In 2022, Stewart Rhodes was convicted in federal court of seditious conspiracy related to the January 6 attack and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was later granted clemency by President Donald Trump in January 2025.
According to district materials, the proposal would fund improvements at multiple schools buildings, including Sturgis High School, elementary schools, the middle school, and support facilities. Projects include roof replacements, restroom renovations, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades, secure entry vestibules, boiler replacements, classroom and library renovations, and site improvements such as sidewalks, parking and drainage. The proposal also includes athletic and extracurricular upgrades, such as new synthetic turf for football, baseball, and softball fields; a new running track and field event areas; updated stadium lighting and seating, and expanded athletic restroom facilities.
Citywide, 6,292 registered voters reside in Three Rivers, and 1,231 cast ballots, for an overall turnout of 19.56%. Turnout was slightly higher in Precinct 1 (24.17%) than in Precinct 2 (15.97%). Across both precincts, voters 60 and older had the highest participation rate at 37.19%, continuing a trend of strong turnout among older residents. In contrast, representing the lower end, voters ages 22–30 had a participation rate of 7.32%, while voters ages 18–21 participated at a similarly low rate of 6.74%.
Candidates have until the end of business on Friday, October 24, giving them approximately two weeks to complete and return their questionnaires. Watershed Voice will publish the questionnaires in the order received the week before November's election.
Despite the scope and impact of local offices and proposals, off-cycle elections typically draw limited participation. Cass County’s May and August contests, for instance, saw turnout of just 12 percent and 11 percent. Yet as Cass County Clerk Monica McMichael told Watershed Voice, these decisions matter. “I don’t think people realize how much power township boards and local entities have. They enforce zoning, they approve building permits, they can levy taxes. It has a huge effect on individuals,” she said.
Community members called for the removal of Flock cameras, and city staff provided an update on the search for a new city manager during Monday's Kalamazoo City Commission meeting.
The event, themed “Power in the Park!”, is organized by Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo and Paw Paw Indivisible — two local chapters of the national Indivisible.org network. Lead organizer Ken Greschak said the festival is a direct response to “efforts to dismantle our nation’s democratic institutions and to defund critical federal programs and services.”
This week Cass County launched an email subscription service that will provide updates on upcoming local elections. The emails will include absentee ballot deadline reminders, ballot information, and other election notices.
“Gary Nissley, who runs a local trash service here in town, told us that without recycling, the amount of trash people set out — and the size of the Toters they’ll need — will increase drastically. In my own family of six, our recycle bin is full every week, while our trash is just a couple of small bags. Most of what we generate goes into recycling, and if that ends, everyone’s trash bill will go up,” Aaron Miller said.
The Third District Commissioner seat will appear on the ballot, but no candidates are running. The seat is currently held by Chris Abel, who is not seeking reelection.
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