How weak regulations failed to prevent catastrophe at notorious Midland dam
by Kelly House, Riley Beggin (Bridge) Over nearly three decades and several owners, government regulators warned the Edenville Dam near Midland was at risk of failing in a flood, with dire consequences for downstream communities. But the 96-year-old dam’s structural deficiencies were never corrected before it and the downstream Sanford Dam failed last week following heavy […]
Pain, strength and agitation underlie Detroit protests against police brutality
by Louis Aguilar (Bridge) The death of George Floyd, the beating of Sha’Teina Grady El in Washtenaw County, mass incarceration, and rampant coronavirus infection in prisons brought thousands to Detroit on Friday evening to underscore the value of black life and protest police brutality. Throughout the night and early Saturday morning, the heart of Detroit […]
Michigan continues to stumble in tracking coronavirus in nursing homes
by Robin Erb, Jonathan Oosting, Ted Roelofs (Bridge) A confusing and incomplete picture of COVID-19 deaths in Michigan nursing homes emerged Friday after the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services listed — for the first time — the total number of nursing home coronavirus cases by county and nursing home. According to numbers posted to the […]
Feds back Michigan businesses in suit against Whitmer’s coronavirus orders
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) The U.S. Department of Justice announced late Friday that it is backing a lawsuit against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, arguing she “imposed arbitrary and irrational limits” on businesses to fight COVID-19. The move comes one month after U.S. Attorney General William Barr directed federal prosecutors to review state and local policies “to ensure […]
Washtenaw County Broadband Task Force releases survey information
The Washtenaw County Broadband Task Force, a group convened by the Board of Commissioners to achieve broadband equity in the entirety of the county by 2022 has released preliminary findings from their 15-township coverage survey. This survey, a 3-way partnership between the Merit Network, Michigan State University’s Quello Center and Washtenaw County, was intended to […]
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners appoints two new members to County Road Commission
submitted by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners At their meeting on Wednesday May 20, The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners appointed two (2) new members to the Washtenaw County Road Commission. The move comes after the Board passed a resolution in March to expand the Road Commission from three (3) to five (5) members. […]
Brad Bezeau & Eric McCalla selected as finalists in MCS superintendent search
Last Monday and Tuesday evenings, the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education interviewed four candidates for the position of superintendent. They selected two finalists, Eric McCalla, currently the principal of Manchester Jr/Sr High School and Brad Bezeau, currently principal of Saline Middle School. The meetings were held virtually over Zoom and open to the public. […]
SRSLY partnering w/ St Joes to offer online parenting workshop
SRSLY is partnering with St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea and the Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeast Michigan to lead free “Guiding Good Choices” parent workshops. These free workshops help parents with communication, bonding, and setting rules & boundaries. Parents, guardians, and/or grandparents are welcome to attend. The workshops will be held virtually through WebEx. Session […]
WCSO: Swift water safety warning
from the Washtenaw County Sheriff Office The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office is urging the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in recreational activities on any stream or river in Washtenaw County or surrounding areas. The recent heavy rainstorms have elevated water levels in rivers & streams which has increased the speeds of the currents. […]
WCRC: Road work this week
This week in Manchester Township, Sharon Hollow Rd between US-12 and Wellwood Rd will experience intermittent lane closures as the Washtenaw County Road Commission works on drainage improvements. Additionally, Wellwood Rd between Watkins Rd and Sharon Hollow Rd will continue to experience intermittent lane closures for drainage improvements and resurfacing. In Sharon Township, there will […]
