The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department recently completed a several months long narcotics investigation that culminated in the execution of three search warrants, and resulted in the seizure of hundreds of grams of meth, as well as cocaine, LSD, and other drugs in Sturgis.
City of Sturgis
A Sturgis city commissioner plans to step down next month, and the next step in the process to open an extreme weather center was greenlit Wednesday by the Sturgis City Commission.
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 Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is bringing a cool way to beat the heat with the first-ever Dog Days of Summer tonight in downtown Sturgis. Festivities for the evening will include a classic car cruise-in, hot dog eating competition, community dog show, and a showing of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday evening at city hall (130 N. Ottawa St.) for a regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. Items on the agenda for the evening will include an approval of an electric rate plan for utility rates, as well as an adoption of the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget.
The Sturgis City Commission Wednesday voted to have city staff develop a proposed ordinance and corresponding ballot language concerning urban chickens within city limits. The decision of whether to allow urban chickens in Sturgis will likely be placed in the hands of city residents in August 2024.
The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday evening at city hall (130 N. Ottawa St.) for a regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. One of the topics to be discussed will be the first reading of a proposed urban chickens ordinance.
The Sturgis Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is hosting the second annual MI Art Fest today, Friday, July 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event promises to showcase the work of local artists in the community, and will also feature a classic car cruise-in, 25 art vendors, art demonstrations, and a color walk.
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.
In a tense 5—4 vote Wednesday evening, Sturgis City Commissioners voted to raise the 2023 millage rate to 11.6818, which is the maximum allowed by the State of Michigan without a vote of the electorate.
In a report to commissioners earlier this month, Sturgis Hospital Interim CEO Jeremy Gump said the hospital was in danger of being depleted of funds by the end of June. Now there is no “drop dead” date for the hospital’s closure thanks to a deposit of funds which will allow the facility to continue to operate — at least for a few more weeks.
The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday evening at City Hall (130 N. Ottawa St.) for a regularly scheduled commission meeting at 6 p.m.
Members of the Emergency Extreme Weather Center (EEWC) board met with City of Sturgis staff Thursday to discuss next steps in opening the facility. The goal of the new effort is to provide a center which can be operated overnight to house people during set conditions. The proposed location presents difficulties for use as an overnight housing center due to zoning, building, and fire codes.
The annual summertime celebration Sturgis Fest will return this week with a five-day festival themed “Game Week.” Events planned for the week include free amusement park rides, Bike Night, a classic car cruise-in, Hispanic Heritage Celebration, and fireworks.
Sturgis Hospital Interim CEO Jeremy Gump provided Sturgis City Commissioners with a significant update Wednesday regarding the hospital’s financial status. According to Gump, the hospital’s application to become a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) is still being processed and, if it does not go through within days, Sturgis Hospital will be depleted of all funds.
The Sturgis City Commission met Monday evening for a special work session dedicated to a draft budget review of Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024. See how the budget is shaping up so far before tonight’s city commission meeting.
The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday evening at City Hall (130 N. Ottawa St.) for a regularly scheduled commission meeting at 6 p.m. Here’s what’s on the docket.