’s Niles Planning Commission meeting as they sought to open a medical ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, February 28, 2020 8:47 am

News

Two Niles auto care centers will find new life

NILES — Two businesses will rise from the properties of two former S. 11th St. auto centers in Niles. On Wednesday evening, the Niles Planning ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, February 28, 2020 8:46 am

Business

Niles photographer launches pet portrait project to aid in bushfire aftermath

NILES — As Shayne Culp watched the months-long bushfires ravage nearly 50 million acres of Australian land, killing an estimated billion animals, she took it ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 27, 2020 8:58 am

Berrien County

YMCA to host Day of Giving as it nears fundraising goal

NILES — The Niles-Buchanan YMCA has spent the last four years fundraising for a building and programming expansion. Now, the “countdown” has begun, said Jill ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, February 26, 2020 9:06 am

News

Niles previews masterplan

NILES — A sneak peek of the city of Niles’ vision for the future was given Monday evening at a Niles City Council committee of ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, February 26, 2020 8:56 am

Berrien County

Berrien County schools can opt into pre-Labor Day start

BERRIEN SPRINGS — A public hearing on potentially starting school before Labor Day ended with a definite answer: Berrien County school boards can vote to ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, February 25, 2020 7:20 pm

Brandywine Education

Area students compete for ticket to national spelling bee

BENTON HARBOR — With the chance to become national spelling bee champs on the line, nearly 50 students gathered last Thursday to test their linguistic ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, February 25, 2020 9:05 am

News

High school senior elected president of Riverfront Optimist Club

NILES — Joshua Sitarz’s first memory of the Niles Family Fun Fair and Music Festival was as a 14-year-old in 2015. He volunteered to pick ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Monday, February 24, 2020 8:48 am

Business

Uncle Rod’s opens brick and mortar storefront

NILES — Longtime fans of Uncle Rod’s BBQ & Catering have watched the Niles business grow from an occasional side business to a constant food ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, February 21, 2020 8:54 am

Brandywine Education

Absurdity about in Brandywine’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’

NILES — Walk past Brandywine Middle/Senior High School’s lecture hall and one might hear a variety of hoots, screeches and nonsensical statements. Peer in, and ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, February 21, 2020 8:53 am

Business

Niles artist brings her city’s landmarks to homes

NILES — Since she moved to the city when she was 2 years old, Heather Pletcher has been a Niles resident. Since 1974, she has ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 20, 2020 8:50 am

News

Niles Township approves new radios, training for firefighters

NILES — The Niles Charter Township Board of Trustees made moves Monday evening to better prepare its firefighters for emergencies. Two weeks after the board ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 20, 2020 8:42 am

Berrien County

State Rep. Brad Paquette testifies on his gun bill

LANSING — Two days before the Berrien County Board of Commissioners declined to make the county null from gun regulations last Thursday, a state representative ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, February 20, 2020 8:42 am

News

Buchanan native shares leadership, relationship tips in written word

BUCHANAN — Dec. 10, 2019, was a date Daphne Scott said she will never forget. The months beforehand were part “insanity,” part pleasure, but on ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, February 19, 2020 8:38 am

Education

Niles students head to Lansing to problem-solve

NILES — A day trip to Lansing resulted in a plan of action for Niles New Tech students to better their school and the greater ... Read more

by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, February 19, 2020 8:37 am

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