Catch Up Washtenaw: Don’t Wait, Vaccinate!
submitted by Washtenaw County Health Department Vaccination rates among local kids have fallen. This leaves children and our community at risk for preventable diseases and outbreaks. Washtenaw County Health Department is offering two vaccination events to catch kids up before they start school, preschool, or daycare. Recommended vaccinations must be completed (or waived) before school […]
It Takes a Millage: Local funds transform lives, expand services, and foster positive change
submitted by Washtenaw County Community Mental Health County leaders recently shared Washtenaw County Community Mental Health’s 2022 Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage impact report. This report shares outcomes driven by the voter-approved millage, which generates roughly $6 million annually for mental health services. In 2022, these investments expanded local access to mental health […]
Michigan court limits scope of no-fault reform. Will insurance rates rise?
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Car crash survivors critically injured before sweeping changes to Michigan’s auto no-fault insurance law took effect are not subject to the law’s limits on medical benefits, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled Monday. In a 5-2 ruling authored by Justice Elizabeth Welch, the court sided with a lower court’s decision determining legislative changes to […]
What to know about Michigan’s universal free school meals program
by Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Lori Adkins is hearing that school districts in Oakland County are expecting to significantly increase how many school meals they serve a day. Why? The child nutrition consultant for Oakland Schools says the state’s new plan to provide free school meals for all public school students will reduce childhood hunger, […]
Michigan libraries recruiting citizen army to aid book ban wars
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) Michigan libraries are fighting back against growing calls to ban books by recruiting patrons to spot and spread the word about culture war battles in their communities. On Tuesday, the Michigan Library Association launched a six-month campaign to encourage residents to join Mi Right to Read, a website that offers […]
Laundromat owner sounds off on new venture
by Marsha Chartrand Paula Denton has owned “The Mat” (aka Jam’n’Suds Factory Laundromat) for almost 2 1/2 years now, and she has enjoyed the experience so much that she’s taken on a new venture that’s right in line with her interest in music. When she learned of a possible vacancy just a few doors down, […]
Gazebo concert series continues this week
by Marsha Chartrand Another successful gazebo concert last Thursday, featuring Billy King and Kristen Uthus, once again dodged storms and continued the 30+-year tradition of summer concerts in Wurster Park. This Thursday, August 3, will feature Kenji and Tim, who will perform traditional dance and Americana tunes. If you don’t dance yourself, you can enjoy […]
Gov. Whitmer signs law allowing Michigan to pass stricter environmental rules
by Yue Stella Yu (Bridge Michigan) Michigan will now be able to set harsher environmental regulations than the federal standard, after Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation expanding the state’s regulatory power Thursday. The new law reverses a 2018 state law — also known as the “no stricter than federal” policy — that limited state authority, […]
Old Detroit train site on track for national Underground Railroad network
by Micah Walker (Bridge Michigan) In downtown Detroit, 501 Third Avenue is known today as Steve Yzerman Drive and houses a Detroit People Mover station. But in the 1800s, the site played an important part in Detroit’s history as a major railway also serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad for slaves seeking freedom […]
Michigan’s police officer shortage becoming dire: ‘Where did everyone go?’
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) In 1992, early in his law enforcement career, Larry Weeks applied for one of 16 openings in the Grand Rapids Police Department. There were 250 applicants. Three decades later, Weeks is the police chief in mid-Michigan’s Eaton Rapids, and can’t find people who want to be police officers. He had […]
