Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel

Mike’s Musings: Why Michigan Should Say “No” to Ranked-Choice Voting

Mike’s Musings: Why Michigan Should Say “No” to Ranked-Choice Voting

Editorial Staff Oct 22, 2025 5 min read

As Michigan stands at a crossroad on whether to adopt Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) statewide, voters and policymakers ought to pause and ask: what problem is RCV truly solving — and at what cost? The case against this change is stronger…

Tennis Roundup TR defeats Pennfield, end season at regionals

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 2 min read

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ boys’ tennis team ended the regular season with a 4-3 win over Battle Creek Pennfield on Wednesday, Oct. 8.Winning for Three Rivers was Carter Fuller 6-4, 6-0 over Pennfield’s Johnny Franks at No. 3 singles;…

Cross Country Roundup TR boys finish runner-up at Wolverine Conference championships

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 4 min read

PAW PAW — Three Rivers’ boys’ cross country team finished as runners-up in the Wolverine Conference, losing a close race to Otsego 64-70 Tuesday at the Wolverine Conference Championship in Paw Paw.Three Wildcat runners finished in the top 16 to…

Out and About: Helpful hints, hunting season, and Lake Erie

Out and About: Helpful hints, hunting season, and Lake Erie

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 4 min read

“For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” -Khalil GibranBeing retired and on a fixed budget, I’m always looking for ways to save a few bucks, and being a nice guy, I am…

Fall Festival brings autumnal fun to downtown Three Rivers

Fall Festival brings autumnal fun to downtown Three Rivers

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Downtown Three Rivers was bustling with activity last weekend, as a new festival brought the autumn season to Main Street and Portage Avenue.Saturday, Oct. 11 was the first-ever Fall Festival in downtown Three…

Deep Blue Something embraces a return to recording, touring, with new LP: Texas-based alt-rock group to open Sturges-Young season series

Deep Blue Something embraces a return to recording, touring, with new LP: Texas-based alt-rock group to open Sturges-Young season series

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 6 min read

By Dennis Volkert Deep Blue Something opens the 2025-26 performance series at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.The show is at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Ticket price starts at $35. Season tickets are available through that date as well.Deep Blue Something…

Sturgis commissioners OK property transfer, facility upgrades

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 3 min read

Sturgis City Commission approved several measures or requests at its Oct. 8 meeting. Commissioners adopted a resolution of property transfer from Sturgis Township into the city, at the request of Metalloid Corporation. According to city engineer Barry Cox, on Aug. 4, 2000, the…

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 4 min read

OCTOBERThroughout OctoberSturgis Historical Museum hours: 10 am..-2 p.m. Saturday, and by appointment, sturgismueseum@gmail.com, 269-503-7440.Oct. 18“Boo Bash 5K,” 9 a.m., fundraiser for Thurston Woods Village benevolent fund; registration fee $25.Oct. 20Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education meeting, 5:30 p.m., Sturgis Central…

Police arrest wanted suspect day after hours-long police presence in Three Rivers

Police arrest wanted suspect day after hours-long police presence in Three Rivers

Editorial Staff Oct 17, 2025 3 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers police on Wednesday arrested a suspect that was wanted on a felony warrant following an hours-long police presence in Three Rivers Tuesday.According to Three Rivers police, officers from the Three Rivers…

Mike’s Musings: A time to celebrate, hostages have been released

Mike’s Musings: A time to celebrate, hostages have been released

Editorial Staff Oct 15, 2025 4 min read

I don’t care how bad your Trump Derangement Syndrome might be, you have to give the man credit for orchestrating a deal that released the 20 living Israeli hostages from the grips of Hamas on Monday.On Monday, the world witnessed…

Suspect arrested day after hours-long police presence in Three Rivers

Suspect arrested day after hours-long police presence in Three Rivers

Robert Tomlinson Oct 14, 2025 3 min read

UPDATED 12:25 P.M. THURSDAY, OCT. 16 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers police on Wednesday arrested a suspect that was wanted on a felony warrant following an hours-long police presence in Three Rivers Tuesday. According to Three…

Golf Roundup: TR’s Oestrike qualifies for state finals; TR 11th at regional

Editorial Staff Oct 10, 2025 2 min read

CHARLOTTE — Three Rivers’ Elizabeth Oestrike qualified for the MHSAA Division 3 girls’ golf finals following her shooting a 94 at the Division 3 Region 15 tournament at Forest Akers East Golf Club Wednesday.Oestrike’s 94 placed her 11th overall individually.…

TR-Sturgis soccer match abandoned in second half due to player, fan conduct

Editorial Staff Oct 10, 2025 4 min read

‘Safety concerns’ cited by referee By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A boys’ soccer game last week between Three Rivers and Sturgis was abandoned in the second half due to behavior of players and fans in attendance. In an…

Battery storage rules advance in Lockport after begrudging vote by Planning Comm.

Battery storage rules advance in Lockport after begrudging vote by Planning Comm.

Editorial Staff Oct 10, 2025 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — A proposed amendment that would allow for battery energy storage systems (BESS) to be included in a solar energy ordinance in Lockport Township cleared its first hurdle last week despite numerous objections by…

Ceremony marks 100th year for Congress School

Ceremony marks 100th year for Congress School

Editorial Staff Oct 10, 2025 3 min read

By Dennis Volkert “This isn’t about a building.”Versions of that phrase were uttered more than once on Oct. 3, as community members, current and former teachers and administrators attended a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of Congress Elementary School…

Pivotal breaks ground on new Centreville addition

Pivotal breaks ground on new Centreville addition

Editorial Staff Oct 10, 2025 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County’s mental health and substance use treatment facility will be expanding over the next year.On Tuesday, Pivotal broke ground on its new 10,000 square-foot, two-story addition to its building on 677 E.…

Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit

Mike’s Musings: I dare you to put down that cellphone and pay a visit

Editorial Staff Oct 8, 2025 3 min read

Interaction with other people is critical to our mental health. The texting, phone calling crowd must put down their cellphones occasionally and actually visit friends and families. Unfortunately, this is not happening enough and so many problems are caused because…

Three Rivers man killed in two-vehicle crash on U.S. 131

Robert Tomlinson Oct 5, 2025 2 min read

CONSTANTINE TWP. — A 34-year-old Three Rivers man was killed in a crash that occurred in the early morning hours Sunday on U.S. 131 in Constantine Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just before…

Tennis Roundup Sturgis sweeps Three Rivers, swept by East Grand Rapids

Editorial Staff Oct 3, 2025 4 min read

THREE RIVERS — The Sturgis boys tennis team went to Three Rivers last week, and picked up an 8-0 victory over the Wildcats. At No. 1 singles, Simon Phillips beat Alex Nowak, 6-2, 6-1, while at second singles, Carter Oswald…

Volleyball Roundup TR swept by Vicksburg, makes finals at home invite, sweep St. Joe

Editorial Staff Oct 3, 2025 7 min read

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ volleyball team had a down-and-up week, losing in a sweep to Vicksburg Thursday, Sept. 25, making it to the finals of their home invite Saturday, and sweeping St. Joseph at home Monday.Against Vicksburg, the Wildcats…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.