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UAW Local 2093 reaches tentative agreement with American Axle, awaiting member approval

"After 18 years of sacrifice these workers are finally winning back a big chunk of what was taken from them," UAW President Shawn Fain said during a Facebook livestream Wednesday. "Ten days of sacrifice and solidarity to win back nearly 20 years of struggle. That's because our labor is our power. Never let them tell us we're not worth a fair wage and a dignified life. [..]" Fain praised Local 2093 for what he called a "masterclass" in running a contract campaign. He said workers were prepared to remain on strike for weeks or even months, but a tentative agreement was reached after 10 days.

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Sturgis City Commission restores decorum after several contentious meetings

After several meetings dominated by talk of investigations, censure attempts, and disputes surrounding Mayor Frank Perez and outgoing City Manager Andrew Kuk, the commission spent most of Wednesday's meeting focused on routine city business. Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins requested an update during commissioner comments on allegations of embezzlement raised by a former Doyle Community Center employee at a recent meeting. City Attorney T.J. Reed said the investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by local law enforcement. Once the investigation is complete, Reed said the findings will be forwarded to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office for review. No additional details about the investigation were provided.

Pride celebration continues in Three Rivers with June drag show

"Although we didn't have the board capacity to put on a festival this year, we wanted to give Three Rivers some sort of celebration," Three Rivers Pride Secretary Alexis Jacobs wrote in a statement to Watershed Voice. "So we organized this event to honor queer folks and love, show everyone that we are still here, and raise some money towards the cause." According to Jacobs, all tips collected during the event will be donated to Three Rivers Pride to support future initiatives. She added that the Kittens will close the evening with a “big group number” to cap off the night of celebration.

Local theater celebrating Pride Month with anniversary screening of Moonlight

On the film's 10th anniversary, organizers hope audiences recognize its significance. Monoform member Gabe Ybarra described the film not only as an important work of queer cinema, but as a film that belongs within the broader canon of American cinema. “Now more than ever it’s important that theaters of all kinds continue to screen films like Moonlight because representation does matter. It matters on the surface level that queer and non-white people deserve a space in the industry, but on a deeper level we need these kinds of movies because they build empathy. In the same way that watching international cinema can broaden your understanding of the world and introduce you to a culture or entirely different way that people exist, movies like Moonlight can open your eyes to how different existence can be even for the people standing right next to you.”

It’s movie night at the Three Rivers Amphitheater

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority will kick off this year's series on Thursday, June 18, with a screening of the 1988 comedy Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The movie is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. at the Three Rivers Amphitheater on Joshua Drive.

Downtown Cassopolis redevelopment project nearing completion, adding seven housing units

The project, led by the Cass County Land Bank Authority, is transforming a building that has sat largely unused for years. The building's upper floors have been vacant since 2020, while the street-level commercial space has remained vacant since 2015. Once completed, the redevelopment will provide five one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments with balconies. The units will be available to households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income, helping address the need for attainable housing in Cass County.

Michigan senator introduces statewide data center moratorium package

Republican State Senator Jim Runestad has introduced a package of three bills that would temporarily halt new data center development across Michigan until April 1, 2027. The trio of bills—Senate Bills 1018, 1019, and 1020—each target a different aspect of data center development, an issue that has become increasingly contentious in communities across the state. 

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, June 10, for a regular business meeting. Commissioners have a relatively light agenda Wednesday, however, in recent months, much of the commission's controversy has unfolded during commissioner comments rather than through scheduled agenda items. Commissioner Aaron Miller recently introduced a resolution calling for an external investigation into alleged wrongdoing by members of the commission, the scope of which will include Mayor Frank Perez, Miller, Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins, Commissioners Richard Bir and Cathi Abbs, and former Commissioner Linda Harrington. Miller later added both his own name and Mullins' after they said residents questioned why they were not including themselves in the investigation.  Watershed Voice reached out to Miller to ask whether he will continue introducing resolutions to censure and remove Perez despite the opening of an investigation. Miller said he will no longer introduce those resolutions but remains of the opinion that "change is badly needed" in the City of Sturgis.

New Cass County interim prosecutor addresses commissioners for first time

Speaking during the June 4 Cass County Board of Commissioners meeting, attorney Sarah Scoggin thanked county employees, court officials, law enforcement agencies, prosecutor's office staff and community members for helping her transition into the role. “It is a little overwhelming to be one person that is taking over what six people usually do. That is a lot, but the first week is going pretty well,” Scoggin said. “I do want to say that I really appreciate everybody in the county who has been just so supportive. I’ve had so many people offer just whatever they can.” Scoggin was appointed interim prosecuting attorney May 28 by Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark A. Herman following the resignation of former Prosecutor Victor Fitz, and the departure of the office's assistant prosecutors.

Huss Project Farmer’s Market opens Saturday in Three Rivers

Since launching in 2020, the market has grown from 11 vendors to 29 vendors this season, according to Huss Farm Manager and market co-manager Margaret Wenger. "The market has grown significantly since our first season in 2020. Each year we've added new vendors and special events. We started with just 11 vendors and we have 29 vendors planning to sell at the market this season," Wenger said. "The market has become a gathering place for so many in our community. It's exciting to see people from all backgrounds come together around local food and products."

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