COVID pandemic leads to shortage of referees for Michigan high school sports
The battle over high school sports may be settled for now in Michigan, but there’s a new issue emerging because of the coronavirus pandemic. A lot of referees are choosing to stay on the sidelines and sitting it out, at least for now, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association will have to work around it. He said that’s worst-case scenario because the MHSAA is determined to let student athletes play despite officials being down in Michigan by about 30%. Scott Waldendowski -- who officiates in the Macomb Area Conference -- said he sees firsthand there’s a lot of work for officials like himself. READ: Michigan high school basketball, hockey players have to wear masks during gamesDue to the shortage, MHSAA is currently hiring.
Ann Arbor mom organizes socially distant Santa’s ‘sleigh ride’ in northside neighborhood
ANN ARBOR – The Christmas spirit came alive on Saturday in the Glacier Highlands neighborhood on Ann Arbor’s northside. The Ly family has been welcoming Joe Eadie -- also known as Kerrytown Santa -- into their home for the past nine years. The Ly family with Santa Joe Eadie on Dec. 19, 2020. Santa Joe Eadie surprises children during the pandemic on Dec. 19, 2020. (Carly Ly)Local mothers pose with Santa Joe Eadie on Dec. 19, 2020 in the Glacier Highlands neighborhood in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor Public Schools postpones start of winter sports season
ANN ARBOR – Superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools, Jeanice Kerr Swift, announced on Thursday that the winter sports season will be delayed until January due to concerns over COVID-19. “Participation in indoor practices and competitions during a public health pandemic comes with a risk to the health and safety of those involved.”The announcement comes two weeks after Swift urged the Michigan High School Athletic Association in a public letter to postpone the winter sports season. Since Swift’s original letter on Oct. 30, new county and statewide cases have skyrocketed, breaking numerous one-day infection records. “Don’t wait for a call from the Health Department,” Jimena Loveluck, health officer for Washtenaw County Health Department, said in a statement. Schools across Metro Detroit have begun to shift from in-person to remote learning due to the surge in new COVID-19 cases.