Community News
Ydalee Sotelo crowned Miss Niles 2020
NILES — Ydalee Sotelo said she takes a lot of pride in Niles. She enjoys helping its residents and giving back to the community that ...
Beau Brockett Jr., Author at Leader Publications - Page 4 of 19
Galleries
Photo gallery: Hunter Ice Festival
NILES — The 16th annual Hunter Ice Festival completed its three-day weekend run Sunday, Jan. 19 in downtown Niles. Despite the snow, rain, slush, wind ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Sunday, January 19, 2020 10:08 pm
News
Community rallies to support damaged River Santa display
NILES — Santa Claus may have fallen off his sleigh seat and some of his reindeer may have fallen into the St. Joseph River, but ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, January 17, 2020 8:54 am
Education
Reaching for the Reins preps ice cream for festival
NILES — Eight Cedar Lane Alternative High School students ensured the Hunter Ice Festival could live up to its namesake Wednesday at the Niles Entrepreneurial ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, January 17, 2020 8:54 am
Breaking News
Convicted murderer to receive new sentence
NILES — Robert Leamon III, 43, a convicted murderer from Niles, will receive a lighter sentence than his current life without parole. Cass County Circuit ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, January 16, 2020 5:58 pm
News
Four Flags Plaza floods
NILES — Flooding at Four Flags Plaza Apartments caused by human error forced some first-floor residents out of their apartments Wednesday morning. Now, residents are ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, January 16, 2020 5:36 pm
Berrien County
ESL course coming to LMC
NILES — An upcoming course offered by Lake Michigan College will teach business essentials to students and community members alike that are non-native English speakers. ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, January 16, 2020 8:50 am
News
Michiana man plans to bring music to Hunter Ice Festival
NILES — Kody Bryant played his first full gig as a musician on a 100-degree day in August 2018. Both nerves and heat had him ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, January 16, 2020 8:47 am
Brandywine Education
Merritt Elementary School emphasizing health, kindness, respectfulness
NILES — This week, students of Merritt Elementary School have hopped, crab-walked and done wall push-ups down their main hallway. Brandi Zoll, the school’s counselor, ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, January 16, 2020 8:45 am
News
MLK Jr. Day breakfast to celebrate, learn from Dr. King
NILES — Stop by Mount Calvary Baptist Church between 7 and 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, and its staff and volunteers will work to ensure ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, January 15, 2020 9:22 am
Local Government
Marijuana grow facility could have similar neighbor
NILES — At the intersection of N. 13th and Lake streets in Niles, construction crews are turning an industrial property once owned by Tyler Refrigeration ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, January 15, 2020 9:19 am
Buchanan
Buchanan man to serve up to 90 years for killing four
NILES — A 54-year-old Buchanan man that killed four people while driving drunk on Aug. 2, 2019, was sentenced to 47 to 90 years in ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, January 14, 2020 8:56 am
Education
Niles resident achieves Eagle Scout status
NILES — Noah Vogl said the path to Eagle Scout is long and arduous — Scout’s honor — but it was well worth it. On ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, January 14, 2020 8:53 am
News
Michiana resident receives realty award for commitment
SOUTH BEND — Stephanie Whitaker has been “saving the world one party at a time,” said Jan Edwards. On Friday, Whitaker was recognized for her ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Monday, January 13, 2020 9:02 am
News
Candle-making class to be hosted at Hunter Ice Festival
NILES — The Hunter Ice Festival comes with an array of aromas for attendees to sniff as they stroll around Niles, admiring ice sculptures and ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Monday, January 13, 2020 9:00 am
Business
Chili crawl competitors prepare for Hunter Ice Festival
NILES — Outdoor festivities at the Hunter Ice Festival might chill some to the bone, but the event’s chili crawl is meant to warm attendees ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Friday, January 10, 2020 8:32 am
Business
New Niles business styles hair for everyone
NILES — When Danelle Hayes and her mother-in-law drove to Harding’s Supermarket in Niles, the two came across a “For Sale” sign that piqued Danelle’s ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, January 9, 2020 9:16 am
Berrien County
Area Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates merge
NILES — Two weeks ago, Alexis Bechtel was the sole Big Brothers Big Sisters case manager for Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties in Michigan. ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, January 9, 2020 9:11 am
Berrien County
New regional chamber president has deep roots in Berrien County
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — Late last year, Arthur Havlicek was working as a liaison between Michigan’s state representatives and west Michigan. Now, as the president and ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Thursday, January 9, 2020 8:56 am
News
Niles Township trustees establish construction oversight
NILES — In preparation for as-of-yet-unrevealed construction project request, Niles Charter Township’s board of trustees voted 5-2 to create a building board of appeals Monday ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, January 8, 2020 8:40 am
News
Curatorial fellowship meant to help manage Niles History Center’s vast collection
NILES — Inside Niles’ historic Chapin Mansion, nestled behind a dining room detailed with ornate decorative fixtures, behind a doorknob once turned by servants to ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Wednesday, January 8, 2020 8:39 am
News
Stabbing, hitting leads to jail time for Buchanan man
NILES — A Buchanan man who stabbed his victim in the stomach with a pair of scissors was sentenced Monday at the Niles Courthouse, 1205 ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, January 7, 2020 8:56 am
News
Study deems Niles a top place for fitness training
NILES — Niles concluded 2019 with two new downtown fitness centers, FitStop24 and Trap House 24. Two days into 2020, it was recognized as a ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Tuesday, January 7, 2020 8:55 am
Brandywine Education
Brandywine committee seeks alumni awardee nominations
NILES — Three new awards to recognize and celebrate alumni are coming to Brandywine Community Schools, and the committee behind them is seeking nominees. The ...
by Beau Brockett Jr., Monday, January 6, 2020 8:29 am
News
BSA Scouts kick off historic 2020 with recycling drive
NILES — A longstanding Niles area organization kicked off its 85th anniversary year with an event they have done for decades: picking up and accepting ...
