The foundation has awarded $200,000 in grant funding to the St. Joseph County United Way in support of its Capital Campaign to build a new facility in Centreville. United Way Executive Director Kelly Hostetler said funding for the new building will come solely from the capital campaign, separate from United Way’s annual fundraising efforts.
The event is free and open to the public. Food and merchandise will be available for purchase. Donations will also be accepted throughout the day to benefit Affinity House, a St. Joseph County nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and providing local resources.
The Oster Award is presented annually to a teacher in the Sturgis Public School District who exemplifies exceptional teaching standards, professional dedication, and extraordinary service to the Sturgis community.
Project Connect aims to assist low-income families, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness in St. Joseph County.
School districts must adopt budgets by July 1, often relying on assumptions about the per-pupil foundation allowance and categorical grants. Normally, those budgets are amended after the state finalizes its numbers and the first state aid payment arrives October 20. With no resolution in Lansing, administrators warn that delays could disrupt payroll, contracts, and services.
The plan isn't final as commissioners said they intend to adjust language based on public feedback before adoption. “We can structure it with a sunset [end date] so the commission must renew it each year,” said Commissioner Aaron Miller, calling it a way to “give the commission more of a flexible approach” if costs rise or if public feedback provides a clear direction.
The plan would consolidate the state’s 10 Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) into just three super-regions. “I worry our clients will just become numbers in a system,” says Amy Davidhizar, provider network manager at Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network in Cass County. “We’ve built a safety net that only works because of trust and follow-through. That doesn’t exist when decisions are made hundreds of miles away.”
Founded in 2000 as a geographic affiliate of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, WPACF connects donors with opportunities to support local projects and programs. Over the years, the foundation has funded scholarships for White Pigeon Community Schools, supported the township library’s OVIE Bookmobile and Summertime Tunes concert series, and backed initiatives such as Wahbememe Park and the Everett F. Gray Stadium.
City Manager Andrew Kuk will present options for recycling in 2026 and beyond when the Sturgis City Commission meets Wednesday. While alternatives have been informally discussed, this marks the first formal action taken by the commission since the July decision to discontinue its curbside recycling program.
Submissions from eligible first, second, third and fourth graders will be accepted through Friday, September 26.
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