Schools

A trio of area high school football teams claimed district crowns over the weekend and are two games away from playing for a state championship. Mendon, Constantine and Schoolcraft all remain in the playoffs, while Cassopolis saw its season come to an end Friday. For the third consecutive post-season, Mendon ended Climax-Scotts’ season. On Saturday, the Hornets won on their …

Three Rivers police took a 14-year-old student into custody Monday after it was reported he had taken a gun to school. According to police, the student showed the gun to classmates on the bus while riding home and allegedly made reference to robbing a bank or people in a park. Police recovered the weapon after making contact with the student …

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 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 …

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 …

The Sturgis varsity soccer team saw its best season ever come to an end Wednesday in Plainwell. The Trojans, who were making their first-ever appearance in the Class B Final Four of the state tournament, bowed out to Spring Lake, 2-to-1. The game was tied at1 going into the final minute of play before the Lakers sealed the win on …

It appears Rob Kuhlman will remain in place as superintendent of Mendon Community Schools and Centreville Public Schools. In his fourth year as a dual superintendent, Kuhlman was one of four potential candidates for the top post at Paw Paw Community Schools. On Friday, however, Paw Paw district officials said the 57-year-old Kuhlman was not one of the two finalists. …