SAPS presentation highlights local leadership and lifesaving prevention work
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Substance Abuse Prevention Services (SAPS) delivered an uplifting and personal presentation at the Dec. 1 Albion City Council meeting, offering a clear look at how youth leadership and prevention programs are growing in Albion and…
SAPS presentation highlights local leadership; lifesaving prevention work
By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Substance Abuse Prevention Services delivered an uplifting and personal presentation at the Dec. 1 Albion City Council meeting, offering a clear look at how youth leadership and prevention programs are growing in Albion and across…
Poleski reports on jury duty and jail funding
By KEN WYATT Contributing Writer JacksonCounty Commissioner Earl Poleski had two items for his monthly report on county news of interest to the townships in his area. There has been some improvement in the percentage of citizens showing up for…
Jackson councilmember responds to parking concerns
By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer Parking laws in Downtown Jackson changed beginning Dec. 1 and there has been flurry of negative comments and confusion. In an attempt to clarify things, Jackson City Councilman Will Forgrave put the following information on…
Concord, Parma and Pulaski to partner on early voting
By KEN WYATT Contributing Writer Since the 2024 presidential election, Michigan voters have been allowed to cast their votes early. From a state website: “The early voting period takes place for a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the…
Road repairs, revenue shifts, and tight margins shape Albion’s 2026 budget talks
By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Albion’s 2026 budget review began Dec. 1 with a study session. Council members worked through an 80-page draft budget and raised questions about changing revenue patterns, rising infrastructure costs, and the strain of road and…
Smiles and connections light up 2025 Albion Aglow Parade
By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer Bundled up parade watchers braved 20 degrees F, while watching the children from Harrington Elementary School lead of this year’s Albion Aglow parade themed The North Pole. The bright lights of the floats revealed plenty…
Mike’s Musings: Why America Needs Controlled Borders, Not Open Ones
The debate over America’s border policies often gets tangled in national politics, angry cable-news segments, and social-media shouting. But beneath all that noise, the issue comes down to something our readers in Allegan, Clare, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Jackson…
Historical Notebook: RAILROAD BUFFER
By Frank Passic This year there was some serious trimming of foliage and small trees on the west side of N. Eaton St. across from Albion’s Michigan Central Railroad depot in the vicinity of an old-style fire hydrant. That…
Albion households are facing a rising need
By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Recent discussions about the region’s economic outlook have renewed attention to the needs of many area residents. At last month’s Economic Club luncheon at Albion College, the Upjohn Institute presented a countywide economic forecast showing…
Albion Arts Center gives area artists a home and opens doors just in time for the holidays
By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer A historic brick building behind downtown Albion’s iconic Coca Cola sign finds new life as the home of the Albion Arts Center and area artists finally have a permanent place to show their work, sell…
Mike Levine Trail extension in Jackson County
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer If you have noticed the unusual road work being done on Lansing Avenue in Jackson across the freeway, going north to Parnall Rd. – you are not alone. The curved concrete barriers and other hardscaping…
Crowds turn out for Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Thousands of people crowded Michigan Avenue in Downtown Jackson on Friday Nov. 21 for the annual Christmas Parade. The temperatures remained mild at around 45 degrees; no rain, snow, or winds impacted the festive event.…
Mike’s Musings: Congress works parttime, but receives fulltime pay
Every year, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate release their official calendars, and every year the same disbelief follows: this is how many days our elected lawmakers plan to work?I saw the House of Representatives schedule for next…
Marshall’s Eastend Studio & Gallery’s holiday market attracts artists and buyers.
by Sylvia Benavidez Despite online shopping, Eastend Studio & Gallery Holiday Market continues to have success. Having a holiday market that introduces more than traditional art at Marshall’s Eastend Studio & Gallery may seem counter-intuitive to some, but for Executive…
Taylor Wilcher receives bond modification in Lusch murder case
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Taylor Wilcher, who allegedly was involved in the death of John Lusch on April 20, appeared Nov. 18 before Judge John McBain in the 4th Circuit Court, Jackson to ask for a bond modification. Her…
O’Rourke claims self defense; gang involvement in Flowers murder case
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Joseph O’Rourke was in 4th Circuit Court on Nov. 18 for a Motion Hearing for Other Acts Evidence with his attorney, Lucas X. Dillon, Assistant Prosecutor Nathan Hull, and Hon. John McBain, presiding. Dillon is…
Three wars, seven heroes to be honored along M-60
By Ken Wyatt Under legislation approved by the Michigan House of Representatives, portions of M-60 in western Jackson County would honor area men killed in three wars. Rep. Sarah Lightner, R-Springport, introduced House Bill 5089, which would rename three stretches…
City council honoring yesterday, building tomorrow
By Maggie LaNoue Contributing Writer Albion City Council met on Monday, Nov. 17, at the Marshall Opportunity High School Library, working through a mix of long-delayed administrative actions, new budget discussions, and recognitions that connected the city’s past to its…
Mike’s Musings: Thanksgiving us your time to express thanks
Thanksgiving has a way of arriving right when we need it most. After another year filled with the usual mix of noise—politics, inflation, crises abroad, and the ever-present rush of everyday life—this holiday stands as a rare invitation to stop,…
