Michigan misses budget deadline, passes short-term funding to avoid shutdown
Lawmakers already missed the July 1 deadline when the legislature is required to pass school aid funding, typically alongside a full budget.
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As state shutdown looms, St. Joseph County districts brace for uncertain school aid
School districts must adopt budgets by July 1, often relying on assumptions about the per-pupil foundation allowance and categorical grants. Normally, those budgets are amended after the state finalizes its numbers and the first state aid payment arrives October 20.
With no resolution in Lansing, administrators warn that delays could disrupt payroll, contracts, and services.
Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative to host Meet the Media event October 16
“Meet the Media: Talk Back” will be held in the Van Deusen Room at the Kalamazoo Public Library downtown branch. It will feature a panel of SWMJC members — all journalists and editors from Michigan media outlets — seeking to answer questions and hear from residents about community development issues important to them.
White Pigeon Area Community Foundation celebrates 25th anniversary
Founded in 2000 as a geographic affiliate of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, WPACF connects donors with opportunities to support local projects and programs. Over the years, the foundation has funded scholarships for White Pigeon Community Schools, supported the township library’s OVIE Bookmobile and Summertime Tunes concert series, and backed initiatives such as Wahbememe Park and the Everett F. Gray Stadium.
Meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission
City Manager Andrew Kuk will present options for recycling in 2026 and beyond when the Sturgis City Commission meets Wednesday. While alternatives have been informally discussed, this marks the first formal action taken by the commission since the July decision to discontinue its curbside recycling program.
New school year brings major updates for St. Joseph County CTE
Seventh graders across St. Joseph County will soon climb aboard a new mobile classroom designed to introduce them to the world of advanced manufacturing. The traveling lab will make stops at all nine partner districts — Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Nottawa, Sturgis, Three Rivers and White Pigeon — giving every seventh grader a chance to spend 45 minutes exploring its equipment.
Commission separates Main Street, Michigan Avenue lot sales; OKs Fourth Avenue infill home
In brief discussion, the commission signaled interest in exploring ways to enable building on substandard legacy lots — potentially through setback or variance pathways — so more infill housing could be feasible, with further work expected through the planning commission and master plan process.
Three Rivers lead line replacement stymied by absence of state and federal funding, according to mayor
While lead line replacement is underway in Three Rivers, most occur during major road reconstruction projects, which expose the pipes. The city is responsible for maintaining 47 linear miles of roadway and with only one or two projects completed each year, progress is gradual. Mayor Tom Lowry says meaningful progress will require state and federal funding, and until then, aging infrastructure will continue to pose risks.
Residents urge Kalamazoo to ‘deflock’ as commission reviews city manager search
Community members called for the removal of Flock cameras, and city staff provided an update on the search for a new city manager during Monday's Kalamazoo City Commission meeting.
Meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission
Commissioners are scheduled to hold two public hearings concerning delinquent accounts. The first deals with unpaid utility bills totaling just under $6,900, while the second concerns more than $7,900 in outstanding general accounts receivable. If approved, both sets of charges would be added to the December 2025 tax roll for collection.
As state shutdown looms, St. Joseph County districts brace for uncertain school aid
School districts must adopt budgets by July 1, often relying on assumptions about the per-pupil foundation allowance and categorical grants. Normally, those budgets are amended after the state finalizes its numbers and the first state aid payment arrives October 20. With no resolution in Lansing, administrators warn that delays could disrupt payroll, contracts, and services.
Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative to host Meet the Media event October 16
“Meet the Media: Talk Back” will be held in the Van Deusen Room at the Kalamazoo Public Library downtown branch. It will feature a panel of SWMJC members — all journalists and editors from Michigan media outlets — seeking to answer questions and hear from residents about community development issues important to them.
White Pigeon Area Community Foundation celebrates 25th anniversary
Founded in 2000 as a geographic affiliate of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, WPACF connects donors with opportunities to support local projects and programs. Over the years, the foundation has funded scholarships for White Pigeon Community Schools, supported the township library’s OVIE Bookmobile and Summertime Tunes concert series, and backed initiatives such as Wahbememe Park and the Everett F. Gray Stadium.
Meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission
City Manager Andrew Kuk will present options for recycling in 2026 and beyond when the Sturgis City Commission meets Wednesday. While alternatives have been informally discussed, this marks the first formal action taken by the commission since the July decision to discontinue its curbside recycling program.
New school year brings major updates for St. Joseph County CTE
Seventh graders across St. Joseph County will soon climb aboard a new mobile classroom designed to introduce them to the world of advanced manufacturing. The traveling lab will make stops at all nine partner districts — Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Nottawa, Sturgis, Three Rivers and White Pigeon — giving every seventh grader a chance to spend 45 minutes exploring its equipment.
Commission separates Main Street, Michigan Avenue lot sales; OKs Fourth Avenue infill home
In brief discussion, the commission signaled interest in exploring ways to enable building on substandard legacy lots — potentially through setback or variance pathways — so more infill housing could be feasible, with further work expected through the planning commission and master plan process.
Three Rivers lead line replacement stymied by absence of state and federal funding, according to mayor
While lead line replacement is underway in Three Rivers, most occur during major road reconstruction projects, which expose the pipes. The city is responsible for maintaining 47 linear miles of roadway and with only one or two projects completed each year, progress is gradual. Mayor Tom Lowry says meaningful progress will require state and federal funding, and until then, aging infrastructure will continue to pose risks.
Residents urge Kalamazoo to ‘deflock’ as commission reviews city manager search
Community members called for the removal of Flock cameras, and city staff provided an update on the search for a new city manager during Monday's Kalamazoo City Commission meeting.
Meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission
Commissioners are scheduled to hold two public hearings concerning delinquent accounts. The first deals with unpaid utility bills totaling just under $6,900, while the second concerns more than $7,900 in outstanding general accounts receivable. If approved, both sets of charges would be added to the December 2025 tax roll for collection.
