Over a half-dozen Albion establishments open for New Year’s Eve celebrations
The number of choices in Albion for New Year’s Eve celebrations shows that businesses are ready to grow with the city. There were over a half dozen places open to greet the new year. Many business owners and guests shared…
Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending
Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…
Albion resident Orlando Billingsley sentenced to 40-60 years for murder of Battle Creek resident Stanley Wilson
By Sylvia Benavidez A murder that rocked the Albion Community last spring and the resulting police investigation concluded Friday, Dec. 20. Judge Sarah Lincoln of the 37th Judicial Circuit Court sentenced 46-year-old Orlando Capado Billingsley, Albion, to 40-60 years in…
Michigan Center, Hanover-Horton earn conference wrestling victories
Michigan Center and Hanover-Horton high schools made short work of Vandercook Lake and Grass Lake last week in a Cascades Conference quad at GLHS. The Cardinals and Comets earned wins over the two teams last week. Here are wrestling results…
Teen injured in Christmas Eve shooting in Jackson
The Jackson Police Department has released information about a shooting on Christmas Eve that injured a teenage boy.A 14-year-old boy was shot shortly after 5 p.m. on Tuesday near the intersection of Seymore Ave and E North Street in the…
Looking Out: Wrapping up
by Jim Whitehouse “Everyone is good at something,” says Lyle Pratt as we finish lunch at the cafe. “Except me—I’m good at everything.” “Right,” I say. “Except for all the stuff you mess up.” “Mm-hmm,” says Lyle. “Name one.” “Wallpapering,”…
ADPS Officer Chandler Barney and participating in Shop with a Cop program
By Sylvia Benavidez ADPS Officer Chandler Barney loves kids and when Albion Department of Public Safety Interim Chief Aaron Phipps asked Barney and Det. Billy Lazarus to join him for Calhoun County Shop with a Cop in Battle Creek, Barney…
Obituary: Donald Ray Harris Sr.
Donald Ray Harris Sr. of Albion, Michigan passed away on Dec. 22, 2024. He was born May 11, 1944, in Albion, Michigan. Don was a private man. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bingo, and playing euchre at the Springport V.F.W. and…
Obituary: Robert “Bob” Louis Herwarth
Robert “Bob” Louis Herwarth, 90, of Battle Creek, passed away on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. He was born on July 16, 1934, to Carl Julius and Iva Mae (Blunt) Herwarth in Battle Creek. On Sept.…
Obituary: Sharon Leora Smith
Sharon Leora Smith, 78, of Albion, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024.She was born on Feb. 12, 1946, to James and Leora (Jennings) Clark at Albion, Michigan. Sharon was a graduate of Sturgis High School. On Sept. 8,…
Obituary: Verl T. Williams
Verl T. Williams peacefully passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. He was born on Dec. 1, 1944, in Pineville, Louisiana, to Mack and Lucy Thomas. As young children, Verl and his twin brother, Earl,…
Merry Mile breaks Egg Nog Jog attendance and volunteer participation records
by Sylvia Benavidez Presented by the Calhoun County Fairgrounds in Marshall the Merry Mile light display continues to grow in its 8th season with more people volunteering to help set up lights, participating in the Egg Nog Jog, and driving…
Mike’s Musings: Those that gave deserve praise and accolades
Don’t tell me people are inherently stingy and rude. Because what I witnessed this holiday season was just the opposite. As many of you know we had our Christmas Wish Fund in December, like we have done for many years…
AR Boys Basketball for Dec 20
Vandercook Lake Earns First Boys Basketball Victory Photo, story by Jeff Steers Recorder Contributing Writer Vandercook Lake High School earned its first win of the season in boys basketball. The Jayhawks defeated Manchester 40-34 at home last week. Here are…
Looking Out: A Living Tree
by Jim Whitehouse Usually, my beloved wife Marsha and I go to a tree farm and cut a fresh Christmas tree in the hopes that the inside of our car and house will remain needle free. This year, we had…
Obituary: Elizabeth (Libby) Hull
Elizabeth (Libby) Hull, 101, died Monday, Dec. 16, at Heritage Assisted Living in Battle Creek. She was born Nov. 18, 1923, in a farmhouse outside Marshall, Michigan to Clarence (Mac) and Blanche McFadden. Soon after, the couple divorced so she…
Obituary: Rhea Jessie Watson Hotchkin
Rhea Jessie Watson Hotchkin went home to Jesus on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. She is preceded in death by her husband Max (2004), son Stan (2009), grandson Brian, younger brothers Dale, Phil, and Bing (Gary) and her parents, Kenneth and…
Albion City Council closes out the year
By KARA DECHALK Contributing Writer The Dec. 2 meeting of the Albion City Council began with a heartfelt farewell letter read by former precinct 4 council member Marcola Lawler. Lawler was unseated in the November election by challenger C. J.…
Interim Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps on keeping ADPS moving forward
Sylvia Benavidez Interim Albion Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps had the honor of seeing one of his new public safety officers graduate from Kellogg Community College on Dec. 15. With Lt. Bill Timmins at his side, Phipps was happy to…
Jackson County board cuts sheriff’s budget by $615,000
By Ken Wyatt Despite public pressure against it in a year-end budget crisis, the county board has approved $615,000 in cutbacks to the Jackson County Sheriff’s budget. The crucial decisions were made Tuesday evening at the County Tower Building. In…
