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Egg supply and costs affect area businesses and consumers
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Are we in an egg crisis? Recent news stories online have made it seem like we may be having an egg shortage, egg price inflation, and/or egg supply chain issues. The Morning Star looked into…
Looking Out: Big tippers
by Jim Whitehouse “I need to send an antique teapot to my sister,” says Lyle Pratt, setting his coffee cup on the table next to his dirty breakfast plate. “Why?” I say, handing my own breakfast plate to Matilda, our…
Boys Basketball
Lape sets school record; Warriors win Cascades basketball crown Brayden Lape became the all-time leading scorer for Grass Lake and the Warriors won its first Cascades Conference title since 1971. So, it was a good week for the Warriors. Lape…
City of Albion moves forward on water project, residents will see slight rate increase
By KARA DECHALK Contributing Writer At Monday’s council meeting council approved Ordinance # 2025-02 providing for the issuance and sale of revenue bonds. These bonds will pay for the improvements and extensions to the water supply system of the city.…
Jeremy Barnett will be acting Jackson County undersheriff
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Jackson County Sheriff, Gary Schuette said in an interview earlier this week that Lt. Jeremy Barnett will replace outgoing Undersheriff, Christopher A. Simpson, who left the office to become Chief of Police for the City…
Mike’s Musings: Engaging with scammers- don’t follow my son’s lead
I was talking with my son recently, and somehow we got on the topic of these pre-recorded prank calls he used to get. Unlike most of us he enjoys engaging with these pranksters. He know they are fraudsters but gets…
Super Bowl 59 at the Michigan Theatre
By Elizabeth Ferszt, Contributing Writer A free Super Bowl party was held at the Michigan Theater of Jackson on Sunday Feb. 9, from 6 p.m. to close. The event was attended by over 100 people, including a camera and reporter…
Christopher Simpson becomes new chief of police, City of Jackson
By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the City of Jackson officially announced that Jackson County Under Sheriff, Christopher A. Simpson (56), will become chief of police for the city. Chief Simpson formerly served the Jackson Police Department…
Eight advance from Dundee Girls District Wrestling
Jackson County female wrestlers competed at the Dundee District for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s individual districts. The top four in each weight class advanced to the regional tournament next Sunday at Chelsea. Here are the qualifiers: Bella Huston…
Looking Out: Car Wash
by Jim Whitehouse My car is a mess. It is coated with salty, dirty, yucky stuff. The windshield and back window are streaked. My wipers and washers are not doing a good job clearing the constant spray from the other…
Obituary: Tim Shultz
Tim Shultz died from a severe accidental fall in his Battle Creek apartment. He was preceded in death by his parents, Murray Shultz (1939-2012) and Marilyn L. (Bechstein) Shultz (1941-2022), and is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Jeffrey Shultz…
Obituary: Roland A. Coats
Roland A. Coats, 87, of Spring Lake, Michigan passed away peacefully on Feb. 7, 2025. Roland was born on Oct. 12, 1937, to Ralph and Ruth (Bunday) Coats in Marshall, Michigan. Roland spotted the love of his life, Fern (Watson)…
Obituary: David Theodore Kurtz
David Theodore Kurtz, born May 22, 1952, of Albion, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Feb. 6, 2025, at Allegra Nursing and Rehab in Jackson, Michigan. He was 72 years old. David was the eldest child of Theodore and Lucille Kurtz.…
Men Who Cook dazzles with more unique dishes and volunteer devotion
by Sylvia Benavidez Men Who Cook brought 41 cooks to the serving table and a unique variety of flavors including crowd favorites like macaroni and cheese. Citizens to Beautify Albion sponsored the event at the First Baptist Church in Albion…
Anna’s House of Flowers 40th Anniversary marking so much more than a chronological number
by Sylvia Benavidez Anna’s House of Flowers has been in business in Albion for 40 years and the shop has managed to survive in hard economic times and good. Owner Anna Merritt shared her perspective on her flower shop’s longevity.…
Mike’s Musings: State mandated minimum wage increases will damage small business
You gotta feel for small businesses. Not only are their pricing and services under attack by big box stores and internet giants from here and China, they must weave through a ton of regulations placed on them by the government.The…
Leisure Hour closes its doors after 130th party last Sundayby Sylvia Benavidez
The Leisure Hour Club located next to the Kalamazoo River at 211 Market Place, in Albion, opened its doors at 4 p.m. Sunday for a final send off. Michigan’s oldest member only club could no longer afford to operate in…
Historical Notebooks: Good Mariages
by Jim Whitehouse Having just celebrated a wedding anniversary that ended in a 5, it occurred to me that we give special credence to zeros and fives. Sure, we tend to make a big deal out of 16 (drivers’ licenses)…
Leader of Jackson gang admits to conspiracy to traffic unique form of fentanyl
DETROIT – A Houston, Texas resident and leader of the violent Jackson street gang the “Thorough Bread Family,” Tamarious “Poogi” Faulkner, pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney Julie A.…
A new public safety officer and official titles for interim staff
Funding for Albion’s water improvement project main focus of Monday’s council meeting New ADPS officer introduced. Funding for water improvement project discussed Monday’s city council meeting began with the introduction of a new public safety officer. Robert Haas was introduced…