Mike’s Musings: My fear of “Bambi” makes me a nervous Driver
The social media memes showing vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz fumbling with loading his shotgun at a pheasant hunt reminded that this is the time of year when my mind sometimes wanders to “Bambi” and the confrontations I have had with…
HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK
By Frank Passic LAKE SHORE RAILROAD ONCE SERVICED ALBION With the mention of Jackson County railroads a few weeks ago in this publication, we are reminded that Albion has its own memorable railroad history which was a part of…
Marshall wins Calhoun County XC Invitationals
By Jeff Steers Contributing Writer The Marshall High School boys and girls cross country teams won the Calhoun County Invitational at home Saturday. The Redhawks placed all five runners in the top 10 at Turkeyville in both of the 5K…
Double fatality highlights dangers of Pulaski Road
By Ken Wyatt A western Jackson County couple perished in a fiery crash near Swains Lake in Pulaski Township Sunday morning (Oct. 6). Here’s what the Michigan State Police report had to say, based on both troopers’ on-site investigation and…
Looking Out: The best thing about autumn
by Jim Whitehouse “What’s your favorite season of the year?” I ask my pal Snooker. I’m hoping he says winter so I don’t have to feel like the Lone Ranger about my own preference. “Fall,” he says, taking a sip…
Obituary: Nancy Lee Blodgett
Nancy Lee Blodgett, a resident of Albion, peacefully passed away on Oct. 3, 2024 at the age of 89. She is survived by her loving husband, Ken, and their children: Mary Spencer, LeAnn (Ron) Hugeback, Dean Blodgett, and Dan (Kristine)…
Obituary: Jill Anita Kidder
Jill Anita Kidder, age 73, lost her battle with cancer Oct. 6, 2024, at Bronson Battle Creek surrounded by loved ones. She was born to John and Helen Alexander on April 16, 1951, in Marshall, MIichigan. Jill graduated from Marshall…
Obituary: Stanley Duane Sommer “Stan”
Stanley Duane Sommer “Stan” age 83 of Albion passed away Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Ascension Borgess hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born Sept. 28, 1941, in Albion the son of Oscar and Leona (Rustenholtz) Sommer. Stan was preceded in…
Mike’s Musings: Donate if you can, Helene a monster
We all are too familiar with it now. I am writing about the devastation that we witnessed in western North Carolina last week. Hurricane Helene, which swept through Florida quickly and then motored up to the Carolina’s within a blink…
Young Tiger fan visits Comerica Park
By Bill Mullaly For Brian Draper, a former Concord High School baseball player, and his son, Carter, the run by the Detroit Tigers to the American League playoffs has been an exciting journey with extra special significance. For them it…
City of Jackson launches Fix 36 Program to boost small businesses
Small businesses in the City of Jackson are being helped by a new program that allows them to open their doors while working on code compliance. Recognizing the barriers that often hinder small business owners from successfully launching ventures in…
Marshall’s Annual Skeleton Fest adds adults to festivities for first time
By Sylvia Benavidez Drivers through Marshall’s downtown and the close surrounding streets would have a hard time missing some of the dressed-up skeletons lining the sidewalks. The kick-off party for the city’s annual Skeleton Fest which runs through October was…
ALBION 100 YEARS AGO—
OCTOBER 1924 We continue with our theme of “Albion, 100 Years Ago.” October 1, 1924. Headline: “Albion Woman Confesses to Setting Fires. Mrs. Clara Clark Today Admits to Fire Chief Griswold and State Officers That She Started Blazes at the…
Bidwell in it for the long run at Marshall
By Jeff Steers Contributing Writer Marshall High School runner Jack Bidwell is going the extra mile in the sport of cross country. The MHS senior also expects to be going for a long run in life when he start college…
Looking Out: Nothing but chunky
by Jim Whitehouse “We could use the Victorio Strainer machine,” I say to my beloved wife Marsha as we stand looking at a huge bag of apples. I’m referring to an old-fashioned gizmo we’ve had for decades. You cut the…
City of Albion receives HUD funding for community projects
By MARK LOWERY Albion College will coordinate a $2.8 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development targeting site improvements throughout the city of Albion, including renovation at Marshall Opportunity High School and much-needed upgrades to community facilities,…
Mike’s Musings: National debt crisis- here’s one lawmakers solution
Readers of this column know I have been an avid proponent of balancing the federal budget. Our leaders simply refuse to turn off the money spending spigot, i.e., one has to only listen to the two presidential candidates and their…
Mike’s Musings: The day Santa was booed
I would like to thank the dozens of readers that commented on my Bicycle Hippie finds sobriety column from last week. It certainly was a change of pace from my ranting and raving about government overreach, so much so I’m…
City council hears BlueOval on target for starting 2026 production and hiring despite rocky road to construction
by Sylvia Benavidez During Monday’s Sept. 16 City Council meeting, Mayor Victoria Snyder welcomed Stephanie Fries, Ford government affairs representative by acknowledging that Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park has been contributing to the community and dealing with challenges over the last…
Albion College’s Annual Albion Community Day cleans up city and builds relationships
By Sylvia Benavidez Cleaning up the city before the Festival of the Forks has been a tradition in Albion. When former Mayor Dave Atchison was in office, he held a mayor sponsored Community Clean-up Day and college students played a…
