The fifth annual Sturgis BBQ Fest is slated for Saturday, September 30 in downtown Sturgis with 10 grill/pit masters scheduled to compete. Festivities will take place from noon to 7 p.m. along North and John Streets, and will include live music, several food vendors, kids activities, a beard contest, a corn hole tournament, and of course, live college football on the big screen.

The Sturgis City Commission will hold a second reading for the Extreme Weather Center (EWC) on Wednesday evening during a regularly scheduled meeting. For eight months a local Sturgis group has worked to organize and assemble a location for individuals in need during extreme temperatures, and have faced challenges with zoning, building, and fire codes. 

The Sturgis City Commission provided “forward momentum” Wednesday by voting to approve the development of an agreement between Sturgis Hospital and a potential buyer. The current outstanding debt service on bonds issued by the City of Sturgis for improvements to the hospital stands at $8,567,631.25, which is being considered in any deal the hospital might make. The hospital has had extensive negotiations with Asker Corp. and “minimal” discussions with a second, unnamed potential purchaser.

Following weeks of financial struggles, Sturgis Hospital Interim CEO Jeremy Gump spoke to the Sturgis City Commission Wednesday to provide an update on hospital operations, as well as the process of finding an organization to acquire the hospital. Though the hospital continues to function tenuously day-to-day, Gump indicated time is running out for the facility.