Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel

Lawsuit filed against Ox Paperboard for alleged PFAS contamination in White Pigeon [UPDATED]

Lawsuit filed against Ox Paperboard for alleged PFAS contamination in White Pigeon [UPDATED]

Robert Tomlinson Nov 1, 2024 7 min read

Updated 9:21 a.m. Nov. 4, 2024 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director WHITE PIGEON — A local paper mill has been sued by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office for allegedly discharging PFAS-contaminated wastewater into the White Pigeon River. The lawsuit, filed Friday…

What is on the ballot in St. Joseph County in the November election?

What is on the ballot in St. Joseph County in the November election?

Robert Tomlinson Nov 1, 2024 23 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director This article has been updated with the new voting location for Constantine Township. The Commercial-News apologizes for the error. ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — The November election in St. Joseph County is coming up in just a…

Cross Country Roundup TR boys 2nd at regionals, move on to state finals

Editorial Staff Nov 1, 2024 4 min read

PORTAGE — Three Rivers’ boys’ cross country team is on its way to the state finals.The Wildcats took second place at the MHSAA Division 2 Boys’ Cross Country Regional meet held at Portage West Middle School on Saturday, Oct. 26,…

Obituary: Frances Deea Greider

Editorial Staff Nov 1, 2024 2 min read

Frances Deea Greider, age 81 of Three Rivers, passed away on October 21, 2024 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo. She was born on January 6, 1943 in Goshen, IN the daughter of Auttio and Charlotte (Slabaugh) Mitchell. She attended Mendon…

Out and About: DST, Election Day, and cold-weather tips

Out and About: DST, Election Day, and cold-weather tips

Editorial Staff Nov 1, 2024 3 min read

Next Sunday, Nov. 3, Daylight Savings Time comes to an end. I try to mention this time change twice a year, because there’s always someone who forgets to reset their clocks. This time we set our clocks back one hour,…

Group stages protest in Brittany Shank case

Group stages protest in Brittany Shank case

Editorial Staff Nov 1, 2024 3 min read

By Rick CordesC-N correspondent CENTREVILLE — Supporters of a proposal to have the Michigan State Police take over the investigation into the 2018 disappearance of Brittany Wallace Shank gathered in Centreville Saturday afternoon, Oct. 26 to voice their concerns about…

Constantine schools operating millage, White Pigeon school bond on November ballot

Constantine schools operating millage, White Pigeon school bond on November ballot

Editorial Staff Nov 1, 2024 8 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Two local school districts will be seeking funding proposals that look to have minimal impacts on residents’ taxes on the Nov. 5 ballot.White Pigeon Community Schools will be seeking a bond proposal…

Mike’s Musings: Warning: Negative Political Ads Can be bad for your Health

Mike’s Musings: Warning: Negative Political Ads Can be bad for your Health

Editorial Staff Oct 30, 2024 3 min read

I don’t know about you, but I have a headache from negative advertising. I rarely watch regular network television but last Sunday I had to turn on FOX to watch the Detroit Lions dismantle the Tennessee Titans.The Lions took care…

‘Relatively small’ sewer spill reported with force main break at King Road

Robert Tomlinson Oct 28, 2024 1 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director FABIUS TWP. — A new break in the force main between Constantine and Three Rivers was reported Monday morning. Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the break and sewage spill occurred Sunday at around 2:10 p.m.…

Volleyball Roundup Three Rivers beats Sturgis, finishes third in Williamston tourney, splits in quad

Editorial Staff Oct 25, 2024 3 min read

STURGIS — Three Rivers’ volleyball team swept Sturgis on Thursday, Oct. 17, winning 25-18, 25-22, 25-15.Dani Glass led the team with 19 kills to go along with 14 digs, Allie Yost had eight kills, three digs and three aces, Bekah…

Obituary: James “Jim” Herman Awe

Editorial Staff Oct 25, 2024 3 min read

James “Jim” Herman Awe, 77, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 17th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.Jim was born on June 30th, 1947, in Three Rivers, to Carl and Marjorie (McCracken) Awe. He was a proud…

“Out and About” Sickness, mistakes, and fall colors

“Out and About” Sickness, mistakes, and fall colors

Editorial Staff Oct 25, 2024 3 min read

I’ve been quite lucky when it comes to staying healthy. We made it through the COVID pandemic and feel fortunate. We have kept current with our annual vaccinations and have always watched our diets. We have done all we can…

Local effort collects food, supplies to help hurricane victims in N.C.

Editorial Staff Oct 25, 2024 4 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The Three Rivers area will be helping out with hurricane relief efforts in North Carolina this week.On Tuesday morning, a semi-trailer filled with tens of thousands of pounds of food, supplies and relief…

Public has their say at annexation hearing

Editorial Staff Oct 25, 2024 7 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The general public has now had their say in a hotly-debated proposed land annexation in Three Rivers, and the annexation’s fate now rests in the hands of the State Boundary Commission.On Thursday, Oct.…

Hile attends final meeting as Sturgis city commissioner

Hile attends final meeting as Sturgis city commissioner

Editorial Staff Oct 25, 2024 2 min read

By Dennis Volkert Robert Hile on Wednesday took part in his final meeting as a member of Sturgis City Commission. Hile, a representative in the 4th Precinct, has served on the board since he was appointed in 2010. Re-elected by…

Sturgis schools to consider security upgrades at district facilities

Editorial Staff Oct 25, 2024 2 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education on Monday received a plan for security measures at district facilities. The security committee met Sept. 30 to assess current security and safety elements, and developed a list of potential changes or…

‘Electric City’ downtown illumination unveiled; pump house mural in final stages

‘Electric City’ downtown illumination unveiled; pump house mural in final stages

Editorial Staff Oct 25, 2024 3 min read

By Dennis Volkert Official unveiling took place Tuesday for the “Electric City” lighting project in downtown Sturgis. Jeff Coney, community development specialist, was pleased with the turnout.  “It went extremely well,” Coney said. “The lights fired up as scheduled and the…

Sturgis-area Halloween events

Editorial Staff Oct 25, 2024 2 min read

Oct. 25“Spooktacular Fest,” 4-8 p.m. Trick-or-treating 4-6 p.m. downtown. Adult trick-or-treating 6-8 p.m. at participating downtown businesses. Features late-night shopping, snacks and beverages. Showing of “Hocus Locus” 6:30 p.m. at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. Also includes “Scare Zone” on…

Mike’s Musings: Move made me realize how important one vote is

Mike’s Musings: Move made me realize how important one vote is

Editorial Staff Oct 23, 2024 3 min read

I had the opportunity to watch SWING VOTE, a 2008 film starring Kevin Costner, that was about a down on his luck, fired from his job, alcoholic in New Mexico, that had the voter machine eat his ballot as he…

Pedestrian injured in Constantine Twp. crash [UPDATED]

Robert Tomlinson Oct 22, 2024 2 min read

Updated 4:13 p.m. Oct. 23, 2024 CONSTANTINE TWP. — A pedestrian received life-threatening injuries when a vehicle tried to avoid a crash on Constantine Road Thursday night. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the incident occurred near the…

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.