Mike’s Musings: Engaging with scammers- don’t follow my son’s lead
I was talking with my son recently, and somehow we got on the topic of these pre-recorded prank calls he used to get. Unlike most of us he enjoys engaging with these pranksters. He know they are fraudsters but gets…
Super Bowl 59 at the Michigan Theatre
By Elizabeth Ferszt, Contributing Writer A free Super Bowl party was held at the Michigan Theater of Jackson on Sunday Feb. 9, from 6 p.m. to close. The event was attended by over 100 people, including a camera and reporter…
Christopher Simpson becomes new chief of police, City of Jackson
By Elizabeth Ferszt Contributing Writer On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the City of Jackson officially announced that Jackson County Under Sheriff, Christopher A. Simpson (56), will become chief of police for the city. Chief Simpson formerly served the Jackson Police Department…
Eight advance from Dundee Girls District Wrestling
Jackson County female wrestlers competed at the Dundee District for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s individual districts. The top four in each weight class advanced to the regional tournament next Sunday at Chelsea. Here are the qualifiers: Bella Huston…
Looking Out: Car Wash
by Jim Whitehouse My car is a mess. It is coated with salty, dirty, yucky stuff. The windshield and back window are streaked. My wipers and washers are not doing a good job clearing the constant spray from the other…
Obituary: Tim Shultz
Tim Shultz died from a severe accidental fall in his Battle Creek apartment. He was preceded in death by his parents, Murray Shultz (1939-2012) and Marilyn L. (Bechstein) Shultz (1941-2022), and is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Jeffrey Shultz…
Obituary: Roland A. Coats
Roland A. Coats, 87, of Spring Lake, Michigan passed away peacefully on Feb. 7, 2025. Roland was born on Oct. 12, 1937, to Ralph and Ruth (Bunday) Coats in Marshall, Michigan. Roland spotted the love of his life, Fern (Watson)…
Obituary: David Theodore Kurtz
David Theodore Kurtz, born May 22, 1952, of Albion, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Feb. 6, 2025, at Allegra Nursing and Rehab in Jackson, Michigan. He was 72 years old. David was the eldest child of Theodore and Lucille Kurtz.…
Men Who Cook dazzles with more unique dishes and volunteer devotion
by Sylvia Benavidez Men Who Cook brought 41 cooks to the serving table and a unique variety of flavors including crowd favorites like macaroni and cheese. Citizens to Beautify Albion sponsored the event at the First Baptist Church in Albion…
Anna’s House of Flowers 40th Anniversary marking so much more than a chronological number
by Sylvia Benavidez Anna’s House of Flowers has been in business in Albion for 40 years and the shop has managed to survive in hard economic times and good. Owner Anna Merritt shared her perspective on her flower shop’s longevity.…
Mike’s Musings: State mandated minimum wage increases will damage small business
You gotta feel for small businesses. Not only are their pricing and services under attack by big box stores and internet giants from here and China, they must weave through a ton of regulations placed on them by the government.The…
Leisure Hour closes its doors after 130th party last Sundayby Sylvia Benavidez
The Leisure Hour Club located next to the Kalamazoo River at 211 Market Place, in Albion, opened its doors at 4 p.m. Sunday for a final send off. Michigan’s oldest member only club could no longer afford to operate in…
Historical Notebooks: Good Mariages
by Jim Whitehouse Having just celebrated a wedding anniversary that ended in a 5, it occurred to me that we give special credence to zeros and fives. Sure, we tend to make a big deal out of 16 (drivers’ licenses)…
Leader of Jackson gang admits to conspiracy to traffic unique form of fentanyl
DETROIT – A Houston, Texas resident and leader of the violent Jackson street gang the “Thorough Bread Family,” Tamarious “Poogi” Faulkner, pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney Julie A.…
A new public safety officer and official titles for interim staff
Funding for Albion’s water improvement project main focus of Monday’s council meeting New ADPS officer introduced. Funding for water improvement project discussed Monday’s city council meeting began with the introduction of a new public safety officer. Robert Haas was introduced…
Jackson County Sheriff’s Department hands out awards to youth in their Explorer Program
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department recently held their Explorer Program Awards Banquet. At the event, several awards were presented. Tim Soto-Steiner received the Most Improved award, the Community Service Award went to Matt Kestner, while the Physical Fitness award went…
City of Jackson welcoming new Police Chief
The City of Jackson will be welcoming a new Police Chief. At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11, Christopher Simpson will be sworn in as the next chief of the Jackson Police Department. This change in police leadership…
Mike’s Musings: Even county governments spend unwisely: Case study, Allegan County
Our government, whether it is at the local, county, state or federal level, makes numerous decisions on how they spend taxpayers’ money. Some we can agree with, some we can’t. I would like to think with the advent of social…
Mike’s Musings: Defund NGO’s, and do it now
If you’ve been watching the crisis at our southern border, you might wonder what has happened to the millions of illegal immigrants that crossed the border the last few years. Where do they go, and how are they supported you…
Looking Out: Off sides
by Jim Whitehouse “Mom, what’s that bird?” says a boy sitting next to me on the sidelines of a futebol pitch, which I’ve been told by my Brazilian friend Sergio is the same thing as a soccer field. My beloved…
