Max Harden, Author at Leader Publications

Cassopolis

Man gets jail time for meth possession

CASSOPOLIS — A local man was sentenced to jail Friday in Cass County Circuit Court for drug possession.   Dennis Wills Henslee, 45, pleaded guilty to ... Read more

by Max Harden, Sunday, January 19, 2025 5:31 am

Community News

Annual Hunter Ice Festival returns to downtown Niles

NILES — The 21st annual Hunter Ice Festival has arrived in downtown Niles. The annual festival, which sees dozens of expertly carved ice sculptures placed ... Read more

by Max Harden, Friday, January 17, 2025 10:00 am

Community News

Niles greenlights third annual Michiana PrideFest

NILES — A popular event will return to downtown Niles in June.  The Niles City Council moved 6-1 Monday to approve the third annual Michiana ... Read more

by Max Harden, Wednesday, January 15, 2025 4:34 pm

Dowagiac HS

Dowagiac boys beat New Buffalo 54-45 for first win of season

DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac boys basketball team tasted victory Tuesday night in front of its home crowd. The Chieftains defeated New Buffalo 54-45 and snapped ... Read more

by Max Harden, Wednesday, January 15, 2025 10:34 am

Dowagiac

Pets rescued from Pokagon Township structure fire

POKAGON TOWNSHIP — 18 pets were rescued from a residential fire in Pokagon Township Monday afternoon, according to the Dowagiac City Fire Department. At approximately ... Read more

by Max Harden, Tuesday, January 14, 2025 1:25 pm

Community News

2025 Miss Dowagiac court ready to represent community

DOWAGIAC — Three Dowagiac teens will be representing their community throughout the year as members of the 2025 Miss Dowagiac Court of Honor. Amelia Bakeman ... Read more

by Max Harden, Monday, January 13, 2025 4:53 pm

Community News

Annual Hunter Ice Festival returns to Niles this weekend

NILES — One of the Niles community’s most popular events is set to return this weekend. The 21st annual Hunter Ice Festival will take place ... Read more

by Max Harden, Monday, January 13, 2025 2:43 pm

Crime/Court

Dowagiac police investigate shooting incident

DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac police said no one was injured after shots were fired on Riverside Drive on Saturday. At approximately 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Dowagiac police ... Read more

by Max Harden, Monday, January 13, 2025 10:44 am

Community News

Amelia Bakeman crowned Miss Dowagiac 2025

DOWAGIAC — A new reign of royalty began in Dowagiac Saturday night. Amelia was crowned Miss Dowagiac 2025 Saturday evening at Dowagiac Middle School. “I ... Read more

by Max Harden, Sunday, January 12, 2025 5:58 pm

Edwardsburg HS

Edwardsburg, Niles hoops split Little Warrior Big Heart games

EDWARDSBURG — The Edwardsburg and Niles girls and boys basketball teams played ball for a cause Friday night. The Eddies hosted their Little Warrior Big ... Read more

by Max Harden, Saturday, January 11, 2025 10:02 am

Community News

‘Place of the Rapids’: Niles, Pokagon Band install new Pawating sign

NILES — Nestled near the St. Joseph River is a new sign installed to both honor and recognize the rich Indigenous history of the Niles ... Read more

by Max Harden, Friday, January 10, 2025 3:19 pm

Crime/Court

Two men arrested in connection with Pokagon Township tree theft

POKAGON TOWNSHIP — Two men accused of stealing a tree from a Pokagon Township property in an attempt to sell it were arrested Tuesday in ... Read more

by Max Harden, Wednesday, January 8, 2025 9:40 am

Crime/Court

Search warrant leads to robbery arrests in Lincoln Township

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP — A man and a woman were arrested Tuesday in connection with a robbery that took place in Buchanan Township last month, according ... Read more

by Max Harden, Tuesday, January 7, 2025 5:15 pm

Education

MEC opens applications for trade school, college scholarships

CASSOPOLIS — Midwest Energy and Communications is offering four $1,000 scholarships to local high school seniors toward their trade school or college education.  Additionally, up ... Read more

by Max Harden, Tuesday, January 7, 2025 1:15 pm

News

Niles bowling teams fall in match play at Huskies Invitational

KALAMAZOO — The Niles girls and boys varsity bowling teams traveled to Kalamazoo Continental Lanes Sunday for the Husky Invitational. The boys competed against eight ... Read more

by Max Harden, Tuesday, January 7, 2025 11:01 am

Business

Emerge Innovation Hub to host annual listening session

NILES — A nonprofit is helping local entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Emerge Innovation Hub recently launched in Niles and is gearing up to ... Read more

by Max Harden, Monday, January 6, 2025 3:35 pm

Cass County

Two arrested, one hospitalized in LaGrange Township shooting

LAGRANGE TOWNSHIP — A woman was hospitalized following a shooting Sunday night in LaGrange Township, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Two men were ... Read more

by Max Harden, Monday, January 6, 2025 10:20 am

News

Niles boys hoops beats Lakeshore 53-42

STEVENSVILLE — The Niles boys basketball team took care of business at Lakeshore Friday night. The Vikings defeated the Lancers 53-42 in their first game ... Read more

by Max Harden, Saturday, January 4, 2025 2:51 pm

Berrien County

Pokagon Fund awards grant to Neighbor by Neighbor

NEW BUFFALO — Neighbor by Neighbor was recently awarded a grant to help local families improve their circumstances and achieve long-term stability by the Pokagon ... Read more

by Max Harden, Friday, January 3, 2025 9:53 am

Business

Brookie’s Cafe opens in Dowagiac

DOWAGIAC — A new dining option has opened its doors in downtown Dowagiac. Brookie’s Cafe, 105 Beeson St., Dowagiac, opened its doors to the community ... Read more

by Max Harden, Thursday, January 2, 2025 5:43 pm

Buchanan

Thistledown & Row opens in Buchanan

BUCHANAN — A new restaurant and cidery is giving the historic Redden block a new lease on life in downtown Buchanan.  Thistledown & Row, a ... Read more

by Max Harden, Wednesday, January 1, 2025 1:08 pm

Buchanan

Buchanan man gets prison time on multiple charges

NILES — A Buchanan man was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court on multiple charges. Timothy Patrick James, 37, of Buchanan, pleaded ... Read more

by Max Harden, Tuesday, December 31, 2024 2:01 pm

Community News

Meet the 2025 Miss Dowagiac contestants

DOWAGIAC — Pageantry returns to Dowagiac in January.  The 2025 Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant will be held Saturday, January 11, at the Dowagiac Middle School ... Read more

by Max Harden, Tuesday, December 31, 2024 1:25 pm

Community News

Dowagiac Connected to host inaugural Snow Ball

DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac Connected has announced its latest event – the Snow Ball, a magical family winter formal designed to bring the community together.  The ... Read more

by Max Harden, Monday, December 30, 2024 3:22 pm

Crime/Court

Dowagiac authorities investigating vandalism at Hartman Auto Service

DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac Police Department is asking for the public’s help in the identification of suspects involved in a vandalism incident at Hartman Auto ... Read more

by Max Harden, Friday, December 27, 2024 7:50 am

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