Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel

Multi-step process led to Sturgis Public Schools bond proposal

Editorial Staff Jan 30, 2026 5 min read

By Dennis Volkert On Jan. 12, Sturgis Board of Education approved a bond election resolution, by a 7-0 vote. Proposal details were approved by the board in November.The proposal is scheduled to appear on the May 5 election ballot. If approved…

Sand sentenced to 5-15 years for sexual assault of minors

Editorial Staff Jan 30, 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 County…

New curbside recycling schedule begins immediately in Sturgis

New curbside recycling schedule begins immediately in Sturgis

Dennis Volkert Jan 29, 2026 1 min read

There has been some confusion about dates for curbside recycling in Sturgis, city manager Andrew Kuk said. The new contract is structured for collection every two weeks for each residence, instead of twice-monthly, as had been the case since the…

Mike’s Musings: Greenland Matters to U.S. Security — But Its People Should Choose Its Future

Mike’s Musings: Greenland Matters to U.S. Security — But Its People Should Choose Its Future

Editorial Staff Jan 28, 2026 4 min read

My son and I have always toyed with the idea of living in Greenland. I being drawn to the heat, couldn’t survive 50 degrees below zero. My son on the other hand is drawn towards the cold and has fancied…

Snow-removal emergency in Sturgis

Dennis Volkert Jan 25, 2026 1 min read

City of Sturgis has declared a snow-removal emergency, in effect from noon today, Jan. 26, continuing until noon Monday, Dec. 27, to allow for efficient removal of snow. During the emergency, no parking is allowed on city streets. Vehicles that…

No one injured in Fabius Twp. house fire

Robert Tomlinson Jan 24, 2026 1 min read

FABIUS TWP. — No injuries were reported following an early-morning fire in Fabius Township Saturday morning. According to the Fabius-Park Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched at 3 a.m. to a home in the 11000 block of Lakeshore Drive for a…

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…