local

Chapelle, East Middle schools to close after a 5-2 vote

By Dan DuChene · Wednesday, March 24, 2010

In a 5-2 vote, the Ypsilanti Public Schools’ Board of Education approved a plan to close both Chapelle Elementary and East Middle School Monday night. As recommended by the district administration, the move, expected to save approximately $1.3 million, will go into effect at the end of this academic year.

YPS to vote tonight to close Chapelle, East Middle School

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, March 21, 2010

The Ypsilanti Public Schools Board of Education will be voting today on a district restructuring plan that would close Chapelle Elementary and East Middle schools.

Sixth-graders get smart working smartphones

By Christine Laughren · Sunday, March 21, 2010

Most students receive a firm reprimand from teachers when even a glimpse of a cell phone is spotted from across the classroom.

YPS holds special session to discuss budget plans

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Ypsilanti Public School’s Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting for this week to hear the proposed restructuring plan from the administration.

Police: Taser necessary to make arrest in Ypsi

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, March 14, 2010

A man was tasered last Wednesday night by Ypsilanti police officers, after allegedly becoming assaultive and combative during his arrest.

Seed Starting Squad helps gardens grow

By David Gomez · Sunday, March 14, 2010

The area surrounding Growing Hope’s greenhouse was covered in blankets of white snow.

Ypsilanti School Board to hold special meeting

By Dan DuChene · Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Budget reduction plans for Ypsilanti Public Schools are planned to be announced during a special board of education meeting next week.

City Council votes to deny Thompson Block extension

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, March 7, 2010

Ypsilanti City Council voted to deny a traffic control order for the scaffolding supporting the Thompson Block and initiate legal action to have it removed.

Ypsilanti District Library to build teen-only section

By Chris Hoitash · Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Ypsilanti District Library is preparing to add a new section catered specifically towards teenagers and young adults. “Teen Zone” is a project both library visitors and library officials consider to be important.

Suspects still at large in two strong-armed Ypsi robberies

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, March 7, 2010

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating two strong-armed robberies reported in Ypsilanti Township last Monday. Deputies responded to the 3100 block of Washtenaw Avenue at 3:50 p.m.

YPD will save jobs by assigning another officer to LAWNET

By Adrienne Ziegler · Sunday, March 7, 2010

With Ypsilanti budget deficits skyrocketing in 2011, the city planned to cut eight officers from the Ypsilanti Police Department on July 1. However, YPD will be able to save two jobs by assigning an additional officer to a multi-jurisdictional task force known as the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Cafe Luwak wins taste test

By David Gomez · Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010

The Corner Brewery was crowded. Bicycle enthusiasts stood outside and talked about their ride while the rest of their group was inside with the crowd enjoying mugs of beer and samples of chili. The line for chili remained constant throughout the day; the last stop on the Depot Town Chili Challenge was where everyone would end up. One group that was especially happy to see the large turnout was SOS Community Services.

Superior Township shooting leaves one man hospitalized

By Dan DuChene · Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010

A 24-year-old man is in stable condition after being shot in the abdomen Tuesday afternoon in Superior Township.

DDA board will re-post vacant director position

Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010

The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority’s Board of Directors will re-post its vacant director position March 1. The DDA’s Ad Hoc Director Search Committee proposed a resolution to approve an interim staffing plan until a permanent director is hired.

Residents discuss issues with Ypsi closing school

Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010

Ypsilanti community members expressed several frustrations toward plans to close schools in Ypsilanti School District at Tuesday evening’s community forum at the high school auditorium.

Willow Run schools to get new software to aid core classes

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010

The Willow Run Board of Education unanimously approved a new $18,000 software package to help failing high school students graduate. The software, called E-2020, provides digital instruction videos, text books, applications, homework, quizzes and tests for teachers to use in several core classes. “It’s a tool to provide content, not replace teachers,” said Greg Bishop, the software company’s representative, at Thursday night’s meeting. Read the rest of this story at: YpsiCiti.com.

Downtown businesses could get $100K for developments

By Christine Laughren · Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010

The city of Ypsilanti’s Downtown Development Authority is coordinating a Façade Grant application for business and property owners in the DDA districts. The competitive grant program, funded through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, will afford property and business owners the opportunity to obtain up to a 50 percent match for façade improvements.

Forum scheduled to talk Ypsilanti schools' budget

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010

Ypsilanti Public Schools announced it will be hosting a public forum Tuesday to discuss its pending budget cuts with the community. The announcement, made in a noon press release from the district, comes after the Board of Education decided to hold a series of meetings to involve the public in its decision-making process. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m.

City investigating alleged nepotism of police chief

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010

The city of Ypsilanti is investigating an alleged relationship between the police department’s newly appointed chief and a road officer on the force.

Ypsilanti will get new city planner

By Christine Laughren · Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010

The city of Ypsilanti will have a new city planner beginning Feb. 15. Teresa Gillotti, Ypsilanti’s Michigan State University Extension Planner, will replace City Planner Richard Murphy as he takes a new job with the Michigan Suburbs Alliance. “It happened fairly quickly that Murphy was offered a job from the Michigan Suburbs Alliance and had to quickly take it,” Gillotti said of the city planner position Thursday afternoon.