Latest News
Guernsey becomes first female lead prosecutor in Jackson County
By Jeff Steers Contributing Writer New Jackson County Lead Prosecutor Kelsey Guernsey did something interesting before Circuit Court Judge John McBain officially signed her to the position. Guernsey asked people in the audience to stand up if they were part…
Cooper Street in Downtown Jackson closing for bridge replacement
The Michigan Department of Transportation is closing the Cooper Street bridge over the Grand River in Downtown Jackson starting Monday, Jan. 13. MDOT is fully replacing the street’s deteriorating bridge and outdated water main. According to an MDOT press release,…
Light agenda at city council meeting includes further discussion on EDC budget
At Monday’s meeting, Albion City Council again tabled the discussion on the request of the Albion Economic Development Corporation to transfer $150,000 from the TIFA (tax increment finance authority) fund into the EDC budget. The reason for this request is…
Community Table of Albion helps fight food insecurity
The Community Table of Albion had their last food pantry distribution of 2024 on Friday, Dec. 20. Operated by the Albion Health Care Alliance, CTA is the largest food distribution program in Eastern Calhoun County. In 2024 CTA held 35…
‘Get Fit Challenge’ gets underway this weekend It’s the 20th year for Doyle’s fitness and weight-loss contest
By Dennis Volkert “Get Fit Challenge” opens Jan. 11 at Doyle Community Center in Sturgis, and continues through March 22.Time frame for registration and initial weigh-in is 8 a.m.-noon Jan. 11 at Doyle.Prizes are awarded for overall first- and second-place…
Sports
Columbia Central has solid week in girls basketball
by Jeff Steers Contributing Writer The Columbia Central High School girls basketball team won three games last week. The Golden Eagles defeated Ann Arbor Pioneer, Concord, and Napoleon. Here are scores from area teams. Columbia Central 56, Ann Arbor Pioneer…
Harrison basketball returns to action
By John RaffelCorrespondent HARRISON — Harrison’s boys basketball team will return to action on Jan. 13 at Houghton Lake for Jack Pine Conference play.Also for Harrison will be road games on Jan. 15 at Ogemaw Heights and on Jan. 17…
Girls postseason events set MHSAA attendance record
A record number of spectators at girls postseason events during the 2023-24 school year pushed Michigan High School Athletic Association attendance past 1.4 million fans for the second straight, with the total of 471,651 spectators for girls competitions.The previous all-time…
Plainwell boys swim & dive team breaks in new pool
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor Christmas was over, but members of the Plainwell boys swim & dive team got one more gift on Monday, Dec. 30.That’s when the team took its first plunge into the district’s new pool, which is one…
Allegan wrestling wins tourney
By Jason WesseldykSports Editor GRAND RAPIDS—Another weekend, another tournament championship for the Allegan boys wrestling team.One week after earning the top spot in the Comstock Invitational, the Tigers finished first at the West Catholic Dunneback Memorial Tournament on Saturday, Jan.…
Columns
Out and About: Clever comments, quotes, and roadkill
A very Happy New Year to all! I’m finally scheduled for my open-heart surgery on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 a.m. This means that for the rest of this month, my columns will include more items from my files of…
May I Walk with You? ACTION ITEMS
Those of us who are Christian have an obligation to share the Christian way of living with others. Easier said than done, or is it? Let me make some suggestions. The first is to faithfully live the Christian faith yourself.…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: The colors of January
The new year is here and already the middle of January is only a few days away – next Wednesday actually.We’ve had some bone chilling cold, a little snow and wind to greet it, along with the local TV weatherman’s…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorMovingIt was time to downsize. Add keepsakes from my 69 years, my parents, their parents, my wife and daughter … It is daunting deciding what stays, what goes.Each photo and handwritten note was a talisman. I dwelt on…
Mike’s Musings: Congress should not ban TikTok
There has been a new push in Congress to out right ban or heavily regulate TikTok. I’m neither a user nor am I fan of social media in general. However, to ban or heavily regulate the most popular social media…
Obituaries
Looking Out: An alarming story
by Jim Whitehouse “Ringggggggg” sounds my roommate Otter’s alarm clock. We are sophomores in college. Otter sets his alarm clock for very early each morning. I lift my head from my pillow and see him slap the snooze button on…
Obituary: Vennie Ree (Gibson) Williams
Vennie Ree (Gibson) Williams, born on March 3, 1933, in Chester, Georgia, peacefully departedthis life on Dec. 25, 2024, at her residence in Greensboro, North Carolina, surrounded byher loving family. She was the cherished daughter of the late Ammie Lee…
Obituary: James Leland Manthei
James Leland Manthei, age 89, of Albion, Michigan passed on Jan. 2, 2025. He was born July 01, 1935, in Parma, Michigan to Paul and Thelma (Hubbel) Manthei. Jim was a quiet man that loved wood working, building furniture, collecting…
Obituary: Nancy Ann Marek
Nancy Ann Marek, of Three Rivers, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024 with her beloved friend and caregiver, Earl Allison, by her side.She was born November 2, 1946, in Lyons, IL, the daughter of Robert and Lorraine “LAM”…
Obituary: Richard Eldon Irwin
Richard Eldon Irwin, 68, Bristol, Indiana, died Friday, January 3, 2025, at his home. He was born March 7, 1956, in Three Rivers, Michigan, to Eldon & Martha (VanKirk) Irwin. He married Doris Lemley in March 1980, and she died…