News across Washtenaw County
Washtenaw United: United Way for Southeastern Michigan presents Power of the Purse 2026
The "Power of the Purse" fundraiser is one of the United Way of Southeastern Michigan's most anticipated events. It has raised more than $450,000 to fund organizations focused on advancing the economic success of women. Decky Alexander talked about this year's Power of the Purse…
Huron River mussel relocation project prevents danger posed by Peninsular Dam removal
The pending removal of the Peninsular Dam later this year has caused concern for specific animals in its ecosystem. A group of local volunteers have concluded an effort to relocate mussels around the dam this summer. WEMU’s Joshua Nieman reports.
A Sweet Celebration for Milan Resident’s 104th birthday
Milan resident Dorothy Hall (center) celebrated her 104th birthday with friends new and old at Life Is Sweet on Sept. 25. Hall, who turned 104 earlier in the week, enjoyed a cannoli as customers joined in singing “Happy Birthday” and offering their congratulations.
Speaking Up for the Spine of Our Tribe
By Steve Gwisdalla Hello Tribe of Up! Welcome back to our little corner of the world where we advocate for more joy, help each other spread kindness, and look for ways to build stronger connections and communities. Let’s think about anatomy for a minute. If the leaders or experts…
Local Students Gather for See You at the Pole
Reporting and photos by Heather Finch and Karen Lambert Students at Milan and Saline high schools gathered before 7 a.m. Sept. 23 for See You at the Pole, a worldwide, student-led prayer event organized locally by Fellowship of Christian Athletes students. At Milan High School,…
Dexter Workshop Creates Space for Grief and Remembrance
When Julie Pierce invited community members to join a training walk in memory of her brother earlier this year, she asked participants to do something simple but powerful: say the name of the person they had lost. “Several people told me how impactful that was,” Pierce said. The…
Washtenaw United: Washtenaw Housing Alliance introduces the 'Yvonne Fund' to assist those assisting the homeless
The Washtenaw Housing Alliance is one of many groups working in our community to end homelessness in Washtenaw County. The latest tool in its mission is the Yvonne Fund, which is designed to create lasting systemic solutions to homelessness. The fund's development director,…
Crews Move Thousands of Mussels Before Pen Dam Removal
Wearing masks, snorkels, gloves and knee pads, teams spent days in the Huron River this summer turning over rocks and searching the riverbed for animals that could not move themselves out of danger. They found about 3,000 freshwater mussels. Staff, engineers, interns and…
Be a Passionate Spectator
By Steve Gwisdalla Hello Tribe of Up! Here in our happy little (but growing) tribe, we advocate for more joy every chance we get. We pay kindness forward and we seek to find those moments that allow us to pause and appreciate wonder around us. Those moments mentioned above have…
Girl Scouts and CARES Award Give Saline’s Little Free Libraries a Fresh Chapter
Since 2015, Little Free Libraries (LFL) have been a familiar presence throughout parks and neighborhoods in Saline. Inspired by an LFL in the front yard of a Saline resident, Saline’s Arts and Culture Committee (ACC) sponsored the installation of five additional LFLs, painted by…
Buzz Boutique Gives Formalwear a Second Dance
The racks inside Saline High School held sequins, satin, suits and even a gown with a $248 price tag still attached. For students visiting the Buzz Boutique, everything was free. The Saline High School Student Council opened the boutique Sept. 14-17, inviting students to browse…
Milan Senior Health Fair Connects Residents With Services
Older adults had a chance to learn about services ranging from estate planning and in-home care to proper disposal of lithium batteries and urns for pets at Milan’s Senior Health Fair on Sept. 16 at The Center. Randall Strack, director of programs and services for Milan Seniors…