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Tie-dyed to eternity: Remembering Pat McKenzie
Patrick “Largemouth Bass” McKenzie was a performer many described as larger than life. Whether you saw him DJing under the name “Largemouth Bass” or performing alongside Travis Wagner as the duo “Fendz,” you were left with an impression that would be difficult to forget.
He was known for his tie-dye shirts and his ability to engage a crowd. He was a beloved performer, brother, friend, and son. On September 4, 2026, McKenzie passed away peacefully in his sleep.
About Watershed Voice
Your voice, your stories.
Watershed Voice is an independent, nonprofit civic news magazine based in Three Rivers, Michigan. We seek to highlight solutions to your pressing concerns in an effort to make our community a better place.
Our Latest
A play inspired by the Flint crisis is coming to Kalamazoo this October
The Poisoner, a neo-noir thriller inspired by the Flint water crisis, is coming to Kalamazoo’s Judy K. Jolliffee Theatre for three performances from October 22 through October 24 as part of a seven-city national tour.
Written by first-time playwright M.M. Haney and directed and developed by two-time Obie Award-winning director Lee Sunday Evans, the fictional story follows a journalist who returns to his hometown and begins investigating a water crisis.
Findings of investigation into Sturgis City Commission conduct leaves key questions unanswered
After a closed session during their September 23 meeting, the Sturgis City Commission unanimously voted to release the findings of the external investigation by Miller Johnson that looked into alleged wrongdoing by commissioners. The report details the events leading up to the public controversy, the investigator’s findings, and his legal conclusions regarding the commissioners’ conduct.
This story presents the events chronologically, drawing on the investigator’s findings and the accounts of those interviewed.
Sturgis approves release of investigation findings
The unanimous decision to release the findings came after a nearly two and a half hour closed session during which commissioners discussed the findings of the investigation, and what would be released to the public.
The decision to open an investigation came after weeks of Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins and City Commissioner Aaron Miller calling for Mayor Frank Perez to step down before attempting to remove and censure him. Mullins and Miller alleged that Perez and other commissioners contributed to an environment that led to former City Manager Andrew Kuk’s resignation.
This is a developing story and Watershed Voice will provide updates as they become available. Staff Writer Maxwell Knauer is working on securing the investigation findings and will provide coverage once he has done so.
Why talking about suicide matters
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Watershed Voice encourages you to check in on your loved ones, yourself, and reflect on ways to look out for signs that people in your life are struggling.
The topic of suicide is often considered taboo and difficult to talk about. However, Nicolette Cole, a veteran navigator at Pivotal and instructor for its QPR suicide prevention training, says avoiding the topic can be part of the problem.
Cass County town hall to discuss data centers and local impact
SaveCassCounty is hosting a town hall in Cassopolis Sunday to discuss concerns around data centers, Fibrosan, and solar farms across Cass County. The organization has invited the public and elected officials to attend the second of two town halls organized by the group.
The town hall will be held on Sunday, September 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Ross Beatty High School Auditorium, 22721 Diamond Cove Street, Cassopolis, Michigan.
Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission
The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, September 23, at 6 p.m. at City Hall for a regular business meeting. Commissioners will consider a $616,000 water clarifier replacement and contingency budget, more than $512,000 in street resurfacing work, a $116,800 change order for the electric building project, and a proposed increase in the contracted hourly rate for a Forestry Field Manager.
