Schools

A lifelong Sturgis resident, described as a pillar of the community, died last week of cancer. Ray Dresser Jr., 81, was a philanthropist and driving force behind the creation of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation in 1962. His contributions to the city included generous endowments to Sturgis Hospital and Glen Oaks Community College. An attorney, Dresser also served as co-chairman …

An anonymous tip to the Three Rivers Police Department has prompted an investigation into marijuana-laced candy at Three Rivers High School. According to the Three Rivers Police Department, an officer was dispatched to the school Friday in response to a report of two students possessing marijuana-laced candy. The two students indicated they purchased the candy from another student, and other …

Three White Pigeon teens were recognized over the weekend for attaining the level of Eagle Scout, the first White Pigeon scouts since 2004 to receive the award . Drew Sellers, Eric Anderson and William Roose were the first members from White Pigeon Boy Scout Troop 419 to receive the organization’s highest honor. They were recognized during a Court of Honor …

A kick-off and planning session for the 2013 Sturgis Relay for Life took place Wednesday at the Sturgis VFW. Fundraising efforts for the June event were to begin with the meeting. The Sturgis Relay for Life, which takes place June 7 at Sturgis High School, will include the survivors lap, the luminaire ceremony and a fight-back ceremony. More details about …

The two largest school districts in St. Joseph County conducted their re-organizational meetings this week. In Sturgis, Geoff Smith was named president of its board of education. Tom Robertson was assigned vice president and Ann Bird secretary. Ray Sterling will serve as treasurer. In Three Rivers, board members returned Susan Schmidtendorff as president, Mike Bosma as vice president and Waneta …

White Pigeon Community Schools recently recognized a longtime board of education member who decided to not seek re-election. Joe Komins, who was board president the past two years, was feted by board members and Superintendent Ron Drzewicki  for his eight years of service to the board. Drzewicki said Komins made a difference through his leadership and dedication to White Pigeon …

Students in Glen Oaks Community College’s Electrical Technologies program are better able to gain hands-on experience with a supply of donated equipment thanks to Armstrong International. Thirteen skids of materials, including pumps, controller motors and parts, were delivered to the college last week. The equipment is the nuts and bolts of what is used in boiler systems, according to Charles …

Members of the White Pigeon Community Schools Board of Education last week hired Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. as the district’s construction manager for projects funded by the five-year, 3-mill sinking fund renewed by voters in May. Superintendent Ron Drzewicki  said it’s estimated that the sinking fund will generate approximately $1 million of revenue per year for the projects over the five-year span. …

A Constantine Public Schools policy committee will have an abundance of information to review next month, following a special meeting its board of education conducted Wednesday. Staged in light of a series of policies employed following an incident last month, the district asked the public for feedback during what turned out to be an hour-long gathering. About 50 participants gathered …

An English teacher at Sturgis High School has been named the recipient of the 2012 John E. Oster Award. Stephanie Harker Schau, a 1985 graduate of Sturgis High School, was presented the award during a Monday luncheon sponsored by the Sturgis Rotary Club. Created by Oster’s widow, Jo Ellen, the John E. Oster memorial recognizes teaching excellence in Sturgis Public …