A juvenile was taken into custody Sunday after allegedly pointing a firearm at Cass County sheriff’s deputies and later threatening them with knives, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.
Commissioners are expected to consider paying down $3 million in outstanding debt connected to past Sturgis Hospital improvements, approve annual utility rates, and hold a public hearing on the city’s proposed 2026-27 budget. Commissioners will also consider issuing up to $800K in bonds for the Doyle Community Center roof project. This will be the first meeting where interim City Manager Doug Terry will serve as the lone city manager after former City Manager Andrew Kuk’s final meeting on Wednesday, July 22.
County records show 12,200 ballots were cast in Tuesday’s primary election. By comparison, 13,544 ballots were cast during the August 2024 primary, when turnout reached about 27%, and 13,472 ballots were cast during the August 2020 primary, which saw roughly 29% turnout. This year’s election saw 1,344 fewer ballots cast than in 2024 — a decrease of about 9.9%. As of August 5, St. Joseph County had 49,226 registered voters, putting overall turnout for Tuesday’s primary at approximately 25%.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Huss Project, 1008 Eighth St. in Three Rivers, alongside the Huss Project Farmers Market and Second Saturday Market Art Market. School-aged children accompanied by an adult caregiver can receive a free backpack filled with school supplies while supplies last. Throughout the day, local organizations will offer information about community services and host kid-friendly activities as part of the event’s annual Community Carnival.
El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic nomination, receiving 48.48% of the vote (740,950 votes), while Stevens received 47.51% (726,057 votes). Former candidate Mallory McMorrow, who withdrew from the race in early July, still received more than 50,000 votes. While some votes are still being counted across the state, the Associated Press has called the race for El-Sayed.
In the Three Rivers City Commission Second District primary, Josh Hoeppner received the most votes, receiving 43.29% of the vote (410 votes). Incumbent Steven Haigh finished second, with 33.79% of the vote (320 votes). The two advance to November's general election, where they will face-off head-to-head.
City Attorney TJ Reed provided commissioners with an update on the long-running enforcement case involving the parking lot at 209 U.S. 131, commonly known as "the Biggby lot." Reed said the process could take at least six months because the city’s enforcement options must proceed through the courts.
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.
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.
Watershed Voice staff writer Maxwell Knauer writes how journalism brought him to Southwest Michigan, love now has him living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his commitment to both will mean working remotely for Watershed Voice going forward. "The reality is that much of modern reporting already happens from wherever your laptop is. Interviews happen over the phone or Zoom, government meetings are — sometimes — streamed online, and public records are requested electronically. "When a story requires someone on the ground, Watershed Voice will still be there. We’re still based in Three Rivers. Founder and editor-in-chief, Alek Haak-Frost, and our office manager, Steph Hightree, remain there, and our board members are spread throughout southwest Michigan. We’ll continue showing up where it matters and telling the stories when they happen."
A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR
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