City commission reviews zoning code adjustments for extreme weather centers, outdoor storage
At its July 23 meeting, Sturgis City Commission approved a first review of amendments to the zoning ordinance. One is an amendment to consider the establishment of extreme weather centers as a special land use. The other pertains to outdoor storage areas…
Music, magic, comedy highlight Sturges-Young Performance Series
Sturges-Young Center for the Arts has announced its 2025-2026 Performance Series. It involves a variety of entertainment: ‘90s pop music, ballet, magic, big-band nostalgia and comedy.Here is the schedule:Oct. 25: Deep Blue Something. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Anniversary Tour.Dec. 3: Dance Alive…
School operating millages, Nottawa emergency services millage pass; Colon school bond fails
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Nearly all of the local proposals and millage requests on the ballot in St. Joseph County and Cass County, except for one, were approved by voters in the Tuesday, Aug. 5 election.Local…
Mike’s Musings: Why You Matter More Than You Think
In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, where headlines are filled with division, disaster, and doubt, it’s easy to wonder: What difference can one person really make?The truth? More than you could ever imagine.We are taught to look…
Colon schools seeking $14m bond proposal in August election
Proposed new gymnasium complex, school tech and infrastructure upgrades highlight proposal By Robert TomlinsonNews Director COLON — Voters in Colon will be deciding Tuesday whether or not to approve a school bond proposal that district administrators say will not raise…
Music, magic, comedy highlight Sturges-Young Performance Series
Sturges-Young Center for the Arts in Sturgis has announced its Performance Series for 2025-26. Dates and featured shows: Oct. 25: Deep Blue Something. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Anniversary Tour. Dec. 3: Dance Alive National Ballet. “The Nutcracker.” Feb. 7: Krendl Magic.…
TR man helps Elkhart man reunite with racecar thought lost for 60 years
THREE RIVERS — An Elkhart, Ind. man who thought he would never again see the car he and his father built got an amazing surprise nearly 60 years later, thanks to the power of the Internet and the curiosity of…
Out and About: Zippers, ponderings, and love
“I am not afraid. I was born to do this.” -Joan of ArcLook at your zipper. See the initials YKK? It stands for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushibibaisha, the world’s largest zipper manufacturer.A few Ponderisms:•I used to eat a lot of natural…
Rainy weather no bother at Burr Oak Heritage Festival
By Steve Eldridge BURR OAK — There’s an old saying that goes “Don’t rain on my parade.”During last weekend’s 16th Annual Burr Oak Heritage Festival, that’s exactly what the thought was, as inclement weather was predicted well before the four-day…
Local school districts seeking operating millage renewal on August ballot
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON — Three local school districts will have renewals of their operating millage on the ballot for their communities next week.On Tuesday, Aug. 5, voters in the Mendon, Nottawa and Marcellus school districts will decide whether…
Mike’s Musings: Traverse City violence too close to home- action needed
Here we go again. This time it is too close to home. Another alleged nut-job gone crazy injuring a dozen people, some critical at a Wal Mart, not with a gun, but with an ordinary pocketknife. If it weren’t for…
Sass in the City returns to downtown Three Rivers next week
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The annual “ladies’ night out” in downtown Three Rivers will take place once again next week.On Friday, Aug. 1, the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority will hold the annual Sass in the City…
Coleman resigns from Road Commission board
Resignation comes amid allegations of ‘bashing’ county commissioners in online comments By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County Road Commission board member Jack Coleman resigned from his position Friday following a Wednesday, July 16 agency meeting in which…
‘Toy Run’ gets rebrand, but primary charitable focus remains intact
By Dennis Volkert After a gap of several years, a longtime tradition resurfaced July 19 with “Route 12 Toy Run.”The 2025 run began at Route 12 Harley-Davidson on U.S. 12 and White School Road. The parade of riders continued into…
Man arrested in Sturgis after barricading in home
STURGIS — A domestic violence call in Sturgis turned into a situation involving a barricaded man Tuesday night.According to the Sturgis Department of Public Safety, officers were called to the 300 block of West Jerolene Street for a domestic assault…
Mike’s Musings: “Pay It Forward” Is a Powerful Idea Worth Embracing
In a world often overshadowed by cynicism, economic struggle, and divisive headlines, the simple idea of “paying it forward” offers a powerful counterbalance. It’s a concept built on selflessness—doing something kind for someone else without expecting anything in return, trusting…
Out and About: Women, cardio, and walking
There is not a book that explains everything a man must know in order to better understand women. We must continue to learn from experience, or listen to a person who has dealt with the fairer sex longer than you…
Graber, Nash to share leadership at Norton Elementary
District to continue ‘conversation’ about Norton’s future as initial elementary enrollment decreases By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Two Three Rivers Community Schools administrators will be sharing leadership duties at Norton Elementary in what the school board says is…
Heritage Festival takes center stage in Burr Oak
By Steve Eldridge “A More Perfect Union” is the theme for the 2025 Burr Oak Heritage Festival, which is scheduled to kick off next Thursday July 24. The festival, which has always proved to be a big draw for the…
