State Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Township) speaks in support of House Resolution 239 on the House Floor on May 1, at the Capitol in Lansing.
LANSING, Mich., May 1, 2024 — State Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Township) introduced a resolution today declaring May as Drug Treatment Court Awareness Month. House Resolution 239 emphasizes the need for ongoing initiatives to support those battling addiction, and recognizes the significant contributions of Drug Treatment Courts to Michigan communities. After the House passed her resolution, Witwer issued the following statement:
“Addiction is a battle that too many of our loved ones are fighting. As public servants, we must help them win. Drug Treatment Courts offer a beacon of hope, providing a path to recovery and a second chance at life. They not only help individuals overcome addiction, but also reduce crime, improve community safety and save taxpayer dollars. By recognizing May as Drug Treatment Court Awareness Month, we’re affirming our commitment to supporting those battling addiction and acknowledging the remarkable achievements of these courts. This resolution underscores the important role they serve in our communities, public health and overall quality of life in the state — and how supporting them will continue to directly benefit us all.”
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., May 1, 2024 — State Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) hosted a town hall at Lakeview High School earlier this week. The panelists, Battle Creek Chief of Police Shannon Bagley, Damon Brown of RISE Corp., Lakeview High School Principal Cody Japinga, and Pennfield High School Principal Andrew Loy discussed and answered questions about school safety, mental health and potential solutions aimed at bolstering the security and well-being of students across Michigan.
State Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) greets constituents on Monday, April 29, 2024 at Lakeview High School.
“I want to thank everyone who attended the town hall,” Haadsma said. “Ensuring the safety of students is not just a policy issue — it’s a moral imperative. I am committed to school safety measures that protect our students, support our educators, and secure our schools against any threat. It’s not just about creating safe learning environments; it’s also about safeguarding our future.”
During the town hall, Haadsma provided insights into the recent budget provisions and proposed legislation designed to enhance school safety. A significant highlight was the allocation of $328 million in one-time funds in the current year budget to school districts across the state to improve the safety of their students. As next year’s budget is being prepared, the legislature will continue to find ways to support safer schools and communities.
“It was a great opportunity to hear from other community stakeholders on such an important topic. Many ideas were shared that hopefully impact several different organizations within the Battle Creek community,” said Cody Japinga, Principal of Lakeview High School.
“By working together, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for all students. We can implement evidence-based programs that address the root causes of violence, such as poverty, trauma, and social isolation. We can provide resources and support for students who are struggling, including counseling, mentoring, and academic support. And we can hold ourselves and each other accountable for creating a culture of respect, empathy, and kindness,” said Damon Brown, President of RISE Corp.
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., April 30, 2024 — State Representative Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) expressed gratitude for the recent announcement from the Michigan Department of Education that Battle Creek Public Schools and Marshall Public Schools won competitive grants to support students and their families by better connecting them to community resources.
In Battle Creek, the $226,540 grant will be used to address chronic absenteeism and organize community events to bring together community members. In honor of the grant, Dr. Kim Carter, Superintendent of Battle Creek Public Schools commemorated the grant by saying:
“Winning this grant is a testament to our commitment to addressing the critical issue of chronic absenteeism and fostering a culture of academic excellence and community engagement. With these funds, we are equipped to implement comprehensive strategies that will not only improve attendance rates but also strengthen the fabric of our community.”
Meanwhile, Marshall plans to use its $75,750 award for additional staff and outreach. Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Rebecca Jones celebrated the grant by saying:
“This Communities in Schools grant will support efforts to engage students, parents and community stakeholders within and throughout both of the communities that call MPS home. By allowing us to hire additional staff, host community events and make meaningful connections with community resources, these additional funds will have a profound impact. The support from the state of Michigan will make a significant difference in our buildings. We are truly thankful for the commitment to quality public education from our local and state representatives.”
“We are lucky to have dedicated school staff who look for these opportunities to support our young people and our schools. Connecting students and their families with support outside of the school setting means the kids will be better prepared to learn,” Haadsma said. “I am confident this partnership between the State of Michigan, Communities In Schools and our local schools will help ensure every kid has the opportunity to take advantage of an education.”
Background: State Rep. Jim Haadsma hosts coffee hours on the first Saturday of the month to give residents the opportunity to discuss the most important issues happening at the state Capitol and around the community.
Saturday, April 13, was not your ordinary “sleep-in day” for a large number of volunteers who spread out over Northwest Albion. It was Battle Creek Area Habitat for Humanity’s annual Rock the Block Day, where volunteers come together to clean up yards and perform minor repairs on neighborhood homes. This year, a wheelchair ramp was built, a couple steps were repaired, some painting was done on a porch, and many yards were spruced up as leaves and branches were cleaned up.
Thanks goes out to the many volunteers from Albion College, Honor Credit Union, Habitat Regulars, and Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. The church was so gracious to allow Habitat to use its facility as a base for the day. “We just wanted to love on people and help them with some projects,” stated Mike King, Executive Director for Habitat. Monika Rosas, president of the Albion College Habitat chapter, was the mastermind behind the whole day. It was her idea to give back to Albion where she has been attending school for the past few years. Her desire was to see many of her college peers also contribute to the Albion community in doing a project together.
Sponsors for the event included Honor Credit Union, The Foundry (who provided a fabulous breakfast of pastries and fruit), Stirling Books and Brew, Kellogg Community College, Albion College and Meijer.
Habitat volunteers with a rebuilt step project.
Albion College students, with Scott Avery (Habitat board president), Councilman Donivan Williams and the happy homeowner.
Monika Rosas the Albion College Habitat leader with friends in the background.
A very large ramp was constructed for the family at 405 Perry Street, Albion.
Sometimes the Past Must be Addressed Before Moving Forward
As Albion College was recovering from Mathew Johnson’s failed administration and Joe Calvaruso’s anemic and visionless post-Johnson leadership, the Albion College Board of Trustees, which finally got a handle on its leadership when Joann “Joey” Miller was named Board Chair, did one thing right: They appointed Wayne Webster its new President.
Assuming the role of the college’s 18th President on July 1, 2023, Wayne Webster was fully aware of the uphill battle that awaited him. Albion was amid a Michigan Attorney General’s (AG) office investigation, initiated by two concerned alumni, into the school’s financial practices and potential threat to the institution’s stability.
That investigation lasted for several months and concluded with a positive outcome for Albion College. Notably, no charges were filed against anyone at the school, and the college did not admit wrongdoing. Instead, Albion College and the AG office established a Memorandum of Understanding, a significant step towards resolution and future transparency. President Webster, when asked for a comment, pointed out that the document is readily available online via FOIA for anyone to access. He also mentioned that the college has agreed to three years of monitoring as a gesture of good faith regarding the spending of the Endowment.
“Our giving Tuesday in November (2023) was 517% higher than last year (2022)
Yeah, things are getting better for the school. Webster stressed the need to look toward the future, and when asked, he spoke of engagement by alums as a sign things are improving. Admissions are solid so far, and that area needed improvement. His relationships with students have also been appreciated by many. I have had the opportunity to speak with 12 different students, from frosh to seniors. Each has interacted with their President, and each says almost the same thing. He is easy to talk to and seems genuinely concerned about them and their time at Albion.
I have spoken to staff members who are happy he has been willing to include them in their students’ education decisions. Though many offer concerns about class sizes and that some positions still need to be filled, they all concede that cutbacks must happen until the school grows stronger through increased enrollment and Endowment. As one Professor said, “I see things getting a little tight for a while, but so far, the students have not had to suffer; that’s the most important thing to me.”
Tighten the Belt
Of course, increasing revenue and controlling expenses have caused him to make some tough decisions. The school had to lay off employees as part of cutbacks. Most cutbacks have come through attrition, not filling vacancies, etc., but he had to make the tough call and let people go. One thing that impressed me most was his personally meeting with all those who were let go from the school. Separating from good employees is never easy, but Webster’s personality lends to this task as he comes across as honest. When asked if more direct employee cuts are coming again, he said, “I have no plans for that, but I can not say it will never happen again.”
Leader, Family Man
Webster came to Albion via The College of Wooster, where he was the interim President. Those at Wooster who worked with him prior to the interim title and then for him said he was open and engaging. One Wooster colleague said, “He was that person that if you had an issue with something, even if he disagreed with you, you could talk to him, and he would consider your point of view.” That sentiment has followed him to Albion as students and staff enjoy his easygoing personality.
Wayne Webster in his office
He is married to his wife Sally and has a daughter, Stella (11), and he has a son, Reid (forever 6), as he succumbed to leukemia in 2020.
As we sat for two separate interviews, my entire focus changed. Yes, I had questions about the school’s financial stability, and he said it was better now than when he arrived here. I found a man who has quickly developed a love for Albion College, its students, and staff. He speaks fondly of the relationships he has started in the community and stresses that understanding the college’s success is vital to Albion’s success.
He will be installed as President on Saturday morning, April 20, 2024.
Albion, MI – Get ready to mark your calendars for an unforgettable event as Albion gears up to host its Annual Fourth of July Celebration on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. For over two decades, Albion has ignited the sky with dazzling fireworks, creating cherished memories for locals and visitors alike.
Organized by the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, this year’s celebration promises to uphold the tradition of making Albion a vibrant community where residents thrive, and visitors are warmly welcomed. The Greater Albion Chamber is calling upon the community’s support to ensure the success of this year’s fireworks extravaganza. Your generous contributions will directly contribute to the $18,000.00 needed to fund the 2024 fireworks display. By supporting the Annual Fourth of July Celebration, you are not just donating but actively participating in fostering the spirit of unity that defines the spirit of Albion.Join hands with the Greater Albion Chamber as we partner with Night Magic Displays, renowned professional fireworks display company, to orchestrate a breathtaking spectacle of pride and remembrance. Let’s paint the sky with the colors of freedom and pride!
Join hands with the Greater Albion Chamber as we partner with Night Magic Displays, renowned professional fireworks display company, to orchestrate a breathtaking spectacle of pride and remembrance. Let’s paint the sky with the colors of freedom and pride!To be a part of this momentous event and help Albion shine brighter than ever, kindly make your contributions by Friday, June 7, 2024. Your checks can be made payable to:
To be a part of this momentous event and help Albion shine brighter than ever, kindly make your contributions by Friday, June 7, 2024. Your checks can be made payable to:Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 238 Albion, MI 49224 Memo: Albion Fireworks
Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 238 Albion, MI 49224 Memo: Albion Fireworks
Cash and credit card donations are accepted at the Greater Albion Chamber’s office located at 403 S. Superior St., Albion, MI 49224. Simply look for the blue door. And remember, no donation is too small as it all adds up to an exciting night of fun!For more information, contact Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau President Billy Beers at 517.629.5533 or president@greateralbionchamber.org.
For more information, contact Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau President Billy Beers at 517.629.5533 or president@greateralbionchamber.org.
Background: State Rep. Jim Haadsma hosts coffee hours on the first Saturday of the month to give residents the opportunity to discuss the most important issues happening at the state Capitol and around the community.
The Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (CCCDA) and Emergency Management Division of the Sheriff’s Office are collaborating to share information this week for Severe Weather Awareness Week. In a series of posts on both agencies’ Facebook pages, information will be shared about emergency alert methods in Calhoun County, preparedness techniques, the difference between watch and warning, and more.
This information is particularly relevant after a tornado touched down in Calhoun County in late February. Questions have arisen about how emergency notifications in Calhoun County work, and this week gives 911 and the Sheriff’s Office an opportunity to help residents understand the methods utilized to share critical information.
Alerts are sent regularly from CCCDA, as well as the Calhoun County Road Department, via Rave Alerts. For emergency texts, residents can text CALHOUN to 67283 to sign up. Or residents can sign up online at calhouncountymi.gov/rave and then choose their method (call, email, or text) to receive updates ranging from weather alerts, traffic disruptions, road closures, and more. Critical messages that are sent from emergency agencies through the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) are also sent via Rave Alerts, which is what makes the program exceptionally useful.
In the instance of the February tornado, a message was sent from the National Weather Service via IPAWS in a way that also pushed Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to phones that were within a specific geographic area that was determined at the most risk for tornado. This is in addition to Rave Alerts, and so some individuals who had already opted in to the County’s Rave Alerts received multiple messages about the tornado warning. Some individuals who were outside of that geographic area still received the message about the tornado warning because they had previously opted in to receive Calhoun County Rave Alerts, although they did not also receive the WEA.
This redundancy is intentional. 911 and the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management division want to ensure that critical information is delivered to residents in a timely and efficient manner. We encourage residents to sign up for Rave alerts so that they can be aware of what’s happening in the community. By signing up online, individuals can choose which alerts they’d like to receive and can choose to receive only Emergency Alerts.
This week, these agencies hope to inform residents of their options and of ideas for preparedness so that if and when an emergency strikes, whether weather or otherwise, residents can receive effective communication about what is going on. Everyone is encouraged to follow the Calhoun County 911 and Sheriff’s Office Facebook pages for more information throughout the week. Media is encouraged to do stories about this awareness week so that we can help spread this message to more people.
By planning ahead, we can reduce our risk when crises take place.
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