Written by John Face

June 15, 2024

Photos taken by and property of John Face

Wednesday nights tragic deaths of two Albion men, Dominik Warner 21, and Ethan Newman 18, has brought the local community together to help support each other. “It’s heartbreaking”, said one Albion resident, “we all live here and we all know these babies and watch them grow up.” “Albion is a wonderful town,” said another resident, “watching how the town comes to help out, like how they are trying to raise money for the two families.” A make shift memorial has sprung up at the accident scene, pictured here in the story. You can see more photos and the press release from the Albion Department of Public Safety that we released on Thursday by clicking here.

This author was at the scene Wednesday night, not as a reporter, but as a long time friend of one of the grandfathers. Watching friends hurt like this was tough to deal with, watching how the young friends of these two men react was heartbreaking as well. There is pain in this small town, and if you can help please do, it will help a lot. Two separate and verified Go Fund Me campaigns are collecting money for each family.

You can help the Warner family by clicking here.

You can help the Newman family by clicking here.

Arrangements have yet to be released

June 14, 2024

Press Release

Calhoun County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office Detectives interviewed a suspect in regards to a criminal sexual conduct complaint after an out-of-state agency notified CCSO of allegations.

The incident occurred in Fredonia Township. The suspect, William Haroff, a 79-year-old male from Marshall, cooperated with detectives and confessed to several occasions where sexual assaults took place with under-age victims. Detectives are in contact with those victims.

He was arrested and lodged at the Calhoun County Jail on several counts of criminal sexual conduct. Haroff was charged by the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office and arraigned today on June 14, 2024, with 12 counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree, six counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd Degree.

Detectives are asking the public if they have any information in regards to this crime, please contact Detective Jon Pignataro of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office at 269-781-0880, Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch at 269-781-0911 or Silent Observer at 269-964-3888.

Written by John Face

Photos taken by and are the property of John Face

June 13, 2024

Click here for our latest story

As of yet the names of the two victims, even though they are known by City Watch, will not be released until either ADPS or the families release them. The photos were taken this morning.

Albion Department of Public Safety Released the following statement May 12, 2024:

At approximately 8:00 PM, an ADPS officer attempted to stop a vehicle driving recklessly on Superior St near Walnut St. The vehicle immediately fled at a high rate of speed south on Superior St. Seconds later, the vehicle left the roadway, striking a tree near the south city limits. Two subjects inside the vehicle died as a result of striking the tree at an extremely high rate of speed. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan, is investigating the crash. ADPS was assisted by Albion Township Fire Dept, Sheridan Township Fire Department, Albion Community Ambulance, and the Michigan State Police

Press release

June 10, 2024

31 year old Albion man has been identified as the body found in the K-Zoo river who was the victim of apparent suicide. Albion Department of Public Safety made this press release.

You can go to our original story by clicking here. 

Press Release

ADPS has positively identified the individual found in the Kalamazoo River near the waterfall last Tuesday as a 31-year-old man from Albion. The investigation has determined the cause of death to be suicide. Because of this, we will not be releasing the individual’s name.

June 06, 2024

Press Release

MARSHALL, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be resurfacing more than 9 miles of westbound I-94 from 29 Mile Road in Sheridan Township to 21 1/2 Mile Road in Marengo Township, Calhoun County. The $4.3 million investment includes resurfacing the ramps at 22 1/2 Mile Road Exit 115, M-199 (26 Mile Road) Exit 119, and I-94 Business Route (28 Mile Road/Easton Street) Exit 121.

County:
Calhoun

Highway:
I-94

Closest city:
Albion

Start date:
Sunday, June 9, 2024

Estimated end date:
Friday, Aug. 2, 2024

Traffic restrictions:
There will be nighttime lane and ramp closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Jobs numbers:
Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 52 jobs.

Safety benefit:
This work will result in a smoother ride and improved safety for motorists.

Written by John Face

June 4, 2024

Albion Department of Public Safety (ADPS) released the following statement via social media:

At 1:30 PM today ADPS units responded to a possible body in the river at the waterfall near Haven Rd. Upon arrival officer located what appeared to be a body.

The Marshall Fire Department, Sheridan Township Fire Department, Calhoun County Dive Team, Albion Township Fire Department, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department and the Michigan State Police all respond to assist in removing the body from the water. At this point we have no further information and have not been able to identify the individual. The body was turned over to the Calhoun County Medical Examiner. Anyone with information is asked to call D/Lt Nicole Wygant at 517-629-7824 or Silent Observer at 517-629-2700.

Picture of scene as ADPS and coroner office processed the victim and scene. Crime scene photo property of City Watch.

Photos by John Face

Press Release

May 28, 2024

Local area artists will gather June 28 and 29 for a special “Art Under the Water Tower”
in Crowell Park. The event is sponsored by the Albion Arts Commission and Salem United
Church of Christ. Support comes from an Albion Community Foundation grant.

The free art event will feature over 20 area artists and crafters. In addition food trucks
will be on site to provide something for everyone. The Albion Sister City will combine its annual
French Market with this art event. Free parking will be available at Christ Apostolic Church next door to the event.

Crowell Park is located on North Superior Street under the city water tower.
According to Albion Arts Commission Chair Mary Slater the event features the “perfect
venue” for the participants. “The park is a little used jewel just north of downtown. It is a lovely
setting for talented area artists and craft persons to sell their works, “she said.

Included in the available art will be paintings, etchings, pottery, crochet, photography and
jewelry. Also participating will be local authors with their books. In addition Dennis Reid will be
sketching caricatures. Greeting cards and fabric art will be available.

Friday there will be a children’s craft table sponsored by Kids ‘N’ Stuff Childrens
Museum and the Albion District Library. On Saturday Albion resident and former art teacher
Terri Nelson will provide hands-on children’s crafts.

The Albion Sister City Committee will hold a bake sale and sell photography as
fundraisers. In addition the group will have two baskets daily to raffle off at the art event. The
committee works to exchange residents from the sister cities of Albion and Noisy-le-Roi.
For more information about the event contact Slater at mary_slater@hotmail.com.

Who: State Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek)  
What: State Rep. Haadsma will be holding coffee hours in Springfield and Albion to meet with constituents. 
When & Where: Saturday, June 1, 9-11 a.m. at Mr. Don’s Restaurant, 341 N. 20th St., Springfield
Saturday, June 1, 1-2:30 p.m. at Stirling Books and Brew, 119 N. Superior St., Albion 
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.