Three Rivers Police Deputy Chief Sam Smallcombe is advising the public about a phone scam that has been brought to the agency’s attention. Smallcombe said the perpetrator targets businesses during overnight hours. The suspect, posing as the business owner, calls an employee and directs the employee to withdraw cash from the business and deposit the funds in a Bitcoin machine. …

Michigan’s unemployment rate rose from January to February. According to Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, the state’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in January and increased by one-tenth of a percent to 5.4 percent in February. The agency said overall employment in Michigan grew by 2,000 jobs while unemployment increased by 6,000 jobs in February. Agency officials said …

An Athens man charged with leaving a child in a vehicle causing death has been sentenced to complete probation and possibly serve jail time. Chad Morgan, 36, was sentenced Thursday to serve nine months in jail starting next February. Whether Martin ends up serving jail time, however, is contingent on a judge’s decision after Martin checks in with the court …

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said more than 73 percent of Michigan driver’s license holders have already upgraded to a REAL ID. U.S. travelers will be required to have a REAL ID or other form of identification to board domestic flights effective May 7. The deadline to have a REAL ID has been extended a number of times but …

Constantine Public Schools announced this week that Patrick Breen is taking over as the district’s superintendent. After serving as interim superintendent since last summer, Breen was chosen by the district’s board of education to succeed Joe Holloway. Breen has almost two decades of experience in education, including the past four years as Constantine High School’s principal. He also has served …

Two suspects are being sought following a retail theft incident last weekend in Sturgis. Michigan State Police troopers said a man and a woman on Saturday entered Dunham’s on South Centerville Road. They collected a number of clothing items totaling about $300 and left the store without paying for the merchandise. Investigators are relying on in-store security cameras to help …

A Coldwater man, suspected of being homeless, faces a number of charges following an incident in downtown Coldwater earlier this week. Police were called around 11 p.m. Tuesday to the area of East Chicago Street and Clay Street in response to a man standing in the roadway. Officers noticed the 38-year-old man appeared agitated and had fresh blood on his …

Plans to develop a pickleball court at Colon Community Park remain on track, though a bit of help is needed to support the entire project. Village officials said Branch County Community Foundation last year awarded a $7,000 grant in support of the development. Specifically, it is designed to be a pickleball and half-court basketball court. Municipal leaders indicated community interest …

Beacon Health Three Rivers has reached out to its patients regarding a data breach. The hospital issued a notice earlier this week to potentially affected patients. According to the letter, the company CPS Solutions – which oversees pharmacy operations – provided notice of a cybersecurity incident dating to early December. According to a letter sent to patients possibly affected by …

Three Rivers municipal officials and members of the city’s Downtown Development Authority took part in a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning. The fanfare marks the beginning of construction of the Three Rivers Outdoor Amphitheater. The amphitheater is possible thanks to a Community Development Block Grant under the Public Spaces Initiative. The $1.9 million grant helps fund construction of the amphitheater, to …