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Groundhog apology: Howell Nature Center says its woodchuck is sorry for predicting an early spring

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Remember back on Feb. 2 when the groundhog promised us an early spring?

It turned out to be a very bad forecast, and for that, a little woodchuck in Livingston County is apologizing.

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File photo

Woody is the resident groundhog forecaster at the Howell Nature Center. As Michigan residents endured temperatures in the 20s, scattered snow and windy conditions, the center issued this statement Wednesday, the first day of spring: “Like all female woodchuck prognosticators, Woody is not afraid to admit when she's wrong,”

Woody might take comfort in the fact that her more-famous counterpart, Punxsutawney Phil, also got the forecast wrong. But apparently, she’s so down about the whole thing that she’s grown timid about predicting anything.

“Although she correctly picked the Baltimore Ravens to win the Super Bowl, she is avoiding March Madness in its entirety,” the center said.

But lest anyone think Woody has no powers of prognostication, the nature center pointed to a list of her past predictions. Including this year, she’s only been wrong four times since 1998.

See a video of Woody making her prediction below:


Report: EMU athletic director Derrick Gragg to leave for Tulsa University

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Eastern Michigan athletic director Derrick Gragg, pictured above during a 2011 press conference, is rumored to be the next athletic director at Tulsa University.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com.

Eastern Michigan athletic director Derrick Gragg is expected to leave EMU for the same position at Tulsa University, according to a report in the Tulsa World.

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Derrick Gragg

Photo courtesy of Eastern Michigan Athletics.

The report, published Wednesday afternoon, does not cite a source, but said Gragg was “believed to have met with his Eastern Michigan staff Wednesday afternoon.”

Tulsa University has not announced his hiring. An EMU athletic department spokesperson declined to comment on the report when reached by AnnArbor.com.

Gragg came to Eastern Michigan in February, 2006, after spending six years as an assistant athletic director at the University of Arkansas. He also spent time at Columbia and Michigan.

Kyle Austin covers sports for AnnArbor.com.

Council member concerned after Ypsilanti fills $54K assistant to city manager position

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The hiring of an assistant to the city manger at a salary of $54,900 has at least one Ypsilanti City council member concerned that the move isn't in line with the city's efforts to save money.

"I understood that we really were on a mission to save money and not expand," Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson said. "With that, I know that some of our staff took on additional responsibilities and they had also taken a 5 percent cut and have not received a raise... I really understood that we weren't going to be hiring."

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City Manager Ralph Lange said the hiring of Ericka Savage as the assistant to the city manager was necessary.

Courtney Sacco I AnnArbor.com

City Manager Ralph Lange said the hiring of Ericka Savage as the assistant to the city manager was necessary. Lange said one of her main responsibilities will be to find additional ways to save money. Savage's official start date is Wednesday, March 20.

"She's $27,000 less than the person she's replacing and she's coming in at tier two (benefits)," Lange said. "The bottom line is she has to do things, especially with SEMCOG, that will have a return on investment (that will either) save us money or make a return on money… I think she can more than pay for herself."

Lange was referring to the former director of administrative services, David Kowal, who resigned in July to take a job in Kalamazoo. Kowal had a salary of $82,400.

Lange said Savage will assist in making the SEMCOG report become a reality, as well as several other projects "waiting in the wings."

Ypsilanti received a SEMCOG report earlier this year that outlined several ways the city can save money by creating an additional $2 million in cost reductions and revenue enhancements across all funds beyond the level spelled out in the city's five-year budget plan.

The city received more than 200 applications for the position in February and similar to when the city was searching for a deputy police chief, council did not approve the hires. In lieu of a public interview process, a committee was created to interview the applicants.

Savage has served as an alternate officer to the city's administrative hearing board since April 2012 and obtained her juris doctorate from the Michigan State University College of Law.

Savage also attended the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research where she was the 2009 fellow for the Michigan Political Leadership program.

In addition to three years of state legislative experience, Savage served six years with the Pontiac where she served as deputy city attorney and legislative auditor.

In a statement, Savage said she is thrilled for the opportunity to work in a larger capacity for the city.

"I look forward to assisting the city manager in implementing the SEMCOG recommendations," Savage said. "More importantly, I look forward to a bright future for Ypsilanti."

Lange said since Savage was hired after Jan. 1, she will receive a different benefits package compared with those hired beforehand. In February, the city council approved several benefits changes including less vacation time and a different pension package.

The city's employee makeup has changed over the years. In 2012, the city lost 15 employees who either retired or resigned. Altogether, those employees' wages amounted to $1,030,374. Thirteen of those 15 employees were unionized employees from the police and fire departments.

Richardson is asking Lange to consider restoring the 5 percent pay cut for the city's employees and eliminating furlough days.

"To continue with that 5 percent cut or furlough is really unfair," Richardson said.

Lange said as soon as he gets through working on the city's budget, he plans to work on the concerns regarding furlough days and pay cuts. Lange noted that those hired after Jan. 1 will not take any furlough days, but Richardson believes that should include employees hired prior to that date as well.

"That is definitely a goal of mine," Lange said.

Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.

Ypsilanti woman killed in car accident remembered by co-workers

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As a hearing and vision technician with the Washtenaw County Health Department, Desiree Richard-Mobley helped hundreds of thousands of children throughout the community.

During her 13 years on the job, she was able to give free hearing and vision screenings to kids who might not have otherwise known they weren't seeing or hearing properly.

She loved working with the kids and the feeling was mutual for the kids and the school systems she regularly worked with.

Richard-Mobley, a 41-year-old Ypsilanti resident, died Sunday after she crashed into a guardrail while driving on Interstate 275 near Michigan Avenue in Canton Township.

The Detroit News reported that Richard-Mobley was pronounced dead at a local hospital and Michigan State Police continue to investigate a cause of the accident.

Deborah Cain, director of nursing at the WCHD and Richard-Mobley's immediate supervisor, said her presence will be greatly missed by her co-workers as well as the schools where she regularly worked.

"She was very loved and very respected by all the school systems and the children," Cain said. "When they found out they were very saddened — she will be missed by everyone here."

Cain said Richard-Mobley was a joy to have at the WCHD, and that she loved working to help children. Last year, her team was able to give vision checks to 20,000 kids and hearing tests to 60,000 kids in Washtenaw County. She worked with children preschool-aged to high school kids up to the point of driver's training.

The work she was able to do was very important, Cain said. Because many kids with early vision and hearing problems don't know they have them, technicians are able to help correct issues that might be holding kids back from reaching their full potential.

"They help to prevent developmental delays associated with speech skills, language skills, social skills and emotional development," Cain said. "Her work assures that kids are ready for school and prevents future hearing loss."

Peggy Boxx, with the Whitmore Lake School District Head Start Program, said she remembers Richard-Mobley as someone who always went beyond what was asked of her.

"She only needed to check the Head Start children, but she also did the preschoolers if she had time," Boxx said. "She was a very nice person. She was great with kids — giving 3 and 4-year-olds hearing and vision tests is not an easy thing."

Members of Richard-Mobley's family could not be reached for comment.

Cain said WCHD is offering grievance counseling to Richard-Mobley's co-workers to allow them to share stories, remember her and talk about how they can move forward. When asked what she would most remember about Richard-Mobley, Cain had an answer almost immediately:

"Her beautiful, beautiful smile," she said. "She was just a wonderful and caring individual. ... She touched every child in our schools."

Cain added that beyond her excellent work performance, Richard-Mobley would be missed by everyone who knew her.

"It's been a great loss for the family, the community and the health department."

There will be a viewing at C & H Community Home for Funerals from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 25, at 411 S. Adams St., in Ypsilanti. There also will be a family hour at 10 a.m. March 26 and a Home Going service held at 11 a.m. at the West Willow Church of God in Christ at 1837 Tyler Road, in Ypsilanti Township.

Washtenaw County among top 5 healthiest counties in Michigan

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AnnArbor.com file photo

Washtenaw County is among the healthiest counties in Michigan for the fourth year in a row, according to a report released Wednesday.

A study sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin ranked counties across the country by state according to factors including tobacco and alcohol use, diet and exercise, access to quality health care, education, employment, income and environmental quality.

The following are the top 10 healthiest counties in Michigan, according to the report:

  • 1. Leelanau
  • 2. Ottawa
  • 3. Clinton
  • 4. Livingston
  • 5. Washtenaw
  • 6. Alger
  • 7. Grand Traverse
  • 8. Charlevoix
  • 9. Benzie
  • 10. Houghton

The counties that ranked at the bottom of the list, in progressive order, are Genesee, Alcona and Wayne counties. Keweenaw County was not ranked.

“These results are testament to some of the excellent work happening in our community - thanks to our community partners and our staff,” said Richard Fleece, health officer for Washtenaw County Public Health, in a statement. “We know there are areas within our community where it’s much harder to live a healthy life. We can’t rely solely on our health care systems and providers to support our health - it takes all of us."

On individual items, Washtenaw County ranked fifth in the state for its good health outcomes and No. 1 in the state for health factors like healthy behavior and access to clinical care. The county ranked fourth in the state for its social and economic indicators.

However, Washtenaw County ranked near the bottom of Michigan's counties at number 62 when it comes to physical environment conditions that affect people's health.

Daily fine particulate matter rates are higher for the county than the rest of the state and the national benchmark. Limited access to healthy foods and the prevalence of fast food restaurants also are contributing factors, according to the report.

A Gallup survey released at the end of February ranked Ann Arbor as the healthiest city in Michigan and the eighth-healthiest city in the country.

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.

Jury finds Ypsilanti man guilty of sexual assault; 2nd trial set for April

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Dervin Mood

A 76-year-old Ypsilanti man on federal probation for child pornography was convicted Friday by an Oakland County jury in a sexual assault case, officials said.

Dervin Mood was found guilty of one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for an assault that took place in Orion Township, said Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper.

Mood likely will be sentenced to 51-106 months in prison on April 10, Cooper said.

The male victim is now an adult, but was younger when the incident took place, Cooper said. The man was not a stranger to Mood, who faces five similar charges in Washtenaw County related to the same victim, according to court records.

In that case, Mood is accused of sexually assaulting the victim between 2003 and 2011 at Mood's Ypsilanti home in the 900 block of Pleasant Drive when the man was 12, 15, 16 and 19 years old, according to court records. He is charged with three counts of first-degree CSC and two counts of second-degree CSC. Two of the CSC counts involve a mentally incapable victim, court records indicate. Cooper said the victim suffers from Asperger's syndrome.

Mood is on probation for a federal conviction on two counts of receipt of child pornography, which he pleaded guilty to in January 2009. Cooper said his conviction in the Oakland County case is bound to affect his federal probation, but it was not immediately known how.

The federal case had to do with child pornography on Mood's computer, the contents of which also became part of the two-week long Oakland County trial, Cooper said, including recordings and diary entries.

“It involved his proclivities,” Cooper added.

AnnArbor.com has previously reported Mood holds a master's degree in elementary education, once worked as a public school teacher and owned a child care center from 1975 to 1982.

The trial for the Washtenaw County case is set to begin April 29.

Mood remains in custody at the Oakland County Jail on a $75,000 cash bond, according to jail records.

John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Driver killed in Ypsilanti Township crash

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A woman suffered fatal injuries in this head-on collision in Ypsilanti Township Wednesday evening.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

One driver was killed and the other taken to the hospital in unstable condition Wednesday evening after a head-on crash at North Hewitt Road and Valley Drive in Ypsilanti Township, officials confirmed.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the intersection for the crash at 6:09 p.m., said Joyce Williams with Huron Valley Ambulance. Williams confirmed that one of the drivers was fatally injured and the other driver was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in unstable condition.

Lt. Fred Anstead of the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department said the driver fatally injured was a woman and the driver transported was a man. No other information about either driver was immediately being released.

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Emergency crews respond to a fatal accident in Ypsilanti Township Wednesday night.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

The man had to be extricated from his vehicle by the Jaws of Life and suffered multiple injuries in the head-on collision, Anstead said. There were no passengers in either vehicle, Anstead added.

The accident occurred on Hewitt just south of Valley Drive. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office issued an alert just after 7 p.m. stating that North Hewitt Road was closed due to the accident and motorists should avoid the area for several hours. Anstead said the sheriff's office is investigating the accident. Officials from the sheriff's office could not immediately be reached for information.

A 19-year-old Ypsilanti Township man died in a car accident near the same intersection last November.

It is the third fatal crash in Washtenaw County this week. On Friday, a 63-year-old Willis man died in an Augusta Township crash. Then on Monday morning, a 22-year-old Belleville man was killed on Old U.S. 12 near Chelsea.


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John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Images from the Michigan basketball team's South Dakota State preparations at the Palace of Auburn Hills

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AUBURN HILLS -- The Michigan men's basketball team will take on South Dakota State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Wolverines had a practice at the home of the Pistons on Wednesday in preparation for the opening round matchup.

Melanie Maxwell is a photographer for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at melaniemaxwell@annarbor.com.


EMU confirms athletic director Derrick Gragg's departure to Tulsa University

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Derrick Gragg is leaving Eastern Michigan to become the athletic director at Tulsa University, the schools announced Wednesday.

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Derrick Gragg

Gragg, who spent seven years as EMU’s athletic director, will be introduced to the public at Tulsa on Friday.

"I am very excited to accept the position of director of athletics at TU. It is a wonderful opportunity to lead a program of this caliber," Gragg said in a release issued by Tulsa. "The university's combination of academic and athletic success dovetails perfectly with my own personal and professional core values. My family and I are eager to become an integral part the Tulsa community and the TU family."

Gragg’s departure was first reported by the Tulsa World Wednesday and later confirmed in news releases from both schools. According to the paper, Gragg met with his staff at Eastern Michigan Wednesday afternoon.

In seven years under Gragg, Eastern totaled 24 Mid-American Conference team championships, 32 MAC Coach of the Year Awards, 38 MAC Player of the Year honors and 164 individual MAC champions.

"Dr. Gragg has had an outstanding impact at Eastern Michigan since arriving in 2006," EMU President Susan Martin said in a release. "He has led student-athlete success on the playing field and in the classroom.

During his tenure, EMU’s women's basketball program was also sanctioned for exceeding practice time and other NCAA violations.

Gragg came to Eastern Michigan in February, 2006, after spending six years as an assistant athletic director at the University of Arkansas. He also spent time at Columbia and Michigan.

Ann Arbor man charged with 8 felonies in vehicle break-ins

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A 25-year-old Ann Arbor man faces eight charges of breaking into vehicles after he was arrested Monday on the city’s west side, court records show.

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Charles Dutton

Courtesy of WCSO

Charles Dutton was arraigned Wednesday on seven charges of breaking and entering a vehicle with damage done to the vehicle and one charge of breaking and entering a vehicle with intent to commit a crime, records show. Dutton was one of two people arrested Monday by Ann Arbor police for vehicle break-ins.

Dutton was arrested by uniformed officers on patrol about 10 p.m. Monday after they spotted a white conversion van believed to have been used in larcenies the previous night. Police said stolen property was recovered from the van and a home on Ann Arbor’s west side.

To this point, he’s the only person facing criminal charges stemming from Monday’s arrests.

Police released a warning to residents last week about an increase in the number of vehicle break-ins throughout the city and then reported 12 more incidents occurring on Sunday and Monday. Thieves would go through parking lots and spot a vehicle with valuable items in plain sight before entering through an unlocked door or smashing a window to get inside.

Dutton is free on bond after posting 10 percent of $25,000, according to jail records. He returns to court for a preliminary examination at 8:30 a.m. March 28.

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

71-year-old Ypsilanti Township woman killed in head-on collision Wednesday

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Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office officials have identified the woman killed in Wednesday’s head-on collision in Ypsilanti Township and continue to investigate what caused the crash.

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Deputies released the name of the woman killed in a head-on collision in Ypsilanti Township Wednesday.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

Willie Mae Lewis, 71, of Ypsilanti Township was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at North Hewitt Road and Valley Drive. The crash occurred at 6:09 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Derrick Jackson said Lewis was was driving south on Hewitt when her car crossed the center line to the far east lane. Her vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by a 23-year-old Jackson man, who was north in that lane.

“We’re not sure why she crossed the center line but neither one saw it coming,” Jackson said.

The Jackson man, who had to be removed from his vehicle with the Jaws of Life, was transported to a local hospital with head trauma, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Jackson said there was no update available on the man since Wednesday.

Jackson said a toxicology report will be done to determine what may have caused her to allow her vehicle to go into the far right northbound lane. Hewitt Road is four lanes wide where the crash happened.

At this point, alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the crash.

The drivers were the only people in both vehicles.

The incident was the third fatal crash in less than a week. A 63-year-old Willis man died in an Augusta Township crash Friday and a 22-year-old Belleville man was killed near Chelsea on Monday morning.

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Lake Trust Credit Union plans move to new $30 million headquarters in Brighton

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Lake Trust Credit Union will be moving its headquarters to a new $30 million building in Brighton, according to a report from MLive.

The Lansing-based company plans to purchase a 17-acre site near the intersection of U.S. 23 and Interstate 96 in Livingston County.

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After Lansing’s NuUnion Credit Union and Plymouth’s Detroit Edison Credit Union merged in 2010, the company’s corporate offices were split between Lansing and Plymouth. The new headquarters will draw corporate employees from both offices, and a press release from the company said an additional $10 million will be invested to modernize the two existing locations.

“Locating our new headquarters in Brighton means Lake Trust is uniting our workforce in new corporate space at a more central location within a reasonable commute for most of our current employees,” president and CEO David Snodgrass said in a statement. “Brighton and nearby Ann Arbor are vibrant growing communities, and this location simply makes the most business sense for our organization.”

Lake Trust Credit union has five branches in Washtenaw County, including a recently completed location that opened in late February on West Stadium Boulevard.

The new headquarters will be located just north of I-96:


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Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. You can sign up here to receive Business Review updates every week. Reach out to Ben at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2

Man accused in Sunday stabbing leaves jail after paying $500

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The 25-year-old South Lyon man accused of stabbing a man in Ann Arbor Sunday morning is free on bond after paying $500, according to court records.

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Michael Bogart

Courtesy of WCSO

Michael Bogart was arraigned Monday on charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assault with a dangerous weapon, court records show. Magistrate Thomas Truesdell ruled Bogart could leave the Washtenaw County Jail if he paid 10 percent of $5,000, according to records.

As of Thursday morning, Bogart was no longer lodged at the county jail.

Bogart is accused of stabbing a 28-year-old Ypsilanti man after a verbal altercation turned physical at 1:35 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of North Main Street. Bogart was arrested at the scene and then transported to the hospital for injuries suffered during a fight between the two men.

The Ypsilanti man was hospitalized for his wounds suffered during the alleged stabbing. The two men did not know each other.

Bogart is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary exam at 8:30 a.m. March 28 at the 14A-1 District Court in Pittsfield Township, according to court records.

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Google: $3.1 million Michigan tax lien related to disputed Michigan Business Tax payments

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The $3.1 million tax lien filed against Google Inc. by the Michigan Department of Treasury in November 2012 is related to a discrepancy between the treasury and Google regarding the company’s tax returns from a few years ago.

"This stems from an outstanding issue related to our 2008 and 2009 corporate tax returns,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement. “We're working through the appeals process and hope to resolve these issues with the state soon."

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Google's Ann Arbor office on Division Street is the company's AdWords sales headquarters.

Steve Pepple | AnnArbor.com file photo

On Oct. 23, 2012, Google filed petitions with the Michigan Tax Tribunal disputing its 2008 and 2009 tax payments, according to documents on the tribunal’s website. The lien relating to Google’s 2012 taxes was filed just over a month later by the Treasury department with the Ingham County register of deeds.

Both Google and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation say that the tax dispute is not related to tax credits received by Google as part of the Michigan Economic Growth Activity (MEGA) tax credit program. Google was granted a maximum of $38 million in tax credits over a 20-year period if they met job creation targets that included 1,000 employees in the state.

The dispute may have been caused by a modification in the state's tax code in 2008. State treasury spokesman Terry Stanton pointed out that Michigan switched from the Single Business Tax to the Michigan Business Tax Jan. 1, 2008.

According to docket information available on the tribunal’s website, Google’s two cases with the tax tribunal were consolidated into one case on March 12 and the prehearing date certain has been set for Oct. 21, 2013, meaning that a prehearing will occur on or before that date.

A tribunal representative said the only steps in the tribunal process are prehearing, hearing, and the final decision, however a settlement can be reached between the parties at any point in the cycle.

The two tax liens currently filed against Google are for $1.4 and $1.7 million each. The company has two offices in Michigan, one in downtown Ann Arbor and the other in Birmingham, with the Ann Arbor office employing over 300 people according to the most recent public estimate.

Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. You can sign up here to receive Business Review updates every week. Reach out to Ben at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2

Michigan 71, South Dakota State 56 (Final)

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Mitch McGary throws down a dunk for two of his 13 points in Michigan's 71-56 win over South Dakota State on Thursday, March 21, at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Michigan advances to play Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday.

Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

Postgame coverage:

WHO: No. 4 Michigan (26-7, 12-6 Big Ten) vs. No. 13 South Dakota State (25-9, 13-3 Summit League).

WHERE: Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hill, Mich.

WHEN: Thursday, 7:15 p.m.

LIVE COVERAGE: Join Michigan beat writers Nick Baumgardner and Kyle Meinke from our Live Chat on the Michigan Basketball homepage for their take of the action as it happens. You can also follow them on Twitter @nickbaumgardner and @kmeinke.

ODDS: Michigan is favored by 11 points according to SportsBook.com.

SERIES RECORD: Michigan leads, 2-0.

LAST MEETING: The teams last met Dec. 3, 1988, with Michigan winning 104-66. Michigan went on to win the national championship that season.

BROADCAST INFORMATION: TV: CBS; Radio: Detroit: WWJ (950 AM), Ann Arbor: WWWW (102.9 FM).

MICHIGAN: Roster | Schedule

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE Roster | Schedule

Coverage throughout the week: It's the most wonderful time of year: March Madness. Michigan and South Dakota State are among the select few still left in the college basketball landscape, but by day's end, only one will stand. Incase you've been under a rock for the past week, or the entire season, here is everything you could possibly want to know about the meeting between the Wolverines and Jackrabbits:

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Michigan looks more loose this March, but insists its focus is razor sharp heading into NCAA tournament

Last year the Michigan basketball team's focus may have been too sharp. At practices leading up to its loss to Ohio in their opening game of NCAA Tournament, there weren't many smiles. That wasn't the case Monday in Auburn Hills and John Beilein hopes the his team's looseness is a sign of being comfortable and confident.

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Michigan, the youngest team in the NCAA tournament, pinning hopes on freshmen

Michigan's best player, Trey Burke is a sophomore. Freshmen Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson III, Caris LeVert, Nik Stauskas and Spike Albrecht are all vital cogs to the Michigan team. It should come as no surprise that Michigan is the youngest team in the NCAA Tournament with an average experience level of .8 years. Second youngest is Oklahoma State, at 1.01.

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South Dakota State 'not intimidated' by Michigan, expects Palace support from Michigan State fans

The South Dakota State players insist they aren't scared of Michigan, and they won't be overwhelmed by playing the Wolverines in Auburn Hills, just 55 miles away from the Crisler Center. In fact, they're hoping to get some love from the Spartan fans in the building.

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Lineup shakeup? Jordan Morgan could be replaced as starter for Michigan's NCAA tournament opener

Jordan Morgan has not played his best basketball of late and in contrast, freshman Mitch McGary has come on strong down the stretch. The result may be McGary supplanting Morgan in the starting lineup on Thursday against South Dakota State, and beyond should Michigan advance in the tournament.

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South Dakota State star Nate Wolters tries to deflect focus off matchup with Michigan's Trey Burke

Michigan won't be the only team with a national player of the year candidate on the floor on Thursday. South Dakota State senior Nate Wolters is no slouch himself. Though all eyes will be on the Wolters vs. Trey Burke matchup on Thursday, Wolters has done all he can to deflect the attention leading up to the game. He insists more will have to happen than him winning an individual matchup for his team to prevail.

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Column: No more early exits, Michigan must at least hit the Sweet 16 to continue progression

When John Beilein first arrived at Michigan, just getting to the tournament was an accomplishment. Beating Clemson one year, and Tennessee another in opening round games was going beyond expectations, but expectations have changed. Early round exits won't do it for the Wolverines anymore. They need to get to the Sweet 16 or beyond to prove their progression as a program.

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CBS: Michigan has more NBA potential than any other NCAA tournament team

President Obama likes Michigan as an Elite Eight team, others believe the Wolverines are a fraud. But regardless of how the Wolverines finish this March, one analyst says Michigan's talent matches up with anyone. CBSsports.com's Jeff Goodman says Michigan has more NBA-level talent than any other team in the NCAA tournament.

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Michigan: South Dakota State's fast-paced style 'plays to our advantage'

Michigan features one of the country's most dynamic offenses, but it stalled a bit in recent weeks as it plodded through the Big Ten slate. Now the fourth-seeded Wolverines will open NCAA tournament play against 13th-seeded South Dakota State, another team that likes to let it fly -- and they're thrilled with the matchup.

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Michigan's freshmen prepping for first NCAA tournament run

Michigan has five freshmen in its lineup. They're not quite the Fab Five, but they have some chops. The group of underclassmen is preparing for their first run in the NCAA Tournament and loving every minute of it at the advice of the old man of the team: Tim Hardaway Jr.

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President Obama picks Michigan to reach Elite Eight

Michigan got as resounding an endorsement as possible heading into the tournament. President Barack Obama picked the Wolverines to reach the Elite Eight. Mr. President also picked two Big Ten teams to reach the Final Four.

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Michigan's John Beilein: Detroit Pistons would struggle to slow South Dakota State's shooters

How much does John Beilein respect the offense of the South Dakota State? He believes slowing down the Jackrabbits would be tough for every team in Auburn Hills...including the Detroit Pistons.


HOW FAR WILL THE WOLVERINES GO?

An overwhelming majority of AnnArbor.com readers believe Michigan will advance at least past the first round, but there are still some who belive the Wolverines will fall to the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State.

How far do you think this year's team will go?

Associated Press Side-by-Side comparisons:

Michigan | San Diego State

Record: 26-7 | 25-9, Advantage: Michigan.

Average Points: 75.2 | 73.9, Advantage: Michigan.

Opponents' Avg. Pts.: 62.9 | 65.6, Advantage: Michigan.

Avg. margin of victory: 12.3 | 8.3, Advantage: Michigan.

Avg. field goal percentage: .484 | .470, Advantage: Michigan.

Opp. FG Pct.: .419 | .442, Advantage: Michigan.

3-Pt. FG Pct.: .383 | .394, Advantage: South Dakota State.

Opp. 3-Pt. FG Pct.: .330 | .357, Advantage: Michigan.

3-Pt. FG made per game: 7.5 | 7.8, Advantage: South Dakota State.

Opp. 3-Pt. FG-Game: 6.5 | 6.9, Advantage: Michigan.

Free throw Pct.: .707 | .763, Advantage: South Dakota State.

Rebound Margin: 2.9 | 4.1, Advantage: South Dakota State.

TO Diff.: 2.9 | 0.8, Advantage: Michigan

Avg. Steals: 6.0 | 5.1, Advantage: Michigan

Avg. Blocks: 2.8 | 2.3, Advantage: Michigan


Ahmo's Gyros & Deli to open Ypsilanti location

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Ahmo's Gyros & Deli will open a new location in Ypsilanti at 1425 Washtenaw Ave.

Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

Ahmo's Gyros & Deli will soon open in the former Pinter's Flowerland building on Washtenaw Avenue in Ypsilanti, a city official confirmed.

The Ypsilanti Planning Commission unanimously approved Mohamad Issa's site plan with conditions Wednesday night, allowing him to move forward with opening the business.

"He did confirm it will be an Ahmo's," said Assistant City Planner Bonnie Wessler.

Issa would like to make the location a 50-seat restaurant.

Issa, co-founder of Global Educational Excellence that oversees some charter schools in Washtenaw County, also co-founded the Ahmo's chain, which now includes three restaurants in Ann Arbor and one in Adrian.

Issa could not be reached for comment.

The 2,780-square-foot building at 1425 Washtenaw Ave. is on the southeast corner of Washtenaw Avenue and Owendale Street, and sits on about .34 acres of land.

The building's assessed value is $90,300, making its market value $180,600. Robert Pinter purchased the building in 1991 for $217,000 from Gary Miano.

Wessler said the planning commission typically doesn't approve a site plan that has so many recommendations to consider, but the commission is confident the conditions can be worked out.

The commission wants Issa to add bicycle parking, remove the curb cut on Owendale and replace it with a barrier curb and include more landscaping as part of the project, as well as other engineering changes.

"If there's something we can't work out together, we can go back to the planning commission," Wessler said.

Wessler said Issa will go before the zoning board of appeals on March 27, when it will consider his request for an outdoor cafe. Issa needs permission from the board to operate the cafe within less than the required 50-foot distance of a residential district.


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Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.

Willow Run 4th graders get a lesson in density from WCC students

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Fourth graders from Willow Run Community Schools learned about density and slime at Washtenaw Community College. Students in the WCC's early elementary program lead the fourth graders in a series of experiments designed to teach them about density.

Images were captured by AnnArbor.com staff photographer Courtney Sacco.

University of Michigan Health System names cardiovascular center in honor of $50M donation

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After a combined $50 million donation, the UMHS cardiovascular center has been renamed the Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center, after the donors.

AnnArbor.com file photo

The University of Michigan Health System is naming its cardiovascular center after a couple who gifted $50 million to the center during the past six years.

The center, now called the Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center, received its first $25 million gift from the Frankel family's foundation in 2007, although at the time it was given anonymously. Another $25 million gift from the family was just awarded to the center.

The center works to bring together specialists from several areas of UMHS to prevent, treat and study heart disease, blood vessel disorders and strokes. These specialists include cardiac surgeons, nurses and heart-imaging specialists, among others.

The couple, now deceased, also have financially supported the school's Center for Judaic Studies.

"We are just the facilitator," said Stanley Frankel, Samuel and Jean's son, said Friday. The elder Frankels graduated from University of Michigan in 1936.

The additional $25 million gift will go to support the center, financing clinical research and patient support.

"The Frankel family has decided to gift another $25 million and this will help us build on the successes of the last six years, to create a culture of total partnership," said health system CEO Ora Pescovitz.

The 2011 U.S. News and World Report's Best Hospitals ranking rates the heart and heart surgery programs at U-M No. 12 in the nation and best among Michigan hospitals.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.

Michigan signee Derrick Walton is Class B player of the year; Gabriel Richard's Jason Houle honorable mention

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The Associated Press Class B All-State team was released on Thursday and Michigan signee Derrick Walton Jr. of Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy is the Player of the Year.

Father Gabriel Richard junior Jason Houle earned honorable mention, given to any player to receive one or fewer votes among the 10-person panel.

Houle, a 6-4 guard, averaged 22 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for Father Gabriel Richard and shot 40 percent from 3-point range on the season.

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Michigan signee Derrick Walton Jr., left, is the Associated Press Class B Michigan high school player of the year.

Walton -- a 6-foot point guard who is pegged to eventually replace Trey Burke at point guard for Michigan -- signed with the Wolverines during the early signing period. Walton averages 26.2 points, 10.1 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 5.4 steals per game as a senior.

The Associated Press All-State team is voted on by a 10-person panel made up of sports writers from across the state from Associated Press membership publications. The top 10 players to receive votes from the panel are considered first team All-State, players who receive two votes or more are automatically special mention and those who receive one or no votes are honorable mention.

The Class C team will be released on Wednesday, Class B on Thursday and Class A on Friday.

The Associated Press Class B boys basketball All-State team, as selected by a panel of 10 Michigan sports writers: ___

Derrick Walton Jr., Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 6-0, Sr., Player of the Year

Keith Brushwyler, Stevensville Lakeshore, 6-8, Sr.

Quantrell Hastings, Wyoming Godwin Heights, 6-1, Sr.

Jalen Hayes, Lansing Sexton, 6-7, Sr.

Dontel Highsmith, Dowagiac, 6-3, Sr.

Austin Johnson, Spring Lake, 6-2, Sr.

Josh Kozinski, Edwardsburg, 6-4, Sr.

Mizell Lippett, Warren Fitzgerald, 5-11, Sr.

Lance Monroe, Bridgeport, 6-1, Sr.

Ryan Schall, Comstock Park, 5-11, Sr.

Darrell Davis, Detroit Douglass, 6-4, Jr.

Edmond Sumner, Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day, 6-3, Jr.

___

COACH OF THE YEAR:

Sean Schroeder, Stevensville Lakeshore

___

SPECIAL MENTION (nominees receiving two or more votes from the 10-member panel):

Reid Dugan, Otsego; Mitch Rubio, Goodrich

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Father Gabriel Richard's Jason Houle, left, is an honorable mention on the Class B All-State team.

Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com file photo

___

HONORABLE MENTION (nominees receiving one or no votes from the 10-member panel):

Lorenzo Bonam, Dearborn Heights Robichaud; Bo Zeigler, Detroit Community; Austin Price, Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day; Trevor Manuel, Lansing Sexton; M.J. Myles, Corunna; Dillon Rush, Lansing Catholic; Quinn Tyson, Big Rapids; Kody Ambrose, Scottville Mason County Central; Nick Sullivan, Flint Powers Catholic; Brandon Hicks, Warren Lincoln; Lamont Nelson, Clinton Township Clintondale; Cody Edgerton, Yale; Sam Honaker, Marine City; Matt Russell, Marysville; Jordan VanDort, Zeeland West; Mike Siegel, Fremont; Kyle Steigenga, Holland Christian; Jon Marosi, Grand Rapids Catholic Central; Matt Modreske, Hopkins; Michael Welch, Stevensville Lakeshore; Chance Stewart, Sturgis; Josh Bass, Battle Creek Harper Creek; Robbie Ranville, Marshall; Quintan Harris, Olivet; Josh Ledbetter, Shepherd; Evan Marquardt, Midland Bullock Creek; Jason Houle, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard; Jerrell Martin, Detroit Community; Rashawn Walker, Detroit Osborn; Terrell Lee, Algonac

___

COACHES:

Justin Freeland , Midland Bullock Creek; Andy Donovan, Frankenmuth; Tim Tenneriello, Goodrich; Jerrell Marta, Detroit Community

___

Voting panel:

Pete Cunningham, AnnArbor.com; Mike Eckert, Traverse City Record-Eagle; Ross Maghielse, MLive-Flint; Paul Costanzo, Times Herald (Port Huron); Tom Markowski, The Detroit News; Alan Babbitt, The Holland Sentinel; Dick Hoekstra, Lansing State Journal; Steve Kaminski, MLive-Grand Rapids; Scott DeCamp, MLive-Kalamazoo; Jim Lahde, Morning Sun (Mount Pleasant)

University of Michigan and NHL try again: 2014 Winter Classic planned for Michigan Stadium

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A worker prepares ice for the Big Chill, held at Michigan Stadium in 2010.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

A four-month lockout might have derailed plans to host the 2013 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium, but the University of Michigan and National Hockey League will try again for 2014.

During a public meeting Thursday, the U-M Board of Regents unanimously reaffirmed it's decision to allow the NHL to host the Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium- this time on Jan. 1, 2014, with a rain date of Jan 2.

The school reaffirmed its previous contract with the NHL, which allows the league to lease Michigan Stadium for up to $3 million. The NHL will require use of the stadium from Dec. 1 until Jan. 2.

It's unclear if the university will have to seek another special liquor license in order for the NHL to serve alcohol at the stadium. Traditionally, serving alcohol at the stadium is prohibited, but through a strategically crafted bill, lawmakers offered a temporary liquor license for the one-day NHL event last year.

The 2013 Winter Classic was set to take place at the Big House on New Year's Day, but was cancelled because of a NHL lockout that shortened the 2012-13 season and ended on Jan. 6, five days after the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs would have taken place.

City and school officials estimated that the event would have a $14 to $15 million impact on the area, with anywhere between 3,000 and 6,000 hotel nights booked by visitors.

The NHL is hoping that Michigan Stadium, with a capacity of more than 114,000, can facilitate the largest Winter Classic attendance in history. The world record for attendance at a hockey game is 104,173, a record set at the outdoor game between Michigan and Michigan State in 2010. The NHL also plans on breaking the Michigan Stadium attendance record of 114,804.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.

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