After several weeks in which I had plenty to say in this space, I don’t have anything all that profound or interesting to share right now. So I’ll just wish a happy birthday to my mother one day late – yes, I called! – and invite you to browse the news which has been dutifully digested for you here as usual.

– Steve Friess, editor
…with help from Anna McLean

Dem regent calls for probe into GOP colleague’s lobbying: Republican Sarah Hubbard recused herself from any negotiations with Blue Cross Blue Shield last week after the Detroit News (paywall) alerted several of her fellow regents that her firm is paid by the insurance giant to represent its interests in Lansing. Still, Jordan Acker, a Democrat, called for an investigation into whether Hubbard violated any ethics rules or state laws by participating as a regent in closed-door talks with BCBS on hospital reimbursement rates. In a subsequent article in MLive, Hubbard called the move ”a political attack from those frustrated with recent developments at U-M. The bottom line is that I have zero involvement with BCBSM on contract negotiations and my limited work with BCBSM has been well-known for years.” 

Nessel, Dingell tussle over state charges against pro-Palestinian demonstrators: The attorney general said at a West Bloomfield Twp. forum this week she was egged on to prosecute protesters at U-M’s encampment by the Ann Arbor congresswoman’s office, but Dingell’s spokeswoman said she did not do so, Drop Site News reports. The outlet points to a letter from Nessel’s office to U-M in May 2024 in which the AG offered prosecutorial assistance in pressing charges against protesters and noting that potential offenses, including vandalism of U-M officials’ property, took place in multiple jurisdictions. Nessel abruptly dropped charges against seven protesters accused of obstructing police as they removed a pro-Gaza encampment from the Diag last spring. Lawyers for those charged were suing to remove the AG’s office from the prosecution, arguing Nessel, who is Jewish, showed bias against supporters of Palestine. 

Ono removes name from letter defending higher ed independence: The former U-M president was a signer of an April 22 missive along with more than 600 other educational leaders expressing alarm over “unprecedented government overreach” and “political interference.” Last week, MLive reports, Ono asked to have his name removed, according to American Association of Colleges and Universities spokesperson David Tritelli. The presidents of MSU, Wayne State and Western Michigan have signed the letter; Domenico Grasso, named last week to be interim U-M president pending regent confirmation today, is now on the list. Ono, meanwhile, penned an essay for Inside Higher Ed to explain he’s heading to University of Florida because he believes he can make it the nation’s best public university. It included a not-so-veiled shot at the regents, noting of Florida that “the alignment between the Board of Trustees, the Board of Governors, the governor and the Legislature is rare in higher education.” 

Regents expected to OK $8M to save homes where famous students lived: The Raoul Wallenberg House at 308 E. Madison St. will be moved to a lot besides the Arthur Miller House on S. Division St. under a proposal before the board for consideration at today’s meeting. They will then be connected by an 845-square-foot addition and renovated to “provide flexible administrative and dry research areas.” MLive reports that the board will also act on another $8 million proposal to remove fifty-one houses between Madison and Hill streets to make way for the second phase of the new Central Campus dorm complex. The Wallenberg House was recently named for U-M alum Raoul Wallenberg, who as a Swedish diplomat saved thousands of Jews from the Holocaust during World War II; the move will save it from expected demolition. Miller, the Pulitzer-winning playwright, lived in the house on Division in 1934 as a freshman.

County tells DHS it won’t voluntarily fork over ID records: Immigration officials had served Washtenaw County with a subpoena demanding the paperwork behind the identity cards it issues, MLive reports. “The County respectfully declines to voluntarily comply with the Subpoena, i.e., absent a final, unappealable order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction,” attorney Nicholas Gamse wrote on behalf of the clerk’s office.

Shelter Association warns federal budget jeopardizes $700K: The nonprofit overseeing services for unhoused people sent out an email today noting the bill moving through Congress would reduce funding for key programs within the Department of Housing and Urban Development by $3.7 billion. They estimate the result locally would be a loss of $700,000.

Experts, activists fear for Great Lakes amid research cuts: ProPublica zeroed in on the potential damage to the critical freshwater resource caused by the gutting of staff at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor. The loss of staff means “there are serious gaps in this year’s monitoring of algal blooms,” and further severe cuts appear to be in the offing as the Trump administration attacks “a variety of climate-dominated research, data, and grant programs, which are not aligned with Administration policy.” The Observer first reported the cuts in its April issue.

U-M dean picked as Morehouse College president: The storied historically Black Atlanta school chose F. Dubois Bowman of the School of Public Health as its new president at a moment when HBCUs face uncertainty under the Trump administration, The New York Times reports. Bowman, a Morehouse alum, takes the helm in July amid federal funding cuts and increased scrutiny of DEI initiatives. He’s been dean since 2018.

Braun Court condos approved: Council voted unanimously to allow a seven-story residential development to replace the housing court turned shopping plaza, according to city records. The proposed 89,000-square-foot building is slated to be developed by Wickfield Properties. Braun Court was once a historical LGBTQ+ center of commerce and activism as home to Aut Bar, Jim Toy Community Center, and Common Language Bookstore. The city’s design review board asked that historical elements of the space be incorporated into the new development.

Ann Arbor’s recycling bet is paying off: Council voted in 2019 to let Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA) manage the city’s revamped materials recovery facility instead of moving it to Lansing under Emterra Environmental USA, Brooke Black writes in this month’s Observer. In the six years since, the “little bitty nonprofit” has operated successfully in the “volatile” recycling industry. Sporting advanced technology that sorts polyvinyl chloride plastics, a residual rate of less than 15 percent, and a public approval rate of 87 percent, RAA has pleased the city and its residents.

Safety advocates stage die-in following fatal crash: More than fifty people laid in the roadway at E. Huron St. and N. Fourth Ave. to draw attention to unsafe traffic conditions after seventy-nine-year-old Robert Murray died crossing in a wheelchair last week, according to WEMU. John Houk, a member of the Ann Arbor Transportation Commission and owner of the Crashes in Ann Arbor website, called on council on May 5 to add protected bike lanes and other measures for Stadium Blvd. and to more generally improve road safety, a2view’s Anna McLean reports. Last week, twenty-two-year-old Areli Beraza Vilchis was charged with intoxication causing death, operating with a suspended license causing death, and failing to stop at a scene causing death in connection with Murray’s death, MLive reports.

Wrong-way driver dies in crash: A twenty-six-year-old Whitmore Lake man was killed Monday in a two-vehicle collision on eastbound M-14 near Vorhies Rd. in Superior Twp., according to an MSP news release posted on X. The motorist was pronounced dead at the scene after colliding with a semi driven by a twenty-five-year-old Ontario man, police said. Investigators believe drugs may have been a factor; anyone with information can call MSP at (810) 227-1051. 

AAPD cop accused of sexual misconduct in previous job: Dearborn Heights officers Maxwell Bearden and Hashim Zrien allege in a lawsuit that their former DHPD sergeant, Jordon Dottor, sent them explicit photos, pressured them to perform sex acts, and threatened retaliation when they resisted, the Detroit Metro Times reports. Dottor, now an AAPD officer, has been placed on leave pending an internal investigation, chief Andre Anderson told ClickOnDetroit.

8,400 gallons of raw sewage flood street: It streamed into the intersection of S. Main and W. Madison on May 7, then flowed into the Allen Creek drain and ultimately to the Huron River, the city said in a statement. The flooding was initially thought to be a water main break, but workers discovered the source was a collapsed sanitary sewer pipe, according to a May 12 press release.

Construction crew stuck on boom truck outside high-rise: Firefighters performed a “high angle rescue” of two workers who were nine stories up for more than two hours on Monday outside the Verve Ann Arbor on S. Forest Ave., according to an AAFD post on Facebook. The boom equipment had experienced a mechanical failure. Firefighters had to try a few approaches to reach the men, including removing windows from the building.

Last Word bought most booze last year: The watering hole, which bills itself as “Ann Arbor’s Premiere Cocktail & Whiskey Bar,” spent the most with the the Michigan Liquor Control Commission of any place in Washtenaw County, MLive reports. The club at Huron and First St. bought more than $288,000 in alcohol, good for fortieth in the state; No. 2 in the county was Maiz Mexican Cantina in Ypsi, which bought nearly $239,000 and came in seventy-first statewide. Michigan’s top booze buyer, Little Caesars Arena, spent a little more than $1 million.

Eli Savit announces bid for AG: Washtenaw County’s top prosecutor, elected to a second term last year, is running to replace Dana Nessel, who is term-limited, CBS News reports. Savit, a Democrat and Ann Arbor native, is emphasizing his commitment to protecting constitutional rights and defending consumers against exploitation. The forty-two-year-old is a one-time law clerk for Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor and already has endorsements from the mayors of Ann Arbor, Ypsi, Saline, and Grand Rapids as well as six members of the Ann Arbor City Council, twelve state reps, three state senators, six Washtenaw County commissioners, and sheriff Alyshia Dyer. Former federal prosecutor Mark Totten of Kalamazoo is also vying for the Democratic nomination; the only announced Republican candidate is Birmingham defense lawyer Kevin Kijewski.

Saline Schools picks new superintendent: The district is hiring Rachel Kowalski, superintendent of Colon Community Schools in western Michigan, the Saline Post reports. Current superintendent Steve Laatsch retires on July 1. Kowalski’s fifty-three-page transition and entry plan, titled “A Labor of Love,” outlines her goals for the district, including hopes to boost staff retention and a call to narrow the proficiency gap in special education students’ testing scores.

Dexter superintendent to retire: Christopher Timmis announced plans to step down in February, he announced in a letter to the community posted Monday. Timmis, who has led Dexter Community Schools since 2013, reflected on the district’s progress in areas including innovation, collaboration, and community engagement. The school board says they will seek input from parents, students, staff, and community while they search for his successor. Timmis, who started his teaching career thirty years ago in Royal Oak, previously was superintendent of Adrian Public Schools.

Ypsi backs “Low Mow May” to boost pollinator habitats: The city council unanimously supported an initiative that allows residents to let grass grow to up to a foot this month, according to city records. The initiative is designed to maintain springtime habits for bees and other pollinators. Experts say yards that are mowed less tend to have more flowering plants, which can provide pollen and nectar to a “wide range of pollinators.” 

Little Break offers coworking, childcare for parents: Her own experience with postpartum depression inspired marketing professional Ariel Wan to launch the nonprofit Mamas Network last year, Brooke Black writes in this month’s Observer. Last month, Wan also opened Little Break at 3909 Research Park Dr., where members can work, play with their children, take time alone, or socialize with other parents. “When you gather people together that are wanting the same thing, everything just happens naturally, and organically, and problems can be solved,” Wan says. Nonmembers can also buy drop-in day passes depending on space availability in the childwatch program.

Ducklings rescued from sewer on Mother’s Day: Do-Hee Morsman called the Ann Arbor Fire Department on Sunday after her thirteen-year-old daughter realized the newly hatched fowl had fallen into the grate outside their Buhr Park home and were clamoring for their mom, MLive reports. “You could hear the ducklings just – they were so noisy, even though it was so far away, you could hear them all,” Morsman said. “And the mother duck was just beside herself.” Firefighters used a long pole and a net to pull all but one of the ducklings out of the drain.

Busch’s hosting tasting event this weekend to celebrate fiftieth anniversary: The Ann Arbor stores on Green Rd. and Main St. will boast numerous vendors offering samples and conducting demonstrations, according to an emailed press release. Participants include Blank Slate Creamery, Leelanau Cheeses, Little Diablo Salsa, Pop Daddy Snacks, and Downriver Chip Co. The release also promises “special customer appreciation sales” and a “charity hot dog event” to raise money for local food banks.

Blue Tractor, Texacano close for remodeling, concept change: The owners of the sister restaurant on E. Washington St. took to social media on Tuesday to announce the closures but offered little detail. Mission Restaurant Group partner Jon Carlson told MLive that the downstairs Mash Bar remains open on weekends and the other locations should reopen at the end of June.

Google shutdown slows Jungle House’s launch: Owners Robbie and Hunter Weeks tell Dave Algase in this month’s Observer they suspect a competitor of their new pot shop at 338 S. Ashley St. played dirty by somehow getting their search engine page frozen after their January grand opening. The time the search giant took to process their appeal cost them some early visibility, especially crucial for a family business. The couple have also leased the house next door and are in a bit of a race with Crave Cannabis on Research Park Dr. to launch the city’s first on-site consumption lounge.

Friends Indeed silent auction closes tonight: Bidding closes at 7:30 p.m. in the fundraiser to support the nonprofit, which provides a range of support services for local families. The list of prizes includes trips, gift certificates, show tickets, and artwork. Click here. The online auction coincides with the charity’s annual fundraising dinner, which starts at 6 p.m. at WCC. For tickets, click here.

Ann Arbor YMCA offers free summer memberships for teachers, water safety courses for kids: Educators and staff in Washtenaw County and southern Livingston County can sign up to use the facility for free through September by clicking here. Parents can sign up their kids, ages three to twelve, for free half-hour water safety courses that will be held during the week of June 23 by clicking here. That link can also be used to sign up for free July safety classes at various apartment complexes around the county owned by Ann Arbor-based property manager McKinley.

Keller Williams, Roc Solid Foundation build playground for A2 boy battling leukemia: The real estate agency teamed up with the nonprofit to build the playset in the backyard of six-year-old Rayne Sorenson, WXYZ-TV Detroit reports. Roc Solid, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing hope to kids fighting cancer, builds play structures for immunocompromised kids unable to enjoy public playgrounds due to health conditions. To learn about its mission or to donate, click here.

By Jennifer Taylor

Friday: Check out the offerings of the Cinetopia International Film Festival including tonight’s 7:30 p.m. showing at Michigan Theater of the documentary “1969: Killers, Freaks, and Radicals” about a serial killer in Ann Arbor and Ypsi in the late 1960s. Also today is a 3:45 p.m. showing at the State Theater of “Where the Wind Comes From,” a Tunisian coming-of-age drama. Through Sunday. $17.25 for non-members, $13 for members, and $6.25 for students online or at the door. 

Saturday: Delight your family firetruck fan with a visit to the City of Ann Arbor’s Public Safety Open House, where staff from the Fire Department, Police Department, and Emergency Management discuss and demonstrate the vehicles, dogs, and other tools they use. Closed block of Fifth Ave. between Ann St. and Huron St. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Downtown Fire Station 1, 111 N. Fifth Ave. Free.

Sunday: Watch or join the 59th Annual Manchester River Raisin Amateur Canoe and Kayak Races from Fellows Bridge on Sharon Valley Rd. to downtown Manchester. Refreshments. Noon, Fellows Bridge, Sharon Hollow. $25 entry fee (canoe rentals, $35). Preregistration required here.

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

Tell a friend about a2view

For Sponsorship and Advertising information 
Email:  [email protected]

Did this email get forwarded to you? 
Sign up to receive a2view direct to your inbox.