Julie Baker, Principal, JPS Montessori School; Amy Reimann, Director, Ella Sharp Museum; Laura Mobley, Jackson Rotary Crawfest; Shauna Thompson, Noelle Perrin, Aurora McCrory, Kelsey Schultz and Emma Dubensky, Cast Members, JHS Production of NUNSENSE; Janice Fairley, Sisters in Ministry & Community Outreach; Weekend Community Event Highlights
The Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County has announced the appointment of Tony S. Hollow as Executive Director. He will officially assume his duties on July 18, 2016 succeeding Bruce E. Van Eyck as the 8th executive director of BBBSJC in its 49 year history. Tony has been a coach, teacher, principal and superintendent for the past 30 years in the Jackson area. Kathy Alexander, chair of the board's management committee said, “His strong references which noted his community bonds and ability to cultivate strong partnerships in the best interest of youth in Jackson County brought him to the top of the search committee’s list”. In his new role, Tony will focus on BBBSJC’s mission to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Board President, Dr. Sharon Rouse is pleased that a smooth executive director transition has been assured as Van Eyck is overseeing the 25th annual Golf “Fore” Kids’ Sake event scheduled for June 10 at Hankerd Hills Golf Course. Bruce has also stated that he will continue to live on the east side of Jackson County and will be available to…
The Ella Sharp Museum announced the resignation of Amy Reimann as Executive Director of the museum. Amy will be returning to a new position at Starr Commonwealth in Albion, a former employer. In a statement, the museum board wishes Amy the very best and expressed thanks for her leadership of the museum. Amy provided invaluable leadership at a pivotal and transformative time in the history of the Ella Sharp Museum. She leaves the leadership of a much different museum than the one she came to. During Amy's tenure the Ella expanded to include Cell Block 7, the only museum exhibit in the world operated within an operating penitentiary. Cell Block 7 was recently awarded the prestigious 2016 Governor's Award for Innovative Tourism Collaboration. The museum also answered the community's call to save the Hurst Planetarium, bringing back astronomy and other science programming to the Ella campus. According to the statement released today, the board credits Amy with helping the museum to reach a whole new audience. The Art of the Brick Exhibit is the most visited exhibit ever in the fifty-year history of the Ella. The annual Art, Beer & Wine Festival has grown to become one of the largest…
Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have modified Wolverine Service schedules from now through Sept. 23 to improve state-owned railroad infrastructure as part of Michigan’s Accelerated Rail Program. In order for maintenance crews to accomplish track and signal work in the shortest time, these temporary schedules are now in effect. While all Wolverine trains will operate on adjusted schedules, the largest change affects Trains 352 and 353, which will operate across the full Pontiac-Chicago route on Sundays only. Normal service levels of three Wolverine round-trips between Battle Creek and Chicago are maintained on the modified schedule (download below). Amtrak service to Chicago (and points west) leaves the Jackson station at 7:39am, 12:57pm and 9:10pm. Amtrak service to Ann Arbor, Detroit and Pontiac leaves the Jackson station at 12:18pm, 6:18pm, 9:25pm and 10:47pm. When complete, this track and signal work will result in improved reliability, a smoother ride and an expansion of the Midwest’s first 110 mph Amtrak service. There are no significant changes to the Port Huron-East Lansing-Chicago Blue Water (which also serves Battle Creek and Kalamazoo) or the Grand Rapids-Chicago Pere Marquette schedules. Michigan-Services-Schedule-042516
SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – In the final tuneup before the Crossroads League Championships, the Spring Arbor University men’s and women’s track & field teams took part in the Otterbein University Twilight Invitational on Friday. Both squads finished in third place in the team standings with the women totaling 117 points and the Cougar men scoring 108.5 points, finishing only half of a point behind Otterbein for second place. Leading the way for Spring Arbor on the women’s side was sophomore Bethany Kuenzer. Kuenzer earned a second place finish in the pole vault, clearing a career-best 11’ 11.75” (3.65m), which ties the school record in the event. Not only did she match the school record in the pole vault, but she smashed the program’s previous all-time best mark in the 100 meter hurdles on her way to a third place finish. Kuenzer initially broke the record with a 15.42 in the prelims, but would blow that time away with a 15.38 in the finals. Katrina Tovar and Katherine Hiller also scored for SAU in the hurdles with Tovar running a personal-best 15.82 and Hiller clocking in at 16.41. Hiller and Tovar would go on to score in the…
(encore of Friday, April 22) State Representative Earl Poleski, 64th District; Art Beat, featuring Glass Artist, Jeannette Woodard; Geoff Bontrager, Supt., Northwest Schools; Al LeCrone, Kidney Foundation fundraiser, ‘Uncorked’; Matt Aubin, Director Designate, Jackson Symphony Orchestra; Angela Machnik, Jackson Rose Parade; Dave DeBaker, Entertainment Correspondent
The public is invited to provide ideas and guidance for a proposed water trail on portions of the Upper Grand River. The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 5th at the Blackman Charter Township Hall, 1990 W. Parnall Road, Jackson, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is the first step in developing a Water Trail Master Plan for the Upper Grand River and its major tributaries. The goal of the Water Trail Master Plan is to provide the framework for the future development and long-term sustainability of the proposed water trail. At the meeting, participants will be asked to help identify and prioritize the locations of existing and desired access sites and amenities, assess the degree of difficulty of various paddling routes along the river, locate potential obstacles and hazards, and identify community assets and linkages along the river. A water trail is defined as a route along a river, lake, or bay specifically designed for people using small boats like kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, etc. Water trails, sometimes called “blueways”, are the aquatic equivalent to hiking trails (or greenways). Water trails include a comprehensive system of well-developed access and launch points. They promote healthy lifestyles, showcase Michigan’s incredible…
Photos by Ryan Kerwin, JTV. Photos from March for Dimes, March for Babies.
Photos by Ryan Kerwin, JTV. Photos from Earth Day Celebration at Cascades Park.
Photos by Ryan Kerwin, JTV. Photos from the 9th Annual Fairy Festival at Art 634.