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Watershed Voice sends out candidate questionnaires for August primary election

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News
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July 16, 2026

This Thursday, July 16, Watershed Voice sent out candidate questionnaires to candidates in the following August primary elections: State Senate District 17, State House District 36, and Three Rivers City Commission 2nd District.  Candidates in those elections will have exactly one week, until Thursday, July 23 to complete the questionnaires. Once completed, Watershed Voice will publish the responses in the order they are received the week before the August 4 election.

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Glen Oaks welcomes first CDL-A class in Sturgis
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Sturgis
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July 16, 2026

Based in Sturgis, the accelerated three-week program combines classroom instruction with behind-the-wheel training, giving students the skills needed to earn a CDL-A license and begin careers in commercial trucking. The program is offered through a partnership between Glen Oaks Community College and Regen Trucking School.

EPA proposal could reduce public input on some data center permits as Dowagiac debate continues
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Dowagiac
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July 15, 2026

According to reporting by NBC news, the EPA has proposed eliminating a federal requirement that states provide a 30-day public comment period before issuing certain air permits for facilities the agency classifies as “minor sources” of pollution. Instead of it being federal law, states would individually decide whether public comment is offered.  The proposal comes as the Trump administration has pushed to accelerate artificial intelligence infrastructure across the country.

Hyperscale CEO breaks silence at contentious Dowagiac city council meeting
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Dowagiac
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July 14, 2026

“You are not investors, you are invaders,” resident Garrett Maverick began, addressing Hyperscale. He then turned to the city council, “Your scolding, your distance, and your lack of transparency on this issue is embarrassing and disqualifying.”  The final public comment of the night left a clear message from residents as Peter Gibbons shared his thoughts on the Hyperscale buyout offers.  “If somebody’s got their boot on your head, when they lift their boot off your head, they’re not a hero,” he said.

Congress passes major housing bill as Southwest Michigan faces affordability challenges
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News
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July 14, 2026

For communities across Southwest Michigan, the bill could eventually affect how local housing projects move forward. In areas like Kalamazoo County, where housing development has increasingly become part of conversations around population growth and affordability, faster development approvals and expanded federal funding could create more opportunities for new construction. In smaller communities throughout St. Joseph and Cass counties, where older housing stock and limited inventory often create challenges for both renters and buyers, easier access to smaller mortgages and expanded manufactured housing options could provide additional paths to homeownership. Housing experts caution, however, that the bill is not expected to produce immediate results.

Sturgis approves Doug Terry as interim city manager
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Sturgis
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July 9, 2026

Commissioners unanimously approved Doug Terry’s agreement and he will start work on July 20. Once Terry begins, he will have a week of overlap with current City Manager Andrew Kuk.  Despite the unanimous approval, Commissioner Jeff Mullins said he remains disappointed in the fact that they were there in the first place and said the city was spending over $300K on a process that shouldn't be happening. Mullins included the $170K to be paid to Terry, the full year salary that will be paid to Kuk as part of his separation agreement, and the costs to pay an outside firm to help the commission find a new manager. “Those are just the tangible numbers that are in front of us. We shouldn’t be here in this spot and it disappoints me that we are because Andrew is very much capable of doing his job,” Mullins said. “I’m very sad that we're in the position that we are in that made him make the decision to walk away.” 

Hyperscale to present to Dowagiac residents at Monday meeting
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Dowagiac
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July 9, 2026

On Monday, July 13, Hyperscale Data Inc. will present its plants to Dowagiac residents and City Council members during a City Council meeting. Due to an expected large turnout, the venue has been moved to the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center at 57072 Riverside Drive at 6 p.m. The final regular agenda item reads: “Presentation from Hyperscale Data, Inc. regarding their plans for 415 E. Prairie Ronde & receiving public comment and questions regarding those plans.”

Three Rivers commissioners give SAFEbuilt another chance, table housing corporation bylaws
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Three Rivers
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July 8, 2026

Mayor Angel Johnston, who has been highly critical of SAFEbuilt at recent meetings, said her experiences with them were one of the reasons she ran for mayor.  “One of the reasons I ran for mayor is because of the horrible experiences I’ve had with your company,” Johnston said to SAFEbuilt representatives at Tuesday's meeting. “I’ve priced out contractors for people that can replace you and it’s not going to be that hard.” Despite the criticism, commissioners generally agreed they were willing to continue working with SAFEbuilt while monitoring whether customer service improves.

What the Supreme Court’s transgender sports ruling means for Michigan
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News
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July 8, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld state laws that bar transgender girls and women from participating on girls' and women's sports teams, ruling unanimously that the laws do not violate the federal civil rights law Title IX. Michigan does not have a statewide law prohibiting transgender students from participating on school sports teams. Instead, the state has civil rights protections that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. As a result, legal advocates say Tuesday's ruling does not automatically change how Michigan schools handle transgender student-athlete participation.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission
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Sturgis
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July 7, 2026

Commissioners will look to finalize a contract to make Doug Terry the city’s interim city manager replacing Andrew Kuk once his resignation becomes final on July 24. Commissioners interviewed Terry during their June 22 meeting and voted to extend him a conditional offer pending a contract agreement, background check, and reference check. Terry was the lone candidate as the other potential replacements the city reached out to were unable to apply due to prior commitments.

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