Debra Haight, Author at Leader Publications

Community News

Junior Farm Bureau presents plaque to Berrien County Youth Fair Association

BERRIEN SPRINGS — When young people from farm families across Berrien County got together 70 and 80 years ago, they likely didn’t realize the impact ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Monday, November 4, 2024 12:41 pm

Crime/Court

Dowagiac men get prison time on drug charges

CASSOPOLIS — A pair of relatives from Dowagiac were sentenced to prison Friday in Cass County Circuit Court. Cousins Israel and Roberto Reyna were sentenced ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Friday, November 1, 2024 3:51 pm

Buchanan

McCollum Livery project added to Buchanan’s social district

BUCHANAN — Buchanan City Commissioners took action in support of the McCollum Livery project Monday night and heard about other businesses thinking about participating in ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Tuesday, October 29, 2024 3:14 pm

Brandywine Education

Brandywine board members discuss enrollment, student engagement, marching band

NILES — Monday’s Brandywine Board of Education meeting featured reports on enrollment and staff engagement as well as a tribute to the Brandywine Marching Band. ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Tuesday, October 29, 2024 3:01 pm

Crime/Court

Area men get prison time

NILES — Two area men were sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.      Jimmie Lee Brown, Jr., 64, ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Monday, October 28, 2024 3:31 pm

Crime/Court

Area men sentenced to prison

NILES — Two area men were sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.      Richard Romeo Hill, Jr., 32, ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Monday, October 21, 2024 2:26 pm

Community News

Berrien County Commissioners talk communications tower, juvenile center

ST. JOSEPH — Good news came on a number of fronts at Thursday’s Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting. The county board meets once more ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Thursday, October 17, 2024 5:40 pm

Buchanan

Buchanan to expand social district

BUCHANAN — Buchanan City Commissioners tackled a number of subjects at their meeting Monday. They approved a new labor contract with city workers and a ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Wednesday, October 16, 2024 7:40 am

Brandywine Education

Brandywine school board appoints new member

NILES — The Brandywine Board of Education has a new member as well as a new vice-president after action at a special meeting Monday night.  ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Tuesday, October 15, 2024 3:58 pm

Buchanan

Buchanan begins process to hire new city manager

BUCHANAN — The schedule has been set for the selection of a new Buchanan city manager with current City Manager Tim Lynch leaving at the ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Tuesday, October 15, 2024 1:47 pm

Crime/Court

Edwardsburg man gets jail, probation for criminal sexual conduct

CASSOPOLIS — An Edwardsburg man was sentenced to probation and jail in Cass County Circuit Court Friday for criminal sexual conduct. Pedro Moreno-Lopez, 47, of ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Tuesday, October 15, 2024 11:48 am

Crime/Court

Homeless man gets jail time for YMCA break-in

NILES — A homeless man who broke into the Niles YMCA and a nearby parked car was sentenced to jail Monday in Berrien County Trial ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Monday, October 14, 2024 1:34 pm

Brandywine Education

Deadline for Brandywine school board opening extended

NILES — The deadline to apply for an open seat on the Brandywine Board of Education has been extended until this Friday, Oct. 11 at ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Wednesday, October 9, 2024 1:03 pm

Crime/Court

Berrien Springs man gets prison time for unarmed robbery

NILES — A Berrien Springs man who forced an elderly woman to write a check to him was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Tuesday, October 8, 2024 10:32 am

Crime/Court

Niles man gets prison time on multiple charges

NILES — A Niles man who led police on a chase into Cass County was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Monday, October 7, 2024 1:31 pm

Cassopolis

Ohio man gets prison time in Cassopolis armed robbery

CASSOPOLIS — An Ohio man who took part in an armed robbery at a home in Cassopolis four years ago was sentenced to prison Friday ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Monday, October 7, 2024 12:24 pm

Crime/Court

Illinois man pleads guilty in Niles Saylor’s Pizza crash

  NILES — The Illinois man who fled police and crashed into Saylor’s Pizza in Niles pleaded guilty Wednesday to two felony charges in Berrien County ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Wednesday, October 2, 2024 3:55 pm

Buchanan

Buchanan man gets jail time for assaulting mother

NILES — A Buchanan man who assaulted his mother and threw several items around the home was sentenced to jail Monday in Berrien County Trial ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Wednesday, October 2, 2024 2:33 pm

Buchanan

Buchanan approves SMCAS assessment

BUCHANAN — The Buchanan City Commission is proposing a lower than expected assessment amount for city residents to pay to support the Southwestern Michigan Community ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Tuesday, October 1, 2024 1:04 pm

Crime/Court

Indiana man gets prison time for embezzling thousands from girlfriend’s mother

NILES — An Indiana man who stole tens of thousands of dollars from his girlfriend’s mother is headed to prison after being sentenced Monday in ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Monday, September 30, 2024 4:14 pm

Cass County

Cass County commissioners approve budget

CASSOPOLIS — Cass County Commissioners approved a new budget Tuesday at a special county board meeting but it wasn’t unanimously supported by commissioners or the ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Wednesday, September 25, 2024 5:57 pm

Buchanan

Buchanan commissioners take first steps toward SMCAS special assessment

BUCHANAN – Buchanan City Commissioners have re-established a special assessment district as the first step to approving a special assessment to support the Southwestern Michigan ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Tuesday, September 24, 2024 11:32 am

Crime/Court

South Bend men get jail time on multiple charges

NILES — Two South Bend men were sentenced after being arrested for firearms and other charges at a Niles gas station.      Donovan Lemell Felder, ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Monday, September 23, 2024 4:30 pm

Crime/Court

Niles man gets prison time for drunken driving

NILES — A Niles man who showed up for a probation appointment drunk was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.      Albert ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Monday, September 23, 2024 2:07 pm

Berrien County

Berrien County Commissioners award bid for for 500 Circle building renovation project

ST. JOSEPH – Thursday’s Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting featured discussion on whether to change the board’s meeting schedule as well as action on ... Read more

by Debra Haight, Friday, September 20, 2024 1:09 pm

< Older

SportsPlus