Yesterday was the last day of the first year of my first kid’s public school education. I didn’t expect to feel quite so emotional about this – it’s just pre-kindergarten – but it’s been such a relief to see how well adjusted Nevada is. Just look at the difference in him here!

We cannot express enough gratitude to his teacher, Lisa Thompson, and the team of supportive therapists, aides, and administrators at Mitchell Elementary School. The year started rough over there with an exodus of specialists and turnover in the principal’s office, and there are still some critical gaps. But our patience and faith in Ann Arbor and its public schools feels rewarded as we look back on our boy’s astonishing progress.

We picked Mitchell because of Mrs. Thompson, my husband’s student-teaching mentor when he earned his education masters, and we are so happy to be a part of a diverse community that soon will have the newest, most modern school in the city. In many places, a school population this diverse and this economically challenged would probably be left to fester at the bottom of the educational rung; it’s a testament to this community that it’s investing to lift all boats.

Your news is here. A famous alum wins a Tony, another Chinese researcher is accused of trying to smuggle something bad into a U-M lab, and the denouement on Santa Ono’s professional debacle says quite a lot about this national moment.

– Steve Friess, editor
…with help from Anna McLean

U-M halts Gaza protest surveillance after blockbuster report: Former Ann Arbor News reporter Tom Perkins’ scoop in the Guardian revealed the school paid $800,000 to a Detroit company whose undercover agents follow pro-Palestinian protesters on and off campus and eavesdropped on their conversations. Some students became aware of the surveillance, which they said involved dozens of individuals, and confronted them – yielding video of the agents cursing, threatening them, and in one case faking a disability and claiming a protester had tried to rob him. Two days after the June 6 report, interim president Domenico Grasso wrote in a public letter that U-M was terminating “all contracts with external vendors to provide plainclothes security on campus” and insisted the contractors had never been directed to focus on particular groups or individuals. “We recently learned that an employee of one of our security contractors has acted in ways that go against our values and directives,” he wrote. “What happened was disturbing, unacceptable, and unethical, and we will not tolerate it.”

U-M Athletics to cut staff by 10 percent to plug $27M deficit: The increased costs are the result of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit in which student-athletes won the right to receive pay directly from their schools, according to a letter published by athletic director Warde Manuel. U-M can pay up to a total of $20.5 million to its athletes and will do so “to remain competitive for Big Ten Conference and National championships.” The school also will add more than eighty-two full-ride scholarships across nineteen sports at a cost of $6.2 million. The staff reduction, Manuel writes, will be achieved by attrition and slowing hiring; the department also is revamping its travel policy and slashing the amount to TV revenue it shares with the university from $8 million to $2 million. Manuel continues to seek new revenue opportunities involving the Big House such as concerts and one-off sporting events.

Ono’s Florida fiasco continues to draw attention: In an opinion column headlined “The Ruination of Santa Ono,” U-M professor Silke-Maria Weineck writes in the Chronicle of Higher Education that the former president was rejected as University of Florida president because an oversight board “wanted a committed conservative and did not believe Ono when he tried to impersonate one.” Ono, who had a long history of full-throated support for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education, renounced those views in his pursuit of the Gainesville job. Ono resigned the U-M presidency in May when he was named the sole finalist to lead UF. In that resignation letter, obtained this week by MLive, Ono wrote: “The current dynamics within the board – and with a subset of the regents and myself make it difficult for me to continue leading as effectively as I would hope and as the university deserves.” After MLive published that letter, Ono was removed from the website for faculty of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts; he had been listed as a biology professor but his U-M contract did not give him tenure, so his resignation included giving up that teaching berth.

NCAA holds hearings on sign-stealing drama: The league conducted two days of closed-door hearings about the scandal in which Connor Stalions, a football coaching staffer, recruited people to record sideline signals of upcoming opponents of the Wolverines, Sports Illustrated reports. At the time, U-M punished then-head coach Jim Harbaugh with a three-game suspension and announced it would suspend his successor and then-offensive coach Sherrone Moore for two games this fall. Stalions, who quit his job amid the furor, appeared at the hearings, as did U-M athletic director Warde Manuel and interim school president Domenico Grasso. Moore is accused of deleting text messages, later recovered, in an effort to impede the NCAA probe. A decision is expected by fall.

Regents set to spend $6.3M on three homes near Ruthven: U-M wants to buy 1206 and 1210 Washtenaw Ct. for $4.35 million as well as 415 Church St. for $1.95 million, according to agenda documents for this afternoon’s meeting. All three addresses are “located across from the Alexander G. Ruthven Building and contiguous to other University of Michigan property,” the requests say. All three houses are more than 115 years old and are currently inhabited by student renters; U-M says it will continue to lease them “in the near term.”

Briarwood Mall apartment complex named The Harlan: It’s a nod to Harlan Hatcher, the president who led the U-M through its explosive post-war growth in the 1950s and 1960s. On the site of the demolished Sears store and its parking lot, the four-story, luxury apartment development, spearheaded by global developer Hines and mall owner Simon Property Group, will offer 370 units starting around $2,300 a month. The first will be available in late summer, MLive reports (paywall). Among the amenities are a resort-style pool, a fitness center, and a golf simulator lounge, while sustainability features include all-electric heating and cooling, rooftop solar panels, and eco-conscious landscaping.

Twenty-story affordable housing tower planned for downtown: Architects for the SmithGroup told the housing commission last week that the 228-foot-tall building at 350 S. Fifth Ave. will “change the city’s skyline,” MLive reports (paywall). It’ll boast 330 apartments, including 220 one-bedroom units and 110 two-bedroom units for people with incomes between 30 and 80 percent of the area median and will be partially funded by the affordable housing millage approved by voters in 2020.

Red Hawk gets eviction notice after closure: On May 15, a court ordered the owners of the venerated restaurant to pay more than $26,000 in past-due rent and fees by May 27 or face eviction, MLive reports. Red Hawk, which occupied the space for thirty-three years, closed on May 3. “Everything we intend to take, we’ve taken out,” cofounder Roger Hewitt says. “There is nothing to evict any longer,” Hewitt said. The sum wasn’t paid, and it’s unclear whether any further litigation will ensue.

Historical marker honoring Jones School unveiled: The school, which opened in 1923, served a mainly Black student body and was a central part of the nearby Old Neighborhood, now known as Kerrytown, Michigan Public reports. The school closed in the 1960s amid desegregation efforts and was repurposed in 1972 as Community High. Janelle Johnson, a teacher at Community and member of the historical marker committee, says it was a “labor of love” and that it was “about time that the Jones School alumni and Black Ann Arbor be recognized.”

Five honored with U-M president’s Medal of Excellence: This year’s recipients include Francis S. Collins, a pioneering geneticist and former director of the NIH; Ann Arbor congresswoman Debbie Dingell; Jalen Rose, a former U-M and NBA star and founder of the Detroit charter school Jalen Rose Leadership Academy; and Judy and Fred Wilpon, U-M alumni and longtime philanthropists, the University Record reports. Interim president Domenico Grasso recognized the honorees at a private June 9 reception.

Putting the pee in peony: For three years now, researchers at U-M’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have been testing the use of human urine as fertilizer in the Arb’s peony garden, according to an MBGNA blog post. Urine contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all essential nutrients for plant growth more typically applied via synthetic fertilizer. So far, researchers have found “no significant difference between urine-derived and synthetic fertilizers” in a comparison of four beds where they’re trying it out. They get the pee from a “urine-diverting toilet” and a waterless urinal, both located at the G.G. Brown Building on North Campus. “There is still this initial ick factor, … but once you start explaining a little bit more of the process, that it’s sanitized, that we run it through processes to remove micropollutants and pharmaceuticals, you start to see a lot more acceptance towards the use of the product,” researcher Joe Lybik says. 

Another Chinese scientist charged with smuggling biological material to U-M: Chengxuan Han is alleged to have sent four packages to contacts at a U-M library over the past year, federal prosecutors said in a press release. Upon her arrival in Detroit on June 8, Han allegedly misled Customs officials about the shipments and wiped data from her phone. Federal investigators say that Han later admitted to sending the packages, which contained roundworm-related biological materials, and to lying during customs inspections. Her arrest comes days after the announcement of another federal case involving a Chinese scientist accused of attempting to smuggle a toxic fungus into a U-M lab.

Jackson man charged in deadly hit-and-run: Michigan State Police said on social media they’ve arrested a twenty-year-old who told them he didn’t stop after hitting something early on May 25 on I-94 in Ypsilanti Twp. because he had consumed alcohol while underage. The suspect has not been named. Fifty-two-year-old Shawn Mullin of Warren was struck while wandering naked along the roadway; it remains unclear why, but his father told MLive he suspected his son’s car had broken down.

Ypsi’s ex-city manager charged with embezzlement: After a nearly two-year-long investigation by the Michigan State Police, Frances McMullan is being accused of unauthorized use of a city-issued credit card to the tune of thousands of dollars, WEMU reports.

City slammed for killing “nuisance beavers”: Ann Arbor parks manager Josh Landefeld says the beaver family, which took up residence along Traver Creek at the Leslie Park Golf Course, would impact stormwater migration up and down stream from their dam, MLive reports. Critics on social media blasted the move as out of step with the city’s commitments to protect natural resources; the city responded that state rules forbid relocating the animals.

Sierra Club warns of new invasive plant: Lesser celadine, a yellow-flowering weed also known as fig buttercup, has been “blanketing nature preserves and yards” around Ann Arbor, the environmental group writes. It can overwhelm native spring flora and has poisonous leaves that make it inedible for wildlife. The Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum also spotlighted the local spread of the plant, recommending hand-digging them up and disposing in trash, not compost piles, or using herbicides.

Ypsi council votes down pay raises: The proposal to increase councilmember salaries from $5,627 to $10,000 annually fell in a 4-3 vote, MLive reports (paywall). Supporters argued that higher pay would improve equity and allow more working-class residents to serve; opponents say the timing is poor given budgetary constraints and staff burnout. Council pay was last changed in 2018.

AAPS Rec & Ed programs rebound post-pandemic: With more than 28,000 registrations projected for the current academic year, participation is nearing pre-Covid levels, MLive reports (paywall). Registration hit a low of 17,630 in the 2020-21 year. The district is offering 162 summer camps for kids up to fourteen, including new grant-funded STEM, literacy, and themed camps. While some programs are still lagging, new Rec & Ed director Sean Williams says, “We’re bouncing back.”

Social media upholstery star launches collaborative fabrication studio: This month’s Ann Arborite profile subject is Kymm Clark, a bit of a Michigan vagabond who has found online fame with time-lapse videos of re-covering furniture. Clark describes her journey to Dave Algase in this month’s Observer, from an outdoorsy rural upbringing in Ortonville to a stint on the Madison Heights city council to her family’s decision to rent a house in the Bryant neighborhood and open a studio, LullCo, in Airport Plaza. It is “a heterogeneous hub for artists and skilled trades professionals and students” where Clark also sells supplies and materials, including a range of “dead stock” textiles, mostly for upholstery but some for quilting and clothing too. Free fixtures from a closed Joann Fabric store helped furnish the space.

Local Catholics thrill at ties to American pope: The new Chicago-born pontiff, Leo XIV, went to a seminary high school in Holland, MI, and was assigned in his first ordained post to St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, Eve Silberman writes in this month’s Observer. Fr. Dan Dixon of St. Mary Student Parish says, “People are very excited about feeling a connection with him.” At St. Francis, a parishioner shared a photo of himself with the future pope when the former Robert Prevost was a cardinal.

Darren Criss wins Tony: The 2009 U-M alum took home the award for best lead actor in a musical for “Maybe Happy Ending” at Sunday’s ceremony. Criss, who shot to fame on the TV show “Glee,” did not shout out U-M in his Tony acceptance speech; in 2018, when he won an Emmy for his portrayal of serial killer Andrew Cunanan, he finished his remarks by hoisting the trophy in the air and saying, “Go Blue.”

Hail to Victoria and Valiant: Those are the names given to a pair of peregrine falcon chicks born in a nesting box atop North Quad after the Michigan Department of Natural Resources asked for the public’s advice on what to call them, the University Record writes. More than 1,400 names were submitted, including Feather Locklear, Stephen Squawking, and Zinger Man.

Five Guys, Penn Station, Wing Snob now serving at Jackson and Zeeb roads: The trio of restaurants are all in a new out-lot building in front of Meijer, Dave Algase writes in this month’s Observer. Five Guys, the Virginia-based burger chain, opened early in May, and since then, Cincinnati-based sandwich shop Penn Station East Coast Subs and Wing Snob, a chain founded in Detroit, have also opened. A UPS Store is coming soon.

Burlington takes old HomeGoods berth: A sign on the building on Carpenter Rd. south of Packard Ave. promises the clothing retailer is “coming soon,” a2view reports. HomeGoods relocated to Arborland last year. There is currently one Burlington in Ann Arbor located in Maple Village; the company boasts more than 1,100 locations across the U.S. Forbes reports the Vermont-based chain expects to open 500 new stores between 2024 and 2028.

Skechers opens in Arborland: The world’s third-largest footwear chain took over the space that had been housing only the temporary, seasonal Halloween City store since Arhaus moved up Washtenaw Ave. in 2013, Algase writes in this month’s Observer. It’s the company’s fifteenth Michigan store and, at 14,420 square feet, appears to have the second-largest footprint in town among shoe stores. DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, just steps away, is the largest.

Top of the Park seeks volunteers: The two-week festival, which begins Friday, still needs helpers willing to serve as greeters to provide directions, hand out guides, and collect donations. Also, the festival needs “footprint volunteers” to help guests minimize its environmental impact by sorting their discards into compost, recyclable, or landfill bins. Click here to be a greeter or here to be a festival footprint volunteer.

Ypislanti trades program builds skills, confidence in youth and adults: Founded by construction veteran Lawyer Vaughn, the Trades Program for Youth and Adults offers training in tool safety, carpentry, teamwork, and networking, Concentrate reports. Programs like TradeScouts, TradesCamp, and TradesUp help students build confidence while creating projects like Little Free Libraries and toy boxes. “It’s more than just building,” student Christian Reeves says. “It taught me life skills.” 

EMU newspaper offers summer volunteer guide: The Eastern Echo writes up a variety of opportunities to help in coming months, including tutoring for Washtenaw Literacy, helping out in the store and food pantry at Corner Health Center, or assisting the programming for the Work and Play Disability Community Center.

By Jennifer Taylor

Friday: At the Ann Arbor Asian Night Market, dip into a Midwestern version of a traditional Asian night market, with food and artisan crafts for sale. Also, at 6 p.m., a performance by a J-pop/K-pop/C-pop dance troupe as well as Chinese folk music performances. 5 to 9 p.m., Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit St. Free.

Saturday: Celebrate the 1865 announcement of the emancipation from slavery in Texas at Ann Arbor’s “31st Annual Juneteenth,” with kids activities and games, food vendors, crafts and other items for sale. Preceded at 10 a.m. by a unity march to Wheeler Park; gather at 9 a.m. in Fuller Park, 1519 Fuller. Noon–6 p.m., Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St. Free. (734) 761–9084. 

Sunday: Meet comic artists at the Ann Arbor District Library’s Comic Arts Festival, where you can take part in workshops and quick draws, buy comic books, and more. Today: talks by children’s writers and illustrators, a mini comic workshop (2:30 p.m.), a talk by middle-grade graphic novelist Tony Weaver Jr. (1:15 p.m.), and more. Sat. and Sun. , 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., AADL Downtown. Free.

See the Observer’s online calendar for many more local events. 

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