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1 day ago | 
heraldpalladium.com | Debra Haight
GRAND RAPIDS — Oral arguments were heard Wednesday at the Michigan Court of Appeals in the Taylor Ryan Johnson drunk driving causing death case. Johnson, a Buchanan resident, is accused of driving intoxicated and causing the death of Berrien County Road Department worker William “Mack” Isom. kAm%96 yF=J a_[ a_aa :?4:56?E @? #65 qF5 %C2:= :? ~C@?@<@ %@H?D9:A E@@< E96 =:76 @7 xD@> H9@ H2D EC:>>:?8 EC66 3C2?496D :?
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2 days ago | 
leaderpub.com | Debra Haight
Published 12:16 pm Wednesday, May 14, 2025 NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP — Brandywine Board of Education members approved a new course and new graduation requirement for high school seniors at their meeting Monday night. Board members had discussed the new personal finance course and the accompanying graduation requirement at their meeting in late April.
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3 days ago | 
leaderpub.com | Debra Haight
Published 1:25 pm Tuesday, May 13, 2025 BUCHANAN — Buchanan City Commissioners have taken the final step to bring back the Downtown Development Authority to help promote economic development in the downtown area. The DDA was disbanded in 2020 amid controversy between members and city officials.
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3 days ago | 
heraldpalladium.com | Debra Haight
BERRIEN SPRINGS — Student honors and class trips were the main topics of discussion at a recent Berrien Springs Board of Education meeting. Board members honored the top graduating seniors with a reception before the Thursday meeting and a presentation during the meeting. kAmq6CC:6?
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4 days ago | 
leaderpub.com | Debra Haight
Published 2:07 pm Monday, May 12, 2025 NILES — A Niles man who threw his three-month-old daughter on the ground was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. Daniel Jay Pickens, 26, of Niles, pleaded guilty to the child abuse charge and was sentenced to 15 years to 45 years in prison. He has credit for 56 days already served and must pay $258 in fines and costs. The incident occurred Dec. 8, 2024 in Niles.
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6 days ago | 
heraldpalladium.com | Debra Haight
BERRIEN SPRINGS — Oronoko Township planning commissioners learned details about two new projects at their meeting this week. A new housing development could be on the way for land bordering Lake Chapin in the township. Tim Dockerty brought back plans for the development to the planning commission’s meeting Tuesday, after putting the plans on temporary hold earlier this year. kAm%96 24C6286 E@E2=D 2C@F?5 ah 24C6D 2?5 :D 3@C56C65 3J $?@H #@25 @? E96 ?@CE9 2?5 #65 qF5 %C2:= @?
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1 week ago | 
leaderpub.com | Debra Haight
Published 4:07 pm Tuesday, May 6, 2025 NILES — Area residents received probation and jail terms Monday at the Niles courthouse. Tyshon Lamareon Newman, 23, of Benton Harbor, pleaded guilty to three counts of identity theft and possession with intent to deliver forged or counterfeit identification cards and was sentenced to two years probation in the Swift & Sure Sanctions Program, 300 days in jail with credit for 53 days served and $802 in fines and costs.
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1 week ago | 
leaderpub.com | Debra Haight
Published 2:22 pm Monday, May 5, 2025 NILES — A 61-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for sexually molesting a young girl and getting her pregnant. Willie Wright, Jr., 61, now of Kalamazoo, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. He has credit for 94 days served and must pay $258 in fines and costs.
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2 weeks ago | 
leaderpub.com | Debra Haight
Published 12:00 pm Friday, May 2, 2025 CASSOPOLIS — Three area residents were sentenced Friday in Cass County Circuit Court at the Cass County Law & Courts Building. Benjamin David Kamp, 43, of Elkhart, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine/ecstasy and was sentenced to three years probation, 365 days in jail with credit for four days served and $2,628 in fines and costs. The incident occurred Sept. 30, 2024 in Newberg Township near Jones.
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2 weeks ago | 
leaderpub.com | Debra Haight
Published 12:17 pm Wednesday, April 30, 2025 NILES — The Brandywine school district is looking to apply for a $300,000 grant this year to add sidewalks to the 17th Street and Bell Road intersection near Brandywine Middle/High School. Superintendent Travis Walker and student body representative Alleyna Volman both spoke about the project at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
