News
February 12, 2025
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Cassopolis tabs firm for village master plan

CASSOPOLIS — The Cassopolis Village Council selected a planner for their new Village of Cassopolis Master Plan and Parks Plan at their meeting on Monday. Cassopolis has chosen Progressive Companies, with offices in Grand Rapids, as the planner for the 2025-2030 Master Plan. Progressive was one of three companies who presented options at the Jan. […]

News
February 12, 2025
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PHOTO STORY: Protesters rally against Musk, DOGE in downtown Niles

NILES — More than 50 people gathered in downtown Niles Monday afternoon for a rally protesting the actions of Elon Musk and his influence over US government agencies.  “Hey hey, ho ho, Elon Musk has got to go,” chants echoed throughout downtown as the group – made up of dozens of Berrien and Cass County residents […]

News
February 12, 2025
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Buchanan commissioners discuss downtown infrastructure project

BUCHANAN — Discussion about how to pay for a $1.5 million shortfall on the upcoming downtown infrastructure project was a major topic at Monday night’s Buchanan City Commission meeting. Commissioners also acted on two liquor license requests and learned about upcoming meetings on a proposed merger between SMCAS and Medic 1.  A majority of the […]

News
February 11, 2025
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Niles man gets jail time for assaulting neighbor

NILES — A Niles man who got into a dispute with a neighbor was sentenced to jail Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse. Collinsworth Kyle Paul Collinsworth, 27, of Niles, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was sentenced to five months in jail with credit for 15 days already served. He […]

News
February 11, 2025
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Niles’ Ward repeats as district champion

By Jack Walkden DOWAGIAC — Defending state champion Maddison Ward rolled to an easy district championship Sunday. Ward won a state 170-pound title last year for Brandywine. She transferred to Niles this season and ran her record to 24-0 in three straight district wins at 155 pounds. Ward drew a bye, then pinning Harmony Wethington […]

News
February 11, 2025
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Notre Dame men’s hoops falls to Virginia Tech 65-63

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Notre Dame men’s basketball team built a 14-point lead in the first half against Virginia Tech on Saturday, but another cold shooting stint down the final stretch cost the Fighting Irish (10-13, 4-8) another game, falling 63-65 to the Hokies (11-13, 6-7). It marks the third straight loss in which […]

News
February 11, 2025
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Niles’ Rucker, Dowagiac’s Chapman win district titles

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — A pair of local wrestlers are heading to the regional tournament after winning individual district championships Saturday. Sam Rucker of Niles and Cal Chapman of Dowagiac won individual district wrestling titles Saturday. Rucker (30-1) won the 175-pound weight class in the Division 2 district at Lakeshore and Chapman (33-2) captured the 285 […]

News
February 11, 2025
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Brewer named interim SMC President

DOWAGIAC — Brent Brewer was named interim president of Southwestern Michigan College during a special Thursday meeting following the resignation of President Dr. Joe Odenwald. Brewer, the school’s Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, will assume the role effective May 11, 2025, subject to contract negotiations. Odenwald notified the SMC Board of Trustees earlier […]

News
February 04, 2025
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Dowagiac hosts 28th annual Ice Time Festival

DOWAGIAC — Hundreds of visitors descended on downtown Dowagiac for its 28th annual Ice Time Festival on Saturday. In addition to an extra-large ice sculpture being carved this year by the Ice Gurus, outside events include the Sled Dog Meet and Greet and Timber Carving demonstration and the annual Frozen Fish Toss Open Competition delighted […]

News
February 04, 2025
52 views 5 mins 0

Stevensville woman sentenced for tampering with evidence in fatal shooting

NILES — Monday’s sentencings at the Niles courthouse included that of a Stevensville woman charged with tampering with evidence associated with the Nov. 2 homicide of an Eau Claire firefighter.       Elizabeth Deanne Harper, 43, of Stevensville, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and was sentenced to two years probation, 180 days in jail with […]