News

 Marsha Chartrand

Manchester Township discusses event barns at meeting

With 12 members of the Manchester Township Board and its Planning Commission in attendance last Thursday night, the two entities held a joint special meeting to address a number of topics of concern to both boards. In addition to the board and planning members, township planner John Enos of Carlisle-Wortman also was in attendance, along […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Superintendent anticipates a great school year for 2020-21

The start to the new school year on Tuesday will be quite unlike any “first day of school” anyone–parents, students, teachers, staff, or administrators–has ever experienced. With COVID-19 still spreading in Michigan, Manchester has opted to provide both traditional in-person schooling in the classroom and is synchronizing that experience with real-time, virtual, online classes for […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Acorn approaching the finish line of Patronicity campaign

UPDATE: with three days left, Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café has exceeded its $50,000 goal and will receive $50,000 in matching funds from the Michigan Economic Development Commission (MEDC). The fund-raising drive will continue through Thursday, Sept. 10, so there is still time to donate and help this non-profit effort succeed. All donations are tax-deductible. […]

 Sara Swanson

Sharon Township approves ballot tracking system and election assistants

By Claire Pajka The Sharon Township board meeting was held on September 3 with all members of the board, and three members of the public, in attendance. Board Supervisor Peter Psarouthakis explained the highlights of the Southwest Washtenaw Council of Governments meeting that happened last week. This meeting included representatives from all the townships, and […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Counting along the trail

If you’ve been walking the Shared Use Trail in Manchester recently, you might have noticed some interesting little boxes strategically located along the heavily-travelled as well as the lesser-known segments of the trails. Suzann Flowers, Transportation Planner for the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study, shared with the Mirror a little bit about where, why, and how this county-based […]

 Sara Swanson

What’s in the River: Heavy metals

This is the last article in a three-part series on what is in the River Raisin. Read the first two here and here. by Claire Pajka Industry along the River Raisin was good for stimulating the economy, though it didn’t have the same positive effect on the river itself. When the lower 2.6 miles of […]

 Sara Swanson

WCRC this week: Gravel resurfacing, preventive maintenance and fog seal in the Manchester area

The Washtenaw County Road Commision (WCRC) will be doing gravel resurfacing and fog sealing in the Manchester area this week. They will be doing gravel resurfacing in Freedom Township today and tomorrow. Schneider Road between Pleasant Lake Road and Ellsworth Road will have daytime closures today (Monday, August 31st) and Lima Center Road between Waters […]

 Sara Swanson

Alber Orchard and Cider Mill: Apples still grow during a pandemic

by Claire Pajka With the COVID-19 pandemic initially closing farmers’ markets and restaurants, many farmers felt the effects of decreasing sales while crop production itself remained stable. With some restrictions recently being lifted for markets and orchards, I met with Mike Bossory of Alber Orchard and Cider Mill to ask how their autumn season will […]

 Marsha Chartrand

Horning Farms expands its offerings to the public

Once upon a time, the role of the family farm was to provide food and shelter for itself and perhaps shared some of its surplus with neighbors. As more people moved away from the farm life, a farm stand with produce and other farm fare was often seen. The modern family farm has evolved into […]

 Sara Swanson

Health survey shows Manchester has more marijuana usage & less access to fresh produce than surrounding communities

This Spring, the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) conducted a health survey of residents of Manchester, Chelsea, Stockbridge, Grass Lake and Dexter. They conducted a similar survey five years ago over the phone. While the survey resulted in interesting changes between the Manchester results from five years ago and the present, including a 48% decrease […]