Students use the Media Gateway on the second floor of North Quad as three large fans are used to ventilate the room on Wednesday.

Courtney Sacco I AnnArbor.com

Initially, officials told AnnArbor.com there were 100 students displaced based on information they had at the time of the incident.

An estimated 2,600 gallons of water flowed from the broken pipe for 33 minutes on the morning of April 28, flooding parts of the first four floors of the 10-story building, which includes dorm rooms and academic areas.

Water spilled from the pipe, located in a fourth-floor stairwell, cascading down the stairs, bursting through doorways and seeping through walls and ceilings.

Most of the damage has been fixed and students moved back in on Tuesday, the same day classes resumed to their normal North Quad locations and schedules.

North Quad's first two floors include classrooms, technology-equipped study spaces and a computer lab. The building is the home of the School of Information. From the third floor up are residence halls. North Quad opened in 2010 after a $175 million construction.

Bags of students' clothing sit in North Quad's community center having been removed and cleaned after last weeks flood.

Courtney Sacco I AnnArbor.com

Director of communications for U-M housing Peter Logan said the university does not yet know the estimated cost of damages. He said most of the damages were considered 'surface,' or things that easily can be replaced or cleaned, such as paint and carpeting. The majority of the building's considerable technology, which is valued in the seven-figures, was unharmed.

In areas impacted by water, crews cleaned floors and carpets and in some cases moved baseboard molding. In certain areas, they drilled holes in walls to extract water and help the interior of the wall dry out. Crews used vacuums with strong suction, fans and dehumidifiers to extract the moisture and U-M officials are monitoring for mold caused by the water.

Considering the building's computer lab was flooded, as were classrooms with electronic podiums and other equipment, Logan said he was surprised by the lack of substantive damage. He said just one piece of costly equipment was damaged in the flood —a media scape table that allows several computers to share one screen.

Fans are used to ventilate floors on the third floor of North Quad after last weeks flood.

Courtney Sacco I AnnArbor.com

Logan said water flowed at a rate of 80 gallons-per-minute for 33 minutes because U-M police had to respond to the scene and canvas North Quad so they could determine there was no fire. The burst pipe set off an alarm that normally signals sprinkler activation, which takes place when there is a potential fire.

"We cannot turn off the water suppression supply until it has been completely determined there is no fire," Logan said. "While water is continuing to rush, we're making sure there is no fire. North Quad is not a small building, so this takes time."

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

The 49-year-old Ypsilanti man killed in this wreck Wednesday morning was not wearing his seatbelt, police said.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

• Previous article: 1 dead near Milan in second fatal accident Wednesday morning

The 49-year-old Ypsilanti man killed in a rollover crash on U.S. 23 Wednesday morning was not wearing his seatbelt when his vehicle went off the roadway, police said.

Police said the red 2004 Chevrolet Aveo the man was driving was northbound on U.S. 23 approaching Carpenter Road. The car went off the roadway, and the driver lost control of the vehicle, crossed both northbound lanes and entered the center median.

Once in the center median, the Aveo began to roll and the man was thrown from the vehicle, Michigan State Police said in a press release. The man and the Aveo both came to rest in the left lane of southbound U.S. 23. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Michigan State Troopers were dispatched at 10:03 a.m. to southbound U.S. 23 near Carpenter Road in York Township to investigate the single- vehicle accident.

Troopers said preliminary investigation shows the man was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. Huron Valley Ambulance officials said the man was under the car when emergency personnel arrived on scene.

The investigation into the accident continues, and police are not sure why the man's car left the roadway when he was in the northbound lanes.

Troopers are not releasing the man’s name until his family is notified, according to the police statement.

The freeway was closed for almost two and a half hours for investigation into the crash.

The crash was the second fatal accident in Washtenaw County Wednesday morning. A 38-year-old man was killed on Whittaker Road in Ypsilanti Township when the box truck he was driving hit a tree. The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office is investigating that crash.

The man’s name has not been released by sheriff’s office officials. The box truck was the only vehicle involved in the crash.

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

After more than 50 years in downtown Ann Arbor, Herb David Guitar studio will take a bow and close up shop.

Courtney Sacco I AnnArbor.com

My own connection to Herb David was pretty recent. Just less 10 years ago, I began taking guitar lessons there. I was a tremendously shy 12-year-old who had little self-confidence and not much to be proud of. I wasn't athletic in the slightest, I didn't have many friends, I wasn't the most strikingly handsome kid in school, but playing guitar was something I could hang onto, something that set me apart. Sure, there were other kids who played — and better than I did — but it still was pretty limited in those days.

It wasn't for another year or so that it seemed like everyone and their brother knew how to play guitar. I wouldn't even say I got particularly good for quite a while, but it was something to strive for, something I kept with and didn't give up even if it took a while to catch on.

During my time taking lessons, the studio was the only place to go for pretty much anything music-related. I got an electric guitar there for Christmas. A mandolin for a later Christmas. My instruments went there for repairs, and I was always satisfied with the results. I didn't have much interaction with Herb himself, but when I did, he was gracious, funny, and approachable.

I was in awe of a man who had repaired the guitars of Eric Clapton, let John Lennon take a seat in the shop (in an old wooden chair that was there presumably to the last day), and probably had interacted with countless other legendary musicians. Basically, if a guitar player came to Ann Arbor and needed repairs, they went to Herb. In reality, I was in awe of all the employees; all of them were friendly and incredibly knowledgeable.

My guitar teacher, Sean Rogers, was terrific. I regret that after moving away to college, I lost touch with him and with the store as a whole, but it was never far from my heart. I think I owe a lot to Sean, and to that little shop on the corner.

It may be cliché to say that learning an instrument gave me self-confidence, a sense of purpose, discipline, patience, etc., but I believe all those things are true, both for me and for millions of kids out there. I hope that each and every employee of Herb David Guitar Studio, even if they are out of work for a while, walk away knowing they inspired countless people to pick up an instrument and start playing. And while I'm tremendously sad to see it go, I congratulate them for 51 years in business. That's no small feat, no matter where you are.

I don't play in bars. I don't have a band. I've tried writing songs and have been less than successful. But music is still an essential part of my life, and every time I pick up my guitar, I'll know that every note I play comes from that place, and I'll never forget it.

Conor McShane is an Ann Arbor resident.

TCM Classic Film Festival-Road to Hollywood comes to Ann Arbor!

“Marnie,” filmed in vivid Technicolor, follows compulsive thief Marnie Edgar (Tippi Hedren) and the handsome publisher (Sean Connery) who attempts to illuminate the deep-seated reason for her compulsive larceny. This event is FREE and open to the public, but you’ll need a ticket! Head to www.tcm.com/2012/roadtohollywood/details.html?city=8 to get one now!

Opening downtown “The Gatekeepers” takes an insider look at Shin Bet, Israel’s secret service. For the first time ever, six former heads of the agency agreed to share their insights and reflect publicly on their decisions. Each man discusses the sum of their successes and failures, which helps to explain the reasons that each man individually and the six as a group came to reconsider their hard-line positions, resulting in all advocating for a conciliatory approach toward their enemies based on a two-state solution. Tom Long of the Detroit News says, “The film and its talking head participants paint the picture in both broad strokes and fine detail.” “The Gatekeepers” opens Friday at the State Theatre.

“On the Road” tells the story of Sal Paradise (Sam Riley), a young writer whose life is shaken and ultimately redefined by the arrival of Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), a free-spirited, fearless, fast-talking Westerner and his girl, Marylou (Kristen Stewart). Traveling cross-country, Sal and Dean venture out on a personal quest for freedom from the conformity and conservatism engulfing them in search of the unknown, themselves, and the pursuit of “it” — the pure essence of experience. “On the Road” opens Friday at the Michigan Theater.

“Koch” looks at Former Mayor Ed Koch, the quintessential New Yorker. Still ferocious, charismatic, and hilariously blunt, the recently deceased Koch ruled New York from 1978 to 1989—a down-and-dirty decade of grit, graffiti, near-bankruptcy and rampant crime. First-time filmmaker Neil Barsky has crafted a revealing portrait of this intensely private man, his legacy as a political titan, and the town he helped transform. “Koch” plays Monday and Wednesday, April 8 and 10, at the Michigan Theater.

In 2010, Stevie Nicks went to work on a new solo album, “Stevie Nicks: In Your Dreams.” This music documentary follows Nicks and former Eurythmics mastermind Dave Stewart as they set up shop in her home studio to record their collaborative creative process. “Stevie Nicks: In Your Dreams” plays one night only on Wednesday, April 10.

Opening at the multiplex

Steven Spielberg's phenomenally successful “Jurassic Park” gets an IMAX 3D re-release in time for its 20th Anniversary. Dinosaurs will be leaping off the screen starting Friday.

“Evil Dead,” a remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film, finds five 20-something friends holed up in a remote cabin. When they discover a Book of the Dead, they unwittingly summon up dormant demons, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left intact to fight for survival. Joe Leydon of Variety says it’s a “rare remake that likely will be enjoyed most by diehard fans of its predecessor.” “Evil Dead” opens Friday.

Special screenings downtown

The U-M Nam Center for Korean Studies Korean Cinema Now film series continues with “Masquerade,” featuring Lee Byeong-Heon as both the tragic King and that of the commoner who shares a fatefully remarkable resemblance to the ruler. When the King collapses from a mysterious poison, the commoner double must carry off the biggest masquerade of his career to save the country from chaos while under imminent threat. “Masquerade” plays Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Michigan Theater and admission is free!

M-agination Films is a student-run film production group at the University of Michigan in which students are responsible for writing, directing, camera work, editing, and everything in between. See the fruits of the labor on Thursday, April 11 at 8 p.m. at the Michigan Theater.

“The Crow” starring Brandon Lee is this week’s Midnight Movie at the State Theatre - Saturday, April 6 at 11:59 p.m. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with amazing big-screen stories! Journey to exotic locations, paddle the wildest waters, and climb the highest peaks - be taken away to the most captivating places on earth. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour plays Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at the Michigan Theater.

The New Line and New Hollywood series continues with Gus Van Sant’s “Last Days,” which draws inspiration from the life and death of Kurt Cobain. “Last Days” plays Monday, April 8 at 7 p.m. at the Michigan Theater.

Russ Collins is executive director of the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Tune in to the audio version of “Cinema Chat” on WEMU radio (89.1-FM) each Thursday at 7:40 a.m. and 5:40 p.m., or listen to it online at WEMU's web site.

James Edward Wright Jr. died after his truck crashed into a tree on Whittaker Road in Ypsilanti Township Wednesday morning.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office on Thursday released the name of the 38-year-old Ypsilanti Township man killed in an accident Wednesday morning.

James Edward Wright Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene after the box truck he was driving went off Whittaker Road near Sea Mist Drive and crashed into a tree, police said.

Wright was the only person in the vehicle. A preliminary investigation revealed no indication that Wright hit the brakes before colliding with the tree.

Per procedure, the Medical Examiner is taking a look at the body, said Sgt. Geoff Fox of the sheriff's office. Police were not releasing any other information about the investigation.

The truck crossed the the centerline of Whittaker and crashed into the tree just before 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, police said.

The tree the box truck hit is directly next to a tree involved in a fatal crash a few years ago. Sixteen-year-old Caitlyn Varney and her cousin, 24-year-old Jessica Varney died in that accident on April 27, 2009. More recently, a head-on collision resulted in the death of a 19-year-old Whittaker man in that same area on Sept. 22, 2012.

The crash that killed Wright was one of two fatal crashes in Washtenaw County Wednesday. Jeffrey Randolph, 49, of Ypsilanti, died when the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo he was driving ran off northbound U.S. 23 near the Carpenter Road Exit shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, police said.

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

Spring is here, and while flowers begin to bloom in the ground, the Ann Arbor Artisan Market blossoms on the concrete. Fully formed and beautiful. On Sunday, the market will open for its 22nd season.

Artist Tim Nagae shows off his work at a past Artisan Market

Future market events will include focuses on woodworking, jewelry and Earth Day. Follow them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/SundayArtisanMarket, to learn more.

Sundays starting April 7, 2013. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. No cost for admission. The market is held at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, located at 315 Detroit St., Ann Arbor. 734-913-9622

A Pennsylvania high schooler whose cheeky op-ed in the Wall Street Journal sparked a national conversation on college admissions might be a University of Michigan Wolverine next year.

Suzy Lee Weiss appeared on the Today Show Thursday morning and, when asked where she'd be going to college in the fall, said she hadn't decided but coughed "Go Blue," a favorite U-M cheer.

On March 29 the Journal published Weiss' opinion piece entitled 'To (All) the Colleges That Rejected Me.' Weiss had dreamed of going to Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, but the Pittsburgh high school senior was rejected despite a reported 4.5 GPA.

In her piece, Weiss laments what she considers the unrealistic expectations of college admissions offices.

"Colleges tell you, 'Just be yourself.' That is great advice, as long as yourself has nine extracurriculars, six leadership positions, three varsity sports, killer SAT scores and two moms. Then by all means, be yourself!" She wrote. "If you work at a local pizza shop and are the slowest person on the cross-country team, consider taking your business elsewhere."

A week after it was first published, the op-ed remains the most-read article on the Journal's website.

On the Today Show Thursday, Weiss said her op-ed was satire, using jokes to illustrate the seeming absurdity of the college application process.

"Everyone my age, whether they wanted to get into Penn State their whole lives or Harvard, is agreeing with me that it's just a rat race nowadays and it's such a business model as opposed to who's most qualified should get in," she said. "It's a crapshoot and I understand that."

While she was rejected from the Ivy League colleges she dreamt of during her youth, she did get into several Big 10 schools— including U-M, which was recently rated a top 'dream school' by the Princeton Review.

"I got into great schools in the Big Ten: University of Michigan, Indiana, Penn State and Wisconsin. All of which I am ecstatic about. I couldn't be more happy," she said.

And if Weiss' "Go Blue" cheer means anything, we may be seeing her in Ann Arbor this fall.

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

A 23-year-old Superior Township man and an 18-year-old Ypsilanti Township man were arrested a short time after police were called to the 7-11, 2200 East Ellsworth Road, at 2:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Police say the two men walked into the store, purchased something and then left.

“They were upset with the price of it,” said Sgt. Geoff Fox of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office.

Police would only characterize what the men bought as "a small item."

The men then returned to the 7-11. Police said the 23-year-old went inside and brandished a handgun, demanding a pack of cigarettes. He took the pack and left.

Police responding to the robbery saw the two men walking on Ellsworth and arrested them without incident. Witnesses identified suspects, and the gun was recovered, police said.

The men are being held at the Washtenaw County Jail where they were expected to be arraigned on armed robbery charges Thursday, police said.

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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.

Responding to a growing local need for mental health services, Washtenaw County is moving to hire 39 new employees this month.

The workers -- 14 of which will be client services managers -- would all be hired into the Washtenaw County Community Support and Treatment Services department that provides services to adults with severe mental illness, severely emotionally-disturbed children and people with developmental disabilities that live in the county.

The Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 in its Ways and Means meeting Wednesday night to approve the measure. Absent were commissioners Conan Smith, D-Ann Arbor; Rolland Sizemore Jr., D-Ypsilanti Township and Alicia Ping, R-Saline.

“We’re serving 40 percent more people today than we were five years ago, just not with increase in staff,” said Dr. Tim Florence, medical director for CSTS.

Commissioner Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township, at a March meeting.

Andrew Kuhn | For AnnArbor.com

The addition of 39 employees will bring the 270-member workforce at CSTS to a level that meets the current demand for service, Florence said.

• View the full list of positions and pay grades

The new positions will be funded through the Medicaid program and will not require the allocation of dollars from the county’s general fund, Florence said.

The 2013 budget for CSTS is $28.7 million. Under the measure that received initial approval Wednesday night, the department’s budget would be increased to $41.8 million.

Commissioner Felicia Brabec, D-Pittsfield Township, called CSTS an “integral” service to the community.

Board Chairman Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, also voiced his support for the measure.

Commissioner Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, at a March board meeting.

Andrew Kuhn | For AnnArbor.com

Rabhi added that majority of new positions will be under union contracts.

“It will mean a net increase in union positions, which I am very supportive of,” Rabhi said.

Adding 39 employees to the county’s workforce in addition to the creation of two other new positions in other departments would bring the total number of county employees to about 1,375, said Commissioner Dan Smith, R-Northfield Township.

“That’s the highest headcount we’ll have had since 2008,” Smith said. “I will be supporting (the measure), but I’m cautious and leery about increasing the county’s headcount at this time.”

The Washtenaw Community Health Organization (WCHO) is a freestanding governmental agency created by the Board of Commissioners and the University of Michigan in 2000.

CSTS is the service provider for the WCHO, and is a county department charged with providing all medically necessary services for individuals on Medicaid.

For the 2013 fiscal year, WCHO paid CSTS $24.9 million for services, broken down from the following funding sources:

• Medicaid - state: $9.2 million
• Medicaid b(3): $2.8 million
• Medicaid HSW: $8.5 million
• State general funds: $3.9 million
• Adult Benefit Waiver program: $255,900
• Children’s Waiver program: $163,800
• Michigan Child program: $84,600

The $24.9 million contract accounts for 18 percent of the WCHO’s $140 million annual expenditures on mental health services.

CSTS supplements the funding from WCHO through grants, contracts, service charges, donations and transfers from Washtenaw County’s general fund. In 2010 that amount was $230,000 and in 2011 it was $215,000. There is no budgeted general fund contribution for 2012 or 2013.

Under the resolution passed Wednesday night, WCHO will be increasing its funding to CSTS by $14.3 million for a total allocation of $38.7 million.

The money comes from existing WCHO funds, Florence said, and was approved by WCHO's board of directors.

Florence said the WCHO board agreed to increase funding to CSTS with no changes to the presented plan.

“I’m very happy that the WCHO board supports this funding choice,” said County Administrator Verna McDaniel. “We’ll be working hard to make sure those positions are filled.”

In addition to the hirings, the changes approved to the CSTS structure will give it more immediate control over its budgetary, finance and administrative oversight. Those functions now are carried out by WCHO -- which is not optimal for CSTS to operate efficiently, Florence said.

Those 76 positions would be reclassified from WCHO positions to CSTS jobs under the resolution the commissioners approved Wednesday.

“Now we’re moving so that CSTS has all the necessary tools and resources to provide those services, and has the administrative functions to monitor them,” Florence said.

Administrative costs for the WCHO total $19.7 million, or 14 percent of its total expenses.

CSTS has one of the highest number of employees -- 270 -- and budget out of all county departments, second only to the sheriff’s office.

Its adult mental health services are housed at 2140 Ellsworth Road in Ann Arbor. It also has a location at 750 Towner St. in Ypsilanti that serves developmentally disabled individuals.

Under the county's 2013 space plan, adult mental health services will move to the county Annex building at 110 N. Fourth Ave. in downtown Ann Arbor.

The move will coincide with the hiring of the 39 workers, Florence said, and will allow CSTS better access to treat their patient population.

The WCHO has 86 employees and serves residents in Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw counties. It is funded by state program dollars and has a 2013 budget of $147 million -- $140 million of which is dedicated to mental health services.

About 89 percent - or $124 million -- of the WCHO’s funding for mental health services comes from Medicaid.

• View WCHO's 2013 budget

Less than 1 percent, or about $1.4 million, comes from local and miscellaneous funding sources. The majority -- about $1.1 million -- of that came from Washtenaw County’s general fund.

Should the Board of Commissioners give final approval to the measure at its April 17 meeting, the 39 new positions would be advertised on the county’s website.

Details of the budget of Community Support and Treatment Services from the county's departmental budget summary.

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

A lawsuit against Michigan's new right-to-work law is moving forward after Ingham County Judge William Collette refused to dismiss the case on Wednesday.

Rebekah Warren

Warren has joined the ACLU and a coalition of labor supporters seeking to invalidate the new law that prohibits requiring the payment of union dues as a condition of employment.

The lawsuit argues the doors to the state Capitol were locked to keep members of the public from entering while the legislation was being debated on Dec. 6. The plaintiffs believe that was in violation of the Open Meetings Act, the First Amendment and the Michigan Constitution.

"The people of Michigan deserve to have their say in the legislative process, and that right was denied them in the passing of right-to-work," Warren said. "The Open Meetings Act was created to ensure transparent and accountable governing, and this violation warrants swift and strong repercussions."

Republican lawmakers have called the lawsuit a desperate act of people unwilling to give workers more freedom, and they've argued the state police — not them — made the call to shut the doors to the Capitol as a matter of safety given the amount of people protesting.

Attorney General Bill Schuette asked the judge to throw out the case, arguing the right-to-work law stipulates that any legal challenges must originate in the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Collette chided Republicans, saying he was amazed state lawmakers would create laws to try to avoid him. He said he didn't have much interest in jurisdictional issues because potential violations of the state's open meetings laws are the main focus of the case.

The state now will have to defend the closing of the Capitol building to the public in court. Warren said citizens have a right to observe and participate in the democratic process.

The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of Warren; Bonnie Bucqueroux, an instructor at Michigan State University's School of Journalism; Steve Cook and Rick Trainor; state Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Brandon Dillon; the Michigan Education Association; Michigan State AFL-CIO; Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council; and Change to Win.

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 was a century ago that a chapter of the fraternity that uses music to serve the community was created in Ann Arbor. To celebrate this milestone, the Ann Arbor Alumi chapter will perform at Mu Phi Epsilon and Friends: Celebrating 100 years of Music, Friendship and Harmony at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Tuesday.

As part of the special event, a short choral piece was commissioned and will be premiered. There will also three-song cycle of Deborah Rebeck Ash’s poems, "Riding Past Grief, written in memory of her mother, set to music by Henry Flurry. " The concert will conclude with a reception and refreshments.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013. 8 p.m. Free will donation. The Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor. 734-761-9320. For more information: 734-665-2008 or www.muphiepsilon.org/annarbor

The fourth-annual University of Michigan TEDxUofM conference takes place Friday at the Power Center on central campus.

Organizers expect more than 1,200 attendees and have a line up of 20 speakers. Tickets to the event are sold out.

The theme is "untapped."

Speakers include: U-M instructor Kathryn Clark, an expert on human spaceflight who spent two years as chief scientist for the International Space Station; James Robert, an Ann Arbor teacher who encourages high-schoolers to develop their own life philosophy; and Mary Heinen, an advocate who helps recently-released prisoners enter back into society.

Notably, Chris Armstrong, U-M's openly gay former student body president who won a civil settlement against the former state assistant attorney general for defamation, also will be speaking.

Although tickets are sold out, you can still watch a live stream of the event, which takes place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., online.

TEDxUofM is an offshoot of a popular national series by nonprofit Technology, Entertainment and Design, where speakers offer 18-minute presentations on their ideas or work.

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

Recent Michigan graduate Miriam Goldberg, pictured with her father, grew up less than 10 miles from the Syracuse campus and still loves the Orange, but will be pulling for her alma mater on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Miriam Goldberg

Both Goldberg and Heavenrich will get to see their two favorite teams play each other, but that also means they’ll have to root against one of them.

The choice was really no choice at all for either. Their hearts are true blue.

“I’ve always rooted for Syracuse, but my allegiance is to the blue,” said Goldberg, a recent Michigan graduate who grew up less than 10 miles from the Syracuse campus.

Goldberg is from Fayetteville, New York and her father is a Syracuse alumnus and season ticket holder.

“I’ve been going to games at the Carrier Dome since I was a baby,” said Goldberg, whose father has dealt with the switching of allegiances admirably. “He’s not torn up about it. He’s happy that I have this allegiance to the university I go to.”

Heavenrich - a longtime Michigan basketball fan and football season ticket holder - said he and his sister, Polly Heavenrich, talk before, at halftime and after either of the two teams are playing.

The Heavenriches grew up Michigan fans in Saginaw, but when Polly moved to Syracuse in the 1970s, where she still lives today, she began rooting for the Orange.

“She’s within walking distance of the Carrier Dome,” said Bob, who joked that he wouldn’t be talking to her for a week.

Bob has grown fond of his sister’s favorite team over the years, watching Syracuse games whenever possible so the two can talk about them. For Goldberg, it’s the Michigan fandom that’s the change of heart. She still loves the team she grew up cheering for, but when push comes to shove is loyal to Michigan.

Michigan graduate Miriam Goldberg, far left, said her Syracuse fan friends have been understanding of her allegiance switch.

Photo courtesy of Miriam Goldberg

When the brackets were first released, she and her dad joked about the possibility of the teams playing in the Final Four.

Yes, joked. It’s not that No. 4 seeds making the Final Four is a "Cinderella Story," and both teams were recognized as some of the best in the country — Michigan getting ranked No. 1 in February, Syracuse No. 4 in December — during the year. But stretches during the season - Michigan losing 7-of-12 after receiving the No. 1 ranking, and Syracuse dropping four of its final five regular season games - made Final Four hopes seem like a bit of a stretch.

“We never though it would actually happen,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg said she and her father were contemplating making the trip, but neither actually will be in Atlanta over the weekend. Goldberg said there's a variety of reasons for her not making the trip, but primarily she wants to experience being in Ann Arbor during the run, however long, and be at the welcome-home party for the team regardless of the outcome.

"I want to be in Ann Arbor with other students and be able to cheer on the team when they return from Atlanta, regardless of the outcome," Goldberg said.

She has the same optimistic outlook about Saturday’s game.

“The way I look at it, either way my number one or two team is going to be in the national championship game,” she said.

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.

The 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium keeps getting more and more official.

The 2014 Winter Classic is expected to be held Jan. 1 at Michigan Stadium.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com file

The NHL has scheduled a press conference for Sunday morning at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit for what it’s calling “an announcement and a jersey unveiling.” The expectation is that it will officially announce plans to hold the 2014 Winter Classic on Jan. 1 between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 1, 2013, but was canceled due to the NHL lockout.

Since then, every indication has been that the event would simply be pushed back a year. Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland said as much in January, and on March 21 the University of Michigan Board of Regents reaffirmed its previous contract with the NHL, which allows the league to lease the stadium for up to $3 million.

Sunday will likely provide more details on the event, including what jerseys the two teams will be wearing.

The plan for the 2013 Winter Classic also included holding the Great Lakes Invitational outdoors at Comerica Park in late December featuring the University of Michigan hockey team. University of Michigan spokesperson Dave Ablauf said that a plan for next season's GLI "hasn't even been discussed."

Holland said in January that the Winter Classic’s surrounding events would be “tweaked.”

• Related story: University of Michigan not hosting public watch party

The bar at R.U.B. BBQ, 640 Packard St., Ann Arbor. R.U.B. will have drink specials and giveways during the game on Saturday night.

Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com

I've narrowed my choices down to an Elite 8: bars and restaurants where I could enjoy a cold beer, some good food, and the experience of watching an exciting game in the company of a crowd of enthusiastic Michigan fans. Other ideas? Let us know in the comments.

1. Fraser's Pub, 2045 Packard St., Ann Arbor: This no-nonsense, no-frills neighborhood sports bar has an anachronistic feel, but the food is good and the beer list has a nice selection of excellent microbrews. Throw in some big-screen TVs, and it's hard to beat.

Fraser's owner Ron Sartori told me it will be business as usual on Saturday, albiet with a much larger crowd.

"It's first come, first served, no reservations," said Sartori. "We're expecting to have to turn people away, so come early. And hopefully we will do it again on Monday!"

2. Casey's Tavern, 304 Depot St., Ann Arbor: It's business at usual at this Depot Street restaurant and bar on Saturday, too. If you're looking for a low-key, food oriented experience, this might be your top pick.

"We'll have the game on," said Casey's general manager Paul Thomas. "Come on in and watch it. We're open until 11."

3. Colonial Lanes/Cubs A.C. 950 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor: A coworker referred to this as a "hidden gem" for watching high-profile games. All screens will be tuned to the ballgame, so whether you're hanging out in the bar or bowling a few games, you can't miss the fun.

The place fills up fast, so events manager Elizabeth Swanguarin recommends you make a reservation in advance.

"Things get started at around 7:30," said Swanguarin. "We'll have giveaways—including Tigers tickets - throughout the game. It's a lot of fun."

4. Knight's Steakhouse, 2324 Dexter Ave., Ann Arbor: Knight's might not be top of mind when you think of places to watch a game, but where else can you enjoy a stiff drink, a good steak, and that unique Ann Arbor old-school townie vibe?

"We get a great bar crowd. A fun crowd," said manager Lindsay Bedolla. "We've got 3 or 4 TVs, and comfortable booths all around the TVs. And,of course, we've got the best drinks in town!"

5. Aubree's Saloon, 39 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti: "It's going to be crazy," laughed assistant manager Robert Gluch. "We'll fire up the game everywhere - on TVs and the loudspeakers - and the fight song will be cued up to play whenever something exciting happens."

Aubrees will have 20-ounce Budweisers for $2.75, and $4 20-ounce pours of Arbor Brewing Co. Bollywood Blonde on special for the game.

"I think we get busy a little later than some of the Ann Arbor bars," said Gluch. "We expect to fill up at around 7:20 or so."

6. R.U.B. BBQ and Pub, 640 Packard St., Ann Arbor: Located at the corner of State and Packard in the former Packard Pub space, R.U.B. BBQ is chock full of meat, beer and TVs. It's the perfect spot for a Final Four viewing.

"It’s going to be absolutely mayhem here for us. We’re certainly excited for it," said regional manager Omar Mitchell. "We're open until 2 a.m. Bud Light pitchers will be $5. We'll have other drink specials starting at 10 p.m. We'll have a special dish called 'The Big House Is On Fire' with a 'Fab Five' of different smoked meats. And there will be giveaways - trinkets, t-shirts and hats - all night."

7. The Arena Sports Bar & Grill, 203 E Washington St., Ann Arbor: Owner Mike Flore is a Spartan through and through, but he's happy to celebrate Michigan's Final Four appearance with his customers.

"We're going to be stupid busy," laughed Flore. "We (as a staff) try to have as much fun as everyone else is having. It gets crazy, but it’s a great atmosphere."

Flore says they'll have food and drink specials all night, and they're working on a special blue drink to celebrate the team.

"We've already got a drink called the Blue Smurf. We might just rename that 'The Wolverine' for Saturday night."

Expect big crowds at The Arena. Flore anticipates that they will be at capacity by 7 p.m. or so. And noise. Lots of noise.

"Last weekend a customer told me it was the loudest he'd ever heard it here."

8. Conor O'Neill's, 318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor: Want to knock back a beer and enjoy some fish and chips or shepherd's pie while you cheer for Michigan? Conor's will have all televisions tuned to the game, and they are running a Stella Artois promotion all day. The pub attracts a nice blend of students and locals.

A lawsuit filed in the Washtenaw County Trial Court Thursday morning seeks to spark changes in the way bicyclists and pedestrians interact in Ann Arbor parks after the plaintiff was seriously injured when a bicyclist struck her last year.

Ypsilanti resident Joanne Hahn was walking with her husband, Eugene, and daughter, Kristine, in Gallup Park on the morning of July 28, enjoying a sunny summer day. That walk was interrupted when a bicyclist who came up behind the trio tried to pass between Joanne and Kristine Hahn on the paved path, the lawsuit alleges.

A woman severely injured when she was hit by a bicyclist in Ann Arbor last year hopes her lawsuit will change the way pedestrians and bicyclists interact in the city. A woman jogs on the pedestrian path in this file photo.

“I wish no more people get hurt like me, so I want anything possible to change the rules so there is no more people who get hurt,” she said.

The collision left Joanna Hahn with severe brain damage, a herniated cervical disc and painful nerve damage from her head through her legs, according to the lawsuit. The family, through their attorney Richard Bernstein, filed the lawsuit in the Washtenaw County Trial Court Thursday morning and is seeking a jury trial. They’re asking for at least $25,000, plus court costs, interest and attorney fees.

The lawsuit names Mary Ann Hinesly, an Ann Arbor resident, as the bicyclist who hit Joanne Hahn. Attempts to contact Hinesly by AnnArbor.com Thursday afternoon were not immediately successful.

The lawsuit accuses Hinesly of negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress and causing loss of society, companionship and consortium.

Eugene Hahn said the family had no time to react before his wife was struck.

“I tried to grab my wife, but it was just too late,” Eugene Hahn said Thursday. “She was just struck so hard and tossed forward so hard. She was tossed 3 or 4 feet, and landed on the back of her head.”

Joanne Hahn worked for the University of Michigan as a food service worker for 22 years, but she’s no longer able to work. She said she was very active before the crash, but she now suffers from chronic pain that keeps her up at night, and she has trouble communicating.

While the lawsuit only names Hinesly as a defendant, the larger aim of the family is to instigate change in Ann Arbor. Bernstein said one of the main reasons the collision happened is because there are not segregated bike lanes and pedestrian lanes in Gallup Park.

“There is no excuse for having a single path for bicyclists and pedestrians,” Bernstein said. “There needs to be segregation. You cannot have bicyclists and pedestrians sharing the same path. This is basic stuff that needs to be corrected and needs to be corrected immediately.”

The lawsuit alleges no signs in parks notify bicyclists of speed limits and proper safety and, even if there was signage, there is no enforcement of these regulations in parks.

Bernstein is fighting a similar battle in New York City. He was hit by a bicyclist in Central Park in August and left with severe injuries, causing him to be hospitalized for months. A former Ironman competitor, Bernstein said he’s very much a fan of bicycling, but people need to be more aware of how to use bikes safely.

He said that’s where the city should step in.

“The reason this is so important, and the reason we’re so passionate, is people have a right to go to the park … and the challenge here is, as in Central Park, the cars and vehicles are more responsive to lights and traffic laws,” he said, “and bikes have a tendency to not do that because law enforcement has not made this a priority.”

He added, “A high-speed bike going at a very, very fast rate of speed can do just as much damage as a car.”

Bernstein said he would be calling on Mayor John Hieftje and the Ann Arbor City Council to formulate more regulations in city parks to make them safer for both bicyclists and pedestrians.

When reached by AnnArbor.com on Thursday, Hieftje said he was aware of the lawsuit but directed comments on it to City Attorney Stephen Postema. A noted bicyclist himself, Hieftje said there is a strong interest in the safety of city parks.

“I’m certainly interested in making sure our parks are the safest they can be,” he said.

AnnArbor.com left messages with other city officials seeking comment about the possibility of creating separate bike and pedestrian lanes or increasing signage regarding speed limits and bike safety Thursday afternoon.

There was no defense attorney for Hinesly named in the lawsuit filed Thursday.

• View a copy of the lawsuit.

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

• Related article and poll: Some of the best places to watch the Final Four game on Saturday

The University of Michigan will not be hosting a public watch party as the Wolverines take on Syracuse Saturday night for a spot in NCAA's championship game.

Hundreds of fans greeted Michigan's Final Four-bound basketball team last weekend.

Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

U-M associate athletic director Dave Ablauf said the school will host a public watch party Monday night if Michigan beats Syracuse Saturday during their 8:49 p.m. game in Atlanta.

Saturday's game marks the first time Michigan has been in the Final Four in 20 years.

The school is hosting two watch parties limited to students of the Ann Arbor campus. A student-only watch party will be held from 6:15 p.m. until 11:15 p.m. in the Pendleton room on the second-floor of Michigan Union and another will be held in Pierpont Commons.

The U-M alumni association is not hosting a watch party in Ann Arbor, although alumni clubs in several cities —including Grand Rapids, Brighton, and Traverse City— are gathering for viewing parties.

If you're not a student but looking to join a crowd when watching Saturday's game, there are a number of pubs in the area that will be showing the game. Colonial Lanes will show the game and give prizes to attendees. Staff at the Arena Sports Bar and Grill downtown already are predicting a "stupid busy" night.

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

Javare Holmes

Courtesy of WCSO

The 18-year-old man accused of breaking into houses and cars throughout the Ann Arbor area while out on bond had three of the cases bound over to circuit court Tuesday, records indicate.

Javare Holmes waived his preliminary examination in district court and stood mute on three charges of first-degree home invasion. A pretrial hearing was scheduled in the Washtenaw County Trial Court for April 15, according to court records.

The three separate cases are related to home invasions in Pittsfield Township.

In total, Holmes is a suspect in 17 cases across the county: nine home invasions from Ann Arbor, three in Pittsfield Township, two in the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, two larcenies from vehicles in the sheriff’s office jurisdiction and a larceny from a building in Ann Arbor.

Police say Holmes worked with others to break into the homes and vehicles while free on bond after being arrested and arraigned on similar charges in May 2012. AnnArbor.com has reported Holmes was arraigned on charges of first-degree home invasion and assaulting, resisting and obstructing police and given a $2,000 bond. He bonded out of jail six days after his arraignment.

Among the items Hamilton is suspected of stealing from homes and cars while free on that bond are guitars, violins, computers, televisions, GPS units, cellphones, watches, laptops and digital cameras, police said.

Holmes is now being held at the Washtenaw County Jail on a $10,000 cash or surety 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.

The two people arrested Sunday night in connection with the death of John Lawrence were released from jail Wednesday evening, officials confirmed.

The man and woman, both 20, were arrested Sunday night and police said they believed they killed Lawrence during a dispute about a lease. Both the man and woman were taken to the Washtenaw County Jail to await arraignment, which was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to jail records.

John Lawrence died at the Peninsular Place apartments in Ypsilanti. The suspects originally arrested in connection with the death have been released.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

Washtenaw County Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steven Hiller said Thursday the case is still under investigation and there was no timetable on when charges would be filed.

“It’ll take as long as it takes to get a complete picture of what happened in this case,” Hiller said.

AnnArbor.com is not releasing the names of the man and woman because they have not been formally arraigned on charges.

Lawrence, 46, was killed Sunday at the Peninsular Place apartments in the 900 block of Railroad Street. His daughter, Raven Lawrence, told AnnArbor.com she was arguing with the two suspects regarding the living situation at the apartment. She said the man was living at the apartment without a lease.

The situation became heated and Raven Lawrence called her father to come to the apartment, she said. When he arrived, he gave her his handgun and told her to take it to his car. By the time she came back to the apartment, the door was locked, Raven Lawrence said.

Police were called and, when investigators entered the apartment, John Lawrence was dead.

Raven Lawrence said her father drove to Ypsilanti from his home in Detroit to help her, though officials indicated he was from River Rouge.

Originally, police said he was killed by blunt force trauma to the head, but they’ve since backed off that statement. The final autopsy and toxicology reports won’t be ready for a few weeks, and police have not spoken more about the potential cause of death in the case.

Detective Joe Yuhas was not able to be reached Thursday by AnnArbor.com for comment on the latest developments in the case.

Yuhas told AnnArbor.com the case would be turned over to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office Wednesday morning for potential charges.

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

A rollover crash on eastbound Interstate 94 near the State Street exit is blocking the right lane, dispatchers said Thursday.

Washtenaw County dispatchers said emergency crews were on the way to the scene at 3:50 p.m. Thursday. Traffic was slow in both directions immediately around the crash, according to Google Maps.

Information on injuries was not immediately available, but initial reports indicated the driver refused medical treatment.

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