Is there a worse, more awkward parking lot in Ann Arbor than the cul-de-sac outside the Starbucks at Arborland? No, really – I’m asking! That one is unforgivably awful; it’s the reason I avoid that Starbucks even if that’s what I’m jonesing. There is, after all, a perfectly civilized way to park (or just drive through!) at another one a half-mile east on Washtenaw.

But it made me wonder: What lousy parking lots do you hate? Write me! I want a list.

Unlike that chaotic bit of asphalt, your news is arranged for you here nice and neatly. The U-M athletics department needed a bailout, the neighbors around Thurston Nature Area are still very angry, those controversial beaver deaths became even more controversial, and this year’s Miss Michigan has local ties and a really interesting story.

Also, if you want to see your tax dollars at work in a literal way, watch this super-cool time-lapse video the county posted of the forty-eight-hour installation of a pedestrian tunnel under the railroad tracks.

Happy Juneteenth, everyone!

– Steve Friess, editor
…with help from Anna McLean

Anti-Trump protests draw thousands downtown: They were among millions across the country who marched in “No Kings” demonstrations against the president’s immigration, education, civil rights, environment, and foreign policy agendae, ClickOnDetroit writes. The largest day of mass demonstrations drew attention away from the much-derided, poorly attended $45 million parade in Washington D.C. going on at the same time to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army and, apparently, the president’s birthday, Rolling Stone reports.

Debbie Dingell on hit list of alleged Minnesota assassin: The Ann Arbor congresswoman was among dozens of Democrats said by investigators to be listed as possible targets by Vance Boelter, the man charged with the murder of a Minnesota state representative and her husband as well as the shooting of a state senator and his wife, CBS Detroit reports. At a town hall meeting on Monday while the manhunt for Boelter was still underway, Dingell said: “It’s very important to me that we continue and carry on. We cannot let terrorists terrorize us.” Other Michigan politicians on a list that accompanied a manifesto included secretary of state Jocelyn Benson and three other Democratic members of Congress, the Michigan Advance writes. 

Contractor begins Thurston work despite pending lawsuits: Video posted by Let Thurston Play, the citizens group opposing the location of the planned replacement school for Thurston Elementary, shows Gilbane Development moving heavy machinery onto the site where, they say it “began working without fencing or even caution tape.” The group is alarmed for the safety of local children and the damage to nesting animals as well as the fact that the equipment is “well beyond the construction plan that was shared with the public (and EGLE for permitting).” Judge Patrick Conlin is expected next week to hear arguments in two lawsuits, one brought by a group of Thurston parents and another by the nonprofit Friends of TNC, seeking to halt the new school’s construction.

Trap used to kill beavers outlawed in 2021: The city banned the conibear trap, but that’s what Washtenaw County Water Resources used to remove five of the critters from a creek along Leslie Park Golf Course earlier this month, according to a blog post from the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Water resources chief deputy Harry Sheehan has said the traps are permitted under state law. HSHV CEO Tanya Hilgendorf lambasted the county, noting that “when conflict arose, the only response was lethal removal – reportedly using gruesome conibear traps that are illegal in Ann Arbor.” She writes that pond levelers and Beaver Deceivers “are simple, affordable tools that manage conflicts—without harming beavers or disrupting their habitat.” According to a press release from county water resources commissioner Gretchen Driskell, the conibear traps were chosen “because the other two options would seem to result in more prolonged deaths, possibly by drowning.” Driskell writes that she has “reached out to the Humane Society of Huron Valley and await their assistance in finding a better approach” in the future.      

U-M Athletics balances budget with $15M from general fund: The money is needed to cover increased expenses in response to a recent court settlement, including more than $20 million in revenue shared with student-athletes and more than $6 million for additional scholarships, the University Record writes. The budget anticipates revenue of $1.7 million from this fall’s first-ever concert at the Big House headlined by country star Zach Bryan, but also a $19.1 million reduction because there will only be six home football games in the 2025 season, two less than last season.

Regents buy 124 acres for two AI supercomputing facilities: The board voted to acquire the land along Textile Rd. in Ypsilanti Twp. for $8.1 million for a planned research partnership with the Los Alamos National Laboratory, WXYZ reports. The university plans to establish research and computing centers focused on artificial intelligence; neighbors worry about the economic and environmental impacts, and activists opposed to developing AI for military applications disrupted a conference on the project, MLive reports (paywall). A rally against the development is scheduled for Saturday at noon in North Hydro Park.

New comprehensive plan draft released: The sixty-eight-page document reflects changes requested by the planning commission, including a three-story height limit for the proposed “low-rise residential” zones in what are now one- and two-family neighborhoods. Other changes include allowing high-rises in parts of the new “transition” districts and the replacement of industrial flex districts with mixed-use zones. The planning commission will review the draft at its meetings on Tuesday and on July 1. Council action is expected in December.

Public bathrooms will stick around: Council approved a $541,000 contract this week to keep the eight blue and white Throne Labs restrooms downtown for the next year, according to city records. The Downtown Development Authority is paying $170,000 toward the cost. Under the new contract, the city can renew the contract up to four more times.

Public forum to discuss ballot measures set for Tuesday: Voters are invited to learn about Proposals A and B, which seek to amend the city charter to allow the Ann Arbor District Library to build a mixed-use high-rise downtown, in a nonpartisan setting, according to a League of Women Voters press release. City councilmember Erica Briggs and AADL board chair Molly Kleinman will argue in favor of the proposals, while A2 Library Green Conservancy president Rita Mitchell and community activist Ralph McKee will explain their opposition. The event will run from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Liberty St. The Observer traced the genesis of the proposal in its May issue. 

Road closures updates: The Maple Rd. (Foster) bridge over the Huron River between Huron River Dr. and Country Club Rd. is closed indefinitely for emergency repairs, according to the Washtenaw County Road Commission. In Ann Arbor, Seventh St. between Sunnyside Blvd. and Potter Ave. is closed until June 30 for water-main construction at the Seventh St.-Pauline intersection. North University between State and Thayer streets will close on Monday to Thursday to replace a fire hydrant. S. Maple Rd. between Stadium Blvd. and Winewood Ave. is closed until June 27 to install a water main. E. William St. between Hamilton Pl. and S. Division St. reopens Friday after a weeklong closure to install utility lines. 

AAPS libraries add 547 “cultural-affirming” books: The district is spending about $190,000 to stock a wide range of recent books mostly by indigenous authors or about indigenous topics, MLive reports (paywall). The purchase aims to build what may become the largest native-authored collection in Michigan’s schools. Here’s the list of the titles purchased. 

See installation of pedestrian tunnel in 56 seconds: The county posted this riveting time-lapse video of the forty-eight-hour, round-the-clock effort earlier this month that placed a walkway under railroad tracks to connect Barton Nature Area and Bandemer Park. The pathway project, estimated to cost about $5.5 million, will be completed by fall and will be part of the Border-to-Border Trail.

Decomposing body found in west side woods: Police are investigating the death as suspicious, but its condition is making it difficult to determine the person’s identity, MLive reports. The body was found in the 400 block of S. Maple Rd. Anyone with information can call AAPD at (734) 294-6920, email the tip line at [email protected], or submit a tip at aapd.a2gov.org/silentwitness.

Ten-year-old cyclist killed by car: The boy was crossing the road near the intersection of Tuttle Hill and Merritt roads in Ypsilanti Twp. when he was struck by a vehicle going north, police tell MLive. He was declared dead on the scene. Police are investigating the circumstances but do not believe speed, drugs, or alcohol were a factor.

Driver killed in dump truck crash: Firefighters from Northfield and Ann Arbor townships had to extricate the forty-seven-year-old from Flint after his vehicle popped a tire on Monday, skidded off southbound US-23 near North Territorial Rd., and collided with a tree, MSP writes on social media. He, too, was declared dead at the scene.

Police chase reaches 130 mph, ends in I-94 crash: The pursuit began when officers responded to reports of gunfire at a home in Van Buren Twp. in which a fifty-four-year-old man was critically injured, according to a press release from the Van Buren Twp. police. Two twenty-three-year-old suspects fled, leading police into Washtenaw County in a chase that topped out at 130 mph, a police detective told MLive (paywall). The pursuit ended when the car crashed near I-94 and US-23. The suspects, who were not injured, were taken into custody.

Ypsi man sentenced to 15 years for child exploitation: Mubasher Riaz, forty-one, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor after investigators found he solicited nude images from kids as young as eleven through Snapchat and engaged in sexual activity with at least one victim, according to a Justice Department press release. Riaz also was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution.

Former Superior Twp. trustee sentenced for misappropriating employee funds: Nancy Caviston, who served seven terms on the township board, pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of violating wage and fringe benefits and was ordered to pay $2,193.84 in restitution, MLive reports (paywall). Embezzlement charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Caviston, who did not run for re-election and left office at the end of her term in 2024, misused funds from employees of her insurance agency. None of her misconduct involved public funds or her role as a trustee.

Vacant nursing home to become family emergency shelter: The Trinity Health-owned building on the hospital’s main campus in Superior Twp. will be operated by Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House, according to a press release. Supported by a $1 million state grant, the partially vacant building will have thirty living units with up to four beds and private bathrooms. The county says more than 100 parents and children are typically on the waiting list for the existing family shelter on Jackson Rd. Trinity will lease the space to Alpha House for $1 a year.

More than 600 Ann Arbor, Ypsi students experienced homelessness in 2023-24: Data from the Michigan Department of Education shows that AAPS recorded 336 unhoused students and YCS reported 291, MLive reports (paywall). Most were living temporarily with another family; officials say the true numbers are likely higher, as many families don’t report unstable housing due to stigma or fear.

Scio Twp. evicts caretaker group from aging barn: Friends of the Scio Twp. Barn, built in the 1930s, has been repairing, painting, and insuring the red structure at the northwest corner of a roundabout at Wagner and Scio Church roads for twenty years, but their lease expired last month, MLive reports. The township owns the barn and has given the group until the end of June to vacate; the group didn’t pay rent but did cover the cost of some repairs, paint, and liability insurance, and mowed and maintained the property. Scio officials may use the barn for storage or sell it.

Local restaurant industry jittery as tipped-wage debate swirls: Owners and servers alike are unsure how the recent increases in the minimum wage will impact them, Cynthia Furlong Reynolds writes in this month’s Observer. Adding to the uncertainty is the prospect that Congress may approve an exemption on taxes for tips and fears that economic stresses could force eateries to raise prices. 

Masonic mystery downtown: Developer Reza Rahmani has the OK to gut, renovate and add two stories to the nineteenth-century building at 215-217 S. Main, but the work has stopped without explanation, Sally Mitani writes in this month’s Observer. One previous tenant, Urban Jewelers, closed in 2017, while  shoe store Footprints moved around the corner to E. Washington St. two years ago. Long gone, but not forgotten, are the Royal Arch Masons (Washtenaw Chapter 6), the Knights Templar (Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13), and the Ann Arbor-Fraternity Lodge No. 262 of the Free & Accepted Masons – until recently, they all advertised their new locations in posters on the boarded-up front. 

A2 composer places third in international contest: Jeff Holtzman was honored in the 2024/2025 Emerging Composers Competition sponsored by Jâca, an international award-winning clarinet and guitar duo, according to a press release. Holtzman is a semi-retired software developer who describes himself on his website as “an old retired guy, writing music.” Hear his winning composition, “Suite for Clarinet and Guitar,” here.

AAPS teacher crowned Miss Michigan, advocates for mental health: Hannah Palmer, a third-grade teacher at Haisley and founder of the nonprofit Sunflower Project, plans to use her platform to promote mental health awareness, WXYZ reports. Palmer, who survived five attempts to die by suicide, openly shares her struggles with depression and anxiety to encourage others to check in on loved ones and seek help. She will represent the state in the Miss America competition in January. Five Michiganders have won the storied competition.

Kirkland’s Home due to close Friday: Everything at the household decor shop is discounted by at least 30 percent as the Maple Village spot shuts down, Dave Algase writes in this month’s Observer. The Tennessee-based chain opened here in 2017. Brixmor Property Group confirms that Rally House will move to the 8,355-square-foot space, which is more than twice the size of the Maple Village storefront it opened last year.

Native artisan’s shop returns to mall: NTVES, featuring handcrafted indigenous clothing, accessories, and gifts, is back after leaving Briarwood for a three-year stint at Twelve Oaks Mall, Dave Algase writes in this month’s Observer. Crafts inspired by Kichwa Nation culture from Otavalo, Ecuador, in the Andean highlands include alpaca-wool blankets and ponchos. Owner Inty Muenala has also opened the adjacent INTY.M Gallery, selling original prints by his own and other artists’ work.

Yemeni cafe to take over as original Ahmo’s relocates: The Middle Eastern restaurant is expected to reopen on S. State St. by fall, according to a notice on the company’s website. Meanwhile, its old berth at 341 E. Huron St. will become Jabal Coffee House, an offshoot of a cafe with locations in Dearborn and Mississauga, Ontario, MLive reports. According to Jabal’s website, the company plans to add eleven new locations across the United States. It has already missed the spring opening projected there; MLive reports it is expected to open this summer.

Silent auction for Shelter Association live until Monday: The fundraiser features nearly 100 items including more than $85,000 in fine jewelry and travel packages, the nonprofit says. Proceeds go to the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, which runs a variety of programs for people experiencing homelessness. Bidding ends at 2:30 p.m. on Monday. To register and see what’s on offer, click here.

FedUp Ministries pastor lands $100K grant on “The Kelly Clarkson Show”: Anna Taylor-McCants was surprised when the host announced the gift to support her work feeding those in need, WXYZ reports. FedUp, a Ypsi-based nonprofit, operates a food truck that provides free meals, hygiene services, and community outreach around the county. Taylor-McCants says the money will go toward a physical hub for the charity’s operations. She appeared on the talk show as a finalist for the Pilot Pen G2 Overachievers award.

Donor gives $40M for U-M specialty care center: Kenneth Eisenberg, former chairman and CEO of Kenwal Steel, designated $25 million of the sum to support Michigan Medicine’s first clinic in Oakland County, the University Record writes. Regents last week approved naming the clinic the Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Troy Center for Specialty Care; Frances Eisenberg died last November. The balance will go to the health center’s Eisenberg Family Depression Center, to which the couple gave $30 million in 2021. The new clinic, on the site of the former Kmart headquarters in Troy, is expected to open in 2027.

By Jennifer Taylor

Friday: Follow the Residential College’s annual Shakespeare in the Arb production, this year the high-spirited farce “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” The play features the roguish knight Falstaff trying to charm his way into the hearts and purses of two ladies who decide to beat him at his own game. The action moves from spot to spot within the Arb as audience members follow on foot; bring a lightweight chair or blanket to sit on. Through June 29, 6:30 p.m., starts at the Peony Garden entrance at 1610 Washington Heights. $25 (Matthaei-Arb members, $20; kids, $15) in advance only at mutotix.umich.edu. (734) 763-8587.

Saturday: Check out the “Showcase of New & Remodeled Homes and Outdoor Living,” a tour of ten new homes, two outdoor projects, and three remodels in Ann Arbor, Saline, Chelsea, and Whitmore Lake, hosted by the Builders & Remodelers Association. Sat. and Sun, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10 (kids age sixteen and under, free) in advance online or by cash or check only at the door. 

Sunday: At tonight’s Top of the Park on the Rackham stage, sway to the Balkan Paradise Orchestra (7:30 p.m.), an all-female brass and percussion ensemble from Barcelona known for fresh interpretations of traditional Balkan folk tunes. The music is followed at 9:30 p.m. by a screening of The Wild Robot, the 2024 Oscar-nominated animated film about a robot stranded on an island. 4 to 11 p.m., Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Ingalls Mall at Washington. Free, but donations accepted. (734) 994–5999. 

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

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