Sturgis Archives

Sturgis City Commission finalizes recycling contract, approves fire truck purchase amid heated public comment on homelessness

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December 18, 2025

A local laundromat owner, Alvie Wall, told commissioners he has dealt with repeated vandalism and theft and said he feels the city has failed to address the issue. “I know you’re sympathetic to the homeless. You feel bad because they’re homeless,” Wall said. “They choose to be homeless. Big deal. That’s their deal. Be homeless all you want, but stop vandalizing my stuff.”

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission to finalize recycling contract, consider marijuana ordinance changes, and fire truck purchase

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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December 17, 2025

Commissioners are expected to finalize a months-long debate over whether to continue curbside recycling in the city. During the meeting, the commission will consider approval of an exclusive franchise agreement with Borden Waste-Away Service LLC, the city’s current recycling provider.

Sturgis approves utility upgrades, vehicle fleet changes, and holiday tree pickup fundraiser

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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December 11, 2025

To start off new business, commissioners unanimously approved a fundraiser in partnership with Gest Pro Tree Services and United Way. For a minimum $25 donation to United Way, Gest Pro Tree Services will pick up Christmas trees from a participating resident’s curbside, chip the tree, and compost the chippings. Donations must be made in advance, and the deadline to sign up is January 4.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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December 10, 2025

The Sturgis City Commission will meet tonight in City Hall at 6 p.m. Electric Department Superintendent Chris McArthur will present the commission with the Sturgis Electric Center final design and the proposed purchase of a Hydro Line Three-Phase Transformer. A Christmas Tree pickup fundraiser and the sorting out of leases and sales of the city vehicle fleets will also be discussed.

Five Lakes Coffee co-founder faces three counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a child

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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December 5, 2025

Jared Smith, 49, faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child younger than 13 and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child younger than 13, according to Calhoun County court records.

Where to find free and low-cost Thanksgiving resources in Southwest Michigan

By Maxwell Knauer

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Local

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November 25, 2025

Watershed Voice has compiled a list of free or low-cost Thanksgiving resources available across St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties. These options are in addition to regularly scheduled food pantry services offered throughout the region.

A celebration of a life in education: Teresa Belote announces retirement

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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November 20, 2025

“I’ve never felt like it was work because I’ve always liked what I’ve done,” Belote said. “I’ve been very lucky.”

Haak-Frost: Don’t let this rural newsroom go the way of Pogs

By Alek Haak-Frost

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Culture

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November 18, 2025

Watershed Voice Executive Editor Alek Haak-Frost writes, "I, for one, would love to see Pogs make a comeback. My stepmother took my Pogs away one day as punishment for something lost to the sands of time, and I never saw them again. Like, ever. "So what does any of this have to do with rural newsrooms? Watershed Voice, much like my beloved Pogs, could be taken away, never to be seen or heard from again. Not because my stepmom forgot to give it back but because support for local journalism has dwindled, and rural newsrooms are almost as endangered as Blockbuster Video or Hot 'n Now (good looking out, Sturgis)."

Sturgis Commission backs three-year recycling contract with Borden, approves curbside recycling ordinance second reading

By Maxwell Knauer

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Sturgis

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November 13, 2025

The ordinance converts curbside recycling from an add-on service to a full city utility, billed as a mandatory fee on utility bills for eligible residential properties. The commission’s approval of the second reading triggers a 20-day waiting period before the ordinance can go into effect. The measure is designed as an alternative to letting the city’s existing recycling contract with Borden expire at year’s end. Previously, the commission had moved toward ending curbside service at the end of the current contract because of rising costs and a roughly $150,000 funding shortfall, even at the maximum allowed fee under state law.

Final opportunity for Sturgis residents to provide recycling feedback before ordinance moves forward

By Maxwell Knauer

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News

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November 12, 2025

Wednesday’s meeting will feature the second reading of the ordinance. If approved, the city would enter a 20-day waiting period before the measure becomes law. The commission will also need to decide the length of its next contract with Borden — likely between one year, which allows flexibility if prices change or the commission later discontinues recycling, and three years, which would reduce per-household costs through volume pricing.

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