Looking Out: The joy of reading a book
by Jim Whitehouse “I’m about to turn off my light,” I say to my beloved wife Marsha, as I put my book down on the nightstand next to the bed. “Already?” she says, turning a page in her own book.…
MPS Board of Education update
New cafeteria tables and salad bar approved for Harrington Elementary as well as E-Sports computers for Albion students and Flex Farm Units at the Opportunity High School will produce greens and microgreens for OHS and eventually Harrington By John Hendler…
Redhawks soaring over opponents
Marshall baseball team has been picking up steam this past week with several decisive wins. Tuesday, May 21 the team traveled to I-8 competitor Hastings and swept the doubleheader. In game one, Lincoln Fuller led off with a double and…
Obituary: John Oscar Saurer
John Oscar Saurer, 88 of Venice, Florida, passed away into eternal life surrounded by his beloved family, on May 19, 2024 after a brief illness. He was a Christian and lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church. His faith sustained him…
Historical Notebook: BENJAMIN BARNES FORD
Digital Camera Each year at this time I like to feature one of Albion’s Civil War soldiers. Benjamin Barnes Ford (1837-1861) was one of the Albion area’s first casualties of the War. Benjamin came to Michigan in 1844 from New…
Groundbreaking held for Dispatch Radio Tower Construction
Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (CCCDA) Executive Director Michael Armitage speaks about the value of six radio towers being on an upgraded simulcast network. Representatives standing before throwing dirt for the groundbreaking ceremony (l to r), Calhoun County Sheriff Steve…
Mike’s Musings: The school end is here, thoughts for our graduates
Our newspapers, for the most part, are filled with photos of high school graduates and some college graduates. It is indeed a milestone to graduate, and it will be a feat you, your parents and grandparents will remember for years…
DNR official: How the CCC camps changed the face of Michigan
For a brief time, there was a CCC camp at Portage Lake in northwestern Jackson County. One of its main projects was development of the Waterloo Recreation Area. This slide highlighted the Michigan CCC program and some of its accomplishments.…
Obituary: Calvin Lee Crenshaw Jr.
Calvin Lee Crenshaw Jr., age 67, of Albion, Michigan passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Jackson Hospice. He was born Sept. 14, 1956, in Albion, Michigan to Calvin Lee and Annie Mae (Smith) Crenshaw. He was a graduate…
Road work: The top concern in two Jackson County townships
By Ken Wyatt Roads and their crumbling fortunes were a hot item in the neighboring townships of Concord and Pulaski at this month’s board meetings. A summary of issues in both townships: Concord Township Supervisor David Saenz presented the board…
Marshall GIrls Soccer: I-8 CONFERENCE CHAMPS
Marshall traveled to Hastings Wednesday ith and with a 2-0 win they claimed an undefeated, undisputed conference championship. The win moved Marshall’s record in I-8 Conference play to 6-0-0 this season. Marshall outscored I-8 opponents by a margin of 28…
Looking Out: Cream Puff
“Cream Puff is back!” I holler to my beloved wife Marsha. She walks quickly into the kitchen to stand next to me to look out the window at the bird feeder. There, underneath, is a very large and fluffy…
Mike’s Musings: Homeless woman found in sign, RFK’s brain eaten by worm
I thought I’d take time out from writing about politics to offer a few weird, or absurd items that appeared in the news last week. It seems some news stories are getting weirder and weirder as weeks and months go…
Obituary: Leonard D. Lohrke III
Leonard D. Lohrke III, 80, of Homer, passed away on March 25, 2024 at the Spring Arbor Assisted Living Center in Spring Arbor, MI. He was born on September 25, 1943 to Leonard D. Jr. and Hope (Newton) Lohrke in…
Mike’s Musings: Taxes just keep piling up
Like many of us I struggle with having to pay taxes each year. I often wonder why I put aside more and more each year to pay the government yet get lesser and lesser services.For instance, I’m drawing social security.…
Historical Notebook: Albion 100 Years Ago May, 1924
We continue with our theme of “Albion—100 Years Ago.” May 1, 1924. “The Sheldon Hospital is Opened Today. Mrs. Ida M. Allen Has the Distinction of Being the First Patient to Be Cared for in the New Institution. She was…
Looking Out: It’s only sausage
“So, is it C-A-T-S-U-P or K-E-T-C-H-U-P?” says my old pal Tikins, sliding the red plastic bottle across the restaurant table.“This one says it’s with a K,” I say.“It tastes better if it is spelled C-A-T-S-U-P,” says Tikins.“Baloney,” I say.“Is that…
Parma man wins first place and Albion woman places fifth at Albion’s Run the Rock Friday
Albion Department of Public Safety Sgt. Dan Riley and his K9 partner Tyson ran together for the first time in a public 5K race at Friday’s Run the Rock in Albion. Tyson did not skip a beat crossing the finish…
Obituary: Daniel Patrick Jennings
Daniel Patrick Jennings, of Alto, Michigan was called home by the Lord on April 26, 2024, following a short fight with cancer. He was 58. Dan was a devout Christian and member of Cornerstone Church in Caledonia. He was the…
Concord splits with conference-leading Maple Valley
By Bill Mullaly The Concord Yellowjacket varsity baseball team split with conference-leading Vermontville Maple Valley on Tuesday evening at home in a crucial Big 8 Conference showdown. “We played really well in the first game, and we picked up a…
