| April 13, 2021 
 A year ago, the gardening and greenhouse industry was in full panic mode in Michigan. Pre-pandemic, Michigan’s gardening industry was worth $580 million to $700 million per year, employing more than 9,000 people, according to the Michigan Farm Bureau. That was thrown into jeopardy as the coronavirus pandemic hit just as busy season was approaching. Garden centers and greenhouses were among the many businesses forced to close during the state of emergency. But the script was soon flipped. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer allowed gardening centers and landscaping companies to reopen April 24, just in time for peak season. And the floodgates opened. READ MORE ►15 things the pandemic changed for now -- and maybe forever  During a White House press conference Monday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Michigan’s surge can’t be fixed with vaccines alone. Instead, mitigation strategies like closing schools, restaurants and large gathering spots would be more effective, Walensky said, explaining that the protection provided by vaccines takes two to six weeks and wouldn’t immediately address Michigan’s needs. “Really, what we need to do in those situations is shut things down,” she said. MORE  The 2020 average property tax bill in Michigan was about $2,150 on an owner-occupied home, according to data from the Michigan Department of Treasury. That’s based on an average homestead tax rate of 35.44 mills and an average taxable value of $60,676 for a residential parcel. We have a database that will show you the 2021 millage rates for local governments, letting you compare different areas of the state. We also have info on where Michiganders are paying the most and the least in property taxes. Take a look here: MORE
 Michigan’s football team wrapped up its spring schedule on Saturday with a scrimmage at Michigan Stadium, a culmination of a busy offseason that saw wholesale changes to the coaching staff and roster. It was an earlier-than-usual start prompted by a shortened 2020 season, one in which the Wolverines struggled mightily on the football field — finishing with a 2-4 record, the program’s worst mark under Jim Harbaugh. But the offseason of change has provided Michigan new hope for the fall, with players turning over a new leaf in preparation of a full, 12-game schedule beginning Sept. 5. MORE ►Seven Michigan players projected to be drafted in CBS Sports' latest mock  Michigan doctors and public health leaders are urging parents to get their children caught up on routine vaccinations to avoid vaccine-preventable outbreaks on top of the present COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing hosted by the I Vaccinate campaign reported vaccination rates for children ages 19 months to 3 years are below the 70% mark in 42 of Michigan’s 83 counties in a Monday briefing. According to I Vaccinate’s release, 70% is the minimum vaccination rate desired for community protection. MORE Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive
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