Ypsilanti Freighthouse

Are you interested in werewolves, Bigfoot, space aliens and other mythical creatures? Then, the upcoming Ypsilanti Cryptid Festival is the place for you! On October 24, the Ypsilanti Freighthouse will welcome all fans of these supernatural beings or "cryptids". Lee Van Roth shares more about this event with local paranormal researcher and filmmaker Krista Kangas.

The University Musical Society (UMS) is partnering once again with the Ypsilanti Freighthouse to bring live musical events and fun activities this fall. Lee Van Roth spoke with UMS Community and Audience Programs Manager, Justine Sedky, about what to expect at the Freighthouse this month.

Many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling under attack as President Trump's first 60 days in office have brought a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ actions. But Ypsilanti-area organizations and community members are supporting their LGBTQ+ neighbors in a variety of ways. That includes supportive health care and queer takeovers of public spaces around Ypsilanti. Rylee Barnsdale spoke with Cheers to Queers (C2Q) co-founder, Danya Youssef-Agha, who organized the recent "Queer Prom."

Later this month, there is going to be a celebration of artistic endeavor in Ypsilanti! It will include a one-of-a-kind processional from the Riverside Arts Center to the Freighthouse in Depot Town. On this week's “On the Ground Ypsi,” Rylee Barnsdale spoke with UMS community and audience programs manager Justine Sedky about the partnerships that will bring to life the creativity of the community on April 19th.

Justine Sedky from UMS discusses the April residency at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse with John Bommarito.

With daytime high temperatures in the 20’s, all too many residents are seeking a way to get out of the cold and find some basic necessities. WEMU’s John Stockwell made time to visit the daytime warming shelter at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse in Depot Town.

While the Ypsilanti Freighthouse serves as a daytime warming center, the only 24/7 shelter for unhoused members of the Ypsilanti community is the Delonis Center in Ann Arbor. and it has limited beds available. There is ongoing community discussion about the need for a shelter on the eastern side of Washtenaw County. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale that need and what's being done about it with Lindsay Calka. She's the managing director of Groundcover News, a publication giving voice to low-income residents.

The Ypsilanti Warming Center reopened Wednesday providing a free place to stay warm during the colder months. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Early voting for the August 6th primary election begins on Saturday across Michigan. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority is looking to improve the Freighthouse space and a public area on Water Street. WEMU's Taylor Bowie has more.