Sturgis Archives

Sturgis approves release of investigation findings

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September 24, 2026

The unanimous decision to release the findings came after a nearly two and a half hour closed session during which commissioners discussed the findings of the investigation, and what would be released to the public. The decision to open an investigation came after weeks of Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins and City Commissioner Aaron Miller calling for Mayor Frank Perez to step down before attempting to remove and censure him. Mullins and Miller alleged that Perez and other commissioners contributed to an environment that led to former City Manager Andrew Kuk’s resignation. This is a developing story and Watershed Voice will provide updates as they become available. Staff Writer Maxwell Knauer is working on securing the investigation findings and will provide coverage once he has done so.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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September 23, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, September 23, at 6 p.m. at City Hall for a regular business meeting. Commissioners will consider a $616,000 water clarifier replacement and contingency budget, more than $512,000 in street resurfacing work, a $116,800 change order for the electric building project, and a proposed increase in the contracted hourly rate for a Forestry Field Manager.

Sturgis Area Community Foundation announces new executive director

By Watershed Voice

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Sturgis

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September 22, 2026

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation (SACF) Board of Trustees has appointed Ashley Magnus as its next Executive Director. An accomplished nonprofit executive with extensive experience in philanthropy, fundraising, strategic planning, and community engagement, Magnus brings a proven track record of organizational growth and community impact to the Foundation.

‘When someone is missing, every available resource matters’: Investigation into Brittany Shank’s disappearance continues in earnest

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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September 17, 2026

Earlier this week, investigators began digging at a property in Leonidas Township after they received information that there could be evidence at the property related to the disappearance of Brittany Shank.

Whitmer announces first batch of local road funding

By Maxwell Knauer

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State

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September 16, 2026

The first batch of local funding is being disbursed to cities and counties across Michigan as part of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Neighborhood Roads Fund (NRF), which aims to rebuild state and local roads and bridges. Locally, residents in Three Rivers and Sturgis have complained to local officials about the condition of their roads, asking for plans to fix them. Those officials have said some of the most problematic roads are owned and maintained by the state, meaning responsibility for those repairs rests with the state.

‘Just sitting there silent’: Sturgis Hospital closure impact goes beyond loss of health care

By Julie Riddle

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Sturgis

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September 10, 2026

Former patients now have to travel farther to access hospital care. But residents and experts say the impact of such a closure goes beyond inconvenience. The loss of a rural hospital can exacerbate barriers to health care, even to the point of endangering lives. It can dent the economies of entire communities. Perhaps most devastatingly, a rural hospital closure leaves emotional scars for the residents and care workers who relied on it as a place of comfort, connectedness, and safety.

Sturgis approves Summit Polymers tax break; WBET offer raised during SYCA contract discussion

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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September 10, 2026

Commissioners held a public hearing and unanimously approved a resolution supporting an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate (IFEC) for Summit Polymers, a plastic injection molding company for the automotive industry. The certificate would reduce the tax liability on the company’s new addition by approximately 50%. The IFEC is expected to save Summit Polymers approximately $110,000 annually in taxes. The exemption was approved for 12 years.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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September 8, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, September 9, at 6 p.m. Commissioners will work through a light agenda with three new business items. They will consider three tree maintenance and forestry contracts, a $60,000 marketing contract for the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts, and an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for Summit Polymers’ facility expansion.

Q&A: Jim Berry, Superintendent of St. Joseph County Intermediate School District

By Maxwell Knauer

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Local

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September 3, 2026

James "Jim" Berry, first-year superintendent at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District (ISD), shared his perspective on his goals for his new role and the state of education amid the AI boom. We spoke with Berry about his first few weeks in his new role, his visions for the future of ISD amid an ever-changing job market, and how he plans to give students the tools they need to succeed.

Sturgis commission advances utility, sidewalk projects

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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August 27, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission approved a $300,000 biosolids removal contract, financing for a $452,128 new digger/bucket truck and a $660,088 bid from the second-lowest bidder for the Nottawa Street 69kV Transmission Line Project. The meeting moved quickly and wrapped up in just over an hour, with all but one agenda item approved unanimously.

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