By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Voters in Three Rivers have selected their top two candidates to square off for the mayor’s seat in November. On Tuesday, incumbent Mayor Tom Lowry and challenger Vernis Mims took the top two…

Mike Bobalik has announced his retirement as clerk for Sturgis Township, effective Sept. 1.  He made the formal proclamation Monday at the monthly meeting of Sturgis Township Board of Trustees. Bobalik was appointed to the position in 2012, and has…

Sturgis Director of Public Safety Ryan Banaszak (right) and St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman (left) address media on a double homicide in Sturgis in a press conference at the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department Monday. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON)…

STURGIS — The search for a man suspected in two homicides Saturday night ended in the suspect being killed by police. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, 30-year-old David Keith Algarin, Jr., was shot and killed by police…

Burr Oak Heritage Days Festival was held July 27-30. Among numerous attractions, the annual parade was held July 29. Burr Oak Township Fire Department received the Outstanding Organization Award. Old-Fashioned farm machinery demonstrations were held at Railroad Park.  Credit for all photos:Misty Ledyard…

If you are a fan of Gospel music, you’ll want to mark your calendar for Sunday, August 6. Kline’s Resort will host The Royal Heirs. They will entertain everyone with a variety of Gospel selections with a concert beginning at…

Tom Lowry Vernis Mims Natelege Zaritz By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Residents in Three Rivers and the Colon area will have a say in the future of their communities in the Tuesday, Aug. 8 election. A primary…

Craig Bolthouse of Sturgis Housing Commission provides a summary of the small-home community proposal.Dennis Volkert/Sentinel Rendering of tiny-home village proposal. Courtesy of Driven Design/City of Sturgis By Dennis Volkert A unique housing concept is under consideration in Sturgis. Sturgis City Commission on…

Will Prichard, community development director, outlines framework of an “urban chickens” ordinance to Sturgis City Commissioners.  By Dennis Volkert It’s possible Sturgis voters will decide in 2024 if city residents are allowed to have chickens on their property. In March, city commissioners referred…

Sturgis Hospital has received designation as a “Rural Emergency Hospital.”  Selection was granted by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.  Jeremy Grump, interim CEO at Sturgis Hospital, said the facility is the…

(Photo: Commercial-News/Robert Tomlinson) Story Updated at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The City of Three Rivers is asking residents to run their water before using it after excessive levels of lead were found…

Natelege Zartiz, a stay-at-home mom with a background in real estate, is one of three candidates running for mayor of Three Rivers on the Tuesday, Aug. 8 primary ballot. (Photo provided) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director Editor’s note: This article, originally…

Vernis Mims, a tutor and substitute teacher, is seeking the mayor’s seat for the City of Three Rivers in the Tuesday, Aug. 8 primary election. (Photo provided) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director Editor’s note: This article, originally published in the July…

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry is seeking re-election for a 13th term in the Tuesday, Aug. 8 primary election. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director Editor’s note: This article, originally published in the July 7 edition of the…

Sturgis District Library invites community members to “Library On The Lawn” 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Oaklawn Terrace Park. The free-admission event is intended to embrace a love of reading. Attendees are encouraged to take their favorite book, along with…

I sometimes stand in wonderment at the inefficiencies and heavy handedness of our federal bureaucracy. As a taxpayer I think the sheer number of federal government employees and their inefficiencies costs us billions a year, and we need to get…

Attorney Lance Thornton, representing White Pigeon Township, addresses the St. Joseph County Election Commission during a clarity/factuality hearing Wednesday in Centreville. Language for three recall petitions against White Pigeon Township officials were approved to go forward by the commission. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS…

The cast of the Three Rivers Community Players production of “Frozen Jr.” pose for a picture during a recent rehearsal. The show runs from Aug. 4-6 and Aug. 11-13 with four shows each weekend. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON) By Robert…

Michael West, a developer with Green Development Ventures and Allen Edwin Homes, shows a map of the current plans for the Villages of Three Rivers, a new housing development at the east end of Coolidge Place, during Monday’s Three Rivers…

Unveiling was held July 20 for Sturgis Neighborhood Program’s latest home-build, at 116 S. Orange St. It is 3-bedroom, 2-bath, with a full basement and mechanical room, 2-car garage and rear patio.  Wally Wheeler, instructor at CTE construction trades, said…