Jared Smith, 49, faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child younger than 13 and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child younger than 13, according to Calhoun County court records.
The full proposal is available in an interactive format on the city’s website under the City Budgets section. City officials said the 2026 plan is built around community priorities outlined in the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 Strategic Vision, now transitioning into Imagine Kalamazoo 2035, and reflects direction from the Kalamazoo City Commission’s March 2025 retreat.
Conditions forced organizers to reschedule the Holiday Light Parade to December 19 and cancel Sunday’s horse-drawn wagon rides, which may be offered at a later date.
Commissioners unanimously voted to direct staff to identify a more suitable date and potentially a larger venue for the first reading of an ordinance that would rezone 4301 Stadium Drive, the Asylum Lake property.
Watershed Voice has compiled a list of free or low-cost Thanksgiving resources available across St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties. These options are in addition to regularly scheduled food pantry services offered throughout the region.
To discuss Three Rivers’ future desires for the cameras, Watershed Voice reached out to a representative of the Three Rivers Police Department but was told all media requests are now to be directed to City Manager Joe Bippus. Multiple attempts to seek comment from Bippus were made but, as of the publication of this article, Bippus has yet to respond.
“I’ve never felt like it was work because I’ve always liked what I’ve done,” Belote said. “I’ve been very lucky.”
Stanfill said the two biggest issues facing the City of Three Rivers are the water system and city-code enforcement. Stanfill committed to addressing water-related internal city processes and said he is hopeful for change, but didn't provide further details. “I believe there’s some positive light headed our way in regards to our water. You know, I’ll let that play out organically and refrain from any further comment on that at this time,” Stanfill said, adding that he doesn't want to speak for other commissioners or city staff.
Watershed Voice Executive Editor Alek Haak-Frost writes, "I, for one, would love to see Pogs make a comeback. My stepmother took my Pogs away one day as punishment for something lost to the sands of time, and I never saw them again. Like, ever. "So what does any of this have to do with rural newsrooms? Watershed Voice, much like my beloved Pogs, could be taken away, never to be seen or heard from again. Not because my stepmom forgot to give it back but because support for local journalism has dwindled, and rural newsrooms are almost as endangered as Blockbuster Video or Hot 'n Now (good looking out, Sturgis)."
The weekend concludes Sunday, November 30, with two free showings of The Polar Express at the Riviera Theatre at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item. Caroling, hot cocoa, and horse-drawn carriage rides will also be available in the afternoon.
A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR
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