washtenaw county

The Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber says local businesses have the right to refuse service to customers who don’t comply with local COVID-19 health orders. 

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has cancelled its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday night as they determine if they can legally continue to hold virtual meetings during COVID-19.  

The Washtenaw County Department of Elections wants to assure voters that absentee ballots will be counted on Election Day.  

Many of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's executive orders were struck down by the Michigan Supreme Court on Friday.  That created a great deal of uncertainty among residents and businesses about COVID-19 protocol and regulations.  For clarification, the Washtenaw County Health Department issued four orders of its own on Monday.  Health Department spokesperson Susan Cerniglia joined WEMU's David Fair to further explain the county response. 

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, also known as TheRide, says ridership remains low during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Ann Arbor Education Association sent a letter to Ann Arbor Public Schools encouraging the district to continue using a virtual learning model instead of in-person instruction.  

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District says state and federal funding would be necessary if students are required to get tested for COVID-19 in the future. 

The Washtenaw County Broadband Task Force is in the process of installing seven cellular hotspots in the county to provide better internet connection to local rural residents during COVID-19.  

Ann Arbor Spark is now using 100% renewable energy to power its office buildings.  

Maintaining dams became part of the national conversation again when two collapsed in mid-Michigan this year and caused severe flooding.  The state of Michigan has now established a new commission on dam safety, and Washtenaw County's water resources commissioner has been appointed as an inaugural member.  Evan Pratt discussed his new role and the local and statewide implications with WEMU's David Fair on this week's "Issues of the Environment."

After declaring that racism is a public health crisis, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners is considering allocating $50,000 to the Washtenaw County My Brother’s Keeper program to promote increased equity work across our area.  

The Washtenaw County Health Department will use social media to target teens who may be addicted to or are considering using vaping products.  

The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development says they will continue their local efforts in trying to get residents to fill out the 2020 Census after a federal judge extended the deadline for the count.  

The Glennborough subdivision in Superior Township has filed a lawsuit against the United States Postal Service to try to change its Ypsilanti zip code to an Ann Arbor zip code.  

A recent study shows African Americans in Washtenaw County are far more likely than white people to be charged with felonies, and sentences tend to be longer.  The data raises questions about prosecutorial discretion and biases in the criminal justice system.  Aaron Kinzel is a lecturer of Criminology and Criminal Justice at University of Michigan-Dearborn and serves as Executive Director of the Youth Justice Fund.  He joined WEMU’s David Fair on "Washtenaw United" to explore bias and the search for equality in the criminal justice system.

The Community Advisory Board for Law Enforcement, also known as CABLE, is in the process of creating a campaign to educate the public on law enforcement policies and procedures in Washtenaw County.  

The Washtenaw County Health Department will offer free COVID-19 testing Saturday, September 26th in Ypsilanti.  

Washtenaw County, the University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University conducted a study that revealed that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on residents of color in Ypsilanti. 

Washtenaw County residents could soon be fined for not complying with COVID-19 guidelines established by the county.  

A virtual public question-and-answer Zoom meeting will be held Thursday, September 24th at 6:30 pm to discuss a proposed consent judgement between Gelman Sciences and other parties involved, regarding the 1,4 dioxane plume clean-up in our area.  

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners will consider a resolution Wednesday night that, if approved, will impose a fine for residents who don’t comply with COVID-19 guidelines established by the county.  

This past year has brought so much change to our community, from fighting the COVID-19 crisis to combatting racism and police brutality.  The United Way of Washtenaw County (UWWC) is working to creating equity in access to opportunity and quality of life by the year 2030.  UWWC campaign chair Brandon Tucker joined  WEMU's David Fair on "Washtenaw United" to discuss the work that needs to be done over the next decade to meet those aspirations. 

Even though the Michigan Attorney General ruled a Washtenaw County Sheriff deputy should not face charges after striking an Ypsilanti woman resisting arrest last May, the legal battle over the matter is far from over.  WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke with Ann Arbor attorney William Amadeo, who represents Sha'Teina and Daniel Grady El to get their reaction to the latest developments.

Despite social distancing obstacles faced because of COVID-19, the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development says local residents have been filling out their 2020 Census forms.  

A Washtenaw County deputy sheriff should not face charges in a “use of force incident” in Ypsilanti Township from last May.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton about the decision handed down Tuesday afternoon.

On Monday, Washtenaw County reported 58 new coronavirus cases and no new coronavirus-related deaths since last Friday.  The pandemic is still in full effect, and changes in public interaction could soon drive those numbers up.  WEMU's David Fair checked in with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Cerniglia about what may happen as more hit college campuses and are visiting local gyms.  

SafeHouse Center provides emergency shelter and an array of services to survivors on domestic violence and sexual assault in Washtenaw County.  Like all other service agencies, the pandemic has an effect on the way it conducts its business and on the bottom line.  In this week's "Washtenaw United," SafeHouse Center executive director Barbara Niess-May discusses maintaining vital and essential services during a public health crisis. 

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District is continuing to work with other local school districts to improve the remote learning experience for students throughout the county.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has approved a $16.6 million budget for the Washtenaw County Health Department’s 2020/2021 fiscal year.  

"On the Ground-Ypsi" gives voice to Concentrate Media's online news stories about positive things happening in Ypsilanti.  WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with On the Ground-Ypsi project manager Sarah Rigg each week giving voice to her online article.

This week focuses on a pilot program to provide financial support and special training for quality child care certification in Ypsilanti that would benefit all of Washtenaw County.  Lisa and Sarah speak to Caroline Sanders from Engage @ EMU, who spearheaded this new program.