Browsing Category
County Government
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell Talks About the Government Shutdown
by Rep. Debbie Dingell
So yes, we have a government shutdown, and no one should want this. Democrats have been in Washington wanting to have bipartisan discussions, but Republicans don’t want to talk. I want to remind people that the…
Washtenaw County Appeal of A2Indy FOIA Case Win Gets Shot Down in Michigan Court of Appeals
by P.D. Lesko
Miller Johnson attorney James A. Buster faced three incredulous Michigan Appeals Court judges. The first question asked of Mr. Buster was telling: "Why isn't this moot?" Buster offered no arguments why his appeal on…
Suicide Among Southeast Michigan’s Youth: A Health Crisis Call to Action
by Stephen Modell, M.D. and Sarah Hartzell, Ph.D.
Youth suicide prevention in Southeast Michigan and nationally has, this last year, experienced fits and starts. In October 2024, Superior Township leadership voted its final approval…
Trump Administration Removes List Targeting Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County As Refusing to Cooperate with Federal Immigration Law
by P.D. Lesko
“Sanctuary” has no legal definition. The term encompasses a range of protection for immigrants, particularly those living in the U.S. illegally. Most often, the laws put legal limits on how law enforcement in those…
County Has Paid Outside Law Firm Over $10K to Fight A2Indy’s FOIA Suit
by P.D. Lesko
On June 3, 2024, the Ann Arbor Independent filed a FOIA lawsuit in the Washtenaw County Trial Court against Washtenaw County. The suit was filed to compel the County to release the background check done on Sheriff’s…
Washtenaw County Sheriff Appoints Former Romantic Partner to Head HR and Training
4/8/25: Updated with a comment from Sheriff Alyshia Dyer.
by P.D. Lesko
Sheriff Alyshia Dyer appointed Jeremiah Richardson as her Dept.'s HR and training manager. Richardson and Dyer were romantic partners, as well as patrol…
Sheriff’s Data Show Since $1.2M Grant to Supreme Felons, Inc for “Violence Interruption,” Crime is Up in the Group’s “Neighborhood Watch”…
by P.D. Lesko
Billy Cole, President and CEO of non-profit Supreme Felons, Inc. doesn't want to talk about the rising crimes rates in the areas where his neighborhood watch teams patrol. He doesn't want to talk about the fact that in…
Michigan ACLU Sues ICE to Obtain Records for Immigrants Being Held in Michigan Jails
by Ann Mullen
The ACLU of Michigan and the national ACLU filed a federal lawsuit on Jan. 22 to force U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Michigan county jails it contracts with, to release records about detained…
County Homeowners May Be Entitled to 25-100 Percent Property Tax Abatements
by P.D. Lesko
In October 2024, Michigan had a foreclosure rate of one in every 3,918 housing units. The counties with the highest foreclosure activity were Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Genesee, and Kent. In 2024, Washtenaw County's Treasurer…
State Orders County Racial Equity Officer Derrick Jackson to Immediately Stop Practicing Social Work and Using the Title “Social Worker”
by P.D. Lesko
Download and read the State's Cease and Desist letter:
CD_Service_Packet_-_Jackson__Derrick_-_68-24-002509Download
On Sept. 9, 2024, the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of…