‘Wind phones’ give those in grief a connection to lost loved ones in Michigan
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Every few months or so, Tracey Mayeda walks into a woody stretch of northern Kent County to call her dead mother. She picks her way along a dirt path to a towering dead maple tree and, screwed to it in a protective wooden box, a cream-colored rotary phone. The handset […]
Michigan schools make K-12 education gains, still battle impact of COVID
by Victor Wooddell, Capital News Service (for Bridge Michigan) A recent report by the Michigan Department of Education shows progress toward achieving its educational strategic plan, including higher graduation rates. Other reports, however, show that some Michigan students’ test scores fell as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s strategic plan is based on […]
Where and how to recycle your Christmas tree in Michigan
by Jenelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Now that Christmas is over it’s time to start thinking about putting the decorations away and what to do with the tree. One of the benefits of having a real tree, besides the smell, is that it can be recycled and used for many different things outside of being […]
Lighting the way to peace and understanding
by Marsha Chartrand A small white bag, weighed down with a bit of sand and a votive candle burning inside offers each family in Manchester the opportunity to light the way for the Christ child to enter on Christmas Eve. A simple notion? Maybe, and maybe not. It was actually in 1977 that Karen Hinkley, […]
2024 has been a year of accomplishments for our City
by Marsha Chartrand “In addition to our normal business of budgeting, working with our businesses and nonprofits on events, maintaining our community, and running the day-to-day activities, our City Staff and Council has completed some significant tasks this year,” said Pat Vailliencourt, Manchester’s Mayor. Starting out the year as a brand-new City presented challenges and […]
2025 Historical Calendars now on the shelves at local businesses
by Marsha Chartrand So you need a last-minute Christmas gift? Just in time for the holidays, the 2025 Manchester Area Historical Society Calendar is available throughout Manchester. Each year, the many never-before-seen photos from Manchester’s past are a great attraction to Manchester fans and history buffs alike. This year, although just making its debut last […]
Obituary: John Ferguson
John Henry Ferguson, 73, of Henrietta, Mich., passed away December 13, 2024. John’s family and friends will gather 4–8pm, Tuesday, December 17, 2024, with the Lodge of Sorrow conducted by the Fraternal Order of Eagles 612 at 7:30pm. Visitation will continue from 10 to 11am, Wednesday, December 18, 2024, with a funeral service to follow […]
New for 2025: A cap on drug prices for nearly 2 million older Michiganders
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) More than 1.9 million Michigan seniors may get a big break on drug costs in 2025. The changes are the result of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, a wide-sweeping package that also aims to shift the country’s reliance from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. The law also took a major swing at […]
$90M data center tax break plan headed to Gov. Whitmer after final passage
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) The Michigan Senate has approved a plan to provide multimillion-dollar tax breaks to tech companies that build large, energy-hungry server farms in Michigan, sending a package to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her signature. Whitmer has avoided stating a public position on the bills. But both supporters and opponents see her as a […]
Dems go it alone in Michigan House, where chaotic meeting ends in lame-duck limbo
by Simon D. Schuster (BridgeMichigan) Over 12 hours in a half-empty chamber Friday, Michigan House lawmakers passed a litany of legislation without any votes from Republicans, who had walked out in protest. More than 50 bills passed the House as Democrats rushed to complete an increasingly narrow wish list of legislation before they lose their […]
