Now that the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) approved final state and congressional maps, the contours of the 2022 election are becoming clearer for candidates.
Kalamazoo
City Manager Joe Bippus announced Friday that Ronald “Scott” Boling will be the next Three Rivers Police Chief, succeeding longtime Police Chief Tom Bringman who retired in November. Boling most recently served as police chief of the Schoolcraft Police Department where Bippus has previously been employed as a patrol officer in addition to his duties as city manager. It is unclear whether Bippus still serves in any capacity with the Schoolcraft PD.
At the top of this week’s episode Alek and Doug address Monday’s troubling news that teachers within the Three Rivers Community Schools system were asked to remove Pride flags in their classrooms in response to an “external challenge” by an unidentified party.
The hosts of Keep Your Voice Down are also joined by Sarah Lee, Director of Marketing Communications at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. The trio discusses Sarah’s role at KZCF, her upbringing in Malaysia and how she became deeply rooted in Kalamazoo, the importance of being “equity-minded” when addressing matters of social and racial injustice, the foundation’s efforts to support local journalism, and the story behind the formation of the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative.
Former TRDDA Executive Director Brian Persky joined Doug and Alek on Keep Your Voice Down this week to discuss downtown Three Rivers, his work with Discover Kalamazoo, the hierarchy of Halloween Candy, and why being a Detroit Lions fan is basically a combat sport.
WSV’s fall member drive begins today and Executive Editor Alek Haak-Frost would like to have a quick word with you about it.
The event focused on disparities in health care, homelessness and the availability of jobs for LGBTQ people.
District Judge Paul Maloney blocked Western Michigan University on Tuesday from imposing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement on four female soccer players who claimed the requirements infringed on their constitutional religious rights.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced plans in Detroit on Tuesday to make a significant investment in affordable housing that addresses the health, safety and well-being of Michigan residents. The proposal would assist 6,000 Michiganders, produce 2,000 rental housing units, and leverage an additional $380 million in private funding, while creating 1,600 jobs.
Rick Haglund writes, “[…] At a time when most new jobs paying a living wage require a certificate or degree beyond high school, Michigan is falling far short of needed support for higher education. The result is a state economy that lacks enough skilled and highly educated workers needed to attract technology and other knowledge-based employers.”
Doug and Alek are joined by recording artist and Kalamazoo native Sherridan Harris to discuss his debut album “Day in the Life,” his songwriting process, the difference he sees between the likes of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, and the Southwest Michigan music scene.
U.S. House Democrats’ highway funding bill is poised to include roughly three out of five transportation projects submitted by members, as legislators vie for their share of federal dollars through the resurrected congressional earmarks process. Michigan is poised to receive $210 million spread over 68 projects throughout the state.
The George Washington Carver Community Center hosted a virtual event on Thursday, May 29 to discuss trauma, grief, and resilience, particularly as those issues intersect with the African American community and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Buy a regular monthly subscription or a monthly Champion subscription today, and be entered to win this collection of items from World Fare, Weenie Kings, and GG’s Cookies!
A 53-year-old White Pigeon man was airlifted to Kalamazoo Monday following a car vs. motorcycle crash at the intersection of Banker Street Road and Burgener Road in Florence Township.
A Kalamazoo man is currently lodged in St. Joseph County Jail on multiple charges after he led deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department on a chase through Three Rivers Friday, April 2.
After 25 years, Rebecca McKee is back in the classroom, although this time it is virtual, and her tuition and mandatory fees are now covered through the Futures for Frontliners program put into place by the State of Michigan last year.
WSV’s Michael “Hogey” Hogoboom waxes poetic about many Southwest Michiganders’ favorite sign of Spring: The return of Oberon.
Watershed Voice set out to find how this pandemic is affecting young people in southwest Michigan, speaking to local mental health experts and teens alike. Throughout the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has drastically altered lives across the world; people have lost their jobs, lost loved ones, and had to put their lives on hold. That feeling of going on pause has especially affected young people, who feel removed from some of the most formative years of their lives. It’s no wonder these feelings of isolation and helplessness have taken a toll on child and adolescent mental health.