Michigan schools would get 2.4 percent hike in GOP budget plan
by Ron French (Bridge) In a proposed budget that appears to be a compromise between the Republican-controlled House and Senate ‒ but spurns the education priorities of Michigan’s Democratic governor ‒ a conference committee recommended a 2.4 percent increase in public school funding Thursday. That’s between the 2.7 percent hike initially approved by the Senate […]
Whitmer agrees to delay road funding talks to finish Michigan budget
By Riley Beggin (Bridge) Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has agreed to put aside negotiations on how to raise $2.5 billion annually in revenue for the state’s roads and infrastructure. This is the first time Whitmer, a Democrat, has publicly changed her position on the centerpiece of her budget — she has previously said she would veto any […]
As Michigan schools ban cellphones, reports surface of ‘talking,’ ‘eye contact’
by Ted Roelofs (Bridge) ADA TOWNSHIP—Standing outside Forest Hills Central High School in late August, senior Jack Walls admitted he has an issue with his phone. “I’m addicted,” he said. “I know it. It’s real bad. I have a real bias for texting people.” This was Day 1 of a districtwide ban on student cellphone […]
Haunted Manchester–the Tour!
At last–here by popular demand, comes the first ever Tour of Haunted Manchester! Building on the stories from the popular Ghost Talk presented at the Ladies’Day at the Community Fair, the Manchester Area Historical Society will beconducting a walking tour of sites around the village where strangehappenings have been reported by past and present residents. […]
Third Thursday to feature park dedication events
Next week’s Third Thursday celebration, September 19, will have a special component as the River Raisin Park will be dedicated at 6 pm near the park’s plaza area. A ribbon cutting will “officially” open the newly-completed park at the corner of M-52 and Main Street, along with the Shared Use Trail, a section of which […]
Klager and Riverside fund-raiser begins
Along with the new school year, the Klager and Riverside PTO have started their “Fun Run” fund-raiser to bring in donations to help finance their year’s programming. “The Fun Run is a no-nonsense, health-centered event in which the kids from Riverside Intermediate and Klager Elementary raise pledge money, win a variety of prizes and participate […]
County clean-up day set in Saline this weekend
Washtenaw County is hosting a County-wide clean up day from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Thomson Reuters, 6300 Interfirst Drive, Ann Arbor (located in Pittsfield Township between Ann Arbor and Saline.) All Washtenaw County residents are welcome to bring traditional recyclables; appliances (refrigerator, dryer, a/c unit); old electronics (TV, computers), […]
What you need to know about Michigan’s flavored e-cigarette ban
by Riley Beggin, Joel Kurth (Bridge) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made national news on Wednesday by announcing an order to make Michigan the first state to ban flavored e-cigarettes. Here’s what you need to know. Why the ban? The Democratic governor said she was moving to protect Michigan children by ordering the state Department of Health and Human Services to issue emergency […]
Michigan Republicans push budget without road deal, a likely no-go for Whitmer
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) Republican leaders controlling the Michigan House and Senate have agreed on a budget, they announced Friday ‒ one that doesn’t include a negotiated deal on road funding with the state’s Democratic governor. The announcement raises the stakes for a possible state government shutdown in less than a month. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has […]
Algae is again fouling Lake Erie. Thanks a lot, Ohio.
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Across western Lake Erie, a giant green algal mass is again forming and it’s the largest in three years. How big is it? So big it can be seen from space and, at 620 square miles, is about bigger than the largest cities in Michigan (Detroit), Ohio (Columbus) and Indiana (Indianapolis) put together. Not […]
