Berrien County News

A wintry start to the weekend to say the least. Most of us have picked up between 2-6 inches of snow since Friday morning.

The National Weather Service has extended the WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY through 6 pm Saturday for Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren counties.

The 6 Degrees Resale Store will be holding its grand re-opening on February 10 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at its new location, 205 W. Main Street in Benton Harbor.

Nearly two years have passed since Michigan's Cottage Food Law was approved.A This law allows the preparation of certain foods in home kitchens for direct sale to the public.

House Energy and Commerce Committee chair said building nuclear provides power, good jobs and tax base for communities.

Louise Stine, Berrien County clerk for the past 21 years, gave her final annual report to county commissioners Thursday.

Berrien County is exiting the Lakeshore Coordinating Council after the organization's director was let go late last week.

Howard Baker III, 22, of Galien was arraigned Wednesday on multiple charges, including breaking and and entering and probation violation on previous charges; a 19-year-old Three Oaks man is awaiting arraignment today on two counts of breaking and entering, said deputy Celena Herbert.

Current Treasurer James Stover has submitted his resignation with his last day set for March 8. That date allows him to be a resident of Niles Township for at least 30 days before he files to run as the Republican Party candidate for Niles Township supervisor.

Q: I have a question concerning ownership of exotic animals. Is it illegal for someone to own an American alligator? Thank you - Nikki, an Ionia Sentinel Standard reader.

The City of Niles community development department has announced its 2012 Homeowner Assistance Program to assist low to moderate-income homeowners with repairs to their homes.

The question was left unanswered after a second day of an evidentiary hearing, ordered by the Michigan Court of Appeals, to determine if the 16-year-old Niles resident received ineffective counsel from his former attorney, Lanny Fisher, during his murder trial in August 2010.

Police are investigating two late-night break-ins that occurred between 3 and 5 a.m. Thursday in Berrien County , according to a news release from the Berrien County Sheriff's Office.

A Berrien County teenager serving a life term for the 2010 murder of his grandfather wants a new trial.

WHAT: An open house to discuss plans to repair the M-63 bridge over I-94 in St. Joseph Township, Berrien County.

Although the number of children in Berrien County living in poverty has declined slightly since 2005, about one in five still are living below the poverty line, according to the annual Kids Count in Michigan Data Book.

The Palisades nuclear plant could be considered one of the worst plants in the nation.

The first four defendants to be sentenced in the Niles "sextortion" case all received prison time.

A natural gas leak has forced school officials in a southwestern Michigan district to cancel classes for the day.

A section of westbound I-94 was closed for a time Thursday near Benton Harbor at the end of an expressway chase that began in Van Buren County.