Author

Maxwell Knauer

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Maxwell Knauer attended Ohio State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in philosophy and political science.

He previously worked for Ohio State’s student newspaper, The Lantern, and interned with the Columbus lifestyle magazine CityScene before relocating to Kalamazoo.

Knauer, 23, enjoys watching movies, reading books, and playing basketball. Some of his favorites include RoboCop, My Dinner with Andre, and Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Maxwell's Latest Articles

Three Rivers Pride pauses festival, identifies key organizational needs

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Three Rivers

●

April 2, 2026

The board, which is made up of four members — President Riley Mains, Secretary Alexis Jacobs, Treasurer Ziggy Standish, and member Desireé Horrocks — said the organization is using this year to strengthen its structure and improve long-term sustainability. “At this point, we really have to focus on strengthening the organization so that we can provide you all with the festival that the town deserves,” Standish said. The Pride festival is the group’s largest event of the year and has cost about $20,000 to $35,000 to host in past years, the board told Watershed Voice.

Hyperscale Data announces planned land acquisition; Dowagiac officials say they were not informed

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Dowagiac

●

April 2, 2026

The announcement prompted questions locally, particularly in Dowagiac, where the company already operates a data center. City officials first responded Tuesday morning, saying they were not informed of the planned purchase and have not received any development proposals tied to it. On Wednesday, April 1, Watershed Voice spoke with Dowagiac City Manager Kevin Anderson, who said the city has no additional information about the property. “We don’t have any documentation identifying what property this is,” Anderson said. “We’re in the same position as the public.”

TRPD confirms continued use of Flock surveillance technology, says city added seventh camera in 2025

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Three Rivers

●

April 1, 2026

In an exclusive interview with Watershed Voice, Three Rivers Chief of Police Scott Boling and Detective Sgt. Steven Dibble said the cameras provide an additional investigative tool to help identify vehicles connected to crimes. Flock Safety’s license plate reader system has drawn national criticism from civil liberties groups, particularly the American Civil Liberties Union, which argues the technology enables a form of mass surveillance that extends beyond its original purpose. Boling said there is no “backdoor access” to the system, including for federal agencies such as ICE, and that any data sharing must be approved by the department.

Over 350 gather for No Kings rally in Three Rivers

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Three Rivers

●

March 31, 2026

More than 350 people gathered at the corner of U.S. 131 and Michigan Avenue on Saturday, March 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. Supportive drivers honked as they passed, while others shouted at demonstrators from their vehicles. At least two trucks repeatedly drove past the crowd in the lane closest to the sidewalk, revving their engines and emitting diesel exhaust toward protesters.

Three Rivers Pride to host public board meeting this Wednesday

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Three Rivers

●

March 31, 2026

Three Rivers Pride is hosting an informational event this Wednesday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at GG’s Cookies to provide information and clarity as to why there won't be a Pride event sponsored by the nonprofit this year.

Sturgis Commission approves compost site changes amid price hike frustrations from local contractors

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

March 26, 2026

One resident said the city raised prices by more than 400% for commercial users without phasing in the increase. “It’s not our fault and we shouldn’t have to bear the burden that the city has decided not to increase the price for 18 years, so now you’re going to put that all on the business owners who take care of this town and make it look nice?” said Noah Hahn, who owns a lawn care business in the city.

Michigan lawmaker explores changes to public notice rules, raising transparency concerns

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Three Rivers

●

March 26, 2026

Municipalities pay newspapers to publish these notices, with costs varying based on the number and length of postings. According to recent Three Rivers City Commission agenda packets, the city paid $740 to the Three Rivers Commercial-News for fiscal year 2026 public notices. A separate payment of $290 for the same category was recorded February 13. If lawmakers pursue changes, they could alter where and how notices are published, potentially shifting some requirements away from newspapers. However, state Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) has said she is not seeking to eliminate public notice requirements altogether.

Farrand Hall hits market as owners look to pass the torch

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Culture

●

March 25, 2026

For now, co-founder James Gray said he hopes people see the sale not as an ending forced by controversy, but as a handoff. “Like many businesses, they get sold, owners pass the torch,” he said. “It’s a great thing that we were able to build something that could be sold. We are excited to see it continue with new ownership.” He added: “We truly believe Farrand Hall has a soul mate out there and that person will give this property the same love and dedication that we gave it.”

Portage moves toward data center pause as concerns grow nationwide

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Kalamazoo

●

March 25, 2026

The Portage City Council on March 24 unanimously voted to move forward with an ordinance that would establish a temporary moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage systems (BESS). The action does not immediately enact the moratorium. Instead, it directs city staff to prepare an amendment to the city code for future council consideration. According to the meeting agenda, the proposed change would amend Chapter 42 of the city code to establish a temporary moratorium on the developments. If adopted at a future meeting, the moratorium would pause new development related to data centers and battery storage systems while the city considers how to regulate them.

Cass County rejects funding requests, likely nixing Lawless Park improvement project

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Dowagiac

●

March 24, 2026

Commissioner Samuel Barrera, who also serves on the Parks Board, expressed frustration following the vote. “I just want the members of this board to understand what just happened,” he said. “We have $110K invested into this project — now what are we going to do? We’ve successfully killed this project, so that money is on our hands. I don’t know how we’re going to recover those funds. … I’m really not proud of us right now.”