News

Centreville Public Schools will see $12.8 million worth of improvements over the next decade, as its voters on Tuesday approved a 2.95-mill increase request. The vote was 351 in favor to 226 opposed. As a result, the district will start improvements at its elementary and jr./sr. high buildings next year as part of a three-phase plan that will also see …

Voters in the Constantine Public Schools District Tuesday said “yes” to an operating-millage proposal to collect a full 18 mills from non-homestead property owners. In addition, a second request to collect more than $6.5 million for improvements at its middle school also received community endorsement. The first measure, which passed, 662 to 432, will allow the district to collect the …

Colon Community Schools will continue to receive money from the 18 mills it levies on non-homestead properties. A 10-year request to renew the operating millage passed Tuesday, 286 to 119. Board of education president Ernie Baker said the district realizes about $850,000 annually from the 18 mills, which are paid by owners of the seasonal and second homes on many …

A write-in candidate for the Sturgis City Commission topped an incumbent during Tuesday’s general election. Precinct 2 commissioner Karen Stephens fell short in her attempt to serve two more years, as she was beaten by Charles Huber, 39 to 15. Four other candidates in Sturgis ran unopposed and will return to the nine-member city commission.

A Kalamazoo Democrat is jumping into the race for Michigan’s 6th Congressional district in 2014. Paul Clements is planning a tour of the entire district on Saturday, including stops in Buchanan, Benton Harbor, Cassopolis and Union Pier. He calls himself an “independent Democrat” on his campaign website and says Congressman Fred Upton has become “part of the problem” after 26 …

A biosolids foam-over event occurred at the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment plant Sunday night. Over 12-thousand gallons of foam was collected in the containment protective barrier which was constructed last spring to prevent foam from spilling onto South Lincoln Avenue. In the latest incident, less than 50 gallons of foam entered the roadway.

A pair of St. Joseph County football teams remains in the state playoffs, while Cassopolis and Schoolcraft also picked up wins in the opening-round to continue their seasons. In Division 8, Mendon routed Eau Claire, 67-to-0 Saturday, to up its season record to 10-and-0. The Hornets will play for a district title at 1 p.m. Saturday, when they host 9-and-1 …

The identity of a Sturgis man who died in a crash last week in Florence Township has been confirmed. Corey Michael Draime, 27, was declared dead at the scene of the one-car crash just after 1 a.m. Oct. 27 in the 65000 block of Lutz Road. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies said Draime was driving a vehicle stolen from the …

Nominations are being accepted for the 2013-14 John E. Oster Award for outstanding teaching and community service by a Sturgis Public Schools teacher. Now in its 33rd year, the award is in honor of the late John E. Oster, a Sturgis attorney who placed high value on education and community service. Sturgis school district residents who wish to nominate a …

A weekend of high school football playoffs is on tap and six area teams will be in action. Four games take place at 7 o’clock tonight: Sturgis, with a 5-and-4 record, is at 8-and-1 St. Joseph; 8-and-1 Schoolcraft takes on 8-and-1 Niles Brandywine in Niles; six-win St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic is at Cassopolis to face the 6-and-3 Rangers; and …