Ann Arbor to require menstrual products in bathrooms; no plan to do so in East Lansing

Ann Arbor made national history on Nov. 18 becoming the first city in the United States to require menstrual products in public restrooms. An ordinance approved unanimously by the Ann Arbor City Council, mandates that menstrual pads and tampons, along with the already required soap and toilet paper, must be provided for free in all public restrooms.

Mason schools

Mason schools honor treasurer who resigned after masking vote

The Mason School Board honored Ra Beebe, who resigned before the school year started, was joined by his wife and two sons. His tenure started back in 2003 where he would go on to serve as treasurer, president, and then back to treasurer. Beebe resigned during the Aug. 23 meeting, just after the board voted 4-3 to require students and staff to wear masks inside school buildings and during the school day. School was scheduled to begin two days later. Beebe had led the opposition to the mandate. After the vote, he said, “Effective at the end of this meeting, I am resigning. I’m just done. The politics and this division in the community is ridiculous, and hopefully somebody can take my seat that can start healing this community.”

Republican Ryan Kelley brings gubernatorial campaign to Mason

Mason residents gathering for the Ingham County Executive Committee Meeting Agenda where Ryan Kelley was be the first guest speaker. Michigan’s gubernatorial race is a year away, and a growing number of Republicans are joining the field to run against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. GOP candidate Ryan D. Kelley visited the Fair Offices & Community Building in Mason on Oct. 28. According to Kelley’s Facebook page, the biggest threat Michigan faces right now is vaccine mandates and passports. 

Mason’s Leon Clark, who previously ran for the Michigan House of Representatives for District 67, attended.

Global supply chain glitch pinches locally

Michael Thibideau, an assistant professor in the Department of Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University, says that people’s reaction to buying items like toilet paper have forced grocery stores to try keep up with high demand. With shortages of meat, saltines and other items, stores across the nation have had to redesign how they fulfill orders. 

Teaching through COVID

America’s teachers are bearing the burden of what is arguably one of the most challenging jobs right now, teaching students who haven’t been in a classroom for more than  a year. For most, this means a shortage of time and a mountain of work. 

Teachers are bearing the burden of staff shortages and lack of resources in the elementary, middle and high school level. Katie, a teacher in Okemos, lives in the Mason area and has a child who attends school there. As a mother and educator, she experiences the struggles that parents and teachers face. The main challenge: supporting every child in the return to in-person classes and making sure they are engaged and ready to learn. 

“It’s been rough.

City seal

Witch watch: 350 flying into Mason

Those who are frightened of witches should avoid Mason on Oct. 23. Year four of the Witches On The Town event is set to take place in Mason this year. Tune up that broom and join hundreds of other witches as they glide through the downtown businesses.