Sturgis Archives

Sturgis Civic Players to present ”Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” musical later this month

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November 5, 2026

The popular musical retells the biblical story in Genesis of a favored son, Joseph, (Aaron Miller, of Sturgis) who is given a multi-colored coat by his father, Jacob (Kurt Kuhlmann, of Colon). His jealous brothers sell him into slavery and he ends up working for a rich noble named Potiphar (Ben Fries, of Constantine). After even more drama, he is thrown into prison, but it is through a superpower of interpreting dreams of the Pharaoh (Jason Halling, of Sturgis), that he ends up second in command in Egypt. Eventually, he is joyfully reunited with his family.

Unofficial results show Sturgis mayor defeated, two Three Rivers incumbents unseated

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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November 3, 2026

Unofficial election results show three incumbent city commissioners losing their reelection bids in St. Joseph County on Tuesday, including Sturgis Mayor Frank Perez and two Three Rivers commissioners. In Sturgis, challenger Stoney Summey received more than 71% of the reported vote against Perez, while in Three Rivers, challengers Joshua Williams and Josh Hoeppner finished ahead of incumbents Lucas Allen and Steven Haigh, respectively.

Sturgis Area Community Foundation celebrates a defining year for all of St. Joseph County

By Watershed Voice

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Sturgis

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November 3, 2026

Residents in every corner of St. Joseph County now have a community foundation built to serve them. This year, the Sturgis Area Community Foundation (SACF) expanded its Board of Trustees and committees to include volunteers from across the county, who now help shape decisions about grants, scholarships, and shared priorities such as housing, childcare, education, and economic development. As the Foundation grows, local funds continue to support local needs, and each community keeps its own identity.

Watershed Voice’s full and final election guide

By Maxwell Knauer

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Elections

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October 29, 2026

Throughout this guide, completed questionnaires will be linked to candidates names on their first appearance. There are two ballot proposals that Watershed Voice previously outlined in detail that will be linked to as well, in case you need more information or a refresher. The guide is broken into four parts: Federal elections, state elections, ballot proposals, and local elections.

Sturgis Commission continues infighting, Terry calls for peace

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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October 29, 2026

During Wednesday's Sturgis City Commission the verbal sparring continued, intensified, and then ended with a call from interim City Manager Doug Terry to put it all behind them and work for the city.

‘My kids and I are devastated’: ICE agents detain multiple people in St. Joseph County, according to eye witness accounts

By Maxwell Knauer & Alek Haak-Frost

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Sturgis

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October 28, 2026

Pablo Santiago Hernández was detained by ICE agents in the parking lot of the Sturgis Walmart Monday afternoon after purchasing lunch during a break from work, his wife Mary Kinney-Santiago told Watershed Voice. Santiago Hernández began the process of obtaining legal permanent residency in the United States in 2024. He was still working through that process at the time of his detainment. “My kids and I are devastated, especially my little ones that are his,” Kinney Santiago said. “They can sense the stress, they are not stupid, and he has played an active part in their lives."

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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October 27, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission will meet this Wednesday, October 28 at 6 p.m. in city hall. Commissioners will consider renewing a contract for the city’s cross-connection control program, which helps the city comply with EGLE requirements, and a consulting agreement with Camas to evaluate options for the future of the Sturgis Dam. Since the commission's last meeting, former Sturgis HR director Sonia Burkhead revealed herself as the anonymous source from the investigation into Mayor Frank Perez and other commissioners. We take a closer look at her statement, and how it relates to the timeline of previously reported events.

Sturgis Area Community Foundation awards $206,154 to 11 organizations across St. Joseph County

By Watershed Voice

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Sturgis

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October 27, 2026

The impact grants, made possible by the generosity of local donors and charitable funds, will be used for a variety of projects and causes, including $30,000 toward a larger building for Rooted of St. Joseph County, and $10,000 for free crisis response and deescalation training for first responders countywide, among others.