The first Monday in September marks Labor Day, an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. Labor unions have long fought for changes in wages, working hours, and workplace conditions in the United States, winning reforms that reshaped American workplaces. But shorter working hours have not meant that workers and corporate leaders have shared equally in economic gains.
James "Jim" Berry, first-year superintendent at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District (ISD), shared his perspective on his goals for his new role and the state of education amid the AI boom. We spoke with Berry about his first few weeks in his new role, his visions for the future of ISD amid an ever-changing job market, and how he plans to give students the tools they need to succeed.
The ballot proposal would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities from making certain direct or indirect political contributions. It would also restrict government contractors with more than $250,000 annually in qualifying contracts, along with certain people and organizations affiliated with those companies, from contributing to candidates in jurisdictions that awarded the contracts.
City staff recommended purchasing a Meeting Owl 5 Pro camera and supplemental equipment for up to $5,000, along with adopting a video retention policy. The proposed policy called for recordings to be deleted one day after the minutes for the corresponding meeting were approved — which occurs at the following meeting, typically 2-3 weeks later — unless a legal, FOIA, audit or investigation hold applied. The system and policy were voted down unanimously.
The event has long been a staple of the city and its downtown block, and 2026 will be no different, as festivities will take place on North Main Street from 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday, September 6. In addition to the live music, there will be food trucks and a kids zone from 1 to 4 p.m., while businesses in the Main Street Commons will also be open.
This Tuesday, September 1, at 6 p.m. the Three Rivers City Commission will meet and consider the purchase of equipment for city-administered live-streaming. Commissioners will decide which video camera system to purchase with the Meeting Owl Pro 5 Camera and supplemental equipment being recommended by staff. The total cost would be $5,000 from the general fund. The agenda packet also includes a retention policy, which recommends the recording is kept on the city’s YouTube until one day after the minutes of that meeting are approved — typically two weeks after the livestream takes place.
In the early 1990s, YMCA Camp Eberhart began building a ropes course that would challenge campers for years to come. Tucked beneath a canopy of towering pine trees, the course rises from the woods on wooden poles, some made from trees cut from the site during its original construction. But after more than three decades of campers climbing through the trees, the course has seen its last summer. Eberhart retired the aging course at the end of this year’s summer camp season and is now preparing to replace it.
The Sturgis City Commission approved a $300,000 biosolids removal contract, financing for a $452,128 new digger/bucket truck and a $660,088 bid from the second-lowest bidder for the Nottawa Street 69kV Transmission Line Project. The meeting moved quickly and wrapped up in just over an hour, with all but one agenda item approved unanimously.
Tharan Suvarna said he accepted a job on the other side of the state and will no longer be able to serve in the position, which he was elected to in November 2025. “I have accepted a job in another community by my parents, so this will be my last council meeting,” Suvarna said. “I wanna say thank you. It has been a pleasure serving on this council board.”
The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, August 26, to consider a $300,000, four-year biosolids removal contract, a $660,088 bid for the Nottawa Street transmission line project, and a $452,128 installment purchase agreement for a new digger/derrick truck. Commissioners will also consider engineering services for the 2027 sidewalk program, additional work on the Sturges-Young entryway project, and a railroad crossing addendum.
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