January 12, 2023

TCU recognized for generous donation to Marquette Greenway

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Recently, one of the hundreds of donors toward a local portion of a nonmotorized path that will lead walkers and cyclists from Chicago to New Buffalo was recognized.

Supporters of the Marquette Greenway, a planned 58-mile, nonmotorized trail along the south shore of Lake Michigan from Calumet Park in Chicago to downtown New Buffalo, stopped by Teacher’s Credit Union in New Buffalo to thank the credit union for its $2,000 donation toward the four-mile Michigan portion of the trail from the Indiana state line to New Buffalo Friday, Jan. 6.

“This whole fundraising effort has been a big success - the community, local businesses and community members have stepped up,” Gary Wood, president of Friends of Berrien County Trails, which is acting as fiduciary for the fundraising effort, said.

Supporters had until Dec. 31 to raise the remaining balance of $5.6 million, which was $300,000, for the Michigan portion’s construction. Thanks to the outpouring of donations, they managed to reach their fundraising goal 45 days earlier than expected.

Launched Nov. 3, 2022, at a highly successful give-back dinner (hosted by Bentwood Tavern in New Buffalo), the evening secured a surprise $120,000 matching challenge grant by an anonymous donor, according to a press release. In addition to hundreds of private donations, another generous donation of $100,000 was received from a family foundation, which helped the fundraising team meet its $300,000 goal a month before its year-end target date.

“We had two major donors that stepped up and it was totally unexpected and showed how much interest there is and how people see this is very important to our community and the region,” Wood said.

Marcy Hamilton, deputy director/senior planner at the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, said that, in addition

to the major donations, she also wants to recognize the “hundreds of smaller donations.”

“We never expected the breadth of it, I guess we were overwhelmed in a good way…It was important to have those big donors, but it was incredible to see just the breadth of support not just from here but from Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids - all came together to support this project, so that shows how significant it really is,” she said.

Diana Pyshos, who chaired last November’s fundraiser, concurred with Hamilton on the project’s widespread support.

“There’s nothing to not like about this project, it’s regional, multi-state, multi-community, multi-county, multi-township… It’s a huge project and its finally coming, people can finally see it’s almost here,” she said.

Hamilton said they’re still hoping that construction on Phase One of the Michigan portion from New Buffalo to Grand Beach will commence late this spring and be completed by 2024.

“We’re finalizing all the last design details and details with MDOT and Amtrak and hope to put the project out for bid this spring and start construction soon after that,” she said.

Phase II along Grand Beach Road is expected to be completed in 2025.

Hamilton said it’s anticipated that the entire tri-state trail will be completed by 2026.

In addition to Pyshos, other members of the fundraiser committee as well as supporters of the trail are Joanne Sims, Arnie Feinberg, Willa Lang and Peggy McTigue. It was stated in a press release last November that the Michigan portion of Marquette Greenway had received over $5.3 million in federal, state, municipal, and foundation grants, including nearly $800,000 from The Pokagon Fund and $300,000 from New Buffalo Township and the City of New Buffalo.

Marcy Hamilton, Tracy Saylor of TCU, Diana Pyshos and Gary Wood pose with the check

Local Government Meetings New Buffalo Times

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL

MARK ROBERTSON, ROGER LIJESKI, JOHN HUMPHREY, BRIAN FLANAGAN, VANCE PRICE

City Council meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30PM

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETINGS

to be determined

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP BOARD

PETE RAHM, MICHELLE HEIT, JUDY H. ZABICKI, PATTY IAZZETTO, JACK ROGERS

Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7PM

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM

NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS BOARD

PAUL KELLER, LISA WERNER, HEATHER BLACK, DENISE CHURCHILL, BRADLEY BURNER, VANESSA THUN

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD

DAVID BUNTE, PAULA DUDIAK, LIZ RETTIG, RICHARD SULLIVAN, BILL MARSKE

Chikaming Board meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30PM

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM

THREE OAKS

THREE OAKS TOWNSHIP BOARD Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7PM

VILLAGE OF THREE OAKS BOARD Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7PM

GRAND BEACH Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7PM MARY ROBERTSON, CLERK DEBORAH LINDLEY, BLAKE O’HALLORAN, JAMES BRACEWELL, PETER DOERR, PAUL LEONARD, JR. MICHIANA

VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM

Township planning commission refers draft marijuana ordinance, overlay map to county planning commission

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Members of the New Buffalo Township Planning Commission approved referring a draft marijuana ordinance and overlay map to the Berrien County Planning Commission for review at their Tuesday, Jan. 3, meeting.

County planners have 30 days to review it before handing it over to the New Buffalo Township Board, which will then make a final decision on it.

There were a few clarifications made to the ordinance, Traci Lauricella, chair of the planning commission, said.

The C-1 district was added to the first item under Section A, which now reads that “provisioning centers/retailers and microbusinesses are permitted as special land uses in the portions of the C-1 and Industrial Districts located on each side of US 12 from the City of New Buffalo city limit to the state line.”

The draft ordinance also states that “grow, processors, and secure transporters are also permitted as special land uses in the Industrial Districts located on each side of US 12 from the City of New Buffalo city limit to the state line.”

Regarding the U.S. 12 corridor (indicated as Area One on the draft map), Lauricella said that, from the joint meetings, several people thought that from the building formerly known as Plastic Masters to the state line was what was being included in the overlay, while others thought that the former Plastic Masters building and then

beginning at Grand Avenue and heading to the state line was the area that was being included in the overlay.

“It was my understanding the U.S. 12 corridor all the way from that building to the state line, as long as it was in C-1 and met the other conditions, would be included in the overlay,” she said.

In looking at an aerial of what this could increase the possible properties to, Lauricella said it’s “not a huge number because we have talked about including a 150-foot buffer from nearest corner to nearest corner of any residential property and a lot of the properties along the corridor that aren’t buffered by the natural buffer - being the highway and/or railroad tracksare going to be mitigated through just their proximity to a residence, their proximity to R-2 and so they wouldn’t be qualifying properties to begin with.”

“From our loose measuring through the GIS system and figuring out from the city border to Grand Avenue, it really only opens up three-ish properties” that are currently not abandoned,” Lauricella said.

Also added to the draft ordinance under Section 11 is that provisioning centers or retailers “may not be located within 150 feet of an existing one-family or multiple-family dwelling unless the owner of the dwelling completes an application for a waiver as part of the special land use process and records the waiver with the Berrien County Register of Deeds.”

During public comment, Bob Trainor,

who was representing property at 18300 U.S. Highway 12, said that the property is in an area that’s zoned industrial and that having a dispensary there would bring it back to life and help “create great paying jobs.” He said that they’ve been “great neighbors” in the years that they’ve owned it and that they have a “great business plan and we want to be considered” for a potential establishment.

Casey Kornoelje, who owns a retail facility in Grand Rapids, said that last fiscal year, $56,000 was disbursed per retailer or microbusiness that’s located in a jurisdiction.

He said he understood U.S. 12 from the Indiana border up to the city limits is primarily industrial and the township might want to consider “to open that up a little bit more because the ultimate recipient and benefactor of that would be the township and the contractors that are here, local architects that are here and folks would benefit from that.”

Ryan Bryk said that he’s had people come into his shop and say they haven’t seen anything for agricultural residential, such as for farmers and people with pole barns, “who want to get into the industry,” and people are wondering why it wasn’t zoned or “can it be or will that have to be something special.” He said he’d be willing to collect signatures from people with regards to the matter.

Democracy Requires Transparency

It’s dangerous when people are willing to give up their privacy.

SCHOLASTICS

New Buffalo superintendent search has begun

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

After a ceremonial oath of office, the newly elected members of the New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education hit the ground running with regards to beginning their terms on the board during their first meeting Monday, Jan. 9.

The following members were elected to the following offices: Lisa Werner, who’s retaining her position as president; Patricia Newton, vice president; Brad Brunner, secretary and John Haskins, treasurer.

Next, Dave Killips, regional president for West Michigan for the Michigan Leadership Institute, distributed a tentative timeline with regards to the district’s superintendent search.

A preliminary job posting, which will close March 17, was scheduled to be posted Jan. 10.

On Jan. 17, board members will be given three questions to answer: What are the skills/traits/characteristics you want to see in the new superintendent? What are the challenges facing New Buffalo Schools in the next three to five years? What are points of pride? Members must give their answers to Killips by Jan. 18 or 19.

Killips will spend Jan. 25 talking to different focus groups set up by the school district and ask them the same questions, which will also be posted on the school district’s website from Jan. 23-27.

Killips said the anonymous answers will give him material to develop a profile of a potential candidate, which will be sent to board members for their approval and hopefully added to the preliminary job posting by Feb. 1.

Board members will hold a meeting, which will mainly be in closed session, March 28, during which they’ll go through all the candidates’ applications and resumes. Each candidate will be assigned a number, so no names will

be used. Board members will vote on which candidates to interview in open session.

First interviews, which will be open to the public, will take place April 11, 12 and 13. On April 13, the board will decide who to bring back for the final set of interviews. The final interview is scheduled for April 20.

On April 20, board members will be asked to decide who to hire as superintendent contingent upon successful contract negotiations.

Board members discussed the former Agnes Conway property and how to develop it, particularly with regards to building some type of attainable housing or for rent attainable housing there, with Eric Neagu, managing principal of Antero Group, and Ed Gosslin, an attorney who’s been involved in real estate development.

Gosslin said two to three years ago, the “opportunity presented itself” to bring attainable housing to the area in conjunction with providing additional lots for the high school’s building and trades program “in a form or fashion where it could be a public private relationship.” Lots could be set aside for the program and then a developer could come and perform more detailed work “related to getting infrastructure and a subdivision or a site plan together that’s commercially viable and also could meet the need of the high school to provide additional lots for the program.”

After looking at the around 30-acre parcel across from the elementary school, it was discovered that, while it was a on a wetland, a portion of it was “developable.” The adjacent Conway property, which was acquired by the school along with other lots, looked “really prime for development,” Neagu said.

Some site plan analysis has been done, and wetland delineation is being

finished up.

Neagu said they held a workshop with New Buffalo Township, the sanitary district and others and “landed on a concept” that’s still evolving into a final development scheme that should be ready by February.

He added that an “original concept plan” was put together with space for about 26 single family homes; however, the preference would be to go denser and “do a little bit more of a unique mix.”

Gosslin said that they’re currently looking at the space available primarily in the eight acres acquired in the Conway transaction, where there could be a mix of single family “that would probably carry through to more dense areas as a transition toward the back of the area.” The current trail system there would be incorporated into it.

One option is a standard smaller lot, single family home. Other options include townhomes, duplexes and traditional multi-family residential.

“We haven’t locked into any one program yet - we really have to analyze this and look at the available density and what we can get given the current stated present condition with wetlands,” he said.

Board members approved joining the Juul Labs, Inc. Vaping Lawsuit. Interim Superintendent Dr. Michael Lindley said that several school districts throughout Michigan have entered into a class action lawsuit against Juul and other manufacturers of vape type cartridges and their district was asked if it wanted to enter into litigation at no cost.

Board members approved the replacement of two HVAC equipment units for the elementary gym rooftop for $73,922.

Lake Michigan College to seek millage renewal on May ballot

TThe Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees unanimously voted to place a millage renewal proposal on the May 2 ballot during their meeting Tuesday, Jan. 4.

The proposal would renew the current millage for Lake Michigan College, which expires with the 2023 tax levy, for another 20 years. The current millage generates nearly 30 percent of LMC’s total operational budget.

“This is a renewal of critical funding that the community has previously voted to support,” Lake Michigan College President Dr. Trevor Kubatzke said. “It is important to note that we are not seeking any tax increase. This proposal would freeze the LMC tax rate for district residents for the next 20 years.”

A millage is the rate at which property taxes are levied on real estate or other property. The millage rate is the number of dollars of tax assessed for each $1,000 of property value. A mill is one-thousandth of a dollar or onetenth of a cent. LMC’s renewal proposal is for 0.8804 of a mill.

“Lake Michigan College has a demonstrated 76-year history of financial accountability, responsibility, and commitment to the community,” LMC Board Chair John Grover said. “The college continues to provide outstanding training and education to all community residents while maintaining an affordable tuition rate.

“LMC offers more than 75 accredited academic programs with small class sizes taught by accomplished and knowledgeable faculty,” he added. “Nearly 400 high school students are enrolled in our Early College Program. Many of our in-district students qualify for free tuition through the LMC Promise. Plus, LMC offers community destinations such as the Fab Lab and LMC Mendel Center, the largest performing arts center in the region. The millage renewal is important to continuing the impact LMC has on our students, employers, the local economy, and the community.”

According to a 2021 study by Lightcast, LMC’s positive economic impact on the community totals more than $400 million a year. This includes the economic and social impact of LMC alumni, workforce training, and college operations. LMC is a leader in higher education, community and employer partnerships, workforce training, and retraining and serves as a cultural hub for Southwest Michigan.

“As the labor market continues to change, Lake Michigan College is the choice for employers and workers, helping to strengthen the regional economy,” Kubatzke said. “The number one issue for economic development is workforce and people, and LMC plays a key role in enhancing and expanding training to attract and retain quality employers and good paying jobs.”

For more information, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/ millage or contact Al Pscholka, LMC executive director, community & governmental relations, at apscholka@ lakemichigancollege.edu or 269-861-3092.

Bison girls picked apart by Eagles

BY STAN MADDUX

The New Buffalo High School girls’ basketball team lost 4616 at home Tuesday, Jan. 10, to Howardsville Christian.

The Lady Bison struggled to keep pace with the sharp shooting Eagles almost from the beginning.

A bucket from senior Jordan Bryk with about four minutes left in the second quarter cut the lead to 15 points.

The score at halftime was 26-10 after senior Sami Smith, after a steal, dribbled the ball down court but missed the lay-up.

After grabbing the ball off the rim, she put it back up and into the net.

The Lady Bison in search of their third victory of the season began the third quarter with two quick buckets from Smith to pull to within 12 points.

Smith hit two short jump shots, including one set up by a nifty pass from senior Lexie Parmley.

However, the Eagles responded with six

unanswered points.

Smith, who was off another steal, went in for the lay-up but missed. She then scored after grabbing the offensive rebound before the end of the period.

Howardsville Christian scored all three of the fourth quarter points.

Smith led New Buffalo with eight points. Bryk finished with four points, while Ava Mancini and Lilly Rusklowski each scored two points.

Head Coach Dave Kelly said his defense gave Howardsville Christian too many openings to the rim and open jump shots, especially in the first half before switching to a zone.

He also felt the players were not attacking the rim on offense enough.

“We need to be a little bit better at getting aggressive underneath and taking it to them,” Kelly said.

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

The entire sports world stopped and stared in disbelief as Damar Hamlin fell over backwards and laid on the ground, not breathing during last week’s NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The play looked like any other play that any football fan has seen thousands of times, but this time Hamlin got hit at precisely the wrong time at exactly the wrong location and he went into cardiac arrest. It seemed like the moment Damar hit the ground, medical personnel began running out onto the field and began issuing CPR and Damar was circled by players from both teams. Soon, tough, grown men were openly crying and an ambulance whisked Damar to the hospital.

When Damar arrived at the hospital, he was in critical condition. The doctors immediately put him on a ventilator to help him breathe. The first thing he said when he woke up a few days later was “did we win?”

The doctors said that the simple question showed that his thinking was in order and the time he spent without oxygen hadn’t affected his thinking. Damar actually wrote the question on a piece of paper because he couldn’t speak yet. That changed Friday when, after removing his breathing tube, he told his teammates that he loved them.

Hamlin has made remarkable progress in his recovery. An incident that could have turned out so terribly seems to be going in the right direction. Along the way, a lot of good things happened. First, his teammates and the players on the

opposition all rallied behind Damar. Next, the medical people were great and have made this story a happy one. Then the network and the league both did the right thing. The league canceled the game and the network didn’t sensationalize the play. Sunday, was the first game since the incident and on the very first play Damar’s team, the Buffalo Bills, ran a kickoff back for a touchdown.

Damar had a charity with assets of a couple thousand dollars. By the end of the week after contributions had rolled in, the amount was over seven million. Damar’s family was also top notch. I think I saw a member of his family almost daily thanking the hospital, doctors, and people everywhere for their thoughts and prayers.

Everyone associated with this near tragedy handled themselves well, a lesson that most politicians could learn from. The town of Buffalo needed some good news after the horrible weather they’ve been having. Hopefully, Damaßr will continue to improve and be completely healthy soon.

Sunday, the Bears lost again and ended up with the worst record in the NFL this year. For the first time since 1947, the Bears have the first choice in the college football draft. To me, that’s the epitome of winning by losing.

Comedian Mort Sahl said, “A conservative is someone who believes in reform. But not now.”

Hope everyone has a great year. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

I want the ball at all of the end of the quarters and the shot clocks. — Jordan Poole

Eagles survive Bison stampede

BY STAN MADDUX

They played like there was no tomorrow with countless steals leading to buckets and for a while seemed ripe to pull off a major upset.

In the end, though, the New Buffalo High School boys’ basketball team went down in defeat.

The Bison (0-7) lost at home Tuesday, Jan. 10, to Howardsville Christian 5037.

New Buffalo, which was against a much larger and more talented club, trailed by just three points at halftime in what appeared to be the best half of basketball the Bison have played this season so far.

On defense, the Bison, using their speed and quickness to combat lack of size and youth, always play aggressively.

However, they looked more like piranhas attacking meat this time in stripping the ball and intercepting passes relentlessly during the first two quarters.

The Eagles, despite having excellent ball handlers, looked overwhelmed at times and relied on easy buckets from 6’5” center Sam Nagel for breaks in the attack.

Freshman Nick Haskins led the extreme pick pocketing on defense while buckets from senior Landon Haskins, junior Elliot Bourne and freshman Sam Tripp helped keep the Bison within striking distance.

New Buffalo pulled to within two points late in the second quarter when Landon Haskins sank a driving hook shot.

The Bison soon evened the score on a

nifty jump shot from Bourne, who also forced a number of turnovers.

The players, who were running on high octane, seemed low on fuel, though, when outscored in the third quarter by 13 points.

New Buffalo showed more life in the final period in outscoring the Eagles by three points after urged by head coach Nate Tripp to “suck it up.”

Bourne led the Bison in scoring with 10 points followed by Tripp with nine points.

Tripp, whose teams won three district titles in the last four years, appears to be pushing his players with winning in their hearts to the brink in hopes it’ll eventually pay off with victories.

He also keeps hammering away at team work to help make up for what his players lack in size and strength.

Nevertheless, Tripp said he doesn’t want youth used as an excuse for losing.

Instead, he wants his players to focus on keys to winning like better execution, fewer mistakes, crashing the boards and improved shooting.

“We practice super hard. We practice harder than games are. When they want to play locked in as a team and when they’re communicating and working together, they’re a solid team,” he said.

“When we start missing shots. When we start doubting things and we start trying to do it on our own, instead of staying disciplined, the wheels fall off,” he said.

La Lumiere splits conference invitational

BY STAN MADDUX

The boys’ high school basketball team from La Lumiere fell just short in a thrilling comeback attempt against another leading program in the nation.

The Lakers were defeated 66-63 by Lutheran High School from Long Island, New York.

The Saturday night game was the finale of the three-day National Interscholastic Basketball Conference Invitational at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium starting Jan. 5.

Thirty of the nation’s top 100 college basketball recruits competed in the event hosted for the second consecutive year in LaPorte.

At times, La Lumiere (8-4) struggled offensively with the tight defense applied by their slightly taller and seemingly more athletic opponents.

The Lakers trailing by three points after the first quarter briefly took the lead early in the second quarter.

However, the Lakers quickly found themselves trailing by 10 points after a flurry of scoring that ended with an alley-oop dunk by the opposition.

A three point bucket from 6’9” senior Gus Yalden cut the lead to

seven points, but the Lakers went into halftime down 37-26.

The lead grew to 15 points late in the third quarter but La Lumiere seemed to catch fire when 5’8” senior guard Trenton Walters switched hands for a driving lay-up then quickly nailed a three-points shot at the buzzer.

Yalden started the fourth quarter by sinking a pair of free throws to cut the lead to five points.

However, Lutheran High School came back with another alley-oop dunk followed by a lay-up off a steal to go up by nine points.

The Lakers pulled to within two points with three minutes left in the game but were unable to narrow the lead any further.

Yalden led the Lakers in scoring with 20 points followed by Walters with 17 points.

Kaleb Glenn, a 6’7” senior forward, contributed 12 points while 6’4” senior guard Zaide Lowery added 9 points.

La Lumiere won their first game of the invitational 54-51 against Wasatch Academy from Utah.

Members of 2023 New Buffalo royal court begin their reigns

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Considering she’s been doing pageants her whole life, Amelia Selir said she felt like she had nothing to lose with going out for Miss New Buffalo during her last year as a Bison.

“I was just thinking: What’s one more?” Selir, who was also Little Miss New Buffalo 2013 and Miss Junior Teen New Buffalo 2016, said.

That split second decision paid off: In front of a packed audience of family and friends, Selir was crowned Miss New Buffalo 2023 at the New Buffalo Performing Arts Center Sunday, Jan. 8.

“I’m so grateful and so excited to spend the year with this amazing court - I love all of them already so much, so it’s going to be super fun and I’m super excited,” she said.

A senior at New Buffalo High School, Selir plans to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing degree at the University of Alabama in the fall and begin working as a traveling pediatric nurse.

Selir has received scholastic awards in volleyball and softball during her freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years as well as varsity awards in softball and volleyball her sophomore, junior and senior years. She’s taken dual-enrolled classes at AK Smith Career Center, is in student senate and yearbook and has co-led the varsity boys’ basketball student section.

Selir also received the People’s Choice award in the Miss/Mr. category.

Crowned first runner-up to Miss New Buffalo and Miss Congeniality was Samantha Smith.

A senior at New Buffalo High School, Smith plans to attend Michigan State University, where she’ll have an exploratory major (but she’s interested in education, dental and design). Future goals include traveling and studying abroad.

Amelia Selir is the newly crowned Miss New Buffalo 2023

Zoey O’Connell is crowned Second Runnerup to Little Miss New Buffalo

Carlee Tanksley is presented as Miss Jr. Teen New Buffalo

Ava Jackson is crowned first runner-up to Miss Teen

Tim Taylor asks Keller Kares about his favorite holiday

Ellen Ripley is crowned Miss Teen New Buffalo

The 2023 New Buffalo Royal Court

Angelina Bryk and Maddie Grzywacz strike a pose

Tim Taylor gives Samantha Smith the onstage question

Honors and awards that she’s received throughout high school are becoming a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and AP Board; receiving the Small and Rural Town Award, 2021-22 All Conference Basketball Honorable Mention, Miss Teen Blossomtime Congeniality 2020 and a varsity letter in cross country, basketball, track, tennis and swim. She’s also been involved with student senate.

Kaitlyn Rainwater was crowned second runner-up to Miss New Buffalo.

A junior at New Buffalo High School, Rainwater plans to attend the University of Michigan and become a pediatrician.

Throughout high school, she’s been on the honor roll and in the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She’s also been the New Buffalo the basketball manager for the junior varsity and varsity teams; played volleyball, soccer and softball; is on color guard and plays the percussion and flute in band.

The sole contestant who was crowned Mr. New Buffalo was Angelo Ciccarelli

A senior at New Buffalo High School, Ciccarelli’s plans upon graduation include becoming an EMT, exploring the world, joining a volunteer fire department and fighting wildfires. He was student of the semester in Fire Science and Rescue May 20, 2022, at AK Career Center and is fire certified in Indiana in Hazmat OPS, Awareness and Fire 1. He’s also been involved in varsity baseball and tennis, has earned all available Cub Scout badges and is currently fostering a rescue dog.

Crowned Miss Teen New Buffalo 2023 was Ellen Ripley.

A 15-year-old sophomore at New Buffalo High School, Ripley loves dance, smoothie bowls and the book “Speak.”

Ripley, who sat on the court as Miss Junior Teen royalty in 2019, said she’s most looking forward to the coronation ball.

“It was my favorite thing last time and I think it’s going to be my favorite again,” she said.

Miss Blossomtime 2022 Lillian Waggoner crowns Little Miss New Buffalo Kylie Bahena

The Miss and Mr. contestants step onstage before the crowning

Second Runner-up to Miss Jr. Teen Lily Worley enjoys her crowning moment

Allie Bowen and Nora Beck strike a pose

Miss Teen contestants await the crowning

Bailey Cherrett is crowned first runner-up and Carlee Tanksley is crowned Miss Jr. Teen New Buffalo

The contestants open the show with a song and dance number

Zoey O’Connell (center) is Second Runner-up to Little Miss New Buffalo Angelina Bryk tackles the onstage question Amelia Selir tackles the onstage question

When asked why she believes people have a negative image of pageantry, Ripley said that she thinks that shows and movies “shed a negative light” on it.

“I think pageantry gives women a voice and platform to represent their community,” Ripley said.

Joining Ripley on the court is 2023 Miss Teen New Buffalo First Runner-up Ava Jackson.

A 14-year-old eight grader at New Buffalo Middle School, Jackson loves playing softball, pasta and reading “The Cay” by Theodore Taylor.

Other Miss Teen contestants were Angelina Bryk and Madison Grzywacz.

Crowned Miss Junior Teen New Buffalo 2023 was Carlee Tanksley.

The 12-year-old attends the seventh grade at New Buffalo Middle School and enjoys dance, softball and robotics as well reading the Little House on the Prairie series. She said her biggest role model is her mother because “she spends her time doing so many things for me so I can have the best opportunities.”

Tanksley, who was 8 years old when she was crowned Little Miss New Buffalo 2018, said she’s more “confident” this time around.

“I did like this experience a lot more,” she said.

Joining Tanksley on the royal court at first runner-up is Bailey Cherrett and second runner-up Lily Worley. An 11-year-old fifth grader at New Buffalo Elementary School, Cherrett loves making slime and singing, eating melon and reading The Baby-sitters Club books.

Worley is an 11-year-old sixth grader at New Buffalo Middle School who enjoys painting, eating Zuppa Toscana and reading “Dark Tales - Straight on till Morning.”

Angelina Bryk won the People’s Choice Award in the Miss Junior Teen/Miss Teen category.

Contestants open the show with a song and dance number

Trace Troxell is first runner-up to Mr. New Buffalo

Samantha Smith dresses in a Cinderellainspired outfit for the commercial segment

Eva Grzywacz and Kaylee Bahena grace the stage

Tim Taylor poses a question to Ava Jackson

Tim Taylor poses a question to Lily worley

Tim Taylor poses a question to Carlee Tanksley

The 2020 court bids farewell

Crowned Little Miss New Buffalo 2023 was Kylee Bahena, a 7-yearold second grader at New Buffalo Elementary School.

Bahena is a fan of pizza, basketball and Junie B. Jones. She loves Christmas because she likes “to hang out by the fire and eat cookies.”

Bahena said she’s mostly looking forward to riding on the float in the annual Blossomtime parade and just being “Miss Queen.”

First runner-up and second runner-up to Little Miss New Buffalo is Eva Grzywacz and Zoey O’Connell, respectively.

A 9-year-old fourth grader at New Buffalo Elementary School, Grzywacz loves pierogies, sewing and playing softball and Judy Moody.

O’Connell is a 6-year-old at New Buffalo Elementary School who loves cheese curds, gymnastics and the book “Piggy and Gerald.”

Other Little Miss contestants were Kaylee Bahena, Allie Bowen and Nora Beck.

Winner of the People’s Choice award in the Little Miss category was Allie Bowen.

An 8-year-old third grader at New Buffalo Elementary School, Beckett Frum was crowned Little Mr. New Buffalo 2023.

Frum loves pizza, playing on the switch soccer and the Goosebumps series. He loves Christmas because “it’s not about the presents – it’s about family.”

Frum most looks forward to riding atop the float in the Blossomtime parade.

Crowned first runner-up to Little Mr. New Buffalo was Trace Troxell, an 8-year-old third grader at New Buffalo Elementary School.

Troxell loves grapefruit, drawing in his sketchbook and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.”

Keller Kares was crowned second runnerup to Little Mr. New Buffalo.

The 6-year-old attends the first grade at New Buffalo Elementary School and loves pancake sandwiches and chicken nuggets, arts and crafts, playing video games and reading “The Last Kid on Earth.”

The pageant was emceed by Tim Taylor.

Little Miss, Miss Jr. Teen and Miss Teen

Mettler

Lindsey

Brein

judges were

Menchinger, Clinton

and

Dyer. Judging Miss and Mr. New Buffalo contestants were Jim Nesler, Jessica Trumbley and Perry Godush.

Visiting royalty wishes everyone good luck

Mr. New Buffalo Angelo Ciccarelli (center) poses with Mr. New Buffalo 2020 Nikolas Keen and Mr. Blossomtime 2022 Nathan Hawks

Tim Taylor askes Kaylee Bahena about her favorite holiday

Amelia Selir participates in the commercial segment from the movie The Blind Side

The Miss New Buffalo contestants await the crowning

Eva Grzywacz is crowned First Runner-up to Little Miss New Buffalo

Bailey Cherrett, Carlee Tanksley and Lily Worley take the stage

Kaitlyn Rainwater tackles the onstage question

Miss Blossomtime 2022 Lillian Waggoner presents Little Miss New Buffalo Kylie Bahena

Beckett Frum is Little Mr. New Buffalo

OBITUARIES

Edmund “Ray” Williamson

1956-2023

Edmund “Ray” Williamson, 66, of St. Joseph, died Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Ray was born April 11, 1956 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, one of six children born to Thomas and Viola Williamson.

Ray cherished spending time with his grandchildren and family. When he was younger, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved sports and would watch any teams, his favorite being the University of Michigan, that were playing on the television. He was a social butterfly and enjoyed talking to anyone and everyone who would listen: he never met a stranger.

Ray will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by one daughter, Tracy (Brad Thornburg) Boyd of Bridgman; one son, Bob (Heather) Williamson of Galien; four grandchildren, Marc (Alyssa) Warner of New Buffalo, Dylan (Brooke) Williamson of Berrien Springs, Nick Boyd of Grand Rapids, Tyler Williamson of Galien; one great-grand daughter on the way, Amelia Ray Warner; one sister, Ann (Chuck) Thompson of Bardstown, Kentucky; one brother, Dennis (Mirtha) Williamson of Lexington, South Carolina; greatnephew, Ty Williamson of Indianapolis, Indiana; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Will Williamson, Chuck Williamson, Davey Williamson.

The family will observe a private remembrance. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online at www. wagnercares.com.

CONVERGE INVITES COMMUNITY TO ’21

DAYS OF PRAYER’

If you have driven down U.S. 12 in the early morning hours recently, you may have noticed lights on and cars parked at Converge Community Church and wondered, “What’s going on there so early in the morning?”

Well, every year they start the new year with “21 Days of Prayer.”

The church would like to extend an invitation to anyone in the community to join them from 6 to 7 a.m. for a scripture and devotional reading followed by a time of prayer together. It may be that you are unable to come that early but have a concern that you would like others to pray for. If so, there is a box outside of the building where you can drop off your request, and they will be happy to pray for you. There is no need to include your name unless you would like someone to contact you.

In today’s world there’s so much that divides people, so much disruption and conflict and chaos. Here is an opportunity for people to come together, unified by our shared sadness, pain and disappointment. We are all in need of help. Who better to ask than a loving Father who invites all people to come to Him in their weariness and brokenness and need?

Prayer gatherings will be held at 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday at Converge and 1 p.m. at Sawyer Highlands in Sawyer. On Sundays, the prayer gathering at Converge will be from 9 to 10 a.m. at Sawyer Highlands (13100 Red Arrow Highway). They will meet each day through Jan. 22.

Arrests for mall burglaries

BY STAN MADDUX

Arrests have been made but one person was still being sought for burglaries at a popular place for shopping in Michigan City.

Q’Marion Fisher, 19, of Pendleton, Indiana, along with a 17-year-old juvenile, are charged with breaking into Lighthouse Premium Outlets mall after 11 p.m. Jan. 4.

According to Michigan City Police, the burglaries happened at Polo Ralph Lauren and Adidas.

A front glass door was shattered in at least one of the burglaries to gain entry.

Police said merchandise was taken from both stores but much, if not, all of the stolen goods were quickly located.

Officers responding to burglar alarms confronted both subjects, who fled on foot but were apprehended, eventually, on the west side of the mall.

Stolen merchandise from both stores were found on their possession and in the mall parking lot, according to police.

Police said a third suspect also fleeing on foot managed to get away.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police, who were still trying to identify that individual.

Fisher was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $15,000 bond on charges of level 5 felony burglary, level 6 felony criminal gang activity and Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.

The other suspect arrested was transported to the La Porte County Juvenile Services Center.

Police said another burglary at the mall Jan. 3 to Finish Line was suspected to be linked to the most recent crimes.

Hikers’ outing to focus on spotting signs of animals

Grace Ball, education and community outreach coordinator for Chikaming Open Lands, will teach hikers how to spot animal signs during the Harbor Country Hikers’ Jan. 21 hike at Chris Thompson Memorial Preserve in Three Oaks.

The hike will begin at 2 p.m. and is expected to last about two hours.

Ball will show the group how to find and identify common clues wildlife species leave behind in local forests and fields. Once you know what to look for, animal signs are everywhere, she says.

Those who attend are advised to dress for the weather and bring plenty of

water. Depending on conditions at the time of the hike, there could be muddy or icy patches. The physical difficulty for this 1.1-mile hike is rated “moderate” for the venue’s rolling hills.

Membership in the Hikers is preferred, but all are welcome at this event. An all-terrain rollator--a wheeled walker with oversized tires for unpaved surfaces--is available on a first-come, first-served basis by emailing harborcountryhikers@gmail.com. For driving directions, parking instructions and membership information, visit the group’s website, harborcountryhikers. com, or its Facebook page, Harbor Country Hikers. — STAFF REPORTS

Three Oaks Library presenting Flamingosthemed reading program

JJoin the flock and participate in Flamingos in the Snow Winter Reading at Three Oaks Township Library.

The program runs from Jan. 16 to Feb. 28 for all ages, babies through adult. Registration starts Jan. 16. When they sign up, each person will receive a flamingo to display in their yard. After signing up, participants will receive one raffle entry for every five books read or listened to (books must be checked out from Three Oaks Library, Libby or Hoopla).

Other ongoing events at the library include story time for all ages, which is every Tuesday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and every Thursday from 4:30 to 5 p.m.; the Rotary Blanket Project, which meets every Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. (no sewing experience or Rotary membership necessary) and the Knitting & Crocheting Circle, which meets Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (individuals of all skill levels are invited to bring their projects).

A Program on Cemetery Preservation, sponsored by Rebecca Dewey Chapter, NSDAR and the Friends of Three Oaks Library, will be at noon Saturday, Feb. 18. Professor Thomas Henthorn from the University of Michigan will offer his knowledge and expert recommendations on preserving cemeteries. DAR members will share their research techniques on records and recording history of our burial grounds.

Special Story Time with royalty from the Miss and Mr. Three Oaks/River Valley pageants will be at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Take & Make bags for children are available daily at the check-out desk.

HOROSCOPE

JANUARY

12-18, 2023

AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT

ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19

The energy radiating from the stars this week will be laser focused on your career and public life. Expect some unusual convergences between your inner private thoughts and the world at large. This is the time to stand firm in your beliefs, make your mark and truly establish yourself.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

The urge to get out and engage the world will be strong this week. Use that energy to its fullest by expressing your authentic opinions and outlook on life. Opportunities will arise to travel and converse with new people and if you go for it, you will feel a deep sense renewal and validation.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21

There is some intense energy settling in this week and your best bet is to trust that you will be in the right place at the right time. Go with the flow and accept the changes that need to be made as they come up. Avoid pushing things beyond their boundaries or ending point.

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22

The darker side of a relationship may come to light now. You have opportunity to see which external events connect with the significant changes that have occurred in your intimate life. This is the time to be more serous with commitments and let go of superficial involvements.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22

There is a very serious vibe to the energy surrounding chores, schedules and working with others. You might feel out of touch with people intimately but deeper connections will be established when you focus on working together on something other than your relationship.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22

Go ahead and get dramatic. Express yourself but do it in a way that is truly authentic and on point. Use passionate feelings to create concrete objects. Virgo is a sign that manifests and brings things to fruition. Use this power to its fullest by creating works of art that shine on those darker feelings.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22

This is the time to hit it hard at home. Laying a solid foundation requires removing the old debris first.

Clear out clutter and outdated things from your living space now. Create that opening and it will soon be filled with, not only the right material but the positive thought patterns, as well.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

It’s important to maintain your sense of privacy while interacting with the people in the neighborhood or with siblings. Avoid getting overly involved in situations that requires you to divulge too much of your personal information. Stay on the surface of issues with people this week.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22—DECEMBER 21

This is the time to make some lasting changes on the home-front. Partners may push you a little to get more involved with them financially before you are ready. The important thing is to discuss what your values and goals are and get those in line before merging monetarily.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

The goat has a drive and energy that few other signs understand. Your ability to see the truth and embrace hard work is fundamental to succeeding now. So, go ahead and ask those probing questions. Don’t shy away from taboo subjects or undermine the importance of knowing the facts.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

The energy coming your way this week will be shining a light on life’s darker issues. Fortunately, for the water bearer, you can handle looking at the real mess life creates. That doesn’t mean you have to clean it up but you sometimes need to point it out so, it can be handled by the right people.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

It may be time to face some serious issues surrounding friendship and where things stand between you and your bestie. It’s important to maintain a strong sense of yourself. Especially, when spending a lot of time with other people. This is the time to establish some strong boundaries.

PUBLIC NOTICES

2023-2027 City of New Buffalo Draft Parks and Recreation Plan is available for public review and comment. The plan can be viewed on the City of New Buffalo’s website (https:// cityofnewbuffalo.org/.) New Buffalo City Hall, and the New Buffalo Township Library.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

In accordance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act, Public Act 267 of 1976, MCL 15.261, et. seq., and the City of New Buffalo Code of Ordinances Article III, Section 12-22, the City Council will hold a public hearing at a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:30 PM*.

The purpose of public hearing is the condemnation of 11-62-8270-0027-000, commonly known as 812 W. Detroit Street, New Buffalo, MI.

* This is an in-person meeting only with no virtual participation available. The public is welcome to attend the meeting in the City Council chambers located at 224 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids should contact the city in writing or by calling the following: City Clerk’s Office 224 W. Buffalo Street New Buffalo, MI 49117 (269) 469-1500 afidler@cityofnewbuffalo.org

AMY FIDLER, CITY CLERK

The City Council will hold a public hearing for review and comment of the plan on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at New Buffalo City Hall, 224 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

Concerns and comments are encouraged, and comments can be made at the meeting or in writing via email to afidler@cityofnewbuffalo.org.

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids should contact the city in writing or by calling the following: City Clerk’s Office 224 W. Buffalo Street New Buffalo, MI 49117 (269) 469-1500 afidler@cityofnewbuffalo.org

AMY FIDLER, CITY CLERK

Joint meeting on next phase of linear park on tap for next week

New Buffalo Township, in partnership with the Berrien County Road Department and the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, will hold a public meeting at its regularly scheduled township board meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17.

The meeting will present the next phase in the Red Arrow Linear Park project. This project will be an extension of the road diet on Red Arrow Highway and the shared use path from Union Pier (at Community

Hall Road) to the light at U.S. 12. This new section of the shared use path will connect to the County’s Galien River Park and to the township’s park and splash pad at New Buffalo Township Hall.

For more information on the Red Arrow Linear Park, visit the Friends of Berrien County Trails website at www.berrientrails.org/redarrowtrail. asp. If you have any questions or want to learn more, please attend the Jan. 17 township board meeting or contact Marcy Hamilton as hamiltonm@ swmpc.org. — STAFF REPORTS

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP

17425 RED ARROW HIGHWAY

NEW BUFFALO, MI 49117 269-469-1011

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the

New Buffalo Township is seeking a fulltime Deputy Clerk, 35 hours a week. Experience with utility billing preferred. All interested parties should submit their resume to New Buffalo Township via mail to the address above, ATTN: Judy Zabicki. Applicants may also email resume and any questions to jhzabicki@ newbuffalotownship.org on or before Friday, Jan 20th, 2023.

CLASSIFIED ADS

Please submit your classified ad via email at classifieds@newbuffalotimes.com. New Buffalo Times can now accept online payments with a credit card or paypal. Go to our website, www.newbuffalotimes.com, and submit $14 per week for a classified ad of up to 160 characters. Deadline is Friday 5PM before the following week’s publication.

FOR RENT NEW BUFFALO RETAIL

US 12 high-visibility rental & pop-up spaces next to popular yoga studio. Great parking. 700-2,000 SF. Call to view/rates @ 312-259-4011.

NEW BUFFALO

Rent Year Round in New Buffalo. 1 or 2 bedroom apartments starting at $800 per month. Quiet living—no pets. For more information call 269-469-1364.

HELP WANTED LOVE WORKING OUTDOORS AND IN THE TREES?

Awesome, outdoor, low covid exposure, summer work. C&A Arborists, your local tree care professionals, are looking for help!! Drivers license required, CDL preferred. Please call 269-756-2571, mail jamietreephilosophy@gmail.com.

SEEKING AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR SMALL OFFICE

Must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Quickbooks knowledge a plus. FullTime position. Office is located in New Buffalo, MI. For an interview, call 708-917-0055.

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

EXPERIENCE PREFERRED

Carpentry drywall flooring tile setting windows doors and decking. Must be 18 years or older with valid drivers license. Heavy lifting involved. 219-808-1329. johnrtaylor1953@gmail.com.

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Most Varieties Pond and Lakes. Laggis Fish Farm 269-628-2056 Days 269-624-6215 Evenings.

FULL TIME COOK POSITION IN

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1 Year Experience. Call Oak Woods Manor for more details. 219-362-6600.

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Compassionate help available to care for your loved ones. Experienced and Dependable. Call Diane 219-344-2265.

High caliber player tourney returning to LaPorte

BY STAN MADDUX

It appears an ESPN televised basketball tourney featuring some of the best high school players in the nation is coming back to LaPorte.

Nothing is in writing, but a verbal commitment has been made for the tourney to return to the LaPorte Civic Auditorium next year and possibly beyond.

Jack Arnett, executive director of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with Mayor Tom Dermody were engaged in talks with officials from the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference while they were here recently for the competition.

The NIBC held its three day conference invitational at the Civic Auditorium last week for the second consecutive year.

LaLumiere is among the college prep schools with teams in the conference.

Arnett said the NIBC agreed to a one-year deal for 2024 and try to hammer out a contract to bring the tournament here for another five years.

“Couldn’t be a better, a better situation,” he said.

NIBC Commissioner Rashid Ghazy said he was very pleased with attendance and hospitality the past two years LaPorte has hosted the tournament.

He said LaPorte also brings other positives to the table like the unique atmosphere of the near century old Civic Auditorium and being close to airports in Chicago, where teams in the conference from states like Florida and New York fly into for the competition.

“La Porte has been amazing. The crowds this year have been as good or better than last year. I think a lot of teams not from the Midwest love playing in a historic building that has a very Hoosier like feel,” he said.

He said several other schools in the conference host

tournaments and LaPorte being just a few miles from the LaLumiere campus is a natural for hosting the competition.

Ghazy said the idea is to build tradition from schools in their conference hosting tournaments every year and generate public interest in their basketball games throughout the season.

At center court, Dermody presented the ball used in the Saturday night game La Lumiere played in against a team from Long Island, New York.

The Lakers narrowly lost after a thrilling second half 15 point comeback.

“It’s a great partnership and we’re excited to see this happen for years to come,” Dermody said.