Jackson teen dies in wrong-way crash on US-127
By Elizabeth Ferszt And Kathryn Palon Contributing Writers A Jackson teenager was killed in a wrong-way crash on US-127 last Thursday. The teenager, identified as 16-year-old Rickie Pickens, was a passenger in the car traveling the wrong way. Pickens was…
Man pleads no-contest to murder of child
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer A 43-year-old Jackson County man, Donald Flack, pled no contest to second degree murder charges in connection to the death of a 15-month-old Jackson County child in 2022. According to a press release from Prosecuting…
Jackson Collaborative Network presentation gives demographic data about Jackson County
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Sheri Butters, manager of the Jackson Collaborative Network, gave a presentation at the Feb. 24 Jackson City Council meeting that highlighted some sobering data about the demographics, health, and wealth of both the city and…
Albion Invites Public Input on Roads, Redevelopment, and City Planning
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Albion residents will have several opportunities in the coming week to learn more about planned road work, infrastructure projects, and redevelopment proposals, and to share questions and input with city leadership. The first opportunity will…
Stronger Together: Black Work, Business, and Belonging in Albion
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Albion’s Black history is often told through landmark events and institutions, but it is also a story shaped by work — by the jobs people came north for, the industries that sustained families, and the…
Albion Art Center Current Multi-cultural Display runs to March 13; so much more than a labor of love
by Sylvia Benavidez The Albion Art Center is rapidly becoming a place where Albion’s cultural influences and history are preserved, celebrated, taught, and displayed. Mary Slater, president of the Albion Arts Commission, shared in an interview how community teamwork is…
Age and Practice: On the craft of learning to grow old
By Ken Wyatt “Acceptance of one’s life has nothing to do with resignation; it does not mean running away from the struggle. On the contrary, it means accepting it as it comes, with all the handicaps of heredity, of suffering,…
Mike’s Musings: A Moment Worth the Wait — Why the U.S. Hockey Gold Feels So Good
Sometimes a sports moment turns into something bigger than a medal — it becomes a balm for a weary national psyche, a reminder of resilience, pride and unbridled joy. That’s exactly what happened when Team USA’s men’s hockey team edged…
Council Advances Development Projects as Public Weighs in on City Manager
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer The Albion City Council meeting on Tuesday evening drew a higher level of public engagement than in recent months, with about 20 residents attending to offer respectful yet pointed comments on the proposed city manager…
Swains Lake sewer update: Is a whole-lake solution in the works?
By KEN WYATT Contributing Writer Pulaski Township took a step forward in the Swains Lake Sewer Project at this month’s board meeting. After a report from Alan Smaka, project engineer, the board voted to authorize application to the U.S. Agriculture…
Albion Scouts celebrate 110 years with packed anniversary dinner by the river
By Maggie LaNoue, contributing writer A full house filled the American Legion hall overlooking the Kalamazoo River Monday night as Scouts BSA Troop 158 marked its 110th birthday with a community celebration, Court of Honor, and recognition of youth and…
Albion City Council Approves Contract With Returning City Manager Sheryl Theriot
By Maggie LaNoue Contributing writer The Albion City Council voted Tuesday, Feb. 17, to approve a contract with Dr. Sheryl L. Theriot as city manager, bringing back a familiar leader as the city faces major redevelopment projects and ongoing challenges…
Mike’s Musings: Congressional net worth keeps riding and nothing is being done about it
For years, the public has watched members of Congress enter office with modest wealth and leave as millionaires. Lately there has been a lot of talk about Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s net worth soaring from o to $30,000,000 while holding office…
Water Connections: Albion Links Infrastructure and River Planning
Water touches every part of a community’s daily life — from the water that comes out of the tap to the rivers and parks that shape how people experience their town. In Albion, where neighborhoods, industry, and recreation all developed…
Finding empowerment at Marshall Police Department’s Day Long Self-Defense Class stands the test of time
By Sylvia Benavidez The City of Marshall Police Department has taught the all-day PPCT Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention course as well as shorter versions of the format for the last three years, and still the free course remains in…
Jackson community helps family of children who died in a Sunday morning fire
By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer A Jackson family lost two young children in a Sunday morning fire. Both parents were also injured, with their father suffering severe burns. A family member has set up a GoFundME account and as of…
Mike’s Musings: Why the U.S. Needs Voter ID
Few issues in American politics spark as much debate as election integrity. Yet beneath all the noise, there lies a straightforward truth: in a system built on trust, legitimacy, and the belief that every eligible vote counts, we should embrace…
Protestors show support of Steve Tucker at Super Bowl 60 at Michigan Theater
By Elizabeth FersztContributing Writer Protestors braved the freezing temperatures with hand-made signs to show their supportfor Steve Tucker, former executive director of the Michigan Theater of Jackson, Sunday, Feb. 8,from 5:30-6:30 p.m., as the theater was hosting a free Super…
Volunteers brave extreme cold for Albion’s annual Point-in-Time Count
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Volunteers gathered at a building on Austin Avenue in Albion Thursday night, Jan. 29 to take part in the annual Point in Time Count — a nationwide effort to count individuals and families experiencing homelessness…
Steve Tucker fired from Michigan Theatre
By KATHRYN PALON and ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writers The long-time executive director of the Michigan Theatre of Jackson, Steve Tucker, was abruptly fired by the Board of Directors late last month and former Board Chair Nan Whitmore has been named…
