Last night at the City of Albion, Michigan Council Meeting a proclamation was read by our Mayor and group member Victoria Garcia- Snyder acknowledging and celebrating our achievement of donating $750,000 to organizations throughout Albion since our inception. This is an incredible milestone and we are honored to all who have actively participated in Albion Area Philanthropic Women to make this possible. Click here for original story about this honor.
This is true example of the collective power we have to positively impact our community.
L – R Juanita Solis Mayor Snyder Vivian Davis Peg Turner Nancy Rousch
Albion, Mich. – Albion just got a whole lot tastier with a new DQ® restaurant coming to town.
American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ), an iconic leader in treats and food, today announced a new DQ restaurant with its grand opening on January 5. Conveniently located off I-94 at 1508 N. Eaton St., the new restaurant will serve guests from Albion and surrounding communities and be owned by Todd Haidous and his brothers, Mike and Derrick Haidous, multi-unit Dairy Queen franchisees.
“Dairy Queen has been at the center of our family’s business for years, and opening a restaurant in Albion allows us to continue serving communities close to home,” said Todd. “With nearby locations in Jackson and Marshall, we see this as an opportunity to create a welcoming place for locals to gather, enjoy great food, and feel part of something familiar.”
The Albion restaurant will be operated by a seasoned, family-run franchise group with more than a decade of experience in franchising and a history with the Dairy Queen brand dating back to 2016. The group currently owns 12 DQ restaurants across Michigan and Indiana, with existing restaurants in nearby Jackson and Marshall, making Albion a natural extension of its footprint in the region. Ownership is shared among family members, including brothers and cousins, with hands-on, day-to-day involvement in operations.
“Dairy Queen Cups” by Mike Mozart, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Community involvement will be a hallmark of the new restaurant. In addition to Dairy Queen’s national partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®, the Albion DQ team plans to support local schools, community events, and neighborhood initiatives, offer senior and student discounts, and hire locally. The franchise group is also recognized for its commitment to guest service, earning a Customer Excellence Award from its local chamber of commerce each year.
The restaurant will serve hot food and treats, including Signature Stackburgers™, Chicken Strip Baskets and world-famous DQ soft serve in cones, sundaes, shakes, and the signature Blizzard® Treat, among many more craveable menu items.
A welcoming environment for all, the new DQ restaurant features a modern design with large comfortable booths, community tables and chairs, a designated mobile order pick-up counter, drive-thru lanes, an outdoor patio, and an iconic 14-foot DQ red spoon.
Additional Dairy Queen locations are already in development as the franchise group continues its investment across Michigan and Indiana. The Albion location marks the team’s 13th DQ restaurant.
The restaurant will be open, starting January 5, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday through Saturday.
About International Dairy Queen
International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses and services a system of more than 7,700 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (Berkshire), which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.
The nickname has nothing to do with the University of Michigan. It came first.
Long before it was a sports symbol, “Wolverine” emerged from conflict. One widely cited origin traces back to the 1830s during the Toledo War, a fierce border dispute between Michigan and Ohio.
Accounts suggest that Ohioans began calling the people of Michigan “wolverines,” not as a compliment but as an insult. They were describing what they saw as a gluttonous, aggressive, and stubborn group of people who refused to back down from the fight.
But Michiganders did what they do best. They leaned into it. They took an animal known for being small but fearless, a creature famous for standing its ground and driving much larger animals away from a kill, and made it their identity.
By the time George Armstrong Custer led the Michigan Brigade into the Civil War with the cry, “Come on, you Wolverines,” the name was no longer an insult. It was a badge of grit and resilience.
Whether or not wolverines ever roamed Michigan in large numbers matters less than what the name came to mean. It became shorthand for a people known for being stubborn, resilient, and famously hard to defeat.
Names like this stick because they fit. And this one did.
Image credit: 19th-century natural history illustration of a wolverine (Gulo gulo). Public domain.
On Tuesday, the public will have the opportunity to see the latest apartments available in Albion. The apartments are complete and available on Tuesday, December 30th, from 4-6 PM, for you to walk through and see what is offered.
The Hayes Block Apartments at 106 East Erie are ready for their next 100 years. Every apartment is unique, and you’ll get the rare opportunity to see them before all the tenants move in. We’re excited to show the community how each apartment blends modern downtown living with a nod to the history of an 1800’s building.
Note: The tour will require walking up and down 1-2 flights of stairs. The contractor is hard at work installing the elevator. The following pictures show all the available apartments. Really, you need to see them in person to appreciate how nice they are.
The Albion Area Philanthropic Women’s giving circle is one of the most impactful community-led initiatives in the Albion area. Since its inception in 2007, around 100 Albion women and supporters have gathered every quarter to each write a $100 check to support a local non-profit. Their final 2025 meeting on December 9 pushed the organization past $750,000 in donations to Albion non-profits!
During their meetings, the women hear from various presenting non-profits, who explain how they would use the approximate $10,000. Each presenter has three to four minutes to explain their needs, followed by a short period for questions. After, the women vote on the winner of that quarter’s round. Previous recipients range from the Albion District Library, which established the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, to the Forks Senior Center for technology upgrades, encompassing multiple facets of the community.
Beyond the generosity of giving, the quarterly meetings are a time for the women to gather and discuss their love for Albion. They have lunch or dinner and announcements on the countless events going on within the community. It is a time for sharing and caring. The women end the meeting by “passing the hat”, where an additional organization of choice gets a few cash donations.
Homestead Savings Bank generously sponsored lunch, so the collected lunch money will be donated to the Community Table of Albion. Your lunch money donation will have an even greater impact because the Albion Community Foundation will match your donations to CTA up to $500. Help Philanthropic Women reach their ¾ million-dollar mark by joining – for more information, contact albionphilwomen@gmail.com.
Albion Mayor Victoria Garcia-Snyder (Left) & Chief of Staff Christina Hildreth Anderson, for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, read proclamations honoring the local Albion group.
A two-week, targeted investigation into child exploitation led by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of Jeremy Clark, 35, of Battle Creek, who attempted to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
Jeremy Clark
This proactive, multi-agency operation was conducted with support from the Albion Department of Public Safety; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Police; Michigan State Police – Southwest Enforcement Team; Marshall Police Department; Battle Creek Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Michigan Department of Corrections; and the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority.
Throughout the investigation, the individual made repeated attempts to solicit a 14-year-old female, including requests to purchase underwear and view intimate parts of the child. At the conclusion of the enforcement period, detectives took the suspect into custody. He has been formally charged with the following felony offenses:
Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes
Using a Computer or the Internet to Communicate with Another Person to Commit a Crime
“The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in our mission to protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Sheriff Steve Hinkley. “I think this is a good opportunity for some self-reflection. If you’re chatting and intending to solicit our children for sex, you need to know this – you’re next! This is an ongoing reminder to parents: social media can be a dangerous place. Monitor and discuss online risks; trust but verify; and keep lines of communication open. Awareness and education are key to protecting our youth from those who wish to do them harm.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Pignataro at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office at 269-781-0880, or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Observer.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is committed to maintaining a safe community for the citizens, especially the children, of Calhoun County, and will continue its efforts to identify, investigate, and hold accountable individuals who seek to exploit minors.
The meeting opened with two special presentations. First, the Calhoun County Conservation District’s Annual Report, presented by Executive Director Ryan Reincke. The report reviewed the Conservation Needs Assessment, an update on the Battle Creek River Watershed Management Plan, the Michigan Hunter’s Access Program, and other agricultural support programs, and community engagement initiatives that strengthen local environmental sustainability.
The Board then issued a proclamation recognizing the 2025 Holiday Season National Enforcement Mobilization Campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” which runs December 12, 2025, through January 1, 2026. The proclamation emphasizes the county’s commitment to roadway safety and supports coordinated enforcement and education efforts during the busiest travel season of the year.
On the Consent Agenda, Commissioners approved the following items:
Scheduling of the 2026 Board of Commissioners Organizational Session for Jan.15, 2026
Reappointments to the Calhoun County Board of Public Health
CCRD Contract: B Drive North Safety Grant Tree Removal
CCRD Contract: 6 Mile Road Safety Grant Tree Removals
Notice of Intent to Create a Countywide Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA)
In New Business, Commissioners approved several items that advance county services, strengthen community partnerships, and finalize key organizational planning for 2026. The Board adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and Appropriations, establishing the financial framework that will guide county operations in the year ahead. Commissioners also approved the 2026 Agreement for MSU Extension Services, ensuring continued access to programs that support local agriculture, youth development, nutrition education, and community wellbeing.
Additionally, the Board authorized the County’s pledge of Full Faith and Credit for the Goguac Lake Level Special Assessment Notes, supporting the Water Resources Commissioner’s long-term lake level management efforts that benefit residents and property owners. Commissioners also approved the 2026–2028 collective bargaining agreement with the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM), reinforcing the county’s commitment to its Sheriff’s Office personnel
The Holiday Market at the Albion Arts Center has MANY creative items to fulfill your holiday shopping, or to treat yourself. We have pottery, knit wear, greeting cards, jewelry, photography, handbags, paintings, digital art, rugs, glass pieces, tree ornaments, books, etched works, 3D sculptured pieces, journals, all hand-crafted, with prices ranging from $1 to 400.
You are sure to find something beautiful for everyone on your list.
Location: 107 East Cass. Heading East on Cass, (Toward the college) from Cass and Superior Streets. You go half a block, cross the river, literally at the end of the bridge, make a hard left into the drive along the river, go forward, and you will run into the big red building.
If you haven’t visited us yet, stop in to see Albion’s new art space.
Calhoun County’s 37th Judicial Circuit Court proudly celebrated Michigan Adoption Day on November 25. Finalizing two adoptions and welcoming children into their forever families. Presided over by Judge John A. Hallacy, the joyful event reflected this year’s theme, “Giving Thanks for Families,” highlighted the life-changing impact of adoption in our community.
Families, court staff, and supporters gathered to honor the importance of providing stable, loving homes for children in foster care.
This Saturday is “Shop Local” in Albion. Be sure to check out the new Albion Arts Center at 107 E. Cass, behind the Coke sign. We have arts and crafts of all kinds, including jewelry, painting, photography, paper crafts, fabric crafts, greeting cards, and Christmas tree decorations. Prices range from as low as $1, perfect for stocking stuffers, up to $400 for fine works of art. In other words, something for every taste and pocketbook.
Hours are Thursdays and Fridays, 2 – 6 PM (except Thanksgiving); Saturdays 11 AM – 2 PM, until and including December 13.
Location: 107 East Cass. Heading East on Cass, (Toward the college) from Cass and Superior Streets. You go half a block, cross the river, literally at the end of the bridge, make a hard left into the drive along the river, go forward, and you will run into the big red building.
Email a news story idea or confidential tip for City Watch:
City Watch News Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.