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After Downtown Fire In January, Madras Masala Reopens At New Packard Location

After Downtown Fire In January, Madras Masala Reopens At New Packard Location

Ann Arbor: After a fire in January destroyed their downtown location (328 Maynard Street), Madras Masala has reopened at a new location (2016 Packard Street).

November 07, 2023

Morning, Ann Arbor! Hoping to start your day off with pictures of NICU babies at Mott dressed up for Halloween? You’re in luck!

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ANN ARBORITES SHOULD KNOW

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🇮🇳 Madras Masala Reopens: After a fire in January destroyed their downtown location (328 Maynard Street), Madras Masala has reopened at a new location (2016 Packard Street). The popular South Indian and Indo-Chinese restaurant is open every day from 11 AM - 2:45 PM and 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM.

🚌 Superintendent Bus Driver: In response to the statewide bus driver shortage, the Superintendent of Saline Area Schools, Steve Laatsch, has become a certified substitute bus driver. After training over the summer, Laatsch now assists with driving students to athletic events and filling in for absent bus drivers on their routes to and from school. Laatsch plans to drive about once every other week as needed.

🎨 Main Street Proposal: Ann Arbor’s Historic District Commission has denied a proposal to add two residential stories on top of 215 - 217 Main Street (the building previously home to Footprints and Urban Jewelers). The commission unanimously denied the proposal believing the addition would damage the integrity of the three-story, 150-year-old building and that the increased height would be inconsistent with historic preservation standards. The building, which has been damaged by fire and has structural issues, remains partially boarded as the future of its redevelopment is uncertain.

🥗 Fresh Forage to Close: To better focus on family and other commitments, owners Andrew and Rebecca Sereno have decided to close Fresh Forage (5060 Jackson Rd) and have placed the restaurant on the market for $300,000. Unless a new owner can be found, the business is set to close this Friday.

🏈 Michigan Football Tracker: Week 10 of 13

Current Record: 9-0
Current Rank: #3 in the country
Last Saturday: Michigan beat Purdue 41-13.
This Saturday: Michigan plays an away game against #11 Penn State (8-1). The Wolverines are 6-point favorites.

MICHIGANDERS SHOULD KNOW

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🩺 Insurance Marketplace: To increase insurance coverage in the state, Michigan is working to establish its own health insurance marketplace where residents can shop for health and dental plans via an online portal or hotline. A new governing board is being set up to oversee the marketplace and will use exchange-generated revenue to expand local outreach. Michigan is working to have the marketplace live by January 1, 2025.

🚂 Train Derailment: Officials are investigating a train derailment in Romulus where fourteen cars from a 97-car CSX train veered off the tracks. Fortunately, no injuries or hazardous material leaks have been reported. Local schools were closed as a precaution.

🎄 Campus Martius Christmas Tree: To mark the start of Detroit’s Christmas season, a 64-foot Norway Spruce from Kingsley, Michigan (near Traverse City), was installed at Campus Martius Park. The tree lighting ceremony, “Merry & Bright: 20 Years of Holiday Lights,” will take place on November 17 with a full weekend of free activities post-lighting.