Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel

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.…

City offers tips to prevent water-line freezing

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

Forecast for the coming days shows temperature will hover near single digits, especially overnight. Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking residents to be conscious of the potential for frozen water lines.To help prevent freezing, officials recommend that residents allow a…

White Pigeon schools close for day due to ‘potential threat’

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon Community Schools were closed Friday, Jan. 16 due to what district officials called a “potential threat.”In a Facebook post Friday morning, the district stated they are working with local law enforcement…

Sturgis woman killed, another injured, in Sherman Twp. crash

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 1 min read

SHERMAN TWP. — A 55-year-old Sturgis woman was killed, while another woman was hospitalized, following a two-vehicle crash in Sherman Township last week.According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6:39 p.m.…

Woman killed in Fabius Twp. crash

Editorial Staff Jan 23, 2026 1 min read

FABIUS TWP. — A 20-year-old woman was killed in a traffic crash that occurred in Fabius Township last week.According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred Wednesday, Jan. 14 in the area of Constantine Road and Shorewood…

Guest chef at Sturgis schools prepares Lebanese-based meal for students

Guest chef at Sturgis schools prepares Lebanese-based meal for students

Dennis Volkert Jan 22, 2026 2 min read

Danny Saghir, regional corporate chef at Taher, was guest chef recently at Sturgis Public Schools.  On Jan. 13, he prepared chicken shawarma for students at Sturgis Middle School.  Taher, based in Minnetonka, Minn., is the district’s partner to provide food…

Mike’s Musings: The roadblocks to a cancer cure are frustrating

Mike’s Musings: The roadblocks to a cancer cure are frustrating

Editorial Staff Jan 21, 2026 4 min read

Every few years, the same frustrated question resurfaces: With all the money, technology and brainpower in the world, why haven’t we cured cancer yet? It’s a fair question. We’ve put men on the moon, decoded the human genome and carry…

Lockport Twp. repeals solar ordinance

Lockport Twp. repeals solar ordinance

Robert Tomlinson Jan 17, 2026 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — The sun set Monday on a solar ordinance in Lockport Township. By a unanimous 5-0 vote, the Lockport Township Board approved a repeal of their 2023 solar ordinance, which governed large-scale and small-scale…

TR mayor pledges ‘cooperation’ between city, townships; says library Qs ‘on shortlist’

TR mayor pledges ‘cooperation’ between city, townships; says library Qs ‘on shortlist’

Robert Tomlinson Jan 17, 2026 6 min read

Some details revealed of committee meeting between Johnston, township officials By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — In a sight that would have been unfathomable just last year, a sitting Three Rivers mayor was greeted with applause by Lockport Township…

White Pigeon schools closed due to possible threat

White Pigeon schools closed due to possible threat

Robert Tomlinson Jan 16, 2026 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director UPDATED 12:39 p.m. Jan. 16, 2026 WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon Community Schools are closed Friday, Jan. 16 due to what district officials called a “potential threat.” In a Facebook post Friday morning, the district stated…

Mike’s Musings: It’s 2026. Why Is the IRS Still Stuck in the Past?

Mike’s Musings: It’s 2026. Why Is the IRS Still Stuck in the Past?

Editorial Staff Jan 14, 2026 3 min read

Not long ago, I set aside part of my workday to ask the Internal Revenue Service a simple question. This wasn’t a complicated audit issue or a dispute over taxes owed. It was a basic inquiry that should have taken…

Wrestling Roundup Three Rivers undefeated atTR Super Duals

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 2 min read

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ wrestling team earned an undefeated 5-0 record at the Three Rivers Super Duals Saturday.The Wildcats defeated Constantine 55-22, Thornapple Kellogg 68-10, Portage Northern 62-11, Hamilton 73-6, and Niles 69-9.Ten wrestlers earned medals on the day…

Bowling Roundup Three Rivers rolls past Vicksburg

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 2 min read

KALAMAZOO — Three Rivers’ bowling teams took home victories against Vicksburg Monday at Airway Fun Center in Kalamazoo.The boys’ team defeated the Bulldogs 19.5-10.5, squeaking out the victory in the last few frames. Nick Allen led the Wildcats with a…

Out and About: New Year, grilled cheese, and a few facts

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 2 min read

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” -Eleanor RooseveltWelcome 2026. May this year bring us all more together and more understanding…

Flower power Constantine grad, former Sturgis flower shop owner leads floral design for award-winning Rose Parade float

Flower power Constantine grad, former Sturgis flower shop owner leads floral design for award-winning Rose Parade float

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director PASADENA, Calif. — One of the great American traditions on New Year’s Day has been the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., which has been held on New Year’s Day nearly every year since 1890.The parade features…

Dog rescued from icy water south of Colon

Dog rescued from icy water south of Colon

Editorial Staff Jan 9, 2026 1 min read

COLON — A dog was rescued by from an icy channel by local firefighters Sunday near Colon.According to a post on Facebook from the Colon Community Fire and Rescue, at 10:19 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to Long Lake Road south…

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging (COA) is accepting sealed proposals for an interior remodel of a portion of the Rivers Enrichment Center located at 1200 W. Broadway Street. The project involves renovation of an interior area that was part of the building’s former hotel use and was not included in the renovation completed approximately seven years ago when the building was converted into the Rivers Enrichment Center. Proposals must be received by Wednesday, February 25, 2026 by 2:00pm EST. Bid documents may be obtained by contacting the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging. The COA reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

All communications regarding this RFP shall be directed to:
Pamela Riley
Executive Director, St. Joseph County Commission on Aging
Phone: (269)279-8083 Email: priley@sjccoa.com
OR
Gary Oberlander
Maintenance Department
Phone: (269) 279-8083 Email: goberlander@sjccoa.com