‘Cross Walk’ held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis

‘Cross Walk’ held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertApr 18, 20251 min read

Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis held its traditional Good Friday “Cross Walk” on April 18. It began with a brief service at the chapel, then the group walked along Lakeview Avenue and other nearby streets, singing hymns along the way,…

Spring brush collection underway in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertApr 3, 20252 min read

The city of Sturgis began brush pick-up service this week.  Routine early-spring collection had been scheduled to start April 7, but timeline was shifted due to severe damage from a storm that hit the area March 30.  Crews from Department…

Demonstration held in Sturgis to protest government policies

Demonstration held in Sturgis to protest government policies

Dennis VolkertApr 2, 20252 min read

A demonstration was held March 28 near the intersection of U.S. 12 and Centerville Road in Sturgis, protesting some policies that are unfolding during the early phase of Donald Trump’s second administration.  An estimated 80 people took part, organizers said. …

Resolution of most Sturgis power outages expected by end of day

Resolution of most Sturgis power outages expected by end of day

Dennis VolkertApr 1, 20251 min read

Electric crews in Sturgis have power outages down to fewer than 100 customers, as they continue to work to restore service in the aftermath of the March 30 storm. The majority of the remaining outages are small clusters of a…

Brush collection begins April 2 in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertMar 31, 20252 min read

In aftermath of the March 30 storm, the city of Sturgis will begin brush pickup on April 2, instead of the scheduled April 7 start.  Crews from Department of Public Works will begin on the north side of the city…

Sturgis outages reduced to about 300 customers

Sturgis outages reduced to about 300 customers

Dennis VolkertMar 31, 20252 min read

City of Sturgis electric crews, aided by workers from other communities, continue to work to restore power in the aftermath of the March 30 storm, officials said.   Much of the work is within neighborhoods, involves replacing broken poles or is…

Sturgis Civic Players set for opening of ’Little Women’ 

Sturgis Civic Players set for opening of ’Little Women’ 

Dennis VolkertMar 25, 20254 min read

By Dennis Volkert “Little Women,” by Sturgis Civic Players, is presented at 7 p.m. March 28-29 and 2 p.m. March 30 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.  “Little Women” is based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel, following the lives of four sisters,…

Sturgis DPS warns of potential for frozen water lines

Sturgis DPS warns of potential for frozen water lines

Dennis VolkertJan 24, 20252 min read

With recent extreme cold, Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking residents to be aware of frozen water lines. To help prevent water lines from freezing, city officials recommend that residents allow a slow stream of water, around the size…

Chicken-keeping permits available beginning Jan. 13 in Sturgis

Chicken-keeping permits available beginning Jan. 13 in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertJan 13, 20251 min read

Beginning Jan. 13, the city of Sturgis will begin accepting permit applications for the keeping of chickens on residential property.  Applications are available at city hall, 130 N. Nottawa St., in the community development department.  Submitting an application does not…

Santa arrives at ‘Dashing Through Downtown’ in Sturgis

Santa arrives at ‘Dashing Through Downtown’ in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertDec 6, 20241 min read

Santa Claus got a fire truck ride to Free Church Park in Sturgis, on day two of “Dashing Through Downtown.” Sturgis High School marching band led the parade.  It came on day two of “Dashing Through Downtown,” presented by Sturgis…

Notices sent in Sturgis regarding lead water lines 

Dennis VolkertNov 15, 20242 min read

Over the past several years, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have introduced new rules for municipal water systems regarding lead service lines, the line running from the city’s water main into a…

Sturgis city organizational meeting postponed

Sturgis city organizational meeting postponed

Dennis VolkertNov 12, 20241 min read

Sturgis City Commission’s annual organization meeting scheduled for Monday is rescheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, prior to the regular board meeting.  The postponement is due to the change in election law, based on a statewide proposal in November…

Sturgis parking policy update reviewed by city commission

Sturgis parking policy update reviewed by city commission

Dennis VolkertOct 10, 20244 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commissioners on Wednesday gave a first review of proposed changes to the downtown parking policy. At a work session Aug. 28, staff and commissioners discussed potential revisions.  Proposals include accounting for new parking spaces being…

Josh Gracin show at Sturges-Young postponed, reschedule date pending

Josh Gracin show at Sturges-Young postponed, reschedule date pending

Dennis VolkertSep 30, 20241 min read

Josh Gracin’s performance, scheduled for Sept. 28 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, was postponed, due to illness.  Jamie Eymer, executive director at Sturges-Young, said organizers were notified Sept. 27 that Gracin would be unable to perform. SYCA officials are…

Community input sought regarding Eastwood School parking lot, driveways

Community input sought regarding Eastwood School parking lot, driveways

Dennis VolkertSep 27, 20241 min read

A “visioning” session to assess parking lots and driveways at Eastwood Elementary is set for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the school.  Community members are invited to attend. RSVP is required by Oct. 21, register at bit.ly/4eCNIHr. Dinner is served…

Exchange Club mum sale continues in Sturgis

Exchange Club mum sale continues in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertSep 13, 20241 min read

The fall mum sale, presented by Exchange Club of Sturgis, continues through 6 p.m. Sept. 13 and 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 14, or until supply is depleted.  All proceeds benefit local community services.  Site is 306 W. Chicago Road, at southeast…

One person injured in 3-vehicle crash in Sturgis

One person injured in 3-vehicle crash in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertSep 11, 20241 min read

A multi-vehicle crash resulted in injury Tuesday in Sturgis. Sturgis Department of Public Safety was dispatched to Chicago Road and Michigan Avenue.  Rescue personnel determined a 19-year-old man had fallen asleep at the wheel. That vehicle crossed the center line,…

Portion of North Nottawa Street in Sturgis to close for utilities projects

Portion of North Nottawa Street in Sturgis to close for utilities projects

Dennis VolkertAug 30, 20241 min read

Contractors for the city of Sturgis are scheduled to begin sewer work on North Nottawa Street, beginning Sept. 3.  The project will require closure of Nottawa from Main Street to Hatch Street for a duration of about three weeks.  During…

Q&A: ‘Homegrown’ festival endures and evolves

Q&A: ‘Homegrown’ festival endures and evolves

Dennis VolkertAug 7, 20247 min read

The 13th “Homegrown Art & Music Festival” takes place noon-10 p.m. Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Sturgis.  Six bands perform on the main stage. Other musicians are featured at the beer garden throughout the day. About 10 artists and artisans…

Britt Gross named assistant superintendent at Sturgis Public Schools

Britt Gross named assistant superintendent at Sturgis Public Schools

Dennis VolkertJul 22, 20243 min read

Britt Gross has been named assistant superintendent at Sturgis Public Schools.  The board of education approved the decision Monday at a special meeting, where she was introduced.  Gross served in several capacities at Polk County Public Schools in Florida, most…