Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel

No injuries in house fire on Maple Street in Sturgis, investigation of cause continues

No injuries in house fire on Maple Street in Sturgis, investigation of cause continues

Dennis Volkert Feb 5, 2026 1 min read

Sturgis Department of Public Safety’s fire division is investigating cause of a blaze Feb. 4 at a home at 229 N. Maple St.  Upon arrival, around 5 p.m., flames and smoke were visible from second-story windows on the north and…

Mike’s Musings: Messing with your brain to fix tremors, my week in a fog

Mike’s Musings: Messing with your brain to fix tremors, my week in a fog

Editorial Staff Feb 4, 2026 3 min read

It’s been a week.Struggling with the cold and snow has been one thing, but last Tuesday I had an appointment for focus ultrasound on the brain and since then I have literally been in a fog.Now some readers might point…

Sturgis man charged in alleged abuse of adopted daughter

Sturgis man charged in alleged abuse of adopted daughter

Robert Tomlinson Feb 3, 2026 3 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A Sturgis man was formally arraigned and charged Monday for the alleged sexual abuse of his adopted daughter over nearly a decade. According to St. Joseph County Prosecutor Deborah Davis, 57-year-old Raymond Bontrager was…

Sturgis man arrested on allegations of sexually assaulting adoptive daughter

Sturgis man arrested on allegations of sexually assaulting adoptive daughter

Robert Tomlinson Feb 2, 2026 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A Sturgis man was arrested Sunday on criminal sexual conduct charges that prosecutors allege stem from nine years of purported sexual abuse of his adoptive daughter. According to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office,…

City of Sturgis issues boil-water advisory

City of Sturgis issues boil-water advisory

Dennis Volkert Feb 1, 2026 2 min read

A water main break has led the city of Sturgis to issue a boil-water advisory for a limited number of homes on West West Street and North Clay Street.  The precautionary measure is due to a loss of pressure in…

Boys’ Basketball Roundup Colon’s Vinson gets 100th win as Magi roll Athens

Editorial Staff Jan 30, 2026 5 min read

COLON — Colon took down Athens last week, 61-40, and in the process, Magi coach Steve Vinson gained his 100th career victory as Colon head coach. A 21-6 first-quarter lead was all the winners needed to come out on top.…

Girls’ Basketball Roundup Sturgis splits close games against Otsego, Paw Paw

Editorial Staff Jan 30, 2026 4 min read

OTSEGO — The Sturgis girls suffered just their second loss of the season on Monday, as host Otsego edged the Trojans, 43-39.A second half comeback fell just short, as the Bulldogs held double-digit leads in both the third and fourth…

Permit for new massage establishment in TR recommended for approval Beebe: Talks may be coming of lessening burden for prospective massage businesses

Editorial Staff Jan 30, 2026 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A new massage establishment could soon be on the way to Three Rivers, and could, unrelated to its application, spark new conversations about the requirements for such businesses to come into the city.On…

Out and About: Kissing facts, regrets, and Valentines Day

Out and About: Kissing facts, regrets, and Valentines Day

Editorial Staff Jan 30, 2026 2 min read

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” -Abraham LincolnKissing Facts You Might Not Know

Multi-step process led to Sturgis Public Schools bond proposal

Editorial Staff Jan 30, 2026 5 min read

By Dennis Volkert On Jan. 12, Sturgis Board of Education approved a bond election resolution, by a 7-0 vote. Proposal details were approved by the board in November.The proposal is scheduled to appear on the May 5 election ballot. If approved…

Sand sentenced to 5-15 years for sexual assault of minors

Editorial Staff Jan 30, 2026 7 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A prison sentence was handed down Friday to a former food service worker at Mendon Junior/Senior High School accused of sexually assaulting minors.Kaitlyn Sand was sentenced by Judge Paul Stutesman in St. Joseph County…

New curbside recycling schedule begins immediately in Sturgis

New curbside recycling schedule begins immediately in Sturgis

Dennis Volkert Jan 29, 2026 1 min read

There has been some confusion about dates for curbside recycling in Sturgis, city manager Andrew Kuk said. The new contract is structured for collection every two weeks for each residence, instead of twice-monthly, as had been the case since the…

Mike’s Musings: Greenland Matters to U.S. Security — But Its People Should Choose Its Future

Mike’s Musings: Greenland Matters to U.S. Security — But Its People Should Choose Its Future

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 4 min read

My son and I have always toyed with the idea of living in Greenland. I being drawn to the heat, couldn’t survive 50 degrees below zero. My son on the other hand is drawn towards the cold and has fancied…

Snow-removal emergency in Sturgis

Dennis Volkert Jan 25, 2026 1 min read

City of Sturgis has declared a snow-removal emergency, in effect from noon today, Jan. 26, continuing until noon Monday, Dec. 27, to allow for efficient removal of snow. During the emergency, no parking is allowed on city streets. Vehicles that…

No one injured in Fabius Twp. house fire

Robert Tomlinson Jan 24, 2026 1 min read

FABIUS TWP. — No injuries were reported following an early-morning fire in Fabius Township Saturday morning. According to the Fabius-Park Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched at 3 a.m. to a home in the 11000 block of Lakeshore Drive for a…

Sand sentenced to 5-15 years for sexual assault of minors

Sand sentenced to 5-15 years for sexual assault of minors

Robert Tomlinson Jan 23, 2026 7 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A prison sentence was handed down Friday to a former food service worker at Mendon Junior/Senior High School accused of sexually assaulting minors. Kaitlyn Sand was sentenced by Judge Paul Stutesman in St. Joseph…

Out and About: Dogs, Icebreaker, and winning at life

Out and About: Dogs, Icebreaker, and winning at life

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

“Where liberty is, there is my country.” ~ Benjamin FranklinStrange but true facts about dogs:

Remanded Lowry annexation on agenda for Boundary Commission

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — An annexation request that was remanded to the State Boundary Commission via court order last month is now officially on the agency’s agenda.On Feb. 11 at 10 a.m., Michigan’s State Boundary Commission will take…

Proposed revision to zoning district structure reviewed by city commission

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 3 min read

At its Jan. 14 meeting, Sturgis City Commission reviewed proposed zoning district changes that could affect 32 properties. The proposal is organized into three groups. Group 1 involves two properties that were purchased by Economic Development Corporation several years ago, with the…

Longtime Doyle director Mike Liston retires

Longtime Doyle director Mike Liston retires

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 5 min read

By Steve Eldridge STURGIS — After almost 28 years of working for the City of Sturgis, the last 18 as the director of the Doyle Center, Mike Liston has retired. His last official day on the job was Thursday, Jan.…