Music will be plentiful during this year’s Three Rivers Water Festival, which starts Thursday. Right off the bat, nearly 200 members of the West Michigan Homeschool Band will be a part of Thursday evening’s parade, which also features the Three Rivers High School Marching Band. Next, the Three Rivers German Band will treat festival-goers beginning at noon on Saturday in …

Here’s an updated list of schools participating in the “Meet Up and Eat Up” breakfast and lunch program. Colon High School offers breakfast Monday through Friday 8 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch 12:30 to 1 o’clock. Breakfast is served Monday through Thursday at Three Rivers High School 7:45 to 8 a.m., and lunch for 30 minutes, starting at 11:45 a.m. …

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gary McDowell recently announced recipients of the 2022 competitive grants to county fairs. Both Cass and St. Joseph counties were included. Funds from the grants are used to make building and other capital improvements on fairground facilities. McDowell said Cass County Fair Association received $100,000 for a Fire Suppression System for exhibit. …

The Michigan Department of Treasury wishes to remind young adults who have experienced foster care on or after their 13th birthday that they are eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund. The priority deadline for the Fostering Futures Scholarship application for academic year 2022-23 is Aug. 1. Eligible students enrolled at a Michigan degree-granting college or …

The location has changed, but the Three Rivers Woman’s Club Pie Palooza will return in full force to this week’s Water Festival. This year, the pie sale will be located in the Farmers Market Park Pavilion. Hours are 2 p.m. Thursday until after the parade; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. until sold out or 5 p.m. …

A popular tradition is returning to the Three Rivers Water Festival, which starts next week. The Three Rivers Lions Club will offer its annual Ox Roast June 17 and 18. The local service organization will offer ox roast sandwiches, and ham and bean soup, along with dill pickles, pop, bottled water, chips by the bag, and apple and cherry pie …

Constantine village manager Mark Honeysett said he has applied for two grants from the Michigan Revitalization and Placemaking Program. One grant would go toward construction of a new fire station. The process had begun with hopes of building a new fire station, police station and training building, but costs of the project have been in the range of $4.8 million, …

The 15th Palmer Lake Flotilla is set for 6 p.m. July 2 on Palmer Lake, starting near the Burr Oak launch. This year’s theme is “Broadway Musicals.” Entrants will decorate a boat or shoreline around the theme of their favorite Broadway musical. Entry fee is $10 and proceeds are donated to Colon American Legion. An entry form can be obtained …

A Three Rivers man will face life in prison after a St. Joseph County Circuit Court jury returned a verdict of guilty on five counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct last week. The three victims were ages 3 and 5 when the assaults took place in Burr Oak. Demetrius Ivory, 45, will be sentenced July 1 to a minimum of …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a motor vehicle that occurred earlier this week in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. The incident happened Tuesday night in the 100 block of North Behnke Road. Authorities said the vehicle stolen is a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche. It is maroon in color.