Psychedelics move into the spotlight. What to know in Michigan
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan Psychedelic drugs may be having a moment in Michigan and nationwide. In April, President Donald Trump signed an executive order making them available to treat mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. And in Michigan, the Democratic Party recently nominated Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit for state attorney general. In […]
Obituary: Kathryn Laura (Mann) Groves
Kathryn Laura (Mann) Groves, 79, passed away on May 4, 2026, in Lakeland, Fla. Born on May 27, 1946, in Ann Arbor, Mich., Kathy grew up in Manchester as the only daughter of Dorothy (Steeb) Mann and Willard Mann along with three brothers. She is survived by her two daughters, Nancy Groves of Nairobi, Kenya, […]
Michigan farms ‘losing money on every acre’ as war spikes costs
by Ron French, Bridge Michigan MONROE — On a windy April morning, John Delmotte’s eyes focus on a conveyer belt loading corn into an open-top semi-trailer while his mind does math. When full, the trailer will hold 1,000 bushels of corn from Delmotte’s harvest last fall. At the grain elevator in Toledo, he can get about […]
Supreme Court ruling may change Michigan redistricting for years to come
by Hayley Harding, Votebeat A U.S. Supreme Court decision in a major redistricting case Wednesday reshaped the Voting Rights Act, raising the bar for when race can be considered in drawing voting districts. That change is likely to ripple into Michigan’s next redistricting cycle — and could even shape elections before that. At its core, […]
They sought help for son with mental illness. He ended up in jail
by Lauren Gibbons, Bridge Michigan GRAND HAVEN — With their son in the throes of a mental health crisis last November, Bill and Faith Piersing did what they’d been told to do countless times before: They dialed 911. The couple were hoping for a helping hand to deescalate the situation and transport him to a […]
Federal grant revives Michigan farmer suicide prevention program — for now
by Ron French, Bridge Michigan A suicide prevention program for Michigan farmers that was defunded by the state last year is back in operation thanks to a one-year federal grant. A $90,000Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network grant from the US Department of Agriculture was enough to restart the Managing Farm Stress counseling program in […]
Michigan Supreme Court moves to curb courthouse immigration arrests
by Lauren Gibbons, Bridge Michigan The Michigan Supreme Court this week adopted a new rule aiming to limit law enforcement’s ability to make civil arrests — including immigration arrests of suspected noncitizens — in state and local courtrooms. The amended rule, which takes effect Friday, prohibits civil arrests of people “going to, attending, and returning […]
Welcome to the dark side: amateur astronomy in Manchester!
by Keegan Sweeney In Michigan, April is the month of spring rain, budding trees, and warmer afternoons. It is also the month of International Dark Sky Week. Dark Sky Week, from April 13 to April 20, is a celebration of the nighttime and preserving darkness for ecosystems and stargazing hosted by the International Dark-Sky Association. […]
Did your phone go off during the Ann Arbor tornado warning? Should it have?
by Sara Swanson In the early hours of Tuesday, April 14, an EF-1 tornado touched down in Ann Arbor. Manchester-area residents who live near our two outdoor emergency sirens heard the sirens go off. Most Manchester-area residents’ cell phones remained silent but a few residents received emergency phone alerts. Should you be concerned if you […]
April school board meeting: upgrading Chromebooks, Riverside roof repairs underway
by Melissa Yekulis The monthly school board meeting for Manchester Community Schools was called to order at 6pm on Monday, April 20. Three board members were absent from the meeting. The meeting began with the approval of the agenda, which was approved unanimously. Before voting on the approval of the consent agenda took place, time was […]
