Three Rivers Water Festival has announced details related to its theme and general information about the 2026 event. The county’s first community celebration of the summer is a three-day affair and will start June 18. The theme: TR Celebrates America’s 250th birthday. The festival typically draws more than 10,000 people between its parade, midway, live music and fireworks. More information …

There are new developments in a local issue related to a potential data center in Southwest Michigan. WWMT reports that the Cass County Board of Commissioners is responding to a bitcoin mining facility’s proposed expansion, and calling on city leaders to demand more accountability. Located in the vicinity of downtown Dowagiac, Hyperscale Data wants to increase its power capacity to …

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle over the weekend in Cass County’s Howard Township. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies were called around 8 p.m. Sunday to an area on Huntly Drive near Reese Drive in response to a car-versus-pedestrian crash. Investigators said 36-year-old Berrien County resident Stephanie Clark was southbound on Huntly Drive when her vehicle struck a man …

Branch County leaders voted last week to retain through the end of the year their county board’s same chair and vice-chair from 2025. During their organizational meeting Jan. 8, Branch County Board of Commissioners voted Randall Hazelbaker to serve a second straight year as board chairman. Meanwhile, Tim Stoll will continue to serve as vice-chair. Stoll is the former executive …

Clerks from two Branch County townships are preparing resolutions to support controlling the population of Canada geese on and in the vicinity of Coldwater Lake. Kinderhook Township Clerk Pam Tooman and Ovid Township Clerk Amy Havasy are drafting joint-resolution language necessary for a Michigan DNR permit that would allow trained volunteers to collect and dispose of Canada goose eggs this …

A consultant hired to provide an overview of Constantine’s municipal operations is poised to take over the village’s highest, non-elected position, albeit on a temporary basis. Jim Bontrager was brought aboard two months ago to conduct a top-to-bottom review of Constantine’s operations. His services were secured after Village Manager Mark Honeysett indicated back in November he would be retiring in …

Colon Township Fire Chief Matt Overholt said personnel from the agency rescued a dog that had fallen through ice earlier this week near Long Lake Road. Overholt said firefighters were called shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday to a channel that feeds into Long Lake. Firefighters used a rescue rope to retrieve the dog, which was visiting relatives in the area …

A Branch County man who fled the country last year was found guilty Thursday on charges that include sexual conduct with minors. Anthony Cuyler, 48, was convicted of delivering methamphetamine to a minor and three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against two children under the age of 13. The assaults occurred on separate occasions in July 2019, according to …

Sturgis Neighborhood Program’s “Neighbor2Neighbor” Community Impact Initiative is seeking volunteers to join a snow-clearing coalition. City residents and business representatives are invited to help keep sidewalks open and safe. Sturgis Neighborhood Program will help match volunteers with neighbors who need assistance removing snow from their sidewalks. Potential volunteers 17 and younger must provide a parent’s signature in order to participate. …

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased one-tenth of a percent between September and November. According to Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, the state’s unemployment rate changed from 5.1 percent to 5 percent. Employment fell by 6,000 between September and November, and the number of unemployed fell by 7,000, resulting in a workforce decline of 13,000 during the two-month …