Michigan to offer nonbinary designation for driver licenses this week
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan residents will soon be able to select a gender-neutral designation on their driver license or state ID cards: an X. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office will begin offering the nonbinary gender designation beginning Nov. 10, providing a new option for residents who do not identify as […]
Why are so many Michigan water systems finding lead? They’re looking harder
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Benton Harbor is likely just the beginning. Since the southwest Michigan community’s prolonged lead-in-water crisis began making national headlines this fall, residents of Hamtramck, Wayne and Manchester have all learned that their water, too, exceeded government lead standards, sparking renewed cries for faster action to eliminate the toxic metal from […]
Michigan House votes to bar Airbnb bans
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Michigan municipalities would be unable to ban Airbnb and other short-term rentals under legislation approved early Wednesday in the Republican-led state House. House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, kept lawmakers in session until 2 am as he and other GOP leaders wrangled votes for the long-debated legislation pushed by the Michigan […]
Michigan’s embattled unemployment agency gets third director in 11 months
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last Monday appointed a new director for Michigan’s embattled unemployment insurance agency, replacing an interim leader who Republican legislators had urged the first-term Democrat to remove. It’s the second new job in less than a month for Julia Dale, the new UIA director. Whitmer had on Sept. […]
WAVE shuttle bus service expanded to 5 days per week & door-to-door!
On August 3, 2020, Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) launched a free shuttle bus service on Tuesdays and Thursdays between Manchester and Chelsea, sponsored by St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. This month they expanded the free shuttle bus service to five days a week and door-to-door service! Effective October 1, 2021, WAVE is now operating a […]
Obituary: Michael Vernon Nickerson
Michael Vernon Nickerson, age 72, passed away at his home in Manchester on October 31, 2021. He was born September 17, 1949 to William V. and Catherine H.( Lustila) Nickerson in Newberry, MI. He married Terry Gail Hough on May 24, 1969 at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Manchester. Mike was a member of […]
Obituary: Rev. William G. Hainstock
The Rev. William G. Hainstock, age 80, of Saline, MI passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 28, 2021. He was born in Ann Arbor, MI, the son of Ernest L. and Phyllis M. (Bush) Hainstock. On September 5, 1964 William married Ruth E. Schiel, and she survives. Other survivors include their daughters Robin (Alan) West, […]
October 2021 Senior Student of the Month: Anna Cocco
submitted by Manchester Jr./Sr. High School Our October 2021 Manchester Community Schools Foundation Student of the Month for Manchester High School is Anna Cocco. Anna is the daughter of Nancy and Peter Cocco. She has been a member of the High School National Honor Society for two years, this year being its co-president. Anna has […]
First annual Witches Night Out a success! (photos)
“First Annual”? That is correct! Sue LaRocque of River Raisin Mercantile confirmed that Saturday evening’s Witches Night Out was so successful it is becoming an annual event. Saturday’s event included spooky treats, shopping, drinking, dining, games, raffles, and in-store specials. Linda Stevens of Village Hair Forum stated, “I think it was a great night of […]
