Keep Your Voice Down: Bobbi Schoon Returns

Three Rivers Public Library Director Bobbi Schoon returns to Keep Your Voice Down to discuss the library’s involvement with the Smithsonian’s Spark! Places of Innovation program. Spark! explores the unique combination of places, people, and circumstances that sparks innovation and invention in rural communities. The Three Rivers Library will be hosting its very own exhibit alongside a traveling Smithsonian exhibit that will make its way to the library this summer.

Alek, Doug, and Bobbi also discuss Women’s History Month, National Reading Month, and the myriad of ways citizens of Three Rivers can engage with the library.

Keep Your Voice Down: Brittni Huyck

Local author and hairstylist Brittni Huyck drops by Keep Your Voice Down to talk about her Iron City Heat Series, a trio of what Alek calls “spicy novels” and Doug, an adult, calls romantic novels. The Three Rivers native describes her writing process, what her family, friends, and clients think of her “dirty books,” and what their support has meant to her. Brittni also talks about how her life, the people in it, and her experience as a hairstylist have influenced her creative endeavors.

Sheriff Mark Lillywhite to be charged with OWI, possession of firearm while intoxicated

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite was arrested in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 26 following a two-vehicle crash in Schoolcraft Township, according to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office. Lillywhite is expected to be arraigned on charges of operating while intoxicated and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

Keep Your Voice Down: Amber Ward, Jillian Gardner, Portfolio Ink

Alek and Doug are joined by Portfolio Ink owner and tattoo artist Amber Ward, and Portfolio shop manager Jillian Gardner. The quartet discuss Amber and Jillian’s respective upbringings, the interesting routes each took to the world of tattoos and piercings, how their love of art and artistic expression influences most everything they do, and their involvement in and support of Three Rivers Pride.

Recovery: Meetings in Three Rivers, Sturgis & Coldwater areas

In an effort to support the local recovery community and raise awareness of the options available to those looking to join a program, Watershed Voice will regularly publish a list of meetings available in Three Rivers, Sturgis, Coldwater, and surrounding areas.

Keep Your Voice Down: Aundrea Sayrie

Alek and Doug welcome poet, community activist, voice actor, author, and Watershed Voice columnist and board member Aundrea Sayrie. The long awaited interview with one of Watershed’s founding members doesn’t disappoint as Aundrea talks the origin story of Three Rivers Open Mic, her Black History Month series on WSV and why she decided to change the format this year, her ongoing health concerns and how they have changed her outlook on life, and an upcoming book she’s written about professional voice acting.

Fabius Township structure fire results in death of 91-year-old man

A 91-year-old Three Rivers man was pulled from a burning structure Sunday night in Fabius Township but was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department.

Keep Your Voice Down: Jackie Koney, The Mill at Vicksburg

This week on Keep Your Voice Down, Doug and Alek are joined by Jackie Koney, chief operating officer of The Mill at Vicksburg, and friend of the show, Dan Moyle. The quartet discuss the progress of The Mill project and its 110-acre campus being developed for craft brewing, entertainment, tourism and more, right here in Southwest Michigan.

Huss Project to host screening for MLK Day in Three Rivers

In lieu of Three Rivers’ annual Solidarity in Diversity event, which will not take place this year, *culture is not optional and the Huss Project (1008 8th St.) will host a screening of two episodes of “Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement” beginning at 4 p.m. Monday

Keep Your Voice Down: Beca Welty

Alek and Doug are joined by Watershed Voice’s new staff writer and longtime food columnist Beca Welty to discuss her new role, her journey from “Judge Welty’s kid” to super mom and super baker to community journalist, and her thoughts on the maddening, yet highly entertaining third season of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime.

Watershed Voice staff is taking a holiday break

The past year for Watershed Voice was eventful to say the least, and while we plan to have more on that later with some Year in Review pieces to start 2023, our staff needs a break to rest, recharge, reflect, and refocus in anticipation for the year to come.

Travel advisory issued for St. Joseph County effective Thursday afternoon

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has issued a travel advisory for the county effective at 4 p.m. today, Thursday, December 22 until 1 p.m. Saturday, December 24 to coincide with the National Weather Service-issued blizzard warning.

Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

The Three Rivers City Commission will hold its regularly scheduled meeting tonight at the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce building (1116 N. Main St.). Here’s a look at what’s on the docket.

Longtime Three Rivers city attorney to be honored Tuesday

City Attorney J. Patrick O’Malley will be honored at a reception prior to the Three Rivers City Commission meeting Tuesday, both of which will take place at the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce building (1116 N. Main St.)

Keep Your Voice Down: Money for Something, Clips Aren’t Free

Alek and Doug discuss the week that was in Three Rivers, the resurrection of the Three Rivers Commercial-News, the news landscape in St. Joseph County, and what the future may hold for Watershed Voice as a daily news source in this new era of community journalism.

Back from the Brink: Three Rivers Commercial-News to return as weekly under new ownership

The paper announced on its Facebook page Sunday that it would resume operations after a Southwest Michigan newspaper company, and a man named Mike Wilcox, swooped in at the last minute to save it. Shortly after the news was delivered, the original post was taken down, reportedly because the report was premature, and the deal had yet to be finalized. However, staff did receive confirmation on Monday that the deal is done.

St. Joseph County police pursuit ends with suspect nude and in handcuffs

A 38-year-old Centreville man is facing multiple charges after he led police on a chase Friday that ended with the suspect nude and in handcuffs.

Saying goodbye to an old friend

“The Three Rivers Commercial-News was a fixture in this community for 127 years. It preserved the town’s history, and provided vital information for its readers across parts of three centuries. It was the old guard, a publication that withstood so much, and meant even more to the people it served.”