Feed aggregator

The Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance will be hosting "Concert for a Cure," a benefit in memory of Mariel Almendras who died at 8 years old to ovarian cancer in 2011.

The benefit will begin at 6 p.m. on June 23 at LIVE, 102 S. First St., and will feature United Kingdom band, Scars on 45.

Continue reading 'Concert for a Cure' benefit to feature live music in memory of 8-year-old girl...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Laura Radocaj of Vero Beach, Fla., was warned when she was pregnant with twins that motherhood would be harder than she imagined - especially because she planned to go back to work while the twins were still babies. "But this has been the easiest transition," said Radocaj, 28, who works from home in corporate communications....

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Biker culture came to the Vatican on Sunday as Pope Francis blessed thousands of Harley-Davidsons and their riders celebrating the manufacturer's 110th anniversary with a loud parade and plenty of leather....

At least 24 men convicted or arrested based largely on murky bite-mark evidence have been exonerated by DNA testing, had charges dropped or otherwise been proved not guilty. Many spent more than a decade in prison, and one man was behind bars for more than 23 years before he was exonerated. One man is still in prison as an appeal works through the courts. The Associated Press compiled this list of some of the more notable cases using court records, news reports and information from the Inno...

At least 24 men convicted or charged with murder or rape based on bite marks on the flesh of victims have been exonerated since 2000, many after spending more than a decade in prison. Now a judge's ruling later this month in New York could help end the practice for good....

BOSTON (AP) -- For the first time in more than 20 years, the July 4 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will not be televised nationally....

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- The conservative Club for Growth tags Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor as President Barack Obama's "closest ally" in the state. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's gun-control advocacy group says Pryor "let us down."...

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (AP) -- Europe is mired in debt and recession. Financial markets have hit violent ups and downs on fears that U.S. stimulus efforts may soon be scaled back. Japan is finally looking up after years of stagnation - but it remains an open question if the recovery will stick....

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

In Ben Jaffe’s view, it was a matter of self-preservation.

The irony is multi-layered, considering the object of Jaffe’s efforts was the New Orleans landmark of traditional jazz, Preservation Hall. And in order to preserve it, Jaffe felt he had to inject the somewhat staid bastion of traditional, Crescent City jazz with a shot of modernity.

And, as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band rolls into its second half-century of existence—including a June 19 performance at the Power Center as part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival—Jaffe’s vision looks more and more like a stroke of genius.

“I never wanted to do anything that was disrespectful to our musical tradition,” Jaffe said. “That’s always first and foremost, is what we are creating right now respectful of the tradition that we’ve inherited and the people whose shoes or whose shoulders we’re standing on?

“That’s always front and foremost for me.”

Continue reading Preservation Hall bringing the traditional sound of New Orleans to Power Center...

Most of the Washtenaw County police agencies reported dramatic increases in drunken driving arrests in 2012 while others reported slight decreases, according to an MLive Media Group analysis.

After mostly continuous decreases in drunken driving arrests from 2006 until 2011 — something police attributed to decreased staffing and more reactive policing — Saline, Pittsfield Township, Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office all increased their arrest numbers last year. The biggest increase came from the sheriff’s office, which went from 100 arrests in 2011 to 169 in 2012.

Continue reading Most Washtenaw County police agencies see increase in drunken driving arrests in 2012...

A snapshot of the scores on a 100-point scale for each element in the recent Ann Arbor citizen satisfaction survey. Council Member Sally Hart Petersen, D-2nd Ward, hired ForeSee, a customer experience analytics firm, to conduct the survey, which was mainly targeted toward Ward 2 residents. A total of 303 people responded — 74 percent from Ward 2.

ForeSee

Ann Arbor City Council Member Sally Hart Petersen, D-2nd Ward, has released the results of a new citizen satisfaction survey and she says she's concerned about some of the low scores.

The survey shows Ann Arbor residents want the city do a better job providing basic services such as paving streets in the summer and plowing streets in the winter.

Continue reading Survey shows Ann Arbor citizens not fully satisfied with their city government...

Eastern Michigan University

A 74-year-old building at Eastern Michigan University is undergoing a $3.6 million renovation so it can house the school's new physician's assistant program, which will launch in spring 2014.

Continue reading Eastern Michigan University building to undergo $3.6M renovation in preparation for new PA program...

An Ypsilanti Township apartment building damaged in a Molotov cocktail attack nearly a year ago will soon be demolished.

The eight-unit building at the Woodcreek Apartments on Forest Avenue has not been renovated or torn down because it was at the center of a dispute over the insurance settlement.

Continue reading Blight beat: Nearly one year after fire, Ypsilanti Township apartment building demolition moves forward...

Each June we set aside a day to honor the father figure in our lives. However you recognize dad today, take time to recall those memories you'll never forget.

Last week, AnnArbor.com asked it our readers to take the time to share those memories, and we have featured them below.

Continue reading Readers recall times spent with Dad...

Algal Scientific chief science officer Geoff Horst shows off his beta glucan rich algae at the company's lab in the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center.

Ben Freed | AnnArbor.com

Sometimes, a by-product of the scientific process can turn out to be more important — or more valuable — than the intended result.

Algal Scientific began in 2008 as an attempt to harness the power of algae to clean wastewater. Geoff Horst, a Ph.D. candidate at Michigan State University at the time, teamed up with two University of Michigan business school master's students and one U-M Ph.D. student to enter the idea into the DTE Clean Energy Prize competition.

Continue reading Clean-tech startup hopes to turn 'leftover' algae into profitable company...

The University of Michigan faces a major challenge in the coming months as it searches for a new president to replace Mary Sue Coleman, who will retire next year.

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman addresses the graduating class of 2013 in May.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

Although the ultimate decision will rest with the Board of Regents, the exact form the search will take has yet to be announced. Focus groups are likely; an advisory committee, which was used when Coleman was hired in 2002, may be used again. Last month, the university's faculty members publicly (and understandably) stated they want a voice in the process.

Whatever form the search takes, it's clear that certain qualities will be important to find in the person the university eventually hires. Among them:

Continue reading University of Michigan's next president will need rare combination of qualities...

Continue reading More police on the streets needed to make downtown safer...

The intersection of Carpenter and Packard roads in Pittsfield Township, pictured here Friday looking north, will be under construction beginning Monday as a small median is added on all four legs of the intersection. The two-foot-wide, six-inch-tall concrete curb aims to prevent drivers from turning left into the road from driveways at adjacent businesses, like this one.

Amy Biolchini | AnnArbor.com

One of the most dangerous intersections in Washtenaw County at Carpenter and Packard roads will get a $65,000 safety upgrade.

Work will begin Monday at the Pittsfield Township crossing, where there were 114 crashes reported in 2011.

Continue reading One of Washtenaw County's most dangerous intersections to get $65K safety upgrade ...

Here's the schedule for tonight's Top of the Park, the free (donations welcome), outdoor component of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Descriptions provided by the festival. Top of the Park takes place in the area around East Washington Street at Ingalls Mall, except as noted.

2 p.m.; Kids Music Workshop with Ice Cream Vendors - Ann Arbor District Main Library

ICV's Jon Kostal and Greg Barnett let you in on their unique approach to songwriting; includes an interactive demonstration.

Continue reading Tonight at Top of the Park - Sunday, June 16: The Macpodz, 'Skyfall,' and more...

Substantial accomplishments can be achieved in the year ahead, provided you are able to stay well-organized and keep your priorities straight. Don't put the cart before the horse.

Continue reading Horoscope for June 16, 2013...