The arrival of Santa Claus was among highlights for “Dashing Through Downtown,” which took place Dec. 4-6 in Sturgis. He arrived with escort from a Department of Safety fire truck, preceded by Sturgis High School’s marching band and flag team, starting…

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education approved the hiring of Heather George as multiple pathways principal.In the role, George will oversee adult education in Centreville, Sturgis and Three Rivers; educational services at Juvenile Day Treatment (JDT) in Three Rivers; shared…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A new court in St. Joseph County coming next year is looking to tackle abuse and neglect cases in the county that have to do with substance use.On Tuesday, the Executive Committee of the…

DECEMBERDec. 12Christmas market, 4-8 p.m., Radiant Life Church, Sturgis. Dec. 13Christmas market, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Radiant Life Church, Sturgis. Live nativity, 5-7 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sturgis.Dec. 16 St. Joseph County Commission meeting, 5 p.m., historic courthouse, Centreville.Sturgis Planning Commission meeting, 5:30…

Fuller found guilty in Centreville pursuit/weapons caseCENTREVILLE — A 34-year-old Three Rivers man was found guilty last week of 10 felony county arising from a March 2025 police pursuit and a subsequent discovery of drugs and illegal weapons.Caron Fuller was…

Sentencing scheduled for Jan. 23 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director This article has been updated to reflect the actual age of Sand as 34. The Commercial-News apologizes for the error. CENTREVILLE — A former contracted food service employee at Mendon Junior/Senior…

Santa Claus arrived Friday for “Dashing Through Downtown” in Sturgis.  He arrived with escort from city of Sturgis fire engine, preceded by Sturgis High School’s marching band, proceeding from the depot to Free Church Park, where revelers could meet him…

The debate over America’s border policies often gets tangled in national politics, angry cable-news segments, and social-media shouting. But beneath all that noise, the issue comes down to something our readers in Allegan, Clare, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Jackson…

City of Sturgis is conducing a scheduled power outage in the Elaine Drive and Vicky Drive area on Dec. 2, to complete schedule work. Tuesday, December 2nd to complete work.  Please see the attached map for exact outage locations. The interruption…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director DETROIT — Schoolcraft’s first trip to the MHSAA Division 7 football state finals since 2001 Sunday ended in defeat, as the Eagles were stifled by a relentless Menominee team in a 34-6 loss at Ford Field.…

The city of Sturgis has declared a snow-removal emergency, effective beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, due to a forecast of accumulation of more than 4 inches. By ordinance, during a declared snow removal emergency parking is prohibited on…

Events scheduled to mark Shank disappearance, offer support  On Sunday, Nov. 30, two events are scheduled to honor Brittany Wallace Shank, who went missing seven years ago.  Shank went missing around 9 p.m. Nov. 30, 2018, following a vehicle crash.…

With the high school boys’ basketball season coming up at the start of December, it’s important to know where your local teams are playing and when! The following list is a compendium of all the local high school varsity boys’…

With the high school girls’ basketball season coming up at the start of December, it’s important to know where your local teams are playing and when! The following list is a compendium of all the local high school varsity girls’…

“National pride is to countries what self-respect is to individuals: a necessary condition for self-improvement.” -Richard RortyChewing gun, while peeling onions, will keep you from crying.The Golden Rule has been around for many years and is interpreted in many languages,…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — One of the classic idioms in the English language involves going out on a high note, where a person finishes out something they’ve done at their most successful point.For St. Joseph County Intermediate School…

Paving on Grand Avenue in Sturgis concluded Nov. 20. It’s the final street project scheduled for 2025.The pump station project started in early August. Initially, it was set for completion the first week of November. Delayed equipment delivery caused some…

By Rick CordesC-N Correspondent THREE RIVERS — What started on October 20 as a routine morning of lawn mowing duties turned suddenly intense when John Gavin, owner of Gavin Lawn Care, heard an alarming noise.“I was in the front yard,…

Every year, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate release their official calendars, and every year the same disbelief follows: this is how many days our elected lawmakers plan to work?I saw the House of Representatives schedule for next…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — For decades, Make We Merry was a staple of the holiday season in the Three Rivers area. The annual holiday variety show, originally put on by the Three Rivers Community Players as their…