Eymer hired as director at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts

Eymer hired as director at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts

Dennis VolkertSep 28, 20231 min read

Jamie Eymer, of LaGrange, Ind., was hired by the city of Sturgis as director at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, effective Sept. 25.  In June, Eymer joined SYCA as event coordinator.  She brings experience in marketing, sales, hospitality and event…

Board approves settlement agreement for Perez vs. Sturgis Public Schools

Board approves settlement agreement for Perez vs. Sturgis Public Schools

Dennis VolkertSep 19, 20232 min read

At a closed session Monday, Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education approved a settlement agreement in the case of Perez vs. Sturgis Public Schools, filed in 2018.  The case made its way to U.S. Supreme Court, then was re-directed to…

Guidelines established for ‘extreme weather center’ concept in Sturgis

Guidelines established for ‘extreme weather center’ concept in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertSep 17, 20232 min read

Sturgis City Commissioners have approved revision to codes and zoning ordinances to accommodate establishment of “extreme weather” centers. An extreme weather center, or EWC, is defined as a building that provides a location on a temporary basis for residents during…

Contingency budget approved to complete West Congress Street project in Sturgis

Contingency budget approved to complete West Congress Street project in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertSep 15, 20232 min read

Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday approved a supplemental contingency budget of $45,000 for the West Congress Street improvement project.  The construction, which involves the stretch from South Centerville to South Clay, has hit a standstill within the past month, due…

Sturges-Young ‘Performance Series’ announced, season tickets available beginning Sept. 5

Sturges-Young ‘Performance Series’ announced, season tickets available beginning Sept. 5

Dennis VolkertSep 4, 20231 min read

Sturges-Young Center for the Arts has announced its “Performance Series” entertainment lineup for 2023-24.  It includes a variety of genres: comedy, classical music, pop music and theatrical performances.  Series tickets are available for purchase Sept. 5-Oct. 12. Season ticket price…

Flint-based Insight proposes acquisition of Sturgis Hospital

Flint-based Insight proposes acquisition of Sturgis Hospital

Dennis VolkertAug 29, 20233 min read

Insight, a health-care organization headquartered in Flint, Michigan, has signed a letter of intent to acquire Sturgis Hospital and has entered into a period of “due diligence.” Sturgis City Commission held a special meeting Monday to discuss details of the…

Work continues on splash pad in Sturgis

Work continues on splash pad in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertAug 28, 20231 min read

Concrete was poured Aug. 21 for the main portion of the splash pad at Thurston Woods Park in Sturgis.  On Aug. 18, workers finished concrete work for the surrounding area.   According to city manager Andrew Kuk, work continues with…

New speed limit set for East Lafayette Street in Sturgis

New speed limit set for East Lafayette Street in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertAug 24, 20232 min read

Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday voted to approve establishment of a 45 mph speed limit on East Lafayette Street, between Lakeview Avenue and Franks Avenue, and 25 mph when school is in session.  Barry Cox, city engineer, provided details to…

Food service-enhancement process underway at Sturgis Public Schools

Food service-enhancement process underway at Sturgis Public Schools

Dennis VolkertAug 15, 20232 min read

Art Ebert, superintendent at Sturgis Public Schools, outlined a food service-improvement plan for Sturgis Public Schools.  It is a multi-phase process, Ebert told the board of education on Monday.   Preliminary phase During the 2022-23 academic year, consultant Rusty Stitt…

Bobalik announces retirement as clerk in Sturgis Township

Bobalik announces retirement as clerk in Sturgis Township

Dennis VolkertAug 8, 20232 min read

Mike Bobalik has announced his retirement as clerk for Sturgis Township, effective Sept. 1.  He made the formal proclamation Monday at the monthly meeting of Sturgis Township Board of Trustees. Bobalik was appointed to the position in 2012, and has…

Sturgis Hospital receives ‘Rural Emergency’ designation

Sturgis Hospital receives ‘Rural Emergency’ designation

Dennis VolkertAug 3, 20232 min read

Sturgis Hospital has received designation as a “Rural Emergency Hospital.”  Selection was granted by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.  Jeremy Grump, interim CEO at Sturgis Hospital, said the facility is the…

‘Library On The Lawn’ is part of youth literacy outreach in Sturgis

‘Library On The Lawn’ is part of youth literacy outreach in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertAug 2, 20231 min read

Sturgis District Library invites community members to “Library On The Lawn” 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Oaklawn Terrace Park. The free-admission event is intended to embrace a love of reading. Attendees are encouraged to take their favorite book, along with…

Sturgis Neighborhood Program unveils latest home-build project

Sturgis Neighborhood Program unveils latest home-build project

Dennis VolkertJul 29, 20231 min read

Unveiling was held July 20 for Sturgis Neighborhood Program’s latest home-build, at 116 S. Orange St. It is 3-bedroom, 2-bath, with a full basement and mechanical room, 2-car garage and rear patio.  Wally Wheeler, instructor at CTE construction trades, said…

Small-home community concept explored in Sturgis

Small-home community concept explored in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertJul 28, 20232 min read

A unique housing concept is under consideration in Sturgis.  Sturgis City Commission on July 26 heard a presentation regarding a proposed clustered single-family housing project at 208 N. Prospect St.  That property is a vacant parcel owned by Sturgis Housing…

‘Urban chickens’ proposal could go to Sturgis voters in 2024

‘Urban chickens’ proposal could go to Sturgis voters in 2024

Dennis VolkertJul 28, 20232 min read

It’s possible Sturgis voters will decide in 2024 if city residents are allowed to have chickens on their property.  In March, city commissioners referred a recommendation to Sturgis Planning Commission for development of an “urban chicken” ordinance. Since then, the…

Monica Smith to resign as executive director at Sturgis Neighborhood Program

Dennis VolkertJul 22, 20232 min read

Monica Smith will resign as executive director at Sturgis Neighborhood Program, effective July 28, after 23 years in the position.  Tracey Parker, SNP board president, made the announcement this week.  Smith was hired as executive director of the non-profit agency…

Fire destroys restaurant, apartment units in Burr Oak

Fire destroys restaurant, apartment units in Burr Oak

Dennis VolkertJul 21, 20231 min read

The building that housed It Takes A Village Diner and two upper-level apartment units was destroyed by fire early today in Burr Oak.  Three people were present in the apartment area at the time, but were able to escape safely,…

3 teaching hires approved at Sturgis Public Schools

Dennis VolkertJul 18, 20231 min read

Sturgis Board of Education on Monday approved employment of three teachers at Sturgis Public Schools.  Katie Kruse, math, Sturgis High School. Kruse has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Grand Valley State University, with a minor in physical education. Previously,…

3 street projects to begin next week in Sturgis

3 street projects to begin next week in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertJul 18, 20231 min read

Beginning next week, road construction crews will begin work on additional street improvements in several areas of the city of Sturgis.  Barricades are being staged today, July 14th, with  Anticipated start date for the projects is July 19.  Work will…

Long-anticipated roundabout open for traffic in Sturgis

Long-anticipated roundabout open for traffic in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertJul 18, 20231 min read

Dennis Volkert / SentinelA roundabout at the intersection of East Lafayette Street and North Franks Avenue, the first of its kind in Sturgis, opened July 13. This view is from Franks, facing north. By Dennis Volkert A roundabout at the…