washtenaw county

Wayne v. Washtenaw, a case of drastic health disparities

Stateside Staff — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:57:34 +0000

Men who live on one side of Rawsonville Rd. have a life expectancy that's six years longer than men on the other side.

In fact, the life expectancy for males in Washtenaw County is the equivalent of Switzerland, while in Wayne County it's the equivalent of Syria.

Ron French is a contributing writer for Bridge Magazine, and recently published a story about the health disparities between Wayne and Washtenaw counties, and spoke with us about what he found.

Washtenaw County on the edge of an economic rebound

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:31:45 +0000

Today, the annual Washtenaw County Outlook event will bring economists, businesses, and government officials together to address the current and future economic prospects for the county.

Lizzy Alfs of AnnArbor.com reports many were surprised to hear an economic forecast that Washtenaw County is expected to increase its job growth.

Washtenaw County Exploring How to Keep Union Business

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 22:01:19 +0000

Washtenaw County is exploring how to keep union business in the area, despite Michigan's new Right To Work laws which goes into effect in March.

Stateside: Poverty simulations

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:20:22 +0000

To better inform those unfamiliar with the challenges faced by the impoverished and homeless, Julie Steiner will host a poverty simulation tomorrow night at the Michigan Theater.

Steiner, the director of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, spoke with Cyndy about Washtenaw County’s poverty problem.

Washtenaw Co. death is Michigan's 5th in meningitis outbreak

The Associated Press — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:53:19 +0000

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Authorities are reporting a fifth Michigan death in a national outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to contaminated steroids.

The Michigan Department of Community Health said Thursday that its death count has risen by one in the last day. Mlive.com says the latest victim was a 62-year-old Washtenaw County man.

The state agency now reports 45 Michigan cases of fungal meningitis, plus four non-meningitis infection cases related to the same contaminated steroids.

First 2012 West Nile Virus case confirmed in SE Michigan man

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:26:28 +0000

Oakland County health officials say they've received Michigan Department of Community Health confirmation of West Nile virus in a 44-year-old man, the first such case reported in the state this year.

Today, the Oakland County Health Division announced that the man was hospitalized earlier this month after showing symptoms and he is now at home recovering.

On July 3, the MDCH announced it detected the virus in a mosquito pool sample in Saginaw County, and a wild turkey in Washtenaw County.

Making public transit easier for Washtenaw Co. Spanish speakers

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:36:52 +0000

Casa Latina, a new non-profit organization supporting Washtenaw County's Latino residents, has some interesting figures:

According to the US Census Bureau, nearly 30 percent of Washtenaw County community members who speak Spanish at home speak English ‘less than well’
Latinos make up 4 percent of Washtenaw County, yet 7.4 percent of those who use public transit are Latino
More than 70 percent of Spanish speakers in Washtenaw County are native-born US citizens, and 6.5 percent are naturalized citizens

With that in mind, Casa Latina has partnered with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (The Ride) to begin publishing a bus route and scheduling guide in Spanish.

In a press release, Charo Ledón, Executive Director of Casa Latina, commented, "This effort will help many of our fellow community members effectively use the bus system to get to and from work, school and the grocery store. It's a big step for Spanish-speakers to be able to fully participate in our community."

And a Spanish translation might just be the first step.

Carrie Rheingans, also with Casa Latina said, "In working with TheRide, we learned that there are folks who would like to see the Ride Guide published in other languages, too, and we applaud TheRide for trying this pilot project in Spanish first with Casa Latina."

According to the release, The Ride's new website will allow users to find information in several languages.

-John Klein Wilson, Michigan Radio Newsroom

This story was informed by the Public Insight Network. If you want to learn how to be a part of our network, click here.

Dexter tornado cleanup continues

The Associated Press — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 00:33:14 +0000

DEXTER, Mich. (AP) — The American Red Cross says hundreds of volunteers turned out to help people whose homes were damaged or destroyed by a tornado in Washtenaw County.

Spokeswoman Jenni Hawes says the village of Dexter is quickly getting cleaned up. The Red Cross moved its services Saturday to Creekside Intermediate School, which is more centrally located.

Hyundai plans Michigan temperature testing facility

The Associated Press — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:01:46 +0000

DETROIT (AP) - Hyundai Motor Co. says it plans to build a Michigan testing facility to help examine the effects of extreme hot and cold temperatures for vehicle development.

The expansion announced Tuesday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit will be at the South Korean automaker's Hyundai America Technical Center in Washtenaw County's Superior Township, near Ann Arbor. Hyundai will spend $15 million on the facility and other upgrades.

Hyundai says 50 full-time jobs will be added at the location in the coming years.

To secure the deal, the governor's office says the state agreed to make a $2.5 million loan to build a power substation.

The deal was announced after Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley toured the show on the second day of media previews.

Woman sues over wagon accident in Washtenaw County

The Associated Press — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:13:31 +0000

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - An employee of a Michigan market who was paralyzed from the waist down after being run over by a horse-drawn wagon during a hayride has filed a lawsuit.

AnnArbor.com reports 23-year-old Mary Armbruster of Ann Arbor sued Tuesday in Washtenaw County Circuit Court seeking more than $25,000 from Jenny's Dexter Market in Webster Township.

Armbruster claims the market gave her faulty equipment and didn't fix it when she complained.

Jennifer Lambers, who owns the market, declined to comment to Ann Arbor.com. A telephone listing for the market was busy when called Thursday morning by The Associated Press.

The market is a popular weekend destination in Washtenaw County near Dexter, about 40 miles west of Detroit.

Islamic school may sue over zoning change denial

Steve Carmody — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:48:37 +0000

An Islamic school may sue a Washtenaw County township over a zoning decision. The Pittsfield Township Board of Trustees last night turned down the Michigan Islamic Academy’s request for a zoning change that would have allowed the academy to build a new school in the township, just south of Ann Arbor.

Safe at Home (Part 2): Stopping men who batter

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:26:25 +0000

October is domestic violence awareness month. At Michigan Radio, we are taking a look at how domestic violence impacts our communities.

What support and intervention programs are in place to assist those impacted by domestic violence?

We have already spoken with the Director of Safe House Center in Ann Arbor, which provides assistance to those impacted by domestic violence or sexual assault.

Now we want to look at the other side of the equation. Jenn White, host of Michigan Radio’s All Things Considered, speaks with David Garvin, Senior Director at Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County.

Garvin manages the Alternatives to Domestic Aggression (ADA) program, a 52 week batterer intervention program that specializes in changing the behavior patterns of men who abuse their intimate partners. Typically, men who participate in the program have been court ordered to do so.

Safe at Home (Part 1): Support for survivors of domestic violence

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:01:05 +0000

October is domestic violence awareness month. At Michigan Radio, we are taking a look at how domestic violence impacts our communities.

We are also looking at the support and intervention programs in place to assist those impacted by domestic violence.

Safe House Center is one such support organization. It provides assistance to those affected by domestic violence or sexual assault.

Jenn White, host of Michigan Radio’s All Things Considered, talks with Barbara Niess, director of Safe House Center in Ann Arbor.

Washtenaw County preparing for a jump in health care demand with new federal law

Steve Carmody — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:27:14 +0000

The federal health care law is scheduled to take effect in 2014. Health care leaders in Washtenaw County say they are not ready.

Black infant mortality rate on the rise in Washtenaw County

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:34:42 +0000

Washtenaw County's data shows African-American babies are at least three times more likely to die before their first birthday than white babies. That's according to data from the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Washtenaw County’s rate for African-American infant deaths is among the highest in the state, and it also has one of the widest statewide gaps between white and black infant mortality rates.

The rate for white infant deaths is among the lowest in the state and going down.