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DYES: Destination Cass County: Part two
Skip Dyes is a Cass County commissioner. He serves district three. Last week, we talked about my grandfather, my mother’s father, who came to Cass ... Read more
NELDON: A rough draft of the future
Former Washington Post publisher Philip Graham famously said, “journalism is the first rough draft of history.” This postulation has guided my career, a reminder that ... Read more
LASATA: 2020 #SWMISpirit tournament nears tipoff
With March comes the longer, sunnier and warmer days of spring and the return of the beloved Southwest Michigan Spirit Tournament, which will tip off ... Read more
CULTON: Take a peek into the future with Horizons
While southwest Michigan may be known for its history, Thursday, Leader Publications is looking toward the future. That is when Horizons 2020, bearing the theme ... Read more
APPLEGATE: Berrien County advocates for pre-Labor Day school start
Berrien County has applied for a waiver that could allow local school districts to start before Labor Day next year. Due to the large number ... Read more
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Thank you to the city of Niles
I have been reminiscing, while I approach my retirement March 1. When I came to Pawating Hospital in 1981, I was accepted by many fine ... Read more
PAQUETTE: If you have done someone wrong, try to make it right
Brad Paquette, R, represents the 78th District, which covers Berrien county. At Niles New Tech, we often focused on culture with our high school students. ... Read more
MEISER: What do you know about townships?
There are 15 townships in Cass County: Calvin, Howard, Jefferson, LaGrange, Marcellus, Mason, Milton, Newberg, Ontwa, Penn, Pokagon, Porter, Silver Creek, Volinia and Wayne. Township ... Read more
WILSON: Big John may never understand women
Big John Hudson burst through the front door of Sarah’s Diner, threw his ball cap down on the table with the lethargic fervor of a ... Read more
DYES: Destination Cass County: Part one
Skip Dyes is a Cass County commissioner. He serves district three. Destination Cass County is the story of how my family — how I — ... Read more
LASATA: Rare Disease Day an opportunity to spread awareness
Most families have been affected in some way by disease — conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer are common throughout our state and nation, ... Read more
CULTON: Southwest Michigan would not be what it is today without black history
I had a teacher once who said, “If you want to see the importance of black history, look around you.” So many of the inventions ... Read more
ODENWALD: What’s great about Michigan community colleges
Dr. Joe Odenwald is the president of Southwestern Michigan College. America’s higher education landscape is complicated. There are many options at not-for-profit private colleges, public ... Read more
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Thank you from the Young Professionals
Thank you from the Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac to all of the community sponsors, volunteers and attendees who made the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance a ... Read more
HUNSBERGER: Libraries get to tell our story
Children love Storytime. Adventures with “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” “The Berenstain Bears,” and “Fancy Nancy” are a highlight of any reading journey. These literary ... Read more
WILSON: Conventional wisdom and common sense
“I need some unconventional wisdom!” Big John Hudson clamored, as he lurched through the front door of the diner, kicked the snow off his mukluks, ... Read more
NELDON: Don’t sweep the facts under the rug
Monday evening, thousands of people learned a lesson from a household broom: Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Seeing these posts online, I ... Read more
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Trump’s acquittal is an orchestrated process
Republican senators’ acquittal of Donald Trump was the culmination of an orchestrated process to ensure a quick ending to his impeachment “trial.” Sen. McConnell stated ... Read more
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Recreational fishing industry continues to grow
Last week, the Michigan House of Representatives passed the first update to Michigan’s commercial fishing statutes in more than 60 years. Thanks to the hard ... Read more
LASATA: Governor’s budget plan ignores local roads
Last week, the governor’s budget director addressed a joint hearing of the Senate and House appropriations committees to unveil the administration’s recommended budget for the ... Read more
KAUFMANN: When hearts are trump
Chrissie Kaufmann is a group fitness instructor at the YMCA of Greater Michiana. February is American Heart Month, and not just because of Valentine’s Day. ... Read more
VANDENHEEDE: Let’s talk about pot
Dan Vandenheede is a Niles city council member, he can be contacted by email, djvandenheede@gmail.com or by phone, (269) 635-8458. In my last column, I ... Read more
PUCKETT: If you aren’t sure, it doesn’t hurt to try
We all make many decisions every day. We desire to make good choices, but many times, we discover that what we chose was not best. ... Read more
MCKEE: Friend of the court provides assistance in getting back in the workforce
April McKee is the deputy Friend of the Court enforcement caseworker. According to the Department of Agriculture, the estimated cost of raising a child from ... Read more
NELDON: New feature shows us our region’s progress
If you take a walk through any southwest Michigan downtown, you can typically find traces of history. These remnants of our past are found in ... Read more
