News Archives

Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

●

July 7, 2026

During the presentations portion of the meeting, SAFEbuilt, an outside firm that handles much of the city's building inspection and construction-related work, will give a presentation. The company is presenting per the request of Mayor Angel Johnston and Commissioner Lucas Allen who together requested City Manager Joe Bippus put the item on the agenda. Johnston said the presentation would give SAFEbuilt an opportunity to address concerns she has heard from residents about the company's conduct, responsiveness, and work throughout the city.

Dowagiac residents hear update on class-action lawsuit against Hyperscale Data Inc.

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Dowagiac

●

July 1, 2026

As of now, the case has been filed as a class-action lawsuit against Hyperscale Data Inc. in the Kalamazoo U.S. District Court. The case alleges that because of the constant noise being emitted from the Hyperscale Data Inc. data center, property values for residents living within a mile of the facility are declining. Attorneys Laura Sheets and Steven Liddle acknowledged there are other impacts associated with the data center — such as environmental concerns and a lack of transparency — however, the case in its current state is only alleging property damage and seeking compensation for those claims. The defendant — Hyperscale Data Inc. — has reviewed those claims and asked for an extension to give an answer, which was granted and is due July 24.

Hyperscale Data Inc. finalizes data center campus expansion in Dowagiac

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Dowagiac

●

June 30, 2026

Soon after that expansion was initially announced, Dowagiac Mayor Patrick Bakeman and City Manager Kevin Anderson said the city had no more information than the public about the property. This prompted Mayor Bakeman to write the company an open letter on April 1, giving Hyperscale 45 days to provide the city with more information. On the final day, Bakeman said the company agreed to schedule a meeting “with the expectation that we will meet within the week.” Bakeman has provided no further updates on that meeting. Watershed Voice reached out to Mayor Bakeman seeking an update on the status and content of that meeting but did not receive a response before publication.

The Edison Neighborhood Association will renovate its building into a ‘resilience hub’

By Elliot Russell, WMUK

●

Kalamazoo

●

June 30, 2026

The Edison Neighborhood Association’s building on Washington Avenue in Kalamazoo is undergoing renovations to become a “resilience hub.” That means it’ll be outfitted to serve residents in the case of extreme weather during heat waves or after tornados. Renovations include solar panels, battery storage, a commercial kitchen, and an upgraded community room that will allow for livestreaming meetings.

Fibrosan announces $16.8 million Cass County investment, 32 jobs planned

By Watershed Voice

●

Dowagiac

●

June 30, 2026

The investment is expected to generate at least $16,850,000 in capital investment while creating 32 new jobs in the region. To support the project, the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) approved a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

A family and farm blossom together in Three Rivers

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Culture

●

June 25, 2026

Just off U.S. 131 sits a quiet patch of land bursting with flowers, vegetables, and the kind of family life many people spend years searching for. Take the right onto Flowerfield Road, keep going a little ways, follow the signs for fresh flowers, and eventually you’ll find it: Flowerfield Farmstead. Home to Nick, Cassie, Juniper, Rio — the dog — and seemingly endless flowers. Balancing both family life and farm life in Flowerfield Township has become one of the unique challenges — and joys — of building the life the Shimps envision.

Early guide to Michigan’s August 4 primary election

By Maxwell Knauer

●

News

●

June 24, 2026

While many voters focus on November, the primary narrows the field in races that will shape state and local government for years to come. Watershed Voice has assembled this early guide to help readers prepare well in advance. Additional candidate profiles, questionnaires, and proposal explainers will be published closer to Election Day.

Cooling centers and places to beat the heat in Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Cass counties

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Local

●

June 24, 2026

As temperatures climb across Southwest Michigan, residents looking to escape the heat have several options throughout Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Cass counties. With excessive heat expected next week ahead of the holiday weekend, here's where and how to beat the heat.

How to be an ally during Pride Month and beyond

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Culture

●

June 23, 2026

While Pride Month is primarily about celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and love in its many forms, it can also be an opportunity for allies to look inward and reflect on how to be better. Not just as individuals, but collectively, what does it take to make someone feel truly welcome — and not simply accepted? To explore that question, Watershed Voice spoke with Heather Sanford of OutFront Kalamazoo about what meaningful allyship can look like during Pride Month and long after June ends.

What expanded federal immigration enforcement funding could mean for residents in southwest Michigan

By Maxwell Knauer

●

News

●

June 23, 2026

Earlier this month, the federal government approved more than $70 billion in new funding for immigration enforcement agencies, marking one of the largest expansions of federal immigration enforcement spending in recent years. For residents in southwest Michigan, questions remain about whether expanded federal funding could lead to increased cooperation between local police agencies and federal immigration authorities.

News

Latest in News