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Three Rivers Pride pauses festival, identifies key organizational needs

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April 2, 2026

The board, which is made up of four members — President Riley Mains, Secretary Alexis Jacobs, Treasurer Ziggy Standish, and member Desireé Horrocks — said the organization is using this year to strengthen its structure and improve long-term sustainability. “At this point, we really have to focus on strengthening the organization so that we can provide you all with the festival that the town deserves,” Standish said. The Pride festival is the group’s largest event of the year and has cost about $20,000 to $35,000 to host in past years, the board told Watershed Voice.

Over 350 gather for No Kings rally in Three Rivers

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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March 31, 2026

More than 350 people gathered at the corner of U.S. 131 and Michigan Avenue on Saturday, March 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. Supportive drivers honked as they passed, while others shouted at demonstrators from their vehicles. At least two trucks repeatedly drove past the crowd in the lane closest to the sidewalk, revving their engines and emitting diesel exhaust toward protesters.

Three Rivers Pride to host public board meeting this Wednesday

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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March 31, 2026

Three Rivers Pride is hosting an informational event this Wednesday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at GG’s Cookies to provide information and clarity as to why there won't be a Pride event sponsored by the nonprofit this year.

Sturgis Commission approves compost site changes amid price hike frustrations from local contractors

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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March 26, 2026

One resident said the city raised prices by more than 400% for commercial users without phasing in the increase. “It’s not our fault and we shouldn’t have to bear the burden that the city has decided not to increase the price for 18 years, so now you’re going to put that all on the business owners who take care of this town and make it look nice?” said Noah Hahn, who owns a lawn care business in the city.

Portage moves toward data center pause as concerns grow nationwide

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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March 25, 2026

The Portage City Council on March 24 unanimously voted to move forward with an ordinance that would establish a temporary moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage systems (BESS). The action does not immediately enact the moratorium. Instead, it directs city staff to prepare an amendment to the city code for future council consideration. According to the meeting agenda, the proposed change would amend Chapter 42 of the city code to establish a temporary moratorium on the developments. If adopted at a future meeting, the moratorium would pause new development related to data centers and battery storage systems while the city considers how to regulate them.

Three Rivers Area Community Foundation awards $20,000 grant to St. Joseph County United Way for tornado recovery

By Watershed Voice

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Three Rivers

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March 24, 2026

Together with support from the Sturgis Area Community Foundation (SACF), a combined $20,000 grant has been awarded to the St. Joseph County United Way to assist individuals and families impacted by the storm.

Chaotic Three Rivers meeting includes emergency briefing, closed-door discussion of city manager

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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March 18, 2026

The meeting, which lasted more than three hours Tuesday, included several tense exchanges among commissioners, a closed-door discussion about City Manager Joe Bippus, and an emergency management briefing featuring city officials, first responders, and representatives from the American Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse.

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.

Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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March 17, 2026

Tuesday’s meeting has a short agenda with two business items. However, many residents are expected to attend and speak during public comment about their experiences during the tornado and the city’s response. Some residents have criticized the city’s response to the storm, including coordination of volunteers and distribution of resources. Mayor Angel Johnston told Watershed Voice during a phone call on Monday, March 9, discussing the city’s tornado response, that she is frustrated with City Manager Joe Bippus. “I think it’s time for a new city manager and I’m not afraid to say it,” Johnston said. “That’s what I will probably be saying repeatedly on Tuesday night.”

Tiny houses, big impact: Gwendolyn Hooker’s housing vision in Kalamazoo

By Maxwell Knauer

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Kalamazoo

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March 11, 2026

As Helping Other People Exceed (HOPE) continued to grow, one issue kept appearing: many people had jobs and income but still could not find landlords willing to rent to them because of past criminal records. Many were couch surfing, sleeping in cars, or moving from one temporary situation to another. Eventually Founder and CEO Gwendolyn Hooker said, the solution became clear. “If people aren’t going to rent to the population that I serve,” she said, “then I’m just going to build my own houses.”

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