The City of Sturgis is inviting residents to sign up with Nixle as a new way to receive important alerts and information from police, fire, streets and utilities via text, phone, or email. Nixle is a nation-wide service that citizens and governments can sign up with to help improve communications during important events. It allows residents to choose what information they receive and how they want to receive it, all for free.

The City intends to use the system for important alerts such as snow removal emergencies, street closings, sewer main breaks, power outages, and police/fire emergencies. While the City has several methods of spreading the word to citizens, including the eWire, Facebook (facebook.com/sturgismi), Twitter (@SturgisCityMI) and the City website, Nixle filled a gap by offering text message and phone alert options for the most time-sensitive and critical events.

Residents can sign up for Nixle via a link on the City's website, sturgismi.gov, or by visiting nixle.com and clicking on the “sign up now” button. The service is free of charge and users can choose which community to follow, what alerts to receive, and how to receive them. The City will begin using the service immediately.