Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission
A quarterly finance report, compost site rule changes, and a letter of intent on three electric generators round out the Sturgis City Commission’s agenda for its meeting on Wednesday, March 25.
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Glen Oaks names more than 335 students to fall 2025 honors lists
Watershed Voice would like to congratulate all students who have made the honor roll on their success and we wish you luck in your continued pursuit of excellence — academic or otherwise.
Students named to the President’s List earned a 4.0 grade point average. Students named to the Dean’s List earned a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99. Students are listed alphabetically by hometown.
Whitmer appoints new judge to Michigan Court of Appeals serving Southwest Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Andrew Lievense to the Michigan Court of Appeals, First District, a court that hears appeals affecting residents in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties.
Lievense, of Northville, currently serves as an assistant U.S. attorney. He previously worked as a litigation associate at Honigman LLP in Detroit and clerked for U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn.
Sturgis Civic Players to present “Anne of Green Gables” March 20–22 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts
Directed by Elizabeth Smith of Sturgis and adapted from one of the best-selling books in the world, Anne of Green Gables follows Anne Shirley’s journey from a mischievous girl to a young woman, exploring themes of imagination, belonging, and family.
This production spans six years of Anne’s life — from her arrival in Avonlea as a 12-year-old to her young adulthood at 18 as she prepares to set out on her own. The production highlights many of the story’s most beloved moments.
Sturgis provides storm aid to neighbors, approves arts center entryway project
The City of Sturgis suffered very little damage from the storms. City staff reported during Monday’s meeting that minor damage occurred at the city’s hydroelectric facility, where a unit was knocked offline.
“It went right over the dam,” one city staff member said during the meeting.
Sturgis’ most significant involvement following the storm came through the aid and resources it provided to neighboring communities.
EV Chargers, Road Projects Highlight Sturgis Commission Meeting
Commissioners agreed to direct city staff to move forward with an electric vehicle charging station using leftover funds from a 2024 Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) grant. The city completed its downtown improvements under budget, leaving approximately $151,207 in remaining funds. According to staff, electric vehicle charging infrastructure was the only remaining eligible use for the excess funds.
The proposal includes installation of up to two dual-port Level 2 ChargePoint stations in Parking Lot 11 across from City Hall and the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. Commissioners said the location is intended to encourage visitors to charge their vehicles while supporting downtown businesses within walking distance of the lot.
Carra poses with Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes at campaign event, expresses support for group’s “less government” efforts
In 2022, Stewart Rhodes was convicted in federal court of seditious conspiracy related to the January 6 attack and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was later granted clemency by President Donald Trump in January 2025.
Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission
The commission will revisit electric vehicle charging stations initially removed from the city’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP 1.0) grant project due to placement and budget concerns. The city received a $942,500 RAP grant in 2024 and completed downtown improvements under budget, leaving $151,207.62 in remaining funds.
According to staff, electric vehicle charging infrastructure is the only remaining eligible use for the leftover funds. The proposal would install up to two dual-port Level 2 ChargePoint stations in Parking Lot 11 across from City Hall and the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. The project must be completed by June 30, 2026 and would require final compliance confirmation from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Sturgis City Commission approves burning ordinance, lead line funding plan, and Electric Center construction manager selection
Public Services Director Barry Cox presented an opportunity for the city to pursue federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding administered through the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. Cox said the funding could “turbocharge” Sturgis’ lead service line replacement program ahead of the state’s 2037 deadline.
Glen Oaks nursing club completes 250+ service hours during fall semester
Launched in winter 2024 and open to all nursing students, the club aims to instill a strong sense of civic responsibility while offering opportunities to develop leadership and teamwork skills. This fall, 36 students participated, with 25 meeting the eight-hour-per-semester service requirement.
Glen Oaks names more than 335 students to fall 2025 honors lists
Watershed Voice would like to congratulate all students who have made the honor roll on their success and we wish you luck in your continued pursuit of excellence — academic or otherwise. Students named to the President’s List earned a 4.0 grade point average. Students named to the Dean’s List earned a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99. Students are listed alphabetically by hometown.
Whitmer appoints new judge to Michigan Court of Appeals serving Southwest Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Andrew Lievense to the Michigan Court of Appeals, First District, a court that hears appeals affecting residents in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. Lievense, of Northville, currently serves as an assistant U.S. attorney. He previously worked as a litigation associate at Honigman LLP in Detroit and clerked for U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn.
Sturgis Civic Players to present “Anne of Green Gables” March 20–22 at Sturges-Young Center for the Arts
Directed by Elizabeth Smith of Sturgis and adapted from one of the best-selling books in the world, Anne of Green Gables follows Anne Shirley’s journey from a mischievous girl to a young woman, exploring themes of imagination, belonging, and family. This production spans six years of Anne’s life — from her arrival in Avonlea as a 12-year-old to her young adulthood at 18 as she prepares to set out on her own. The production highlights many of the story’s most beloved moments.
Sturgis provides storm aid to neighbors, approves arts center entryway project
The City of Sturgis suffered very little damage from the storms. City staff reported during Monday’s meeting that minor damage occurred at the city’s hydroelectric facility, where a unit was knocked offline. “It went right over the dam,” one city staff member said during the meeting. Sturgis’ most significant involvement following the storm came through the aid and resources it provided to neighboring communities.
EV Chargers, Road Projects Highlight Sturgis Commission Meeting
Commissioners agreed to direct city staff to move forward with an electric vehicle charging station using leftover funds from a 2024 Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) grant. The city completed its downtown improvements under budget, leaving approximately $151,207 in remaining funds. According to staff, electric vehicle charging infrastructure was the only remaining eligible use for the excess funds. The proposal includes installation of up to two dual-port Level 2 ChargePoint stations in Parking Lot 11 across from City Hall and the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. Commissioners said the location is intended to encourage visitors to charge their vehicles while supporting downtown businesses within walking distance of the lot.
Carra poses with Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes at campaign event, expresses support for group’s “less government” efforts
In 2022, Stewart Rhodes was convicted in federal court of seditious conspiracy related to the January 6 attack and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was later granted clemency by President Donald Trump in January 2025.
Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission
The commission will revisit electric vehicle charging stations initially removed from the city’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP 1.0) grant project due to placement and budget concerns. The city received a $942,500 RAP grant in 2024 and completed downtown improvements under budget, leaving $151,207.62 in remaining funds. According to staff, electric vehicle charging infrastructure is the only remaining eligible use for the leftover funds. The proposal would install up to two dual-port Level 2 ChargePoint stations in Parking Lot 11 across from City Hall and the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. The project must be completed by June 30, 2026 and would require final compliance confirmation from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Sturgis City Commission approves burning ordinance, lead line funding plan, and Electric Center construction manager selection
Public Services Director Barry Cox presented an opportunity for the city to pursue federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding administered through the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. Cox said the funding could “turbocharge” Sturgis’ lead service line replacement program ahead of the state’s 2037 deadline.
Glen Oaks nursing club completes 250+ service hours during fall semester
Launched in winter 2024 and open to all nursing students, the club aims to instill a strong sense of civic responsibility while offering opportunities to develop leadership and teamwork skills. This fall, 36 students participated, with 25 meeting the eight-hour-per-semester service requirement.
