Fact check: Jocelyn Benson’s family ties to Saline data center
by Matt Mencarini, Bridge Michigan Proposed data centers have sparked controversy in cities and towns across Michigan and emerged as a key issue for campaigns leading up to the November election. That’s true in the Michigan governor’s race, where both major party candidates have responded by proposing temporary moratoriums. A recent advertisement from a super […]
Clean water advocates worry about data center impact on drinking water
by Hannah Marsik, Capital News Service LANSING – Stormwater runoff at the sites of data centers is another environmental challenge facing developers because the runoff contains particulates harmful to the public and the ecosystem, according to Reese Dillard, the Michigan Environmental Council’s water policy coordinator. Amidst growing public concerns about possible adverse climate effects of […]
Ground to be broken on meat-processing plant in Manchester by spring
by Colleen A. McKenney On Thursday, September 10, over 125 community members, including at least 37 farmers, attended a town hall meeting at the Manchester Mill on the Water in downtown Manchester. The meeting was to discuss the current status and progress of the $18.5+ million USDA-inspected meat-processing plant being built by Damian’s Craft Meats […]
City of Manchester street paving project to begin today
submitted by Michael Sessions, City of Manchester manager The City of Manchester will begin street paving work on Monday, September 14, 2026, as part of the City’s ongoing street-improvement efforts. Paving is scheduled for the following streets: E. Duncan Street — Hibbard Street to the City limits Spring Street — all of Spring Street N. […]
2026 CROP Hunger Walk coming up!
by Sara Swanson An opportunity to help reduce hunger around the world while also supporting those in need right here in our community is coming up on October 4. The CROP Hunger Walk is an opportunity to contribute both by donation and/or by walking 1 to 3 miles around our community. CROP Hunger Walks are […]
IHCC sharing new resources as AAOM prepares to resubmit application for Watkins Lake–adjacent mine
by Sara Swanson Irish Hills Concerned Citizens (IHCC), a nonprofit grassroots group organized in January to oppose a proposed gravel mine that would border Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve, reported last week that American Aggregates of Michigan (AAOM), the mining company, is preparing to resubmit its comprehensive zoning and site application to Norvell […]
S. Macomb Street sanitary sewer repairs to begin today
submitted by Michael Sessions, City of Manchester manager The City of Manchester will begin necessary sanitary sewer repairs on S. Macomb Street between Main Street and Duncan Street beginning Monday, September 14, 2026. The Manchester City Council approved the repair work at its September 8 meeting. The project is necessary to address existing sanitary sewer […]
Sharon Township farm to be featured on Conserved Farm Tour
by Sara Swanson What does a sixth-generation family farm have to do with wildlife habitat, clean water, and the future of Washtenaw County’s landscape? Participants can explore that connection firsthand during the Washtenaw Conserved Farm Tour on Saturday, October 10, from 9am to 12:30pm. This event will showcase two neighboring farms while highlighting the important […]
September Memory Café: the carved trolls of Thomas Dambo
submitted by Della Smith, Bethel Church This month’s Bethel Church UCC Memory Café event at the Manchester Senior Center will be Wednesday, September 23, at 1pm, and will feature Pat Vailliencourt describing her many trips to see the carved trolls of Thomas Dambo, a Danish sculpture artist. Vailliencourt talked about the trolls: Thomas Dambo is […]
Photos: First responders and military honored at Friday’s football game
by Sara Swanson Friday, September 11, was the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks that resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people, including 415 first responders. The Manchester Flying Dutchmen played the Michigan Center Cardinals that evening and held a remembrance ceremony before the start of the game. The Manchester Fire Department, Washtenaw County […]
