Kalamazoo Archives

Watershed Voice: Year in Review

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News

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December 30, 2025

Before our three-week publishing pause, Watershed Voice invites our readers to take a look back at the past year in local news. For Watershed Voice, it was a year marked by change, as we transitioned from one staff writer — Najifa Farhat for the first half of the year — to another, Maxwell Knauer, for the second half of the year. No matter the author of our stories, we aimed to bring prompt, fact-based, independent reporting to Southwest Michigan. Here’s a look at some of our favorite, most impactful, and most-read stories of 2025.

Watershed Voice 2025: By the Numbers

By Maxwell Knauer & Deborah Haak-Frost

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News

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December 29, 2025

As the year comes to an end, Watershed Voice takes a look back at a year of keeping readers across Southwest Michigan informed. In 2025, Watershed Voice published 322 stories, averaging 27 articles per month. Over the course of the year, our reporting reached 137,762 total page views from 79,435 visitors.

Watershed Voice holiday resource guide

By Maxwell Knauer

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Local

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December 22, 2025

Last week Kalamazoo, Sturgis, and Three Rivers had city commission meetings. In all three meetings, independent of each other, homelessness and ways the city can address it was discussed. As the holidays approach and cold weather continues, Watershed Voice compiled a list of all the resources available for those who need it most in St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties. This guide lists shelter, warming, food and crisis resources available during the holiday period. Availability and capacity can change quickly, especially during extreme weather.

Kalamazoo City Commission meeting dominated by public anger after unhoused man’s death

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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December 16, 2025

Residents also asked city officials for answers about a separate recent death involving a 60-year-old man found deceased near the intersection of Stockbridge Avenue and Mills Street. Chief Boysen said the death was ruled a suicide and that there was no evidence of foul play or involvement by other individuals. He said the man had a history of mental illness and other challenges.

Five Lakes Coffee co-founder faces three counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a child

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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December 5, 2025

Jared Smith, 49, faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child younger than 13 and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child younger than 13, according to Calhoun County court records.

Kalamazoo releases $344M proposed budget for 2026

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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December 3, 2025

The full proposal is available in an interactive format on the city’s website under the City Budgets section. City officials said the 2026 plan is built around community priorities outlined in the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 Strategic Vision, now transitioning into Imagine Kalamazoo 2035, and reflects direction from the Kalamazoo City Commission’s March 2025 retreat.

Kalamazoo Commission seeks larger venue for first reading of Asylum Lake rezoning ordinance

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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December 2, 2025

Commissioners unanimously voted to direct staff to identify a more suitable date and potentially a larger venue for the first reading of an ordinance that would rezone 4301 Stadium Drive, the Asylum Lake property.

Where to find free and low-cost Thanksgiving resources in Southwest Michigan

By Maxwell Knauer

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Local

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November 25, 2025

Watershed Voice has compiled a list of free or low-cost Thanksgiving resources available across St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties. These options are in addition to regularly scheduled food pantry services offered throughout the region.

From Texas to Michigan, Flock cameras are reshaping how police track vehicles

By Maxwell Knauer

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Local

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November 20, 2025

To discuss Three Rivers’ future desires for the cameras, Watershed Voice reached out to a representative of the Three Rivers Police Department but was told all media requests are now to be directed to City Manager Joe Bippus. Multiple attempts to seek comment from Bippus were made but, as of the publication of this article, Bippus has yet to respond.

Haak-Frost: Don’t let this rural newsroom go the way of Pogs

By Alek Haak-Frost

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Culture

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November 18, 2025

Watershed Voice Executive Editor Alek Haak-Frost writes, "I, for one, would love to see Pogs make a comeback. My stepmother took my Pogs away one day as punishment for something lost to the sands of time, and I never saw them again. Like, ever. "So what does any of this have to do with rural newsrooms? Watershed Voice, much like my beloved Pogs, could be taken away, never to be seen or heard from again. Not because my stepmom forgot to give it back but because support for local journalism has dwindled, and rural newsrooms are almost as endangered as Blockbuster Video or Hot 'n Now (good looking out, Sturgis)."

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