News - The Eastern Echo

$500,000 in damages caused by suspected arson in Ypsilanti-area elementary school

By Cameryn Eberly · Wednesday, July 29, 2020

A fire was believed to be set intentionally at Ford Early Learning Center, an Ypsilanti-area pre-school and kindergarten, on July 15. An estimated $300,000 in damages was done to the building itself. An additional $200,000 in damages to books and other materials occurred during the three-hour ordeal, officials said.

Ypsi Votes: Ken Magee focuses on public trust and tackling the opioid crisis in bid for Washtenaw Sheriff

By Austin Elliott · Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Ken Magee has spent almost 30 years in law enforcement including as a police officer, chief of police, and as a federal agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Now, he seeks to unseat incumbent Washtenaw Sheriff Jerry Clayton.

Ypsi Votes: Michael White and Karen Lovejoy Roe's differing priorities in Board of Commissioners race

By Austin Elliott · Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Karen Lovejoy Roe and Michael White are running in the Democratic primary for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, District 5. This is the second of two articles featuring the candidates from the 5th district. Check out our coverage of the other two candidates, Denise Kirchoff and Justin Hodge.

Sidetrack bartender says he's been "pushed out" of his job for self quarantining

By Arica Frisbey · Sunday, July 26, 2020

Following Sidetrack’s recent COVID closure, a former employee is speaking out about the experience, alleging that he has been pushed out and demoted from his bar managing position because he wanted to self-quarantine. Will Brawley began work in June, and worked with the COVID-positive employee on July 9.

Housing insecurity in Washtenaw County is worsened by pandemic

By Ahmad Zalt · Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Housing insecurity has only worsened across the US in the wake of the pandemic. With Michigan's eviction moratorium behind, and the end of federal unemployment benefits imminently ahead, some Washtenaw County tenants are at risk of housing insecurity. The Echo spoke with housing experts and leaders in Washtenaw County about housing insecurity throughout the pandemic.

EMU answers questions about fall 2020 housing

By Ronia-Isabel Cabansag · Friday, July 17, 2020

After dozens took to social media with concerns over Eastern Michigan University’s plans for housing, EMU Housing and Residence Life held a Q&A to discuss campus housing for the upcoming semester.

EMU international students react to recent ICE visa policy

By Cameryn Eberly · Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Eastern Michigan University’s international students spoke with the Echo about the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy that strips international student of their visas if their coursework is fully online. EMU is among almost 60 U.S. universities to file a court brief supporting Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a case the colleges brought in opposition to the new visa rules.

UPDATE: EMU responds to concerns over online course fees after students organize petition and protest

By Austin Elliott · Monday, July 13, 2020

Students at EMU have started a petition and planned a protest in opposition to the university's online course fees. The petition is directed towards EMU President James Smith and the Board of Regents and has 1,200 signatures as of Saturday night. The fee for an online course is set at $80 per credit hour.

Denise Kirchoff and Justin Hodge for County Commissioner Headshots

Ypsi Votes: Board of Commissioners candidates want better access to resources for eastern Washtenaw County

By Austin Elliott · Saturday, July 11, 2020

Denise Kirchoff and Justin Hodge are running in the Democratic primary for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, District 5., which encompasses Ypsilanti Township and Augusta Township. Check back next week for a story on the remaining two candidates, Karen Lovejoy Roe and Michael White.

Nicole Brown appointed as mayor pro-tempore

By Sophia Kalakailo · Friday, July 10, 2020

Nicole Brown was appointed unanimously to mayor pro-tempore on July 7 at the regular Ypsilanti City Council meeting. She will remain in office until the general election in November 2020. A former commissioner also voiced concerns about the public voice in the mayor's election as no city-wide vote will be held to elect a mayor until November 2022.

Washtenaw County Board of Health declares racism a public health crisis

By Cameryn Eberly · Tuesday, July 7, 2020

On June 26, The Washtenaw County Board of Health passed a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis that “harms, kills and prevents individuals and communities from living healthy lives.”

Ypsi Votes: Arianne Slay's blueprint for change in Washtenaw County

By Austin Elliott · Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Arianne Slay has been a prosecutor for over a decade working in public service, and she wants to bring her experience in rehabilitative criminal justice to Washtenaw County as the county’s next lead prosecutor.

Ypsi Votes: Eli Savit's campaign for prosecutor focuses on large structural reforms

By Austin Elliott · Friday, July 3, 2020

Ypsi Votes is a brand new series from the Eastern Echo featuring candidates up and down the ballot in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township. In this article, the Echo speaks with Eli Savit, a candidate for Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney.

Eastern Michigan University regents approve tuition increase for the 2020-2021 school year, nursing program moved online

By Cameryn Eberly · Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Tuition fees for Eastern Michigan University students will increase for the 2020-21 school year with a 4.9% increase for graduate and doctoral students and a 2.9% increase for undergraduate students.

Ypsi Votes: Hugo Mack's journey from defendant to prosecutor hopeful

By Austin Elliott · Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Ypsi Votes: Hugo Mack says his experience in the defendant's chair makes him uniquely qualified to be Washtenaw County's lead prosecutor

Beth Bashert has resigned as mayor of Ypsilanti: what that means going forward

By Dan D'Introno · Monday, June 29, 2020

Following public outcry regarding remarks made during a June 16 City Council meeting, former Ypsilanti Mayor Beth Bashert resigned. Her position was assumed by Mayor Pro Tempore Lois Richardson, but going forward Ypsilanti will not elect its own mayor by vote until 2022.

Juneteenth Abolitionist Revival attendees

Local group of organizers demands police abolition and nothing less

By Ronia-Isabel Cabansag · Monday, June 29, 2020

About 300 people gathered in Frog Island Park on for a "Juneteenth Abolitionist Revival" to honor Black lives and discuss steps toward police abolition. Ypsilanti city council member, Anthony Morgan, was in attendance and not all welcomed his presence.

How EMU’s campus might be changing in the fall: EMU Public Health Working Group details guidelines for returning to campus

By Austin Elliott · Friday, June 26, 2020

In a virtual town hall for EMU employees, EMU’s Public Health Working Group revealed their recommendations for what campus operations should look like when in-person operations resume in the fall.

Second protest emerges after white Washtenaw County deputy is accused of using excessive force on black woman (5)

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

By Bianca Ramsey · Friday, June 26, 2020

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.

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

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

By Sophia Kalakailo · Wednesday, June 24, 2020

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.