News

The one behind the mic: Getting to know Ypsilanti rapper KidJay

Local rapper, KidJay, has helped make a citywide impact for the youth in Ypsilanti and continues to do so through the COVID-19 pandemic. He uses themes of positivity and non-violence throughout his songs. 

Questions answered about Sen. Jeff Irwin and Rep. Ronnie Peterson's police reform bill

As Ronnie Peterson’s bill, identical to Sen. Jeff Irwin’s Senate Bill 945, awaits a full house vote, the Echo gathered more information and comments about the bill and their opinions on possible next steps for criminal justice reform in Michigan and Washtenaw County. The Echo spoke with Irwin, some of Michigan’s law enforcement organizations, Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton, and Desmine Robinson; a local Black Lives Matter activist and EMU student leader.

EMU will not alter fall academic calendar; classes to start August 31

EMU Provost Rhonda Longworth said in a virtual town hall meeting on Tuesday, June 23, that EMU will not be altering the fall academic calendar, classes to start on August 31.

How EMU's campus may function in the fall

As EMU hopes and plans to resume on-campus operations in the fall, the University is continuously developing strategies and protocols to do so. The Echo compiled what we know so far about on-campus operations in the fall.

Ypsilanti community members hold a Black Lives Matter protest Saturday, June 20; city council members in attendance ask mayor to resign

Ypsilanti community members heald a Black Lives Matter protest Saturday, June 20. Close to 500 people, including Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and members of the Ypsilanti City Council gathered in downtown Ypsilanti to address police brutality and systemic racism. Two members of the Ypsilanti City Council, Nicole Brown and Annie Sommerville addressed recent racist remarks given by Ypsilanti mayor Beth Bashert during a Ypsilanti City Council meeting and called on her to resign. 

Ypsilanti Mayor Beth Bashert facing criticism from community and leaders after racist comment at city council meeting

The mayor’s comment at Tuesday’s city council meeting was followed by intense criticism from other council members. Mayor Bashert has since apologized for the comment, saying her actions were racist and that she felt ashamed.   Most recently, two council members called for Bashert’s resignation at a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Downtown Ypsilanti on Saturday, June 20. 

Ypsilanti woman running 'no questions asked' community pantry to help local families

Six weeks ago, Estermyer started a 'no questions asked' community pantry. What started out as a single table at the end of her driveway has expanded to six different tables filled with food, cleaning supplies, and toiletries for people in the community that are in need. 

Ypsilanti City Council hosts public forum on police reform

Mayor Beth Bashert, Mayor Pro-tem Lois Richardson, members of the Ypsilanti Police Advisory Commission, and about 40 community members gathered for a virtual town hall forum to discuss racism and police reform in Ypsilanti. Community members continued to call for Mayor Bashert’s resignation due to comments she made during a city council meeting.

Depot Town Update: Sidetrack Bar and Grill dine-in options now available

Sidetrack Bar and Grill is open for dine-in customers as of Monday, June 15, with new outdoor seating options, modified hours, and numerous coronavirus-related safety measures in place.  

Sorority alumni strip their letters to demand action from national organization

In EMU’s Delta Alpha chapter of Sigma Delta Tau (SDT), alumni have stripped their letters in response to dissatisfaction with SDT’s response to violence against Black people in the US and the Black Lives Matter movement.  A document listing specific demands addressed to the SDT National Board of Directors was also created.

TheRide proposes guidelines to protect public health as the state reopens

TheRide has suggested guidelines for businesses, institutions, and community members to help “flatten the rush-hour curve” to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  “Park and Ride” bus service will resume on June 15, and regular bus service, more similar to pre-pandemic services, will return in August. 

Sen. Irwin and Rep. Peterson testify on bill addressing police training and excessive force in Michigan

Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Rep. Ronnie Peterson (D-Ypsilanti) testified on Thursday in front of the Michigan House Judiciary Committee about their bill aimed at addressing police training and excessive force in Michigan. The bill requires that all police officers receive training on implicit bias and violence de-escalation techniques, as well as take a mental health screening, as a part of their initial training and certification.

EMU announces “EMU Single Room Guarantee”

EMU announced its "EMU Single Room Guarantee” where any student that requests a single room will receive one at $1,700 less per academic year than a single room normally costs. Students who wish to have a roommate will continue to have that option.

Ypsilanti BLM protests draws several hundred people

On Saturday, June 6, a peaceful, Black Lives Matter demonstration took place in Ypsilanti with approximately several hundred participants to protest police brutality against Black people in the United States. Protesters marched peacefully from the Ypsilanti District Library to the Ypsilanti Police Department.

Gallery: Hundreds participate in BLM demonstration in downtown Ann Arbor on May 30

Gallery: Second protest emerges after white Washtenaw County deputy is accused of using excessive force on black woman

A second protest emerged after a Washtenaw County Deputy is under investigation after being accused of using excessive force in the arrest of Sha'Teina Grady El and her husband, Danyal Grady El.

UPDATE: Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office further addresses recent accusation of excessive force

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office put out a media release on May 26 following a shooting incident and excessive force from a deputy in Ypsilanti Township. A neighbor recorded a Facebook Live video of a white deputy repeatedly punching a black woman in the head. Investigations are ongoing for both the initial shooting case and the excessive force used by the deputy. 

Before Trump’s visit to Ypsilanti, top Washtenaw County official asks President to cancel

In an interview with the Echo, Morgan said that he’s gotten mixed responses from the public, but that he thinks most people understood his message was a calm and rational request necessitated from concern for residents.

Video of Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputy punching woman leads to investigation of excessive force

A Washtenaw County Sheriff’s deputy accused of using excessive force during an arrest the morning of Tuesday, May 26, has been placed on administrative leave. The deputy is currently under investigation.

MDHHS partners with Kroger Health for new COVID-19 testing site

Located in Ford Elementary School parking lot in Ypsilanti, a new drive-through COVID-19 testing site was made possible by Kroger Health and MDHHS.