Michigan expands EV infrastructure, but access remains unequal, study finds
by Kyrmyzy Turebayeva, Great Lakes Echo, Bridge Michigan LANSING 鈥 Michigan is actively expanding electric vehicle infrastructure and promoting the transition to electric transportation. However, the presence of charging stations does not necessarily mean all residents can equally benefit from electric vehicles. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison found that Michigan EV policies place significant […]
As health costs climb, some care shifts to Michigan charity clinics
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan WEST BRANCH 鈥 Christine Cunningham sat stock still on a hard-backed chair of a clinic waiting room last week 鈥 another datapoint in the state growing affordability crisis. When insurance premiums topped $600 two years ago, she said, 鈥渨e dropped it. It was essentially half his paycheck.鈥 So each day, […]
Michigan budget adds $2 million to wetlands conservation efforts
By AKIA THROWER, Capital News Service LANSING 鈥 Michigan new annual budget includes $2 million for wetland conservation efforts by the Department of Natural Resources, funding critical work for endangered bird species. 鈥淲etlands serve a lot of different ecological functions and are an important part of the landscape,鈥 said Steve Chadwick, the senior Great Lakes […]
KaBOOM!!! New play structures installed over 3 days by 65 volunteers!
by Colleen A. McKenney From August 25 to August 27, Manchester area volunteers were hard at work building two multigenerational use areas near Manchester City Hall, a joint project between the City of Manchester, KaBOOM!, Ralph C Wilson Jr. Foundation, and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. More than 65 volunteers and City of Manchester staff […]
Freedom Township board invites public to safety event
by Sara Swanson In 2017, Freedom Township formed a safety committee headed up by Freedom Township Planning Commissioner Matt Little with the goal of creating an emergency preparedness plan tailored for the township. Since 2017 the township adopted a safety plan, installed a generator in the township hall, received Red Cross approval for the hall […]
New traffic pattern at Riverside Intermediate School
by Sara Swanson Manchester students will be returning to class this week and in addition to the normal nerves and excitement that comes with returning after months away, Riverside Intermediate School has a major change that families who drive their students in will be contending with first thing in the morning. Over the summer, as […]
Gravel bike race coming to Manchester Township
by Sara Swanson When someone says 鈥淚rish Hills鈥 most people think of the tourist attractions along US 12, or maybe the hills and lakes in southeastern Jackson County and northwestern Lenawee, but the Irish Hills extend into Washtenaw County as well as into Manchester Township. Manchester Township will, in fact, host a section of the […]
Imagination Library will continue despite Dolly Parton passing
by Sara Swanson On August 25, 2026, Dolly Parton passed away at age 80. Shannon Brown, who runs the Manchester Chapter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, wants to assure the community that the Imagination Library is continuing and shared a message from Jeff Conyers, president of the Dollywood Foundation: There really are no words […]
Mentor program launching for first-generation farmers
by Sara Swanson Are you a first-generation farmer? The Michigan First-Generation Farmer Mentorship Program will launch its first pilot cohort in October 2026 made up of 10 farmers who did not grow up on or inherit a family farm and who will be matched with experienced mentors for one-on-one guidance tailored to their farming goals. […]
WCRC: Forestry work and limestone resurfacing in Manchester and Sharon townships
by Sara Swanson Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC) has announced limestone resurfacing in Manchester Township, which will result in daytime road closures, and continuing forestry work in Manchester and Sharon townships, which will result in intermittent lane closures this week. On Monday, August 31, 2026, WCRC will begin limestone resurfacing on Hudson Rd between US-12 […]
