Debra Haight

3 weeks ago | heraldpalladium.com | Debra Haight

BERRIEN SPRINGS — A new residential development will soon be rising on the shores of Lake Chapin after action by the Oronoko Township Planning Commission this week. The planning commission approved developer Tim Dockerty’s request on Tuesday for a special use permit to have a planned unit development on acreage his family owns. The land is currently zoned Estate Residential and a planned unit development is an allowed special use.

3 weeks ago | leaderpub.com | Debra Haight

Published 12:33 pm Friday, June 6, 2025 CASSOPOLIS — A Cassopolis man will have the chance to keep a felony off his record. Andrew Victor Parsons, 42, of O’Keefe Street in Cassopolis, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to an 11 month delayed sentence probation, 30 days in jail with credit for five days served, 480 hours of community service, $1,588 in fines and costs and $345 in restitution. The remainder of his jail may be suspended.

3 weeks ago | heraldpalladium.com | Debra Haight

NILES — The man accused of hitting and killing a Berrien County Road Department worker while driving drunk nearly three years ago could soon be facing trial after the Michigan Court of Appeals denied his appeal Tuesday. Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Jerry Vigansky said Wednesday the case against Taylor Ryan Johnson should now go back on the trial schedule docket. Defense attorney Jessica LaFond said her office is still assessing whether they will appeal the Court of Appeals decision.

3 weeks ago | leaderpub.com | Debra Haight

Published 3:02 pm Tuesday, June 3, 2025 NILES — A Stevensville woman involved in the robbery of JD’s Truck Stop last December was sentenced to probation Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. Her co-defendant, Todd Forker, Jr., was not sentenced as he refused to be transported from the jail to the Niles courthouse Monday.

3 weeks ago | leaderpub.com | Debra Haight

Published 3:46 pm Monday, June 2, 2025 NILES — A former Buchanan High School janitor was sentenced to prison in Berrien County Trial Court for criminal sexual conduct against an underage girl earlier this year. Jameson Nickolas DeCarlo, 24, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 35 months to 15 years in prison with credit for 123 days served. He must register as a sex offender and must pay $258 in fines and costs.