AUGUST 7, 2026 COMMUNITY Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Aug. 5 recap LINDSAY CALKA Publisher For the first time since summer recess, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, Aug. 5, for a working session and full meeting. They tabled the final reading of the Healthcare Access Millage Resolution, which would have added a millage proposal to the November 3, 2026 ballot — after amending the initially proposed rates. The millage would have raised funds at a rate of 0.25 mill for a period of three years for the purpose providing activities or services to improve healthcare access within Washtenaw County, raising an estimated $6.3M in the first year. The millage was intended to address changes to Medicaid eligibility from the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025, which will cause thousands of county residents to lose coverage. 40% of millage proceeds would have been distributed to the Washtenaw Health Project, 40% to the Washtenaw County Health Department for public health services and community health workers, and 20% would have been distributed to one or more organizations to provide reproductive healthcare and sexual health services. The room was packed with both pro-life and reproductive access advocates during public comment. Commissioners debated the inegrity of a rushed millage and discussed other potential funding sources for covering this gap community EVENTS FIRST FRIDAYS YPSI Friday, August 7, 5-11p.m. Downtown, Depot Town, and in the West Cross Street districts of Ypsilanti. A self guided art and culture walk around the city of Ypsilanti! Art, shopping, food, music and fun! August theme: Food Fest. JOHN E. LAWRENCE SUMMER JAZZ SERIES Fridays, July 31-August 28, 7-9 p.m. Ford Lake Park, 9075 S. Huron River Drive, Ypsilanti. Free smooth jazz concerts; bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and coolers and head on down. Free entry, $20 parking fee. August 7: Pieces Of A Dream. August 14: Kirk Whalum. August 21: John E. Lawrence. FOOD SAFETY: ANN ARBOR FARMERS MARKET COOKING DEMONSTRATION Wednesday, August 12, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Farmers Market Pavillion, Ann Arbor. Market vendors demonstrate how to prepare various foods safely. With recipes and samples. CUBA AFTER CASTRO FILM SCREENING Friday, August 14, 6 p.m. Trinosophes, 1464 Gratiot, Detroit. In the first and only American interview with President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Cuba After Castro explores the island’s revolutionary history and turbulent present, while revealing a portrait of the man tasked with steering its future. YPSILANTI FOOD FESTIVAL Saturday, August 15, 12-7 p.m., University Bank Commerce Center, 301 W Michigan Ave, downtown Ypsilanti. This event strives to showcase local food entrepreneurs. The Ypsilanti Food Festival hopes to spotlight local businesses and introduce folks to the wonderful, inspired, tasty food in our community. There will be mouthwatering food from local vendors and various food trucks — including vegan and vegetarian options; live music and entertainment; family-friendly games and activities for all ages; special appearances from Ypsilanti’s Fire Department and more! SOUTH SIDE STROLL Saturday, August 15, 11a.m.-6 p.m. Catherine St. alley from Hamilton to Huron St. Ypsi. Art and music festival in the alley and backyards of Ypsilanti's historic South Side neighborhood. Rain date: Aug 16. FOOD TRUCK RALLY Wednesday, August 19, 5-8 p.m. Ann Arbor Farmers Market. Over 12 Southeast Michigan vendors bringing you food from across the globe, live music and community groups tabling. Every third Wednesday — also Sept. 16, Oct. 21. PARKRIDGE SUMMERFEST Saturday, August 22, 12.m.-6 p.m. Parkridge Park, Ypsilanti. Joe Dulin Day is a partnership between the Parkridge SummerFest Committee and Washtenaw County and is hosted annually to bring community together, celebrate Ypsilanti’s long history, and provide information about resources and services that are available to Washtenaw County residents. STREET STORIES: INSPIRATION FOR RECOVERING Saturday, September 12, 6-7:30 p.m. Ann Arbor District Library Pittsfield branch, 2359 Oak Valley Dr, Ann Arbor. Local documentary by Christina Morales Hemenway. Free screening for organizations wanting to help get people from the streets into long term recovery, as well as participants in the film and general public. There are only 100 seats available. Feel to bring people, just make sure they reserve their seats, too. RSVP at www. dancingstarproductions.com/ Submit an event to be featured in the next edition: submissions@groundcovernews. com including the closure of the Scio Township DDDA, tax funds from the data center in Saline, other preexisiting millages or the general fund. Ultimately, they tabled the millage resolution and instead directed the County Administrator to fund projected budget shortfalls from OBBBA changes for FY2027. In a different resolution, the BOC also allocated $100,000 to MISSION for the purposes of the Daytime Warming Center. During the work session, the Continuum of Care Winter Sheltering Task Force presented their 2026-2027 sheltering plan. The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County will not be partnering directly with the DWC this year, resulting in a funding gap which the BOC filled. Read more about this change in our next edition. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Visit any of our five locations across town to browse books, magazines, newspapers, and more. Check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, or even home tools—you name it! Enjoy fast and free WiFi, study and meeting rooms, and plenty of comfortable spaces to relax or hang out. Byte Club An exclusive club for AADL SUPER FANS and library people like you! Byte Club will help you connect deeper with the Library you know and love, and share special sneak peeks of new things coming soon. The first rule of Byte Club is that you tell everyone about Byte Club! Ready to join? Visit aadl.org/ byteclub to get started. Book Clubs To Go Book Clubs To Go is a service available at each AADL location that provides the convenience of complete kits for book discussions. Inside, you’ll find 10 copies of the featured book, one movie DVD, and a resource folder. Request a kit today through the online catalog or by calling (734) 327-4200. FEATURED EVENT 5 Anime Arbor • Saturday, August 15 • Downtown Library Join us for a one-day celebration of all things anime and manga! Enter the Cosplay Contest, snap pics at our photo-op, or pick up some merch from Artists Alley! Learn more at aadl.org/animearbor.
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