By John Face

July 8, 2024

Photos by John Face

I often walk at Albion, Michigan’s Riverside Cemetery. I have a hobby of reading headstones to learn about the people there and admire the unique headstones. This past weekend, as I visited my grandparents, John and Francis Bartell, I heard an odd noise and decided to check on the origin of the sound.

Jumping in my car, I made the short drive to the source. I found a gentleman along with his work truck with assorted tools all over the ground. It didn’t take me long to figure out what the noise was and what he was up to—he was engraving on a headstone.

I was like a kid at Christmas. I had never seen anyone doing this before and was really excited. I introduced myself and asked for some pictures, which he agreed to. We talked for a few minutes, and I discovered his name was Robert St. John from Homer Monuments. He was there, adding the year of death to a small headstone. He said it was a beautiful weather day, and wanted to get up and do this.

I told him what he does is an art and must be a declining field of expertise. He agreed, saying many don’t do this anymore. He enjoyed doing the job. With his tools all over the ground, I quickly exited to visit my Yorkey grandparents, only to hear the grinder whirling away from the front of the cemetery. The cool things we see at Riverside.

By John Face

Photos by John Face

June 30, 2024

We all have heard at one time or another, the old Albion complaint, “There’s nothing to do in Albion.” This past week is a perfect example of how wrong you are. The next time you say it, I hope someone tells you to check your mouth and attitude at the door.

What happened in the last week is why Albion is so fun. This author attended just a few events, and wow, I had fun and was so disappointed at how so many in Albion kept their butts at home instead of trying to support events. There were more events in town than what I attended, when we have such a large selection of free events, I, like many, am tired of the “Nothing to do in Albion” clan. The Art Under the Tower event was a great idea. I spoke with Mary Slater who organized it, she was happy and also wanted me to make sure that I share something for her. She was so thankful to the hard work of City of Albion employees for getting the park ready for her event. She appreciates their hard work.

It is time for you to get off your a$$ and join in the fun Albion offers. Following is a picture story of the few FREE events I attended just this past week:

Lunch at the Lloyd, Wednesday June 26

Art Under the Tower Friday Night and Saturday June 28 – 29

Red, White, Blue Cruise In – Friday June 28

Run Albion 5 K Race Series Friday June 28

Black Squirrel Bluegrass and Americana Music Festival Saturday June 29

Wednesday 6/26/24

Lunch at the Lloyd 12 noon – 1 PM

Enjoy FREE live music in the fresh air while enjoying your favorite lunch in downtown Albion Every Wednesday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM during the month of June 2024. Whether that lunch is a PB&J from home, a salad from the Foundry Bake House & Deli, or a snack from the Superior Street Mercantile. Come by foot, car, truck, or even Kayak to Lloyd Park in Downtown Albion.

The recently restored Lloyd Park in downtown Albion sits on the south side of Cass St, on the east side of the Cass Street Bridge, which overlooks the beautifully restored Coke Sign on the Kalamazoo River. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the free summer concert series brought to you by Swingin’ at the Shell and many great local sponsors.

Music by Steve Berkemeier

Location: Lloyd Park @ Cass Street and the Kalamazoo River. 

Wednesday 6/26/24

Albion Farmers Market – 4 PM – 7 PM

Wednesday, which means it is a Farmer’s Market Day! Join us for fresh produce, meat, sweet treats, bread, crafts, gift ideas, and more!

Location: Stoffer Plaza, behind the Bohm Theatre

Friday 6/28/24

Art Under the Tower – 3 PM – 8 PM

Join the Albion Arts Commission for an exciting arts and crafts fair under the water tower in Crowell Park. This two-day art fair will feature local artists and delicious food trucks. A wide range of mediums will be highlighted, including ceramics, photography, drawing, and more! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see (and buy) some of Albion’s greatest artwork.

Location: Crowell Park – Under the Albion Water Tower

Friday 6/28/24

Red, White, and Blue Cruise In – 4 PM – 8 PM

Car Show

Don’t miss the 24th Annual Red, White & Blue Cruise-In Car Show on the bricks (Superior Street) in downtown City of Albion, Michigan; 4-8 pm June 28, 2024.

Free registration in advance or day of the event. Pre-register at https://forms.gle/mBCUGniFrw48SE93A, or register the day of the event at our check-in station in front of the Marriott smack dab in the middle of town. Check-in and registration opens at 3 pm on the Friday of the event. Custom Dash plaques (magnets, really) to the first 100 registrants.

Music by DJ BigMoe with 50s and 60s music. He did a great job last year!

Lots of food options at our downtown Albion Restaurants.

Sponsored by the Albion Downtown Development Authority. For more info, call Staci at 704-287-9899 or email us at albioncruisein@gmail.com.

Location: Downtown Albion MI on the bricks

Friday 6/28/24

Run Albion 5K Race Series – 6 PM – 7:45 PM

Run Albion is about the past, present, and future revitalization of Albion. Races throughout the year will pass by the best features of Albion!

The 5K run/walk is open to strollers, cycling, and well-behaved leashed dogs.

Kids Fun Run begins before each race for all younger children. It’s FREE, and those who participate get a small medal.

The Series Races:
Run the Rock – Friday, April 26th, 2024.
History Hustle – Friday, June 28th, 2024.
Forks 5k – Friday, September 20th, 2024.

Check-in and On-Site Registration at the corner of Albion’s Homestead Savings Bank.
Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Address: 415 S Superior St, Albion, MI 49224

Race Start: 6:30 PM

For more information or to register, go to:
https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Albion/RunAlbionRunTheRock

Can’t make it? Go virtual by submitting your race time on our website

Location: Downtown Albion in front of Homestead Bank Superior and Ash Street

Saturday 6/29/24

Art Under the Tower – 10 AM – 3 PM

Join the Albion Arts Commission for an exciting arts and crafts fair under the water tower in Crowell Park. This two-day art fair will feature local artists and delicious food trucks.

A wide range of mediums will be highlighted, including ceramics, photography, drawing, and more! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see (and buy) some of Albion’s greatest artwork.

Location: Crowell Park – Under the Albion Water Tower

Saturday 6/29/24

Black Squirrel Bluegrass & Americana Music Festival – 12 Noon – 9 PM

Join us for a full day of Bluegrass and Americana Music on the historic bricks of downtown Albion! Featuring performers from across the country and within our great state, this will mark the 3rd year of this great event thanks to generous sponsorship from Decker Manufacturing, Northfield Mandolin, Team 1 Plastics, Depth Media, Dickerson Music Company, Albion College, The Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.

This year’s lineup includes Lansing-based Americana country artist Alex Teller, Boston- and Nashville-based Seselia, Marquette sensations The Make Believe Spurs (marking The Wallens’ third year!), rapidly rising Michigan bluegrass pickers Wilson Thicket, and our returning headliner from the mountains of Colorado—Chain Station!

See you downtown for some foot-stompin’ fun!
#albionmalleable #herestoalbion #keepingcraftinteresting #blacksquirrelbluegrassfestival #bluegrassmusic

Location: Superior Street, between Erie and Elm Street

Press Release

The Board of Directors of Homestead Savings Bank is pleased to announce Chad E. Rumsey as the next President/CEO effective July 1, 2024. Current President/CEO Scott E. Evans announced his pending retirement in February 2024.

Black Squirrel Bluegrass and Americana Music Festival on June 29th

Press Release June 18, 2024

Photos courtesy Albion Malleable and are from the 2023 Music Festival

Local sponsors help bring regional and national acts to downtown Albion

Albion, Michigan – 18Jun24 — Albion Malleable Brewing Company will host the third annual Black Squirrel Bluegrass and Americana Music Festival on June 29th . The event will include five bands on an outdoor stage, guests food vendors, frozen treats, a beer tent, and plenty of fun for everyone.

Musical Acts

The historic brick Superior Street will be closed between Erie and Elm Street beginning at 9am, with an outdoor stage located at the intersection of Superior and Ash.

Music starts at 12:30 pm with Lansing based “Alex Teller” kicking off the day with his rich cowboy country / Americana sound.

Teller will be followed by “Seselia”, an upcoming bluegrass group from Boston – currently based out of Nashville.

Local favorites The Make-Believe Spurs (aka The Wallens) make a much anticipated return from Marquette in the third spot this year.

The supporting slot bring Albion’s first performance by fast rising Michigan bluegrass pickers “Wilson Thicket”

Rocky Mountain musicians “Chain Station” will be returning from Denver to headline once again this year.

Food Vendors

In addition to great music and great beer and food from Albion Malleable, guest vendors including Mr. Reid’s Wonder Wagon (hot dogs), Rust Belt Ramen (curry), and Yellow Bird Chocolate Shop (frozen treats) will be serving up guests throughout the day.

Live Broadcast by WIN 98.5 – Raffle Tickets to 2024 Faster Horses July 19-21

As a special promotional event, radio station WIN 98.5 will broadcast live from the festival from 3-5pm. During their broadcast, they will be registering guests for a chance to win two tickets to the 2024 Faster Horses Music Festival (valued over $500). The drawing will be held at 5pm just before Wilson Thicket’s set, and tickets will be given away on the spot to a lucky winner!

Generous Sponsors

This fantastic event is free to the public due to generous sponsorship support.

Thanks to Decker Manufacturing as the headline sponsor

Northfield Mandolin as the support sponsor,

and additional support from Team 1 Plastics, Walk the Beat–Albion, Albion College, The Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce, Dickerson Music Company, and Depth Media.

Bring Your Chair

Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and sunscreen (limited additional seating will be available). Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted on Superior Street. Beer must be purchased at the beer tent and consumed within the designated area in front of Albion Malleable Brewing Company. No outside beer or alcohol is permitted at the festival.

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.