Cass County
Niles man gets jail time for meth possession
CASSOPOLIS — A Niles man was sentenced to a year in jail for possession of meth in Cass County Court Friday. Shaun Northrop, 35, of ...
Sarah Culton, Author at Leader Publications
Leader Columnists
CULTON: Goodnight, and good luck
I’ve always kind of hated putting my own words to the page. That might sound silly considering I write for a living, but in journalism, ...
by Sarah Culton, Friday, February 4, 2022 9:27 am
Cassopolis
Niles natives plan to open theater in downtown Cassopolis
CASSOPOLIS — A new theater is aiming to bring the performing arts to downtown Cassopolis. Cousins and Niles natives Alicia Savage and David Ferrell are ...
by Sarah Culton, Friday, February 4, 2022 9:22 am
Cassopolis
When county offices close due to snow, Cass County Sheriff’s Office hosts wedding for Illinois couple
CASSOPOLIS — While most people spent Wednesday staying warm from the comfort of their homes or shoveling snow from their driveways, one Illinois couple was ...
by Sarah Culton, Thursday, February 3, 2022 11:08 am
Buchanan
Buchanan honors its first female athletes
BUCHANAN — As she watched the 2022 Buchanan girls basketball team run across the court Friday night, clad in their classic burgundy and white shorts ...
by Sarah Culton, Tuesday, February 1, 2022 2:23 pm
News
Niles nonprofit hosts first of four financial literacy workshops
NILES — One area organization has taken on the responsibility of educating Niles community members on the finances impact their lives. Wednesday, Helping Our People ...
by Sarah Culton, Thursday, January 27, 2022 12:01 pm
Cassopolis
Cassopolis Middle School teacher awarded MEC grant
CASSOPOLIS — One Cassopolis classroom will have the opportunity to have more hands-on lessons, thanks to a grant from a regional business. Earlier this month, ...
by Sarah Culton, Thursday, January 27, 2022 9:43 am
News
Niles DDA hopes to have new downtown gathering space in place by late spring, early summer
NILES — Work to dismantle the Niles Outdoor Dining Experience was underway Tuesday morning, but Niles Main Street Downtown Development Authority officials said this is ...
by Sarah Culton, Tuesday, January 25, 2022 12:35 pm
News
Council votes to close the NODE, reopen Second Street
NILES – After months of debate, the Niles City Council has voted to close the Niles Outdoor Dining Experience in its current location. During Monday’s ...
by Sarah Culton, Monday, January 24, 2022 7:08 pm
Cass County
Cass County welcomes new 4-H program coordinator
CASSOPOLIS — Though her new office in the Cass County Administration Building in downtown Cassopolis is still not unpacked, Dowagiac resident Rennie Witham said she ...
by Sarah Culton, Friday, January 21, 2022 10:26 am
Business
Downtown Cassopolis event space gets new owners
CASSOPOLIS — When Amanda McCord, 29, and Caleb Breitenbach, 26, fell in love, they did so while traveling between their homes in South Bend and ...
by Sarah Culton, Thursday, January 20, 2022 1:49 pm
Cassopolis
Mobile science lab visits Sam Adams Elementary
CASSOPOLIS — From the sweetener in soft drinks to the packing peanuts keeping packages safe, Cassopolis students learned about all the different ways one locally-grown ...
by Sarah Culton, Thursday, January 20, 2022 10:32 am
News
Niles Township approves pay increase for zoning administrator
NILES TOWNSHIP — The Niles Township Board of Trustees took care of a short agenda Tuesday evening. Tuesday, the board met for its regularly scheduled ...
by Sarah Culton, Wednesday, January 19, 2022 3:37 pm
Cassopolis
LEE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day
CASSOPOLIS — Monday evening, one Cassopolis organization took the time to look toward the future of the community, while recognizing a figure from the past. ...
by Sarah Culton, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 2:16 pm
Cassopolis
Cassopolis VFW to host twice-monthly pancake breakfasts
CASSOPOLIS — The smell of maple syrup, fresh coffee and pancakes wafted through the Cassopolis Veterans of Foreign Wars post this weekend in what organizers ...
by Sarah Culton, Monday, January 17, 2022 3:53 pm
Cass County
Cass District Library to celebrate National LEGO Day
EDWARDSBURG — Later this month, children across Cass County will be given the chance to build up their creativity — brick-by-colored brick. On Jan. 28, ...
by Sarah Culton, Friday, January 14, 2022 2:29 pm
Cass County
Cass County Medical Care Facility welcomes new administrator
CASSOPOLIS — With the help of a recent staffing change, one area organization is looking to expand and improve long-term care in Cass County. Last ...
by Sarah Culton, Friday, January 14, 2022 9:28 am
News
PHOTO STORY: Cooler weather on the horizon for Hunter Ice Festival
NILES — Thursday, ice carvers were hard at work sculpting frozen masterpieces for this weekend’s Hunter Ice Festival in downtown Niles. With cooler temps on ...
by Sarah Culton, Thursday, January 13, 2022 3:30 pm
Cass County
Commissioners elect new officers, select new meeting time
CASSOPOLIS — New leadership is now in place in Cass County government. During the Cass County Board of Commissioners’ first meeting of the year last ...
by Sarah Culton, Thursday, January 13, 2022 9:18 am
Business
Stone Lake Bar and Grill opens in downtown Cassopolis
CASSOPOLIS — A newly opened bar and grill in southwest Michigan is aiming to be a place where its regulars become like family. Stone Lake ...
by Sarah Culton, Wednesday, January 12, 2022 2:45 pm
Cassopolis
PHOTO STORY: Miss Cassopolis names 2022 Court of Honor
CASSOPOLIS — Over the last two years, Cassopolis teens Rebekah Rininger and Will Poitras have bonded both as friends and fellow royalty, having been named ...
by Sarah Culton, Monday, January 10, 2022 4:45 pm
Cassopolis
Cass Area Artists to host third annual gallery in county administration building
CASSOPOLIS — Cass County will become a bit more colorful next month with the return of an annual gallery exhibit. The third annual Cass County ...
by Sarah Culton, Friday, January 7, 2022 1:26 pm
Cass County
Residents call for change at accident-prone intersection
VOLINIA TOWNSHIP — Monday afternoon, Volinia Township resident Nicole Tienda Stacks stood outside her home at the corner of Marcellus Highway and Decatur Road as ...
by Sarah Culton, Thursday, January 6, 2022 2:05 pm
Edwardsburg
Edwardsburg, Ontwa Township officials look back on 2021, look forward to 2022
EDWARDSBURG — With 2021 officially in the rearview, officials in Edwardsburg and Ontwa Township are looking back on a successful year and hoping for a ...
by Sarah Culton, Thursday, January 6, 2022 10:56 am
Dowagiac
Benefit dinner to be hosted in support of Sister Lakes man battling cancer
SISTER LAKES — For nearly 30 years, Sister Lakes resident Lance Rogalski supported his community by serving at the Sister Lakes Fire Department. “I’ve always ...
