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JACKSON COUNTY, MI – The leader of Jackson and Hillsdale counties’ go-to clinic for mental health services announced this week she is retiring soon. Here is that headline and some more you might have missed this week. Jackson woman dedicated 33 years as CEO of mental health clinic A long-standing champion of mental health care in Jackson and Hillsdale counties has announced her plans to retire.
Maribeth Leonard will step down as CEO of LifeWays effective Feb. 1, 2026. She said LifeWays has been more than just an organization to her, comparing her three decades there to being part of a mission-oriented family.
You can now find this bakery’s chocolate-dipped treats at Jackson Crossing Grab a sweet treat while shopping at the Jackson Crossing at Heavenly Bakes & Cakes. Andrea Burzynski started baking in 2020 out of her home to earn some money from her passion. She worked vendor shows and sold her baked goods from a table inside the Jackson Crossing.
Instead of opening a storefront, she decided to open a kiosk inside the mall on Saturday, April 12. Fill your summer with trails, sports at these Jackson County parks The weather has warmed up in Jackson County, meaning families are itching to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Luckily Jackson County has many parks to enjoy the outdoors.
Here are some of those great options. East Jackson dances night away at prom 2025 in a ‘Secret Garden’ East Jackson High School students and guests went to prom 2025 at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra Hall in downtown Jackson. With a theme of “Secret Garden”, about 90 attendees danced the night away on Saturday, April 19.
The prom featured a dessert table, selfie station and dancing, said junior class advisor Julie Kruse. Meet the Teacher: Gym instructor follows district’s mantra of ‘every kid, every day’ Like his parents before him, Brian Woodhurst has had years of experience building and maintaining positive relationships through education. Woodhurst, 46, has spent his entire 23-year career teaching for the Michigan Center School District.
He began at Michigan Center Jr./Sr. High School, where he taught social studies, physical education and health for eight years.
He now teaches gym fulltime for “Young 5s” through second grade students at Arnold Elementary. Superintendent will miss community, small-town charm of Springport Schools For Christie Robinson, Springport was a place where she could stay in touch with her small-town roots while helping the next generation find their own paths forward. Robinson will leave Springport Public Schools this summer after spending the past four years as superintendent.
She will take on same role for Otsego Public Schools, about 17 miles north of Kalamazoo, in July. She will replace ongoing Superintendent Jeff Haase, who announced the end to his 11-year tenure with Otsego in December. 2 fires in Jackson area under investigation Investigations are underway after a pair of fires broke out in the Jackson area within an hour apart.
No injuries were reported in either blaze Saturday night, April 19. Jackson firefighters first responded at 6:54 p.m.
to a barn fire in Blackman/Leoni townships. Upon arrival, firefighters found the barn to be fully involved. Former Jackson police officer pleads no contest to domestic assault A former Jackson Police Officer accused of assaulting his girlfriend while he was still on the force is no longer going to trial.
Jonathan Zachary Debczak pleaded no contest on all counts April 3, waiving his right to a jury trial, court record show. Debczak, 39, was awaiting trial charged with one felony count each of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, assault with a dangerous weapon and one misdemeanor count each of operating while intoxicated while endangering a child and domestic violence. Country Boots & Bands bringing tribute bands, country concerts to Jackson music lovers Country Boots & Bands is bringing a variety of entertainment to the Jackson County-area this spring and summer, from a Michael Jackson tribute to country music concerts and a comedy show.
The events kick off with “Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band” at 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 25 at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson, 124 N.
Mechanic St. The tribute band features performers recreating Michael Jackson’s iconic dance moves, backed by a live six-piece band. Jackson road rage stabbing suspect bound over for trial A man accused of stabbing another man during an alleged road rage incident is heading to trial.
Marcus Leon Burrell was bound over to the Jackson County Circuit Court April 16 following his preliminary examination before Jackson County District Judge Robert Gaecke, court records show. Burrell, 56, is accused of stabbing another man during a fight in an apparent act of road rage, Jackson Police Deputy Chief Sergio Garcia said. Abandoned puppy finds new home with Jackson County couple On the night of April 3, an unnamed puppy - sick and starving - sat in a crate on the side of the road in Leoni Township.
Two weeks later, the newly named Crash Bandicoot likes to sit under the dining room table while his owner Hannah DeCorte does homework. DeCorte and her husband Collin adopted the eight-month-old Husky mix Thursday, April 17. Collin recalls seeing posts about Crash and his story on the Jackson County Animal Shelter’s Facebook page, knowing immediately that the DeCorte’s could offer the dog a loving home.
Michigan corrections officer pleads guilty to drug smuggling charge A Michigan Department of Corrections Officer accused of smuggling drugs into the prison that employs him near Jackson has taken a plea offer. Joshua Michael Evans pleaded guilty April 1 to one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance, court records show. In pleading guilty, an additional felony charge of bringing contraband into a prison will be dismissed at sentencing.
Homicide victim was shot multiple times while visiting Jackson home, police say Police investigating a homicide in Jackson late Sunday night found a victim who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. John Lusch, 45, of Marshall, was found dead Easter Sunday, April 20, by police called to a Jackson home in 900 block of Orchard Place for a welfare check, according to the Jackson Police Department. The investigation shows Lusch arrived at the home sometime early in the morning Sunday and was confronted by several people in the home, police said.
Jackson County sheriff’s vehicle damaged in cross-county chase into Hillsdale County A Jackson County Sheriff’s vehicle was damaged during a long chase with a suspect fleeing an officer. The chase started at about 3:30 p.m.
Monday, April 21, on North Elm Road in Blackman Township north of Jackson when officers attempted to stop a suspect and the driver fled, Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety Director Darin McIntosh said. The suspect fled south on Elm Road and got on westbound I-94, fleeing at a high rate of speed, McIntosh said. Jackson seeks public input on $45.
7 million water system improvement plan Jackson residents will have a chance to discuss and learn more about a $45.7 million plan to upgrade the city’s water infrastructure next week. The city is applying for funding through Michigan’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, said city spokesperson Aaron Dimick.
The Jackson City Council will host a public hearing on the city’s plan during an April 29 meeting. Jackson intends to use up to $45.7 million in grant funding to cover the cost of water system improvements.
Planned upgrades include lead service line replacements, water main replacements and critical upgrades to the Jackson Water Treatment Plant, Dimick said. From cakes to cardio: Jackson baking supply store closing as owner shifts to fitness A baking supply store is closing its doors to allow the owner to focus on her new passion – fitness. Diane Simmons opened Cake Connection, 1948 Lansing Ave.
, around 18 years ago to further her love for baking and to help others with their tasty creations. After Simmons’ passion changed from baking to fitness, she decided it was time to close the store and open a gym to help people on their fitness journeys. Man heads to trial for role in drive-by shooting outside Jackson A man accused of helping another man accused of opening fire at an occupied vehicle in a drive-by shooting is heading to trial.
Kevin Jamall Johnson was bound over to the Jackson County Circuit Court for trial proceedings after his preliminary examination April 14 before Jackson County District Judge Michael Klaeren, court records show. Johnson, 29, is charged with one count of accessory after the fact to a felony. His case has been assigned to Jackson County Circuit Judge Susan Jordan.
Tour these Jackson County museums for free in May Multiple Jackson County museums will welcome the public for free at this event. The 8th annual Jackson County Free Museum Day, hosted by Experience Jackson, will take place 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10.
Some locations will host an open-house style reception and self-guided tours, while others feature food trucks, child-friendly activities and historic demonstrations. Many of these locations are only open for special events and private tours. This day will give guests an opportunity to experience multiple museums at their own pace throughout the day.
Rescued rabbits, including 3 babies, await foster care near Jackson Several rabbits in need of care and new homes are being housed at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. The shelter is taking care of six adults and three newborns, all of whom are available for foster care. The rabbits come from a group of about 60 discovered the morning of Wednesday, April 16, in a Saginaw County basement.
The Jackson County shelter initially took in 16 rabbits after Saginaw County Animal Care and Control put out a call for assistance from other shelters when the animals were found. These 7 candidates are seeking Jackson City Council seats About half of the Jackson City Council will be up for re-election this fall, with a former councilmember seeking to refill her seat among the candidates. A total of seven candidates will vie for three open seats on the Jackson City Council in the Nov.
4 election. Jackson community gathers to tackle domestic violence at 4th annual summit The difficult and often uncomfortable subject of domestic violence in the Jackson community was on full display Wednesday morning. Upwards of 100 people gathered Wednesday morning, April 23, at the American 1 Event Center, 128 W.
Ganson St., for the fourth annual Summit to Reduce Violence, a yearly event aimed at addressing violence in the community by developing solutions and offering help to those in need. Napoleon schools kick off interviews for superintendent seat Napoleon Community Schools parents met the first group of candidates vying to become the district’s next superintendent Wednesday evening.
The Napoleon Community Schools Board of Education questioned four southern Michigan school administrators Wednesday, April 23, in the first night of interviews to determine who will replace superintendent Jim Graham. Need legal help? Jackson to offer resources, advice at free community fair A free event aims to give guidance, resources and advice to Jackson-area residents in need of legal assistance. The “Legal Services Resource Fair” will take place 9 a.
m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, April 26 at the American 1 Credit Union Event Center, 128 W. Ganson St. This is the first time the Jackson Human Relations Commission (HRC) has hosted an event of this kind, said Commission Chair Cheryl Ragland.
The event is free to attend and lunch will be provided. Donkey-zebra hybrids in Jackson County? It’s more common than you think A motorist on Dorrell Road caught of glimpse of an unusual creature Tuesday morning. At about 6:40 a.
m. April 22, officers from the Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety were dispatched near the intersection of Dorrell and Portage roads for the report of a loose animal near the roadway. Police did not even need to make contact with the owner to know what the animal was - a donkey-zebra hybrid.
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