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Sturgis

Sturgis commission approves routine items, splits on mowing contracts

Commissioner Richard Bir, who said he worked as a city landscaper for 20 years, questioned why the city needs to contract out any of the work — something he said was not done during his tenure. Bir said he was one of two full-time employees at the time and had no trouble maintaining city properties. He questioned why the current staff — two full-time employees and a third primarily administrative position — requires outside help. Director of Public Services Thomas Sikorski said the city has added properties over time, increasing workload and the need for additional manpower. He also said the department has struggled to attract seasonal workers, particularly college-age applicants who have typically filled those roles.

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Celebrating our sixth birthday and Local News Day

Watershed Voice officially launched six years ago on this day in 2020, providing a combined 3,400 stories, columns, podcasts, poems and the like to residents of St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and Cass Counties over the last 2,191 days. Help us celebrate our birthday with a donation, and sign up for our free newsletter in observance of Local News Day on April 9.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, April 8 for its regular business meeting, with a largely routine agenda that includes contract approvals, infrastructure work, and an update on staffing. 

Sturgis Commission approves compost site changes amid price hike frustrations from local contractors

One resident said the city raised prices by more than 400% for commercial users without phasing in the increase. “It’s not our fault and we shouldn’t have to bear the burden that the city has decided not to increase the price for 18 years, so now you’re going to put that all on the business owners who take care of this town and make it look nice?” said Noah Hahn, who owns a lawn care business in the city.

Three Rivers Area Community Foundation awards $20,000 grant to St. Joseph County United Way for tornado recovery

Together with support from the Sturgis Area Community Foundation (SACF), a combined $20,000 grant has been awarded to the St. Joseph County United Way to assist individuals and families impacted by the storm.

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.

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.

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