Schools

Sturgis Public Schools officials this week decided to keep its transportation services in-house rather than contract bus-driving services. During Monday’s board of education meeting, members acted on a recommendation of a committee to retain its own staff and employees. The measure was a relief to several bus drivers who attended the meeting, according to Superintendent Tom Langdon. Committee members studied …

Glen Oaks Community College is continuing public forums for its presidential candidates today and Thursday. The second of three sessions takes place today, when Phil Gasparro will be involved in a question-answer forum 10 to 11 a.m., and again 1:30-2:30 p.m. Gasparro is an administrator with Student Success Initiatives at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland. On Thursday, Douglas Brauer will …

Seven area high school girls were named to the all-state volleyball squad. Members of the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association named Brooke Howard of Mendon to its Class C first-team. Her teammate, Alexis Russell, was named to the second team, while fellow Lady Hornet Jordan VanOss made the third team. In Class B, first team honors went to Rachel Anderson …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Roger Rathburn has announced he plans to run for state representative next year. The 51-year-old Rathburn, who is retiring in June following a 13-year tenure as superintendent in Three Rivers, will seek the 59th District State House seat currently held by Matt Lori. Lori, who will begin his sixth and final year as state rep …

The Christmas season officially kicked off Friday in Three Rivers, as a crowd gathered for the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Staged in the downtown mural mall, the ceremony included music from the Three Rivers High School Aristocrats. It also marked the first of a three-day celebration in downtown Three Rivers, where the Riviera Theatre hosted events Saturday and Sunday. Cookie decorating …

Centreville Public Schools has scheduled six dates during which the start of school will be delayed. The two-hour delays will be Dec. 2, Jan. 13, Feb. 3, March 3, March 31, and May 5. The district’s faculty will be involved in professional-development training on those dates.

The Centreville Future Farmers of America organization has announced the start of its annual poinsettia sale. The annual community-service project for Centreville High School’s FFA students has required them to care for the plants and learn about various aspects of greenhouse farming, including watering, fertilizing, pruning, marketing and sales. The group is partnering with the St. Joseph County Council for …

Members of the Centreville Public Schools Board of Education joined district administrators Monday and thanked the community for its Nov. 5 support in passing a $12.8 million request for building improvements district wide. Monday’s meeting was the first since the 2.95-mill request was approved, 351-to-226. Superintendent Rob Kuhlman said the board and the millage committee worked hard to promote the …

A Sturgis Hospital employee is spearheading a fundraising effort to benefit a rural Filipino community devastated by this month’s typhoon. Noel Fontanilla, a native of the Philippines, is hoping his effort will help the village of Cangumbang. The community is where a pair of Sturgis High School graduates, Elsa Thomasma and Carter Brown was working on a community/evacuation center. Fontanilla, …

History repeated itself Friday, as the Mendon Lady Hornets for the second consecutive year bowed out of the state’s Class C volleyball semi-finals. After coming up short against Beal City in 2012, Mendon fell Friday to Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, there games to one. The Lady Hornets finish the season with a record of 49 wins, eight loses and two …