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…
Albion resubmits $1.1 million grant to rehabilitate downtown apartments
By MAGGIE LANOUE Contributing Writer Albion City Council approved the resubmission of a $1.1 million Community Development Block Grant application during its Feb. 2 meeting, advancing plans to rehabilitate 10 downtown apartment units across four properties, with the majority reserved…
Showing Up When It Matters: Albion Takes Care of Business on Feb. 2
More residents than usual attended Albion’s Feb. 2 study session and regular meeting at City Hall. As people arrived, they picked up printed agendas from the podium at the front of the room and settled in for an evening focused…
Mike’s Musings: Messing with your brain to fix tremors, my week in a fog
It’s been a week.Struggling with the cold and snow has been one thing, but last Tuesday I had an appointment for focus ultrasound on the brain and since then I have literally been in a fog.Now some readers might point…
Officers perform rescue on frozen lake in subzero temperatures
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Jackson County Sheriff’s officers and Michigan State Police troopers braved subzero temperatures and unstable ice to save a person in crisis early Saturday. JSO officers responded to an emergency call Jan. 25 at about 6:30…
Frederick Noakes charged in fire that injured two last week in Jackson
By ELIZABETH FERSZT and KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writers Frederick Lewis Noakes, 43, was arraigned Jan. 23 in the courtroom of Magistrate Christopher Dickerson on felony charges related to a Jan. 21 fire that injured two other men. According to a…
Council approves ordinance tightening oversight of adult-use marihuana grow facilities
Albion City Council approved updates to the city’s adult-use marihuana ordinance Jan. 20, following discussion and a first reading earlier in the month. The ordinance clarifies municipal licensing requirements and expands the city’s authority to inspect and enforce compliance at…
Homicide victim found on Jackson’s east side
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Michael Mishaw of Jackson is the victim of the second homicide of the year in the City of Jackson. He was found dead in a parking lot on the city’s east side. According to a…
Deer culling to take place this weekend in Jackson
By ELIZABETH FERSZT and KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writers A deer culling originally set to take place in Jackson, Jan. 16-18 has been rescheduled for this weekend. According to information posted on the City of Jackson’s website, the city, “in partnership…
