| April 22, 2021 
 Jenni Gamby says “enough is enough” when it comes to requiring masks inside Michigan schools. The Hudsonville mom of three kids believes masks are detrimental to students’ mental health and hinder their ability to learn and socialize in the classroom. She said her two elementary-aged kids have suffered this school year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions like mask rules, virtual learning and social distancing. Gamby is among dozens of Hudsonville Public Schools parents asking the district to make masks optional. Parent protests of mask mandates have recently sprung up in schools across the state, including other West Michigan districts like Byron Center and Allendale, as well as Howell, Brighton and Bad Axe on the east side. READ MORE ►Michigan expands mask requirement to children 2 to 4, extends gathering limits  Michigan’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases is dropping. The seven-day average positivity rate on coronavirus diagnostic tests has dropped for a week and a half. Is Michigan finally turning a corner on its third coronavirus surge? “Ask me that question in a week,” said Dr. Liam Sullivan, an infectious disease specialist for Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. If the tide is indeed turning, it’s none too soon. Michigan currently ranks No. 1 in the country for coronavirus transmission rates, and the ferocity of the current surge has resulted in a record number of hospitalizations, putting a serious strain on health-care resources. MORE  You can enjoy all the blueberries you can eat while living in a serene setting at this property, which is now on the market. This blueberry farm and 1880s Victorian home is not far from some of Michigan’s best beaches. Located in Bangor, this property puts you just southeast of South Haven, a popular summer destination on Lake Michigan. Built in 1882, the house has 1,840 square feet of space with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. And of course, the blueberries are a highlight. According to the realtor, there is about a quarter acre of early blueberries to harvest. MORE
 The Mount Pleasant Public Schools administration has offered its take on a 7-year-old student having large amounts of her hair cut off by a staff member, an incident that has drawn public outcry. After a fellow student cut some of Jurnee Hoffmeyer's hair on the school bus, she was taken to a stylist for an asymmetrical haircut. One day shortly after that, the 7-year-old returned home from school with her hair cut down to just an inch or two from her scalp. The district said they are investigating the incident, claiming Jurnee requested the haircut from the staff member. MORE ►Michigan girl's haircut by school staffer 'modern-day scalping,' says National Parents Union  For the first time, Michigan recreational marijuana sales are on pace to surpass $1 billion in the next year. With new monthly sales records set in January and February, at about $67 million each, the latest statistical report shows revenue boomed again to a never-higher $97.6 million in March, a 44% increase from the previous high. And industry insiders don’t expect things to slow down any time soon. One impressive stat: Michigan reported $10.1 million in single-day marijuana sales on 4/20 this year, versus $3.7 million in 2020. MORE Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive
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