News - The Eastern Echo

Internet forums help Iraqi refugees adapt

By Hannah Allam · Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009

BAGHDAD — “Mozart” is the screen name of a 44-year-old guitar-playing Iraqi refugee who was resettled in the United States recently. In a posting this month to a popular online forum for Iraqis emigrating to the West, Mozart rattled off his many accomplishments: an economics degree from a prestigious Iraqi university, a diploma from an arts institute, experience in tourism and restaurant management, and 25 years as a musician with an Iraqi band.

Beck criticizes political parties, lauds Americans

By Susan Gilmore · Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009

SEATTLE _ In a sea of 7,000 fans, controversial TV and radio talk-show host Glenn Beck took his crusade to Safeco Field Saturday, saying he is the voice of reason in a divided America. “I am a flawed human being,” said Beck, 45.

Iran says it will allow uranium inspections

By MarketWatch · Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO — As world pressure mounted Saturday, Iran said it would allow United Nations inspectors to examine its newly revealed, second uranium-enrichment facility, according to media reports.

Developer watches Depot Town dream go up in flames

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009

Ypsilanti’s Depot Town district lost one of its most storied and controversial historic structures Wednesday morning when the Thompson Block Building was destroyed by fire.

Police Blotter for Sept. 18-21

By Jordan Dekker · Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009

Crime on Eastern Michigan University’s campus and in Ypsilanti.

Swine flu might hit a third of Americans

By John Fauber · Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009

BETHESDA, Md. – H1N1 swine flu likely will be the dominate flu strain this year, out-competing seasonal flu and infecting as many as one-third of Americans, according to Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top infectious disease expert. “This is a virus that spreads absolutely as efficiently as a virus can spread,” Fauci said in a meeting Thursday with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other reporters. The good news is while the virus spreads easily, it produces mild disease in most people, said Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

Chinese city knows ethnic tension 60 years after Communist takeover

By Tom Lasseter · Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009

Despite the assurances from Beijing, however, Urumqi remains on edge less than two weeks before the 60th anniversary celebration of China’s communist regime.

Unemployed man creates site to help others locate jobs

By Mike Cassidy · Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009

Ken Won has read the many stories about the discouraged and growing ranks of the long-term unemployed. Tales of despair and dejection.

Thompson Block destroyed by fire

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009

One of Ypsilanti’s historic landmarks was lost early Wednesday morning when the Thompson Block building was consumed by fire.

EMU enrollment jumps 4 percent

By Danny Hopkins · Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009

The chairman of Eastern Michigan University’s board of regents said that Tuesday marked some of the most encouraging news he had heard since he joined the board five years ago.

Ypsi bus service could be maintained

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009

Ypsilanti bus service may stay at current levels, despite a $123,000 shortfall in the amount the city will be charged by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.

Lansing could break 'Promise,' put end to scholarship program

By Krista Gjestland · Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009

Thousands of Michigan college students may soon have to say goodbye to the Michigan Promise Scholarship if proposed budget cuts get the final approval from state lawmakers this week.

'Talk' program aims to fill community center

By Christine Laughren · Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009

The idea is, if you show up on a Monday or Wednesday with $5 in your pocket there is going to be something for you to do. It’s the Talk of the Neighborhood, a new brand of programming at the Recreation Park Community Center. The brain-child of Ypsilanti resident Georgie Pachella, Talk of the Neighborhood is a play on the name of National Public Radio’s daily program Talk of the Nation.

'Tour de Fresh' displays Ypsilanti's greener side

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009

By bike or by bus, area residents toured around Ypsilanti on Tuesday night to check out local gardens in the community.Approximately 30 people turned out to Growing Hope’s Tour de Fresh, which showcased ten community and personal gardens throughout Ypsilanti.

Student prayer room could become offices

By Katie Milewski · Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009

Eastern Michigan University is considering turning the Muslim Student Association’s prayer room in King Hall into an office and relocating the prayer room. The Muslim Student Association received an e-mail from university officials inquiring to what extent the room is used by the association.

Pakistan reluctant to chase terrorists

By Saeed Shah · Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Despite growing U.S. military losses in Afghanistan, Pakistan still refuses to target the extremist groups on its soil that are the biggest threat to the American-led mission there, the U.S.

Online scams snag college students

By Gene Trainor · Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009

Identity theft and scam investigators say they hear stories like this all the time. College-age Americans are not the most likely age group to become victims of fraud — those ages 25 to 44 are, according to a 2004 Federal Trade Commission report. But college students’ love affair with technology, and sometimes their naïveté, makes them vulnerable to some types of identity theft, experts say.

Campus police blotter

By Jordan Dekker · Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009

9/10 A physical altercation between roommates took place at 11:17 p.m. in Best Hall. The case is closed, and police were seeking a warrant.

Members of the EMU ROTC stand in formation outside of the ROTC tower.

EMU recognized for ROTC program

By Katie Milewski · Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009

Eastern Michigan University has been named a Military Friendly School for 2010 by “GI Jobs” magazine. This honor puts EMU in the top 15% of all colleges, universities and trade schools across the United States.

Red Cross needs blood donations

By Angela Ahlijian · Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009

The American Red Cross blood drive is coming to Eastern Michigan University this Sept 21-23. The blood drive will be held between the hours of noon and 6 at the Student Center in room 300. Blood supplies in Southeastern Michigan are at emergency low levels this year.