As holiday hugs and coughs await, only 1 in 4 Michiganders has taken flu shot
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) About 1 in 4 Michiganders has had a flu vaccination this season, the lowest number since coverage by flu shots spiked during the first full winter of the COVID pandemic. That’s a concern to health officials as the time nears for the close-quarters sneezing, coughing and hugging of holiday parties […]
Citing COVID sticker shock, Michigan Dems push emergency price gouging cap
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michgan) LANSING — Michiganders seeking toilet paper, cleaning supplies, masks and other essentials early in the COVID-19 pandemic faced serious sticker shock as demand outpaced supply – prompting a surge in price gouging complaints. Four years later, Attorney General Dana Nessel and legislative Democrats are renewing efforts to create price caps […]
Michigan ski resorts see surge in reservations after two years of little snow
by Janelle D James (BridgeMichigan) After two years of dealing with unusually warm weather and very little snow, Michigan ski resorts are finally starting to see things turn around. “As soon as the snow starts falling, the phone starts ringing,” said Brittany Primeau, communications director for Crystal Mountain Resort, near Traverse City. The ski resort […]
Plans underway for Kids’ Christmas event; volunteers needed
submitted by Barry Allen, Lions Club Kids’ Christmas has been a Manchester tradition for many years. Starting back with the Civic Club, then to the Kiwanis along with the Lions, it is now coordinated solely by the Manchester Lions Club in conjunction with Manchester Family Services. But the Lions Club needs volunteers from the community […]
Eventful week coming up for ’Mrs. Kelly’s Journey’
article submitted by Breeda Kelly Miller “I’m having flashbacks to my childhood, waiting anxiously for Santa’s arrival,” says local author Breeda Miller. Delivery of her long-awaited book, Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home: Stories of an American Family, is scheduled for early this week. With the holiday and weather concerns, she is a bit nervous about the […]
Michigan’s controversial wind, solar energy law is in effect. What to know
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A controversial law that allows the state to approve large wind and solar farms over local objections is now in effect. The law, Public Act 233, went into effect Friday, Nov. 29, and was among the more contentious aspects of a suite of reforms enacted last year to speed Michigan’s clean energy transition. […]
As Michigan minimum wage fight rages, bipartisan plan would keep tipped rate
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) As calls grow to modify pending changes to Michigan’s minimum wage and sick leave laws, a bipartisan team of lawmakers say they may have the solution: Legislation to keep lower tipped wages for workers but still raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour before the end of the decade. […]
Michigan is spending big to hire and retain teachers. Experts see positive signs
by Isobel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is betting big on efforts to recruit, train and retain educators across the state. There are incentives for current college students to stay in Michigan to teach. There are nonprofits working to link adults with bachelor’s degrees to teacher training programs. Plus, there have been some changes with state […]
The history and future of Iron Creek Church
by Sybil Kolon for Manchester Area Historical Society The Iron Creek Community Church, founded as a Free Will Baptist Church in 1855, was dissolved earlier this year. Unbeknownst to many, the congregation had been shrinking for years. There are some sad aspects of this story, but it also presents an opportunity to preserve a modest, […]
