Niles Daily Star

10/31/2024

Those seeking to add to their collection of body art or to get their first tattoo have a new option in downtown Buchanan.

BUCHANAN — Those seeking to add to their collection of body art or to get their first tattoo have a new option in downtown Buchanan. Bucktown Parlor, located at 207 East Front Street, has been open for a few months. Artist and owner, Faith Boal, is excited to bring her creative work and joy of [.....

10/29/2024

Buchanan City Commissioners took action in support of the McCollum Livery project Monday night and heard about other businesses thinking about participating in the downtown social district program.

BUCHANAN — Buchanan City Commissioners took action in support of the McCollum Livery project Monday night and heard about other businesses thinking about participating in the downtown social district program. Meanwhile, commissioners postponed a vote on the replacement of the Front Street retainin...

10/29/2024

Monday’s Brandywine Board of Education meeting featured reports on enrollment and staff engagement as well as a tribute to the Brandywine Marching Band.

NILES — Monday’s Brandywine Board of Education meeting featured reports on enrollment and staff engagement as well as a tribute to the Brandywine Marching Band. Superintendent Travis Walker said the official fall enrollment count ended up a little lower than anticipated but still higher than las...

10/28/2024

Two area men were sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

NILES — Two area men were sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse. Jimmie Lee Brown, Jr., 64, homeless, pleaded guilty to larceny $1,000 to $20,000 and possession of narcotics/cocaine and was sentenced to 14 months to five years in prison on the larceny cas...

10/28/2024

Brandywine Community Schools is gearing up to host its annual Veterans Day breakfast.

NILES — Brandywine Community Schools will be holding its annual Veterans Day breakfast on Monday, November 11 at the Brandywine Athletic Community Center, 1700 Bell Rd., beginning at 9:30 a.m. Brandywine officials are proud to hold its second Veterans Day event in honor of community members who ha...

10/28/2024

Fernwood has announced the hiring of Mary Krinock as its new executive director, who will join the staff on November 11, 2024.

NILES — Fernwood has announced the hiring of Mary Krinock as its new executive director, who will join the staff on November 11, 2024. Originally from Michigan, Krinock comes to Fernwood with a wealth of experience and knowledge in arts and cultural institutions and the nonprofit sector. Her most ...

10/27/2024

To say Scott Novak was an inspiration to me would be an understatement. Over the course of five decades, Scott had his pulse on the local sports scene in a way few ever have. Climbing aboard the Leader Publications ship in the summer of 2020, it was refreshing to see a reporter as decorated as […]

10/26/2024

The Buchanan District Library is gaining new space, even though you'd never know it from the outside.

BUCHANAN — The Buchanan District Library is gaining new space, even though you’d never know it from the outside. “This building has always been full of potential,” said Meg Paulette Perez, Library Director. “All of us here at the Library are so excited to see the transformation continue......

10/25/2024

Listed inside are Q&As with candidates for Niles City Council who are running for open seats in the Nov. 5 primary election.

NILES — Listed below are Q&As with candidates for Niles City Council who are running for four open seats in the Nov. 5 primary election. Georgia Boggs, the longest-serving member of the city council, is running for re-election to the city council to represent the first ward for a seventh term. Why...

10/25/2024

In my mind, my relationship with Scott Novak spanned 60 years. One of the Paul Bunyan-like tall tales he enjoyed spinning was his role in bringing A Hard Day’s Night to the Dowagiac theater in 1964. Richard Phillipson and I stood on our seats straining to see over a boiling sea of screaming girls....

10/23/2024

It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of our beloved sports editor, Scott Novak. For 42 years, Scott dutifully patrolled the sidelines of gyms and athletic fields across southwest Michigan to provide our communities with award-winning coverage. His presence and kind smile will be deeply missed.

We offer our deepest condolences to his family and all those who loved him.

10/21/2024

Two area men were sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

NILES — Two area men were sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse. Richard Romeo Hill, Jr., 32, of Benton Harbor, pleaded guilty to third-degree fleeing and eluding and was sentenced to 14 months to five years in prison. He has credit for 144 days already s...

10/21/2024

Downtown Niles will soon play host to an event filled with fall festivities.

NILES — Downtown Niles will soon play host to more than a dozen small businesses from across Michiana for an event filled with fall festivities. Niles Main Street DDA is gearing up to host its annual Niles Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 26. The event will feature a variety of activities for all ages...

10/17/2024

Good news came on a number of fronts at Thursday’s Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting.

ST. JOSEPH — Good news came on a number of fronts at Thursday’s Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting. The county board meets once more this month on Oct. 24 at the County Administration Center in St. Joseph. County Commissioner and Administration Committee Chairman Jim Curran reported t...

10/15/2024

The Brandywine Board of Education has a new member as well as a new vice-president after action at a special meeting Monday night.

NILES — The Brandywine Board of Education has a new member as well as a new vice-president after action at a special meeting Monday night. The purpose of the meeting was to interview applicants to replace Board Vice-President Thomas Payne who resigned from the board in late September. Board member...

10/15/2024

The schedule has been set for the selection of a new Buchanan city manager with current City Manager Tim Lynch leaving at the end of December.

BUCHANAN — The schedule has been set for the selection of a new Buchanan city manager with current City Manager Tim Lynch leaving at the end of December. Buchanan City Commissioners heard Monday from consultant Frank Walsh about the process to choose a new person to lead the city. Walsh, a former ...

10/14/2024

A homeless man who broke into the Niles YMCA and a nearby parked car was sentenced to jail Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

NILES — A homeless man who broke into the Niles YMCA and a nearby parked car was sentenced to jail Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse. Michael Robert Hemminger, 66, homeless, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny and was sentenced to 180 da...

10/10/2024

Multimedia production business On Base Productions has been recognized as a winner in the prestigious 19th annual w3 Awards.

NILES — Multimedia production business On Base Productions has announced it has been recognized as a winner in the prestigious 19th annual w3 Awards. Celebrating the best in digital content across the globe, the w3 Awards honor excellence in Social Media Marketing and Content, Websites, Online Mar...

10/10/2024

The City of Niles announced Wednesday it has dispatched electric crews to Orlando, Florida in preparation for restoration efforts after incoming Hurricane Milton takes out power in portions of the state.

NILES — The City of Niles announced Wednesday it has dispatched electric crews to Orlando, Florida in preparation for restoration efforts after incoming Hurricane Milton takes out power in portions of the state. “This coordinated effort between the Florida Municipal Electric Association, Michiga...

10/09/2024

The deadline to apply for an open seat on the Brandywine Board of Education has been extended until this Friday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m.

NILES — The deadline to apply for an open seat on the Brandywine Board of Education has been extended until this Friday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. The vacancy came about after Board Vice-President Thomas Payne resigned in late September. Brandywine school board members held a brief meeting Monday night to...

10/08/2024

A Berrien Springs man who forced an elderly woman to write a check to him was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

NILES — A Berrien Springs man who forced an elderly woman to write a check to him was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. Ernesto Japon Lopez, 68, of Berrien Springs, pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery and was sentenced to 24 months to 15 years in prison with credit for 173 da...

10/07/2024

A Niles man who led police on a chase into Cass County was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

NILES — A Niles man who led police on a chase into Cass County was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse. Ryan Eugene Swartz, 50, of Niles, pleaded guilty to use of m**h second offense, third degree fleeing and eluding and resisting and obstructing police...

10/02/2024

The Illinois man who fled police and crashed into Saylor’s Pizza in Niles pleaded guilty Wednesday to two felony charges in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse.

NILES — The Illinois man who fled police and crashed into Saylor’s Pizza in Niles pleaded guilty Wednesday to two felony charges in Berrien County Trial Court at the Niles courthouse. The crash ignited a fire and caused significant structural damage to the building. Berrien County Assistant Pros...

10/02/2024

A Buchanan man who assaulted his mother and threw several items around the home was sentenced to jail Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

NILES — A Buchanan man who assaulted his mother and threw several items around the home was sentenced to jail Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. Corey Dustin Benton, 43, of Buchanan, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to two years probation in the Swift and Sure...

10/01/2024

The Brandywine Community Schools Board of Education is looking to fill a vacant position after Thomas Payne’s resignation, the second school board departure this year.

NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP — The Brandywine Community Schools Board of Education is looking to fill a vacant position after Thomas Payne’s resignation, the second school board departure this year. The district is now accepting applications for the remainder of Payne’s term. Whoever is appointed wi...