Local Archives

Sturgis approves Summit Polymers tax break; WBET offer raised during SYCA contract discussion

●

September 10, 2026

Commissioners held a public hearing and unanimously approved a resolution supporting an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate (IFEC) for Summit Polymers, a plastic injection molding company for the automotive industry. The certificate would reduce the tax liability on the company’s new addition by approximately 50%. The IFEC is expected to save Summit Polymers approximately $110,000 annually in taxes. The exemption was approved for 12 years.

OutCenter announces move to downtown Dowagiac

By Watershed Voice

●

Dowagiac

●

September 9, 2026

OutCenter Southwest Michigan has announced its new office location in downtown Dowagiac, Michigan. For nearly 15 years, the OutCenter has made its home in the Arts District in Benton Harbor, providing a welcoming and visible presence for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

Q&A: Jim Berry, Superintendent of St. Joseph County Intermediate School District

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Local

●

September 3, 2026

James "Jim" Berry, first-year superintendent at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District (ISD), shared his perspective on his goals for his new role and the state of education amid the AI boom. We spoke with Berry about his first few weeks in his new role, his visions for the future of ISD amid an ever-changing job market, and how he plans to give students the tools they need to succeed.

Three Rivers commission to vote on livestream equipment and policies

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Three Rivers

●

September 1, 2026

This Tuesday, September 1, at 6 p.m. the Three Rivers City Commission will meet and consider the purchase of equipment for city-administered live-streaming. Commissioners will decide which video camera system to purchase with the Meeting Owl Pro 5 Camera and supplemental equipment being recommended by staff. The total cost would be $5,000 from the general fund. The agenda packet also includes a retention policy, which recommends the recording is kept on the city’s YouTube until one day after the minutes of that meeting are approved — typically two weeks after the livestream takes place.

Sturgis commission advances utility, sidewalk projects

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

August 27, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission approved a $300,000 biosolids removal contract, financing for a $452,128 new digger/bucket truck and a $660,088 bid from the second-lowest bidder for the Nottawa Street 69kV Transmission Line Project. The meeting moved quickly and wrapped up in just over an hour, with all but one agenda item approved unanimously.

Dowagiac council approves $10K for sound study at data center

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Dowagiac

●

August 12, 2026

On Tuesday, August 11, Hyperscale announced that its board is reviewing strategic alternatives for its Michigan data center, including a potential sale or lease of part or all of the facility. The company said the review is intended to “maximize stockholder value.”

Michigan counties, towns spend $30B a year. Could collaboration get more done?

By Justin A. Hinkley, Bridge Michigan

●

News

●

August 12, 2026

Berrien County leaders recently established a new nonprofit that works to keep housing affordable. It’s an example of cooperation that policymakers wish happened more often among the state’s 1,856 counties, cities, townships and villages. Collectively, those local governments spend more than $30 billion a year, according to US Census data, including $1.7 billion in state revenue sharing.

Polls open for Michigan’s primary election, a final reminder

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Elections

●

August 4, 2026

Primary Election Day has arrived in Michigan with voters across St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties heading to the polls Tuesday to choose party nominees for statewide office, narrow down local races ahead of the November general election, and for some, decide on millages. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any voter in line by 8 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot.

Everything you need to know before Tuesday’s primary election

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Elections

●

July 31, 2026

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.

Candidate questionnaire: Brett Muchow

By Watershed Voice

●

News

●

July 30, 2026

Brett Muchow, Michigan Senate District 17 Democratic primary candidate filled out our questionnaire, below are his answers.

Local

Latest in Local