Sara Swanson

Obituary: Joseph Ambrose Kirk

Joseph Ambrose Kirk, 86, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Otterbein Sunset House, Toledo, Ohio. Joe’s family and friends will gather Friday, February 11, 2022, 4:00 – 8:00 PM with Rosary at 7:00 PM at Eineder Funeral Homes - Manchester Chapel. His funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 12, […]

 Sara Swanson

Photo: Winter storm

 Sara Swanson

Michigan Supreme Court dismisses redistricting suit over Black representation

by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — The Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against the state’s new independent redistricting commission that alleged new maps illegally dilute the power of Black voters. Plaintiffs, including state lawmakers who are part of the Legislature’s Detroit Caucus, failed to prove a violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, […]

 Sara Swanson

Deaths exceed births in Michigan. Blame COVID, but long-term trends are grim

Mike Wilkinson (Michigan Health Watch, Bridge Michigan) Deaths now exceed births in Michigan. That’s bad news for the economy, and a problem that has been years in the making. The COVID-19 pandemic super-charged a demographic nightmare that’s been brewing for years. In 2019, deaths exceeded births in 55 of 83 counties, and demographers warned that was a […]

 Sara Swanson

Michigan’s $7 million ‘tampon tax’ is officially over

by Zahra Ahmad (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — As of Thursday, Michigan women and their families no longer have to pay the state’s so-called “tampon tax” on feminine hygiene products. In November, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation exempting menstrual products from the state’s 6 percent sales and use tax. The repeal officially took effect this week. […]

 Sara Swanson

Duck and goose populations booming in Michigan. Other birds? Not so much.

by Zahra Ahmad (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s duck and geese populations are soaring as receding water levels created the perfect wetland breeding conditions last year, even as most bird species struggle. Waterfowl are breeding in record numbers: a recent state study found duck populations are up 191 percent and Canada goose populations are up 21 percent […]

 Sara Swanson

MCS begins faucet & drinking fountain replacement; sets up blood testing clinic

Last Thursday Manchester Community Schools superintendent announced their next step in addressing the water testing results received in early January that showed elevated levels of lead in some of the drinking water. The school district in working with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE ) Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division, has […]

 Sara Swanson

Allyson Hanes promoted to Banking Center Manager

Submitted by Old National Bank Old National Bank is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Allyson Hanes to Banking Center Manager. Allyson is responsible for the Manchester retail team. She has been with the bank for 11 years, starting as a part-time teller. She graduated with honors from Jackson College with a degree in […]

 Sara Swanson

Bridgewater & Sharon Township residents asked to take tree survey

The Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) is asking Bridgewater and Sharon Township residents to take survey about trees! WCCD is piloting a project which aims to identify how trees could best serve the residents of each pilot municipality, which includes Ypsilanti Township, or the City of Ypsilanti in addition to Sharon and Bridgewater. Informed by community […]

 Sara Swanson

Washtenaw County’s Conservation District’s annual Spring Tree & Shrub Sale

submitted by Washtenaw County Conservation District   Winter is the perfect time to start planning for how to make improvements to your property. Whether you are looking to reforest an area, naturalize the landscaping, create a wind barrier, protect the soil and reduce runoff, establish wildlife habitat, shade your property, or plant an orchard, the […]