Dowagiac Archives

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

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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.

Cass commissioners reverse course, approve Lawless Park funding

By Maxwell Knauer

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Dowagiac

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April 14, 2026

In March, commissioners were asked to approve use of $249,192 from the Bombardie bequest to help close a funding gap in the park improvement project, which was initially denied in a 4-4 vote. In a 5-3 vote on April 9, commissioners reversed course and approved the request. The Bombardie bequest stems from a donation made more than two decades ago by Charles Bombardie, who left 10% of his estate to Cass County Parks. County documents say $249,192 remained in the fund before Thursday’s vote, with the money restricted for park purposes. During Thursday’s discussion, Commissioner Samuel Barrera read from the last will and testament of Charles Bombardie, dated 2001, and argued the county should honor the donor’s intent by using the money for park improvements.

After halting park project, Cass commissioners to reconsider key funding vote

By Maxwell Knauer

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Dowagiac

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April 9, 2026

During their March 19 meeting, commissioners split 4-4 on two funding requests tied to the project, effectively halting it despite more than $100,000 already spent on design and preparation by the county. Commissioners are now scheduled to vote again on a proposal to allocate $249,192 from the Bombardie bequest to help close the project’s funding gap.

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

By Maxwell Knauer

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Dowagiac

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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.”

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

By Maxwell Knauer

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Dowagiac

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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.”

Additional damage assessments scheduled in Cass County following tornado

By Watershed Voice

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Dowagiac

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March 17, 2026

Three assessment teams will be deployed and will move between affected jurisdictions throughout the day Tuesday and Wednesday. Residents in impacted areas may see officials visiting neighborhoods to visually assess damage from public rights-of-way or, in some cases, briefly approaching properties to document storm impacts.

Cass County to host educational session for local governments on data center policy framework

By Watershed Voice

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Dowagiac

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February 25, 2026

The event does not involve any proposed data center projects, nor does it signal plans to pursue data center development in Cass County. The session is not a public hearing and is not intended as a forum for advocacy, protest or public comment.

Cass County prosecutor criticizes commissioners over withdrawn pay step request; board approves home repair pilot letter

By Maxwell Knauer

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Dowagiac

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February 24, 2026

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz also objected to comments made during a February 5 meeting suggesting raises should not be granted for superficial reasons. “The meeting was ended with a humiliating commentary that we can’t give a raise to somebody just because 'I like your pretty face' or because they 'look good,'” Prosecutor Victor Fitz said. “(Office Manager) Amanda Smego was absolutely humiliated by that, her family was humiliated, my office felt humiliated, and other persons who saw this unfold felt the same way.” Fitz distributed a written list to commissioners outlining reasons he believes Smego deserves the proposed step increase.

Watershed Voice’s warming shelter resource list

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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January 28, 2026

As winter continues and temperatures stay unbearably cold, Watershed Voice has compiled a list of warming centers in St. Joseph and Cass counties. If you know of any additional resources, please share them with maxwell@watershedvoice.com so they can be added to this list.

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