PORTRAIT: Michael Cremeans

Michael Cremeans, entering his senior season, plays fullback and running back for the Lumen Christi Titans.

FOOTBALL: Meridian vs. Bullock Creek

Meridian quarterback Chad Larsen evades a tackle from Bullock Creek's Justin Maziarz during the first play of the season opening game Friday night at Meridian High School.



Meridian linebacker Codey Hintermeister celebrates after knocking down a pass during the season opening game against Bullock Creek on Friday night at Meridian High School.



Meridian running back Trent Hawkins continues to run upfield as Bullock Creek's Bryan Cammin attempts to tackle him during the season opening game Friday night at Meridian High School.



Bullock Creek quarterback Brad Shoffner evades a tackle by Meridian linebacker Jacob Hoyt in the third quarter Friday night at Meridian High School.

Denzel Charleston, a portrait

Denzel Charleston, 8, of Leoni Township laughs as his mother Amanda Swiontek, 31, tickles him, holding his arms around him so he can not make a move at their house on Friday afternoon. Denzel, a third grader at East Jackson Memorial Elementary, was born with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Since Denzel's birth, he has been tested every three months for lymphoma. His syndrome weakens his immune system, which could put Denzel in the hospital from a simple cold. It also does not allow his blood to clot, meaning Denzel could hemorrhage uncontrollably from a minor fall.

"We never put him in a bubble," said Denzel's grandmother, Mary Swiontek. "We let him be a boy."

Denzel will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant in Cincinnati, Ohio in the next three months. Without the transplant, his life expectancy is a maximum of 19 years of age.

"I hate being sick," Denzel said. "It so hard to have friends like this, and with the transplant, I can only be around so many people. I won't have any friends. It stinks."

Hot Air Jubilee: Balloon Shadow

The shadow of a balloon appears on the shore next to Brills Lake as a hot air balloon rises off the lake after dipping down into the water on Sunday morning in east Jackson during the Hot Air Jubilee.

Birds fly. So can I.

A flock of ducks seemingly skip across the top of water early Sunday morning at Brills Lake in East Jackson.



A swan swims atop the water early Sunday morning across Brills Lake in East Jackson.

Like father, like son

Larry Hanson, center, stands behind the counter as his father Mike Browder walks by to sign in a new resident Monday morning at the Holiday RV campground office. Hanson has worked at the campground for four years; Browder has worked there for eight. "It's just a good family campground, quiet and peaceful," Browder said. "Look at us. We live here and work here. That's family."

Choices: Hot Air Jubilee moment

Looking for some feedback on which photo everyone prefers. The first photo is what ran in print. I am torn between each, so I ask for your opinions and appreciate your thoughts and time.





Aubree Smith, 18 months old, of Grass Lake reaches up to grab the hands of Caitlin Bergeon, 13, of Mason and her sister Anna Smith, 14, while waiting for the night glow to begin after one balloon launched Friday during the Hot Air Jubilee at Jackson County Airport. "It's like she wanted us to pick her up and bring her into the basket," Bergeon said.

Hot Air Jubilee: More from Day 1

Walt Rudy of Ohio waves to the crowd as he takes off in his hot air balloon, the only balloon to take flight Friday evening at the Hot Air Jubilee at the Jackson County Airport.



Anna Smith, 14, of Grass Lake kicks her leg out while playing atop a hot air balloon basket with her friend Caitlin Bergeon, 13, of Mason while waiting for the Night Glow to begin after only one balloon launched Friday during the Hot Air Jubilee at the Jackson County Airport.



Aubree Smith, 18 months old, of Grass Lake peeks outside of a hole at the bottom of a hot air balloon basket Friday while waiting for word if winds would die down enough to allow the night glow during the Hot Air Jubilee at Jackson County Airport.

Marijuana Raid

Members of the Jackson Narcotics Enforcement Team holds a number of marijuana plants as the team traveled throughout Jackson County Thursday searching for and extricating marijuana plants. JNET found 42 plants ranging between 4 and 5 feet tall in the middle of a tree-covered field off of Smith Road in Leoni Township within their first hour of the search.

Daniel Sinko, a portrait

Photograph and article by Jake May (Jackson Citizen Patriot)

Daniel Sinko has been looking for work since he earned his GED three years ago.

Sinko graduated at age 17 from the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy in Battle Creek, where his parents sent him to straighten up in high school. He's even completed culinary school.

Still, the 20-year-old Grass Lake resident relies on temporary and "odds and ends" jobs to make ends meet.

"I can't find a real decent job. For me, it just seems like they aren't out there," he said. "I've straightened my act up and stopped acting stupid. That was years ago. I'm trying to do better for myself. I want a job."

That call was heard by a friend's parent, who was able to put Sinko to work tearing down vehicles and removing parts.

Scott Phelps, 39, of Jackson is saving up money to own an auto-repair shop. In the meantime, Sinko is helping keep Phelps' business alive.

"He's a good worker and just a good man," Phelps said. "It's hard today to find people who know how to work, really work. … But Daniel, he gets it."

Sinko said that in one week he's already pulled out about five radiators and worked on about one car a day. He said by the end of each day, he is covered from head to toe in oil and grease.

"I'm very appreciative of what I have," he said. "I don't get much, but I need this money. I'm still hoping to find myself a full-time job somewhere. Here's hoping."

At a glance …

Name: Daniel Sinko
Age: 20
Residence: Grass Lake
Family: Mother Diane Sinko; stepfather Dave Dowb; stepbrothers Jason Dowb, 26, and Anthony Dowb, 28; and sister Susan Dowb, 14.
Fun fact: Sinko enjoys fishing. While fishing for bass, he once caught a 26-inch northern pike.