March 2, 2023

Granor chef Abra Berens named semifinalist in James Beard Awards PAGE 5

A milestone for father and son — and all of us PAGE 6

New Buffalo school board approves updated middle school schedule PAGE 8

Bison boys lose against Howardsville Christian

PAGE 9

Mad About Chess: New Buffalo, Bridgman students face off in chess tournament PAGES 10-11

PHOTO OF LITTLE MISS THREE OAKS AND RIVER VALLEY FIRST RUNNER UP, LITTLE MISS AND SECOND RUNNER UP LILLY SOKOLOWSKI, HAZEL BROSS AND ALYSSA WILLIAMS MAKING CROWNS BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

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Two-way travel planned on Franklin Street

BY STAN MADDUX

Motor vehicle travel in both directions could return to Franklin Street in Michigan City’s downtown in the very near future.

Plans have emerged to switch from the current oneway travel northbound from Fourth to 10th streets. Angled parking with wider spaces is also included in the plans for two-way travel.

Mayor Duane Parry said motorists traveling in both directions to generate more economic activity downtown has been on the drawing board since at least 2010.

“It’s important to me for the public to understand this is not a knee jerk reaction. This is not something I thought of yesterday. This has been on the table for a long, long time,” he said.

“It’s time we do something. It’s very good for the downtown area,” Parry said.

Converting that stretch of Franklin Street could happen before Memorial Day.

Two-way travel existed when downtown was thriving a half-century ago. After years of decline, though, downtown reached a low enough point to where that stretch of Franklin

Street was closed to travelers.

Years later, Franklin Street reopened for one-way travel. Downtown has made a noticeable comeback over the last decade or so with help from establishing what’s referred to as the “Uptown Arts District.”

The district features things like statues, apartment living for artists along with trendy shops and restaurants.

More of a resurgence downtown is expected from travel time by train to and from Chicago being reduced by 30 minutes in each direction once construction of a double track for the South Shore Railroad commuter line is finished.

Work on adding a second track from Michigan City to Gary is expected to be done in 2024, officials said.

Currently, there are plans to construct three high rise buildings containing apartments, hotel rooms and commercial space in the downtown area to take advantage of the increase in Chicago area visitors and residents expected from shorter travel times by train.

TOWN SQUARE

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LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

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WE NEED MUCH MORE THAN THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

Mass shootings at Michigan State University (MSU) is another wake-up call about the urgent need for laws reducing gun violence - in Michigan/ our country. “Red Flag“ laws allow state courts temporary removal of firearms from persons dangerous to others or themselves. A woman is five-times more likely to be murdered when her abuser has a gun. The US had 49,979 suicides in 2022; which accounts for 54% of all firearm deaths. “Red Flag” laws would help protect women’s lives and save those who pose a risk to themselves.

We need Universal Background checks, mandatory waiting periods, and mental health restrictions. A US survey shows 88% of the participants including 85% of gun owners, favor background checks. Federal law requires background checks when purchasing from licensed dealers. However, only 40% of guns are sold by dealers. In most states, gun show sales and private sales aren’t regulated. States that require private sale background checks have 48% fewer firearm suicides.

Let’s stop children’s gun deaths by requiring owners to store guns unloaded, locked away and separated from ammunition.

Assault, rapid fire weapons with high-capacity magazines are deadly and account for 85% of US mass shooting fatalities. During the 1994-2004 federal ban on assault weapon, mass shootings were 70% less likely to occur than 13 years before and after the ban. I’m qualified with assault weapons. But do we really need weapons of war in our civilian society?

Urge your legislators to pass laws that save the lives of adults and children. Michigan should pass “Red Flag”, Universal Background check, and Safe Weapon storage laws. Ideally, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines would also once again become the law of the land.

Stricter gun safety laws will protect our students’ lives and help alleviate their growing fear of just going to school.

— KEN PETERSON, MAJ USA (RET.) BUCHANAN

First appearance deceives many.

Local Government Meetings

New Buffalo Times

Democracy Requires Transparency

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

Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 5:30PM

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

RECREATIONAL AUTHORITY

Meets at 10AM on the 2nd Wednesday of every other month at New Buffalo Township Hall, 17425 Red Arrow Highway New Buffalo

NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS BOARD

PAUL KELLER, LISA WERNER, JOHN HASKINS, DENISE CHURCHILL, BRADLEY BURNER, TRICIA NEWTON, 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

HARRY WALDER BLAKE O’HALLORAN, JAMES BRACEWELL, PETER DOERR, EDWARD BRANDES

MICHIANA

VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL

Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM

More details revealed in police gun scare

BY STAN MADDUX

AMichigan City Police officer found himself face to face with a man constantly pulling the trigger of a handgun that was pointed at him.

This happened after the gunman had already fired shots at officers.

Those are the latest details to emerge in the criminal allegations leveled against Joshua Mohamed, 46, of Michigan City.

Mohamed is charged with Level 1 felony attempted murder, Level 5 felony criminal recklessness and Class A misdemeanor pointing a firearm stemming from the Feb. 17 incident at the suspect’s home.

According to court documents, Mohamed, who has a history of threatening suicide, called 911 asking for help.

Officers Michael Petrie and Scott Paull, after knocking on the door and receiving no answer, forced their way inside the residence at 1504 Barker Ave.

They heard Mohamed from a bedroom saying “help me” and claiming someone was trying to shoot and kill him, according to court documents.

Police said it took longer than usual to reach Mohamed because of numerous items stacked and scattered everywhere in a “hoarder-like manner.”

Attempts were being made to talk Mohamed into coming out from

underneath a bed when a gunshot was fired.

The round flew to the right of the officers, who left the bedroom and from behind the corner of a wall kept trying to speak with Mohamed, court documents revealed.

Police said three to four more gunshots were fired from underneath the bed.

Officers left the residence and evacuated surrounding homes as a safety precaution.

According to court documents, members of the SWAT team were dispatched and, using a shield, went inside the residence.

They also moved items out of their way to clear a path to the bedroom.

Officer Mark Raymond was looking underneath the bed when he spotted Mohamed laying there and repeatedly pulling the trigger of a gun pointed at him.

Fortunately, the semi-automatic weapon was no longer loaded, police said.

Officer Raymond grabbed the gun and put Mohamed in handcuffs.

Mohamed was transported to Franciscan Health and booked Thursday, Feb. 23, into the La Porte County Jail, where he was being held on $100,000 bond.

LOCAL DIRECTOR WILL SCREEN, DISCUSS HER FILM AT FILM GROUP MEETING

Local director Rana

Segal will screen her documentary “Hema: The Dance of Life” at the next Harbor Country Film Group meeting Saturday, March 11, at the New Buffalo Township Library.

The film tells the story of Hema Rajagopalan, an acclaimed Bharata Natyam dancer and founder of the Natya Dance Theatre. It follows Hema’s journey from a child prodigy in India to her settling in America, where her devotion to Bharata Natyam dance helps preserve her culture’s traditions for all artistic genres.

Segal will introduce the film and lead a discussion afterwards. An award-winning director, producer and cinematographer, her work has aired on PBS, The Learning Channel and Discovery Health Channel. Segal received an Emmy nomination for “Painting the Town,” which is about a Chicago muralist, and another for “Shifting Sands On the Path to Sustainability,” about efforts to preserve the Indiana Dunes. The film group meeting begins at noon and should last about an hour and a half. There is no charge to attend. All are welcome and free popcorn will be served. The New Buffalo Township Library is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in downtown New Buffalo. —

Drinks are so expensive in a place like New York City because the rent is $56,000.00 a month my boy. Act accordingly.

— Dino N. Fatouros

Granor chef Abra Berens named semifinalist in James Beard Awards

For Abra Berens, the best part of being named a semifinalist as Best Chef for the Great Lakes Region - which comprises Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan - for the James Beard Awards is getting the word out that there’s more than one way to partake in the universal dining experience.

Berens is the chef at Granor Farm, which is a certified, organic farm cultivating grains, vegetables, flowers, and herbs that’s located at 3480 Warren Woods Road in Three Oaks. She started there in 2017, when the owners first floated the idea of implementing a limited private dining experience: Taste of Granor.

“The owners of the farm wanted to put in more programming that connects people to the land and so they thought, ‘Maybe if we make dinner, people will come and get another window into what we do,” she said.

Guests meet in the Schoolhouse and hear a talk about the business before moving to the new multi-purpose greenhouse, which features the farm kitchen and programming space, to enjoy dinner featuring crops grown on the farm.

Being named a semifinalist validates the success of Granor Farm and its dining approach, Berens said.

“It’s not a traditional restaurant, so it’s also saying there’s some support for the different ways of having a food business,” she said.

Everyone at Granor has a hand in bringing the cornucopia of food that this little corner of southwest Michigan has to offer to the plates of their guests. Which is why Berens credits her recent honor to all who work there.

“It’s thanks to the whole place…We can’t do any of the meals without any of the produce that they’re growing and greens that the green department is

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA — PHOTOS PROVIDED

growing so really, to me, it’s part and parcel,” she said.

Johannah Frelier, Granor’s farm manager, said that the farm works closely with Berens in the dining program to use the produce that’s harvested weekly, which results in no waste because “the dining program takes everything and turns it into

soups and vinaigrettes to go on the salad greens. The farm’s “primary direct to consumer outlet,” Berens said the store includes items that are grown on the farm.

Educating the public on where their food comes from was how Granor began, as Berens said it was started in 2006 to be a farm camp for children.

School in Cork, Ireland, where she partook in a 12-week training course on the 100-acre working organic farm that’s “intimately tied to the land itself.” She also worked for Paul Virant at the V Restaurant, which was “tied to farm to table and preservation,” in Chicago.

In 2009 she co-founded Bare Knuckle Farm in Northport, Michigan, where she farmed and cooked for eight years.

“I grew up on a commercial farm and it was surprising to me to realize a lot of folks don’t interact with agriculture the way I grew up interacting with agriculture and so I thought, ‘Maybe we could do a restaurant that’s on a farm that’s tied to what we’re growing’ and so we started farming, we did a handful of dinners and that was really the start of it,” Berens said.

Berens credits the Beard Foundation for not only recognizing good food but the “shortened distance with how that food is produced to how it lands on the plate.” It’s a journey, she said, that comes with its share of risks.

Take onions, which are seeded in the greenhouse in early February but not harvested until July.

something magical.”

“We all kind of play a part in the dining program’s successes…It’s really exciting she’s recognized and that this is only the second year in operation in the dining program in the new space,” she said.

In 2020, Granor Farm implemented another program: The Granor Farm Store, which sells items such as frozen

“Education is really the founding pillar of the business,” Berens said.

One could say Berens’ career has also been rooted in the education of food and its journey to the table.

She grew up near Holland, where her dad’s family were pickle farmers. After college, she cooked at the storied Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor. Soon, she landed at Ballymaloe Cookery

“Something that goes into everything like an onion has such a long lifecycle and what that means for people producing it is they’re paying for the seed and soil to plant it in January and February but they’re not going to get paid for it until July - and how different is that from most interactions in our world,” she said.

Nominees for the James Beard Awards will be announced Wednesday, March 29. A full list of semifinalists can be viewed at www.jamesbeard.org/ blog/the-2023-james-beard-awardssemifinalists.

For more on Granor Farm and to purchase tickets to the dinners, visit www.granorfarm.com.

Crops growing in the greenhouse

The glass greenhouse at dusk

Tending to the crops in the greenhouse

Chef Abra Berens

Some things in our community feel like they’ve always just been there.

As if the hard work of starting something and nurturing it so it can thrive simply occurs on its own without intention and sacrifice. We take for granted the many achievements of our neighbors, who create businesses and organizations to serve and support us. Sometimes, we need a milestone to remind us to acknowledge the gifts and dedication of someone’s passion that has touched our lives.

Friday, March 10, will be one of those milestones.

Thirteen years ago, Fred Lange and Dylan Lange sat behind the microphone at WRHC and broadcast their very first live radio show, All Over the Planet. The year was 2010. President Obama was in office and Apple had just released the very first iPad. From that first Friday night (and most Friday nights since), listeners have been rewarded with a two-hour radio show celebrating everything that is great about rock ‘n’ roll.

On March 10, Edgar Wilbury and Dylan the Dude (the Langes’ radio DJ names) will celebrate 500 shows together, an impressive milestone for sure.

A milestone for father and son — and all of us

Each week, these true originals thoughtfully showcase their favorite tunes and deftly weave educational, humorous and enlightening “Planetoids” as they introduce the artist or song. These nuggets set the show apart from anything available on standard FM rock radio. This next-level knowledge gained from listening is the bonus takeaway from getting to know the artists better, even when you may be already familiar with the song. Plus, we get a peek into the minds of Edgar and Dylan the Dude, and their practiced, usually funny repartee. They care and they share.

Five hundred shows later, listeners have a hard time shaking those Planetoids that rattle around in our brains when we remember Edgar’s voice informing

BY MARK SCANLAN

us that David Bowie wrote “All the Young Dudes” for Mott the Hoople, or how we may appreciate grunge music in a whole new way thanks to Dylan’s critical mastery of the genre – like his touching, extemporaneous

homage to the late Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins. Those lucky to have heard it live enjoyed pure radio brilliance that evening.

All Over the Planet isn’t just a radio program. For the lucky few that find a seat at the station, it is an intimate studio show that’s open to any person who would like to witness a live broadcasting event – provided they can remember to stay quiet when the mics come back on. These Friday night shows are one our most enduring and

enjoyable community events that just seem to happen: a few friends gathering over a beer to hear what Edgar and Dylan have prepared for us that week. But of course, these shows don’t just happen. And the Langes aren’t just two guys with the same last name. Though their real names and identities are never shared on air, they are father and son. They bonded over music in their Three Oaks living room and the joy it brought them. These “partners in music and rhyme” hatched a plan to create a live show and WRHC 106.7 FM strangely agreed to give these two novices the keys to the airwaves each Friday from 6:308:30 p.m. Dylan expertly commands the console; Fred manages the studio audience.

Together, this son and dad have learned to trust one another, lean on each other when needed and, most importantly share their talents and very special relationship with us week in, week out. It takes time to plan two hours of music with

a non-profit station, community underwriters help ensure the lights stay on and the bills get paid. All Over the Planet enjoys longstanding support from Watermark Brewing, Timothy’s Restaurant and Journeyman Distillery, three of our finest destinations.

insightful Planetoids, especially if a show has a theme that week. As listeners, we often marvel at how their tastes and selections complement one another to make a great listening experience - their handcrafted sonic wave. This is especially notable because neither Edgar nor Dylan know what songs the other has selected until they arrive at the studio. This is part of their brilliance, part of their achievement.

A radio show without an audience simply couldn’t sustain 500 shows. And as

The Langes selflessly produce this show to bring us closer together over a common appreciation for rock ‘n’ roll music and friendly fellowship. By giving of themselves, this weekly ritual has in turn given a father and son thousands of thoughtful, creative hours together. All Over the Planet is one of the touchstones of our community that makes being here so rich and, yes, timeless. Thank you, Fred, and Dylan, for your commitment and dedication to Harbor Country. Congratulations on show 500. We appreciate what you do for us.

Let’s keep it rolling, Dude.

All Over the Planet can be heard 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays on WRHZ 93.5 FM, WRHC 106.7 FM, and streamed online via TuneIn and other streaming services. —

WRITTEN BY MARK SCANLAN

SCHOLASTICS

New Buffalo school board approves updated middle school schedule

Members of the New Buffalo Area Schools

Board of Education approved a six-period day middle school schedule at their Monday, Feb. 27, meeting.

Per the schedule, morning core classes, which are first through fourth hours, will each be 63 minutes. The afternoon will consist of 54-minute elective classes, which are fifth and sixth periods, which will be on a Blue and Gold alternating schedule. During a Blue Week, students will have their five blue and six blue classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday and their five gold and six gold classes Tuesday and Thursday. During a gold week, students will have their five gold and six gold classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday and their five blue and six blue classes Tuesday and Thursday.

New Buffalo Middle School Principal

Dan Caudle said that, in addition to a need to “continue to improve and show growth academically,” there’s also a need to “give our kids opportunities to find themselves, opportunities to take some risks to see and develop passions.”

Students in a Response to Intervention (RTI) class who are also in Spanish or band don’t get any opportunities for art or physical education.

Caudle said that, with regards to still supporting teachers in the core areas as well as elective teachers “so that they can give to our students all the things that they’re great at and they can instill some of their passions,” this was the best schedule.

“This is the schedule that I feel most comfortable with and that I feel they can grow future leaders and increase purpose,” he said.

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Board members accepted the resignation of Edward Fidler, high school math teacher, effective June 30, 2023.

“I am extremely proud to have been a part of such an incredible school and staff for 20 years,” Fidler said in his letter, adding that he’s been a teacher as well as a coach, club sponsor, advisor and colleague.

Board members received an update on elementary school happenings.

Students presented on several areas at the elementary school, such as Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS), where students can receive tickets and classes can receive “compliments” based on bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels for following the Bison expectations in the building’s common areas; unique days at the school (such as Dress Up Days to raise money for Ronald McDonald House and days where students are given a token to choose a book from the vending machine); “specials” such as music, art and physical education; student groups, such as student ambassadors, student council and safety patrol and education

Students presented on several areas at the elementary school, such as Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS), where students can receive tickets and classes can receive “compliments” based on bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels for following the Bison expectations in the building’s common areas; unique days at the school (such as Dress Up Days to raise money for Ronald McDonald House and days where students are given a token to choose a book from the vending machine); “specials” such as music, art and physical education; student groups, such as student ambassadors, student council and safety patrol and education and the different apps students use, such as Achieve 3000, Study Island and Delta Math.

and the different apps students use, such as Achieve 3000, Study Island and Delta Math.

New Buffalo Elementary School

Principal Adam Bowen said that they’re in the fifth year of looking at how to integrate English language arts into the curriculum. While the focus last year was on how to integrate the social studies and science standards into reading and writing, the focus this year is on grammar instruction and “integrating that as a whole piece.”

The school is in its fourth year in the PBIS initiative and is focusing on Tier Two. Whereas Tier One focuses on 80% of students meeting “instruction by just general whole group instruction,” Tier Two homes in the 10% who aren’t getting it.

Regarding the midyear scores for NWEA assessments, Bowen said that the students are scoring above the national norm in NWEA reading as well as math.

Bowen said 71% of students who took the English Language Arts MSTEP (which

is taken beginning in third grade) last year were proficient, making the school first in the county and 45th in the state. For math, 88% of them were proficient, which ranked them first in the county and seventh in the state.

Tom Whitsel, transportation director, gave an update on the district’s transportation.

Drivers do five routes daily, with another five routes in between that transport students to places like AK Smith Center. There are also multiple van runs, which transport students to area schools.

Whitsel gave the following statistics: 378 students are transported on the bus every day; school buses do 300 miles a day and that students are on the bus over 68,000 times in a school year. Five buses (out of 10) go on routes.

Whitsel said he’s pushing to get a routing software called Bus Right, which would allow them to plan routes and parents to receive a text to let them track a bus that their student is on.

A lot of midday routes were added this year for class trips and sports.

Whitsel said the oldest bus has been “updated as far as it can go” and that new state programs with grants and benefits for buses could allow them to acquire an electric bus in the future.

Whitsel said they’re “looking pretty good now” with regards to having enough drivers, with three substitutes and two people being trained.

The employment of Nathaniel Orlowski as the 2023 high school assistant track coach was approved.

The employment of Christopher Thun as the 2023 assistant varsity baseball coach for 2023, pending background check, was approved (board trustee Vanessa Thun abstained).

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

When Lovie Smith coached the Houston Texans to a victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the final game of the regular season, it allowed the Chicago Bears to sneak under them for the worst record in the league and gave the Bears the first choice in the upcoming college football draft.

For Lovies troubles, he was fired the next day and in Chicago, fans seemed to love him more than they ever did when he coached the Bears.

The moment of truth will come to be in the near future when the Texans, Colts, or some other team, decide that they need the draft pick the Bears have, and decide to give the Bears an offer they can’t refuse.

When you end up with the worst record in the league, you obviously don’t have a lot of star players, so if the Bears can parlay their pick into a few more picks over the next couple of years, the Bears can be on their way to start contending for championships.

As of right this moment, I’d say the Bears could have 10-15 new starters next season. Even if they can’t pull off a trade for the first choice, there are a couple of defensive linemen who are potential superstars, so whatever the outcome, the Bears should be vastly improved this coming season.

I think they will be fighting for a playoff spot next season, and the following season they can be championship contenders.

The Bears surely do need a lot of help. Defensively, they appear to be set at both safety positions and both cornerback spots and possibly one linebacker.

That leave six positions, at least,

to replace.

Fortunately, the Bears have a lot of space under the salary cap to acquire free agents and they also have a full compliment of draft choices.

On offense, the Bears seem set at quarterback, running back, tight end, one receiver, and one lineman. That leaves at least six spots open on offense for a total of twelve. During this upcoming season the old saying, you can’t tell the players without a scorecard, will be particularly appropriate.

The Blackhawks are rebuilding so the talk of trading Patrick Kane isn’t preposterous.

He’s been a great player for the Hawks, so trading him to a contender is a nice gesture by the team for the individual. It looks like the New York Rangers will be the recipients and I hope that every time Kane comes back to Chicago he is given a standing ovation.

Jonathan Toews is ill and his career may be coming to an end. Hopefully, one of the youngsters will fill the leadership void that will be created by the absence of these two great players. Finally, the Bulls picked up a veteran that grew up in Chicago, Patrick Beverley. In the two games Beverley has participated in, both victories, the Bulls have out scored their opponents by a combined 64 points. Let’s hope the inspired play continues.

Hugh C. Cameron said, “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.” Be kind. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

Bison boys lose against Howardsville Christian

BY STAN MADDUX

The New Buffalo High School boys’ basketball team stayed within striking distance until a second half collapse at Howardsville Christian Friday, Feb. 24.

The Bison lost 74-44.

The defeat came three days after forcing Our Lady of the Lake into double overtime in a near comeback victory at home.

“It’s been two steps forward and one step back all season long,” said head coach Nate Tripp.

New Buffalo (2-17) trailed by 14 points at halftime then narrowed the lead to seven points early in the third quarter.

However, the young Bison, like they have in many games, went through a dry spell marked by poor shooting and mental lapses on both sides of the court, Tripp said.

Tripp said the team began making fewer mistakes recently after he simplified his system but problems surfaced again with things like players being out of position and failing to properly communicate with each other.

He said the Eagles (13-8) are a better team than last year but felt the outcome should have been much closer.

“We’ve been really starting to play some great basketball and to come out against Howardsville Christian so flat the way we did is extremely disappointing,” he said.

New Buffalo, though, had no answer for 6’5” senior Sam Nagle, who scored 26 points.

The athletic Nagle can score from the outside and while driving toward the rim.

Tripp said senior Landon Haskins, who was battling injuries, did well at guarding Nagle but had to come out of the game for rest at times.

“He had a nice game for us. He was definitely a bright spot,” he said.

Haskins finished with eight points.

The Eagles also capitalized on their other outside shooters whenever they were left wide open from the Bison, double teaming Nagle on defense.

New Buffalo, which often has three to four freshmen in the starting lineup, opens the District 4 tournament against Countryside Academy (11-8) at 5:30 p.m. March 6.

Our Lady of the Lake is hosting the post season tourney this season.

Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.

— William Burroughs

New Buffalo, Bridgman students face off in chess tournament

MAD ABOUT CHESS

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Last week, Jennifer Bauer, a teacher at New Buffalo Middle School, and her students learned that chess has been declared the “most popular game in the whole wide world.”

“We just heard it on the news the other day, so my kids were pretty fired up,” she said.

Bauer then asked her students how many have a chess app on their phones – and everyone said they did.

“They said they are enjoying chess more than social media - so I think it’s a good thing for our world, it’s something kids can do, it’s healthy, it’s something they can play either with a person or by themselves,” she said.

Those who wanted to witness the chess madness that’s recently infiltrated the school building needed to look no further than the New Buffalo Middle/High School cafeteria Wednesday, Feb. 22, where 30 students were participating in the New Buffalo Middle/High School and Bridgman Middle/High School four-round chess tournament.

According to Bauer, who’s the advisor for both the middle and high school chess clubs, up to 26 students come at different times to play chess in the club at the middle school club, which began this year.

Last year, they started the high school one, which could have between eight and 14 students playing chess weekly.

A lifetime chess player herself, Bauer said she was approached about being an advisor for that age level by a student when she

was teaching at the high school last year.

“So, he went to Mr. Butler (the former principal) and got a petition and had the kids signhe got 10 signatures and he then looked for an advisor and came right to me,” she said, adding that she said yes “because I love chess.”

She said her daughter attended Bridgman, so she knew that they, too, had quite the chess scene going on amongst their students.

Aaron Knoll, the instructional technology coordinator at Bridgman Public Schools who serves as the advisor for Bridgman High School’s chess club, said that the club has been around for a year.

The club, which has around eight students who pass through it from time to time, has never been a part of an actual tournament before.

“Some of my kids have played online or with family but some of the kids are brand new so they’re kind of nervous coming but I think they’re having a good time,” he said.

Eileen Smiertelny, who’s the advisor for Bridgman’s middle school chess club, said the club can go from having two to 12 students play chess every week.

“This is our first tournament outside of our own district,” she said, adding that the club has been around for 10 years.

One of those players who started checking out the club was the youngest player at the tournament: River Reppart,

who’s in the first grade.

Mom Kelly Reppart said that Rafe started wandering into the club meetings while his dad, who’s band director, had practices after school.

“He has to wait around for him, so he started going to chess club last year in kindergarten,” she said.

Rafe Siewert, who’s in sixth grade and part of New Buffalo’s middle school chess club, said he started playing chess with his uncle, who taught him the rules, as well as his dad.

“I think strategy is fun – and I think chess has a lot of strategy,” he said.

Brooke Henderson, a junior who’s on Bridgman’s high school team, said her uncle and dad also introduced her to chess.

“It’s a game that involves thinking and not just like a board game for fun - a lot of people take it seriously, which I like too,” she said.

The chess champs at the end of the tournament were first place, Finn Siewert; second place, Justus Rowland and the winner of the consolation round was Aydyn Seifert.

Finn, who’s a junior at New Buffalo, said he felt great about winning his first tournament but that it was “intense – I’m still shaking.”

He added that he’s been playing for as long as he can remember but competitively, he’s only been playing for a year.

“I just tried to trade off as much material as I could so I could understand the board better - to make it easier,” Finn said.

Students engaged in a chess match

Parents watch as students face off in a chess match

River Reppart and Aydyn Siewert face off during the final round

Tension mounts as students face off during the final round

Justus Rowland, Finn Siewert and Aydyn Seifert were the chess champs 225 N Whittaker | www ColorPopSalon com | 269-231-5395

Jennifer "Patrick Ryan, The Windy City's OG of dazzling Balayage hair color, he makes every visitor feel like a VIP "

Bauer keeps score in the brackets "His signature 'Painted by Patrick' technique results in completely natural-looking hair hues "

A royal story time with 2023 Three Oaks/River Valley Royal Court

Members of local royalty took the time out of their other engagements to stop by story time at Three Oaks

Township Public Library Thursday, Feb. 23.

In keeping with the royal theme, Miss Three Oaks/ River Valley Ellie Lumley and Mr. Three Oaks/River Valley Gabriel Pauff read

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

“The Paper Bag Princess”

by Robert Munschto and “The Very Fairy Princess Sparkles in the Snow”

by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton to a group of young book

lovers. Afterward, the queen and king, as well as Little Miss Three Oaks/River Valley Hazel Bross and first and second runners-up Lilly Sokolowski and Alyssa

Williams, helped them make crowns (which were speckled with jewels) so that they, too, could be royalty for an afternoon.

The book lovers enjoy a royal storytime

The book lovers pose with royalty

The young book lovers make their crowns

Miss and Mr. Three Oaks River Valley Ellie Lumley and Gabriel Pauff help the readers make crowns

Goal of hiring more minorities established

BY STAN MADDUX

Agoal has been set for the workforce in La Porte County government to equally reflect the racial make-up of its population.

The La Porte County Council Monday, Feb. 27, unanimously adopted a resolution asking minority job applicants be actively pursued so the racial make-up of county government employees at least equals the racial demographic of the county.

Specifically, the request is for the county commissioners, department heads and human resources personnel who play roles in filling job openings.

According to the resolution, 11.4% of La Porte County residents are African Americans, who represent 8.5 percent of the county government workforce.

Hispanics make-up 7.4% of the population and 1.9 percent of county government workers, according to the resolution.

About 750 people are employed by La Porte County government in a county with just over 112,000 residents.

La Porte County government has worked harder in recent years to hire additional minorities in response to pressure mostly from the black community in Michigan City.

The resolution was presented by councilman Randy Novak, who said the measure is not a mandate but something in writing to work toward.

“Hopefully, it starts the dialogue and we get things moving forward and put this item behind us, In 2023, we shouldn’t be having this conversation,” said he said.

Councilman Mark Yagelski said the minority hiring numbers have gone up some but there’s still work to do.

To get there, he said what’s needed most is no longer requiring a high school diploma for certain positions in areas like maintenance or turning away job applicants deemed now as “over qualified.”

Yagelski said he’s referred people simply wanting to switch from a high demand to less stressful job for a few years before retiring, but they were rejected.

“How in the world can somebody be over qualified for a job. It just irritates me,” he said.

Councilman Earl Cunningham also expressed a need for minorities in more positions with duties out in the public to show the hiring practices are not so negative.

Cunningham said most of the minority workers here are behind the scenes in places like the county jail, community corrections and juvenile services center.

“Most people would be shocked to realize that we’re as close as we are. They’re just not in places that are highly visible and we need to improve that considerably,” he said.

Novak said the council doesn’t perform the hiring but adopted the resolution to have some influence in closing the racial make-up gap.

“It’s a way of opening a better dialogue with other elected officials in the county and trying to just better represent all of the residents of La Porte County,” he said.

Wild chase ends at jail

The La Porte County Jail is not a selfserve operation but a man was trying to get inside when grabbed following a long highspeed chase.

La Porte County Sheriff Ron Heeg said the man probably didn’t know it was at the jail that he was possibly trying to use as a hideout after crashing his vehicle.

Christopher Rodriquez, 31, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with multiple counts including resisting law enforcement and possession of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, the early morning pursuit Feb. 24 began when he refused to pull over when caught speeding on U.S. 20 near Fail Road.

At one point, police said he nearly caused several head-on

BY STAN MADDUX

collisions while traveling in the opposite lanes of U.S. 20 at more than 100 miles per hour near Michigan City.

Eventually, police said the fleeing driver headed toward La Porte on U.S. 35.

He was near the city limits when at least one of his tires was flattened by stop sticks beside Pine Lake.

Nevertheless, the suspect continued at more than 80 miles per hour toward downtown where he crashed into the Norfolk Southern tracks, where a city street he veered onto comes to a dead end.

According to court documents, Rodriquez fled on foot beside the tracks until crossing Washington Street to the La Porte County Complex.

He was trying to open a door on the building when he was

grabbed by a police officer, with help from a canine dog. The complex houses the county jail, sheriff’s office and county government offices. Police said more than 20 grams of methamphetamine, along with a loaded firearm, were recovered from his vehicle.

Heeg said the man likely didn’t know he was at the jail since he’s from outside the area and his judgment was clouded, perhaps, by drugs. Rodriquez lives about 70 miles away in Rensselaer, Indiana.

“I think it’s just a case of, I’m not going to say mistaken identity but he just obviously didn’t know where he was at,” Heeg said.

8 kids a day are accidentally killed or injured by FAMILY FIRE.

FAMILY FIRE is a shooting involving an improperly stored gun, often found in the home.

ENDFAMILYFIRE.org

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDINANCE NO. 259

AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL SECTION 12-22, “DANGEROUS AND UNINHABITABLE STRUCTURES,” OF ARTICLE III, “NUISANCES,” CHAPTER 12, “NOISE, NUISANCE, PROHIBITED ACTS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS,” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF NEW BUFFALO, MICHIGAN, AND TO ADD ARTICLE V, “DANGEROUS BUILDINGS,” TO CHAPTER 12, “NOISE, NUISANCE, PROHIBITED ACTS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS,” IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR AND CLARIFY PROCEDURES FOR ABATING DANGEROUS BUILDINGS

THE CITY OF NEW BUFFALO ORDAINS:

Section 1. Repeal of Section 12-22 of the Code of Ordinances. Section 12-22, “Dangerous and uninhabitable structures,” of Article III, “Nuisances,” Chapter 12, “Noise, Nuisance, Prohibited Acts and Other Miscellaneous Provisions,” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Buffalo is hereby repealed in its entirety and reserved for future use.

Section 2. Addition of Article 5 to Chapter 12 of Code of Ordinances. Article V, “Dangerous Buildings,” is hereby added to Chapter 12, “Noise, Nuisance, Prohibited Acts and Other Miscellaneous Provisions,” of the Code of Ordinances, City of New Buffalo, Michigan and shall read as follows:

Article V. Dangerous Buildings

Sec. 12-50. Dangerous building prohibited.

It is unlawful for any owner or agent to keep or maintain any building or structure or part of the building or structure which is a dangerous building as defined in section 12-51.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Sec. 12-51. Definition.

All buildings or structures which have any of the following defects shall be deemed dangerous buildings:

(1) Those whose interior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity falls outside of the middle one-third of its base;

(2) Those which show damage or deterioration of the support members or damage or deterioration of the nonsupporting enclosing or outside walls or covering;

(3) Those which have been damaged by fire, wind or other causes so as to become dangerous to the occupants thereof or to the people of the city;

(4) ThosE which have become or are so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary or which fail to provide the amenities essential to decent living that they are unfit for human habitation or are likely to cause sickness or diseases so as to work injury to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of those living therein or are vermin or rat infested;

(5) Those not having adequate light, air, heating, water, and sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health, morals, safety or general welfare of human beings who live or may live therein;

(6) Those having inadequate facilities for egress in case of fire or panic or having insufficient stairways, fire escapes or other means of access;

(7) Those which have parts thereof which are so attached that they may fall and injure persons or property;

(8) Those which because of inadequate electric wiring or heating facilities or because of storage of flammable materials or for any other reason constitute a fire hazard;

(9) Those which because of any other causes similar to the

above are unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of the people of this city;

(10) Those which are vacant and are not kept securely locked, windows kept glazed or neatly boarded up and otherwise protected to prevent entrance thereof by unauthorized persons;

(11) Those which are partially completed unless such structure is in the course of construction in accordance with a valid and subsisting building permit issued by the city, and unless such construction is completed within a reasonable time;

(12) Those which have become an attractive nuisance to children who might play in the building or structure to their danger, or have become a harbor for vagrants or criminal persons, or which enable persons to resort to the building or structure for committing a nuisance or an unlawful act.

Sec. 12-52. Notice of dangerous conditions; hearing officer; service.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, if a building or structure is found to be a dangerous building, the building department shall issue a notice that the building or structure is a dangerous building.

(2) The notice shall be served on each owner, occupant, lessee, mortgagee, land contract vendor or vendee and any persons having an interest in the building or structure as shown by the records in the office of the register of deeds.

(3) The notice shall specify the time and place of a hearing on whether the building or structure is a dangerous building. The person to whom the notice is directed shall have the opportunity to show cause at the hearing why the hearing officer should not order the building or structure to be demolished, otherwise made safe, or properly

maintained.

(4) The mayor shall, subject to confirmation by the city council, appoint a hearing officer to serve at the pleasure of the council. The hearing officer shall be a person who has expertise in housing matters including, but not limited to, an engineer, architect, building contractor, building inspector or member of a community housing organization. An employee of the city shall not be appointed as hearing officer. The building department shall file a copy of the notice that the building or structure is a dangerous building with the hearing officer.

(5) The notice shall be in writing and shall be served upon the person to whom the notice is directed either personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the owner or party in interest at the address shown on the tax records. If a notice is served on a person by certified mail, a copy of the notice shall also be posted upon a conspicuous part of the building or structure. The notice shall be served upon the owner or party in interest at least ten (10) days before the date of the hearing included in the notice.

Sec. 12-53. Hearing; determination to close proceedings or to order building demolished, made safe or properly maintained; Time period to comply with order, notice of order.

(1) The building official or his or her designee shall examine every building or structure reported as dangerous, unsafe structurally or constituting a fire hazard; cause a report to be filed in a docket of unsafe structure and premises, stating the use of the building, the nature and estimated extent of damages, if any, or caused by collapse or failure and such other particulars as may be appropriate. If the building official finds the building to be dangerous, he

or she shall file with the office of the register of deeds of the county a notice stating that proceedings pursuant to this article have been commenced by the city against the subject property and a sworn affidavit signed by the building official which shall indicate a legal description of the subject property.

(2) At a hearing prescribed in section 12-52, the hearing officer shall take testimony of the building department, the owner of the property, and any interested party. Not more than five (5) days after completion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall render a decision either closing the proceedings or ordering the building or structure demolished, otherwise made safe or properly maintained.

(3) If the hearing officer determines that the building or structure should be demolished, otherwise made safe, or properly maintained, the hearing officer shall so order, fixing a time in the order, not to exceed thirty (30) days, for the owner, agent or lessee to comply with the order. The following standards shall be used in substance by the hearing officer in ordering repair, vacation or demolition:

(a) If the dangerous building can reasonably be repaired so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this article, it shall be ordered repaired.

(b) If the building is considered dangerous under section 12-51, and can reasonably be secured so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this article, it shall be ordered secured and properly maintained in accordance with the Property Maintenance Code, Article II of Chapter 5.

(c) If the dangerous building is in such condition as to make it dangerous to the health, morals, safety

PUBLIC NOTICES

or general welfare of its occupants, it shall be ordered vacated.

(d) If the dangerous building cannot be repaired so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this article or if the cost to repair the dangerous building so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this article would exceed the state equalized value of the building, it shall be demolished. In all cases where a dangerous building is a fire hazard existing or erected in violation of the terms of this article or statutes of the state, it shall be demolished.

(4) Pursuant to section 12-58, the building department shall provide the owner, occupant, lessee, mortgagee, land contract vendor or vendee, agent and all other persons having an interest in the building as shown by the records in the office of the register of deeds a written copy of the order. The order shall indicate that the building or structure was found by the hearing officer to be a dangerous building within the standards set forth in section 12.51 and that:

(a) The owner must vacate, repair, properly secure, as provided in section 12- 57, or demolish the building in accordance with the terms of the order and this article;

(b) The occupant or lessee must vacate the building or may have it repaired in accordance with the provisions of this article and remain in possession;

(c) The mortgagee, land contract vendor or vendee, agent or other persons having an interest in the building as shown by the records of the register of deeds

may at his or her own risk repair, vacate, properly secure or demolish the building or have such work or act done; provided further that any person notified under this subsection to repair, vacate, properly secure or demolish any building or structure shall be given such reasonable time, not exceeding thirty (30) days, as may be necessary, to do or have done the work or act required by the order provided for in this subsection.

(d) Set forth in the order a description of the building or structure deemed unsafe, a statement of the particulars which makes the building or structure a dangerous building.

(5) If the building or structure is determined by the hearing officer to be dangerous, the building department shall place a notice on all dangerous buildings reading as follows:

“This building has been found to be a dangerous building by the City of New Buffalo. This notice is to remain on this building until it is repaired, vacated, properly secured or demolished in accordance with the order which has been given the owner, occupant, lessee, mortgagee, land contract vendor or vendee, agent and all other persons having an interest in said building as shown by the records in the office of the Register of Deeds for the County of Berrien, Michigan. It is unlawful to remove this notice until such order is complied with.”

(6) In cases where it reasonably appears that there is immediate danger to the life or safety of any person unless immediate action is taken with respect to a dangerous building, the building department shall

report such facts to the city manager or designee, and the city manager or designee shall cause the property to be boarded up, fenced or otherwise made safe pending final action of the hearing officers. The cost of such emergency work shall be collected in the same manner as provided in section 12-56.

(7) It shall be unlawful for the owner of any building or structure who has received a compliance order or upon whom a notice of dangerous conditions has been served to sell, transfer, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of to another until the provisions of the compliance order has been complied with, or until such owner shall first furnish the grantee, transferee, mortgagee or lessee a true copy of any compliance order or notice issued by the hearing officer or building department and shall furnish to the building department a signed and notarized statement from the grantee, transferee, mortgagee or lessee, acknowledging the receipt of such compliance order or notice of dangerous conditions and fully accepting the responsibility without condition for making the corrections or repairs required by such compliance order.

Sec. 12-54. Abatement by city generally.

If, at the expiration of any time limit in the order provided for in subsection 12-53(3), the owner has not complied with the requirements thereof, the city manager or designee shall carry out the requirements of the order. The cost of such abatement shall be charged against the premises and the owner thereof in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 11 of the City Charter.

Sec. 12-55. Emergency abatement by city.

The city manager or designee may abate any dangerous structure if the public safety requires immediate action without preliminary order of the hearing officer. Thereafter the cost of abating

such nuisance shall be charged against the premises and the owner thereof in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 11 of the City Charter.

Sec. 12-56. Noncompliance of order; cost of compliance as lien.

(1) If the owner, occupant, mortgagee, lessee, land contract vendor or vendee fails to comply with the order provided for in subsection 12-53(3), the city manager or designee shall cause such building or structure to be repaired, vacated, properly secured or demolished as the facts may warrant, and shall cause the cost of such repair, vacation, securing or demolition to be charged against the land on which the building exists as a lien or cause such cost to be added to the tax roll as an assessment against the land upon which the building stands or did stand, or to be recovered in a suit at law against the owner, provided, that in cases where such procedure is desirable and any delay thereby caused will not be dangerous to the health, morals, safety and general welfare of the people of this city, the council may order legal action to force the owner to make all necessary repairs or demolish the building.

(2) Any such owner, agent or person in charge who is responsible for the neglect and lack of maintenance which results in an order being that such building must be restored to a safe condition, properly secured or that the building must be demolished, shall be charged with all administrative costs and expenses incurred in the enforcement of this article. Such costs shall include inspections, postal charges, legal expenses and others which are a result of the enforcement of this article, and as ascertained by the city manager or designee.

(3) All costs assessed against

PUBLIC NOTICES

the owner, agent or person in charge may also be assessed against the property on the tax rolls unless otherwise paid by the owner, agent or person in charge. All such costs are independent and cumulative of any penalties and powers of the city as set forth in other sections of this article or as stated under the laws of the state.

Sec. 12-57. Securing of vacant buildings.

(1) All vacant buildings shall be secured as follows:

a. All doors, windows and other entrances shall be kept securely locked;

b. All window displays shall be removed;

c. All interior portable furnishings and fixtures shall be removed or arranged in such a manner as not to be exposed to public view;

d. Window areas must be covered with one (1) of the following:

i. Window treatments, such as curtains, shades and blinds; or

ii. A nontransparent paint so as to obscure view.

(2) Vacant buildings which have become open, unsecured or otherwise unprotected from the entrance of unauthorized persons may be temporarily secured for a period of fourteen (14) days, by neatly boarding up the breached part of the building using the approved boarding materials. Upon the expiration of the 14-day period, the building shall be secured as provided in subsection 12-57(1) above. Approved boarding materials are as follows:

a. Half-inch C.D.X. plywood or its equivalent per American Plywood Association performance rated O.S.B. board.

b. Two (2) two-inch x fourinch strong backs, cut twelve (12) inches wider than the door or window

opening width.

c. Four (4) 3/8-inch carriage bolts, long enough to provide a full nut thread when assembled.

Sec. 12-58. Notice of order.

(a) All notices required by this article shall be given by registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, unless notice was given personally.

(b) In addition, a copy of all orders shall be posted upon a conspicuous part of the building or structure.

(c) In addition to the above, if the owner cannot be found and the order includes the demolition of the structure, all notices shall be published once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.

Sec. 12-59. Appeal.

Any person affected by any order which has been issued in connection with the enforcement of any provision of this article, or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, shall have the right to request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the city council; provided that such person shall file, in the office of the city clerk, a written petition requesting such hearing and containing a statement of the grounds therefore within twenty (20) days after the day the order was served. At the hearing, the person affected shall be given the opportunity to show cause why the order should not be enforced. The city council shall either approve, disapprove, or modify the order. If the city council approves or modifies the order, it shall take all necessary action to enforce the order. If the order is approved or modified, the owner, agent, or person in charge shall comply with the order within 60 days after the date of the hearing. For an order of demolition, if the city council determines that the building or structure has been substantially destroyed by fire, wind, flood, deterioration, neglect, abandonment, vandalism, or other cause, and the cost of repair of the building or structure will be greater than the state equalized value of the building or structure, the owner, agent, or person in charge shall comply with the order of demolition within 21 days after the date of the hearing. If the estimated cost of repair exceeds the state equalized value

of the building or structure to be repaired, a rebuttable presumption that the building or structure requires immediate demolition exists.

Sec. 12-60. Violations; buildings in violation declared public nuisance.

(a) The owner of any dangerous building who shall fail to comply with any order to repair, vacate or demolish the building and the occupant of any building who shall fail to comply with any order to vacate the building shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction and upon a determination of responsibility thereto, shall be punished as provided in section 1-6 of this Code.

(b) Any building or structure in violation of any of the provisions of this article is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and may be abated by order of any court or competent jurisdiction.

Secs. 12-61 through 12-70. [Reserved.]

Section 3. Publication and Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City and shall be effective 20 days after its enactment or upon publication, whichever is later.

YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT ORDINANCE DECLARED ADOPTED CERTIFICATION

This is a true and complete copy of an ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City of New Buffalo, Berrien County, Michigan, at a meeting held on February 21, 2023.

JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR ANN M. FIDLER, CLERK

HOROSCOPE

MARCH 2-8, 2023

AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT

ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19

The energy coming your way will be very volcanic and any built up tensions will likely erupt, now. This explosive energy is aimed directly at your work environment. So, any contentious work situations will have the propensity to explode now. Prepare and utilize the inevitable changes.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

It’s time to take the driver’s seat and take an active role in making the world a better place. This week there may be some unavoidable catastrophes but sometimes emergencies happen so we can find our strengths and prove to ourselves that we will always pull through.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21

There is some very charged energy flowing your way this week and the best way to utilize it is to schedule activities that require a lot of energy and zeal, like dancing or sparring. This is not the time for quiet evenings or heart to heart talks. Get out there and howl at the moon.

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22

Explosive conversations can be cathartic and clear the air but words can also wound and push the people you love away. Be cautious with the things you say this week. Speak the truth but don’t tear people or situations down. Let your words be a source of inspiration and validation.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22

When it comes to things of value, whether materially or emotionally, things will be put through the fire this week. You will know who and what is truly important by weeks end. Stand back and take note as situations unfold, then make your moves. When the smoke clears, the truth will stand.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22

The energy coming your way this week is very unpredictable and has the propensity to be a very destructive force. Take charge of it. Use these destructive forces to your advantage. Be very aware of your temper. Let the winds of change clear away the clutter. Stand tall as it all gets blown away.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22

This is the time to go within and evaluate your self-talk. How do you motivate yourself? How do you encourage yourself? Once you pull back and reflect on the way you treat yourself then, you will understand how to express yourself more effectively and feel more fulfilled emotionally.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

There is a very volcanic vibe to the week ahead and you would be wise to schedule exciting social events, rather than allow this energy to flow in without direction. A quiet conversation between close friends could explode into a full-blown brawl without warning. Forget tea time; try some karaoke.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22—DECEMBER 21

Resisting change is futile my friend and fortunately for the archer, there is nothing you like more than changing things up. So, gear up and get ready to ride some rapids. This is the time to go with the flow and follow the path of inspiration to calmer waters. Enjoy the adventure.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

Sometimes those winds pick up just at the right time and that’s when it’s time to set sail. Sometimes we are forced out into the world whether we are ready or not and we need to rely on our survival skills. Trust in your abilities. Pull up that anchor and ride those waves.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

Embrace that determination to handle drama or unhealthy attachments. You already know what to say and how to say it. Trust in your ability to detach from anger and frustration to see where the real wound or pain is radiating from. Be gentle but stand firm in your ability to call out shenanigans.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

Tensions with partners are likely to reach their boiling point, this week. Embrace that fiery energy and make changes. This is the time to get things out in the open with other people. Put your cards on the table no matter how shocking or inappropriate your hand is. Be completely authentic.

Ain’t no personal thing boy, but you’ve got to stay away. Let me tell it to you from the start boy. I don’t wanna fall in love, love cuts just like a knife. You make the knife feel good … — Jane Child

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN IN ADMIRALTY

IN RE COMPLAINT OF VALERIA MURGAS for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability

Case No. 1:23-cv-110

Judge PAUL L. MALONEY

NOTICE OF COMPLAINT FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Notice is hereby given that Valeria Murgas, legal owner of the M/V Summer Session, a 30-foot 1995 Carver 310 Santego, bearing Michigan registration number MR 9223 RF and hull identification number CDRJ6027C595 (“the Vessel”), has filed a Complaint for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability pursuant to 45 U.S.C. § 30501 et seq. and Rule F of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure— Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty or Maritime Claims (“Rule F”). In the Complaint, Ms. Murgas claims the right to exoneration from or limitation of liability for any and all claims for injuries or damages allegedly resulting from the a marine casualty having occurred on July 2, 2022, on the navigable waters of Lake Michigan near New Buffalo, Michigan.

All persons having such claims must file them under oath, as provided in Rule F, with the Clerk of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, 107 Federal Building, 410 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007, and serve on or mail to attorneys for Ms. Murgas, Joseph S. Center of the law firm Gallagher Sharp LLP, located at 420 Madison Avenue, Suite 1250, Toledo, Ohio 43604, a copy of any such claim on or before April 3, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., or be defaulted.

Personal attendance is not required.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Any claimant desiring to contest the Complaint must file and serve a claim and answer to the same as required by Rule F(4) and F(5).

Dated February 2, 2023

CLERK, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

BY

/S/ KELLY VAN DYKE DEPUTY CLERK

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO BOARD OF REVIEW

The Organizational meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 10:45 am at New Buffalo City Hall, 224 West Buffalo, New Buffalo. No appeals of 2023 assessments will be heard at this time. The Board of Review will meet to hear appeals of 2023 assessments on Tuesday, March 21, 9:00 am-3:00 pm and Wednesday, March 22, 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Resident and non-resident property owners may protest by letter if received by noon on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Estimated multipliers for each class of property for 2023 are as follows:

Agricultural…...... N/C

Commercial…..... 1.0746

Industrial…......... 1.2970

Residential…........1.2335

The tentative ratio for each class is 50%. The inflation rate multiplier for use in calculating 2023 capped value is 1.05

The City will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to those with disabilities

planning to attend upon three (3) days’ notice to the City Clerk. If you require such aids or services and plan to appeal in person, please call the City.

SHALICE NORTHROP, NEW BUFFALO CITY ASSESSOR

Woman mooned in feud with neighbor

BY STAN MADDUX

Adispute between neighbors in La Porte County resulted in a mooning.

La Porte County Police on Feb. 22 were called to the 8600 block of W. 125 South by a woman complaining about her neighbor pumping water from his pond onto her property.

The next day, she looked out her sliding glass door to see him pumping water again. According to police, the man after noticing her looking at him began making “humping” gestures with his arms and hips.

He then turned, dropped his pants and bent over fully exposing his buttocks.

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, BERRIEN COUNTY, STATE OF MICHIGAN

STATE OF MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND (MNRTF) GRANT APPLICATION

On March 20, 2023 at 4:00pm, the New Buffalo Township Board will hold a public hearing at the New Buffalo Township Hall, 17425 Red Arrow Highway, New Buffalo, MI 49117 for the purpose of discussing and commenting on the submission of a MNRTF grant application. The proposed project is to develop the 2nd phase of the Marquette Greenway from the Indiana State line to the US12/ Grand Beach Road intersection. This multi-use trail will ultimately connect New Buffalo to Chicago. The grant request is for $300,000 and the remaining of the project will be funded with RAISE, a federal grant from the US Department of Transportation.

The New Buffalo Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the meeting upon five-day notice to the New Buffalo Township Board by writing or calling the following New Buffalo Township Clerk, 17425 Red Arrow Highway, New Buffalo, MI 49117 or 269-469-1011.

The woman again called police, who came back out and talked to the man who defended showing his bare bottom.

According to police, he said the woman “should look away if she doesn’t want to see what he is doing on his property.”

In addition, the man said he was only returning the water he started receiving after a pole barn she had built caused her property to drain in his direction.

According to police, no arrest was made but the officer advised the woman to seek a protective order against the man if she feels she needs one.

La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said good judgement was used by the officer given the circumstances.

“Is it something worth charging? In this case, it doesn’t seem so and I think a jury or a judge would probably agree,” he said.

Fagan said an arrest for indecent exposure would have been appropriate had the mooning been out in public or if the man had been engaged in full frontal nudity.

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.

FULL TIME COOK POSITION IN LA PORTE

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

SEEKING AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR SMALL OFFICE

Must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Quickbooks knowledge a plus. Full-Time 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.

SERVICES

FISH FOR STOCKING

Most Varieties Pond and Lakes.

Laggis Fish Farm

269-628-2056 Days 269-624-6215 Evenings.

ELDERLY CARE NEEDED?

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