For those planning to vote early this weekend or head to the polls Tuesday, Watershed Voice has assembled this final election guide. Below you’ll find links to every candidate questionnaire we published, summaries of the local races we covered, an overview of the major statewide contests, information on local ballot proposals, and everything you need to know before casting your ballot.
Early voting begins Saturday, July 25, and continues through Sunday, August 2. Hours may vary depending on your municipality and voting location, so check with your county clerk before finalizing your plans. In St. Joseph County, voters may cast an early ballot at the St. Joseph County Training Center, 602 E. Main St., Centreville. On weekdays during the early voting timeframe, the center will be open to voters from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends, the center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Any eligible St. Joseph County voters will be able to vote at this location during those times, regardless of where they live in the county.
The basic outline of the program: A one-time community investment — federal, state, local government grants, and/or philanthropic — goes into building a new home that’s affordable for families with modest incomes. That first family, and following families, agree to "pay it forward." A requirement to keep the property at a price for a specific area median income, for generations, is baked into the deed. For the program to work, they buy it and sell it at under market value. Saying this will run for "99 years" is a way of saying it's "more or less permanent," Beth McCann, Executive Director of KNHS says. "In theory, it should outlast Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services. It should outlast everybody."
With Fourth of July weekend approaching, communities across southwest Michigan are preparing for parades, fireworks shows, live performances and annual hometown celebrations marking the country’s 250th year of independence. Watershed Voice compiled a guide to events happening across St. Joseph, Cass and Kalamazoo counties, along with a few nearby celebrations worth the drive.
The Edison Neighborhood Association’s building on Washington Avenue in Kalamazoo is undergoing renovations to become a “resilience hub.” That means it’ll be outfitted to serve residents in the case of extreme weather during heat waves or after tornados. Renovations include solar panels, battery storage, a commercial kitchen, and an upgraded community room that will allow for livestreaming meetings.
While many voters focus on November, the primary narrows the field in races that will shape state and local government for years to come. Watershed Voice has assembled this early guide to help readers prepare well in advance. Additional candidate profiles, questionnaires, and proposal explainers will be published closer to Election Day.
As temperatures climb across Southwest Michigan, residents looking to escape the heat have several options throughout Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Cass counties. With excessive heat expected next week ahead of the holiday weekend, here's where and how to beat the heat.
While Pride Month is primarily about celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and love in its many forms, it can also be an opportunity for allies to look inward and reflect on how to be better. Not just as individuals, but collectively, what does it take to make someone feel truly welcome — and not simply accepted? To explore that question, Watershed Voice spoke with Heather Sanford of OutFront Kalamazoo about what meaningful allyship can look like during Pride Month and long after June ends.
Earlier this month, the federal government approved more than $70 billion in new funding for immigration enforcement agencies, marking one of the largest expansions of federal immigration enforcement spending in recent years. For residents in southwest Michigan, questions remain about whether expanded federal funding could lead to increased cooperation between local police agencies and federal immigration authorities.
Communities across Southwest Michigan will mark Juneteenth this week with celebrations centered on history, culture, music and community gatherings honoring one of the nation’s most significant milestones in the fight for freedom. In Three Rivers, a community Juneteenth celebration is scheduled for Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m. at the new downtown amphitheater. Longtime Watershed Voice collaborator and supporter Debbie Allen will perform and serve as MC for the event.
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