Right to Life of Michigan launches ballot drive to ban abortion procedure
by Riley Beggin, Lindsay VanHulle (Bridge) Right to Life of Michigan says it has launched a petition drive to ask voters to ban a common abortion procedure, one day after the state House and Senate passed bills that would outlaw the practice and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vowed to veto them. The anti-abortion advocacy group said Wednesday it formed a […]
Reader FAQ: Does Michigan Lottery money really go to schools?
by Alexandra Schmidt (Bridge) Where’d all the Michigan lottery money go? It’s a question the public engagement team from the Center for Michigan (which also publishes Bridge Magazine) hears all the time during our statewide engagement campaigns. Michiganders tell us they don’t understand how our public schools could be underfunded with all the lottery money they receive. […]
Six times more third-graders may flunk next year under Michigan reading law
by Ron French (Bridge) More than 5,000 third-graders–five percent across the state–may be held back from advancing to fourth grade following the 2019-20 school year because of Michigan’s “read or flunk” law, which takes effect this fall. That’s a more than six-fold increase over the number of third-graders who were held back in 2017-18 (777 […]
Three departments assist Manchester with fire at Martinrea plant
The Manchester Township Fire Department was dispatched shortly after 11:30 pm on Friday, May 10 to a reported structural fire in the shipping area of the Martinrea plant on Parr Street on the southeast side of town. “The first engine arrived minutes later with smoke venting from an open door,” said MTFD Chief Bill Scully. […]
American Legion Auxiliary celebrates 100 years
The 100th anniversary of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) creates an opportunity to reflect on the past and showcase each Unit’s success and contributions. It is also an occasion to celebrate the successes that the organization has worked to accomplish. Emil Jacob Unit 117 of Manchester continues to contribute to the needs of veterans in […]
“Underground” concert series starts in Manchester
Coming across a somewhat enigmatic Facebook post about an “Underground” music series starting in Manchester was enough to pique plenty of people’s interest to show up on Saturday night for a great night of acoustic music. “What do Muddy Waters, Doc Watson, Don McLean, Bruce Cockburn, Josh White Jr., Mose Allison, John Hartford, and Sonny […]
Memorial Day parade plans set
The American Legion Post #117 has announced its plans for the 2019 Memorial Day parade and observances on Monday, May 27. Members of the Legion post will travel for a brief service at the Norvell cemetery at 10 am. They will return to Manchester for an 11 am parade, which begins on the Main Street […]
Road work this week: MDOT & WCRC working in Manchester
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is planning to place an asphalt overlay on M-52 from US 12, just south of the Washtenaw/Lenawee County line, to Austin Road, beginning the week of May 20. Aaron Jenkins, Communications Representative for MDOT, said that there will be a single-course hot mixed asphalt overlay on 5.23 miles of highway, […]
Michigan governor and Republicans at impasse on auto insurance reform bills
By Riley Beggin (Bridge) LANSING — Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer promised Thursday to veto legislation passed by the Michigan House and Senate last week that would bring big changes to an auto insurance system that has made Michigan’s rates the most expensive in the nation. The Republican-backed bills, she argued, “serve a corrupt system where insurance companies are allowed to […]
