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The Eastern Echo Wednesday, April 9, 2025 | Print Archive
The Eastern Echo

News

Ypsilanti City Council

City council members vote to remove gay pride, transgender pride, Black Lives Matter flags from council chambers

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Members of the Ypsilanti City Council voted to remove gay pride, transgender pride and Black Lives Matter flags from the council chambers during the Aug. 27 meeting. The resolution, which passed 5-2, states that City Council does not want to become a forum to advertise or promote any particular ideology. As a result, it was agreed upon that the only flags allowed in the council chambers are the United States of America, the state of Michigan and the city of Ypsilanti flags. 


Aerial view of campus

142 Eastern Michigan University employees accept early retirement buyouts

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One hundred forty-two Eastern Michigan University employees are set to retire from the university within the next year. In May, the university announced a Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Plan that gave full-time faculty and staff the opportunity to accept a payout and retire. More than 600 employees were eligible for the offer.




Ypsilanti Police Chief Tony DeGiusti

City of Ypsilanti sees increase in gun violence during summer of 2019

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The city of Ypsilanti has seen more gun violence than usual this summer, according to Ypsilanti Chief of Police, Tony DeGiusti. Police records show 30 gun-related cases in the city since the first of the year. Of those 30 incidents, 20 of them occurred in the summer between the months of May 6 and Aug. 6.  In response to the uptick of local gun-related crimes, the city held its first ever public input meeting on July 23 to discuss what steps the city has taken to help minimize gun violence and hear concerns from members of the community. 


Annie Somerville

Ypsilanti named disproportionately impacted community under Proposal 1's social equity plan

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Council Member Annie Somerville and social equity activist Chris Jackson hosted the City of Ypsilanti’s first town hall about recreational marijuana use and corresponding social equity plan on August 8, 2019. Residents filed into City Hall at 6 pm to participate in the discussion around the designation of Ypsilanti as a disproportionately impacted community based on previous marijuana convictions and poverty rate. The purpose of the conversation, according to Somerville, was to create an agenda for the city council’s first conversation regarding recreational marijuana regulations.



Thunder Over Michigan Air Show

Willow Run hosts annual Thunder Over Michigan air show

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The annual Thunder Over Michigan air show took place at Willow Run airport on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4. Patrons were treated to exciting aerial displays, activities for all ages, and a variety of community vendors. The air show will return next year on August 29-30, 2020.  




Field

Holtzclaw appeal to reduce 263-year sentence denied

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Daniel Holtzclaw’s appeal to have his 263-year sentence reduced was denied on August 1 in Oklahoma City. Holtzclaw played for the Eastern Michigan football program from 2005-2008. He was born on December 10, 1986 and played linebacker at Enid High School before attending EMU. He graduated with a criminal justice degree in 2010 and went back to Oklahoma where he worked for the Oklahoma City Police Department.






EMU student seeks donations for stem cell transplant

EMU senior seeking donations for stem cell transplant

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April Austin, a legally blind EMU student, is seeking donations for a stem cell transplant that could stop multiple sclerosis in it’s tracks. While her health deteriorates, she is caring for her 11-year-old autistic son who is non-verbal, and working as a substitute teacher in Ypsilanti.  



Ypsilanti City Hall

Ypsilanti medical marijuana ordinance amended by city council

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The Ypsilanti City Council passed an ordinance with a 6-0 vote to amend its marijuana policy on Tuesday, July 2 at City Hall. The amendment reshaped city code by adding a provision that allows for transfer of city permits for medical marijuana facilities to new owners, if approved by the state.


2019 Booksilanti

Booksilanti is a celebration of books, culture and community

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Booksilanti celebrated its inauguration this past Saturday. Hosted by the Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse as well as various other local organizations, Booksilanti boasted 25 local vendors and authors. Hailed as a celebration of reading, Friends of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse Events and Non-Profit Manager, Krista Jacob, said the community response to this celebration has been overwhelming. They plan to make Booksilanti an annual event.

Renowned journalist Beimeng Fu recalls her COVID-19 reporting experience on this weeks episode of Women Journalist COVID-19 Experiences. Check out this latest episode on Spotify! Or you can listen to their full unedited conversation at the Eastern Michigan University Archive website.