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County Government
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell Weighs in on the War in Gaza
by Rep. Debbie Dingell
On Nov. 30, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released a statement addressing the increase in hate crimes in the U.S., and calling for the continued release of all hostages. Mrs. Dingell is calling for a…
Postcard Paid for With Mental Health Millage Money Claims “Dramatic” Increases in Services
by P.D. Lesko
"This mental health system finally broke me...abandoned by whomever was supposed to be helping me every step of the way. Drs Madjar and Bright seemed to care but every other person or 'team' let me drop through the cracks;…
Violent Crime and Growing Homelessness Are Destroying Ypsilanti and Its Small Businesses
9/20/23: This story was edited to remove a mention of the Ypsilanti Public Library.
by Monica Ross-Williams
“I’m 83-years-old, have lived in Ypsilanti all my life and I’m afraid to visit downtown Ypsilanti,” an Ypsilanti community…
Is Ypsi Twp. Targeting a “Black-Owned Business,” or Protecting the Township From a Dangerous Public Nuisance?
by P.D. Lesko
At the Aug. 24 hearing on the matter of Ypsilanti Twp. vs. Ardis Lewis, Jr., Men Like Us and Lily Investments, Inc. before the Honorable Timothy P. Connors in the Washtenaw County Trial Court, the podium was crowded. The…
Supreme Felons, Inc. Loses Non-Profit Status, Group no Longer Eligible to Receive Money From County $1.2M Grant
Due to the revocation of its non-profit status, Supreme Felons, Inc. is in direct violation of its contract with Washtenaw County. By violating terms of its Jan. 2023 contract, the non-profit became ineligible to receive any portion of the…
Supreme Felons, Inc. Supporters Harass and Threaten Ypsi Township Trustees During Meeting
by P.D. Lesko
The cajoling, race-baiting, and threatening public comments started at 5:30 p.m. and went for more than three hours during the Aug. 15 meeting of the Ypsilanti Twp. Trustees. On the agenda was a resolution to demand the…
Ypsi Police Chief and County Sheriff Sign Secret “Mutual Aid Agreement” Without Votes of Elected Officials
Ypsi Police Chief Kirk L. Moore, in a secret memo to his staff provided to The Ann Arbor Independent, says the YPD is undermanned and can't investigate capital crimes such as murder and attempted murder. In the memo, he announces he has…
County Chief Asst. Prosecutor Now Owes $5,000 in Late Campaign Finance Fees
by P. D. Lesko
According to the Wayne County Clerk and campaign finance records, Washtenaw County Chief Asst. Prosecutor Victoria Burton-Harris is on her way to being referred for prosecution by the Michigan Attorney General. Under AG…
Murder Up 300 Percent, Attempted Murder Up 89 Percent in Washtenaw County Since 2021
by P.D. Lesko
According to Washtenaw County Trial Court records, between June 19, 2020 and July 19, 2021, five people in Washtenaw County were arrested and charged with murder, including Open Murder, Felony Murder and 2nd Degree Murder.…
Crime Report: Over Last 30 Days, in Ypsi and Ypsi Twp. 498 Crimes Reported, Including Six Murders
Editor: With this column, The Ann Arbor Independent launches Crime Reports for Washtenaw County cities and townships. The weekly Crime Report will also include Trial Court prosecutions of Capital Felonies charged by the County Prosecutor,…