Sturgis Hospital has received designation as a “Rural Emergency Hospital.” 

(Photo: Commercial-News/Robert Tomlinson) Story Updated at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The City of Three Rivers is asking residents to run their water before using it after excessive levels of lead were found…

Natelege Zartiz, a stay-at-home mom with a background in real estate, is one of three candidates running for mayor of Three Rivers on the Tuesday, Aug. 8 primary ballot. (Photo provided) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director Editor’s note: This article, originally…

Vernis Mims, a tutor and substitute teacher, is seeking the mayor’s seat for the City of Three Rivers in the Tuesday, Aug. 8 primary election. (Photo provided) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director Editor’s note: This article, originally published in the July…

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry is seeking re-election for a 13th term in the Tuesday, Aug. 8 primary election. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director Editor’s note: This article, originally published in the July 7 edition of the…

Sturgis District Library invites community members to “Library On The Lawn” 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Oaklawn Terrace Park. The free-admission event is intended to embrace a love of reading. Attendees are encouraged to take their favorite book, along with…

I sometimes stand in wonderment at the inefficiencies and heavy handedness of our federal bureaucracy. As a taxpayer I think the sheer number of federal government employees and their inefficiencies costs us billions a year, and we need to get…

Attorney Lance Thornton, representing White Pigeon Township, addresses the St. Joseph County Election Commission during a clarity/factuality hearing Wednesday in Centreville. Language for three recall petitions against White Pigeon Township officials were approved to go forward by the commission. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS…

The cast of the Three Rivers Community Players production of “Frozen Jr.” pose for a picture during a recent rehearsal. The show runs from Aug. 4-6 and Aug. 11-13 with four shows each weekend. (COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON) By Robert…

Michael West, a developer with Green Development Ventures and Allen Edwin Homes, shows a map of the current plans for the Villages of Three Rivers, a new housing development at the east end of Coolidge Place, during Monday’s Three Rivers…

Unveiling was held July 20 for Sturgis Neighborhood Program’s latest home-build, at 116 S. Orange St. It is 3-bedroom, 2-bath, with a full basement and mechanical room, 2-car garage and rear patio.  Wally Wheeler, instructor at CTE construction trades, said…

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…

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, the…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — For the second time in three weeks, a no-contact advisory has been issued for the St. Joseph River following another spill of wastewater from the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The Branch-Hillsdale-St.…

We tried to cancel but we failed. A movie and a video have been the subject of much controversy for the past few weeks and attempts to cancel them have only fueled the fire to make them more popular.I went…

Police say the body of 73-year-old Marilee Furlong was found during a search off of Miller Road in Cass County Monday. (Photo via St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department) By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CASS COUNTY — The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s…

Monica Smith will resign as executive director at Sturgis Neighborhood Program, effective July 28, after 23 years in the position.  Tracey Parker, SNP board president, made the announcement this week.  Smith was hired as executive director of the non-profit agency…

The building that housed It Takes A Village Diner and two upper-level apartment units was destroyed by fire early today in Burr Oak.  Three people were present in the apartment area at the time, but were able to escape safely,…

by Larry-Michael and Becky Lynn Hackenberg A Weekly Almanac GuidePlan, Do, Finish, Rest.Living in Harmony With EarthWeekend ofJuly 22-23, 2023 Becky’s Earth-Sun-Moon NotesIn A Nutshell…First Quarter/Planning Moon, Tuesday, July 25 at 10:07 p.m. EDT, begins the cycle again. Last week’s…

Nothing tastes better than burgers and dogs cooked on your outdoor grill. Whether you burn charcoal or propane, the meat always seems to taste a little better. Besides, the lady of the house appreciates you messing up the grill instead…