News - The Eastern Echo

Ypsi Votes: Arianne Slay's blueprint for change in Washtenaw County

By Austin Elliott · Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Arianne Slay has been a prosecutor for over a decade working in public service, and she wants to bring her experience in rehabilitative criminal justice to Washtenaw County as the county’s next lead prosecutor.

Ypsi Votes: Eli Savit's campaign for prosecutor focuses on large structural reforms

By Austin Elliott · Friday, July 3, 2020

Ypsi Votes is a brand new series from the Eastern Echo featuring candidates up and down the ballot in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township. In this article, the Echo speaks with Eli Savit, a candidate for Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney.

Eastern Michigan University regents approve tuition increase for the 2020-2021 school year, nursing program moved online

By Cameryn Eberly · Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Tuition fees for Eastern Michigan University students will increase for the 2020-21 school year with a 4.9% increase for graduate and doctoral students and a 2.9% increase for undergraduate students.

Ypsi Votes: Hugo Mack's journey from defendant to prosecutor hopeful

By Austin Elliott · Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Ypsi Votes: Hugo Mack says his experience in the defendant's chair makes him uniquely qualified to be Washtenaw County's lead prosecutor

Beth Bashert has resigned as mayor of Ypsilanti: what that means going forward

By Dan D'Introno · Monday, June 29, 2020

Following public outcry regarding remarks made during a June 16 City Council meeting, former Ypsilanti Mayor Beth Bashert resigned. Her position was assumed by Mayor Pro Tempore Lois Richardson, but going forward Ypsilanti will not elect its own mayor by vote until 2022.

Juneteenth Abolitionist Revival attendees

Local group of organizers demands police abolition and nothing less

By Ronia-Isabel Cabansag · Monday, June 29, 2020

About 300 people gathered in Frog Island Park on for a "Juneteenth Abolitionist Revival" to honor Black lives and discuss steps toward police abolition. Ypsilanti city council member, Anthony Morgan, was in attendance and not all welcomed his presence.

How EMU’s campus might be changing in the fall: EMU Public Health Working Group details guidelines for returning to campus

By Austin Elliott · Friday, June 26, 2020

In a virtual town hall for EMU employees, EMU’s Public Health Working Group revealed their recommendations for what campus operations should look like when in-person operations resume in the fall.

Second protest emerges after white Washtenaw County deputy is accused of using excessive force on black woman (5)

The one behind the mic: Getting to know Ypsilanti rapper KidJay

By Bianca Ramsey · Friday, June 26, 2020

Local rapper, KidJay, has helped make a citywide impact for the youth in Ypsilanti and continues to do so through the COVID-19 pandemic. He uses themes of positivity and non-violence throughout his songs.

Gallery: Hundreds participate in BLM demonstration in downtown Ann Arbor on May 30

Questions answered about Sen. Jeff Irwin and Rep. Ronnie Peterson's police reform bill

By Sophia Kalakailo · Wednesday, June 24, 2020

As Ronnie Peterson’s bill, identical to Sen. Jeff Irwin’s Senate Bill 945, awaits a full house vote, the Echo gathered more information and comments about the bill and their opinions on possible next steps for criminal justice reform in Michigan and Washtenaw County. The Echo spoke with Irwin, some of Michigan’s law enforcement organizations, Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton, and Desmine Robinson; a local Black Lives Matter activist and EMU student leader.

EMU will not alter fall academic calendar; classes to start August 31

By Austin Elliott · Tuesday, June 23, 2020

EMU Provost Rhonda Longworth said in a virtual town hall meeting on Tuesday, June 23, that EMU will not be altering the fall academic calendar, classes to start on August 31.

How EMU's campus may function in the fall

By Cameryn Eberly · Tuesday, June 23, 2020

As EMU hopes and plans to resume on-campus operations in the fall, the University is continuously developing strategies and protocols to do so. The Echo compiled what we know so far about on-campus operations in the fall.

Black Lives Matter protestors gather at the intersection of Congress St. and W. Michigan Ave.

Ypsilanti community members hold a Black Lives Matter protest Saturday, June 20; city council members in attendance ask mayor to resign

By Dan D'Introno · Monday, June 22, 2020

Ypsilanti community members heald a Black Lives Matter protest Saturday, June 20. Close to 500 people, including Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and members of the Ypsilanti City Council gathered in downtown Ypsilanti to address police brutality and systemic racism. Two members of the Ypsilanti City Council, Nicole Brown and Annie Sommerville addressed recent racist remarks given by Ypsilanti mayor Beth Bashert during a Ypsilanti City Council meeting and called on her to resign.

Ypsilanti Mayor Beth Bashert facing criticism from community and leaders after racist comment at city council meeting

By Austin Elliott · Saturday, June 20, 2020

The mayor’s comment at Tuesday’s city council meeting was followed by intense criticism from other council members. Mayor Bashert has since apologized for the comment, saying her actions were racist and that she felt ashamed. Most recently, two council members called for Bashert’s resignation at a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Downtown Ypsilanti on Saturday, June 20.

Tosha Estermyer Ypsilanti community food pantry

Ypsilanti woman running 'no questions asked' community pantry to help local families

By Austin Elliott · Saturday, June 20, 2020

Six weeks ago, Estermyer started a 'no questions asked' community pantry. What started out as a single table at the end of her driveway has expanded to six different tables filled with food, cleaning supplies, and toiletries for people in the community that are in need.

Ypsilanti City Council hosts public forum on police reform

By Ronia-Isabel Cabansag · Saturday, June 20, 2020

Mayor Beth Bashert, Mayor Pro-tem Lois Richardson, members of the Ypsilanti Police Advisory Commission, and about 40 community members gathered for a virtual town hall forum to discuss racism and police reform in Ypsilanti. Community members continued to call for Mayor Bashert’s resignation due to comments she made during a city council meeting.

Depot Town Update: Sidetrack Bar and Grill dine-in options now available

By Austin Elliott · Thursday, June 18, 2020

Sidetrack Bar and Grill is open for dine-in customers as of Monday, June 15, with new outdoor seating options, modified hours, and numerous coronavirus-related safety measures in place.

Sorority alumni strip their letters to demand action from national organization

By Sophia Kalakailo · Monday, June 15, 2020

In EMU’s Delta Alpha chapter of Sigma Delta Tau (SDT), alumni have stripped their letters in response to dissatisfaction with SDT’s response to violence against Black people in the US and the Black Lives Matter movement. A document listing specific demands addressed to the SDT National Board of Directors was also created.

TheRide proposes guidelines to protect public health as the state reopens

By Ahmad Zalt · Monday, June 15, 2020

TheRide has suggested guidelines for businesses, institutions, and community members to help “flatten the rush-hour curve” to reduce the spread of COVID-19. “Park and Ride” bus service will resume on June 15, and regular bus service, more similar to pre-pandemic services, will return in August.

Sen. Irwin and Rep. Peterson testify on bill addressing police training and excessive force in Michigan

By Austin Elliott · Saturday, June 13, 2020

Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Rep. Ronnie Peterson (D-Ypsilanti) testified on Thursday in front of the Michigan House Judiciary Committee about their bill aimed at addressing police training and excessive force in Michigan. The bill requires that all police officers receive training on implicit bias and violence de-escalation techniques, as well as take a mental health screening, as a part of their initial training and certification.

EMU announces “EMU Single Room Guarantee”

By Sophia Kalakailo · Thursday, June 11, 2020

EMU announced its "EMU Single Room Guarantee” where any student that requests a single room will receive one at $1,700 less per academic year than a single room normally costs. Students who wish to have a roommate will continue to have that option.