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…
Napoleon win Rivalry Jug for fourth consecutive year
by Jeff Steers Contributing Writer The Jug will stay at Napoleon High School following a rivalry win over Columbia Central last Friday. Napoleon claimed the Jug – which the winner posts the score on – with a 22-13 win over…
Looking Out: Shelling peanuts
by Jim Whitehouse Peanuts. They are delicious. I like peanuts. A couple of weeks ago, I invited some friends over for a spur-of-the moment bonfire gathering around our firepit. I put a great deal of effort into the party. My…
Mike’s Musings: The bicycle hippie who overcame addiction
I was riding my bicycle last Saturday (yes, the same bike I fell and broke my hip from a year ago) when I was about 8 miles from home, and I heard a loud splat. I knew immediately my bsck…
Looking Out: The last tomato
by Jim Whitehouse Tomatoes. Wonderful things are tomatoes. Every spring when I plant tomatoes in our garden, I anticipate eating one of those sun warmed beauties picked right off the plant and scoffing at the memory of the rock-hard flavorless…
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