Albion Recorder & Morning Star

Historical Notebook: RAILROAD BUFFER

Historical Notebook: RAILROAD BUFFER

Editorial Staff Nov 28, 2025 3 min read

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

Editorial Staff Nov 28, 2025 5 min read

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

Albion Arts Center gives area artists a home and opens doors just in time for the holidays

Editorial Staff Nov 28, 2025 6 min read

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

Mike Levine Trail extension in Jackson County

Editorial Staff Nov 28, 2025 2 min read

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

Crowds turn out for Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade

Editorial Staff Nov 28, 2025 2 min read

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

Mike’s Musings: Congress works parttime, but receives fulltime pay

Editorial Staff Nov 26, 2025 4 min read

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.

Marshall’s Eastend Studio & Gallery’s holiday market attracts artists and buyers.

Editorial Staff Nov 21, 2025 5 min read

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

Editorial Staff Nov 21, 2025 4 min read

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

Editorial Staff Nov 21, 2025 5 min read

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

Three wars, seven heroes to be honored along M-60

Editorial Staff Nov 21, 2025 5 min read

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

City council honoring yesterday, building tomorrow

Editorial Staff Nov 21, 2025 7 min read

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

Mike’s Musings: Thanksgiving us your time to express thanks

Editorial Staff Nov 19, 2025 4 min read

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,…

HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK: PAUL KOROLUK CONFECTONARY STORE

HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK: PAUL KOROLUK CONFECTONARY STORE

Editorial Staff Nov 14, 2025 4 min read

By Frank Passic             There has been realtor activity at several abandoned old businesses along Austin Avenue recently, in what used to be known as “Hunkytown” in the early 20th century. There were various merchants from Europe who operated businesses…

Poleski reports on mental health, body scanners

Editorial Staff Nov 14, 2025 3 min read

By KEN WYATT Contributing Writer Most of the news from the Concord Township Board meeting came in reports from County Commissioner Earl Poleski, Deputy Larry Jacobson and the approval of a 3.4 percent cost-of-living raise for Concord Fire Department’s firefighters.…

Trinity Episcopal Church rings a bell to honor veterans’ legacy

Trinity Episcopal Church rings a bell to honor veterans’ legacy

Editorial Staff Nov 14, 2025 5 min read

By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer Trinity Episcopal Church, Marshall, joined many other churches and organizations across the U.S. ringing the Bells of Peace at 11 a.m. on the 11th day on the 11th month. The ringing and service honor when…

Brooks Fountain accident investigation continues

Brooks Fountain accident investigation continues

Editorial Staff Nov 14, 2025 2 min read

By SYLVIA BENAVIDEZ Contributing Writer Marshall Police are continuing to investigate last Thursday’s crash into Marshall’s Brooks Memorial Fountain basin by a 38-year-old male driver from Albion Township. Dave Gilbert of the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday morning, “We…

Calhoun County Dodged a Bullet — But Albion’s Story May Be Different

Calhoun County Dodged a Bullet — But Albion’s Story May Be Different

Editorial Staff Nov 14, 2025 7 min read

By Maggie LaNoue Contributing Writer ALBION — At a moment when national indicators seemed poised to turn negative, economist Michael Horrigan, president of the W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, told attendees at Albion’s October Economic Club luncheon that…

Mike’s Musings: The True Spirit of Christmas Lives in Helping Others

Mike’s Musings: The True Spirit of Christmas Lives in Helping Others

Editorial Staff Nov 12, 2025 3 min read

As the Christmas season approaches, the lights, music, and festive cheer remind us of joy, family, and tradition. But amid the celebration, it’s also a time to remember what this season truly represents — compassion, generosity, and community. For many…

Jackson City Council election results

Jackson City Council election results

Editorial Staff Nov 7, 2025 2 min read

By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer The City of Jackson held midterm elections on Tuesday Nov. 4. At stake were three city council seats: Ward 1, Incumbent Arlene Robinson against challenger Dena K. Morgan. Ward 3, Incumbent Angelita V. Gunn vs.…

Army veteran and family honor a GI who made the ultimate sacrifice

Army veteran and family honor a GI who made the ultimate sacrifice

Editorial Staff Nov 7, 2025 5 min read

By Ken Wyatt This is a story about a U.S. Army veteran with 22 years of service in some of the world’s hot spots: Europe, Africa, Korea, Iraq. But it is more than that. Retired First Sergeant Daryl Kinder is…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.