Schools

Three area athletes have been named to the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association First Team all-state team. Pitcher Chance Stewart, a Sturgis High School three-star athlete who has committed to Western Michigan University as its football quarterback, was chosen as a Division 2 member for his baseball prowess. In Division 4, Kaleb McCarroll of Mendon added the all-state honor …

A press conference is scheduled later this week by Glen Oaks Community College regarding a new partnership with Trine University. Details to be revealed during a 10:30 a.m. Thursday media event are expected to elaborate on a program wherein Glen Oaks students are offered a chance to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree from Trine without having to leave St. …

A Burr Oak village trustee has been arraigned on charges of possession of child sexually abusive material and use of a computer to commit a crime. Meadow Woodman, 33, was arraigned last week in District Court. The eight-year village council member was arrested following an investigation that started in February, according to state police investigators. Det. Sgt. Todd Petersen said …

Mendon High School volleyball coach Kathy Trenary has been selected as a member of the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association 2014 Hall of Fame class. Trenary, who has held the position in Mendon for 19 years, is one of three in the 2014 class. The ceremony will take place July 25 at McCamly Plaza Hotel in Battle Creek. According to …

State Rep. Matt Lori said the equity gap that exists between larger and smaller school districts was narrowed this week, with House approval of Bill 5314, which establishes the School-Aid Fund for the coming fiscal year. Besides adding $50 in per-pupil funding for all students, the bill also designates another $125 per pupil for smaller schools, closing the equity gap …

Anderson’s has named Mendon-area resident Samantha Griffith its 2014 National Cover Teen. The 18-year-old Griffith was selected after a nationwide contest this past winter. Troy Ethen, president of Anderson’s, said the annual Cover Teen competition recognizes teens who are leaders in their communities and an inspiration to others. Griffith has been a member of Mendon’s student council, National Honor Society, …

Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates will have the option to attend 15 private colleges in the state with their tuition paid for through the Kalamazoo Promise next year. The scholarship program has guaranteed full tuition payment for all public universities and community colleges in Michigan for the past eight years. The Kalamazoo Promise is teaming up with the Michigan College Alliance …

Nearly 200-thousand Michigan residents will benefit from the recently expanded “Pay As You Earn” repayment plan for federal student loans, according to a report released by the White House. President Barack Obama signed an executive memorandum on Monday expanding eligibility for the program to borrowers with loans made prior to 2011. A report from the White House Council of Economic …

With heavy hearts, members of the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education Tuesday laid off three teachers. A fourth teacher has voluntarily agreed to switch her employment status from full-time to part-time. The move came despite testimonials from more than 30 people who lamented the situation and loss of quality staff members. Barring a significant change in student enrollment or …

Three Rivers Community Schools didn’t have to look far to find a new high school principal. The board of education this week selected Carrie Balk, a seven-year employee with the district. Balk, 35, previously taught language arts and social studies at Hamilton High School before joining the Three Rivers High School staff to teach social studies. She has served as …