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

Meeting primer: Lockport Township Planning Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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October 1, 2025

This month’s meeting is drawing heightened attention as commissioners consider a proposed Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) text amendment. Some residents have raised safety and land use concerns about allowing large battery storage units alongside solar facilities, pointing to risks such as fire hazards and changes to rural character. Township officials, however, are urging residents to “slow down and know the facts,” according to a statement on the township’s website.

Farrand Hall’s 2026 guest chef series is set with culinarians from across the country

By Maxwell Knauer

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Culture

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September 30, 2025

Farrand Hall’s longest running event — which began the same year it opened, 2017 — is its Guest Chef series where they invite top chefs from all across the country giving them a space to cultivate and share their food.

As state shutdown looms, St. Joseph County districts brace for uncertain school aid

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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September 25, 2025

School districts must adopt budgets by July 1, often relying on assumptions about the per-pupil foundation allowance and categorical grants. Normally, those budgets are amended after the state finalizes its numbers and the first state aid payment arrives October 20. With no resolution in Lansing, administrators warn that delays could disrupt payroll, contracts, and services.

Sturgis City Commission directs staff to draft ordinance making recycling a resident-paid utility

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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September 25, 2025

The plan isn't final as commissioners said they intend to adjust language based on public feedback before adoption. “We can structure it with a sunset [end date] so the commission must renew it each year,” said Commissioner Aaron Miller, calling it a way to “give the commission more of a flexible approach” if costs rise or if public feedback provides a clear direction.

State likely to move mental health services from community-informed hands to private insurance companies

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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September 24, 2025

The plan would consolidate the state’s 10 Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) into just three super-regions. “I worry our clients will just become numbers in a system,” says Amy Davidhizar, provider network manager at Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network in Cass County. “We’ve built a safety net that only works because of trust and follow-through. That doesn’t exist when decisions are made hundreds of miles away.”

Pavilion Township tables data center decision to next meeting

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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September 23, 2025

After public comments and commission discussion, Pavilion Township Attorney Robert Thall recommended postponing the decision as there were not available copies of the proposed ordinance change. The city provided copies of the agenda and mistakenly printed out last month's meeting minutes.

Meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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September 23, 2025

City Manager Andrew Kuk will present options for recycling in 2026 and beyond when the Sturgis City Commission meets Wednesday. While alternatives have been informally discussed, this marks the first formal action taken by the commission since the July decision to discontinue its curbside recycling program.

New school year brings major updates for St. Joseph County CTE

By Maxwell Knauer

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Local

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September 17, 2025

Seventh graders across St. Joseph County will soon climb aboard a new mobile classroom designed to introduce them to the world of advanced manufacturing. The traveling lab will make stops at all nine partner districts — Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Nottawa, Sturgis, Three Rivers and White Pigeon — giving every seventh grader a chance to spend 45 minutes exploring its equipment.

Commission separates Main Street, Michigan Avenue lot sales; OKs Fourth Avenue infill home

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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September 17, 2025

In brief discussion, the commission signaled interest in exploring ways to enable building on substandard legacy lots — potentially through setback or variance pathways — so more infill housing could be feasible, with further work expected through the planning commission and master plan process.

Three Rivers lead line replacement stymied by absence of state and federal funding, according to mayor

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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September 16, 2025

While lead line replacement is underway in Three Rivers, most occur during major road reconstruction projects, which expose the pipes. The city is responsible for maintaining 47 linear miles of roadway and with only one or two projects completed each year, progress is gradual. Mayor Tom Lowry says meaningful progress will require state and federal funding, and until then, aging infrastructure will continue to pose risks.