Niles Neighbors

04/09/2026

Hiya neighbors!

For anyone who is interested in running for City Council, here’s some helpful info!

If you've ever considered running for Niles City Council, now is the time. THE FILING DEADLINE IS APRIL 21.

There are FOUR seats open (1 per Ward). So far, nominating petitions have been submitted in the following wards, by the following individuals:

Ward 1: Krystal McCully
Ward 2:
Ward 3: Kenny Thompson, Ricky Fouche
Ward 4: Mike Thompson (incumbent)

Nominating petitions are due Tuesday, April 21 by 4 PM. Petitions can be picked up directly from the City Clerk at City Hall.

City of Niles elections are non-partisan. There are no party labels on the ballot.

Niles has eight Council seats total (two per ward). The terms for these four seats expire in 2026:
• Ward 1: Gretchen Bertschy
• Ward 2: Tim Rogers
• Ward 3: William Weimer
• Ward 4: Mike Thompson

To run, you must be a registered voter and live in the ward you want to represent.

Not sure which ward you’re in?

Ward map:
https://cms3.revize.com/.../nil.../ward%20map%202024%202.pdf

How to get on the ballot: File at City Hall with the City Clerk’s Office.

What you’ll need:
• An Affidavit of Identity
• Nominating petitions (signatures from voters in your ward)

Filing deadline:
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, by 4:00 PM

The Clerk’s Office can help with forms and signature requirements:
269-683-4700 ext. 3030
333 N 2nd St.

City Council meetings:
• 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:00 PM
• City Council Chambers
(Niles Fire Station Complex, 1345 E. Main Street)

Questions about what serving on Council is really like?
Feel free to email me. I’m happy to talk.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from Niles Neighbors!

Today is a time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the people who make our community feel like home. Whether you’re gathering with family, connecting with friends, or simply enjoying a quiet moment, we hope your day is filled with peace and kindness.

Niles is stronger because of neighbors who show up for one another—offering support, sharing resources, and building connections that matter.

Wishing you a warm and meaningful Easter.

03/25/2026

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

If you know of any high school students, or other young adults, looking to volunteer over spring break, send them to Fernwood!

SPRING BREAK SERVICE LEARNING MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM High school students can earn 12 hours of service by donating their time to Fernwood. Students will learn conservation techniques for lawn maintenance, invasive species management, and best practices to support local wildlife. T

03/06/2026

Students at Eastside Connections School are proving that small acts of kindness can add up to a big impact.

Through a student-led campaign, Eastside’s Student Council collected nearly 1,000 healthcare and hygiene items for Niles Neighbors, a local group that sets up free supply stands throughout the city for residents in need.

The project was the idea of eighth grader and Student Council member Thomas Gargis, who said he wanted to find a meaningful way for the school to give back.

“I chose Niles Neighbors because I know they help our community a lot in great ways,” Thomas said. “And I personally wanted our school to help contribute to our city.”

Collection boxes were placed in classrooms across the school. Students were encouraged to donate essential items such as soap, toothpaste, shampoo and other hygiene products. The class that collected the most items earned a pizza party, adding a fun incentive to the effort.

“It started off small.” Says Student Council Advisor and Eastside Teacher, Amber Wallace. “But then things started to slowly trickle in, and even items were being delivered to the school through Amazon. They had fun collecting and promoting it.”

By the end of the drive, the school had gathered almost 1,000 items.

“In the end it was really just to help people in need and give an extra boost to people,” Thomas said.

Wallace says that service projects help students build a stronger sense of community.

“It’s good because it teaches the students a sense of community and these goods are staying within our community,” she said. “So it helps them feel like they’re doing something good, something bigger.”

Niles Neighbors distributes donated supplies through stands placed around the city, where anyone can take what they need free of charge. The organization currently has supply stands at On Base Productions, Kari Cares, In the Cut Barbershop, Curly Q’s BBQ, Niles Middle School and High School, and the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. The organization expressed appreciation for the students’ efforts.

“We are so grateful for the hard work and thoughtfulness of the Eastside students and families!” Niles Neighbors shared in a statement. “The goal of Niles Neighbors is to bring Unity to the Community, and through collaborations like this, and the kindness of our youth we can make that a reality.”

With the success of this year’s drive, Eastside’s Student Council hopes to continue finding ways to serve — ensuring that lessons in leadership and kindness extend well beyond the classroom walls.

Thomas said he is proud of what the school accomplished.

“I’d just like to thank my fellow students at East Side for their help in this,” he said. “I’m really proud of what we did.”

03/05/2026

📢 Heads up, Neighbors!

City street crews are expected to begin citywide brush pickup starting March 9, beginning in Ward 1.

If you plan to put brush out, please stack it neatly behind the curb to help crews move through neighborhoods more efficiently.

After brush pickup is finished, the city is tentatively scheduled to begin citywide leaf collection on March 23, again starting in Ward 1.

03/04/2026

Thank you to Blooming Bus Farms, Hank Nelson, and the community members who showed support last night!

So grateful to the wonderful company of friends, new and old, last night while listening to the talents of Mr. Hank Nelson - The Singin' Gritter! Pretty cool that his band, Redbud Ramblers closed the stage last fall and he opened it up this season 🎶
I also want to give a special thanks to our friends at Niles Neighbors for generously giving dignity to those in need ❤️

02/25/2026

Who remembers having Mr Smith as a teacher at Niles High School?

Today we would like to highlight another Niles educator, Leonard Smith.

Leonard (Lenny) Smith was born in South Bend, IN in 1934. He graduated from South Bend Central High School and then attended Talladega College, Alabama's first private historically black liberal arts college. At Talladega he played basketball, a sport he would continue coaching throughout his career.
After graduating from college, he moved back to South Bend. He spent time in Hampton, Virginia teaching at Thomas Nelson Junior College (now Virginia Peninsula Community College). He later returned to South Bend.

He came to Niles in 1962 and was hired as a physical education and health teacher. In 1969, the school board appointed Smith as the Student Affairs Coordinator, a position created to bridge racial gaps between students and faculty. As Coordinator he not only emphasized academic success but encouraged all students to become involved in extra-curricular activities.

Smith married Kathleen Watson, a chemist employed by Clark Equipment. Lenny and Kathleen were married for 65 years and raised three children. He and his family lived in a home in Ballard Hills which was built by high school students in the building trades program.

Smith went on to become the first Black Assistant Principal at Niles High School. He retired in 1994 after a 32-year career in the Niles schools. He always advised students that working hard in school would lead to success in college or trade school and also teach them to face life’s challenges. After retirement, he continued coaching and giving speeches on racial unity.

02/19/2026

Our friends at the Niles History Center have some wonderful information on a few of the amazing Black men and women that have called Niles home.

Be sure to stop in and check out their Profiles and Portraits display, along with their Black History Month scavenger hunt.

The museum is free, but if you’re able we strongly suggest leaving a donation while you’re there!

02/18/2026

Today, we would like to highlight a longtime Niles educator, Wyvonne Johnson.

Wyvonne Johnson received a degree in Education from the University of Texas and a Masters degree from Michigan State University. She taught at Oak Manor school and later served as Assistant Principal. Niles Community Schools named her a Teacher of the Year for 1982-3. Johnson co-authored a children’s summer activity book. Delta Kappa Gamma International recognized her as a Community Woman of Distinction for her significant contributions to education including scholarship coordination and volunteering with groups like Fresh Start. She served as president of the United Way of Greater Niles board and also volunteered with the Red Cross. Johnson died in December 2025.