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.
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.
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)."
According to the agenda report, this year’s winter shelter system will include a mix of day shelter, overnight congregate shelter, hoteling for medically fragile residents, and coordinated access services. Ministry with Community will operate an 80-bed day/night congregate shelter, with the capacity to expand to 91 beds during Code Blue weather. Dignity in Motion will provide hoteling for medically fragile individuals and their pets, and Housing Resources Inc. will handle shelter coordination. Winter shelter operations are anticipated to begin December 1 and run through March 31, 2026.
After nearly five hours of public comment and discussion, commissioners cited the lack of clarity from the applicant and potential environmental and traffic impacts as reasons for their decision.
In St. Joseph County, Angel Johnston defeated 13-term incumbent Tom Lowry for Three Rivers mayor. Johnston received 63.48% of the vote (784 total), while Lowry took 34.57% (427). Write-in candidate Nathan Walden received 0.49% (six votes).
The Community Commercial zoning being sought is a broad, high-intensity commercial category designed for corridors like Stadium Drive. While many business types are allowed by right, a car wash would require a Special Use Permit, according to Assistant City Planner Bobby Durkee. The permit process involves a separate public hearing and Planning Commission approval – one reason opponents see the rezoning as paving the way for the same Drive & Shine project rejected in prior years. According to the city’s staff report, planning staff are recommending the rezoning be approved, finding it consistent with the city’s master plan and future land use map. The Planning Commission will consider that recommendation Thursday before voting on its own recommendation to the City Commission.
Watershed Voice has no owners, is free to all, and we intend to keep it that way. Our biggest fundraiser of the year, NewsMatch, is officially underway and we need your support to continue this valuable work.
The ongoing 2025 United States federal government shutdown began October 1 and has caused the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to warn states that “there may be insufficient funds to pay for November SNAP benefits” unless the impasse ends. In Michigan alone, approximately 1.4 million people — about 13 percent of households — rely on SNAP. Watershed Voice has compiled the following list of resources in St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties.
For those who have not yet turned in absentee ballots — you have until Monday to register for one at your clerk's office — or are planning to vote in-person on Election Day, Watershed Voice has compiled the following guide to races appearing on local ballots to provide readers with information about who is running.
A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR
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