JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT SPECIAL SECTIONS

In-depth reporting, featured articles and special reports

As more people are losing their health insurance, some doctor's visits may be placed on the back burner. When it comes to regular dentist visits, however, local dental-care professionals say putting off these appointments today could lead to more costly problems later. In addition, several local programs are designed to help those without jobs and health insurance through a... Full story »

A group of eight friends from Jackson took a two-week tour through Italy in October, exploring and touring several cities. Full story »

Here is a semi-apology to Jackson City Councilman Robert Howe. Councilman, I never called you an idiot. I am sorry this was not obvious. Howe gave a radio interview last week sticking up for outgoing Mayor Jerry Ludwig. He criticized a couple of councilmen for working against Ludwig's re-election and disputed the hare-brained notion the council will somehow sabotage... Full story »

On an annual adventure trip with his family in August, Ryan Schurz of Jackson navigated challenging rapids on a 100-mile stretch of the Salmon River in Idaho. Here is his story: My parents, Jane and Bob Grover, and I took a whitewater rafting/fishing trip this summer down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. There was no... Full story »

On a recent Saturday night at Steaks Eatery, just about everybody leaving the restaurant was carrying a white box filled with food that was too good to leave. The Gene Davis family prides itself on high-quality food and plenty of it at the restaurant they opened in 1996 at 4243 Oak Lane  (near the U.S. 127 and M-50 interchange).... Full story »

Ken Plum of Horton started his month with an impressive catch while hunting. Here is his story: On Nov. 9, I was hunting near the edge of a cornfield and woods that run along the St. Joe River. I had been in my tree stand for about 10 minutes when I saw movement in the brush about 70 yards... Full story »

Veterans Day was Wednesday but we still have time for one more war story with a fine lesson. It comes from Leonard Owczarzak, 85, of Lake Columbia. He has a lot of great stories from World War II. During basic training in California, Owczarzak met a Texan named Jesus Talavera. Growing up in a Polish neighborhood in Detroit, Owczarzak... Full story »

For a week in October, Andre and Shirley Pitts experienced church services and mission work outside of Jackson during a trip to Honduras. Here is their story: Andre and Shirley Pitts recently returned from a church mission trip to the Guanaja Islands, Honduras, along with seven other members of the Church of God. They visited the small island of... Full story »

Most people familiar with structuring a physical activity program are aware of the three phases of a workout: the warm-up, the peak activity period and the cooldown. To avoid injury and to prepare the body to strive toward its optimal effectiveness, a proper warm-up is necessary.   How should the warm-up be structured? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. For example,... Full story »

Sorry, women, but today's column has valuable information intended for men only. Men, here is a groundbreaking discovery to solve the problem of what to say to females. Four powerful words will work no matter the situation, the location or the woman. "I like your shoes." Try it. It's magic. This discovery was made after two women, in separate... Full story »

A in-depth list of ideas for babies, children, parents and more. Full story »

Crops still standing in many southern Michigan agricultural areas could reduce the southern Michigan deer harvest next Sunday when the firearm deer season opens in Michigan. Full story »

Most people would try to avoid doing the same thing for 12 hours without distractions or breaks. But for Cameron Kohn of Jackson, that is precisely the goal of his cycling training — to keep riding his bike for 12-hour races and other endurance events, stopping as little as possible. "It's draining and it hurts ... but crossing that... Full story »

To celebrate Roger Reed's retirement, Reed and his wife, Darla, of Clarklake embarked on a two-week tour through several European countries. Here is their story: We booked a two-week trip to Europe through Image Tours out of Grand Rapids for mid-September. Thirty-eight strangers from the United States also booked the same tour. Our guide was a middle-aged woman named... Full story »