Local Archives

Kalamazoo commission removes $1.25 million federal police grant from agenda, residents cheer

●

April 7, 2026

“I’d ask that item H3 be removed from tonight’s agenda, given the timing and the need for additional review to ensure the commission has a full understanding of the longer-term implications,” City Manager Malcolm Hankins said. “Removing the item, I believe, is appropriate. It also effectively means non-acceptance of the grant at this time.” Hankins’ comments were met with immediate applause from a packed commission chamber, where many residents had gathered to urge officials to reject the funding. This is the second time the item has been pulled from a commission agenda in recent weeks.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

April 7, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, April 8 for its regular business meeting, with a largely routine agenda that includes contract approvals, infrastructure work, and an update on staffing.

Hyperscale Data announces planned land acquisition; Dowagiac officials say they were not informed

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Dowagiac

●

April 2, 2026

The announcement prompted questions locally, particularly in Dowagiac, where the company already operates a data center. City officials first responded Tuesday morning, saying they were not informed of the planned purchase and have not received any development proposals tied to it. On Wednesday, April 1, Watershed Voice spoke with Dowagiac City Manager Kevin Anderson, who said the city has no additional information about the property. “We don’t have any documentation identifying what property this is,” Anderson said. “We’re in the same position as the public.”

TRPD confirms continued use of Flock surveillance technology, says city added seventh camera in 2025

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Three Rivers

●

April 1, 2026

In an exclusive interview with Watershed Voice, Three Rivers Chief of Police Scott Boling and Detective Sgt. Steven Dibble said the cameras provide an additional investigative tool to help identify vehicles connected to crimes. Flock Safety’s license plate reader system has drawn national criticism from civil liberties groups, particularly the American Civil Liberties Union, which argues the technology enables a form of mass surveillance that extends beyond its original purpose. Boling said there is no “backdoor access” to the system, including for federal agencies such as ICE, and that any data sharing must be approved by the department.

Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative to host “Women in Media” event in Kalamazoo

By Watershed Voice

●

Kalamazoo

●

April 1, 2026

The Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative (SWMJC) will host “Women in Media: Behind the Headlines” on April 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Epic Center in downtown Kalamazoo. The free event, which is open to the public, will feature a panel of local women working in journalism and media. Space is limited, and RSVPs are recommended.

Michigan lawmaker explores changes to public notice rules, raising transparency concerns

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Three Rivers

●

March 26, 2026

Municipalities pay newspapers to publish these notices, with costs varying based on the number and length of postings. According to recent Three Rivers City Commission agenda packets, the city paid $740 to the Three Rivers Commercial-News for fiscal year 2026 public notices. A separate payment of $290 for the same category was recorded February 13. If lawmakers pursue changes, they could alter where and how notices are published, potentially shifting some requirements away from newspapers. However, state Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) has said she is not seeking to eliminate public notice requirements altogether.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

March 24, 2026

A quarterly finance report, compost site rule changes, and a letter of intent on three electric generators round out the Sturgis City Commission’s agenda for its meeting on Wednesday, March 25.

Whitmer appoints new judge to Michigan Court of Appeals serving Southwest Michigan

By Watershed Voice

●

Local

●

March 19, 2026

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Andrew Lievense to the Michigan Court of Appeals, First District, a court that hears appeals affecting residents in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. Lievense, of Northville, currently serves as an assistant U.S. attorney. He previously worked as a litigation associate at Honigman LLP in Detroit and clerked for U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn.

Community input reshapes path for Winchell-Howard school safety plan

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Kalamazoo

●

March 17, 2026

Kalamazoo City Commissioner Chris Praedel said the process reflected strong community engagement. “It’s refreshing to see these outcomes when it happens this way. It does not always turn out this way, and I am grateful that it has — but it only happens this way when everybody is willing to lean in and try something a little bit different,” Praedel said. The project combines improvements along two corridors — Winchell Avenue and Howard Street — under a single MDOT contract, meaning the elements cannot easily be separated for approval.

Useless Creatures to donate all of today’s sales to tornado relief

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Three Rivers

●

March 12, 2026

Useless Creatures Brewing Company plans to donate all sales today, Thursday, March 12 to tornado recovery efforts. All of the money will go to The Huss Project who has been organizing volunteers, collecting donations, and providing resources for those in need in the wake of the tornado.

Local

Latest in Local