Watershed Voice

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

As of Tuesday morning, City Manager Andrew K*k said approximately 175 electric customers remain without power as crews continue restoration work across the city.

The storm initially left at least 3,000 customers without electricity after powerful winds brought down trees, power lines, and utility infrastructure throughout Sturgis. Unlike many neighboring communities served by utility companies such as Consumers Energy or Indiana Michigan Power, Sturgis operates its own municipal electric department, meaning restoration efforts have been coordinated directly by city crews alongside outside mutual aid partners.

As of Tuesday morning, City Manager Andrew K*k said approximately 175 electric customers remain without power as crews continue restoration work across the city. The storm initially left at least 3,000 customers without electricity after powerful winds brought down trees, power lines, and utility in...

06/16/2026

On Sunday evening, Local 2093 members in Three Rivers voted 80% in favor of their new contract that runs through 2030 with American Axle, known locally as Dauch Corporation. Members approved the contract, granting them a finalized deal and sending them back to work.

As previously reported by Watershed Voice, the contract includes their “30 by 30” goal, meaning $30 per hour in wages by 2030. That will result in a 36% increase in top wages over the life of the contract. Bargaining Chair Josh Jager included a number of other provisions in the contract when announcing the tentative agreement.

On Sunday evening, Local 2093 members in Three Rivers voted 80% in favor of their new contract that runs through 2030 with American Axle, known locally as Dauch Corporation. Members approved the contract, granting them a finalized deal and sending them back to work. As previously reported by Watersh...

06/16/2026

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet Tuesday, June 16, for a regular business meeting at 6 p.m. in City Hall, 333 W. Michigan Ave. Commissioners will work through a lengthy agenda that includes approval of more than $105,000 in drinking water chemicals, nearly $42,000 for citywide tree and stump removal, and roughly $310,000 in wastewater treatment chemicals,

Commissioners will also consider adopting a media access policy allowing approved organizations to connect directly to the city’s sound system. Watershed Voice plans to use the connection to improve livestream audio quality during city commission meetings. The audio is a direct feed from commissioners’ and city staff microphones. If adopted, the policy will take effect immediately.

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet Tuesday, June 16, for a regular business meeting at 6 p.m. in City Hall, 333 W. Michigan Ave. Commissioners will work through a lengthy agenda that includes approval of more than $105,000 in drinking water chemicals, nearly $42,000 for citywide tree and stu...

06/15/2026

Watershed Voice was featured today on SuccessfulJournalism.com for its work in Southwest Michigan.

See what Executive Editor Alek Haak-Frost and Staff Writer Maxwell Knauer had to say about producing independent journalism without a paywall.

“I believe in equity and equality through access and making sure that folks, regardless of what their income level is, regardless of their station in life, if they can find a Wi Fi signal, they can read our news, and they can have the same information as everybody else,” Alek said.

By J. Cav Scott, Lab Reporter Most people who reach a paywall give up and turn to another digital outlet with free news. Paywalls can seem like a path to sustainability, but one Michigan news organization has found a way forward without subscription revenue. And it’s working. “I believe