The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating five separate fires that have occurred in the 400 block of South Webster Street in the Village of Homer over the past few months. These fires, while small and quickly contained, are believed to have been set intentionally.
Ensuring the safety of the community is a top priority, and the Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the Homer Fire Department to determine those responsible for these incidents.
Residents are urged to report any unusual activity, provide surveillance footage from the area, or share any information that may assist investigators in solving these cases.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Hess at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office at 269-781-0880 or Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch at 269-781-0911. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Silent Observer by calling 269-781-9700.
Budget Deficits Questioned, Leaves Many Asking Questions, Where’s the Money
By John Face
January 10, 2025
After the Albion Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board meeting on Thursday, January 9, it was decided that Virgie Ammerman, the EDC President, needed to go. Ammerman sent her resignation letter later in the day. In question was Ammerman’s ability to operate the EDC correctly, mostly her running the agency on over a $400,000 deficit in 2024, with a budget proposal of nearly half a million dollar deficit for 2025. Follow this link to our entire series on the EDC President by clicking here.
In her short tenure, Ammerman has been under constant pressure as she has spent money on several things that were concerning to some on the Albion City Council and on the EDC Board. It wasn’t until the elections of 2024, when the citizens eliminated council members who had protected her and some of the EDC Board who enabled her, that serious questions began to surface.
This writer is aware that she had up to 7 – 9 employees in an organization that rarely had two or three at any given time in its history. This writer was getting ready to release yet another story on money spent on pet projects of the city council, former council members, and a couple of EDC Board members.
City Watch is working on following up on this, so stay tuned.
Mike Turner became an assistant men’s basketball coach at Albion College in 1970 and took over the program in 1974. In 34 years on the sideline, the Britons posted a record of 527-319 and competed in the 1978, 1979, 1998, and 2005 NCAA Tournaments. Turner’s teams earned five MIAA championships, and the 1978 squad went to the final four, finishing third in the nation. The Britons posted four consecutive 20-win seasons from 2003 to 2006, including two league championships. As Albion’s longest-serving coach in any sport, Turner, a 1969 alumnus of Albion College, was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.
Turner has been active with many national and regional basketball committees and chaired the NCAA Division III Tournament Committee for three years. He had a combined 72 seasons of head coaching experience at Albion, including 30 in men’s golf, four in men’s soccer, and four in men’s tennis.
Turner and his wife, Peg, a 1969 alumnus, reside in Albion.
Turner Classic
On Saturday, January 4, 2025, Jackson High School and Play Right Sports Academy will sponsor another top-quality high school basketball day. Teams from around the state have been invited to participate in this event, which will be held at Kresge Gymnasium at 111 South Huron on the campus of Albion College in Albion, MI.
The day-long event begins with local favorite Concord High School taking on Gull Lake with a 3:30 P.M. tip-off. This game will be followed at 5:15 P.M. with Port Huron Northern taking on East Kentwood. The days’ games will end with what looks to be a classic game between two powerhouse teams, Jackson High versus Brother Rice at 7:00 P.M.
Albion Malleable moves forward on properties they purchased near their Brewery which is located at 420 South Superior. In the short term the three homes that were located on the northeast corner of Ash and Clinton Street, which is behind the restaurant, were razed this past week with the help of the Calhoun County Land Bank.
They will turn the area into a green space for the short term with plans for future growth being discussed. The demolition work was completed by Handy Excavating from Quincy Michigan.
ALBION-Members of the Albion Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Nu Chapter recently treated Harrington teachers to some sweet rewards.
The Nu Chapter gathered to create Halloween treat bags with stickers, candy and DKG educational foundation grant information. The holiday bags were to show appreciation for the work done by the teaching staff at Marshall Public Schools Harrington Elementary School building.
Information was included about applying for $500 classroom project grants from the AIM Educational Foundation of the Michigan State Delta Kappa Gamma. The Albion branch is a member of the state and international organization.
DKG was organized almost 100 years ago to support women educators at a time when sororities were the only acceptable way for women to organize. It has grown to be an honorary organization of key women educators, impacting education worldwide.
The DKG Nu Chapter mission aligns itself with the international goals of promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
For information about joining the local Nu Chapter is available through retired educator Nancy Polasek at npolnasek@yahoo.com.
ALBION- Thanksgiving will be a little brighter for Albion and Homer area families thanks to partial support from the Albion-Homer United Way.
A free turkey giveaway on Nov. 23 is coordinated by Play Right Sports Academy and sponsored by the AHUW, Meijer, Oaklawn Hospital and Ford. The Saturday event is from 9 am to noon at the Opportunity High School east parking lot. This event is open while supplies last at the 225 Watson Street location.
According to Play Right Founder and President Milton Barnes this is an annual event designed to provide this Thanksgiving dinner staple. Only one turkey is allotted per household but up to two turkeys can be given away per vehicle but proof of separate households must be provided. Barnes said turkeys go quickly each year and it suggested that recipients need to be in line early. No proof of income is required.
The turkey giveaway is part of events coordinated by Play Right Sports Academy. Play Right is an after-school program for boys and girls from third through 12 th grades in Albion, Marshall, Battle Creek and Jackson. The non-profit organization funs three-days a week coinciding with the school calendar with additional summer activities provided.
Funding local non-profit initiatives like Play Right Sports Academy turkey giveaway is at the core of the Albion-Homer United Way’s mission. Raising funds through donations continues throughout the year, according to Marcia Starkey AHUW Executive Director.
Previous Play Right Sports Academy turkey giveaways have made Albion and Homer family Thanksgivings more joyful. Albion-Homer United Way and other local organizations supported this year’s event. The turkey giveaway is Nov.23 from 9 am to noon at the east parking lot of the Opportunity High School at 225 Watson St. The turkey giveaway is open until supplies run out.
Starkey said there are several good reasons to donate to the local United Way including that donations fund Albion and Homer specific programs and funding decisions are made by a local board. Donor lists are never shared with other agencies and payroll deductions make donating easier.
Recently a fund-raising appeal was sent to the Albion and Homer area. In addition donations can be mailed at any time to AHUW P.O. Box 55, Albion, MI 49224, made on-line at http://www.albionhomeruw.org or by contacting Starkey at 517-499-2563.
AHUW board members are Carolyn Amos, Donisha Brewer, Art Kale, Michael Leskowich, Isabell Nazar, Jenny Wilbur, Eddie Williams and Shane Williamson.
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 14, 2024 — In a significant move to strengthen Michigan’s economy and promote innovation, the House passed House Bills 5651–53 yesterday. The Michigan Innovation Fund package creates a new state fund to invest in early-stage businesses — including historically geographically disadvantaged small businesses — qualified nonprofit programs, and start-up support services across Michigan.
“This legislation is about securing Michigan’s economic future. We’re creating a cycle of opportunity that will generate good jobs and elevate our communities, by investing in our entrepreneurs and building a stronger foundation for local businesses — and that includes uplifting businesses owned by marginalized groups, including people of color, ” said state Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), sponsor of HB 5652. “We need to ensure that Michigan remains a place where great ideas can thrive, and the Michigan Innovation Fund does just that by providing direct support to startups and job creators here at home.”
PHOTO:State Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) chairs the House Economic Development and Small Business committee on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing.
HB 5653, sponsored by state Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), prioritizes funding for “evergreen” venture funds — organizations committed to long-term growth. The bill emphasizes investment in programs that support communities, particularly those historically underserved.
PHOTO:State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) testifies in committee at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing.
“The Michigan Innovation Fund will support entrepreneurs by expanding access to transformative economic resources. It will drive job growth, support innovation, and give businesses the tools they need to succeed,” Farhat said. “We have been losing entrepreneurs to other states for far too long. This legislation provides the support that people need to establish, develop, and grow successful businesses here in Michigan.”
The Michigan Innovation Fund package now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
Legislation allows for 12-month supply, pharmacist prescription of birth control
Press Release
PHOTO:State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) speaks on the House floor on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at the Capitol in Lansing.
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 14, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed the Contraception Equity Package this week. The three-bill package will increase access to reproductive care by requiring insurance coverage of and allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives.
House Bill 5013, sponsored by state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) who chairs the House Committee on Health Policy, would require insurers to cover a 12-month supply of prescription contraceptives, rather than limiting people to a one- or three-month supply at a time. This includes hormonal drugs, whether administered orally, transdermally or intravaginally that require a prescription and are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy.
“As a health care provider, I recognize the need for access to adequate health care, and a year’s supply of contraceptives will help ensure continuous and consistent use,” Rogers said. “The bills in the Contraceptive Equity Package are proven policies that will improve the lives of Michigan residents and lower health care costs. It is essential for individuals in this state that we remove barriers to birth control and ensure a consistent and readily accessible supply. For people who work, go to school, raise children, or have other demanding schedules, a 12-month supply of birth control will eliminate the burden of making a monthly trip to the pharmacy. If Texas can do it, so can Michigan.”
State Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit) sponsored House Bill 5435, which would require insurers to cover prescriptions for hormonal contraceptives prescribed and dispensed at in-network pharmacies.
“As the debate about an individual’s right to choose what’s best for her as it relates to her own reproductive health care, the timing couldn’t be better for the passage of the Contraception Equity Package. My bill in the package will ensure a prescription written by a pharmacist is honored for payment by the insurance provider. This will save time, money and remove potential transportation barriers for women seeking this care. It’s simply the right thing to do,” Young said.
House Bill 5436, sponsored by state Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt), would authorize pharmacists to issue and dispense a prescription for a hormonal contraceptive patch, a self-administered hormonal contraceptive or an emergency contraceptive.
“Expanding access to contraceptives will empower Michiganders to take control of their reproductive rights,” said Hope. “This legislation addresses the fact that pharmacies are more accessible than physicians for many Michiganders while also keeping the necessary safeguards in place to ensure individuals across the state in need of contraception can access it safely and efficiently.”
HB 5436 would also require the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to consult with the Michigan Board of Pharmacy to establish a standard procedure for issuing a prescription, including a self-screening risk assessment tool.
“This legislation will ensure Michiganders can access the medication they depend on to manage their health, plan their families and pursue their dreams,” said Paula Thornton Greear, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. “We applaud our legislative partners for passing these bills to remove unnecessary barriers to care and ensure Michiganders can more easily access contraception.”
Michigan Democrats have taken concrete steps to protect reproductive rights including repealing the archaic abortion ban from 1931, expanding IVF and surrogacy laws, and increasing access to reproductive health care.
Linda LaNoue, former City of Albion Council member, has submitted a resume and letter to the council. Tonight, the Albion City Council will take up appointing an interim City Manager. Her letter is the only one that this writer is aware of that is being considered. Allow me to quickly remind the reader.
Linda LaNoue was involved in the Albion College mess involving former fired college President Matthew Johnson. She along with other members of council were awarded jobs, contracts, special project gifts. None of the members, including LaNoue, have explained what was behind all this. On top of all that, LaNoue was serving on the council at the time and was not living in her precinct, which is required by the charter. She resigned from the council as word was about to go public that she, in fact, was not legal.
City Watch suggests the City Council maintain its history and appoint a current employee Department head as interim manager, as those employees pass the eye test of honesty. Bringing in an outsider, and yes, this particular former council member is an outsider, is terrible for Albion. Especially someone who has absolutely no experience in a corporation this size.
The fourth annual Calhoun County Trail Run is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, at 9 a.m. The Calhoun County Trail Run is a 5k, 8k, and 20k on the beautiful Calhoun County Trail. The event will start and end at the new and improved Kimball Pines Park.
The newly added 5k event is a true rustic trail run through mixed landscapes, including rustic wooded trails with roots and uneven surfaces, grassy meadows, and gravel trails. The 3.1-mile route takes runners along the gravel Calhoun County Trail, then enters a trail made specifically for the event, mixed with portions of the North Country Trail.
The almost 5-mile 8K takes participants from Kimball Pines to Bridge Park and back on the Calhoun County Trail. This portion of the trail is a wide gravel pathway with some bridges and road crossings. The section in Bridge Park includes a stair climb and mixed surfaces that can be slippery when wet.
The 20k adds the Ott Biological Preserve to the map, with all types of terrain.
Registration fees for the timed events include a long-sleeved shirt, medal, and award eligibility. All proceeds benefit the Calhoun County Trails and Parks. Prices start at $40 but increase on September 30. For those not-so-into-competition, the un-timed fun run/hike allows participants to tour the route at their leisure and enjoy the views and comradery of this fun event. There are no medals or awards for the fun run/hike.
“The Annual Trail Run is such a fun way to experience a sampling of Calhoun County’s parks and recreation offerings,” stated Assistant Director of Community Development Doug Ferrall. “Especially showcasing the new and improved Kimball Pines Park. While the park has been underutilized for many years, recent millages have funded its complete transformation. We look forward to welcoming a record number of participants to the Calhoun County Trail.”
City Watch News Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.