Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel

Constantine leaders get first look at wastewater treatment plant Facility expected to go online within next two weeks

Constantine leaders get first look at wastewater treatment plant Facility expected to go online within next two weeks

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CONSTANTINE — Constantine Village Council members Thursday got their first look at a newly-renovated wastewater treatment plant prior to its launch in the next couple of weeks.The $20 million facility, which took a couple of years…

TR schools making progress with financial corrective actions

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Several months after four corrective actions were recommended in their 2023-24 financial audit, Three Rivers Community Schools has reportedly made progress in implementing corrections to its processes.TRCS Director of Business and Finance Mandi…

Groundbreaking begins process for SNP/CTE home-building project

Groundbreaking begins process for SNP/CTE home-building project

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 2 min read

On Aug. 20, Sturgis CTE Construction Trades students, in partnership with Sturgis Neighborhood Program, broke ground on the collaborative’s sixth construction project.It will be the sixth home built through SNP/CTE partnership.The project involves 38 juniors and seniors from four St.…

Rate plan approved for city utilities

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 4 min read

Sturgis City Commission this month reapproved rates for electric, water and wastewater service. The electric rates are for billings that begin Oct. 1, 2025, Oct.1, 2026, and Oct. 1, 2027. Water and wastewater are for billings beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and Oct.…

Doyle Community Center to adjust rates, membership options

Doyle Community Center to adjust rates, membership options

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 3 min read

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission on Wednesday approved restructure of membership options and rates at Doyle Community Center.The committee has recommended changes to membership options, along with a 5% rate increase across the board. Changes include:

Roundup of happenings in the Sturgis area

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 3 min read

RECURRINGSturgis Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 27, Oak Lawn Park.  AUGUSTAug. 29No classes held at Sturgis Public Schools (Labor Day weekend). SEPTEMBERSept. 1No classes held at Sturgis Public Schools (Labor Day weekend).Sturgis Township Board of Trustees…

Constantine leaders get first look at wastewater treatment plant Facility expected to go online within next two weeks

Editorial Staff Aug 29, 2025 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CONSTANTINE — Constantine Village Council members Thursday got their first look at a newly-renovated wastewater treatment plant prior to its launch in the next couple of weeks.The $20 million facility, which took a couple of years…

Mike’s Musings: Is Cracker Barrel’s new strategy, doomed?

Mike’s Musings: Is Cracker Barrel’s new strategy, doomed?

Editorial Staff Aug 27, 2025 3 min read

With Congress on vacation for the entire month of August (how dare they) and very little else happening, the Cracker Barrel rebranding hit center stage in last week’s news cycle. The CEO and Marketing Manager rolled out a new contemporary…

Three Rivers, Sturgis football teams to battle for trophy in new ‘War for the Oar’

Three Rivers, Sturgis football teams to battle for trophy in new ‘War for the Oar’

Robert Tomlinson Aug 23, 2025 6 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director STURGIS — The Swine Bone. The Silver Football. The Tomahawk. The Bullhorn. There have been a lot of notable trophy games involving St. Joseph County high school football teams over the years. However, there has never…

TR boys’ tennis wins one matchup in loss to Coldwater

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 1 min read

COLDWATER — Three Rivers’ boys’ tennis squad opened its season on the road in Coldwater, dropping the match 7-1.The lone victory for the Wildcats came at No. 1 singles, where Alex Nowak defeated Coldwater’s Logun Fisher 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.Two other…

TR girls’ golf 16th at Scott Family Invite

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 1 min read

GULL LAKE — Three Rivers Girls Golf opened the season Wednesday by playing in the Scott Family Invitational at Bedford Valley Golf Course hosted by Gull Lake.The team finished 16th with a team score of 472. Leading the Wildcats was…

Out and About: Open house, restoring your gut, and Labor Day

Out and About: Open house, restoring your gut, and Labor Day

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 3 min read

“Every act of love is a work of peace, no matter how small.” -Mother TeresaA brief reminder about the upcoming open house at the American Legion this Saturday, August 23. The open house will run from noon until 4 p.m.…

Nottawa Community Schools launches new GSRP program

Nottawa Community Schools launches new GSRP program

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director NOTTAWA — Prior to this year, every school district in St. Joseph County offered the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) for pre-kindergarten learning, except for one district.Now, that one district is fully on board.Nottawa Community Schools…

Public encouraged to comment on updated city master plan

Public encouraged to comment on updated city master plan

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 5 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Residents of Three Rivers, as well as the surrounding area, will have a chance to weigh in on the city’s plans for the future. On Tuesday, the Three Rivers City Commission approved a…

Victim identified in suspicious Lockport Twp. death

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 2 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director LOCKPORT TWP. — A person found unresponsive in Lockport Township last week has now been identified by authorities.St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Zachary Zuk said in a release Tuesday that the victim found unresponsive…

Cemetery Tours 2025A Meet and Greet with “town ancestors”

Cemetery Tours 2025A Meet and Greet with “town ancestors”

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 3 min read

By Rosemary Currier Did you ever look around downtown Sturgis and wonder what it used to be like? Who the people were who made this a great town? What were their stories?Oak Lawn Cemetery Tour 2025 is for those who…

STURGIS NEWS BRIEFS

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 1 min read

City’s redesigned website is liveA redesigned website for the city of Sturgis is now live. Officials plan to provide additional details regarding specific website features, and additional changes, city manager Andrew Kuk said. Website address remains the same, www.sturgismi.gov.The site’s previous significant overhaul…

Back to School 2025!

Back to School 2025!

Editorial Staff Aug 22, 2025 1 min read
Mike’s Musings: Why So Many Michiganders Under 30 Can’t Afford a House

Mike’s Musings: Why So Many Michiganders Under 30 Can’t Afford a House

Editorial Staff Aug 20, 2025 3 min read

The dream of homeownership, once a clear stepping stone into adulthood, now feels like a mirage for many Michiganders under 30. Despite living in a state often touted for its affordability, structural barriers have erased much of the margin that…

Village Market Food Centers to be acquired by Harding’s Friendly Markets

Village Market Food Centers to be acquired by Harding’s Friendly Markets

Jordan Wilcox Aug 19, 2025 3 min read

All four will soon be sold to Harding’s Friendly Markets. Photos from Google Maps. By Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher In late June, major news broke when SpartanNash announced their sale to a New Hampshire grocery conglomerate. As a Byron Center-based wholesaler…