News

November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County remained unchanged from September. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in November, identical to its rate in September. Data for an October report was not collected due to the federal shutdown. St. Joseph County’s November …

Lockport Township Board of Trustees last week approved a repeal of its 2023 solar ordinance, which governed large-scale and small-scale solar energy systems in the township and included a solar overlay district. According to the Three Rivers Commercial-News, the repeal comes amid opposition over the ordinance from some township residents as well as ongoing pushback from residents statewide against large-scale …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced a Michigan native and former Major League Baseball player will be a part of the school’s “2026 Viking Speaker Series.” Jim Abbott, a pitcher who played college baseball for four years at University Michigan, has committed to a 6:30 p.m. program March 3 at Firm Foundation Ministries in Centreville. Born without a right hand, …

Cass County Animal Control is teaming up with Bergman Veterinary to offer a weekend rabies-vaccine clinic for small animals. The event features 1-year and 3-year rabies vaccines, as well as distemper, hepatitis, lepto and parvo vaccines. Cost is $25 per vaccine and payment is cash only. The clinic is offered 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 31 and Feb. 21 …

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 …