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Lowry, Mims move on to November in mayoral race

Lowry, Mims move on to November in mayoral race

Robert TomlinsonAug 8, 20233 min read

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…

Bobalik announces retirement as clerk in Sturgis Township

Bobalik announces retirement as clerk in Sturgis Township

Dennis VolkertAug 8, 20232 min read

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…

More details released on Sturgis double homicide, suspect’s death

More details released on Sturgis double homicide, suspect’s death

Robert TomlinsonAug 7, 20235 min read

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)…

Suspect in two Sturgis homicides shot, killed by officer

Suspect in two Sturgis homicides shot, killed by officer

Robert TomlinsonAug 6, 20232 min read

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…

Parade highlights Burr Oak Heritage Days

Parade highlights Burr Oak Heritage Days

Editorial StaffAug 4, 20231 min read

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…

“Out and About” Gospel music, a fish fry, and table manners

“Out and About” Gospel music, a fish fry, and table manners

Editorial StaffAug 4, 20233 min read

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…

A look at what’s on the ballot on Aug. 8

A look at what’s on the ballot on Aug. 8

Editorial StaffAug 4, 20236 min read

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…

‘Tiny home’ community concept presented to Sturgis City Commission

‘Tiny home’ community concept presented to Sturgis City Commission

Editorial StaffAug 4, 20233 min read

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…

‘Urban chickens’ proposal could go to Sturgis voters in 2024

‘Urban chickens’ proposal could go to Sturgis voters in 2024

Editorial StaffAug 4, 20233 min read

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 receives ‘Rural Emergency’ designation

Sturgis Hospital receives ‘Rural Emergency’ designation

Dennis VolkertAug 3, 20232 min read

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…

City: Lead levels in tap water above state ‘action level’

City: Lead levels in tap water above state ‘action level’

Robert TomlinsonAug 3, 20237 min read

(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…

Mayoral Race 2023 Preview: Political newcomer Zaritz seeking mayor’s seat

Mayoral Race 2023 Preview: Political newcomer Zaritz seeking mayor’s seat

Robert TomlinsonAug 2, 20239 min read

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…

Mayoral race 2023 preview: Mims looks to bring ‘change’ to Three Rivers

Mayoral race 2023 preview: Mims looks to bring ‘change’ to Three Rivers

Robert TomlinsonAug 2, 20238 min read

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…

Mayoral race 2023 preview: Lowry to seek re-election for 13th term

Mayoral race 2023 preview: Lowry to seek re-election for 13th term

Robert TomlinsonAug 2, 20237 min read

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…

‘Library On The Lawn’ is part of youth literacy outreach in Sturgis

‘Library On The Lawn’ is part of youth literacy outreach in Sturgis

Dennis VolkertAug 2, 20231 min read

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…

Mike’s Musings: The FBI could be knocking on my door at any minute

Mike’s Musings: The FBI could be knocking on my door at any minute

Editorial StaffAug 2, 20233 min read

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…

Recall efforts move forward for three more White Pigeon Twp. officials

Recall efforts move forward for three more White Pigeon Twp. officials

Robert TomlinsonJul 29, 20234 min read

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…

‘Frozen Jr.’ production coming to TR Community Players

‘Frozen Jr.’ production coming to TR Community Players

Robert TomlinsonJul 29, 20235 min read

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…

New housing development gets green light from TR Planning Commission

New housing development gets green light from TR Planning Commission

Robert TomlinsonJul 29, 20238 min read

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…

Sturgis Neighborhood Program unveils latest home-build project

Sturgis Neighborhood Program unveils latest home-build project

Dennis VolkertJul 29, 20231 min read

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…