Author: Andy Hawley | Page 13

Jackson Chamber Making Move to Michigan Ave

October 19, 2017

By Alex Cash, JTV Downtown, Jackson - The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is less than one month away from more than quadrupling their space by heading right into the heart of downtown Jackson at 134 W. Michigan Ave. From a single-story building, they will move to a three-story one. According to President and CEO Mindy Bradish-Orta, the building’s first floor will be occupied by the Jackson Chamber and Experience Jackson. 1,500 square feet of the second floor will be used by the Anchor Initiative and additional space will be made available for chamber members to rent. Bradish-Orta is excited about the increased visibility that being in the center of W. Michigan Avenue will bring. Additionally, the extra space will offer increased storage and comfort for staff in the increasingly cramped current space. This new space will include a larger board room and as mentioned before rooms for members to rent, an additional service the chamber will soon be able to offer their members. For tourists to our fair city, Experience Jackson will be in a central, easily accessible location to get information on events and places to enjoy. For those wanting to be a tourist in their…

Home playoff game on the line as Columbia looks to upend Hillsdale

October 19, 2017

By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Staff Writer Brooklyn — A playoff spot secure, the Columbia Central football team is trying to get a bit greedy now. And why not? Come Sunday night we’ll know where the 256 playoff teams fall, but Golden Eagles’ coach Josh Kubiak is fairly certain his guys could be playing at home in the pre-regional round. If, if they find a way to win Friday night at Hillsdale. “We’re going to have to match their urgency,” Kubiak said of the Hornets, who are 4-4 and will have a decent shot at making the tournament with five wins. “They are in a spot where they absolutely have to win, so we know they are going to be ready to go.” The need to win is one thing, but Hillsdale is also seeking some needed revenge. The Hornets lost to Columbia 29-28 in last year’s finale, officially ending their playoff hopes. In 2015, Columbia snuck away with a 26-22 victory. “I think it’s fair…

Western football stressing focused approach in must win against Dexter

October 19, 2017

By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Staff Writer Parma — There are some obvious particulars to focus on here. First, this is a must win in every sense of the term. Secondly, there can be no looking past anyone, not at this stage, not with this much on the line. Thirdly, well, it’s a must win, which needs repeating. “I’m pretty confident we are not in with five wins,” Western football coach Dave Mifsud said Wednesday night while speaking of this weekend’s tilt against Dexter. “I mean, there’s a chance, I guess, but I don’t think we’re in with only five wins.” Fourthly, this is a must win. Ok, enough of that, but the point is clear. The Panthers got what they needed last weekend in a lopsided victory over Northwest, and on Friday need one more win to go to 6-3 and secure an automatic playoff berth for the second time in three years. Simple enough, until you look at the opponent, an 0-8 Dexter team, and consider what else…

Western tennis looks to cap magical year with solid state finals

October 19, 2017

By Mike Moore Photo Courtesy Western Athletics Staff Writer Parma — Each year has its own unique flavor, a different twist on what’s come before and what’s to come in the future. Yet, as the Western boys tennis team prepares for this weekend’s state finals at Hope College, well, the feel is all-to-familiar. Now, the guys hope the finish is something entirely different. “This is something you have to enjoy every year,” coach Doug Blume said of his program’s streak of five consecutive trips to the state finals. “Mainly because, every year you have new guys competing.” This year took on a new look when the Panthers were shifted in regionals and competed in Haslett. “It was a tough regional, with some highly ranked teams,” Blume said. Yet his guys did what they always seem to do — taking home the regional title for the fifth year in a row. “We had a real good feeling his could be our year,” Blume said. “We had talent back and the guys were ready…

Lumen football ready for battle, then bye, before playoffs begin

October 12, 2017

By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Staff Writer Jackson — In a perfect world, the Lumen Christi football team would roll to a win Friday night, close the regular season with another victory next Friday and then march its way to Ford Field to defend last year’s title. In reality, well, most of that is possible, aside from the victory-next-week thing. The Titans are set to take on Pennfield Friday night, and will likely host a first round playoff games two weeks from then, but unable to find a dance partner for Week 9, tomorrow’s game will be the final of the regular season for the 2017 squad. “It is what it is,” coach Herb Brogan said calmly. “Not having a game next week doesn’t really change our approach this week. The change will really come next week when you want to balance work and rest and health. There’s a fine line to keep sharp while resting up.” So, worry about next week’s rest, health and sharpness next…

Hanover boys cross country are state-title contenders in D-3

October 11, 2017

By Mike Moore Staff Writer Horton — There were nice wins leading up to this, but in the grand scheme of things, showing off at Portage is a certain coming out party for most cross country teams. And last Saturday the Hanover-Horton boys squad made sure everyone in Division 3 was well aware of just how dangerous the Comets could be. As if everyone didn’t already know. “We’ve kind of been building to this year for a while,” coach Dean Blackledge said. “ The past few years we’ve been right there in the state finals.” In fact, the Comets placed third last year, and fifth, third and sixth the three years prior to that, respectively. This group, though, returned some strong senior runners, Blackledge explained, that have set the tone all year. Landon Melling and Bo Shepherd have been the duo to set the pace, recently placing third and fourth, respectively, at the Portage Invitational. And speaking of Portage, that may be the biggest reason for optimism moving forward. In what is one of the biggest runs of the season, not named a state final, Hanover finished first out of 42…

Now is the time to get your spring blooming bulbs at Becks

October 11, 2017

By Alex Cash, JTV So far, it has been a confusing fall season. Hot one day, cold the next. Cold rain followed by high humidity. Nonetheless, fall is here. Gary Beck, President of Beck’s Flower Shop and Gardens agrees. “We’ve had a strange fall. Normally we’ve had one or two freezes, leaves changing and dropping. But we are enjoying a nice long summer.” The odd weather we’ve been having effects what our plants do and what kind of plants we can buy. Many of us have seen colorful hearty mums on people’s front steps, gardens, and porches mimicking the beautiful Michigan fall colors. Now is the time to get your potted mums to add that gorgeous color to your fall or Halloween themed home decoration. Though Gary says they are at the end of their growing season, it doesn’t mean you can’t get five weeks or so of enjoyment out of a potted one. To those among us who weren’t born with a green thumb, this may be all the gardening we are capable of. Though fall is lovely, some of us might want to look forward past the winter to spring. Now is the time to…

Spring Arbor Men’s Soccer sweeps CL Player of the Week honors

October 10, 2017

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Spring Arbor University sophomores Alex Sokalski and Jacob Crull have been recognized by the Crossroads League for their outstanding performances last week. Alex Sokalski was named Defensive Player of the Week for anchoring No. 19 Spring Arbor's back line in wins over Indiana Wesleyan and Saint Francis. Sokalski scored two goals from his centerback position, including the game-winner in the final minute of regulation against IWU to complete the comeback victory. Sokalski also helped the Cougars post their sixth shutout of the season, which ranks second in the league. Jacob Crull earned Offensive Player of the Week honors for scoring one goal and assisting three more to help Spring Arbor remain unbeaten in league play with wins over IWU and USF. Crull assisted the game-winner against Indiana Wesleyan, before striking for one goal and adding two assists in the win over Saint Francis. On the season, Crull has nine assists, which not only leads the team, but also leads the Crossroads League and ranks fourth in the NAIA. Spring Arbor (10-2-0, 3-0-0 CL) hosts Huntington University (5-2-4, 1-0-2 CL) on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.

High School Football Schedule Week 8

October 9, 2017

Friday, October 13th Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Lansing Eastern at Jackson - JTV Pennfield at Lumen Christi Western at Northwest - JTV East Jackson at Napoleon Concord at Union City Columbia Central at Dundee Michigan Center at Grass Lake - JTV Hanover-Horton at Addison Quincy at Springport Vandercook Lake at Manchester

First things first as Hanover football makes trip to East Jackson

October 6, 2017

By Mike Moore Photo By Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports Staff Writer Horton — Johnnie Stewart knows with three more wins, and six total, his Hanover-Horton football team is guaranteed a playoff spot. The Comets’ coach actually thinks, based on his squad’s schedule, that five wins will be enough to sneak into the postseason. But wins five and six won’t be possible without win No. 4 coming first, and as Stewart spoke the other day about his team, that’s all he was focused on. “These are all big games, and right now, for us, this one is huge,” Stewart said of Friday night’s tilt at East Jackson. “They have some quality players. Every game we’ve seen of theirs they play tough. We have to be able to do the same.” After a 3-1 start, Hanover dropped its last two and enters tonight at 3-3. “We are very shorthanded right now,” Stewart said, noting that a considerable amount of starters will not be playing. He said the absences were not health related, but refused to explain more. “So,…

Andy Hawley