Watershed Voice

06/03/2026

The Three Rivers City Commission approved pursuing a state historic preservation grant for two downtown rehabilitation projects and transferred a city-owned property on Middle Street for redevelopment during its meeting Tuesday.

Commissioners also voiced support for members of United Auto Workers Local 2093, who are on strike at the American Axle plant, during commissioner comments at the end of the meeting.

The Three Rivers City Commission approved pursuing a state historic preservation grant for two downtown rehabilitation projects and transferred a city-owned property on Middle Street for redevelopment during its meeting Tuesday. Commissioners also voiced support for members of United Auto Workers Lo...

06/03/2026

Farrand Hall owners James Gray and Jacob Hagan have been ordered to repay a customer more than $2,100 after failing to appear for a small claims court hearing.

According to St. Joseph County court records, a default judgment of $2,145.65 was ordered June 1 in favor of Michael G. Timmers. The judgment includes $2,043.65 sought by Timmers and additional court costs.

Farrand Hall owners James Gray and Jacob Hagan have been ordered to repay a customer more than $2,100 after failing to appear for a small claims court hearing. According to St. Joseph County court records, a default judgment of $2,145.65 was ordered June 1 in favor of Michael G. Timmers. The judgmen...

06/03/2026

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) notified the city May 5 that the drawdown must be completed by July 15. The action follows the agency’s latest evaluation of the dam’s left embankment, an area that has been monitored for several years through the city’s regular dam safety reporting process.

City officials said the required drawdown is being implemented as an Interim Risk Reduction Measure while plans continue to move forward for long-term repairs and improvements to the embankment.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) notified the city May 5 that the drawdown must be completed by July 15. The action follows the agency's latest evaluation of the dam's left embankment, an area that has been monitored for several years through the city's regular dam safety reporting pr...

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

The restaurant opens in a location that has seen several businesses come and go in recent years, most recently the Farrand Hall Diner before the company announced its closure and sale. But Chef Ken Miller says he viewed the building’s restaurant-ready setup as an opportunity rather than a warning sign.

At the heart of the restaurant, Miller said, is a focus on approachable food made with local ingredients from Southwest Michigan and the broader Great Lakes region.

“Our goal is to create an experience that’s equal parts delicious, familiar, exciting and welcoming,” the restaurant states in its opening materials.

The restaurant opens in a location that has seen several businesses come and go in recent years, most recently the Farrand Hall Diner before the company announced its closure and sale. But Chef Ken Miller says he viewed the building’s restaurant-ready setup as an opportunity rather than a warning ...

06/02/2026

“With inflation, cost of living, you know, my members want a living wage, and my members want benefits that are affordable and that they have access to, and I think they have every right to have every one of those benefits,” UAW Local 2093 Vice President Joe Taylor told Watershed Voice. “They want job security, they want to retire with dignity, and they’re some of the hardest working people that I know.”

Members of UAW Local 2093 work at American Axle & Manufacturing, also known locally as Dauch Corporation, which supplies axles for General Motors pickup trucks.

The strike follows months of contract negotiations between union representatives and the company. Earlier in May, workers voted 98% in favor of authorizing a strike if an agreement could not be reached before the contract deadline.

“With inflation, cost of living, you know, my members want a living wage, and my members want benefits that are affordable and that they have access to, and I think they have every right to have every one of those benefits,” UAW Local 2093 Vice President Joe Taylor told Watershed Voice. “They ...

06/02/2026

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet for a regular business meeting this evening at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Commissioners will consider Rural Heritage Partnership grant applications, the transfer of 124 Middle St., hold the second and final hearing on the city’s user fee schedule, and make appointments to various city boards. City documents currently list 23 board vacancies.

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet for a regular business meeting this evening at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Commissioners will consider Rural Heritage Partnership grant applications, the transfer of 124 Middle St., hold the second and final hearing on the city's user fee schedule, and make appoin...

06/01/2026

There is still time to sponsor the 2026 Watershed Voice Artist Showcase.

Whether you’re an individual who wants to support local artists or a representative of a business/organization that wants to keep Watershed Voice’s work free and accessible to all, we’ve got you covered.

Contact our Office Manager Steph Hightree at [email protected] for more information.

05/28/2026

The investigation follows multiple failed attempts by Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins and Commissioner Aaron Miller to censure Mayor Frank Perez or remove him from his mayoral duties during previous meetings. Those efforts stem from allegations by some commissioners that Perez and others violated Michigan law, commission procedures, and the city charter — accusations that have largely remained shielded from public discussion because they were raised during closed session meetings.

Tuesday’s vote represented a significant shift after two previous investigation resolutions failed on 4-3 votes.

Mayor Perez was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

The investigation follows multiple failed attempts by Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins and Commissioner Aaron Miller to censure Mayor Frank Perez or remove him from his mayoral duties during previous meetings. Those efforts stem from allegations by some commissioners that Perez and others violated Michigan l...

05/28/2026

Former Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz announced Wednesday he is joining the Branch County Prosecutor’s Office after resigning from his elected position earlier this month. Fitz’s departure comes alongside the resignations of the office’s remaining assistant prosecutors, leaving all six attorney positions in the office vacant or in transition.

Thursday morning, Cass County Circuit Court Judge Mark A. Herman appointed attorney Sarah E. Scoggin as interim prosecuting attorney.

Former Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz announced Wednesday he is joining the Branch County Prosecutor’s Office after resigning from his elected position earlier this month. Fitz’s departure comes alongside the resignations of the office’s remaining assistant prosecutors, leaving all six att...