Don’t be these Michiganders – Head for your shelter
Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (CCDA) will participate for the first time in Michigan’s annual voluntary statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 18, at 1:00 p.m., as part of Michigan Severe Weather Awareness Week (March 15–21).
CCDA encourages residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations across Calhoun County to take part in the drill and use it as an opportunity to review emergency preparedness plans and severe weather safety procedures.
The tornado drill is a reminder to ask important preparedness questions:
Do you have a plan?
Where will you go?
What will you do?
Do you know the alerts, warnings, and notification systems in your area?
How will you communicate with family members and coworkers?
Agencies across Calhoun County will participate in the following ways:
Live Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test on Wednesday, March 18 at 12:59 p.m. across Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties
Testing of the countywide opt-in alert system (text, phone, and email) on Wednesday, March 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Public safety messaging shared on social media throughout Severe Weather Awareness Week
Coordination among emergency response partners to practice procedures as if responding to an actual tornado warning
“Participating in this statewide tornado drill gives our dispatchers and emergency partners an opportunity to practice real-world procedures while helping residents prepare themselves and their families,” said Michael Armitage, Executive Director of the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority. “When severe weather happens, seconds matter. Practicing now ensures we’re ready to respond quickly and effectively.”
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Calhoun County emergency alerts and confirm their contact information is current. Alert systems provide timely notifications about severe weather and other emergencies that may impact the community.
About Severe Weather Awareness Week
Statewide Severe Weather Preparedness and Awareness Weeks are held each spring to increase public awareness and readiness for severe weather hazards. The observance is scheduled ahead of Michigan’s typical severe weather season and includes a coordinated tornado drill when test warnings are issued at a predetermined time.
Community members are encouraged to mark their calendars and participate in the drill as a way to test emergency plans and communication methods in a safe, controlled setting.
For more information about tornado safety and preparedness before, during, and after severe weather, visit Michigan.gov/MIReady.
In accordance with Public Act 300 of 1949, the Michigan Vehicle Code, the Calhoun County Road Department is lifting Seasonal Weight Restrictions effective at 6:00 a.m., Monday, March 16, 2026.
Weight restrictions are commonly put in place each year by counties across Michigan and are intended to help preserve and protect our local roads when they are most vulnerable from freeze thaw cycles that cause road damage.
For details on Calhoun County’s seasonal weight restrictions, please visit our website at www.calhouncountyroads.com. County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM) also offers convenient information on all county seasonal weight restrictions at http://www.micountyroads.org/weight.php.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce a $50,000 grant from Walbridge to purchase 22 Stryker Lifepak CR2 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for patrol cars and prisoner transport vehicles. The new devices will significantly expand access to early defibrillation throughout Calhoun County, particularly in outlying and rural areas where response times can be longer.
According to WMed Medical Control, Calhoun County averages approximately 250 cardiac arrest calls annually, with some outlying areas historically underserved. Dispatch now automatically sends law enforcement, along with fire and EMS, to cardiac arrest calls, recognizing that early defibrillation and immediate, hands-on CPR dramatically increase survival rates.
The Stryker Lifepak CR2 devices offer advanced features that enhance patient care and coordination, including:
Integration with local ambulance and fire systems
Real-time status monitoring
The ability to transmit patient data directly to emergency responders and hospitals
A built-in pediatric “child mode” for use on younger patients
“This generous donation will absolutely save lives,” said Steve Hinkley. “Our deputies are often the first to arrive on scene, especially in rural parts of the county. Having these AEDs in our patrol cars and transport vehicles ensures we can immediately begin lifesaving measures while EMS is en route. We are incredibly grateful to Walbridge for their commitment to public safety and to the health of our community.”
The Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to Walbridge for its generosity and to WMed Medical Control and Stryker for their partnership and support in implementing this program.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office will participate in the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) grant-funded “Move Over or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign throughout March 2026.
During the campaign, deputies will conduct proactive enforcement on freeways and roadways across Calhoun County to promote compliance with Michigan’s Move Over Law and improve safety for law enforcement officers, first responders, tow operators, and road service personnel working along roadways.
Emergency vehicles being struck by motorists remains a serious and ongoing safety concern. Crashes involving emergency vehicles are frequently caused by distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving. In just one month during 2025, seven Michigan State Police patrol vehicles were struck by motorists. Nationwide, crashes involving emergency vehicles resulted in 36 fatalities in 2022, according to traffic crash data compiled by the Michigan State Police.
Michigan law requires motorists approaching a stationary authorized vehicle with flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights activated to:
Move over to an open lane when it is safe to do so, and
Slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit.
If changing lanes is not possible, drivers must still reduce their speed by at least 10 mph below the posted limit and proceed with caution, giving as much space as possible. The law applies to police, fire, rescue, ambulance, tow trucks, and other authorized emergency or service vehicles.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office reminds drivers that slowing down and moving over helps protect those who work on Michigan’s roadways every day.
Residents can learn more about Michigan’s Move Over Law by watching this informational video provided by the Office of Highway Safety Planning:
At their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Albion City Council discussed the potential contract of Dr. Theriot at length and then approved it by a 6-1 vote. Theriot will return, starting in mid-March, after giving 30 days’ notice to her current employers, after having left Albion several years ago. After the meeting, this reporter asked her if she was sure she wanted to come back to Albion. She said she loves it here, and yes. The meeting was well attended for a city council meeting; approximately 20 people attended.
During the council discussion, which at times was contentious, most of the discussion focused on the salary range. 1st precinct council member Donivan Williams, the lone dissenter, led the charge in the discussion. Williams felt the starting amount for Theriot was too high. He kept quoting “facts” that showed that Albion was spending too much. He also stated that everyone he has spoken to has felt that this whole process, along with the money, is wrong. One major concern he had was the lack of apparent transparency with the current administration and other council members.
Sheryl Theriot, pictured here with her husband Louis Theriot.
Interim city manager Doug Terry, who presented to the council a report and a recommendation to approve the contract, was meticulous in outlining how Theriot’s expertise will benefit Albion. That, and the fact that she knows the city well, makes her a perfect fit in his opinion. Theriot herself spoke to the council, sharing her vision for what she wants to do for Albion, her second time around. Her heartfelt words were welcomed by most attending, though some present felt like Williams: why so quick?
This writer didn’t find out about this topic being placed on the agenda until late Monday evening. Williams stated that he knows many would have attended to oppose this hiring. Of course, that is an opinion only. Other members stated that many of those they spoke to felt bringing her back for the stated contract was fine. Williams claimed that one council member didn’t even know it was to be discussed and voted on, though he didn’t name that member, who appears not to know how to check emails.
Moving forward, I would remind the council that how this went down will leave a bad taste in the mouths of some Albionites. This writer has, on multiple occasions in the past, criticized the former Albion Mayor, Garrett Brown, and then-councilperson Sonya Brown for doing exactly the same thing. What I used to call a sneaky move to get around the public. Let’s hope this was nothing more than a simple error, not being added when it was supposed to have been. Ironically, Garrett Brown and Sonya Brown got up to speak, and both spoke against how this made it on the agenda, the contract, bringing Theriot back, and the lack of transparency.
Theriot shared her vision for her first 90 days in Albion, which I have placed at the bottom of this story.
Welcome home, Sheryl. I ask all to step forward and help her and our council to make Albion the best place in America.
Sheryl Theriot vision:
Albion Forward: The First 90 Days
Goal: To re-establish stability, strengthen community partnerships, and accelerate key municipal projects.
Phase 1: Internal Alignment & Fiscal Health (Days 1–30) Budgetary Deep-Dive: Conduct a comprehensive review of the current fiscal year’s performance against projections. Identify any immediate “pain points” in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Departmental Re-engagement: Hold 1-on-1 “Alignment Sessions” with all department heads to identify any resource gaps and morale needs – and opportunities for improvement. Council-Manager Protocol: Meet individually with each Council member to establish preferred communication styles and clarify immediate precinct-specific priorities.
Phase 2: Community & Partnership Activation (Days 31–60) The “All-Albion” Listening Tour and “Albion Voices” Community Survey: Launch a series of “Coffee with the Manager” sessions specifically targeting: o The “Neighborhood Listening Tour”: Instead of requiring residents to come to City Hall, I will meet them in their neighborhood—at local parks, churches, community centers, and front porches—to hear firsthand about neighborhood-level concerns. o Seniors: Roundtable discussions focused on accessibility and safety. o Youth & Young Adults: Engaging with local schools and programs to bring the youth voice to City Hall. o Business & Industry Walk Throughs: Spend dedicated time walking the downtown corridor and visiting industrial partners to identify and remove bureaucratic “red tape” that hinders local growth in the downtown and industrial corridors.
Strategic Stakeholder Summit: Convene a meeting with leadership from Albion College, the EDC, and the DDA to collaborate and ensure synchronized economic development goals for the upcoming year.
Phase 3: Operational Excellence & Transparency (Days 61–90) Infrastructure Audit: Fast-track a status report on all active road, water, and sewer projects. Ensure timelines are communicated clearly to the public via the city website and social media. Service Delivery Review: Evaluate the “resident experience” at City Hall—looking at ways to streamline permitting, licensing, and reporting issues to ensure a high-touch, responsive government. Grant Pipeline Development: Identify state and federal grant opportunities (MDOT, EGLE, MEDC) that align with our long-term infrastructure, along with affordable and senior housing goals.
Lansing, Mich. — Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 36% — a clear warning sign for Michigan Republicans rubber stamping his MAGA agenda and the economic chaos that comes with it.
“Trump’s approval rating isn’t dropping in a vacuum,” said Amber Gantt, spokesperson for the Michigan House Democrats. “Voters are reacting to the Republican Party’s disastrous policies and economic chaos enacted not only in Washington, but right here in Michigan. When voters send a message this November, it won’t just be about Washington — it will be about every Republican who chose Trump over Michigan families.”
Start with Trump’s approval: 36%. That was the president’s rating in the Associated Press/NORC survey taken Feb. 5-8, the latest of the public polls considered most credible.
That level of support, if it persists, would be a seven-decade low for a president at a midterm and a red alarm for the GOP.
[…] a president’s popularity has consistently forecast how his party’s candidates are going to fare. Midterms are not only elections but also referenda on the White House, the prime opportunity for voters to weigh in on how they think the commander in chief is doing.
The benchmark of how consumers are feeling has sunk 20% since Trump took office again a year ago, reflecting continued concern about the economy now and pessimism about what’s ahead.
Lower-income workers have seen slower wage growth, and more households are falling behind on their debts.
Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans now describe economic conditions as only fair or poor. Assessments of Trump’s handling of the economy, once a strength, is now a liability. Disapproval hit a record 59% in an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll taken Jan. 27-30. Most said Trump’s signature tariffs had hurt.
[…]To the president’s annoyance, surprisingly solid economic statistics have failed to persuade many Americans to adopt a rosier outlook.
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 17, 2026 — The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC) today honors the life of Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, a towering civil rights leader whose life’s work advanced justice, strengthened democracy and left an enduring mark on communities across Michigan and the nation. The MLBC issued the following statement in remembrance:
“The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus reflects on the extraordinary moral leadership of Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose life reminds this nation that justice requires persistence, courage and an unshakable belief in the worth of every person. Through moments of progress and setback alike, he challenged America to confront inequality honestly and to expand democracy beyond rhetoric into lived reality. His work helped elevate the voices of working people, strengthened the political power of Black communities and affirmed that public service is, at its core, a moral calling. As Michigan continues its own work toward equality, equity and civil rights, we honor Rev. Jackson’s legacy by carrying forward his demand for accountability, inclusion and hope through action.”
A sextortion investigation that began with a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Deputy initial response in Michigan, has resulted in the arrest of a North Carolina man now facing more than 25 felony sex crime charges.
On January 2, 2026, the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office involving a local 18-year-old female who reported she was being extorted by Kelbie Glover, 22, of Rose Hill, North Carolina. Glover is a registered sex offender in Sampson County from previous convictions related to sexual battery and indecent exposure.
Sampson County Investigators worked quickly to locate Glover, and developed probable cause that Glover was threatening to release private images of the female to family members and arrested him on one count of sexual extortion of an adult, a felony. He was initially denied bond under Iryna’s Law, however, later received a bond and was released after that bond was paid.
A continued investigation between January 22 and February 2 uncovered digital evidence showing images of multiple underage females and identified additional victims who were extorted or received unsolicited explicit images from him. Evidence also corroborated that Glover sexually assaulted an 18-year-old female in Sampson County in late 2024. Due to these findings, arrest warrants were obtained for the following, in addition to the January 2 charges:
1 count of Second-Degree Forcible Rape
14 counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Child
5 counts of Third-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Child
1 count of Indecent Liberties with a Child
1 count of Extortion
1 count of Disseminating Obscenities
1 count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
On February 4, 2026, a Sampson County District Court Judge set bond at $475,000 with stipulations of wearing electronic monitoring device, being confined to his home when not at work or school, and having no access to electronic devices if released pending trial.
The Calhoun County Sheriff is thankful for the work of the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office continuing the investigation and for our good working relationships with surrounding jurisdictions, including ones out of state.
In accordance with Public Act 300 of 1949, the Calhoun County Road Department (CCRD) is enacting Seasonal Weight Restrictions beginning at 6 a.m., Tuesday,
February 17, 2026.
When roads have been frozen all winter, they begin to thaw from the surface downward, melting snow and ice, saturating the softened ground. During the spring thaw, trapped moisture beneath the pavement softens the roadbed, making the road surface more vulnerable to damage. Calhoun County Road Department determines when weight restrictions begin each spring by measuring frost depths in various locations in the County, observing road conditions, and monitoring weather forecasts. Weight restrictions remain in effect until the frost line is deep enough to allow moisture to escape and the roadbeds regain stability.
The weight restrictions, which reduce normal legal loads, apply only to multiple-axle vehicles, not pickup trucks or passenger cars. Seasonal weight restrictions lower axle-loading limits and reduce maximum travel speeds for certain vehicles. The Michigan Vehicle Code (Excerpt) Act 300 of 1949 https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-257-722 provides details about seasonal weight restrictions and their effect on axle loading and speed limits.
For seasonal permits and a list of seasonal roads, visit
LANSING, Mich. — After Donald Trump threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Monday— a project he previously called a “vital economic link” between the U.S. and Canada — Michigan Republicans are backing his threat.
In response, Michigan House Democratic Fund spokesperson Amber Gantt released the following statement:
“Once again, Michigan Republicans are falling in line behind Donald Trump — even if it means risking billions in trade and putting Michigan auto workers and manufacturing supply chains on the line. At a time when Michigan families are already feeling the impact of Trump’s economic chaos, Republicans are choosing political loyalty over Michigan’s economy. Voters will remember that in November.”
City Watch News Blog 
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