HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK
By Frank Passic DONNA MONTRAN—ALBION’S BATHING BEAUTY This week I’d like to feature another Albionite that appeared in the movies. She was actor, dancer, and “bathing beauty” Donna Montran (1893-1976). Madonna “Donna” Montran was born in Albion on February 20,…
Multiple arrests made after Wall Street shooting in Jackson
By KATHRYN PALON and ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writers Three men have been arrested in connection with a shooting that wounded one person during a gunfight between two groups on Wall Street, according to Jackson Police Chief Christopher A. Simpson. Police…
Jackson YMCA project receives 2026 AGC Build Michigan Award
Jackson, MI — The Jackson YMCA’s renovation and expansion project has been named a 2026 Associated General Contractors Build Michigan Award winner. The honor was presented at the AGC Annual Meeting in Detroit, where representatives from Granger Construction, Colliers Engineering…
Albion Moves Forward on Trees: Community, College, and City Join Forces By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer
On April 1, a community email landed in dozens of inboxes with a subject line that pulled no punches: “Albion Tree Apocalypse Now!” It described streets lined with red Xs, Victory Park looking like “a war zone and logging camp,”…
5th Precinct Meeting Covers Infrastructure, Transportation and Dementia Awareness
By Maggie LaNoue Contributing Writer Albion’s 5th Precinct meeting, chaired by Council Member Vivian Davis, drew up to 50 residents Tuesday evening with questions about roads, water service and leaf pickup, while also welcoming new City Manager Dr. Sheryl Mitchell…
Mike’s Musings: Here’s why a printed weekly newspaper is important
Robert Tomlinson, our news director in Three Rivers, gave a terrific speech to the local Rotary Club about the importance of your local newspaper. I thought I would share a portion with you.“With our twelve weekly newspapers the mission is…
HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK
By Frank Passic M.F.K. FISHER WAS BORN IN ALBION Recently there was an incident at 202 Irwin Avenue in Albion that required the help of the Albion Department of Public Safety. It was in the news and the situation…
Testimony links murders of Anthony Owens Jr. and Emarion Flowers
By ELIZABETH FERSZT Contributing Writer Testimony continued Monday, April 6 in the preliminary exam of three co-defendants accused of open murder in the shooting death of Anthony Owens Jr., age 44; and the assault with intent to murder of Kenneth…
Final suspects apprehended in Hanover Horton area robbery
By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer The final two suspects in the Hanover Horton armed robbery case, Richie Jimenez, age 24, and James Goodall, age 25, were arrested this week, marking the conclusion of a months-long investigation. The apprehensions bring closure…
Infrastructure Under Pressure
Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer A larger-than-usual crowd filled Albion City Council chambers on Monday, April 6, drawn largely by concern over the city’s aggressive tree removal program. They stayed for a conversation that went much deeper — raw sewage backing…
Albion council meeting draws crowd, wraps early despite full agenda
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer With Mayor Victoria Garcia Snyder and Mayor Pro Tem Andrew French absent from the April 6 meeting, Council Member Lenn Reid nominated colleague Vivian Davis to serve as temporary chair — a motion that passed…
Mike’s Musings: Rescues are an Easter weekend miracle
There are moments when a nation is reminded, in the clearest possible terms, who it is and who it chooses to be. The rescue of two American airmen from enemy territory is one of those moments. Not just because it…
Survivors of last May’s porch shooting testify in court
By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer Dion Jamel Flowers Jr., 29, Montez White, 27, and Tyrek Rice, 26, co-defendants in the murder case of Anthony Owens Jr., were in 12th District Court for a preliminary exam March 31 in front of…
Pulaski’s Pottawatomi? What the bones say of past and future
By KEN WYATT Contributing Writer As Jackson approaches its bicentennial in 2029, and the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, there is a history too often ignored — our pre-history. We all know it: The tribal presence on the…
Gov. Whitmer appoints Judges Bates and Hughes to Jackson County courts
By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced the appointments of Judge Allison Bates to the 4th Circuit Court in Jackson County and Nicole Hughes to the 12th District Court in Jackson County. “I am proud to…
Albion’s aging trees meet aging infrastructure: why dozens of trees are coming down across the city
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer Residents walking or driving through Albion neighborhoods in recent weeks have noticed large red X marks painted on dozens of mature street trees, and in some cases have returned to find them already gone. The…
Three Local Public Safety Agencies Team Up with New Life-Saving Equipment
By Maggie LaNoue, Contributing Writer A $5,000 grant from the Albion Community Foundation has equipped three Albion-area public safety agencies with life-saving technology — and strengthened a partnership that protects residents across a wide swath of Calhoun County. The Sheridan…
Mike’s Musings: Shame on Congress, sexual harassment, misconduct claims will remain secret
There are few things more corrosive to public trust than the appearance that those in power play by a different set of rules. Congress’s long-standing practice of shielding the identities of lawmakers who used taxpayer-funded settlements to resolve sexual harassment…
Mike’s Musings: Scrap Current System if we can’t figure out how to pay TSA agents
This logjam that has TSA agents not being paid is absurd. We are now going on week 5 and those providing security at the nation’s airports- our TSA agents haven’t been paid. That’s because they are beholden on Congress to…
Jackson man sentenced for role in vehicle theft ring
By KATHRYN PALON Contributing Writer A Jackson man was sentenced to prison this month for his role in a criminal organization responsible for stealing vehicles across Michigan. Josiah Capetillo, 24, was sentenced March 13 by Judge Sarah Lincoln in 37th…
