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The Sturgis Area Community Foundation (SACF) has announced its transition to a county-wide foundation with a Board of Trustees serving all of St. Joseph County, marking a significant step in the organization’s continued growth and expanding role in regional philanthropy and community leadership.  Over the past several years, SACF has grown from $34 million to $54 million in assets through community support and strategic partnerships. A major milestone in that growth was the 2025 merger with the Three Rivers Area Community Foundation, which broadened collaboration and strengthened SACF’s reach across the county.

Wedge has served the St. Joseph County courts for nearly 40 years. She began her tenure with the 3B District Court in September 1987 while still a senior at Centreville High School. Over the course of her career, she has served in multiple roles before being appointed Court Administrator/Magistrate in July 2006.

The tulip display was inspired in part by the Yellow Tulip Project, a nationwide youth-led initiative founded to reduce stigma surrounding mental health struggles and suicide prevention. The yellow tulip has become a symbol of hope and open conversation. Club President Jan Michaels said the local organization wanted to take that message and make it visible in Three Rivers. “We hear so often that people need help and nobody is doing anything,” she said. “But there are services, and there are ways to help. Sometimes people just don’t know where to start.”

Founded by Kurt Brandenburg and Verna Troyer, the ensemble started with a focus on early sacred and secular choral music from the Renaissance era. Over time, the group expanded its repertoire to include works from nearly every musical period. “We began to feature music from basically all periods, literally from medieval to modern,” Brandenburg told Watershed Voice.  That wide-ranging history is central to this year’s program. Brandenburg Concert will present “Our Story” at 4 p.m. this Sunday, May 3 at First Presbyterian Church in Three Rivers.

In a phone interview with Watershed Voice on Thursday, April 23, City Commissioner Aaron Miller made stronger allegations against Mayor Frank Perez, claiming Perez had broken the law while in office. Miller argued Perez was the person best positioned to publicly disclose the details, and did not identify specific statutes he believed had been violated. “There is plenty that I cannot share because it is protected, as advised by our legal counsel,” Miller said. “There’s a lot that I would love to get out in the open, because sunshine is the best disinfectant.” Watershed Voice requested comment from Perez regarding allegations made during Wednesday’s meeting and Miller’s remarks to Watershed on Thursday. A response was not received by publication time.

Andrew Kuk has resigned as Sturgis city manager, with the city commission voting Wednesday night to accept his resignation amid a contentious meeting that also featured failed attempts to discipline Mayor Frank Perez. Following a closed session listed on the agenda for an attorney opinion and a periodic personnel evaluation at the employee’s request, commissioners returned to open session. Kuk then issued a statement announcing his resignation, and the commission voted 6-2 to accept it. Commissioner Marvin Smith was absent.