Feds charge Michigan contractor in $2M unemployment fraud scheme
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Federal officials allege a contract employee for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency exploited the coronavirus pandemic to authorize more than $2 million in fraudulent payments. Authorities allege Brandi Hawkins, 39, of Detroit used “insider access” to approve hundreds of illegitimate claims beginning in April, during a historic wave of […]
Stories of Wil: Now in print!
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. It didn’t take long for Christie to realize how enriching life with Down syndrome is. Embracing […]
Letter to the editor: Pandemic Prom could bring COVID outbreak to community.
July 17, 2020 To the Editor: The mindless and frivolous “Pandemic Prom” covered by the July 8 MIRROR has brought shame to our community. Up to now, we have done well in keeping COVID-19 cases to a bare minimum. This outrageous prom was an open invitation to community spread of the virus. We may get […]
Fair postpones until 2021
And another one bites the dust. As event after event has been canceled this spring and summer due to the COVID19/Coronavirus pandemic, the Manchester Community Fair Board has remained constant in its intention to continue planning the 2020 fair. But at its monthly meeting on July 13, the inevitable decision was announced: “It is with […]
Obituary: Lynette Rae Hartman
Lynette Rae Hartman, 65, of Brooklyn, passed away Monday, July 20, 2020. She was born on October 12, 1954, in Adrian, Michigan to Eugene and Sandra (Knapp) Summers. Lynn married the love of her life, Walter Hartman, on May 27, 1972, in Adrian, Michigan. She will be remembered for loving to play bingo at […]
Obituary: Charles Ronald (Ron) Kuhl
Ron Kuhl, 81, a Manchester area farmer, passed away at the Kuhl Family Homestead, on July 16, 2020. Ron was the fourth-generation to operate the farm that has been in the family since 1873. Farming was Ron’s life and career starting at the age of ten years old to help with chores, milking, and driving […]
Historical Society calendars now available
Since 1984, the Manchester Area Historical Society (MAHS) has published an annual calendar, celebrating the history of the Manchester community in a variety of ways. Some included original drawings by local artists; some years have had more written historical content than others; more recently the format has used a combination of photographs and shorter stories […]
Obituary: Naomi (Schafer) Rodenbeck
Naomi Pearl (nee Schafer) Rodenbeck, 75, of Onsted, passed away July 13, 2020, from complications of a Covid-19 illness in April. She was born on September 29, 1944, in South Bend, Indiana to Ralph and Ethel (Nolen) Schafer. Naomi married the love of her life and childhood sweetheart, Doyle Rodenbeck, on December 23, 1967, in […]
Surviving coronavirus–at home in Manchester
Last Thursday was Day 112 for Kim Blumenstein. She’s a “survivor” of COVID-19 … but she’s still dealing with the aftermath. “The hardest thing for me is I don’t know what’s next,” she said, “or what’s going to go away and what will remain permanent.” It’s one of the biggest concerns of those who are […]
Cisco: A dog brings people together in conflicted times
It seems like everywhere you turn these days, you find people arguing. Who’s the best political candidate; who’s got the truth about the pandemic; should you or shouldn’t you wear a mask; how much is too much to pay for organic free-range eggs? And that’s just in Manchester. But lately, in Manchester, there’s been a […]
