Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel

Sturgis happenings

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

MARCHMarch 16Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education meeting, 5:30 p.m., Sturgis Central Commons.March 17St. Joseph County Commission meeting, 5 p.m., historic courthouse, third floor. Some exceptions to schedule may apply. Eastwood fourth grade group A concert, 7 p.m., Sturges-Young Center for the Arts.March…

Dr. Seuss party draws more than 200

Dr. Seuss party draws more than 200

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 2 min read

More than 220 people attended “Dr. Seuss Birthday Party” on March 6 at Sturgis District Library.Children gathered to hear readings of popular Seuss books by Madison Pueschel and Julia Johnson, and participated in games and contests.Pueschel, special education teacher at…

Whitmer issues state of emergency, tours damage from tornadoes

Whitmer issues state of emergency, tours damage from tornadoes

Editorial Staff Mar 13, 2026 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LANSING — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a state of emergency on Sunday morning, following the multiple tornadoes that hit southwest Michigan Friday night.The state of emergency was officially declared for Branch, Cass and St. Joseph…

I&M suspends service disconnections in Three Rivers through end of March

I&M suspends service disconnections in Three Rivers through end of March

Robert Tomlinson Mar 12, 2026 1 min read

THREE RIVERS — In response to the tornadoes that passed through March 6 in Three Rivers, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) said in a release Thursday it would suspend service disconnections in the Three Rivers area through March 31. “Our hearts…

Mike’s Musings: A tornado for the ages- so many pitch in to help

Mike’s Musings: A tornado for the ages- so many pitch in to help

Editorial Staff Mar 11, 2026 4 min read

When the tornado tore through Three Rivers, Michigan on the afternoon of March 6, it left behind a landscape that residents will remember for years. In a matter of minutes, powerful winds—later rated an EF-2 tornado with speeds near 130…

TRPD: Tornado operations moving to restoration, cleanup

Robert Tomlinson Mar 9, 2026 2 min read

Compost site in Three Rivers available for tree debris, dumpsters available for other debris By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The Three Rivers Police Department said in a statement Sunday first responder operations after Friday’s tornado are shifting from…

State of Emergency declared by Gov. Whitmer following Friday tornadoes

State of Emergency declared by Gov. Whitmer following Friday tornadoes

Robert Tomlinson Mar 8, 2026 3 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A state of emergency was officially declared Sunday morning by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for the counties affected by Friday’s supercell storm and tornadoes. The state of emergency was officially declared for Branch,…

Three Rivers tornado initially rated at EF-2

Three Rivers tornado initially rated at EF-2

Robert Tomlinson Mar 7, 2026 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The National Weather Service has initially rated the tornado that raced through Three Rivers Friday afternoon at an EF-2. The assessment came Saturday evening following a survey by NWS surveyors in the Three…

Cleanup continues in Three Rivers after Friday storms

Cleanup continues in Three Rivers after Friday storms

Robert Tomlinson Mar 7, 2026 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — One day after severe storms and a likely tornado swept through Three Rivers, the cleanup process is fully underway around the city. Three Rivers residents, as well as volunteers from around the area,…

Severe weather, tornado sweeps through Three Rivers

Severe weather, tornado sweeps through Three Rivers

Robert Tomlinson Mar 6, 2026 5 min read

Sheriff’s Office advises no travel to northern St. Joseph County By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A severe storm that produced an unconfirmed but likely tornado swept through Three Rivers Friday night, causing severe damage to houses and businesses.…

Colon wins first-ever boys’ basketball regional title

Colon wins first-ever boys’ basketball regional title

Robert Tomlinson Mar 6, 2026 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MARCELLUS — Fans of the Colon Magi could feel that history was happening with every shot taken in the last few minutes of Thursday night’s MHSAA Division 4 boys’ basketball regional finals game against Battle Creek…

State Bowling Finals Roundup: Larson state runner-up individually in D2; TR bowling falls short in team finals

Editorial Staff Mar 6, 2026 3 min read

WATERFORD, Mich. — Three Rivers’ bowling teams fell short at last weekend’s MHSAA Division 2 state finals at Century Lanes in Waterford Township, located west of Pontiac.However, it was TR junior Jayna Larson who nearly stole the show and pulled…

Girls’ Basketball Districts Roundup Three Rivers on to district finals with one-point win over Dowagiac

Editorial Staff Mar 6, 2026 7 min read

PLAINWELL — Three Rivers opened their postseason run with a thrilling victory in the MHSAA Division 2 district semifinals.The Wildcats moved on to the district finals with a 43-42 win over Dowagiac Wednesday night. No stats were available as of…

Out and About: Old age, shoulder pain, and comfort

Out and About: Old age, shoulder pain, and comfort

Editorial Staff Mar 6, 2026 2 min read

“The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history.” -Woodrow WilsonOld age is not for sissies. A year ago, I suffered a heart attack and spent about six weeks at home recovering from Quadruple Heart By-Pass surgery. Since…

Former MLB pitcher Abbott talks creativity, accountability, overcoming adversity

Former MLB pitcher Abbott talks creativity, accountability, overcoming adversity

Editorial Staff Mar 6, 2026 7 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — A former Major League Baseball pitcher and Michigan native was the guest of honor Tuesday night for Glen Oaks Community College’s annual Viking Speaker Series.Jim Abbott, who played 10 seasons in MLB, doing so…

Jukebox Saturday showcases the enduring music of Henry Mancini

Jukebox Saturday showcases the enduring music of Henry Mancini

Editorial Staff Mar 6, 2026 3 min read

By Dennis VolkertJukebox Saturday Night is presented at 7:30 p.m. March 7 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. It is a musical tribute to the classic big band hits of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. Led by Greg and Amy Parnell, the show…

Jukebox Saturday showcases the enduring music of Henry Mancini

Editorial Staff Mar 6, 2026 3 min read

By Dennis Volkert Jukebox Saturday Night is presented at 7:30 p.m. March 7 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. It is a musical tribute to the classic big band hits of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. Led by Greg and Amy Parnell, the…

Two killed, one injured after pickup strikes tree

Editorial Staff Mar 6, 2026 1 min read

PARK TWP. — Two people were killed while another was airlifted when a vehicle crashed into a tree in Park Township Saturday.According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called just after midnight Saturday to the intersection of…

Mike’s Musings: Opinion: It’s Time to Ban Cell Phones From Classrooms

Mike’s Musings: Opinion: It’s Time to Ban Cell Phones From Classrooms

Editorial Staff Mar 4, 2026 3 min read

Walk into almost any classroom in America today and you’ll see a familiar sight: heads tilted down, thumbs scrolling, students half-present as glowing screens command their attention. Teachers often joke that they’re competing with a device designed by some of…

Colon boys’ basketball pulls away in fourth quarter to defeat Mendon, win district title

Colon boys’ basketball pulls away in fourth quarter to defeat Mendon, win district title

Robert Tomlinson Mar 2, 2026 7 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON — The old adage says the third time is a charm. Colon’s boys’ basketball team knows that all too well, especially playing against intra-county rival Mendon. The two played in the first game of the…