Allen Weich installed as Chikaming Township fire chief

Members of the Chikaming Township Board of Trustees, the public, and the entire township fire department officially welcomed their new fire chief during the township’s Thursday, March 10, meeting.

Board members approved accepting the employment of Allen Weich, who was sworn in as fire chief by clerk Paula Dudiak in front of an audience that also included various members of Weich’s family.

Weich will officially take over as chief April 1.

Weich said that’s he’s “excited to move onto the next chapter of my life.”

“This is a great group of guys…I’m excited to be here, the community has been so welcoming and supportive,” he said.

A Bridgman resident, Weich has a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from Michigan State University.

He credited his father, who was a volunteer firefighter for Baroda Township, for getting him into the fire service.

Weich, who has a paramedic license, has previously worked on different fire calls and accidents with the Chikaming Township Fire Department when he was at the Lake Township Fire Department.

He added that he’s “always done something in the emergency service,”

“The opportunity to switch gears and do it full time – it’s a great career, and I’m really excited,” he said.

Former chief Mike Davidson, who has been full-time chief since 2008, announced his retirement effective March 31 last November.

Speaking for the board, Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte said Davidson has been a “great asset to township.”

“I can’t thank you enough and I know the board and the public can’t thank you enough

for everything you’ve done for all your years of service…From the bottom of my heart and ours, I really appreciate everything you do,” he said.

After a public hearing (during which there were no comments from the audience) board members approved the budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, which begins April 1.

Per the General Appropriations Act Resolution #03-10-22 that was adopted by board members, estimated township general fund revenues for the new fiscal year, including an allocated millage of .3670 mills and various miscellaneous revenues, shall total $1.02 million. Estimated road maintenance fund revenues, including a voter-authorized millage of .9851 mills and miscellaneous revenues, shall total $638,986. Estimated public

safety fund revenues, including a voter authorized millage of 1.8716 mills and miscellaneous revenues, shall total $1.2 million. Estimated building fund revenues shall total $352,891; estimated water fund revenues shall total $2.5 million; and estimated sewer fund revenues shall total $1.2 million.

Board members accepted the resignation of Arthur Anderson, park board chair (as well as to send him a letter of thanks for his years of service), effective April 30.

Bunte said he received the letter March 3. Per the letter, Anderson has resigned “for personal reasons” and that he’s “unwilling to serve on the park board.”

Anderson’s letter said that it’s been a “privilege serving community” and that vice chair

Jill Underhill will be acting chair until a replacement is elected.

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Allan Weich is sworn in as Chikaming Township fire chief by Paula Dudiak

Board trustee Rich Sullivan said if Anderson said he’s “unwilling to serve,” then his resignation should be effective immediately.

“Why is it you’re unwilling to serve for two more months – it just doesn’t make sense to me… You don’t dictate when you’re doing something,” he said, adding that there’s a second letter that’s dated the same.

Dudiak said she believes the reason is because there won’t be full quorum at the next park board meeting (which is scheduled for Monday, March 28), and they can’t vote on a replacement.

Bunte said that the board’s job “at this point in time” lied solely with either accepting or rejecting Anderson’s resignation. “If we decline it, it would be a discussion as to what the next step would be,” he said, adding that they “have that option.”

Park board members Sherri Curry said that she wasn’t aware that a second letter existed.

“I know I’ll be asking some questions to move forward with our park board,” she said.

The purchase of three portable Motorola radios for the police department in the amount of $15,999.99 was approved.

Bunte said the purchase was made possible by one of their residents, Randy Berlin, who offered to donate $16,000 for the purchase price.

Police chief Todd Taylor said that Berlin (whose son, Andrew, owns the South Bend Cubs), has been making donation for several years.

Board members approved township assessor Toni Swisher’s annual contract, which includes a 5% increase from $75,000 to $78,750.

Board members approved buying back a plot at Lakeside Cemetery for 75% of the purchase, which is $56.25.

On the recommendation of the Planning Commission, a parcel combination at 15935 Lake Avenue that will make the property conforming was approved in a 3-1 vote (Liz Rettig and Bill Marske abstained).

Rescue training by firefighters on thinning ice

LaPorte firefighters last week kept sharp on their ice rescue skills in case someone ventures out on a lake and falls through the dangerously thin ice.

LaPorte Fire Department Capt. A.C. Pressler said nobody should be on the ice, which has melted significantly due to recent mild weather.

“Oh, heavens no. Please don’t,” he said.

Firefighters in wet suits broke a thin layer of ice over a previously open patch of water on Pine Lake and slipped into the frigid water.

They rehearsed the steps that are taken to perform a rescue had someone actually broke through the ice.

BY STAN MADDUX

The training is held annually as the ice is forming and melting, when the risk of an individual falling through is greatest.

“It’s vital. It’s like anything. If you don’t do it for a while you kind of get rusty,” Pressler said.

The firefighters were tied to ropes held by colleagues about 200 feet away on the shoreline at Unity Park.

Training Chief Erik Jedrysek said the ice at about three to four inches was cracking but thick enough for the firefighters to reach the hole on foot.

He said very thin ice requires venturing out on sleds, which disperses the weight of firefighters to minimize their chance of breaking through.

Jedrysek said firefighters don’t move across the ice as fast on sleds, though, and time is not a luxury because of how quickly hypothermia from exposure to the cold water sets in. “It’s probably five times faster for a guy walking out there on his own,” he said. Jedrysek said the wet suits not only keep firefighters warm but are buoyant to keep them afloat in the water.

Despite the safety gear, Pressler said an ice rescue still has its risks.

He said firefighters could strike their heads on something while crashing through or slip beneath the ice, while struggling with victims combative from the effects of hypothermia.

“There’s a bunch of bad things that can happen,” Pressler said.

The other end of the rope on shore is used to pull firefighters in trouble along with victims tied to the rope out of the water.

Pressler said victims helped back on the ice might not be able to walk to the shoreline because of what exposure to frigid water in just a few minutes can temporarily do to their motor skills.

People unable to use their legs are either carried by firefighters back to shore or placed into a sled pulled by a rope to safety.

“That rope is a life line to the shore,” he said.

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Bison Beginner, kindergarten students registration now taking place

New Buffalo Area Schools is looking for students for the Bison Beginner Pre-Kindergarten program and for kindergarten students for the 2022-2023 school year.

It is helpful for the school know how many students it will have as the planning for the 2022-2023 school year begins. If you believe your child will qualify for either the Bison Beginner PreKindergarten program or for kindergarten, please contact the office at 269-469-6060 by April 1, so the student can be on the enrollment list.

Parents who have children who will be 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2022, and who are residents of the New Buffalo Area School district are welcome to register their child for the Bison Beginner PreKindergarten program. The program offers both full day and half day (a.m.) sessions. Enrollment is limited to 25 students for the Bison Beginner program.

Parents with students who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2022, and who are residents of the New Buffalo Area School District are welcome to register their child for the kindergarten program. The program is a full day program. At this time, the school is only taking information on students who currently reside within the school district.

If you have a child who qualifies for enrollment into the Bison Beginner PreKindergarten or kindergarten program at New Buffalo Elementary, please contact the elementary office at 269469-6060. The necessary information will be collected from you and the necessary paperwork / processes for completion will be provided to you.

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students attending New Buffalo Elementary School for the 2022 - 2023 school year will be able to have their hearing / vision screened by the Berrien County Health Department April 18, 2022. Free hearing and vision screenings will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at New Buffalo Elementary School.

If you need a hearing / vision screening for your child and will not be attending New Buffalo Elementary School or are not available April 18, you can contact the Berrien County Health Department at 269-926-7121 to schedule an appointment for a later date. — STAFF

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

For the first time in what

seems like quite a while, there are sports stories galore to talk about this week.

The brackets are set for March Madness as NCAA basketball readies itself for the 2022 tournament. Major League Baseball ended their strike/ lockout and looks forward to a complete season. Tom Brady unretired.

But for me, the best story of the week didn’t get any headlines at all.

I don’t know anything about the participants, but watching a 20 second video on YouTube told me all I needed to know.

So, there’s this young lady, I’m guessing somewhere around eight- to 10-years-old, who catches a pass near the free throw line and throws up a shot that goes right in the basket. The caption says that was her first ever basket, and how does she celebrate? She runs right to the bench and jumps into her father’s arms. The pure joy of the participant, the parent, her teammates, the fans, and most of us who were lucky enough to see the video, reminded us what sports is all about. Thank you young lady.

Thursday was a great day for a different reason. I was talking to a friend when my phone vibrated. I looked at the phone and saw the news that Major League Baseball had finally agreed to end the labor struggle and start playing baseball.

After doing my happy dance I called my baseball buddies and had my first positive baseball conversations since the World Series ended last year. Being a National league fan will necessitate getting used to the designated hitter and a couple of other rule changes, and next year it looks like there will be more rule changes.

I was trying to talk myself into not caring if there was a season or not because the Cubs probably won’t be very good this season. However, I did feel sorry for White Sox fans because their team is definitely one of the best in all of baseball this season. Anyway, I’m certainly looking forward to five years of peace on the business front and an exciting baseball season.

Finally, it was a busy week for football, too. The Bears traded the face of their franchise, Khalil Mack. Most weeks, that would be the biggest football news, but this wasn’t most weeks.

Tom Brady decided that after being retired for 40 days, he was going to unretire and play another season. Brady made this announcement in the middle of the day Sunday, effectively taking the spotlight away from college basketball.

Thursday, Loyola of Chicago plays Ohio State, Illinois opposes Chattanooga, Michigan takes on Colorado State and Michigan State plays Davidson. Good luck to all of our local teams.

Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”

Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

Bison cruise to victory in regional opener

BY STAN MADDUX

The high school boys’ basketball team from New Buffalo opened the regional tournament Monday, Shaw also dished out 10 assists. “I’m really excited,” said Head Coach Nate Tripp. The Bison lost in the first March 14, with an easy victory.

The Bison (22-1) defeated Gobles 85-46 before a good sized crowd at New Buffalo High School, which is hosting this year’s regional tournament.

The game was pretty much over from the very beginning after Anthony Lijewski nailed two shots from beyond the three point line and buckets followed from Kaden Parmley and Zack Forker.

The Bison took a 29 to 12 lead into the second quarter then scored the next five points.

Gobles cut into the lead slightly but went into halftime trailing by 23 points after Lijewski nailed two more three-point shots in the final seconds of the period.

There was no let up from the Bison in the third quarter when the lead grew to 68 to 30 on a three point bucket from Anthony Anderson.

Parmley led all scorers with 25 points.

Lijewski finished with 21 points.

Forker and Mark Shaw added 14 and 13 points respectively. round of the regionals last season but have all five returning starters, whose mission this year is winning the Class D state title. New Buffalo is ranked No. 1 in the Michigan High School Athletic Association power rankings. The Bison face No. 30 ranked Tri Unity Christian from Wyoming for the regional title Wednesday night. Tri Unity Christian (17-6) defeated Muskegon Heights Monday night 53 to 44. Tripp said both teams can move the ball fast up and down the court but the game could come down to execution in a ball control half-court style offense and whoever plays the best defensively. “I have no interest in pressing them and I can guarantee they have no interest in pressing us so it’s going to be just a matter of who’s smart and who’s strong in the half court,” he said.

BY STAN MADDUX

The New Buffalo High School boys’ basketball team is the District 4 champions for three of the past four seasons.

It wasn’t easy, though. nine points in the third quarter took the lead early in the final period. Both teams kept exchanging leads until the Bison went up for good when Vinson, after grabbing an offensive rebound, put the ball

A 13-point halftime lead evaporated but the Bison held on to win at the free throw line in the final seconds against Eau Claire 66 to 63 Friday, March 11.

Mark Shaw carried the Bison with 25 points, mostly with driving layups from wide openings near the rim created by Beaver defenders guarding against the three-point shot.

After the game, Shaw said he was tired but thrilled to repeat as District 4 champions.

“We’ve been working for this. I don’t know how to explain it. I’m just so happy we won this,” he said.

The 6’ 9” Zack Forker contributed 10 points all in the first half on 5 for 5 shooting near the rim.

Kaden Parmley, Jeremiah Mitchell and Ryan Vinson each scored nine points.

The game was moved to Eau Claire as a precaution because of an undisclosed threat at River Valley High School, which hosted the previous games in the tournament.

New Buffalo (21-1) came into the game ranked No. 1 in Class D.

Eau Claire was ranked No. 11.

“Eau Claire is phenomenal. They’re a great team,” said New Buffalo Head Coach Nate Tripp.

The Beavers after outscoring the Bison by into the net. With great foot work and a pump fake, Parmley then drove in for a lay-up. Two free throws by Parmley gave the Bison a five point lead with less than a minute to play. Eau Claire pulled to within two points on a three point shot with 12 seconds left on the clock.

Parmley hit two more free throws before the Beavers drove the court for a lay-up with three seconds left in the game. After another freethrow by Parmley, a desperation shot from beyond the half court line by Eau Claire at the buzzer fell well short of the mark. Bison players raced over to fans in the student section of the bleachers racing onto the court and celebrated.

Players and coaches then huddled together on the floor and expressed appreciation for each other.

Parmley said hitting free throws in pressure situations is part of the team’s practice sessions.

“We talked about it all week. It’s not going to be a quiet place,” he said.

Parmley said another reason for his team not putting up many three point shots was to prevent Eau Claire from using its speed to score points in transition.

There was no happy ending to the story book season for the New Buffalo High School boys’ basketball team.

The Bison ranked No. 1 in Class D were defeated 57-40 by TriUnity Christian in the regional championship game Wednesday, March 16.

The loss was before a packed house at New Buffalo High School, which hosted the regionals this year.

Senior Aaron James said the Bison falling short on their mission to win a state title was disappointing but she was proud of everything the players accomplished.

It was like a dream season for New Buffalo, which is ranked No. 7 in scoring for all schools nationwide.

The Bison (22-2) also won the conference title in their division and finished with the best record of any boys’ basketball team in New Buffalo High School history.

BY STAN MADDUX

“It was an amazing season,” James said.

Senior Shannon DeWitt said the players have no reason to hang their heads and it was fun to have more students at games cheering on the team.

“Our whole student body really came together as a whole during this basketball season which is really, really great for our school,” she said.

Tri-Unity Christian (17-7) playing a tight man to man defense shut down the three-point shooting of the Bison limited to just 11 first half points.

The Defenders also used their size advantage to make scoring down low for the Bison extremely difficult.

The Bison trailing 40-20 going into the fourth quarter started cutting into the lead when they started pressuring ball handlers and scoring on turnovers like they have all season.

The more aggressive play also created open three-point shots for the Bison, who pulled to within 12 points halfway through the final period.

There was no answer, though, to the athletic ability and nothing but net shooting of Brady Titus, who poured in 35 points.

Titus made everything about the game look easy and stole the momentum whenever things began going in favor of the Bison.

Parmley led the Bison with 23 points.

New Buffalo High School Principal Wayne Butler said the success of the team did a lot to bring together students, staff members and the entire community. “It’s just been really nice to come into the gym and have this atmosphere,” he said.