No new information released on Niswender death
As investigation into the death of Eastern Michigan University student Julia Niswender continues, the Ypsilanti police have no new information to release to the public.
Ypsilanti police Lt. Deric Gress said investigators are still waiting on results from toxicology, forensic laboratory analysis and a final autopsy report.
AnnArbor.com reported Friday, Dec. 28 that the Ypsilanti police department was working on the case over the holidays.
“The detective bureau worked over the weekend on the case,” told AnnArbor.com, “tracking down and interviewing subjects and completing necessary paperwork on some property/evidence.”
23-year-old Niswender was found dead Dec. 11 at 9:30 p.m. in her Peninsular Place apartment. Ypsilanti police are investigating the death as an apparent homicide.
Gress said, “The detective bureau is following up on leads and working long hours to find answers.”
There were no signs of trauma on Niswender’s body and results of an autopsy were inconclusive.
Bridge Card error
More than 85,000 Michigan food assistance recipients were without aid Thursday when the Department of Technology, Management and Budget failed to load Bridge Cards used to buy groceries and other necessities.
“As a result of human error, benefits to the Bridge Cards providing food assistance for clients with account numbers ending in ‘0’ were not loaded to the cards as expected,” the DTMB said in a statement.
“We understand the hardship caused to families and we are reviewing current practices and processes to ensure that this problem doesn’t happen again,” said DTMB spokesperson Kurt Weiss in a release.
As of 11:22 a.m. on Friday, all the cards have been loaded and aid restored, according to a DTMB release.
AATA service increased
Bus service between Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor has been increased to provide more reliable service, less crowded trips and more direct and faster service for riders, according to a release from the Ann Arbor Transit Authority.
The number of buses on Route 5 has been increased from five to seven during morning and afternoon peak hours. The portion of the route between downtown Ann Arbor and Packard and Stone School roads will be increased from four to six trips per hour, according to the release.
Also, according to the release, trip segments east of Packard and Stone School roads will be divided into four variations:
• 5A trips will travel between downtown Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti via Packard, Stone School, Ellsworth and Platt roads.
• 5B trips will travel between downtown Ann Arbor and Meijer (Carpenter Road) via Packard, Stone School and Ellsworth roads.
• 5C trips will travel between downtown Ann Arbor and Meijer (Carpenter Road) via Packard, Stone School, Platt and Ellsworth roads.
• 5D (new route service) trips will travel between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti directly via Buhr Park/Packard (with no service to Stone School, Ellsworth or Platt roads).
“Ridership on Route 5 is the fourth largest of TheRide’s routes at 621,000 trips annually, with an increase of 35 percent over the past eight years,” the release said.
Finke to speak on feminism
Laurie Finke, director of women’s and gender studies at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, will speak at the Fraternal Conspiracy and the Subject of Feminism Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in Eastern Michigan University’s Student Center Ballroom B.
Finke will discuss the secrets of 18th century fraternities and why women were excluded from the organizations. The event is free, open to the public and LBC approved.
‘Trans’ documentary to show
The Eastern Michigan University Psychology Department and human sexuality minor will present the documentary “TRANS” about the transgender experience on Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium.
Following the screening, Mark Schoen, producer of the film, will be available for a Q-and-A session. A brief reception will follow.
Admission is free, and the event is open to the public and LBC approved. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended by calling 734-487-1155.
