Monthly Archives: November 2020

(November 17, 2020 12:32 PM) This morning, Executive Director Tim DeWitt and the Board of Governors announced the formation of  Jackson Catholic Schools as the first Catholic school system of its kind in the Diocese of Lansing.  In a press release, the new organization was announced as the joining together the family of four Jackson area Catholic schools,  as they continue to lead through faith-based education with the highest academic standards, doing good work in the name of Christ. The four schools are Lumen Christi Catholic School, Queen of the Miraculous Medal School, St. John School and St. Mary Star of the Sea School. For  families of the four schools,  this change creates many benefits, including: standardized curriculum which allows for a seamless transition from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, comprehensive communication and outreach to  students and families, operational efficiencies which mean more resources directly benefitting students, and increased investment into their high-quality teaching models. The formation of the Jackson Catholic Schools creates a new organizational structure with an Executive Director leading all four schools. Tim Dewitt accepted this position and began work in September 2020. “This is my opportunity to answer the call. To do not only important work, but…

Jamie McKibbin served as MC at the 2020 Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards in January. (November 17 2020 7:00 AM) Jamie McKibbin, owner of McKibbin Media Group and longtime popular Jackson radio personality, passed away suddenly while on a hunting trip. Jamie McKibbin, a native of Hillsdale County and longtime resident of Parma, Michigan, passed away suddenly November 16, 2020 as a result of a boating accident.  Jamie and a close friend, James “Bud” Miller, Jr.,  were on a hunting trip at Clendening Lake in Ohio and were reported missing late Sunday night.  They were found not far from the Clendening Lake Marina at around 2:00 p.m. Monday afternoon.  Their boat was not found. Weather may have been a factor in the accident. Jamie, along with his wife Katina, was owner and operator of McKibbin Media Group, Inc., licensee of WKHM AM/FM and WIBM Jackson and WCSR AM/FM in Hillsdale.  Jamie loved everything about the outdoors, and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Jamie’s other passion was going to his son Walker’s sporting activities, especially coaching his baseball team. Jamie achieved his lifelong dream of owning radio stations with the purchase of the Jackson stations in December 2019, followed by the…

An architectural rendering of the Brooklyn branch planned renovations. (November 16, 2020 4:47 PM) The Jackson District Library announced that it will close its Brooklyn Branch, located at 207 N. Main St., on Saturday, Nov. 21, for a renovation project. Using community input, the project will double the size of the existing branch, provide improved library services, create a meeting room and separate youth and adult spaces, as well as install updated infrastructure and technology. The project is expected to take less than a year, according to the lead contractor Jackson-based R.W. Mercer Company, and cost roughly $1.5 million. Crews are expected to begin Monday, Nov. 30. The Napoleon Branch - the closest location to the Brooklyn location - will expand its hours to continue to provide area patrons with JDL services. Staff will offer JDL take out services and be on call to help find materials to check out. The Napoleon Branch is located at 6755 Brooklyn Road, Jackson, MI 49201. JDL will announce the expanded hours once they are finalized. "We're incredibly excited to see this project to fruition and provide residents on the southeast side of Jackson County with unparalleled library services," Tackett said. "This is the…