Group Headlines day Long Music Fest

By John Face

August 5, 2025

On August 23, 2025, The War and Treaty will be back home in Albion MI to perform a free outdoor concert. The concert is part of the Walk The Beat event that is scheduled the same day in downtown Albion, the Walk the Beat event is free as well. Michael and Tanya Trotter make up the core of The War and Treaty. They got their start right here in Albion when they moved here several years ago and made Albion their home.

This concert will be held on the 400 block of South Superior Street, downtown Albion, beside the Albion Malleable Brewing and Homestead Bank. It is strongly suggested you bring your own chair, blanket, as there will be very limited seating available. There is NO CHARGE to attend the show. Showtime is 6:00 P.M. in downtown Albion MI. Read the press release below:

Walk The Beat Albion Returns August 23 with Star Power and Local Flavor

National headliners The War and Treaty cap off an afternoon of
community-powered music and arts.

Albion, MI — July 2025 — Walk The Beat Albion, the city’s beloved community street music festival, returns to downtown Albion on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with an exciting addition to this year’s lineup: The War and Treaty, Grammy-nominated Americana duo, will headline the After Party at 6:00 PM in front of Albion Malleable Brewery.

The free, family-friendly event transforms Albion’s downtown into a bustling hub of music, art, and community celebration. More than 20 performances at 10 locations will feature local and regional musicians, while artists, food vendors, and activity booths line Superior Street and surrounding blocks. Festival goers are encouraged to explore, listen, and vote for their favorite acts, with prizes awarded to both attendees and musicians.

“Walk The Beat Albion is more than just a festival – it’s a living, breathing showcase of our city’s heart and soul,” said Cliff Harris, Board President and longtime organizer. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael and Tanya of The War and Treaty back to Albion to help us close out the event in the most
unforgettable way.”

The War and Treaty, whose powerful vocals and heartfelt performances have earned international acclaim, return to the same streets where their musical journeys began. Walk The Beat Albion’s After Party performance will serve as both a homecoming and a community celebration, free and open to all.

Walk The Beat Albion is one of three Walk The Beat cities in Michigan, a nonprofit initiative promoting community enrichment through music and the arts. Walk The Beat Albion is grateful for the support of all of our sponsors and partners: Albion Community Foundation, City of Albion, Albion Arts Commission, Albion College, Albion-Homer United Way, Albion Malleable Brewing Co., Ford Blue Oval Battery Park, CasterCares, CreateMyTee, Decker Manufacturing, Dickerson Music Co., Galazio
Restaurant, Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce, Knauf Insulation.

By John Face

City Watch has received several calls regarding Airport Road and I-94 in Jackson County. We reached out to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and we received the following statement:

The Airport Road bridge over westbound I-94 was hit by a high load several weeks ago.  This incident damaged seven bridge beams, which now need to be replaced.  MDOT bridge crews inspected the bridge after the hit to determine the severity and verified the bridge was safe.

The project to replace the bridge beams is scheduled for an August 1, 2025, bid opening to identify the contractor to complete the work.  If a bid is accepted, we are planning to start construction after Labor Day and plan to be completed near early December 2025. 

During construction, northbound Airport Road traffic over I-94 will be detoured for about 45 days.  The detour will utilize the eastbound Airport Road entrance ramp easterly to the West Avenue exit and then back on westbound I-94 to the Airport Road exit ramp.  We won’t know the exact dates of the full closure until we have a contractor on board. The ramps will remain open during the project and Airport Road south of I-94 and north of I-94 will remain open.

For 2 separate nights during the project (approximately 9pm to 6am) we will need a full closure of westbound (WB) I-94 to remove the damaged bridge beams and install the new beams, which will require WB I-94 traffic to use the WB Airport Rd. ramps to go around the bridge and back on the freeway.

Thanks.

Kelby Wallace, PE

MDOT Jackson TSC

Join our vibrant community as the next Albion Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) Executive Director. We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader to play a leading role in shaping the future and directing the growth of a unique, historical college town in the midst of an energetic economic renaissance. AEDC focuses on driving economic revitalization by attracting businesses, supporting workforce development, and investing in strategic infrastructure to create a vibrant community where residents can live, work, and thrive.

We are looking for a leader that reflects AEDC’s values and vision.

As the leader of AEDC, you will guide strategic economic development, lead and support growth and collaboration initiatives, and leverage AEDC’s property portfolio and other tools to meet AEDC’s long- and short-term goals.

You will also be responsible for building strong relationships with community, regional, and state organizations to maximize Albion’s opportunities for economic growth.

Current activities you will lead include but aren’t limited to:

• Continuing development and marketing of Albion’s industrial parks.
• Acquiring and administrating relevant federal, state, and local grants and funding sources to facilitate home improvements, affordable housing, business expansion, and other economic initiatives.
• Providing business coaching support for existing, expanding, and new Albion area businesses.

Required skills:

We are looking for an energetic leader with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and measurable success. AEDC’s ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Relationship Building: Forming trusted relationships with stakeholders at local, regional, and state levels.
• Strategic Thinking: Reflecting and acting strategically with critical analysis, long term vision, and proactive problem solving .
• Operational Management: Managing the organization with fiscal integrity and stewardship.
• Boardsmanship: Working collaboratively with a volunteer board to realize the board’s mission and goals.
• Leadership and Management: Leading, supporting, motivating, and managing a team of career and volunteer staff.

Education and experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required (e.g., business, economics, public administration); a master’s degree is preferred.
• Extensive experience in economic development, business management, commercial real estate development, business education, or a related field is essential.

Annual salary range: $80,000-$110,000

Application Special Instructions

Send cover letter and resume to: Bruce Nelson, Interim Executive Director, AEDC at bnelson@albionedc.org

www.albionis.org • www.albionedc.org

115 N. Superior Street, Albion, MI 49224 unsubscribe

ART UNDER THE ALBION TOWER 2025

Press Release

The second Art Under the Albion Tower will be June 27 and 28, 2025. Artists in any
media and artisans with hand-made items of all kinds are invited to participate. In
addition, this year we are welcoming performers of music and dance; we will have a stage
set up. Businesses and non-profits may reserve a space as well.

DATES: JUNE 27 4PM to 8 PM JUNE 28 10AM to 3PM

You may participate either day or both days. Overnight security
LOCATION: CROWELL PARK (the park under the Albion Water Tower)

FEE OPTIONS: The overall fee to participate is $10/day; you can have any available space
on the lawn areas and set up your own tent and/or table To be inside the large tent, there is
an additional fee of $10/day. For us to supply a table, there is a flat fee of $10. There is no
fee for non-profits.

PERFORMERS: A 12 ft x 16 ft stage, with sound system, will be available for musicians
and dance performances. Performers will be paid $50/hr, and must schedule in advance
for a one- hour slot, which includes set-up and take down.

If you are interested in participating, or have questions, contact Mary Slater,
AlbionArtsCommission@gmail.com as soon as possible. Further information will be
forthcoming as the time of the event approaches.

Friday, April 11, 2025

Press Release

April 28 Collection Event

Calhoun County will hold a free recycling event from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Bailey Park, 1350 Capital Ave. NE., Battle Creek. This event is open to all Calhoun County residents. We accept only residential material, and participants are asked to remain in their vehicles. 

To assist with traffic flow on Emmett St. and Capital Ave. NE, participants should plan on making a right turn from Emmett St. onto Wagner Dr. to enter the event. This will be the only available entrance. View map here.

Please pack your car so that items can be unloaded in the following order:

Scrap Metal – stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers, lawn mowers (remove fuel), metal patio furniture, metal railings, sheet metal, rims (no tires), metal fencing, metal doors, metal pipes, and bike frames. 

The following items with refrigerant will be accepted: refrigerators, mini-fridge, freezers, AC units, dehumidifiers, and water coolers.

Electronics – stereo equipment, DVD and VHS players, projectors, gaming consoles, computers, laptops, Chromebooks, LCD and CRT computer monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, scanners, servers, switches, routers, cellphones, iPads and tablets, iPods and MP3 players, e-readers, printers, floor copiers, fax machines, copy machines, televisions (LCD, plasma, projection, and CRT), microwaves, toasters, blenders, mixers, vacuums, lead-acid batteries, power tools (including their rechargeable batteries), cameras, electronic toys, Christmas lights, and wires and cords from electronic devices. 



Household Hazardous Waste – Oil-based paint, fuels (in fuel cans), solvents, acids bases, pesticides, household cleaners, mercury (place in Ziplock bag), medications, sharps (inside rigid puncture resistant container w/lid), household batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, propane cylinders (20 pounds or smaller), gas cylinders (no foam insulation), fire extinguishers, aerosol cans, PCB and non-PCB lamp ballasts, oxidizers, self-heating solids, flammable solids/liquids, toxic inorganics/organics, lighters, chlorophenols, lead, self-defense spray, peroxides, water-reactives, isocyanates and cyanide.  

Household Hazardous Waste Tips:

• Empty containers can be thrown away.  
• Latex paint is not hazardous. Tips on drying it up are available on our website.
• Please separate paint cans from the rest of your items.
• Pack your items so they stay upright.  
• Use tarps and leak proof plastic totes or buckets to prevent spills in your vehicle.  
• Please label all items that are not in their original packaging.  
• You may be asked to park and wait if you want your gas cans returned.

If you have an item that is not on our accepted list, please check out our other recycling events, recycling guide, and tips on our website calhouncountymi.gov/recycling. Polystyrene is only accepted at the Marshall Recycling Center.  

Milton Barnes announces the creation of the “Wildcat Golf League.” Play will occur at Burr Oak Golf course north of Parma and all are welcome. CLICK HERE FOR SIGN-UP AND ALL INFORMATION for player information. Have questions beyond information on the sign-up form? Contact Milton.

Milton Barnes President/Founder 

Play Right Sports Academy 

www.playrightsports.org

(269) 425-1202 

by John Face

January 21, 2025

Way overdue, but I want to shout out to the City of Albion street department crews.

This winter I have noticed the excellent work they have done on snow and ice removal for our streets and sidewalks. Specifically primary roads during storms and downtown Superior Street and sidewalks.

As someone who is downtown 3 times a week between 4 and 6 A.M., it has been so nice to park and enter the businesses that I am responsible for with clean walks and streets.  Hats off team.  Sometimes we forget to say thanks.

I also want to thank the leadership of the street department. The rule is it all starts at the top is true, and they too deserve acknowledgment.