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The county’s Covid-19 snapshot reports 1,151 cases in the two weeks ending yesterday, down a bit from last week’s 1,243. The county remains at a “medium” CDC risk level, which it entered last week. Data on the weekly test positivity rate and cases per 100,000 residents, compiled by MI Safe Start, is unavailable because the organization is changing to a Tuesday/Friday update schedule.
The county health department began offering Covid vaccines for children six months through four years old today. A parent or guardian must be present, and vaccinations are by appointment only. The move follows the CDC and FDA approval and recommendation of the vaccine for the age bracket last week.
Ann Arbor Public Schools made masks optional indoors in the wake of the county’s risk level being downgraded. The district says it remains “mask friendly.”
The state unemployment agency’s shortcomings during the pandemic have put residents through “unemployment hell,” Jan Schlain reports for the Observer. Asked to provide the same information over and over again, some recipients were asked to repay funds they had long since spent. Now, a court of claims judge has ordered the agency to halt collection efforts for those appealing an overpayment, MLive reports.
A Michigan Supreme Court judge denounced the handling of a Washtenaw criminal case, MLive reports (subscriber exclusive). Jacob LaBelle was convicted of shooting a delivery driver by a jury, only to be granted a new trial and then have the case sent to peacemaking court. In an opinion accompanying a June 10 order dismissing an appeal, justice David Viviano wrote that the case’s handling “shows a blatant disregard for the jury’s service and raises troubling questions about judge-shopping, favoritism and unequal treatment.”
Michigan Medicine nurses marched last Thursday to gain support in contract negotiations, the Michigan Daily and Michigan Advance report. U-M’s contract with 6,200 nurses is set to expire June 30, and the union wants enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios, increased wages, hazard pay, and other changes.
U-M is extending its $15 minimum wage to temporary and student employees, the Daily reports. The increase from $9.87 an hour goes into effect July 1.
Packard Rd. between US-23 and Carpenter closes Monday for repairs. Work is expected to last eight weeks and a detour will be posted.
Two I-94 ramps from Huron St. in Ypsi are closed until at least August, the city announced. Nighttime lane closures continue tonight and tomorrow to install safety equipment below the bridge in preparation for its reconstruction, which will add a safe crossing for cyclists and pedestrians.
Avalon Housing was awarded $1.5 million in tax credits for a planned 50-unit affordable housing project, the nonprofit announced in a press release. Meanwhile, the Thrive Collaborative held a ceremonial groundbreaking last Saturday for its adjacent 99-unit, net-zero energy development, Veridian at County Farm.
Ann Arbor is limiting the items it accepts for curbside recycling. Shredded paper and scrap metal now must be delivered to the Drop-Off-Station on Ellsworth, and the only plastics accepted are rinsed and dry 1, 2, and 5 bottles, tubs, and containers. It’s asking residents to put out their carts next week even if they don’t need to be emptied so crews can add stickers explaining the rules.
Northfield Township’s County Clean-Up Day is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Whitmore Lake High School. Households can dispose of appliances, scrap metal, bulky waste, electronics, tires, and household hazardous waste.
Brian Marl announced he’s running for a sixth term as mayor of Saline, the Saline Post reports. In office since 2012, Marl said his priorities for another term include economic recovery, filling vacant storefronts, and bringing new jobs and services to the city.
The documentary Welcome to Commie High plays tomorrow at the Michigan Theater as part of Community High School’s fiftieth anniversary celebrations and All-Class Reunion, Eve Silberman reports for the Observer. The film traces Community’s evolution from the “free school” movement of the ‘60s and 70s to a “rigorous academic college preparatory magnet school.”
After losing his sight over the last few years, bibliophile Ed Surovell is determined to give away his private book collection, Bridge reports. Over the last year the veteran realtor has donated around 400 books, many of them rare, to Ann Arbor libraries. The gift is valued at about $300,000 already, but Surovell is determined to keep going until his 10,000-book collection is winnowed down to the couple dozen.
Steve Latta and Mark Michaels — researchers, conservationists, and punk fans — joined forces in 2019 to track down the near-extinct ivory-billed woodpecker, the pair report for the Observer. Together, they hope to prove the continued existence of the bird, of which there has been no undisputed sighting since 1944.
A pair of hatchlings were born to the peregrine falcon couple who took up residence atop North Quad in 2017, MLive reports. U-M staffers who manage the nesting box installed at the top of the building have named the baby birds Conor and Norah.
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