Michigan football opened the doors to still photographers for a portion of practice on the field outside of the Al Glick Field House on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Check out the gallery and see some new and familiar faces getting ready for the season.
The first game is less than four weeks away on Aug. 31, 2013 against Central Michigan University.
Melanie Maxwell is a staff photographer for AnnArbor.com.
University of Michigan police are investigating four reports of larcenies made Wednesday, including two incidents where items were stolen when left unattended during the day.
Courtesy of U-M Police
According to the university’s crime summary, the first incident was reported at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday in the Electrical Engineering buildings, 1301 Beal. A computer router and an accessory were stolen from an office sometime between July 17 and July 28, according to police.
At 1:33 p.m., police responded to the University of Michigan Hospital, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive. A purse was reportedly stolen from an unattended office between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
A University of Michigan laptop was reported stolen at 2:57 p.m. Wednesday in West Hall, 1085 S. University Ave. The theft occurred in a lab sometime between Wednesday and April 20.
The final incident was reported at 4:03 p.m. Wednesday in the Duderstadt Building, 2281 Bonisteel. A backpack and a laptop were reported stolen from the third-floor library when they were left unattended between 2:30 and 3:40 p.m.
There were no suspects in any of the incidents and police continue to investigate. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the University of Michigan police at 734-763-7711.
View Millennium Project University of Michigan in a larger map
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Talk about your oldies but goodies. “The Kiss” is next up in the Michigan Theater’s Summer Classic film series, screening Sunday and Tuesday.
A 1929 drama, “The Kiss” stars Greta Garbo, Conrad Nagel and Lew Ayres (who would go on to appear in “All Quiet on the Western Front” and also play Dr. Kildare in nine movies) in his first feature film. The movie is known for being MGM and Garbo's last silent picture.
The plot revolves around Irene (Garbo), a young woman unhappily married to an older man. She is in love with a young lawyer, but unable to find a solution to continue their romance, they stop seeing each other. Irene starts spending her time with young Pierre, the son of her husband’s business associate. When he leaves for college, he begs her for a goodbye kiss. More follow, and Irene’s husband takes notice. A murder mystery and trial ensue.
The Michigan Theater screening features live organ accompaniment by Andrew Rogers, which makes for yet another good reason to see the movie.
Summer Classics film series presents “The Kiss” at the Michigan Theater, 603 E Liberty St., Sunday, Aug. 11 at 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 (with discounts for students, seniors & theater members). Details at www.michtheater.org or 734-668-8397. Advance tickets at ticketweb.com. 89 minutes. Not rated.
Ahmad Abdullah-Albasir
Courtesy of WCSO
The 30-year-old man accused of robbing four Ann Arbor businesses confessed them all in a recorded police interview played for a judge at a hearing Thursday.
Judge Richard Conlin ultimately bound three of the cases over to circuit court.
Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor John Vella used the confession as his final piece of evidence which was admitted despite an argument from Ahmed Abdullah-Albasir’s defense attorney that the statement was coerced and violated his client’s constitutional rights.
Conlin allowed the recording for preliminary examination purposes only. The recording followed testimony from employees at the Subway, GameStop and Biggby Coffee Abdullah-Albasir is accused of robbing with either a knife or a gun.
Ann Arbor police detectives also testified.
The taped confession and testimony was enough for Conlin to find probable cause the three crimes were committed and Abdullah-Albasir was the one responsible.
An examination for a fourth case involving a second Subway restaurant was adjourned until Aug. 22 because a witness could not make it to the Thursday hearing to testify.
In the taped confession, Abdullah-Albasir told police he immediately went and bought heroin after each robbery.
“I was going through withdrawals,” he told a detective during the interview. “I got desperate.”
Leaving the knife behind
The first in Abdullah-Albasir’s alleged armed robbery spree occurred April 30 at the GameStop at 3225 Washtenaw Ave.
Ryan Todd was working when the robbery suspect walked in, he testified.
“He quickly walked into the store, told (a co-worker) to get on the ground and told me to open up the register,” Todd said, adding that the suspect had a kitchen knife with a 3- to 4-inch blade on it and was wearing a ski mask.
“I was being threatened with a knife,” he testified, so he opened up the register where the suspect grabbed $234.
At this time, Todd said he noticed some markings he thought were either a tattoo or a birthmark on the suspect’s neck. In later testimony, Vella tried to link that recollection with a picture an Ann Arbor police detective took of Abdullah-Albasir’s neck showing marks and Abdullah-Albasir telling police in the taped interview he compulsively scratches and picks scabs in that area.
Todd testified that after the suspect took the money, he left the kitchen knife on a display table near the front of the store and left.
Because the suspect was wearing a ski mask, Todd could not positively identify Abdullah-Albasir, nor could any of the other witnesses since the suspect’s face in all the robberies was covered.
Cash register or espresso machine?
Later that week, on May 2, the Biggby Coffee shop at 2550 W. Stadium Blvd. was robbed at knifepoint around 3:51 p.m.
Ian O’Harris, a manager and barista at the coffee shop, said there were about 30-40 people inside at the time. O’Harris testified the suspect came in and walked straight to an area behind the counter.
“He said he did not want to hurt anyone and he pulled (a knife) out,” O’Harris said, adding the suspect pointed the knife near his ribs.
The suspect grabbed all the money from the first register and then a second register. O’Harris said the suspect pointed at a third machine on the counter.
“He asked him if there was more money,” O’Harris said. “I told him it was an espresso machine.”
The suspect then fled out the door.
“I faintly heard him say ‘Sorry,’ when he left,” said Alyssa Culler, who was also working as a barista that day.
'I thought he was going to shoot us'
On July 12, Loretta Milliner was working at the Subway at 2140 W. Stadium Blvd. around 6 p.m. when a man walked into the restaurant with a bandana on his face like a “cowboy bandit,” she testified.
Milliner said she was loading the bread carts when the man came to the counter and told her he didn’t want to hurt anyone and that she should open the cash register.
“He goes in his pocket and I see the silver tip of a gun,” she said. “I thought he was going to shoot us.”
In the taped confession, Abdullah-Albasir said he did not use a gun in any of the robberies.
Milliner testified that she opened the drawer and the suspect grabbed money and ran out the door.
Police interview
Ann Arbor police said a description of the vehicle used in the robberies was developed. A vehicle was subsequently linked to Abdullah-Albasir and police executed a search warrant at his home in the 700 block of N. Maple Road July 18.
The taped confession was made that same day. Abdullah-Albasir’s attorney, Ali Hammoud, argued Thursday that there is a point on the tape where his client clearly states he wanted a lawyer. Hammoud asked that the tape not even be played for the judge, who disagreed.
Hammoud continued to argue that the confession violated Abdullah-Albasir’s constitutional right against self-incrimination.
The recording of Ann Arbor police Detective William Stanford interviewing Abdullah-Albasir was eventually played in its entirety for the judge and courtroom.
In it, Abdullah-Albasir answers numerous questions about what vehicle he used, where he parked and what he wore at the four robberies.
At one moment, he recounts the first GameStop robbery.
“I didn’t plan on going through with it until I was at the front of the store,” he said.
Abdullah-Albasir admitted he went and bought heroin after each robbery and said he didn’t have money for rehab.
Abdullah-Albasir is charged with one count of armed robbery in each case. A count of carrying a concealed weapon was added to one case and a count of carrying a weapon with unlawful intent was added to another case at Thursday's hearing.
The case will next be heard in Judge Archie Brown at the Washtenaw County Trial Court. A pretrial hearing was set for Sept. 18. Abdullah-Albasir remains in custody at the jail on a $1.2 million bond.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Mozhgan Savabieasfahani holds up a sign reading "black life matters" at Thursday night's Ann Arbor City Council meeting. She and several other residents came out to support a resolution calling for the repeal of Michigan's Stand Your Ground law.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The council voted 10-1 to send a message urging state lawmakers to repeal Michigan's Self Defense Act of 2006, which has similarities to Florida's so-called Stand Your Ground law.
The resolution was sponsored by council members Chuck Warpehoski, Sumi Kailasapathy, Mike Anglin and Sabra Briere.
It notes gun violence is the leading cause of death for black teens and one of the leading causes of death for Latino and American Indian teens.
Lefiest Galimore urges council members to pass the resolution against Stand Your Ground on Thursday.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Council members said research shows a "troubling pattern of racial disparity" in the application of Stand Your Ground laws in which white-on-black shootings are more likely to be found justified, while black-on-white shootings are less likely to be found justified.
"The more I looked into Stand Your Ground laws, the more disturbing I found them," Warpehoski said. "Research shows they do not provide a deterring effect against crimes."
Marcia Higgins, D-4th Ward, was the only one to vote against the resolution, arguing it wasn't an issue the council should be weighing in on as a body.
Kailasapathy read a prepared statement explaining why she thought it was important for the city to weigh in on state and national issues of racism and gun violence.
"We do not live in a post-racial society," she said. "Unfortunately, there are still groups of people who are profiled, stalked and killed because they belong to a stigmatized minority group."
Kailasapathy said Michigan's version of Stand Your Ground is flawed because it condones the use of deadly violence even when there is an opportunity to retreat.
"In effect, a so-called 'self-defense law' turns into a license to kill in the hands of vigilantes," Kailasapathy said.
Council Member Sumi Kailasapathy, D-1st Ward, read a prepared statement explaining why she thought it was important for the city to weigh in on state and national issues of racism and gun violence.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"These Stand Your Ground laws have become a hunting license to be used against black men and black boys," Blaine Coleman told council members. "It's a sad thing that in 2013, black people still have to come to a City Council and say, 'Please don't shoot us.' "
Coleman is pushing the City Council to also pass a resolution urging Congress to spend $1 trillion to "rebuild Detroit and every inner city."
In 2006, Michigan passed Public Act 309 — the Michigan Self Defense Act — which mirrors the Stand Your Ground laws of other states. The law effectively eliminated Michigan's longstanding common law necessity requirement for lawful use of deadly force.
"As someone who's not big on guns, the idea that Michigan law actually allows people to use gun violence when they have an opportunity to retreat was news to me," Briere said. "It's not something I had thought about before it came up with the Trayvon Martin case."
Another Michigan law, Public Act 319 of 1990, prevents local governments from establishing their own regulations for the sale, transfer, transportation or possession of firearms and ammunition.
The City Council is calling on state lawmakers to repeal both the 1990 law and the 2006 law and to adopt "common-sense gun regulations" such as improved background checks, strengthened gun-free zones, and limits on the sale of high-capacity magazines.
"This is about public safety," said Council Member Jane Lumm, an Independent who represents the 2nd Ward. "I think having local control over these matters is a good thing."
Mayor John Hieftje, who is part of a national coalition called Mayors Against Illegal Guns, said he was happy to support the resolution Thursday night.
"Our police officers can easily go into a situation where they are outgunned, where the perpetrators of a crime have more effective weapons with higher-capacity magazines than the police officers will," he said. "That should not seem right to just about anybody."
Council Member Stephen Kunselman, D-3rd Ward, said he's noticed long lines of people waiting to get concealed weapons permits from the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office.
"The lines for concealed weapons permits are just breathtaking in terms of how many people are coming in to get permits for guns," he said. "It is disturbing."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Phi Rho Sigma members are asking the community not to donate through a fundraising website set up after Paul DeWolf's death prompted some members to move out. They said the financial crisis has passed.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Editor's note: This article has been updated with information from the fraternity president this morning, who stated the fraternity is not seeking money from outside donors.
The president of the Phi Rho Sigma fraternity at the University of Michigan said Friday the house is once again mostly full after some residents moved out soon after a medical student was killed there.
Peter Wu said an online fundraiser was not meant to be public and was only for family, friends and members of the medical school community. The fundraiser was set up after U-M medical student Paul DeWolf was found dead in the house on July 24, a case that’s been ruled a homicide.
The fundraiser set up on on the website Piryx was trying to raise $100,000 to cover the costs of lost residents. According to a statement on the website, Phi Rho Sigma expected to lose half of its residents.
But Friday, although Wu said people did move out of the house, many of the open spots have been filled.
“With regards to our house, the information posted in the previous story was inaccurate and outdated,” he said, “because the situation at the house has been moving very quickly because of the great efforts from individuals in the house that have been successful in saving the house from financial distress.”
He added,” The house is no longer in financial need and we ask no one donate on the fundraising link. Friends of Phi Rho Sigma, family and the medical school community have given generously to cover any remaining needs.”
DeWolf was found dead July 24 from a single gunshot wound to the neck in his basement room at Phi Rho Sigma, 220 N. Ingalls St. in Ann Arbor. His death was ruled a homicide by the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner’s Office following an autopsy on July 25.
Detective Lt. Robert Pfannes said Thursday there was no new information for police to release at this time.
The Ann Arbor Police Department and the University of Michigan Police Department are each offering $5,000 for tips that lead to an arrest and conviction of a suspect in the case. To this point, no information about a potential suspect has been released.
DeWolf was entering his fourth year at the medical school and lived at the Phi Rho Sigma, 220 N. Ingalls St., for his entire time at the school. He graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2010.
Police continue to investigate the death of Paul DeWolf
The fundraising website stated more than half of the members of the house had moved out and Phi Rho Sigma was facing a “financial crisis.”
The home can house 26 students.
Wu thanked the Ann Arbor community for the support Phi Rho Sigma has received since DeWolf’s death.
“Phi Rho Sigma deeply appreciates the outpouring of support from the community, both university and in Ann Arbor,” he said. It has been very uplifting through these trying times.”
Here is Wu’s full statement to AnnArbor.com:
“Phi Rho Sigma deeply appreciates the outpouring of support from the community, both university and in Ann Arbor. It has been very uplifting through these trying times. With regards to our house, information posted in the previous story was inaccurate and outdated because the situation at the house has been moving very quickly because of the great efforts from individuals in the house that have been successful in saving the house from financial distress. The house is no longer in financial need and we ask no one donate on the fundraising link. Friends of Phi Rho, family and the medical school community have given generously to cover any remaining needs, for which the fundraiser was intended. We continue to appreciate the great outpouring of support from the community.”
A memorial service for DeWolf will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Biomedical Research Building, 109 Zina Pitcher Place.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Both lanes of westbound Interstate 94 will be closed through Ann Arbor for the final phase of a construction project by the Michigan Department of Transportation.
It's the final full closure of traffic lanes on the highway this summer for a $4 million pavement repair project.
Traffic on I-94 in Ann Arbor.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com file photo
Vehicles traveling west on I-94 will be routed to northbound U.S. 23 and then to M-14 as a detour.
The exit ramp from westbound I-94 to southbound U.S. 23 will be closed as a safety precaution, as the exit ramp is within the bounds of the construction.
MDOT officials advise drivers to seek the alternative routes of U.S.12 and M-17.
MDOT has previously closed eastbound I-94 in Ann Arbor for two weekends and westbound I-94 for one weekend as a part of the project.
Sections of the concrete base of the roadway are being removed and replaced as a part of the project along the nine miles of I-94 in Ann Arbor. MDOT was able to fund a new asphalt overlay on three miles of I-94 from State Street to approximately Jackson Road.
View MDOT I-94 construction in a larger map
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Still grappling with its unfunded pension and retiree health care debts, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners floated the possibility of raising revenue to pay for the items by raising property tax rates at its Thursday working session.
Board Chairman Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, made several statements Thursday that he strongly supported finding new revenue through a Headlee Amendment override that would require voter approval.
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners chairman Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, speaks with county commissioners and staff during a meeting in March.
Andrew Kuhn | AnnArbor.com file photo
The Headlee Amendment to Michigan’s Constitution requires a local unit of government to reduce its millage rate when annual growth on a property is greater than the rate of inflation. An override to Headlee requires a vote of the people to return the millage rate to the maximum amount that’s been previously authorized.
In the most recent analysis of the county’s long-term liabilities, about $293 million will be owed by the county to both the pension and retiree health care plans throughout the next 25 years.
Due to a change in accounting law for municipalities, the county’s debt in those two funds will appear on its balance sheet for the first time in 2014. At the request of Administrator Verna McDaniel in May, commissioners had been seriously considering a $345 million bond issue to fully fund the debt. The bond issue figure has now been recalculated to be about $293 million based on new actuary reports.
Commissioners hit a snag just before their July 10 meeting when a vote was planned to initiate the bond process, as the state's treasury office could not provide a set of guidelines for documents it needed to review the county's bond proposal.
A vote on the bond issue was postponed indefinitely by Rabhi.
At the time commissioners were considering issuing bonds for their long term debts, they were also facing the task of finding $7 million in cuts as the county pursued drafting its first four-year budget.
McDaniel had advised finding most of the savings through reduced annual payments to the county’s pension and health care debt by issuing bonds for that liability. The bond would have paid off the estimated debt in a lump sum, leaving the county responsible for an annual bond payment. The success of a bond issue depends on the rate of return on investment on the bonds being equal to or greater than the rate at which they were invested.
After the commissioners had postponed the issue, McDaniel gave the board a budget update at the end of July: The budget hole was now about $4 million, which McDaniel recommended closing through cutting operating costs by $3.83 million and by cutting funding to outside agencies by $100,000.
Updated budget figures also show Washtenaw County achieving a $1.2 million surplus in its 2012-13 budget year.
Commissioner Conan Smith, D-Ann Arbor, attempted unsuccessfully Wednesday to persuade commissioners to return some funds to several of the county’s human services departments that shouldered heavy costs in the last budget cycle, citing the county’s $16.9 million reserves.
McDaniel had cautioned the commissioners against using the earmarked reserves in that manner.
Thursday night, Smith broached the subject of the county’s large reserve fund again.
The county’s bond counsel had recommended having about 10 percent of its overall budget in reserves — which would be about $10 million, Smith said.
Smith asked commissioners to consider using $6 million of the reserves to finance capital expenditures and annual program allowances.
Rabhi responded by asking the board not to forget the issue of the unfunded pension and health care plans.
“Fund balance is a short-term energy pill,” Rabhi said. “Let’s find the $4 million in cuts and move forward with the four-year budget, but we still have unfunded liabilities.”
Acknowledging that the board could very well ignore the growing debt, Rabhi challenged commissioners by stating he felt the board needed to tackle the issue now in order for Washtenaw County to continue to provide the same level of services in the future.
“We need to be a resilient county that can help grow a resilient community,” Rabhi said.
The voters of the county should be given the choice to assist the county in paying off its debt, Rabhi said, introducing the idea of a Headlee override millage.
The Headlee Amendment is known for preventing local governments from being able to profit from substantial market growth in property values, according to the Michigan Municipal League.
Commissioner Alicia Ping, R-Saline, said she believed using a Headlee override would be the equivalent of putting a Band-Aid on the problem.
Commissioner Andy LaBarre, D-Ann Arbor, said he had initially thought bonding for the debt was a good route to go — but now he has more questions about the issue. Pursuing a millage to put the issue before voters is a good path to seek, LaBarre said.
Also voicing support for a Headlee override was Commissioner Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township.
“The one that seems to provide us some of the revenue without the drawbacks and with specificity is the Headlee override,” Brabec said.
Raising revenue through a new tax would provide funding for the county’s required annual contributions to its pension and health care plans for retirees, which tend to fluctuate year over year and have been increasing. In 2013, the county paid about out $$22.3 million to both plans and in 2012, paid $20.6 million.
A bond issue for the debt in both plans is the only way to tackle the debt in one fell swoop, Smith said, noting he would be supportive of whatever millage proposals commissioners brought forward in the future.
“A Headlee override is a dream for a public official,” Smith said. “I also suspect it’s the hardest thing to sell to voters because it’s so vague.”
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Commuting around downtown by bicycle is a common occurrence in Ann Arbor. Starting next spring, anyone age 18 and up will be able to join Ann Arbor's new bike share program as either a daily, weekly or annual member.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The city is entering an agreement with the local nonprofit Clean Energy Coalition for implementation and operation of the program, which is expected to include 14 stations with 125 bicycles.
Stations will be located in and around downtown and the University of Michigan campus. Anyone age 18 and up will be able to join as either a daily, weekly or annual member with easy access to rentable bicycles by swiping either a membership card or credit card at the kiosk.
Eli Cooper, the city's transportation program manager, said bike sharing offers an opportunity to dramatically increase bicycling in Ann Arbor, one of the city's stated goals.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Information provided to council members shows day passes costing $5, weekly passes costing $20 and annual memberships costing $60.
The CEC secured a $600,000 federal grant for capital costs and the city is providing $150,000 in matching funds from its Alternative Transportation Fund over the next two years.
The University of Michigan also has pledged $600,000 to help cover operations for the first three years, with memberships and other sponsorships expected to cover the rest.
The CEC is leading the drive to establish a bike share program in Ann Arbor. City officials said it will be the first publicly available bike share program in Michigan.
Eli Cooper, the city's transportation program manager, said bike sharing offers an opportunity to dramatically increase bicycling in Ann Arbor. Modern bike-sharing is quickly growing in popularity in the U.S., he said, with more than 20 systems having launched in recent years.
"This will do nothing but ramp up the acceleration of acceptability of bicycling," Cooper said. "With the bike share cycles being used around town, there will be more likelihood that folks will recognize that the road is not for automobiles alone."
The CEC has collaborated with several partners in developing the program, including the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, the university and the city.
The CEC, in partnership with AATA, secured a Federal Highway Administration Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant worth $600,000 for program capital costs. B-cycle has been selected as the vendor and will be providing the bicycles and other equipment.
B-cycle systems are operational in 18 communities across the U.S., including Boulder, Colo., and Madison, Wis.
Members of Ann Arbor's bike share program will be able to access bikes in any B-cycle system for no additional membership cost.
The preliminary station locations in Ann Arbor include: Kerrytown; Main Street area; adjacent to the Ann Arbor District Library/Blake Transit Center; along the Liberty corridor at Liberty Plaza; State Street area; South University area; and other key locations on the U-M campuses.
The stations are expected to be operational seven days a week from 5 a.m. to midnight, from April through November.
The bike share program is intended to provide quick, short trips. Members will be able to use bikes for up to 30 minutes for free. Usage fees will be incurred for longer rides.
Council Member Sabra Briere, D-1st Ward, said she's encouraged the program is becoming a reality since she pushed for it three years ago.
"This is about small-scale commuting, and that encourages me," she said. "This is about moving from the corner of State and Liberty to the corner of Huron and Main to go to a meeting. To me, that's the benefit is that people — instead of getting in their car and driving from point to point — would actually be able to park their car and pick up a bike."
An example of a B-cycle bike sharing station.
City of Ann Arbor
They expressed concerns about adding more bicyclists to downtown streets and the need to better educate bicyclists and motorists about sharing the road.
"I just don't feel like our city has the safety infrastructure right now to support this. Until it does, my vote is going to be 'not yet,' " Petersen said.
Council Member Stephen Kunselman, who regularly commutes around downtown by bicycle, said a bike share program is a great way for people to make short trips around downtown.
"If we've all been downtown, we've seen so many abandoned bikes cluttering the bike racks — both on the U of M campus and within the city sidewalks," he said. "And by having a bike share program where somebody doesn't have to buy a bike and use it very little, this will provide an opportunity to allow people to use bikes, but also clean up our streets."
Council Member Jane Lumm, an Independent who represents the 2nd Ward, raised concerns about costs and cautioned it could be a "failed experiment," but she ultimately voted for it.
The tentative budget plan provided to council shows $145,312 in annual staffing costs for the program, including $82,555 for a program manager, $35,545 for field operations support, $16,511 for marketing and $10,712 for oversight and administration.
"There's going to be a lot of administrative planning and preparation work that's going to go on through the fall and into the winter," Cooper said. "The bicycles are going to be assembled, but that's going to happen in a factory in Wisconsin. The stuff will be shipped here in the spring."
Memberships are expected to be available for purchase in late 2013 or early 2014. Residents are encouraged to email bikeshare@cec-mi.org with any suggestions or questions.
Visit www.cec-mi.org/bikeshare for more information.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
This map shows the University of Michigan's plan for creating a vehicle-free zone around Michigan Stadium during football games. The red lines represent hard closures with police barricades, the blue lines represent soft closures with police allowing controlled local traffic, the yellow lines represent soft closures, and the pink areas represent street closures.
University Planner's Office
Ann Arbor City Council members Thursday night approved a modified plan for closing part of Main Street during University of Michigan football games this fall.
Ann Arbor Police Chief John Seto presented the plan that instead of shutting down all lanes from Stadium to Pauline starting three hours before each game would keep southbound lanes open until one hour before game time.
Melissa Overton, the University of Michigan's deputy chief of police, and Ann Arbor Police Chief John Seto appear before the City Council on Thursday.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Seto said he also has decided there will be additional signs to make it clear to people that residential lawn parking is open.
He stressed that the street closure plan should not affect post-game traffic because Main Street would reopen at the end of each game.
The City Council voted 7-4 in favor of the revised plan, with Sabra Briere, Marcia Higgins, Sumi Kailasapathy and Margie Teall still not convinced.
"I'm going to respect all of my constituents who have asked us not to do this," Higgins said. "It impacts them tremendously."
Melissa Overton, the university's deputy chief of police, said several football stadiums close streets around their stadiums during games, including Ohio State and Wisconsin.
A representative from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said thousands of people could be killed if a vehicle bomb were to detonate right outside the Big House on Main Street.
Council Member Chuck Warpehoski, D-5th Ward, said he thinks the chances of a terrorist attack are slim, but he can't help but wonder: "What if I'm wrong?"
Seto said the university, which proposed the street closure earlier this summer, would pay for extra police presence required. He said police will be evaluating the street closure after every game to see how well it's working.
The council requested that Seto conduct an evaluation after the first three games, hold another community meeting, and if there are issues to address, present recommendations Oct. 7.
"There are some things we know from a previous street closure in 2011, and some things I don't know, but I'm confident we can try to address those as they come up," Seto said.
The first home football game is Aug. 31.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
The Ben Daniels Band, with Daniels second from left.
The band, which first formed in 2008, now also consists of George Merkel on guitar, Tommy Reifel on bass, Wesley Fritzemeier on drums/fiddle/trumpet/keyboard/spoons, and singer-songwriter Amanda Merte.
“Growing up I was always making movies. Me and my brother and sister, we’d make all kinds of things. I was always more into behind the scenes—I really liked editing and filming,” Ben Daniels said. “Then I started getting into music and editing music, and I went to school out in Arizona for audio engineering and recorded myself.”
Eventually he turned to the guitar, which, he said, delighted his famous father, also a talented blues-style musician.
The Ben Daniels Band
Ben Daniels said he enjoys jamming with his dad whenever their schedules permit.
“We sit out on the porch or wherever. He teaches me a couple of songs he’s working on, we jam together, do whatever. Sometimes we will write stuff together for fun. He’s definitely got the chops—he’s got a lot to teach me. At the beginning, he just taught me five chords, he said that’s all you need to know to start out.
“Writing a song is my favorite thing to do, my favorite place to be, and it’s what happens naturally,” Daniels added.
With six CDs under their belts—“Coming From The C,” “Checkin’ In To The Michigan Inn,” “Can't You See,” “The Mountain Home” EP, their dual album and movie release “Old Gold,” and the release of their sixth studio album, “Roll,” recently—the Ben Daniels Band is clearly serious about making it long term in the music business. And another album is already in the works.
“We’re getting more shows, playing live, writing, writing and writing,” Daniels said. “We have about 15 songs we’ve been playing for about a year so we can get them how we want them before we record them. We have enough material to put out another one. We’re starting to record; (in fact) we’re going to go record after this interview.”
He said whoever comes to The Ark can expect a great show.
“We just played Blissfest; that was probably our best by far. We’re pretty much still on a high.
“We’re feeling very good about The Ark and all the things that are happening before The Ark, we are excited about a lot of the new songs we’ve got now and probably a few we’ll come up with between now and then,” he added.
Nader Nassif, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority board member charged with sexual assault, has resigned, Mayor John Hieftje confirmed on Friday.
Hieftje said he plans to nominate someone to replace Nassif on the DDA board at the council's next meeting. He nominated Rishi Narayan, co-owner of Underground Printing, to replace outgoing board member Leah Gunn at the council's meeting Thursday night.
Nader Nassif
Courtesy of WCSO
Hieftje said he wants to make sure all downtown business associations are represented and he's looking for someone from the Main Street area. He also wants to appoint someone to represent one of Ann Arbor's fastest-growing employment sectors.
"I'm talking to people who are software engineers and entrepreneurs because that's a growing segment in the downtown — people in the computer software business," he said.
As the city continues to see an expanding downtown tech hub, Hieftje said, it would be beneficial to have someone from that arena bring their perspective to the DDA board table.
Nassif was arrested July 31 in the 200 block of South Fourth Avenue. The warrant lists him as residing on that block.
Police confirmed the victim was a female over 18 and the two were acquainted. The warrant indicates the victim was "mentally incapacitated" at the time of the alleged crime.
Nassif's attorney, Joe Simon, declined to comment on the case this week.
Nassif is a criminal defense attorney and was a member of the Ann Arbor DDA since 2011. He is a partner with Model Cities Legal Services, with which the city contracts to provide legal representation to indigent persons charged with misdemeanor offenses in 15th District Court.
"I'm extremely disappointed that this happened — it's a tragic situation for everyone involved," Hieftje said of the alleged sexual assault.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Singer-songwriter Chris Pureka brings original songs old and new, borrowed and yes, often blue to the Blind Pig Wednesday night.
The Portland, Ore.-based Pureka has been compared to Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams and Neil Young.
Her 2009 album “Chimera II,” refered to the three-headed creature of Greek mythology, part serpent, part lion, part goat. It’s also a scientific term that describes an organism derived from two genetically distinct types of cells - a nod toward Pureka’s background as a research biologist.
In April 2010, she released her fifth album, “How I Learned To See In The Dark,” on her own label, Sad Rabbit Music. In 2012 she released a live album.
Pureka identifies as genderqueer, defined as a person who feels that his/her gender identity does not fit into the socially constructed norms, and cultivates an androgynous appearance. However her music does not deal explicitly with lesbian or gay issues, focusing instead on emotional interactions between individuals.
No matter how she identifies, her music is honest and compelling, and definitely worth hearing. The Ojai, California-based Emy Reynolds band opens.
Chris Pureka plays Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the Blind Pig, 208 S. First St. Tickets are $10 Doors open at 8 p.m. Details at www.blindpigmusic.com or 734-996-8555.
The woman who was crossing Plymouth Road Wednesday when she was hit by a vehicle in a pedestrian crosswalk died during the night, officials said Friday.
Sharita Williams
Facebook photo
Sharita Williams, of Clinton Township, died early Friday morning from her injuries sustained in Wednesday afternoon’s crash, Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said Friday. The 20-year-old woman was a University of Michigan student in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, according to university records.
Williams worked for the University of Michigan Conference Systems, according to her profile on U-M’s website. She was studying to become a social worker.
U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said Friday grief counselors are being made available to students and staff who knew Williams.
“Conferences services and camps are making counselors available to other student employees and staff,” he said, adding there were a number of students who worked with Williams.
The crash took place just before 2:55 p.m. Wednesday on Plymouth Road between Traverwood Boulevard and Nixon Road. Witnesses said a green Chevrolet Cavalier driving east struck a woman as she crossed Plymouth Road from south to north.
The Cavalier struck Williams in the right lane as it went through the pedestrian crosswalk, witnesses said, and the driver of the vehicle did not appear to see Williams as she crossed the street.
That particular crosswalk has flashing lights that turn on when a pedestrian hits a button on poles on either side of the roadway. The crosswalk lights were flashing when the crash happened, witnesses said.
Williams came to rest in the median between the eastbound and westbound lanes, at least 10 feet away from the crosswalk. She was taken to University of Michigan Hospital and was in critical condition as of Thursday afternoon.
Police are investigating the crash, and the driver of the Cavalier was on scene for hours after the incident Wednesday. No citations or charges have been issued to this point in the investigation.
“It’s still an open investigation,” Bush said. “We still have to interview the driver.”
Police encourage anyone who was a witness to this crash to call the Ann Arbor police anonymous tip line at 734-794-6939.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Youths excited about the Ann Arbor Skatepark brought their skateboards with them to the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday afternoon.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
By next year, Veterans Memorial Park will be the home of a 30,000-square-foot, world-class skatepark designed by California-based designer Wally Hollyday.
"I can't wait until next year when we actually have the grand opening and there's going to be people skating on it," said Colin Smith, the city's parks and recreation manager. "It's going to be really exciting. It's going to bring more people into Ann Arbor to Vets Park."
Supporters of the skatepark pose for a picture Friday near a sign for the skatepark at the northwest corner of Veterans Memorial Park.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Smith said the city hopes to have the grand opening in June. The skatepark, which will be free and open to the public, has been designed for all skill levels.
"I think when this started six years ago, it was very hard for people to believe or fathom that something like this could come to fruition," he said. "It's very nice to see it all coming together now, and it shows when you stick to something, how it can come to be. Rome wasn't built in a day."
For local skateboarders who've spent years looking over their shoulders while they've practiced their sport in a town with anti-skateboarding ordinances, it's a long-awaited relief.
While doing stunts off a concrete slab serving as a makeshift bank on a vacant downtown property recently, 18-year-olds Bradley Smith and Jacob Davison recalled they were in seventh grade when they first heard about the plans for a skatepark in Ann Arbor.
"We've known about it since the beginning, so we've been looking forward to it for years. I remember they had meetings at the library," Davison said.
Davison just graduated from Community High and is starting classes at Washtenaw Community College this fall. Smith just graduated from Pioneer High and is going to Eastern Michigan.
While they had hoped to see the skatepark come to fruition before graduating high school, they're just as excited it's finally happening.
"It's going to be awesome," Bradley Smith said. "It's going to attract people from everywhere. When you go to a skatepark in any other city, you meet everyone from all kinds of cities."
Bradley Smith, a recent Pioneer High School graduate, test his skills on a makeshift bank in downtown Ann Arbor on a recent afternoon.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"If I get caught here, I'll get a ticket," Bradley Smith said. "I've gotten several warnings. I've had friends who've gotten their boards taken away and stuff just for like skating through the Diag."
They've traveled to other cities like Westland to visit skateparks and a tennis court designated for skateboarding in Ypsilanti's Prospect Park.
Keith Zeisloft, Ann Arbor's 15th District Court administrator, said there have been 131 tickets written for skateboarding in Ann Arbor over the past seven years, though the overwhelming majority of those have been on the University of Michigan campus. He said the fine is $100.
Trevor Staples, leader of the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark, spoke Friday afternoon about the multi-year effort to get to the point of breaking ground. Supporters of the campaign — young and old alike — spent years raising funds from both public and private sources.
"I'm really excited and everyone who's here helped with this in some way," Staples said while standing at the future site of the skatepark at the northwest corner of Vets Park.
Stephen Kunselman, who called himself "the only skateboarder on City Council," said it was the community's passion that built the momentum that got government officials on board. He believes Ann Arbor is going to have the best skatepark in the state of Michigan.
Jacob Davison, a recent graduate of Community High, says he's looking forward to having an official skatepark to practice his sport in Ann Arbor.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The City Council voted unanimously last month to approve a roughly $1 million contract for the construction of the skatepark. The contract was awarded to the Ann Arbor-based Krull Construction Co., and the city agreed to contribute up to $424,312.
The total budget is $1,224,312, with $400,000 coming from the county and $300,000 from the state, and more than $100,000 from privately raised funds.
Julie Grand, chairwoman of the city's Park Advisory Commission, said the project is a great example of collaboration between multiple levels of government and private citizens in the community. She said she expects the skatepark will become a regional attraction.
"The goal is to mimic some of the street terrain that skaters like," Staples said. "There's always going to be skaters who like to skate the 'natural' terrain, but what's going to be best about this is it's a place for all of the skaters to congregate and socialize and just have fun together."
Watch a video of Staples' speech from the groundbreaking:
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
It's a big weekend here in Washtenaw County, with lots to do and lots to see, and the weather appears to absolutely be cooperating, according to this week's Weather ... Or Not forecast.
With the Perseid meteor shower set to begin and the Dexter Daze, Saline Summerfest and Thunder Over Michigan airshow all taking place, it's going to be a great weekend to get outside and get some sun.
This week's forecast comes from the AnnArbor.com office patio high above Liberty Street, where I conquer my fear of heights to give you the weekend weather. The things I do for my readers...
For more weekend weather, check out Mark Torregrosa's forecast at MLive.com/weather or annarbor.com/weather.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Trevor Staples, leader of the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark, spoke Friday afternoon about the multi-year effort to get to the point of breaking ground on a skatepark at Vets Park.
AnnArbor.com was there for the groundbreaking ceremony to capture Staples' speech. He said his group has raised about $180,000 from private sources, plus $400,000 from the county and $300,000 from the state. The city of Ann Arbor plans to contribute up to $424,312 for the construction.
Construction is expected to begin quickly with the goal of completing all concrete work by this fall and some landscaping and other finishing touches wrapping up next spring.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
University of Michigan police arrested a suspect in four laptop thefts on campus after a larceny was reported in West Hall Thursday afternoon, according to police.
Police responded at 2:22 p.m. Thursday to West Hall, 1085 S. University Ave., for a report of a laptop theft that took place between Aug. 2 and Aug. 8.
Investigators identified a suspect and arrested him, recovering four stolen laptops in the process.
The suspect, who is 21, was released pending warrant authorization from the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office, according to police.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Paul DeWolf's friends and families remembered him with stories and memories at a memorial service at the University of Michigan Friday.
Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com
As family and friends work to understand the death of the driven, smart and devoted Paul DeWolf, they’re finding comfort in the laughter and smiles he inspired during his 25 years.
At a memorial service for the University of Michigan medical student held Friday evening in the A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Research Building, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, laughs outnumbered tears and smiles conquered sobs. It’s exactly what Paul would have wanted, friends said.
Lindsey Gaston, a close friend of DeWolf, recounted memories of dancing with the Schoolcraft, Mich. native “enthusiastically yet terribly” and when he organized a scavenger hunt around their favorite spots in Ann Arbor for her birthday, among others. She said DeWolf always wanted to put others above himself.
“You told me once that if you could make one person’s day, you had done your job,” she said in a letter addressed to DeWolf she read aloud.
DeWolf was found dead on July 24 in his basement room at Phi Rho Sigma, a coeducational medical fraternity at 220 N. Ingalls St. He was shot once in the neck, an incident ruled a homicide by Washtenaw County medical examiners. He was 25.
The aspiring surgeon lived a lot in his too-short life and affected many people. More than 100 people showed up in the lobby of the biomedical research building to remember him.
Joe Durantinsky, one of DeWolf’s closest friends from medical school, said he should be remembered for his commitment to service and as a brother, son, friend, scholar, athlete, inspiration and as a ladies’ man.
Durantinsky recounted how DeWolf ruined many pictures making a face that echoed Ben Stiller’s “Blue Steel” look in Zoolander, a face that he said was almost as good at grabbing the attention of women as his terrible pick-up lines.
Paul DeWolf
But, aside from his humorous side, DeWolf was devoted to his family. Duratinsky said the visit from DeWolf's sister, Rebekah, on the Saturday just before his death was evidence of that.
DeWolf got off his overnight shift at the VA Ann Arbor Health Systems hospital at 6 a.m. that day and Rebekah arrived in Ann Arbor for a visit a few hours later. The two embarked on a day of paddleboarding and tubing in the Huron River, visiting the Ann Arbor Art Fair and seeing a movie and DeWolf never slept or tired during the day.
Duratinsky said that kind of devotion to others is what he’ll always remember about his best friend.
“We can’t lose sight of what truly matters, that what we do here truly matters,” he said. “Hold your family and friends close to you and remember what truly matters.”
It was a message echoed by many others throughout the ceremony.
Police continue to investigate the death of Paul DeWolf
United States Air Force Staff Sgt. Chad Holling, one of DeWolf’s childhood friends who attended Grand Valley State University with him, asked the friends and faculty gathered at the service to not forget his best friend.
“If we all try to be a little more like Paul and we act a little nicer, then Paul is not gonna die,” he said. “Paul is gonna live on through us.”
Many people spoke of the impact DeWolf had on them, pushing them to study harder or run faster or simply to be nicer.
Duratinsky and DeWolf only met when they both started medical school in 2010 but became extremely close by the time DeWolf died. The two traveled all over the country — Colorado, Duratinsky’s native Wisconsin, Chicago, Mexico, the Caribbean among their destinations — and spent hours studying with each other.
“He pushed me to exit my comfort zone and better myself,” he said.
DeWolf’s self confidence and outgoing nature allowed him to don one of the most ridiculous outfits that will ever be presented at a memorial service as a testament to someone’s character.
Jonathan Peterson played volleyball with DeWolf, a competitor who hated to lose. Peterson said DeWolf came up with the idea for their indoor volleyball team to wear gold shorts as a sign of solidarity during their intramural games one season.
But, when DeWolf showed up, his shorts didn’t exactly match everyone else’s.
“He showed up with a Speedo,” Peterson said laughing.
Isabel Greenfield, a medical student who was good friends with DeWolf and worked with Duratinsky to put on the memorial service, took that opportunity to show the tiny, shiny shorts to the crowd. It was a guffaw-inducing moment.
Peterson said he eventually talked DeWolf into wearing the gold, Speedo-esque shorts over his regular shorts, for decency’s sake. Not long afterward, Peterson remembered the tiny tank top DeWolf wore during their outdoor volleyball season and laughed again.
Greenfield showed off the violently-yellow shirt for the crowd. She checked the size — it was a woman's small.
Peterson broke into laughter before pausing, recounting how he’s felt a terrible sadness since DeWolf’s death. However, it’s hard to think of DeWolf without smiling, he said.
“When I think about Paul I get a spark of a smile, and that’s the thing,” he said. “Paul really was a spark. He was the salt of the earth and that spark is as bright as that yellow shirt and those little yellow gold shorts.”
A tree also was planted at the Phi Rho Sigma house in DeWolf's memory.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Ann Arbor Public Schools board President Deb Mexicotte is optimistic that trustees will be able to officially welcome the district's new superintendent Wednesday.
Deb Mexicotte
"I am hopeful that I'll have a draft contract for the board to potentially approve on Aug. 14 — something that we've agreed to in principal but that they (the trustees) can make sure they are happy with, too," she said.
Jeanice Kerr Swift
The Ann Arbor Board of Education voted 4-3 July 31 to offer the superintendency to Swift, who is currently the assistant superintendent of instruction, curriculum and student services for Colorado Springs School District 11 and was one of the board's two finalists.
She enthusiastically accepted the job that same night. The offering is contingent upon reaching a contract agreement.
Former district Superintendent Patricia Green resigned effective July 9 after two years with AAPS. The board first voted unanimously on July 19 to hire New Jersey Superintendent Brian Osborne. However, after contemplating the position for more than a week, Osborne turned it down.
Because the district has had high superintendent turnover in the past decade, school board members have expressed an interest in building into the contract some sort of longevity incentive that would reward Swift for her years of service to AAPS.
Mexicotte said Friday she could not speak about the specifics of what is being discussed. However, she stated in a previous interview that she went to the bargaining table with the board's guidelines and desires in mind.
In April, the board voted to set the salary scale for its next superintendent at $180,000 to $220,000. The trustees knowingly established a range that was $25,000 to $65,000 less than outgoing Superintendent Green's salary.
Many in the community, and a few trustees on the board as well, thought Green's salary was exorbitant and criticized both her and the board for her earnings. Trustee Andy Thomas has stated publicly on multiple occasions that he believes Green was never able to escape the outrage that the community felt about her salary and that fact contributed to her early departure.
A statewide superintendent database revealed this spring that Green had the highest base salary in Michigan last year by about $31,000.
Mexicotte said she and Swift have not agreed to a firm start date for her yet. However, Mexicotte said they do expect Swift to be in town on opening day for teachers, which is Aug. 27, to speak with and meet the staff.
Mexicotte said Swift does have some things she needs to wrap up in her current district, so a date for Swift to be in town continuously has not yet been confirmed. Although in an interview last week with AnnArbor.com, Swift said she believes it is important for her to be in the district by the time students arrive for the first day of school Sept. 3.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
