October is often a month of change, with cooler temperatures and leaves that turn crimson and gold. There was change last month in Lowell too. One local government made waves with residents when it announced a proposed utility change, and another community saw a change in its leadership. Plus, new events debuted, the Lowell Showboat returned to the Flat River and renewed concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced.
The top articles in October reflected these changes and more. Here’s a look at the five most popular articles on Lowell’s First Look in October, ranked by website views.
5. Sale Trail Hopes to Fill Gap Left by Loss of Christmas Through Lowell
Christmas Through Lowell was cancelled for 2020, but area crafters aren’t deterred. They have set up their own events to sell handcrafted goods to local shoppers. The fifth most-popular article from October highlighted one such event. The Sale Trail was held last month to take advantage of warmer weather and keep shoppers and vendors outdoors or in open garages. A different set of crafters and artisans is planning a similar Home for the Holidays event for November 20-22.
4. City Council Recap: Greg Canfield Resigns to Focus on Family
At their last regular meeting in October, members of Lowell City Council got a surprise. Councilmember Greg Canfield announced he was resigning, effective immediately, to focus on family matters. Letters of interest are currently being accepted to fill the position. The recap article that included Canfield’s resignation announcement was the fourth most-read story on Lowell’s First Look last month. The article also covered other council business from that night, including a discussion of Showboat management, approval of a contract for a new fire chief and the creation of a wastewater treatment facility taskforce.
3. Lowell Township Plans Wastewater Treatment Plant
In a proposed change that surprised and angered some residents, Lowell Charter Township announced plans to pursue the construction of its own water and sewer systems. The township has a purchase agreement to buy land along Grand River Drive to construct a wastewater plant, which it expects would be functional in about four years. This article, highlighting the plan, was the third most popular article for the month, and a subsequent story about a township meeting on the matter was the sixth most-read story in October.
2. Masquerade Ball May be Last Hurrah for Creative Party Bug
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges for many businesses, and Creative Party Bug is one of them. The local party planning store expects to shut down its storefront before the end of the year. However, before that happened, owner Ashley Dunn wanted to go out with a bang. She organized a masquerade ball with all proceeds going to the Lowell Women’s Club scholarship fund. For those who couldn’t make the event, Dunn has set up a GoFundMe page to donate to the scholarship fund.
1. Lowell Middle School to Move to Remote Learning for Two Weeks After COVID-19 Diagnoses
COVID cases have been on the rise statewide in recent weeks. In October, positive cases at Lowell Middle School meant the entire building moved to online learning for two weeks. Since then, Lowell High School has also experienced a COVID outbreak, and both the high school and middle school have returned to a hybrid schedule of learning for the month of November.
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