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…
Mike’s Musings: Businesses, citizens come to the aid of disadvantaged families
People say times are tough, and if you sat down next to me while we were reading about all the horrible situations families had endured this past year, you could do nothing but agree.Our annual Christmas Wish Program was conducted…
Mike’s Musings: Penny should have not been brought to trial
A 26-year-old former marine has had his life turned upside down after trying to subdue a stranger on a subway in New York City. Daniel Penny jumped in to stop the stranger who was threatening to kill other passengers. For…
Looking Out: Where am I?
by Jim Whitehouse “Which way?” I holler back to Dr. Routemeister as we approach an intersection on our bicycles. “Turn right!” he hollers from behind. Two miles later, we are approaching another corner, and as usual this time he…
Feed Jackson Initiative Gives Away 1,000 Thanksgiving Meals
A group of restaurant owners, friends, and volunteers got together last Wednesday to help Jackson residents. In the end more than 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners were issued to local residents. Baby Bear Burger owner Marshawn Goodloe and a host of local…
Historical Notebook: STARR COMMONWEALTH FOR BOYS WORLD WAR II CHRISTMAS STAMPS
By Frank Passic For many years in the 1940s through 1960s, Albion’s Starr Commonwealth For Boys west of town annually issued their own “Christmas stamps” as a way of bringing attention to this esteemed organization’s needs during the holiday season.…
Local resident and ADPS officer team up Thanksgiving save elderly couple from drowning by Sylvia Benavidez
Albion Department of Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps shared at Monday’s City Council meeting how proud he was of his officers and the civilian who worked together to save an elderly couple from drowning on Thanksgiving. What started off as…
Lumen Christi sets state football records in championship victory
by Jeff Steers Contributing Writer Last Friday was a record setting day for the Lumen Christi Catholic High School varsity football team. The Titans defeated Lansing Catholic 56-18 to claim the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Division 6 state title.…
Mike’s Musings: Words to live by
I found this post on Facebook. I unfortunately don’t know who the author is, but I haven’t read anything lately, that expresses best, how to live our life. Follow these basic tenets and you will be a great person. Personally,…
Lumen Christi advances to D-6 Football Finals
The Titans advanced to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 6 state finals with a 35-6 semifinal win at Novi last Saturday. Lumen Christi faces Lansing Catholic Friday at Ford Field beginning at 4 p.m. It is the third…
Looking Out: Compound angles
by Jim Whitehouse “Are you working on anything in your shop these days?” says old friend Lyle Pratt. “Ugh,” I say. “Ugh?” “Yes. Ugh. I need to go back to school and take more math,” I say. “Shop class, you…
Calhoun County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit members do more than parades
by Sylvia Benavidez Members of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit come from all over the county to become an important part of Calhoun County’s law enforcement team, and they choose to do it without garnering a salary. Although the…
Hundreds Attend Jackson Downtown Parade Nov. 22
Hundreds of local residents attended the Jackson Downtown Parade in Jackson last Friday. Local bands, service groups, and businesses highlighted the 75-minute parade on Michigan Avenue. Santa Claus brought up the rear of the parade – much to the chagrin…
Albion City Manager headhunting firm chosen, possible spring hiring, DDA reports new signage coming to city
By Sylvia Benavidez At Monday’s Albion City Council meeting Interim City Manager Doug Terry produced a list of firms to choose from to conduct the search for a new city manager. “Winter is a notoriously bad time of year for…
Mike’s Musings: Stop with excuses, buy local first
It’s small business Saturday this weekend, and that gives me an excuse as to why you should shop with your small retailers and stay away from the big chains and online buying.Our small towns are treasures. People love to visit…
