Sara Swanson

Michigan automatic expungement: What convictions qualify, how to check

by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) This month, Michigan became the latest state in the nation to automatically wipe past eligible criminal convictions from public records. More than 1 million felonies and misdemeanors have been erased from residents’ records since the automatic program took effect on April 11, and state officials say the process is designed to run […]

 Sara Swanson

Michigan business leaders mildly hopeful despite lagging GDP, income

by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan business leaders are expressing a bit less pessimism this spring than last year, even as concerns remain about inflation, a potential recession and the ability to hire enough workers. Recent surveys representing the viewpoints of retailers, commercial borrowers and executives at Michigan’s largest companies show that fewer think the state will […]

 Sara Swanson

Pickleball comes to Manchester; tournament planned for May!

by Sara Swanson Although invented in 1965, pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years, being named the fastest-growing sport in the United States by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association in 2021, 2022, and 2023. And now … pickleball has come to Manchester! With the recent completion of four courts in Chi-Bro Park, Manchester […]

 Sara Swanson

Successful season for Manchester Youth Wrestling teams

by Marsha Chartrand The Manchester Youth Wrestling Club has completed their year, which started last October and concluded April 15 with NuWay National finals last week at the Lansing Center. Parent Jessica Lawson said that the Youth Wrestling starts mid-October and runs through December, and competition for the MyWay goes from January through March. “We […]

 Sara Swanson

CRC Pop-up food Pantry coming to Freedom Township

by Sara Swanson In November we reported that Food Gatherers, the food bank and food rescue serving Washtenaw County, had secured an $85,000 federal grant to extend homebound delivery and pop-up food distributions in Manchester and Milan, in partnership with the Community Resource Center (CRC) and a Milan organization, Aid in Milan. This grant allowed […]

 Sara Swanson

Gi Shrewsbury participates in Alma College’s 27th annual Kapp Honors Day program

submitted by Alma College Gi Shrewsbury of Manchester, Mich., was among the nearly 140 Alma College students who participated in Alma College’s 27th annual Kapp Honors Day program on Thursday, April 6, 2023. This day provides a forum when traditional classes are canceled and students share their original research, creativity, and talents with an audience […]

 Sara Swanson

CDC updates COVID-19 booster recommendations

from Washtenaw County Department of Health On April 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Here’s what changed: Adults age 65 and older and immunocompromised people can get an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose four months after their initial updated (bivalent) vaccine dose. An additional dose offers this group extra […]

 Sara Swanson

Letter to the editor: We want a village

April 12, 2023 Letter to the Editor, After reading the article on cityhood, after laughing, I was in disbelief. Happy to hear the city charter commission wrapped up its responsibilities. Can’t wait for the November 7 election. It goes on to mention quick approval. Well, I can’t wait for the election, so the people will […]

 Sara Swanson

Michigan brine brouhaha: Proposed limits for unpaved roads prompt dustup

by Lauren Gibbons & Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A salty solution sprayed onto many of Michigan’s unpaved roads each summer is causing a major dust-up between the state’s environmental agency and local road commissions. Michigan has some 36,000 miles of unpaved roads, which are treated with brine to tamp down on dust. But like the rock […]

 Sara Swanson

After passing three gun bills, Michigan Democrats say they’re not done

by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s Democratic Legislature quickly passed a trio of gun measures, with only the red flag law — intended to remove weapons from people who pose a danger to themselves or others — still to be signed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Democratic leaders and advocates for greater gun restrictions […]