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

Sturgis commission deadlocks twice after Mullins calls for Perez’s resignation and censure; commissioner later alleges legal violations

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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April 23, 2026

In a phone interview with Watershed Voice on Thursday, April 23, City Commissioner Aaron Miller made stronger allegations against Mayor Frank Perez, claiming Perez had broken the law while in office. Miller argued Perez was the person best positioned to publicly disclose the details, and did not identify specific statutes he believed had been violated. “There is plenty that I cannot share because it is protected, as advised by our legal counsel,” Miller said. “There’s a lot that I would love to get out in the open, because sunshine is the best disinfectant.” Watershed Voice requested comment from Perez regarding allegations made during Wednesday's meeting and Miller’s remarks to Watershed on Thursday. A response was not received by publication time.

Sturgis city manager Andrew Kuk resigns amid contentious commission meeting

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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April 23, 2026

Andrew Kuk has resigned as Sturgis city manager, with the city commission voting Wednesday night to accept his resignation amid a contentious meeting that also featured failed attempts to discipline Mayor Frank Perez. Following a closed session listed on the agenda for an attorney opinion and a periodic personnel evaluation at the employee’s request, commissioners returned to open session. Kuk then issued a statement announcing his resignation, and the commission voted 6-2 to accept it. Commissioner Marvin Smith was absent.

Three Rivers gives tentative support to second farmers market, pending next steps

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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April 22, 2026

DDA board members spoke during the meeting, admitting they were underprepared and moved too quickly, putting the city in a position to deny the request. However, they said they plan to develop a more thorough plan to present to city staff. “I do think that we did get a little ahead of ourselves,” DDA board member Jason Ballew said, explaining that the DDA will come back with a full work plan outlining how the market would function. Ballew also asked the commission not to make any formal decisions Tuesday night.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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April 22, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission will meet tonight, Wednesday, April 22, for its second regular business meeting of the month. Commissioners are set to discuss a Doyle Center roof project anticipated to cost $696,000, accept a bid on a $73,500 Nottawa Street 69kV transmission line, establish a hydro dam engineer, and approve Sturgis Fest dates and city support requests. City Controller Sadie Griffin will also present the commission with the city’s annual audit, covering the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The audit found the city’s total net position rose to about $127.6 million, an increase of roughly $9.5 million from the previous year.

Flock cameras dominate Kalamazoo public comment as commission approves housing items

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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April 21, 2026

Supporters described the cameras as a public safety tool that can help solve crimes and locate suspects. Opponents argued the system raises civil liberties concerns, and could contribute to broader surveillance networks with limited public oversight. Roughly 15 residents spoke in favor of continuing the program, while about 10 residents spoke against it. While public attention centered on Flock cameras, the commission also approved several agenda items involving housing, infrastructure, and economic development.

Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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April 21, 2026

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. in City Hall for a regular business meeting. Commissioners will have the opportunity to give input on a proposed second farmers market in Three Rivers that city staff rejected, consider amendments to city code removing inflammatory language characterizing massage therapists as sex workers and labeling homosexual behavior as “deviant,” and review a series of budget amendments reflecting differences between projected and actual revenues and expenditures. Watershed Voice livestreams all Three Rivers City Commission meetings on its Facebook page and uploads them to YouTube after.

Debate grows over second farmers market proposal in Three Rivers

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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April 17, 2026

What began as a request to use park space has since developed into a broader public debate over downtown priorities, city process, and whether Three Rivers can support two farmers markets at once. Three Rivers has an established weekly market operated by the Huss Project. Supporters of the proposed Scidmore Park market say a second event could create more activity downtown, and offer families another community gathering space. Critics, including some existing vendors, say the city may not have enough customers or vendors to sustain both long term.

Women in media panel in Kalamazoo explores progress, persistent challenges in journalism

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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April 17, 2026

Hosted by the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative, the event — “Women in Media: Behind the Headlines” — featured professionals from print, radio, nonprofit and academic media backgrounds who reflected on both the progress women have made in the industry and the barriers that remain. The panel included Sue Ellen Christian, professor at Western Michigan University’s School of Communication and former Chicago Tribune reporter; Sehvilla Mann, news director at WMUK Public Radio; Kristie May, managing editor at NowKalamazoo; Aya Miller, reporter at MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette; and Theresa Coty O’Neil, managing editor at Second Wave Media. The discussion was moderated by Marie Lee, editor and publisher of Encore Magazine.

What’s on the May 5 ballot in Southwest Michigan? Here’s what voters need to know

By Maxwell Knauer

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Local

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April 15, 2026

May election season is upon us, and while the ballots may seem light, their local impact is anything but. The Tuesday, May 5 special election in Michigan features relatively few races in most communities, with many ballots focused on school bond proposals, millage renewals and local questions rather than candidate contests. Still, these lower-turnout elections often decide issues that hit closest to home — from school building upgrades to tax levies and city charter changes.

Cass County prosecutors warn of staffing crisis in heated board meeting

By Maxwell Knauer

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Dowagiac

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April 14, 2026

“It starts with the chairperson who has made it obvious to me in the last two years that he does not want to find a workable solution,” Assistant Drug Prosecutor Ken Stecker said. Chair Jeremiah Jones immediately interrupted him. “I’m gonna hold you up right there, man, and I’m gonna subtract that from your time and you can have your full three minutes,” Jones said. “But from you right now till anybody else that wants to come up, if you talk to anybody specifically, it’s off limits and I’m gonna end it.” Jones added he would turn off the mics of anyone who uses personal attacks at any of the commissioners. “I’m not gonna be intimidated by you,” Stecker responded before continuing. The back-and-forth highlighted the strain between the prosecutor’s office and some commissioners, tensions that prosecutors said have been building for months.