Newly retired teacher still making a difference
After an interrupted school year, Kathy O’Mara wanted to do up her “last day of school” the right way. So on June 12, the day that should have been the last day for teachers and students, all students, alumni, staff, and community members were invited to do a drive-by parade starting at 11:45 in the […]
Four school board seats up for election on November ballot
Every two years, the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education holds an election for its 7-member board. This year, four seats are up for election–those belonging to Tom Mann, Chris Fegan, Jeremy Koch, and Karen Rothfuss. And at least two of those board members are not running for reelection. Contacted via email, Jeremy Koch stated […]
Mystique: A dream of a service dog
By Claire Pajka Though dogs are often just praised as best friends and beloved pets, Cheyenne Curts’ dog Mystique can literally, as well as figuratively, open doors for her. Curts is a lifelong resident of Manchester, currently raising money to pay for the training of her service dog, Mystique–a Siberian Husky matched with Curts through […]
Freedom Township discusses hotspots, COVID-19 precautions for upcoming elections
By Claire Pajka The Freedom Township Board meeting was held in person on June 9 with all five board members, planning commissioner Larry Lindemann, and two members of the public in attendance. Treasurer Rudy Layher reported that May’s total ending balance is $686,143.34. Supervisor Dale Weidmayer stated that at 6 p.m. on June 17, Freedom […]
WCSO report: May 2020 police activity in Village of Manchester
During the month of May, WCSO deputies responded to 67 calls for service (including traffic stops). Toward the end of the month, deputies began conducting more traffic enforcement; during this time a total of 11 traffic stops were made with four citations issued. Noteworthy events in the Manchester collaboration during the last month include: On […]
Coronavirus lays bare health disparities amid Michigan protests
By Robin Erb (Bridge) George Floyd’s death under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer set off global protests against police violence. But in places like Detroit, still reeling from the devastation of COVID-19, Floyd’s death is a piece of larger, systemic inequities that leave African Americans to suffer and die at greater rates than whites. […]
Crises collide: Flood recovery workers carried COVID-19 to Michigan
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Contract workers who came to Michigan to help the state recover from a major flood brought COVID-19 with them and may have inadvertently contributed to the ongoing public health crisis, according to state and local officials. Nineteen employees of a contract renovation company who stayed at a hotel in Bay […]
Ann Arbor restaurant pioneer takes time reopening: ‘Everyone is anxious’
By Paula Gardner (Bridge) ANN ARBOR—When Adam Baru first opened Mani Osteria restaurant in Ann Arbor nine years ago, he invigorated the city’s dining scene. Now he’s reopening the same restaurant in the same location, hoping that by next week servers will once again be delivering wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas and craft cocktails to diners […]
Appeals court sides with Enbridge over Dana Nessel in Line 5 tunnel dispute
By Kelly House (Bridge) The legal battle between Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Canadian energy giant Enbridge over the Line 5 tunnel agreement may be headed to the Michigan Supreme Court, after Enbridge won the latest round in a dispute over the 2018 law that made way for the tunnel. In an opinion issued […]
Teacher helps the community for her “retirement party”
One thing about a good teacher ─ she (or he) is always teaching, no matter what else they may be doing. And Kathy O’Mara is definitely one of the good ones. A leader by example, O’Mara has always been an advocate for her students, and is always seeking an opportunity to teach and help […]
