Michigan tax revenue up, but economic unknowns loom
by Lauren Gibbons (BridgeMichigan) Michigan is entering the new year with a projected budget surplus — but looming trade policy changes under President-elect Donald Trump, high costs of living and fluctuating inflation rates could be a drag on the state’s economic future, forecasters said Friday. The state is expected to bring in $33.18 billion […]
Amid outcry, solar farm owner says it no longer wants Michigan forest to expand
by Kelly House (BridgeMichigan) A proposal to lease 420 acres of state land near Gaylord for a solar energy development is on shaky ground after attracting criticism from lawmakers, including calls for “mass firings” of state employees involved in the plan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will issue a public notice Tuesday of its intent […]
Sick with norovirus? Do all of Michigan a favor: Stay home
by Robin Erb (BridgeMichigan) Norovirus continues to threaten Michiganders in the new year — with case counts among the highest in five years and no indication that they might fall soon. The highly contagious stomach bug isn’t easy to kill. Hand sanitizer is a poor weapon against it. It lingers on surfaces for days. And […]
UPDATE Boil water advisory lifted
Monday 1-13-25 UPDATE from the City of Manchester: The City of Manchester has received the lab test results for samples collected on Saturday and Sunday. All results confirm that the water is safe to drink. Therefore, the boil water advisory has been rescinded, and residents may now resume normal water use. If you have any […]
A record year for Worth Repeating
submitted by Pat Sahakian, Worth Repeating Worth Repeating finished 2024 with record sales and record grants returned to the community. In 2024, Worth Repeating returned $41,382 back to the community through 42 grants to local institutions and nonprofits. Since the beginning of Worth Repeating in 2020, the store has returned $136,037 in community grants and […]
Land preservation efforts continue in Manchester Township
by Sybil Kolon The Land Preservation Committee (LPC) has submitted its LPC Report to the Manchester Township Board after working on it for over a year. The report is now available on the township’s Land Preservation webpage: https://twp-manchester.org/land-preservation/ Over the past few years it became clear that many township residents have a great appreciation for […]
Men’s Club readies ice rink at Wurster Park
by Marsha Chartrand It doesn’t happen every year — but when it does, it’s a great thing for Manchester! Last year’s relatively “warm” weather made it impossible to get started on an ice rink at the park; two years ago the rink was prepped but weather conditions allowed only a couple of days of skating […]
One Big Thing sets community leadership meeting
submitted by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation A community leadership meeting has been set for January 29 to discuss how to work together to decrease isolation, improve access to resources, and support individuals in recovery for substance-use disorders with the ultimate goal of improving mental health and emotional well-being in the 5 Healthy Towns region, which […]
Billionaires, dark money dominate record-setting Michigan election spending
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) So-called dark money organizations and ultrawealthy donors were the largest reported spenders in Michigan state politics during the 2024 election cycle, according to a Bridge Michigan analysis of campaign finance records. Members of the billionaire DeVos family of west Michigan were again the biggest individual spenders, collectively donating nearly […]
Michigan ‘lifelong education’ department turns 1, touting growth in free pre-K, college
by Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced she was creating a department to focus on pre-K through college, there were skeptics. One year later, the director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential says she’s proud of MiLEAP’s work so far. “We have really done well with expanding our access to pre-k […]
