Record-breaking case numbers: ER's full, hospital staff out sick
While most of the state is still in the early stages of feeling the effects of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, it has been spreading through Metro-Detroit and surrounding counties, including Washtenaw, for weeks. It is true that overall it is a milder strain and fewer people infected will require hospitalization, but it is a […]
County implementing changes to alert system
In summer 2020, Washtenaw County switched from using the Nixle Program get alerts out to county residents, to the Everbridge emergency notification system. Washtenaw County can use Everbridge to alert residents to everything ranging from severe weather, hazardous materials incidents, floods, and other emergencies, to more routine announcements, such as road closures and other public […]
MCS Teachers, staff attrition because of lack of respect, low pay, and more
Since the beginning of the fall semester in August 2021, the Manchester Community Schools district has had at least four teachers and numerous other staff members leave the district for a variety of reasons. Most recently, on Dec. 10, the high school art teacher Debra Groth resigned abruptly, citing, "the current climate of Covid, non-compliance […]
Republican or Democratic? What the newly redistricted maps mean for the Manchester area
Last week, just after Christmas, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission approved new legislative and US Congressional Districts. These new districts are the end result of a process that began in 2018 when statewide voters voted to hand the process of drawing districts over to a non-partisan citizens group instead of the current political party […]
Cityhood not likely to happen in 2022
The Village of Manchester continues working toward the process of becoming a city. However, it's not clear yet whether that can happen in 2022. During the past 18 months, in addition to delays because of COVID, the state has been revising the process, which had initially held up Manchester's application as we awaited finalization of […]
Paul Whelan -- three years in captivity
"The FSB stole Paul Whelan's freedom three years ago. Now Paul sits in a Russian labor colony, waiting for justice after being convicted in a secret trial with secret evidence. I'm sure he waits in vain. At least he can hope for his freedom." So begins the December 28 article by David Whelan, Paul's twin […]
Mark Harris reaches his goal — a marathon in each of 50 states
A little more than two years ago, we caught up with Manchester native Mark Harris, as he had just completed his 48th marathon in Taos, New Mexico — and he was on his way to finishing up his goal of 50 marathon in 50 states the following year. And then, COVID. Obviously, Mark didn't finish […]
Worth Repeating makes 2021 "a good thing"
Submitted by Pat Sahakian, Worth Repeating While 2021 wasn’t good for much, it was good to Worth Repeating. Throughout the year, our shoppers and donors continued to support Manchester’s charity resale shop. In 2021, Worth Repeating was able to give back $21,000 to community charities, schools, and efforts to make life in our community better […]
Sharon Township property conserved, adds to Sharon Short Hills Greenway
submitted by Pam Bierzynski, Legacy Land Conservancy On December 28, Legacy Land Conservancy announced that it has permanently protected 53 acres of agricultural land and wildlife habitats within the Sharon Short Hills area of western Washtenaw County. The landowner—who wishes to remain anonymous—is pleased to protect their property’s highly valuable natural areas, hunting resources, and […]
Omicron is here. If you test positive, when can you go back to work?
The highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19 is present both in the State of Michigan and Washtenaw County and both are currently experiencing record numbers of new positive cases. The Washtenaw County Health Department states the everyone should be using layering prevention strategies including wearing a well-fitting mask with multiple layers in indoor public spaces, […]
