Bob Eccles

Proposed Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Moratorium in Ypsilanti Delayed

Bob Eccles — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:22:15 +0000

As of today, there are six medical marijuana dispensaries in Ypsilanti and one grow facility. Some on city council believe that's enough. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, a proposed moratorium on new dispensaries went before city council last night, but no decision was reached.

Washtenaw County Emergency Services Ready For Severe Weather

Bob Eccles — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:44:57 +0000

Severe weather season is here, and Washtenaw County Emergency Services is making sure the county is well prepared for any nasty weather.

Emergency Services Director Marc Breckenridge says Washtenaw County is better prepared than most Michigan counties. He says the county has around 400 trained SkyWarn severe weather spotters, and also works closely with area broadcasters to get the word out about severe weather.

Washtenaw Red Cross Ready To Help In Oklahoma

Bob Eccles — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:37:47 +0000

The Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter of the American Red Cross is preparing for possible deployments to Oklahoma, following Monday's tornado that devastated the city of Moore, just outside Oklahoma City.

Executive Director Donna Duvin says the local chapter hasn't yet received any direct requests for assistance, but stands ready to help.

Duvin says in the event local volunteers are called upon to travel to the tornado-ravaged area, the Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter will still be ready to offer any help necessary to residents in this area.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Question Before Ypsilanti City Council

Bob Eccles — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:19:03 +0000

There are several items on the Ypsilanti City Council agenda tonight. AS WEMU's Bob Eccles explains, among the more interesting is consideration of a moratorium on licenses for new medical marijuana dispensaries.

Make sure to catch "Morning Edition" with WEMU's David Fair on Wednesday for a full wrap-up of this evenings Ypsilanti City Council meeting.

WCC Hosts House Subcommittee Hearing

Bob Eccles — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:13:27 +0000

Washtenaw Community College hosted a hearing of the Michigan House Community College Subcommittee on Appropriations Monday afternoon.

WCC President Rose Bellanca told the subcommittee that it would be helpful if the state would help community colleges pay for developmental programs for students who aren't quite ready for college.

She also thanked the panel for a proposed two-and-a-half percent increase in funding for community colleges.

Ann Arbor In Concert To Hold Inaugural Performance

Bob Eccles — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:25:29 +0000

The new performing arts group Ann Arbor in Concert holds its inaugural performance Saturday night at 8 at the Michigan Theater. WEMU's Bob Eccles spoke with a couple of the folks involved.

Local cyclists organize 'Ride of Silence' in Ann Arbor, Ypsilani

Bob Eccles — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:26:57 +0000

The "Ride of Silence" takes place tonight, locally and around the country. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, cyclists from Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor will take part in the event honoring riders who have been hurt and killed.

For more info: RideofSilence.org

Ypsilanti City Council Continues Budget Discussion

Bob Eccles — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:48:30 +0000

Ypsilanti City Council held a budget session Tuesday night. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, the talk centered on Water Street and the Police and Fire budgets.

Next Week Is 'Bike-Bus-Walk Week' In Ypsilanti

Bob Eccles — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:46:55 +0000

May 12th through the 18th is "Bike-Bus-Walk Week" in Ypsilanti. WEMU's Bob Eccles spoke with Bob Krzewinski, a member of the Ypsilanti Non-Motorized Committee and Bike Ypsi, about the week's events.

Unified School Board Discusses Naming Rights for District Facilities

Bob Eccles — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:56:33 +0000

The Unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board last night talked about setting guidelines for naming Ypsilanti Community Schools facilities. WEMU's Bob Eccles reports on the details

Unification Of Ypsilanti And Willow Run School Districts Fast Approaching

Bob Eccles — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:26:11 +0000

The process of unifying the Ypsilanti and Willow Run school districts into Ypsilanti Community Schools is rolling along. The new district is officially "born" on July 1. WEMU's Bob Eccles spoke with Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel about the unification process, and what's left to do before the end of June.

Area Small And Home-Based Businesses Surveyed

Bob Eccles — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:57:00 +0000

The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development is funding a survey of small and home-based businesses in our area to find out what they need to be successful.

WEMU's Bob Eccles spoke with Jessica Meissner about the survey. Jessica is an economic anthropologist and an advocate for sustainable, community-based economies with The Shed, a business and employment collaborative.

Here's a link to the survey:
http://theshedbec.com

Ypsilanti approves a Water Street Development Project

Bob Eccles — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:56:43 +0000

Ypsilanti City Council has approved a purchase agreement for a portion of the Water Street Property. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, the action will result in a new, Family Dollar Store.

Ypsi City Council Approves Family Dollar Purchase Agreement

Bob Eccles — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:46:29 +0000

Ypsilanti City Council has approved a purchase agreement for a Family Dollar store to be built on the northeast corner of the Water Street re-development area.

The approval came after the developer agreed to some changes to make the store fit better with the city’s vision for the property, including moving the store to the northwest corner of the point-eight-five acre parcel.

The city is selling the parcel for $210,000.

WCC Goes Textbook-Free In Pilot Program

Bob Eccles — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:50:01 +0000

Washtenaw Community College is the first community college in Michigan to put a textbook-free learning program in place.

The Kaleidoscope Project uses open educational resources - basically online textbooks - to help make higher education more affordable.

Linda Blakey is WCC's Vice-President of Student and Academic Services. She says the fall semester will be WCC's first time participating in the program, but the Kaleidoscope Project is in its second year.

YCS Chooses Former NFL Player As Athletic Director

Bob Eccles — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:13:14 +0000

Ypsilanti Community Schools will have a former National Football League player as its first Athletic Director.

Lamanzer Williams has approved an offer to assume the position when the district is officially created on July 1st.

Williams played football with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, along with the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe.

He's a Willow Run High School Hall-of-Fame inductee who has earned degrees from Eastern Michigan University, Concordia Chicago University and Grand Valley State University.

Pay Scale Approved For Ypsilanti Community Schools Teachers, Principals

Bob Eccles — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:27:00 +0000

The unified Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board has approved a performance-based compensation system for Ypsilanti Community Schools teachers and principals.

Ypsi-Willow Run Unified School Board Approves Mascot, Colors

Bob Eccles — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:50:05 +0000

It’s official – the mascot for Ypsilanti Community Schools is the Grizzlies, and the school colors are black and “Vegas” gold.

The unified school board Thursday night accepted the recommendation of its Name and Identity Advisory Group.

A new mascot and colors means buying things like new uniforms and signs. Washtenaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Scott Menzel says that’ll be covered by a six million dollar grant from the state.

Decriminalizing Pot Possession

Bob Eccles — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:34:20 +0000

Ann Arbor State Representative Jeff Irwin is introducing legislation to decriminalize the personal possession of small amounts of marijuana. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

EMU Student Government Makes Funding About-Face

Bob Eccles — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:50:28 +0000

Eastern Michigan University Student Government has decided to fund the recent campus visit of the traveling "Genocide Awareness Project" exhibit.

EMU Students for Life had requested about $5,000 to help support the exhibit, which uses graphic photos to equate abortion with genocide.

The request was originally declined, but after a review of student government procedures for funding student organizations prompted by a lawsuit, EMU Student Government decided to provide the funding.