Kevin Meerschaert

Belleville

Reporter and Producer at WEMU 89.1

Reporter/Producer for WEMU 89.1 FM, Detroit Tigers fan. I've been town to town, up and down the dial. Ypsilanti-Evansville-Salisbury-Jacksonville-Santa Fe-Ypsi

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Articles

YCS to open Spanish immersion school this fall

1 week ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

Ypsilanti Community Schools will be opening a dual language Spanish immersion school this fall. It’s an expansion of a successful program that’s already in place. It began in 2021 with a single kindergarten classroom at the Ford STEAM Early Learning Center. It will now expand to K-4th grade. Students will learn subjects in Spanish and English. YCS Assistant Superintendent of K-12 instruction, Carlos Lopez says as they advance grades, students will become fluent in both languages.
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell to hold Dexter, Belleville town hall meetings

1 week ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

If the last one was any indication, a big crowd can be expected tonight as Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and Washtenaw County state legislators will be holding a town hall meeting in Dexter. When Dingell and others held a similar meeting at Washtenaw Community College in March, about 1,000 people showed up to voice their concerns about what was happening in Washington and Lansing. Things have only gotten more intense since.
Briarwood housing development to be named after former U-M President

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

The new mixed-use residential development currently under construction at Briarwood Mall will be named “The Harlan,” after former University of Michigan President Harlan Hatcher. Briarwood’s owners, Simon Property Group, partnered with real estate developer Hines on the project. The four-story complex is being built on the site of the old Sears and the adjacent parking lot at the mall. Hines Managing Director Brad Soderwall says it expands the city’s goal of more compact neighborhoods.
Ann Arbor Public Schools to reevaluate permanent stages plans at new schools

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

After receiving numerous complaints, the Ann Arbor School District is creating a task force to reconsider performance stages at the new schools to be built. The current plans for the new elementary schools do not include permanent stages but instead adaptable platforms that can be easily set up in various locations and multiple configurations. But after hearing opposition, Project Design Manager Kevin Stanbury told the school board it was decided to create a task force to reconsider.
Ypsilanti receives DNR grant for tree canopy

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

The City of Ypsilanti has been awarded almost $144,000 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to improve and protect its tree canopy. The grant will go toward completing a public tree inventory, developing an urban forest management plan and to plant additional trees and train staff. It coincides with the city recently creating a Department of Forestry and establishing the Ypsilanti Tree Fund. 2nd Ward Council member Patrick McLean proposed the amendments.
Ann Arbor Public Schools expecting fewer revenue dollars

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

In a meeting room of mostly empty chairs, the Ann Arbor Public Schools administration on Wednesday presented the latest budget proposal to the School Board. While last year’s financial crisis is over, there are still areas of concern. The district is estimated to bring in about $2.4 million less in general fund revenue from the current year. That’s due to an expected decrease in state funding based on loss of enrollment. But those numbers have yet to be finalized.
Saline School Board member Brad Gerbe resigns

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

The Saline Area School Board is looking for a new member. Trustee Brad Gerbe resigned during Tuesday’s meeting to take a teaching job in the district. Gerbe’s resignation is effective June 21st. His replacement will be selected by the remaining board members. Interested applicants must be residents of the district and should submit their notice of interest by June 24th. Board President Michael McVey says he would like to see candidates who are looking to keep the district moving forward.
Ann Arbor Public Schools budget includes little drama

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

Ann Arbor School Board tonight will be presented with the district’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, and it’s expected to be far smoother sailing than last year’s financial crisis. The proposed $314 million spending plan includes no layoffs or program reductions. It includes returning to having a reserve fund balance of over 5% as required by law. Board President Torchio Feaster says the administration has the district back on the right financial track.
Washtenaw County raises flag to commemorate Pride Month

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

A handful of dignitaries and civil rights activists were on hand Tuesday morning for the annual Pride Flag-raising ceremony in front of the Washtenaw County Administration Building. The Pride flag was hoisted on the pole flying just underneath the State of Michigan flag on North Main Street. It will remain through the month of June. It’s the fifth year the flag has been raised.
Opioid-related overdose deaths down in Washtenaw County

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

A new report shows overdose deaths dropped by 25% in Washtenaw County in 2024. Local opioid-related overdoses have reached a nine-year low in the county. 66 residents died from an overdose last year, 42 were due to opioids. Most of them were white, male and between 25 and 54 years old. Washtenaw County Health Department Health Promotion Coordinator Deanna Price says they can’t directly say why the numbers are dropping.