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.
Sturgis
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.
Glen Oaks Community College recently announced its outstanding scholars for the Winter, 2023 semester. Here’s the complete list.
Watershed Voice will not publish for the next two weeks to give its staff a much needed and much deserved break.
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.
Like any good reporter, WSV staff writer and food columnist Beca Welty does thorough research for her stories, especially when the story is about ice cream. Beca recently headed to Sturgis’ brand new ice cream shop, The Parlor, to get the scoop.
Sturgis City Commissioners heard a presentation regarding the potential construction of a “tiny home village” during a regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday evening. The Sturgis Housing Commission has been in discussions with city staff on this project, and are proposing a development of clustered single-family housing at 208 N. Prospect St. The location is currently a vacant parcel owned by the Sturgis Housing Development Corporation.
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 Three Rivers and Sturgis Champion Force Cheerleading Program (SToRm) recently competed at the State Competition in Grand Rapids where all teams placed within the top four of the state. Both the program’s Division 4 and Division 5.4 teams will go on to compete nationally on July 22.
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.
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.