I received a phone call a couple days ago about the Marion MI newspaper office having been raided by police. Being the owner, I was a bit perplexed, because I knew of no such raid. The caller, however, was adamant…

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite (center) makes a brief presentation on the state of the sheriff’s department during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Commissioners approved drafting a complaint letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to possibly remove…

Art Ebert, superintendent at Sturgis Public Schools, outlined a food service-improvement plan for Sturgis Public Schools.  It is a multi-phase process, Ebert told the board of education on Monday.   Preliminary phase During the 2022-23 academic year, consultant Rusty Stitt…

David Robert Bell, better known to family and friends as “Wiley,” passed away at his home in Three Rivers on Sunday, August 6, 2023. Born June 13, 1960 in Three Rivers, the son of Robert LeRoy and Doris (Mechling) Bell,…

Kenneth Phillip Boyer, 55, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, July 17, 2023. He was born August 15, 1967 in Three Rivers, the son of Richard and Carolyn (Wible) Boyer, and through hard work and dedication, he was able to…

Mary Jane Wright, 81, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at her home. She was born October 15, 1941 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Raymond E. and Edna A. (Nicholes) Buel. Mary graduated from Three Rivers…

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore RooseveltI was raised in Michigan and in 1996, after spending over thirty years living in several other parts of the United States, returned home to live out the rest of my…

By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Hospital has received designation as a “Rural Emergency Hospital.” The designation was granted by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Jeremy Grump, interim CEO at Sturgis Hospital, said the facility…

Mike Bobalik has announced his retirement as clerk for Sturgis Township, effective Sept. 1. He made the formal proclamation Monday at the monthly meeting of Sturgis Township Board of Trustees.Bobalik was appointed to the position in 2012, and has been re-elected…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CENTREVILLE — Two people were killed in a double homicide in Sturgis, which ended the next day with the suspect being killed by police.According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and Sturgis Public Safety, 38-year-old…

More and more I am told I must provide anything of importance digitally. Heck my Facebook feed is crowded with people purportedly able to make my life easier with the new A! Technology. That’s why when it comes to voting…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — Voters in Three Rivers have selected their top two candidates to square off for the mayor’s seat in November. On Tuesday, incumbent Mayor Tom Lowry and challenger Vernis Mims took the top two…

Mike Bobalik has announced his retirement as clerk for Sturgis Township, effective Sept. 1.  He made the formal proclamation Monday at the monthly meeting of Sturgis Township Board of Trustees. Bobalik was appointed to the position in 2012, and has…

Sturgis Director of Public Safety Ryan Banaszak (right) and St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman (left) address media on a double homicide in Sturgis in a press conference at the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department Monday. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON)…

STURGIS — The search for a man suspected in two homicides Saturday night ended in the suspect being killed by police. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, 30-year-old David Keith Algarin, Jr., was shot and killed by police…

Burr Oak Heritage Days Festival was held July 27-30. Among numerous attractions, the annual parade was held July 29. Burr Oak Township Fire Department received the Outstanding Organization Award. Old-Fashioned farm machinery demonstrations were held at Railroad Park.  Credit for all photos:Misty Ledyard…

If you are a fan of Gospel music, you’ll want to mark your calendar for Sunday, August 6. Kline’s Resort will host The Royal Heirs. They will entertain everyone with a variety of Gospel selections with a concert beginning at…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Residents in Three Rivers and the Colon area will have a say in the future of their communities in the Tuesday, Aug. 8 election. A primary election will be held in the…

By Dennis Volkert A unique housing concept is under consideration in Sturgis. Sturgis City Commission on July 26 heard a presentation regarding a proposed clustered single-family housing project at 208 N. Prospect St. That property is a vacant parcel owned by Sturgis Housing…

By Dennis Volkert It’s possible Sturgis voters will decide in 2024 if city residents are allowed to have chickens on their property. In March, city commissioners referred a recommendation to Sturgis Planning Commission for development of an “urban chicken” ordinance. Since then,…