Milda’s Corner Market • Sawyer Garden Center • The Whistle Stop David’s Delicatessen • Barney’s Knoll Bros. • Stray Dog Infusco Coffee Roasters Black Currant Bakehouse • Redamak’s Between Casey’s and Nancy’s Froehlics - Three Oaks • The Lakeside Inn Michigan City, IN • Chicago, IL
Kalamazoo, MI • Grand Rapids, MI Three Oaks, MI • Union Pier, MI Sawyer, MI • St. Joseph, MI
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AOfficer shot, gunman dead following two state chase
BY STAN MADDUX
man chased from New Buffalo Township wound up shooting an Indiana State Police trooper multiple times then later took his own life with a gun during a manhunt.
Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit said the Friday morning chase began near Four Winds Casino when a police officer tried stopping a suspected stolen vehicle.
He said the pursuit ventured the short distance into Indiana on some side roads before returning to Michigan where the suspect fled westbound on Interstate 94.
At one point, Heit said the fleeing driver stuck the barrel of what was described as a rifle out the driver’s side window and fired at least one shot.
Heit said officers from Michigan stayed with the pursuit across the state line until law enforcement from multiple departments in Indiana were positioned to take over the chase.
“Once it went into Indiana further, and they had enough units we backed off and continued to monitor it, but it never came back close to Michigan,” he said.
Several minutes later, the pursuit went southbound on U.S. 421 near Michigan City where a collision between the suspect and state trooper soon happened outside a Speedway station.
ISP Sgt. Glen Fifield said numerous shots rang out, including some by the officer returning fire.
The officer, Sgt. Justin Heflin, 40, was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend where he was listed in stable condition prior to surgery.
“I can report he is in good spirits at the moment,” he said.
Fifield said whether the suspect and officer were out of their vehicles during
the gunfire exchange was still under investigation.
More than 20 yellow evidence markers were placed mostly in the Speedway parking lot close to the highway.
Police said many of those markers represented where empty shell casings were found.
After the gunfire exchange, Fifield said more than 100 officers were involved in a manhunt for the suspect whose pickup truck was located with help from a police helicopter near Westville in the area of Joliet Road and Wozniak Road.
Kevin Meyers, 54, was found deceased later that morning in a nearby cornfield.
The manhunt included the use of drones with cameras along with K-9 dogs.
La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said an autopsy shows Meyers died from a selfinflicted gunshot wound to the chest from an AK-15 military assault rifle.
Swanson said he also sustained a single gunshot wound to the back delivered apparently by the officer returning fire.
She said Meyers was driving a pickup truck stolen the previous day from a Michigan City car dealership.
Swanson said he removed a license plate from another vehicle at the casino and placed it on the stolen pick-up truck just before the pursuit.
According to court records, Meyers was serving a three-year sentence on work release in La Porte County for auto theft.
A warrant was recently issued for his arrest for failing to return to the work release facility at night as required.
The narcissist is hollow on
INDIANA MAN DROWNS AT WARREN DUNES STATE PARK
An individual is deceased after a drowning at Warren Dunes State Park in Lake Township Wednesday, July 8.
Per a press release made by Baroda-Lake Township Chief of Police Wes Koza, at approximately 7:46 p.m. July 8, emergency personnel were dispatched to 12032 Red Arrow Highway in Lake Township (Warren Dunes State Park) following a report of an individual experiencing a possible cardiac arrest.
“Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 51-year-old male from La Porte, Indiana, who was in full cardiac arrest. Life-saving measures were immediately initiated at the scene,” the release stated adding that the individual was transported by Medic 1 Ambulance to Corewell Health Hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan.
“Despite emergency medical efforts, the 51-year-old male was later pronounced deceased at the hospital,” the release added.
The incident remains under investigation.
Agencies involved were Baroda-Lake Township Police Department, Bridgman Police Department, Chikaming Township Police Department, Lake Township First Responders, Medic 1 Ambulance, and the Office of the Medical Examiner.
Local Government Meetings
New Buffalo Times
Democracy Requires Transparency
CITY OF NEW BUFFALO
VANCE PRICE, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL
MARK ROBERTSON, ROGER LIJEWSKI, KAREN GEAR, RICH KNOLL, 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
HOWARD MALES, MICHELLE HEIT, MICHELLE HANNON, PATTY IAZZETTO, BARBARA ANDERSON
Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 4PM
NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP
PLANNING COMMISSION
Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM
SHERIFF BERRIEN COUNTY
Sheriff, Chuck Heit
Undersheriff, Greg Sanders
NEW BUFFALO AREA
RECREATIONAL AUTHORITY
Meets at 9AM on the 2nd Wednesday of every other month (odd) at New Buffalo Township Hall, 17425 Red Arrow Highway New Buffalo NEW BUFFALO AREA SCHOOLS BOARD
LISA WERNER, JOHN HASKINS, DENISE CHURCHILL, JENNIFER SUMMERS, VANESSA THUN, STEPHEN DONNELLY, GREG VOSBERG
The Board meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 6PM
CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP
CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD
DAVID BUNTE, PAULA DUDIAK, LIZ RETTIG, RICHARD SULLIVAN, ARTHUR ANDERSON
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 at 5PM EST
KIMBERLY WOLNIK, CLERK-TREASURER
HARRY WALDER, JACK GRACE, ED SEBASTIAN, PETER DOERR, EDWARD BRANDES
MICHIANA
VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL
Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM
Village council accepts police chief’s resignation
BY THERESE DONNELLY
After more than ten years at his post, Three Oaks Police Chief Carl Krause is stepping down.
The Three Oaks Village Council accepted his resignation during their July 8 meeting, expressing their thanks for his years of service and regret at seeing him leave.
Krause was a sergeant with the Three Oaks Police before the Village Council appointed him chief in March 2021. He has already agreed to help with the search for a new chief and to extend his remaining time by 30 days, if needed.
Village Manager Dan Faulkner told the council the village can advertise for a new chief, contract with Berrien County or enter into a mutual agreement with Chikaming Township. The council authorized Faulkner to begin advertising for a chief.
During the same July meeting, the council discusses plans for power lines on the AEP easement along Hickory, Linden and Oak streets. Original plans would have placed poles in the community garden off Oak.
Village Manager Dan Faulkner told the council that AEP had provided new plans that would bypass the garden but would place nine metal poles along the proposed route
Councilmembers noted the original plans indicated composite materials would be used for the poles, with metal being used where the path turned, and they had expected five poles.
The council agreed to ask AEP for clarification on the material and number of poles needed.
In 2025, the council approved adding Village Treasurer Tracy Jones to the employee health insurance plan.
Faulkner said her family had somehow been added at the time. To formalize the coverage, the council approved a motion to formalize the family policy.
The council intended to vote to give the village manager authority to approve street closure requests on an annual, as-needed basis for the BarrelAged Brewfest at Journeyman Distillery, but Krause informed them the village ordinance required yearly council approval. The council instead approved a request to close Generations Drive on Oct. 10.
During council updates, councilmember Jason Niemzyk said the village should look into how side-byside-by-side utility vehicles are covered in the Village’s golf cart ordinance. Niemzyk noted the streets department uses utility vehicles for cleanup, including after the annual Flag Day weekend. Faulkner said he would reach out to Sodus Township, which Krause said has a related ordinance.
Faulkner added that the Village needs to communicate with Three Oaks Township on the golf cart ordinance to avoid any confusion from people attempting to drive a cart between the two municipalities.
Councilmember Lois Jones reported the Planning Commission is finalizing a new master plan, including an updated zoning map and existing land use map.
Faulkner said the initiative to identify any remaining lead service lines in the village will continue. Groups will go to houses in identified areas and ask permission to inspect lines. In some cases, the inspection may require access to the interior of the house. The council discussed ways to make authorized inspectors identifiable. Faulkner said the village had recently acquired an ID printer that could be used to make badges.
Construction on North Elm Street is nearly complete. Faulkner asked any residents with concerns about the work to contact village hall so issues can be added to the punch list to be addressed.
Similar sidewalk and pavement work has begun on South Elm Street. Faulkner said a portion of the street will be closed to through- traffic, but residents will still have access.
The Hickory Street bridge will soon reopen, with paving scheduled to begin July 10.
Faulkner said sidewalk installation will begin along U.S. 12 on the west end of the village soon.
Village President Steve Graziano commented this was the most construction he’d seen in the village in a long time.
Of what use is a philosopher who doesn’t hurt anybody’s feelings? — Diogenes of Sinope
Chikaming Township Board approves Operational Alignment Agreement between Chikaming, New Buffalo Township fire departments
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
Members of the Chikaming Township Board of Trustees approved an Operational Alignment Agreement between Chikaming Township Fire Department and New Buffalo Township Fire Department at their Thursday, July 9, meeting.
Per the agreement, the township fire departments have developed it to “establish operational expectations for personnel employed by both departments.”
“The goals of this agreement are to promote staffing flexibility, operational familiarity between the agencies, support recruitment and retention efforts and enhance regional interoperability during emergency responses,” it states.
The agreement “does not create any financial obligation between the municipalities; rather, it provides a framework for safe system operations while allowing both departments to maintain their independence, governance, administration and employment practices.”
For two years, Supervisor David Bunte said that four area municipalities, including Chikaming, engaged in discussions on potentially doing a fire authority; for financial issues, it “didn’t work out.”
“This alignment agreement between Chikaming and New Buffalo does help out from supporting the staffing needs, the training needs – they’ve already been doing multiple training efforts,” he said.
Clerk Paula Dudiak said that they’ve “always had other departments that are back ups.”
“This is just a little bit more to put it in writing,” she said.
Trustee Rich Sullivan said that much of what’s laid out in the agreement is already done between the two departments.
“This actually is more a public affirmation that they are there for each other,” he said.
Board members approved the fire department’s request to apply for the FM Global Fire Service Grant.
Bunte said the $5,000 grant would provide “funding to fire service organizations to support fire prevention preparedness and pre-incident planning efforts.” The funds would be used to offset the cost of fire inspector training for the department’s personnel.
Board members adopted a resolution Opposing Ballot Proposals Imposing Documentary Proof of Citizen Requirements Creating Barriers for Voting in Michigan
Americans for Citizen Voting submitted 750,000 petition signatures for a ballot initiative “aiming to change the Michigan Constitution and require documentary proof of citizenship when U.S. citizens vote,” per the resolution.
Dudiak said that “by time the people even come in to vote, I have double checked and checked, the state has checked them.”
She said there’s a check mark asking if someone is a U.S. citizen that, under law, must be checked correctly. People must also show photo identification, which is how Dudiak identifies them.
“By the time you get here, I already know if you’re registered or not… We’ve increased the amount of Chikaming Township voters since I’ve been here, so I think that’s a comfortable situation and I’d like to keep
it that way,” she said, adding she’s had “no problems whatsoever.”
Trustee Arthur Anderson said that he doesn’t “think we should throw obstacles to people who want to vote.”
Treasurer Liz Rettig noted the lack of information that they’ve received on the proposed initiative, with Sullivan saying that there’s a “misconception out there some people are thinking that nobody has to show any kind of ID to vote.” Bunte concurred, stating that the “this request seems to be direct result of miscommunication.”
“People tend to think people can walk in or vote without any ID or anything to support that,” he said.
He added none of the data through his research supports any issues with voting, whether across Michigan or the country.
Parks Director Joe Martin said that the second Red Arrow Trails Days event featured 517 raffle tickets that were submitted to win six baskets that featured items donated from 30 businesses along the trail.
The next Music in the Park at Harbert Community Park will feature The Edgar Wilbury Experience at 7 p.m. and St. Joe Jack at 5:30 p.m., with Wood Stock and Grill providing food and Mangata beer.
To date, the township has generated $31,320 on daily parking fee structure at Cherry Beach, which doesn’t include season pass fee revenue.
Board members approved Bob Beemer, a member of the ZBA, stepping in to temporarily fill in the spot on the Planning Commission that’s been left vacant by chair James Gormley.
SCHOLASTICS
School board views initial Bison Preserve site plan
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
Members of the New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education viewed the initial site plan for the Bison Preserve at a Wednesday, July 8, meeting.
The board approved entering into development contract negotiations with Leeward-Ventures in January. Owner Brian Papke said the project on Lubke Road will make use of approximately 10 western acres at the edge of 40-acre existing school-owned preserve.
Overall project goals are to develop a “mixed residential community, including single family homes, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, quads and apartments,” to provide attainable deed restricted housing for the local workforce; to allocate 12-15 buildable lots for the district’s Building Trades program; to preserve select units for school and public sector employees and to ensure there aren’t any short-term rentals.
Papke said the design is a clustered development one, which will include principles that emphasize a variety of price points and unit types and will maximize connection to the forest. The project will be phased, with properties being released in batches and the road being built in parts, which will allow the measurement of “buyer demand during the early phases.” Papke said flex zoning will “establish areas within set blocks and have home and design options that can be adjusted and varied depending
on the direction of the market.”
Leeward will partner with the district’s Building Trades program for students to construct approximately one home per year.
Papke said 73 units will be developed in phases over four to five years, with spring 2027 being the site construction commencement.
Papke said the preliminary sale and rent range assumptions include the following: townhome type ‘A’, which will include 18 two-story, three bedroom units that will be 1,300-1,700 square feet, with a sales range of $385,000 –$459,000 and rental range of $2,250 - $2,950 per month; townhome type ‘B’, which will include 22 one-story, two-to-three bedroom bungalow-style, 1,100 square foot units, with a rental range of $1,825 - $2,300 per month; and 33 detached, two story and ranch single family homes that are 1,300 –2,000 square feet, with a sales range of $419,000 – $600,000+.
Papke said that, once the site concept plan moves forward, the three-to-fourmonth application incentive process for the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) can begin, “assuming the process runs concurrently with our PUD and site plan application process with Berrien County and New Buffalo Township.”
To qualify for the Housing TIF Brownfield Act 381, it’s proposed that 15 units be rent-restricted to at or below 100% AMI (area medium income) of Berrien County.
Resident Marlene Kissman said
that those who live near the proposed development are “in the country, we have dogs, we have cats, we have gardens, we have pools, is there nay room for that in those lots – it just looks crammed in to me.”
Ryan Dempsey said that, while he understands there’s a lack of affordable housing, he doesn’t “think this is the solution.
“You’re not preserving anything –you’re going to damage that land,” he said.
He added that the development would add to the traffic issues, and that there could be “at least 140 more vehicles in that tiny area alone.”
Shannon Schroeder said the neighborhood is already a peaceful, well-established one, with mainly full-time residents and a few second homeowners,
She added she’s concerned the development will “displace animals and probably kill a lot of them in construction.”
“It’s a nice neighborhood, it’s an established neighborhood, we didn’t sign up for this, and we don’t want five years of construction noise,” she said.
Hummingbird Lounge owner Ben Smock said that, out of his 28 employers, 20 live in Indiana while only three live in New Buffalo.
“The need for these types of buildings where people can rent something and
live in the same place they work is dire and I don’t think of it as a seasonal need to meet seasonal influx of tourists, I think this is a year-round challenge we face as employers here in town,” he said.
New Buffalo teacher Sophia Gianetti, who said she resides outside of New Buffalo, said affordable housing would allow teachers to “live where we work, attend games, support students outside of school and to truly be there for them.”
Kelley Perkins said she purchased the home was because of the wetlands and was told by school board member prior that they “would never be touched.”
“I feel like the children are not being heard, they are ones that are going to have to listen to the construction while they’re in school and see the trees being uprooted and wildlife dead or misplaced,” she said.
Superintendent Adam Bowen said that they’re working with different studies to improve the trail system and the wetlands.
He noted the board’s commitment to the Building Trades program and the schools’ declining enrollment for the past 15 years due to the “rise of shortterm rentals and the skyrocketing prices that priced out our young families in the area.”
“We want people to live in the community that they work, and this is going to be structurally secure through deed restrictions on homes that are purchased and enforced with the TIF requirements,” he said.
Berrien County Health Department warns of risks of underage marijuana use, encourages conversations with teens
More than a third of Michigan high school students report having used marijuana, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The Berrien County Health Department again is partnering with Voice.Change.Hope. Alliance to increase community awareness of the risks associated with marijuana use among teens and young people. The initiative addresses the growing popularity of the drug and shares helpful tools and resources with parents and caregivers.
“Marijuana poses significant health risks for young people, particularly because their brains are still developing,” said Hannah Darr, BCHD’s Health Promotion and Prevention Supervisor.
“We also know marijuana use among teens has been linked to a range of mental health challenges, such as depression, social anxiety, psychosis and long-lasting disorders, including schizophrenia.
“We highly recommend parents and caregivers talk to their teens about
the risk of underage marijuana use, especially given the drug’s widespread popularity.”
Marijuana is the second most commonly misused drug among teens, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
Around 1 in 6 people who use marijuana before age 18 will become addicted, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Research also shows people who use marijuana are more likely to have relationship problems, worse educational outcomes, lower career achievement and reduced life satisfaction.
Parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk for young people in their life by talking to them about marijuana and other substances. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration has resources available to help get the conversation started.
For more information about preventing underage marijuana use, visit www.berriencounty.org/1580/ get-the-dirt-on-weed. — STAFF REPORT
From the Bleachers
From the Bleachers
COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO
COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO
Can it last this time?
Every four years, the rest of the world tries to get the United States attention by inundating the airwaves with the sport they call futbol.
Many of us old timers make fun of the sport and don’t understand how people can get so caught up in a sport that has such low scoring games and difficult to understand rules. We never played the game of futbol and we love, love, love our American version of football.
However, every four years when the World Cup tournament comes around, it becomes a little more popular in the United States. I actually watched England defeat Norway rather than watch a Cub game against the Cincinnati Reds last week, something I previously wouldn’t have dreamed of doing.
Why are young people embracing futbol (soccer) and becoming less interested in baseball?
Could it be because soccer has a lot more action and the games are shorter? I don’t think so.
Could it be the cost of the equipment (one soccer ball versus balls, bats, and gloves)? I guess it’s possible.
However, I think it’s something else.
The soccer games, pitting country against country are almost all competitive, while baseball is dominated by a few teams. Did you see the fans of Scotland almost drank Boston dry after their victory over Haiti. The Dutch fans, all with orange jerseys, followed the teams bus from venue to venue and Norway’s fans cheered as their star player led them in a Viking
celebration.
Baseball makes some rule changes designed to speed up the game and increase scoring when, I believe, competitive balance would be so much more effective.
Imagine if 25-30 cities had teams that had a chance to compete for a championship instead of 3-4. All of those young fans would be out in the park trying to emulate their home town heroes instead of kicking a ball around.
After the current baseball season, the players and owners, millionaires and billionaires, will try to come together and figure out how to split up the money that the sport brings in. They have a chance to improve the future of the sport they love, or both sides can continue to dig in their heels to increase their share of the proceeds.
The odds are pretty good that there won’t be a Major League Baseball season next year, either because of a player strike or an owners lockout. If there has to be a work stoppage next season, please make it worth it. Get a salary cap in place or figure out something that will give every team an opportunity to be competitive.
Let’s end this season with a Chicago city series. At the moment, both teams are playoff bound and if they both ended up in the World Series, soccer would only be a footnote around here.
Willie Nelson said, “The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”
Be kind. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.
Enjoying a strawberry Sunday at Strawberry Social
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
For the eighth year, everyone was invited to enjoy a strawberry sundae on a July Sunday for the Allan Boyd Memorial Strawberry Social in the gazebo garden at the Friends of New Troy Community Center Sunday, July 12.
The event featured live “big band” music from Down by the Dock, as well as treats such as strawberry shortcake, ice cream, and root beer floats.
Every summer for the past eight years, the Boyd family has gifted this event to the community in memory of their patriarch, Allan Boyd (1925-2017). Allan grew up in New Troy and attended New Troy High School, which once stood on the site of the current New Troy Township Park. As a young man, he owned a garage in the center of town. Later in life, he became Weesaw Township Supervisor and remained a prominent figure in local politics for many years. His reminiscences of the town were featured in the movie “New Troy: The Center of the World.”
This year, the event was also raising funds for a new roof for the community center, with FONT Board President Victoria Petroff saying that FONT currently has three grant applications that they’re waiting to hear back from for possible funds. As of July 12, around $30,000 has been raised through community members giving funds.
“The price is in flux - we know it’s going to be somewhere between $80,000-$110,000 for it,” she said.
For the first time, the Run to the Center of World 5K will take place in summer: at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, which starts and ends at the community center. Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 20 but to be guaranteed a free race shirt, you must register before Aug. 6. Currently, FONT is taking sponsorships for the event, which supports the community center and its events, until Aug. 2. For more information, visit www.friendsofnewtroy. com or pick up a registration form during the center’s regular hours at 13372 California Road in New Troy.
Ephesus and Eden Ehlert enjoy their sundaes
Down by the Dock performs
Guests enjoy sundaes and live music
Members of the Down by the Dock perform in the gazebo
Guests stand in line for sundaes
What’s Happening, Hillary?
YOUR CURATED GUIDE TO THE BEST IN NEW BUFFALO, AND BEYOND!
JULY 16, THURSDAY:
• Craft Night at Happy Hour at Domaine Berrien Cellars | Baroda | 6-9PM [Free]
• Pedals to Pints Bike Ride at Watermark | Stevensville | 6:30PM [Free]
• Live Music at Barndogg at 7PM, Timothy’s at 7PM, Villa Nova at 7PM, and The Acorn at 8PM
July 17-19, Friday-Sunday:
• Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival | Michigan City | 11AM-8PM CT [Free]
• Grown Up Book Fair at Transient Artisan Ales | Bridgman | 4PM [Free]
• Didgeridoo Sound Color Therapy & Sound Bath at Dancing Feet Yoga | New Buffalo | 6PM [Tickets]
JULY 22, WEDNESDAY:
• Live Music at Four Winds Casino 6PM & 8PM; Union Pier Social 7PM; Local Pour 5:30PM; Shady Creek Winery 5PM CT; Lemon Creek Winery 5PM; Sonny D’s 7PM; The Acorn 7PM; Millennium Plaza Bandstand in Michigan City 8PM CT
• Music Bingo at SideYard | Sawyer | 7-9PM [Free]
JULY 18, SATURDAY
• Lake Bluff Artisan Fair in Lake Bluff Park | St. Joe | 10AM-5PM [Free]
• Pick & Pour You Pick Flowers & Lemonade at Three Oaks Farmstand & Flowers | Three Oaks | 10AM-2PM [Free]
• Garden with Confidence: Roses Workshop at Friendship Botanic Gardens | Michigan City | 10AM-12PM CT [Tickets]
• Music in the Park at Memorial Park | New Buffalo | 7-9PM [Free]
JULY 23, THURSDAY:
• Papyrus Workshop at the Public Library | New Buffalo | 2PM [Free]
• Brews & Bingo at Round Barn Brewery & Public House | Baroda | 6PM [Free]
• Acrylic Beach Painting Class at Local Pour | Sawyer | 6PM [Tickets]
• Country Line Dancing at Kankakee Live – Four Winds Casino | New Buffalo | 7:30PM [Free]
• Live Music at Lake Time Brewing 7PM; The Back Room! At Burn ‘Em Brewing 7PM CT; Villa Nova 7PM
JULY 24, FRIDAY:
• After Hours on the Farm: Growing Berries at Gast Family Farms | St. Joseph | 6PM [Tickets]
• Live Music at Gravity Winery 12PM; Round Barn Estate 12PM; Red Top Winery 2PM; Tabor Hill 2:30PM; Round Barn Tasting Room 3PM; Local Pour 4PM; Round Barn Brewery & Public House 5:30PM; SideYard 7PM; Sonny D’s 7PM; The Acorn 7PM; Millennium Plaza Bandstand in Michigan City 8:30PM CT; Dewey Canon Park Three Oaks 6:30PM
JULY 19, SUNDAY:
• Artisan Market at Round Barn Estate | Baroda | 11AM-6PM [$5 Cover]
• Sunday Night Trivia: Game of Thrones & Classic Rock at Sonny D’s | New Buffalo | 6PM [Free]
• Live Music at St. Julian Tasting Room 2PM; Solasta 2PM; Tabor Hill Winery 2:30PM; The Acorn 3PM; Domaine Berrien Cellars 3PM; Shoreline Brewery 3PM CT; Four Winds Casino 5PM; Millennium Plaza Bandstand in Michigan City 6PM CT; Friendship Botanic Gardens 7PM CT
• Opening Night of Avenue Q at the Dunes Arts Theater | Michigan City | 7PM CT [Tickets]
• Comedy on the Rocks at Journeyman Distillery | Three Oaks | 8PM[Tickets]
• Live Music at Four Winds Casino 6, 8 & 10PM; The Acorn 8PM; Millennium Plaza Bandstand in Michigan City 8PM CT; Union Pier Social 7PM; Lemon Creek Winery 5PM
• Lemon & Blues at Round Barn Estate | Baroda | 11AM-6PM [$5 Cover Charge]
JULY 25, SATURDAY:
*Change for Cancer Beyond the Journey Bike Ride at Local Pour | Sawyer | 10 am [Register]
• 20th Annual Art Wine & Music Festival at Domaine Berrien Cellars | Baroda | 11 am –7PM [Free]
• Red Top Books and Vines at Red Top Winery | Baroda | 12 – 6PM [Free]
• John Dudley Magic Show at the Public Library | Bridgman | 1PM[Registration Required]
• Live Music at Gravity Winery 12PM; St. Julian Tasting Room 2PM; Tabor Hill 2:30PM; Round Barn Tasting Room 3PM; Local Pour 4PM; Rolling Embers 4PM; Sonny D’s 7PM; Millennium Plaza Bandstand in Michigan City 8PM CT; SideYard 7PM; Dewey Canon Park Three Oaks 6:30PM; Harbert Community Park 5:30PM
JULY 26, SUNDAY:
• Vintage Blues Bash at Lemon Creek Winery | Berrien Springs | 12-7PM [$10 Cover Charge]
• Live Music at St. Julian Tasting Room 2PM; Solasta 2PM; Tabor Hill Winery 2:30PM; The Acorn 3PM; Red Top Winery 12PM; Shoreline Brewery 3PM CT; Lemon Creek Winery 12PM; Gravity Winery 2PM
• Butterfly Bonanza at Friendship Botanical Gardens | Michigan City | 2PM CT [Free]
A Writer’s Life... DURING THE GOLDEN AGE
OF TELEVISION ANIMATION
BY JACK OLESKER
Living in the moment I’d enjoyed Jean’s educating us writers about the fax machine he’d acquired in Tokyo. One of the things I’d always liked about Jean was how he was so cutting edge, always in the forefront of new developments, whether it was in tech or fashion. I was guessing his was one of the first fax machines that would be in use at an L.A. animation studio.
I also enjoyed thinking about how a fax machine would someday fit into my own life. But that was the future. For now I was headed to my Writers’ Wing office to review story springboards that writers had submitted for Lady Lovely Locks and the Pixietails.
My walk along DIC’s wide main corridor led me past the Artists’ Wing. It was very different from the Writers’ Wing – a door opening onto a sprawling, open area with artists seated near each other, large drafting tables with colorful renderings mounted on them. I imagined being that close to each other and seeing each other’s work was inspirational. I didn’t think that would work for writers, but it was fine if it did for artists.
I was initially drawn to the Artists’ Wing because as I neared it I heard someone talking about Lady Lovely Locks. I peered in to see what was going on. As a couple of artists turned to me I felt like an interloper, so I began to withdraw. But then a few of the artists called out, beckoning me into the wing. I was surprised they knew who I was, let alone that I was the story editor for Lady Lovely Locks and the Pixietails. Their greetings were warm and genuine, as were their welcoming smiles.
I’d enjoyed writing the Predicaments script and watching live action actors
deliver my lines on a set. But seeing the characters I’d written a series bible for and wrote scripts for come to life in drawing after drawing, every which way I turned, was a joy I couldn’t, at first, put into words.
Here they were. Beautiful Lady Lovely Locks in a diaphanous pink gown, her blonde hair streaked pink, gold and lavender, swirling in the wind. Duchess Raven Waves wore an ominous purple dress, her cruel eyes dark and conniving. I walked by other drafting tables and saw Silky Mane, Lady Lovely Locks’ loyal royal steed; Silky Pup, her fun-loving dog; Shining Glory, the powerful wizard who was Lady Lovely Locks’ mentor. Duchess Raven Waves’ villainous minions – Hair Ball and the Comb Gnome leered and snarled at me, the artists watching my silent, awed reactions to their work.
An artist explained they were developing model packs– various renderings of the characters showing them in different positions. She said they were coordinating their work with KK C&D, which would handle the actual animation. I was sure Jean’s new fax machine was going to be very useful for the back and forth with the Tokyo studio.
I knew, like me, the artists had much work to do and I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. But I couldn’t help but feel they were sorry to see me go. I complimented them on their achievements and thanked them for helping bring the characters to life. Then I left for my office, thinking it would be nice if there was more interaction between departments. Waiting in my office, however, was an executive from Merchandise who wanted to talk with me. It was a talk that would start to change my career.
ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19
HOROSCOPE
JULY 16-22, 2026
AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT
There are some big cosmic forces at work this week that will be pushing you to be true to yourself and express what is on your mind. This is when the opportunity to have a difficult heart to heart discussion with a loved one and learn something fundamental about a tough situation will present itself.
TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20
This week the energy coming your way will help you see how much you appreciate having a safe and quiet place to call you own. It’s time to be more actively involved in creating distance between you stressful situations. It’s time to create that separation and appreciate a more slower pace with less drama.
GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21
Drop the frills this week and get back to cracking. There are some strong planetary forces at work this week that are better dealt with head on. Meaning now is the time to make difficult decisions and face the hard work that is ahead. The more you act and make decisions the easier situations will be next month.
CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22
There are some heavy forces radiating from the stars this week that will help you secure a better position financially. This is the time to get bills paid and purchase items that you have been avoiding or putting off. The energy is all about creating security and setting things up now so, you don’t have to worry later.
LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22
A very lucky and auspicious energy is coming your way this week. Take full advantage of the vibe by connecting with others and getting actively involved in conversations. This is when the information or confirmation you need will present itself and you will get the cosmic green light to go forward with plans.
VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22
The energy coming your way this week will open up your intuitive abilities and put you in the right place to see the omens and foreshadowing of what is coming into your life. This is the time to trust your instincts and follow through with gut feelings. If something feels right, the signs will be there to confirm it.
LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22
The energy is shifting and pushing you into more social and mentally stimulating situation with others. You will find yourself involved in conversations that are off topic but are very relevant to the geo-political world situation. This is the time to be forthright with fact based information and challenge ignorance.
SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21
A very tangible shift in the energy is coming and it will push you to take charge of a situation rather than waiting for others to make the moves. This is the time to make bold moves and change your situation better. You have patiently waited for people to get things done or to help out; the waiting is over.
SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER22—DECEMBER21
It’s time to break the silence and face those things you have been avoiding. Now is the time to make amends and form a better bond. The stars are in a great alignment to help you deal with past issues or right mistakes. The choice is yours but the stars are here to help you mend some bridges this week.
CAPRICORN DECEMBER22—JANUARY19
There are some strong alignments happening this week which will push you to reconsider some healing modalities that others may consider unusual or to take a second look at the emotional costs of some connections. This is the time to get more actively involved in healing yourself and your relationship.
AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18
There is a bold energy coming your way that could put you at odds with partners that want to do things the old fashioned way. You will be ready to experiment and engage in new procedures with updated equipment while those around you would like to stick with the tried and true, no matter how long it takes.
PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20
The song for you this week is “I’m still standing” by Elton John. Sure you have been thrown some curve balls but you can still knock them out of the park. So, don’t get discouraged now. This is the time to push through and face hard work with gusto. Know that the stars are lining the good stuff up.
You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together. — Anthony Bourdain
Attempt to remove name of former public official/child molester
BY STAN MADDUX
Apetition drive is underway to try and cancel the memory of a former public official in Michigan City serving a 100 year prison sentence for child molesting.
Michigan City resident
Carlie Dunn is collecting the signatures to bolster her chances when she takes her request before the Michigan City Park Department and the Michigan City Port Authority in the coming weeks.
Specifically, Dunn is requesting the name of John Rudisell be removed from plaques including those marking the construction of the bathhouse at Washington Park Beach and nearby Millennium Plaza along Trail Creek.
Rudisell was the city’s Port Authority Harbormaster when charged and later given two 50-year prison sentences in 2001 to be served consecutively on two Class A felony counts of child molesting.
According to authorities, it’s believed Rudisell actually had close to 20 male victims during at least a 13-year period, including some boys molested dozens of times.
“I think this is something the community can get behind,” she said.
Authorities said the now 64-year old Rudisell lured the boys by asking their parents if they could perform yard work on his Michigan City area farm where he kept exotic animals like Bengal Tigers.
The parents trusted Rudisell because of his position as harbormaster and reputation as a stellar member of the community.
Rudisell was also an adult volunteer with the La Porte County 4-H program.
Dunn, 33, said she never heard of Rudisell or the plaques until recently.
She quickly decided it’s not right for him to continue being honored and his name remaining an open source of shame for the community.
Dunn said her concern is mostly about the impact on his victims if they happen to see his name on the plaques during
any trips they might take to the lakefront.
“I wouldn’t want that person to be reminded of the horrific abuse they’ve had to endure,” she said.
In 2004, Ron Meer said he was on the city council when approached by relatives of some victims asking for the removal of Rudisell’s name.
Meer said he later presented a resolution calling for the removal and it was unanimously passed by the city council but the name, for whatever reason, was never eliminated from the markers.
At the time, Meer said he received extreme “pushback” from board members with the Port Authority and Park Department, who felt removing Rudisell’s name would be “altering history.”
Meer said the issue seemed to have been mostly forgotten by the time he became mayor about eight-years later and was never revisited during his two four-year terms.
He expressed support for Dunn’s efforts.
“This guy does not in any way, shape or form deserve to be on any monument with recognition,” he said.
According to authorities, Rudisell paid the boys as much as $150 to engage in sex acts that sometimes involved more than one boy at a time.
He also seduced them with alcohol, marijuana and pornographic movies, authorities said.
Dunn also said her request is a chance for the city to save face years later and make things right with the victims.
“What does that say about us as a community that we’re still memorializing this individual? I think we should be on the side of the victim and think about what that does to them. How does that make them feel,” she said.
Dunn said her plan is to go before the Port Authority Board with her request on August 3 and Park Board on August 5.
Currently, Rudisell is downstate in the Pendleton Correctional Facility, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.
His earliest release date is listed as February 21, 2050.
SINGERS TO PRESENT FREE “MOVIE SONGS TAKE 2” OUTDOOR SING-ALONG
Get ready for another magical evening of music under the summer sky as the Harbor Country Singers present Movie Songs Take 2, a free, family-friendly community sing-along at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23, on the Spring Creek Stage at the School of American Music, 14 Maple Street in Three Oaks, facing Dewey Cannon Park.
In case of rain, the event will be held on Thursday, July 30, at the same time.
Following the success of last year’s event, Movie Songs Take 2 returns with another evening of unforgettable melodies from the silver screen. Audience members will have the chance to sing along to beloved songs from classic and contemporary films in a fun, welcoming outdoor setting.
Songbooks with lyrics and music will be provided, making it easy for everyone to join in.
Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for a relaxed evening of music, nostalgia, and community connection.
This year’s sing-along is presented by the Harbor Country Singers in partnership with the School of American Music, with support from The Pokagon Fund.
In the spirit of giving back, attendees are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or personal hygiene product to support Neighbor by Neighbor, helping local families in need.
The Harbor Country Singers is a community choral program of the School of American Music, dedicated to bringing people together through music and creating opportunities for connection, creativity, and shared musical experiences. — STAFF REPORTS
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT
The Michiana Village Planning Commission will hold a public comment period ending with a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8th, 2026 at Michiana Village Hall, 4000 Cherokee Drive, Michiana, MI 49117.
The purpose of the comment period and public hearing is to invite and hear comments on the Proposed Master Plan for Michiana Village. At the hearing, all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard.
If you cannot attend the public hearing, written comments can be sent to Michiana Village, 4000 Cherokee Drive, Michiana, MI 49117 or emailed to michianaclerk@michianavillage.org and must be received by Thursday, August 6th, 2026.
The proposed plan can be reviewed at the Michiana Village Hall during business hours (Monday - Friday: 9am - 4pm Eastern Time) and online at https:// michianavillage.org/ .
Persons needing special accommodations should contact the Village prior to the meeting day by calling 269-469-4600.
DIRECTORY
To Your Health
COLUMN BY KAREN EDWARDS ND
ADAPTOGENS FOR STRESS
We are living in a time where we are prescribed a pill fo sar every ill. If you don’t go to your doctor for a drug, you can find it over the counter. Just because it is not prescribed does not mean that it does not have dangerous side effects. Most over the counter drugs are old prescription drugs that lost their patent.
Remodeling/ Home Improvement/ New Construction
Stress itself is not a disease. Stress is your bodies innate alarm system. It is a survival tool to keep you alert and protected. Under certain situations like a scare, a demand or a difficult situation, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol hormones that tells your brain to shift into high gear. This releases a surge of energy and isdesigned to help you focus and react quickly. You are now in “fight or flight” mode to handle tough situations. Common physical changes include a racing heartbeat, faster breathing, tensed muscles and heightened senses. When this happens occasionally and under the right circumstances, it is beneficial, giving you the ability to perform under pressure. But when the alarm stays onconstantly like a death, difficult relationship or financial burdens, it leaves you exhausted and overwhelmed.
Chronic stress can take a toll on your physical, mental and emotional health. At the height of anxiety or a racing mind, many reach for more caffeine, prescribed or over the counter drugs. This can actually cause the stress to go higher. Nourishing these frazzled nerves is the real answer. A healthy diet is very important for chronic stress, but also consider adaptogen herbs. Adaptogen herbs meet you where you are. When you feel like you are crashing, they act like a thermostat
to your nervous system. If your stress response is too high (anxious, racing mind, can’t sleep) they help dial it down. If it is too low (sluggish, brain fog or exhausted) they lift you up easing baseline anxiety. Adaptogen herbs work by supporting the adrenal glands and smooth out cortisolspikes. They help fight fatigue and strengthen the bodies nervous system. They support a stable balance in the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands. The HPA axis. They work by “hacking” the stress response in the body.
Typically, when our bodies are stressed, we go through three stages. First the alarm phase, then the resistancephase then the exhaustion phase. Adaptogen herbs liftyour spirit and move stagnant energy. They benefit digestion, immunity and mood. They help build your bodies natural resilience and calm frazzled nerves. All adaptogen herbs are also nootropic. Meaning they have a positive effect on the brain. Here is a list of adaptogen herbs. Try them to see what works best for you. Holy Basil, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Panax Ginseng, Eleuthero, Astragalus, and Schisandra, Astragalus, Maca, Shishsandra berry, Licorice root - the mushrooms (Lions mane, turkey tail, Reishi, Cordyceps, which are often used to boost energy, enhance mental clarity, and support immune function)
PET OF THE WEEK
SPECKLES
At just little over a year old, Speckles knows what she wants, your attention. She would prefer a quiet home, to reign as the queen. Weighing in around nine pounds, she is spayed. Speckles has a curiosity to explore, and finds her kennel at night. She is the spotlight, as she always wants attention. You might save money on toys, as she’s not the girl. But every girl loves treats. Make Speckles part of your home today.
HUMANE SOCIETY
Lights now up at new MLB feeder league team ballpark
BY STAN MADDUX
Lights are now up at a baseball field where high-ranking college players hoping to make the major leagues will play in New Buffalo beginning next summer.
There are still a lot of things to do before the first pitch such as choosing the nickname of the team, which hasn’t been easy to avoid potential federal copyright infringements, said Brian Williams, a primary owner of the team and scout for the Texas Rangers.
Many people locally want the nickname to be Bison.
Bison was the beloved nickname of the middle school and high school athletic teams until the New Buffalo and River Valley school districts merged their sports programs in recent years and chose Red Arrow Raiders as the full name of their squads.
The first name of the college summer league team with nearly 40 home games planned from late May to mid-August is Dune Coast.
The nickname is down to four finalists, not including Bison, though.
Williams said there could be a potential copyright violation if the nickname was the same as other sports teams like the AAA minor league baseball team, Buffalo Bison.
In addition, Williams said the goal from the beginning has been to trademark the nickname and logo for using them exclusively on team jerseys and other merchandise planned to be offered commercially.
Another objective has been
to have a nickname that reflects Lake Michigan and the surrounding area for marketing the team to a more regional audience in southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana since New Buffalo is close to the state line.
“We wanted something that depicted the beach and the recreation all of us enjoy, but you also have to find something that’s not used currently,” he said.
He said more than 150 nicknames were suggested from Valparaiso to St. Joseph during a recent online contest, but many of those were ruled out due to a concern about potential lawsuits.
One of the nicknames still in the running is Breakers,
featuring a character resembling a Bison on a surfboard.
Breakers are waves toppling over after reaching a certain height like whitecaps.
Whitecaps was ruled out since that is the name of a minor league baseball team in Grand Rapids and so was Waverunners, which is copyrighted by Yamaha for their personal watercrafts.
The remaining nicknames still under consideration are Lightning, Phantoms and Quillbacks.
Williams said Phantoms represents the shipwrecks on Lake Michigan, including one from the 1800s near the Galien River.
Quillbacks are like porcupines Native Americans in the area
Williams said electrical wiring must still be installed on the lights put up in late June.
The lighting will be top quality and stay on the field without drifting over to nearby residences.
He said extra money was spent on the lights “to make sure we’re being good neighbors to the people that live around there.”
One of the next steps likely in the fall will be constructing grandstand seating with foldback chairs for 500 or more people with stadium access to food and beverages, including alcohol, for those 21 and over.
Wonce used for their pointed quills they placed in headdresses and other merchandise.
Williams said he hopes the nickname is chosen no later than early August.
“We’re going to pick one we feel is best suited for going forward,” he said.
The games will be played at the new high school baseball park featuring the latest in artificial turf in the infield and the type of natural grass in the outfield used in several major league stadiums.
There’s also a built-in sprinkler system used every morning to provide water to the still young grass, which held up very well during the recent high school baseball season.
illiams said fund raising is also occurring in hopes of obtaining a matching $75,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to help cover the costs of the seating.
The team will be in the Northwoods League, which has had over 400 players make it to the major leagues since established in the early 1990’s.
The league has teams from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and other states from as far away as North Dakota.
The lights and the golf course looking playing surface seem to have already given a Field of Dreams look to what’s going to look more like a small minor league stadium.
“It looks great. We’re really excited about where it is,” Williams said.
