Niles Daily Star

12/20/2024

A new royal court has been crowned to represent the Buchanan community.

BUCHANAN — A new royal court has been crowned to represent the Buchanan community. When the dust settled, Chloe Aalfs was crowned Miss Buchanan 2025 Saturday, Dec. 14 at Buchanan High School. Aalfs inherits the crown from Miss Buchanan 2024 Hannah Herman. “I was in total shock,” Aalfs said. .....

12/18/2024

"We've got so many memories wrapped up into this and we just feel like we've been part of the community for so long. It's really hard to say goodbye but we are looking forward to what lies ahead. We couldn't be more blessed.”

NILES TOWNSHIP — A business that has served the Michiana community for decades closed its doors for good last week. Shelton’s Farm Market, 1832 S. 11th St., Niles, officially closed its doors Saturday, Dec. 14, after 77 years of service. The store was open to customers Monday, Tuesday and Wednes...

12/17/2024

The City of Buchanan announced Tuesday that it has received a $230,000 grant award from the Michigan DNR Natural Resources Trust Fund for the construction of a new boat launch at Riverfront Park on the St. Joseph River in Buchanan.

BUCHANAN — The City of Buchanan announced Tuesday that it has received a $230,000 grant award from the Michigan DNR Natural Resources Trust Fund for the construction of a new boat launch at Riverfront Park on the St. Joseph River in Buchanan. According to the DNR website, the Buchanan grant applic...

12/16/2024

A Cassopolis man was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

NILES — A Cassopolis man was sentenced to prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. Michael Ray Brown, 56, of Cassopolis, pleaded guilty to resisting and obstructing police and was sentenced to 16 months to 24 months with credit for 103 days served and $198 in fines and costs. He also pleaded g...

12/15/2024

The new Miss Niles was crowned Saturday night in Grand Ole Opry style.

NILES — A new Miss Niles was crowned Saturday night in Grand Ole Opry style. Seven young women and one young man showcased their red carpet style and unique talents to become the face of the community in 2025. When the dust settled, Gabrielle Gittens was crowned Miss Niles 2025 Saturday evening at...

12/11/2024

A book documenting and celebrating the history of Niles is now in development.

NILES — A book documenting and celebrating the history of Niles is now in development. The Niles City Council voted Monday to approve and authorize a contract from Arcadia Publishing for a pictorial book on the history of Niles. In August, Arcadia Publishing contacted the Niles History Center to i...

12/11/2024

The future of the Brandywine Adult Education program was discussed Monday during Brandywine's school board meeting.

NILES — The Brandywine Adult Education program could be ending at the end of the school year if Brandywine Board of Education members follow a recommendation from Superintendent Travis Walker. Walker outlined the reasons for his recommendation at Monday night’s Brandywine School Board meeting. T...

12/10/2024

The city of Buchanan is in good financial shape, auditor Brian Hake told Buchanan City Commissioners Monday night.

BUCHANAN — The city of Buchanan is in good financial shape, auditor Brian Hake told Buchanan City Commissioners Monday night. Hake, who is with the Kruggel Lawton auditing firm, gave the results of the annual audit of the city’s books for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Hake thanked city s...

12/10/2024

A Niles man is going to jail for retail fraud after being sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

NILES — A Niles man is going to jail for retail fraud after being sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. Steven Paul Hover, 56, of Niles, pleaded guilty to first degree retail fraud and was sentenced to 300 days in jail with credit for 96 days served and $529.86 in fines, costs and restit...

12/06/2024

The Miss/Mr. Niles court will be selected next weekend, giving area youth a chance to represent their community and wear a radiant crown, too.

NILES — The Miss/Mr. Niles court will be selected this week, giving area youth a chance to represent their community and wear a sparkling crown, too. The annual scholarship pageant will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Niles High School, 1441 Eagle St. This year’s theme is the “Grand ...

12/05/2024

A Niles woman was hospitalized following a two-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Milton Township, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

MILTON TOWNSHIP — A Niles woman was hospitalized following a two-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Milton Township, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Richard Behnke reports that at approximately 4:15 p.m. Thursday, his deputies were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash that o...

12/05/2024

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning through 1 p.m. Thursday for Berrien and Cass counties.

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory through 1 p.m. Thursday for Berrien and Cass counties. An arctic front moved into the region last night, resulting in a mix of rain and snow showers that turned into snow showers. The combination of snow showers...

12/04/2024

A Niles man charged in connection with a November shooting outside of a Niles Township gas station appeared Tuesday in a preliminary hearing at the Berrien County Niles Courthouse.

A Niles man charged in connection with a November shooting outside of a Niles Township gas station appeared Tuesday in a preliminary hearing at the Berrien County Niles Courthouse. Alonzo Dominic Davis, 39, of Niles, was bound over for trial on five felony charges: assault with intent to murder, una...

12/04/2024

An area resident has pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and will be sentenced in late January.

NILES — An area resident has pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and will be sentenced in late January. Elizabeth Deanne Harper, 43, of Stevensville, had been charged with tampering with evidence and being an accessory after the fact related to the Nov. 2 shooting death of firefighter Chad M...

12/03/2024

A Niles man who pointed a gun at someone and threatened to shoot them in the head was sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

NILES — A Niles man who pointed a gun at the someone and threatened to shoot them in the head was sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. Aaron Apolinar Macedo, 30, of Niles, pleaded guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 60 days in jail with credit for tw...

12/03/2024

Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Nicolas Headley, from Niles, cuts a cake during a Thanksgiving meal on the mess decks onboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), while in-port Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington, Nov. 28, 2024.

Ronald Reagan provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caleb Dyal)

12/02/2024

To prepare for the jolly old man in red, Mayor Nick Shelton is once again inviting residents of the greater Niles area to participate in the Sights and Lights Decorating Contest by decorating their homes for the holidays.

NILES — To prepare for the jolly old man in red, Niles Mayor Nick Shelton is once again inviting residents of the greater Niles area to participate in the Sights and Lights Decorating Contest by decorating their homes for the holidays. With the help of now City Council member Sheila Koebel and Nil...

12/02/2024

A Niles man who threatened his wife with a small knife was sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

NILES — A Niles man who got into an argument with his wife at their Niles home and threatened her with a small knife was sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court. Babbu Singh, 56, of Niles, formerly from Punjab, India, pleaded guilty to domestic violence reduced from assault with a dangerous...