To truly encapsulate 2023 would mean rehashing some stories we’d rather not touch on again concerning local officials behaving badly, tragic accidents and/or death. So instead we’ve curated a selection of stories that either ranked among our most read or that we’ve deemed most impactful and worthy of another look before we close the books on 2023.
Author: Alek Haak-Frost
As we approach the final days of 2023, we are taking a look back at Keep Your Voice Down’s most listened-to episodes of the year. Check out the list here.
A message from Executive Editor and Publisher Alek Haak-Frost regarding the final six days of Watershed Voice’s year-end fundraising campaign.
Hosts Alek Haak-Frost and Doug Sears Jr. are joined by Watershed Voice’s resident holiday expert Steph Hightree for a very special episode of Keep Your Voice Down. After a brief NewsMatch update, the greatest trio since Garfield, Holland, and Maguire discuss elves on shelves, new and old traditions, the legitimacy of ham, Christmas cats, their favorite holiday films, and more. So grab your egg nog and glorified rice because it’s about to get real — festive.
The Three Rivers City Commission will meet tonight Tuesday, December 19 at 6 p.m. at Three Rivers City Hall (333 W. Michigan Ave.) with an agenda that includes a request from Surf Internet to install fiber optics in the city’s rights of way.
With a mere 18 days left in our year end fundraiser, we were informed that thanks to additional support from a national funder, NewsMatch will now match up to $15,000 for each participating newsroom.
The Sturgis City Commission will meet on Wednesday, December 13 at 6 p.m. at Sturgis City Hall (130 N. Ottawa St.) for a regularly scheduled meeting. Here is a preview of Wednesday’s agenda.
As we reach the end of 2023, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the stories that had the biggest impact on our community this year. Let us take you through some of the highlights to illustrate why your financial support is crucial to this work.
Immaculate Conception Catholic School’s free showing of The Polar Express (2004) at the Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers drew over 580 people Sunday. The annual event aims to fight hunger in St. Joseph County by asking attendees to bring a donation of canned goods or non-perishable food items.
The Three Rivers City Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 5 at Three Rivers City Hall (333 W. Michigan Ave.) with water testing costs and dog park rules on the agenda.
The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation into Brittany Shank’s disappearance remains open, as they continue to follow up on tips and leads. Meanwhile, the community is doing its part to raise awareness with a “Light Up the Night” event this evening at 6 p.m. (Free Church Park, 203 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis).
We believe in the generosity and kindness of this community, and we’re hoping you’ll join in with a contribution this #GivingTuesday or what we prefer to call #GivingNewsDay.
Keep Your Voice Down Presents: This interview with Matt Erspamer, a journalist, copy writer, and film and television critic, who also happens to have went to Central Michigan University with hosts Alek Haak-Frost and Doug Sears, Jr. The three CMU journalism school alums discuss a new partnership between Matt and Watershed Voice, the pros and cons of streaming services acting as movie studios, the origin of Matt’s passion for cinema, and why only one of them is currently practicing journalism.
The Three Rivers City Commission will meet tonight at 6 p.m. at Three Rivers City Hall (333 W. Michigan Ave.) with a full agenda on tap, and a citizen rally concerning the cost and quality of the city’s water expected.
As we end this year, and embark upon a new one, we’re asking for your help to ensure that Watershed Voice has the funding it needs to not only exist another year but for years to come.
The Sturgis Downtown Development Authority is putting on an event sure to please local chocolate lovers with “Chocolate in the city” on Friday, November 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m
A rally, organized by local group With Many Hands, is expected to take place at next week’s Three Rivers city commission meeting on Tuesday, November 21.
Despite an uncommon number of contested races on this year’s Three Rivers city ballot, there will be no new faces on the city commission in 2024.