Based in Sturgis, the accelerated three-week program combines classroom instruction with behind-the-wheel training, giving students the skills needed to earn a CDL-A license and begin careers in commercial trucking. The program is offered through a partnership between Glen Oaks Community College and Regen Trucking School.
Commissioners unanimously approved Doug Terry’s agreement and he will start work on July 20. Once Terry begins, he will have a week of overlap with current City Manager Andrew Kuk. Despite the unanimous approval, Commissioner Jeff Mullins said he remains disappointed in the fact that they were there in the first place and said the city was spending over $300K on a process that shouldn't be happening. Mullins included the $170K to be paid to Terry, the full year salary that will be paid to Kuk as part of his separation agreement, and the costs to pay an outside firm to help the commission find a new manager. “Those are just the tangible numbers that are in front of us. We shouldn’t be here in this spot and it disappoints me that we are because Andrew is very much capable of doing his job,” Mullins said. “I’m very sad that we're in the position that we are in that made him make the decision to walk away.”
Commissioners will look to finalize a contract to make Doug Terry the city’s interim city manager replacing Andrew Kuk once his resignation becomes final on July 24. Commissioners interviewed Terry during their June 22 meeting and voted to extend him a conditional offer pending a contract agreement, background check, and reference check. Terry was the lone candidate as the other potential replacements the city reached out to were unable to apply due to prior commitments.
Reader Dray Perkins writes, "I expected the storm to bring damage. I expected it to bring power outages. What I did not expect though was the sheer resiliency and camaraderie that were put on display following the weather event."
With Fourth of July weekend approaching, communities across southwest Michigan are preparing for parades, fireworks shows, live performances and annual hometown celebrations marking the country’s 250th year of independence. Watershed Voice compiled a guide to events happening across St. Joseph, Cass and Kalamazoo counties, along with a few nearby celebrations worth the drive.
As temperatures climb across Southwest Michigan, residents looking to escape the heat have several options throughout Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Cass counties. With excessive heat expected next week ahead of the holiday weekend, here's where and how to beat the heat.
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 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.
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.
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.
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