Sturgis Archives

How to be an ally during Pride Month and beyond

●

June 23, 2026

While Pride Month is primarily about celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and love in its many forms, it can also be an opportunity for allies to look inward and reflect on how to be better. Not just as individuals, but collectively, what does it take to make someone feel truly welcome — and not simply accepted? To explore that question, Watershed Voice spoke with Heather Sanford of OutFront Kalamazoo about what meaningful allyship can look like during Pride Month and long after June ends.

Sturgis Hospital announces closure, ending local healthcare services this week

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

June 17, 2026

Sturgis Hospital announced Tuesday it will cease operations later this week, closing after years of financial challenges that officials say left the organization unable to continue operating. According to a statement released June 16, the hospital will stop seeing patients at noon on Friday, June 19. The closure will affect all hospital departments and services, including the emergency department, surgery services, laboratory services, medical imaging, outpatient clinics, physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation.

Sturgis power outages drop to 175 as crews continue storm recovery efforts

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

June 16, 2026

As of Tuesday morning, City Manager Andrew Kuk said approximately 175 electric customers remain without power as crews continue restoration work across the city. The storm initially left at least 3,000 customers without electricity after powerful winds brought down trees, power lines, and utility infrastructure throughout Sturgis. Unlike many neighboring communities served by utility companies such as Consumers Energy or Indiana Michigan Power, Sturgis operates its own municipal electric department, meaning restoration efforts have been coordinated directly by city crews alongside outside mutual aid partners.

Sturgis City Commission restores decorum after several contentious meetings

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

June 11, 2026

After several meetings dominated by talk of investigations, censure attempts, and disputes surrounding Mayor Frank Perez and outgoing City Manager Andrew Kuk, the commission spent most of Wednesday's meeting focused on routine city business. Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins requested an update during commissioner comments on allegations of embezzlement raised by a former Doyle Community Center employee at a recent meeting. City Attorney T.J. Reed said the investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by local law enforcement. Once the investigation is complete, Reed said the findings will be forwarded to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office for review. No additional details about the investigation were provided.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

June 9, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, June 10, for a regular business meeting. Commissioners have a relatively light agenda Wednesday, however, in recent months, much of the commission's controversy has unfolded during commissioner comments rather than through scheduled agenda items. Commissioner Aaron Miller recently introduced a resolution calling for an external investigation into alleged wrongdoing by members of the commission, the scope of which will include Mayor Frank Perez, Miller, Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins, Commissioners Richard Bir and Cathi Abbs, and former Commissioner Linda Harrington. Miller later added both his own name and Mullins' after they said residents questioned why they were not including themselves in the investigation. Watershed Voice reached out to Miller to ask whether he will continue introducing resolutions to censure and remove Perez despite the opening of an investigation. Miller said he will no longer introduce those resolutions but remains of the opinion that "change is badly needed" in the City of Sturgis.

Reservoir upstream of Sturgis dam to be lowered by 3 feet

By Watershed Voice

●

Sturgis

●

June 3, 2026

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) notified the city May 5 that the drawdown must be completed by July 15. The action follows the agency's latest evaluation of the dam's left embankment, an area that has been monitored for several years through the city's regular dam safety reporting process. City officials said the required drawdown is being implemented as an Interim Risk Reduction Measure while plans continue to move forward for long-term repairs and improvements to the embankment.

Sturgis commissioners unanimously approve outside investigation as tensions over Mayor Perez continue

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

May 28, 2026

The investigation follows multiple failed attempts by Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins and Commissioner Aaron Miller to censure Mayor Frank Perez or remove him from his mayoral duties during previous meetings. Those efforts stem from allegations by some commissioners that Perez and others violated Michigan law, commission procedures, and the city charter — accusations that have largely remained shielded from public discussion because they were raised during closed session meetings. Tuesday’s vote represented a significant shift after two previous investigation resolutions failed on 4-3 votes. Mayor Perez was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

Southwest Michigan Pride events return throughout June and July

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Culture

●

May 27, 2026

As Pride Month approaches, communities across Southwest Michigan continue to offer spaces for celebration, visibility, and connection for LGBTQIA+ residents and allies alike.

New SIA Community Impact Fund powers historic renovation in downtown Sturgis

By Watershed Voice

●

Sturgis

●

May 27, 2026

The renovation of 104–106 N. Nottawa Street will convert the historic structure into a fully restored, structurally sound building that will serve as the future home of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation’s offices. It will also create shared gathering space for nonprofit organizations, community leaders, businesses, and partners from across St. Joseph County. The project is the first major investment of the newly established SIA Community Impact Fund, a charitable fund held at the foundation dedicated to supporting community and economic development throughout the county.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

●

Sturgis

●

May 26, 2026

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, May 27 amid ongoing internal turmoil within city leadership. During the commission’s last two meetings, Commissioners Aaron Miller and Jeff Mullins have attempted to censure and remove Mayor Frank Perez over alleged illegal conduct, though many details remain unclear to the public because discussions occurred during closed session meetings. The dispute has created a divide between what commissioners say they know privately and what residents have been told publicly. Commissioners are expected to discuss the search for an interim city manager, consider multiple land-related items, and make annual board appointments Wednesday. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Sturgis City Hall.

Sturgis

Latest in Sturgis