Marsha Chartrand

Northern Michigan to downstate residents: Stay home during coronavirus!

by Bob Campbell (Bridge) The resort havens of Traverse City and Petoskey are among the jewels of Michigan tourism. But not this week. From the mayors in these lakefront towns, to a mother of two young children in Manistee County and members of a Facebook group in Leelanau County, the message to downstate Michiganders is […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Michigan scrambles to salvage school year in wake of coronavirus

by Ron French (Bridge) Government and school leaders are meeting to decide whether schools will reopen this spring, if instruction will be extended into the summer, what that would look like, and how it would be funded. Legislators, members of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, and officials from school associations had a conference call Wednesday to […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Whitmer press conference establishes Stay In Place order

At 11 am on Monday morning, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a special press conference at which she instituted an Executive Order requiring all non-essential businesses and services to cease, and urging all Michigan residents to stay at home, stay in place, beginning at midnight Monday night, and continuing for three weeks, until April 13. “Stay […]

 Marsha Chartrand

It’s all about the food

When school was cancelled as of the end of the day on March 13, Manchester Community Schools’ Food Service Staff had no time to rest on their laurels. They still had kids to feed. “Our motto in Food Services is, ‘It’s all about the food’,” explained Lisa Garrison. “That’s what we are here for … […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Dutch Drive resurfacing still planned for this summer

With a summer project “still a goal” for repairs and resurfacing of Dutch Drive, the Village Council acted in an abbreviated session on Monday night to authorize the Village Manager and Village President to sign and approve an MDOT contract to begin the bid process. Wallace explained to Council that with bids are officially due […]

 Marsha Chartrand

It’s always better when we work together

An increasing number of schools, restaurants, business services and many local enterprises have been reduced or totally shuttered under government orders, and others have closed proactively in light of the COVID-19 health crisis. Other businesses have chosen to stay open and try to weather the storm, offering various incentives for customers to utilize their services. […]

 Marsha Chartrand

WCSO report: February 2020 police activity in Village of Manchester

During the month of February 2020 there were 129 calls for service (including traffic stops). Deputies conducted 58 traffic stops during this time, with 46 citations issued. Noteworthy events in Manchester Village during last month include: February 9: Deputies were sent to the area of South Macomb and Territorial Road for a disorderly complaint. The […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Stories of Wil

submitted by Christie Taylor Wil is a 13-year-old boy with Down syndrome. He is the little brother, by 20 months, to twin sisters Katherine and Elizabeth. Wil’s mom, Christie, knew very little about Down syndrome when Wil was diagnosed shortly after his birth, but it didn’t take long for her to realize how enriching life […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Will Michigan classes stay closed, and other coronavirus impact on schools

By Ron French (Bridge) The closure of Michigan K-12 schools for three weeks, through April 6, raises a lot of questions for families and school administrators. Bridge answered a few more on Friday. Let us know if you have additional questions by sending them to rfrench@bridgemi.com and we’ll try to answer more.   Is there a chance the three-week […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Parents urge Michigan to change rules about online learning during coronavirus

By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Michigan parents and educators are demanding that state officials change the law so online instruction during the coronavirus school closure counts. After Michigan State Superintendent Michael Rice said Friday that state law forbids counting the time, it touched off a wave of confusion, the ire of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a […]