Ypsilanti Township

Nestled on the eastern side of Ypsilanti Township is a neighborhood park that is largely grass-covered and is an underutilized resource. That is changing. Tajalli Hodge is an elected member of the Ypsilanti Township Parks Commission and has taken initial steps to make the park a community gathering place that also enhances the area’s environmental health. WEMU’s David Fair spoke with Hodge about the present and future of Sugarbrook Park. 

Childhood trauma, if not addressed properly, can have terrible, long-term effects. In many situations, law enforcement is involved, and that can intensify trauma. Derrick Jackson from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the "Handle with Care" program that identifies those at risk of trauma and then provides needed resources to overcome its affects. 

For this week's "On The Ground Ypsi," WEMU's Lisa Barry and Sarah Rigg from Concentrate Media talk with Peter Sanderson from the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation division about recently completed improvements to Ypsilanti area parks and trails and what else is in the works.

As life continues to move towards pre-pandemic activity levels, we’re seeing more and more opportunities for in-person engagement. 

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with the Washtenaw County director of elections, Ed Golembiewski, about some new information about what is happening now there.

Curbside recycling is common practice, yet many residents are still placing unrecyclable materials in their bins. That's why the Washtenaw Regional Resource Management Authority (WRRMA) has started an audit and educational program to help property owners make better recycling decisions. Della DiPietro, who serves as both Ann Arbor Township treasurer and WRRMA representative, discusses the program in detail with WEMU's David Fair.

This week for "On the Ground Ypsi," Lisa Barry and Sarah Rigg talk with JoAnn McCollum, president of the New West Willow Neighborhood Association in Ypsilanti Township, about a new police reform pilot program she helped create. It's a way to address quality-of-life issues and responding to nonviolent issues happening in the community.

In this week's "On The Ground Ypsi," Lisa Barry and project manager Sarah Rigg talk to Scott Heister, Southeast Regional Director for Mi STEM and a co-founder of the American Center for Innovation.  He talks about the proposed program to work with kids and encourage them to pursue real jobs in STEM fields and providing "cradle-to-career opportunities."

Ypsilanti Township provides curbside Christmas tree disposal service to its residents but arrangements must be made ahead of time.  

Working out of a commercial kitchen in Ypsilanti Township, several new ventures have been able to survive and thrive, even in a pandemic.  Lisa Barry and Sarah Rigg talk with Forrest Maddox, co-creator of "The White Pine Kitchen," who is one of them creating a unique dining experience for people in their own homes.

The Ford Fund will give away 50,000 masks during a two-day period in Ypsilanti Township.  

The Civic Center building in Ypsilanti Township will be open only for voter registration and voting Monday, November 2nd and Tuesday, November 3rd.

With Halloween happening and a big football game rivalry being played that same day, as well as Election Day approaching, the desire to socialize and get together is going to be strong.

A number of Washtenaw County health and government leaders signed an open letter to the community reminding them of ways to avoid spreading the coronavirus during these busy times.  Lisa Barry spoke to Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Cerniglia about the letter and its intent.

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, also known as TheRide, plans to restore bus service in Western Ann Arbor.  

At least two flu shot pop-up clinics will be held this weekend in Washtenaw County.  

It doesn't take much to create a space for roller skating, an activity one Ypsilanti area man hopes to see more of in the community.  In this week's "On The Ground-Ypsi," Lisa Barry and Sarah Rigg talk to Daniel Wall about bringing together a "roller culture," or network of skating enthusiasts, in the Ypsilanti area and future plans to have an outdoor skating rink in Ypsilanti Township.

The Washtenaw County Elections Department says voters will soon start to see an increase in the number of absentee ballot drop-off boxes being installed around the county.  

Many different community components came together to get a new skatepark built in Ypsilanti Township.  That is the focus of this week's "On The Ground-Ypsi" with WEMU's Lisa Barry, project manager for On the Ground Ypsi Sarah Rigg, and Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission deputy director Meghan Bonfiglio.

After the State of Michigan’s eviction moratorium was lifted earlier this summer, more and more people have received eviction notices in Washtenaw County during COVID-19.  

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.

To help meet an increase in demand for daycare during COVID-19, the Ann Arbor YMCA will open an all-day, school age child care in Ypsilanti Township.  

The Community Advisory Board for Law Enforcement, also known as CABLE, is in the process of preparing a report on feedback they received from the community in the Sha’Teina Grady El case. 

The Civic Center building in Ypsilanti Township will only be open for election purposes next Tuesday. 

A lawsuit is expected to be filed against the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office in the Sha’Teina Grady El case.  

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation after someone shot a car owned by the husband of Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustee Monica Ross-Williams.  

Public input is still being requested in the Sha’Teina Grady El incident that took place last month.  

The Ann Arbor YMCA has extended its COVID-19 food assistance program through August.  

Ypsilanti Township will reopen its municipal offices to the public Tuesday, June 16th.  

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Community Advisory Board for Law Enforcement is requesting and gathering public input on the Sha’Teina Grady El incident.  

An Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustee is considering proposing the creation of a Law Enforcement Oversight Commission.