0

2 $ FEBRUARY 6, 2026 | VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 4 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. YouTube court increases access and transparency, violates privacy. page 4 MEET YOUR VENDOR: TERRI DEMAR PAGE 3 15 YEARS OF NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. Remembering Bob Marley on his 81st birthday. page 9 A MESSENGER of ONE LOVE, ONE HEART, peace and justice THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM • Proposal: Housing-development accelerator • Charbonneau: Open your eyes to housing inequity. PAGE 4 @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor #

2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER15 FEBRUARY 6, 2026 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Vendors are the main contributors to the paper, and are compensated to write and report. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. We are hosting an Ypsi New Vendor Orientation on Wednesday, February 18, 11 a.m. at the Ypsilanti District Library (Michigan Ave branch - Room 2 in the basement)! STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Jim Clark Luiza Duarte Caetano Eliza Janssen Mike Jones Marie Dan Miesler Savon Salvador Will Shakespeare Tommy Spaghetti Steven Swiger Shawn Swoffer PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett June Miller Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Jud Branam Libby Chambers Stephanie Dong Luiza Duarte Caetano Jacob Fallman Ben Foster Glenn Gates Robert Klingler Priya Kothari Harper Margolies Margaret Patston Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emilie Ziebarth BOARD of DIRECTORS Anna Gersh Greg Hoffman Jessi Averill Jacob Fallman Jack Edelstein Glenn Gates GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 Mike Jones Hailu Shitaye Shelley DeNeve Steve Borgsdorf CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org WAYS TO SUPPORT 1. Buy the paper, read the paper. 2. Get the word out — We rely on grassroots marketing. Talk to people about Groundcover and share us with your network. 3. Volunteer — You'll learn a lot about our vendors, the newspaper and your community. Interested in volunteering regularly? Fill out the form on our website. 4. Advertise your company, organization, event or resource — see rates below. 5. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram — promote our posts and share your favorite articles and vendor interactions. 6. Donate items — A seasonally appropriate list of items most needed at our office and on the street is available on our website. Drop off anytime we're open. PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons

FEBRUARY 6, 2026 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Terri Demar, vendor No. 322 In one sentence, who are you? I am a person who likes to be aware of what's going on around me, locally and globally, to help people understand the nature of our times. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? On Main Street and surrounding areas. Why did you start selling Groundcover? I needed something to fill my time and figured out I'm good at reporting out the news. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Go to the LIVE bar and parks to chill out. What is your life motto? Keep going to make a difference in life before I die — I know it sounds morbid but it's the truth. What motivates you to work hard selling? I love it, especially when I am on top of my game. What's the worst thing about selling the paper? Having people ignore me while selling like I have nothing important to say. If you could do anything for one day what would it be? Get Elon Musk to take me on his private jet, out to lunch and SpaceX in Texas. What is one thing you could eat for the rest of your life? Pizza like everyone else. I love cheese. What is your superpower? I never give up. And the way I connect with people about knowledge. What are your hobbies? I like to create art — sometimes I’m good, sometimes I’m bad. I also Iike to dance and sing by myself. I like to walk a lot. It helps with my anxiety. What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? Bring karaoke downtown by the ice cream place. We need a more vibrant atmosphere. Don’t worry, I would still sell Groundcover! What would you do if you won the lottery? Distribute some wealth among our struggling community, even Groundcover associates. Maybe start a UBI program for the poor so they don’t get kicked out of their homes. I would trust Yousef Rabhi with the cash to start it. What's the best way to start the day? Cheese bacon croissant and a strong cup of coffee and a walk downtown to my selling point. What is your pet peeve? I can’t stand stuck-up people and doctors that believe life isn’t as important as their ego. Impressive thing you know how to do? Be an emcee for karaoke and be funny. I have high expectations for myself and have had many roadblocks. That’s caused me much stress and fatigue but I’ve found a way to keep going because I’m smart. SHAWN SWOFFER Groundcover vendor No. 574 The Sun and the Moon are glistening almost like glitter. I see rainbows in the sky more than one. Must be a wonderful day. I see the flowers with their vibrant colors. Could I be in love is that why my world is so colorful today? Must be a wonderful day. Could you see my world the way it is? Is it something that only I can see. Must be a wonderful day. I feel like like I could drift away with the wind. The smell of the flowers is in the air. Must be a wonderful day. Your image is in the water that I'm looking at. The smell of your perfume is all around me. Must be a wonderful day. Must Be A Wonderful Day Winter's Leaves STEVEN Groundcover vendor No. 668 The dancing silhouettes of song birds High in my tree Break my reverie. Evening sun Catching beaks bright orange, Orange again through their wings. Animated stained glass In the lofty reaches of my Cathedral. Gently, Sporadically, Life’s choir’s chords Escape down to me, Through the cacophony Of Pandemonium's howling autos. Winter’s leaves, Perched upon Winter’s skeletal tree, They group together Seemingly pointlessly. A glance away and They are gone. Evidence of them only the Weight in my chest abated, Serenity bestowed, And words, As life’s Prophet, I’m compelled to write. These feelings fleeting, As Winter’s leaves. Everything fits MONIQUE CALDWELL Groundcover contributor I love you for the way you steady the world, how your presence softens the noise inside me. You are the warmth to my winter morning, the anchor to my restless tide, the steady flame to my wandering wick. You are the harmony to my melody, the shoreline to my returning waves, the open sky that teaches my hope to rise. You are the honey to my tea, gentle, certain, perfectly blended— the compass to my journey, the quiet truth to my searching, the laughter to my long days. Loving you feels like recognition— as if my spirit remembers yours from a place beyond memory. With you, everything fits. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3

4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS COURT FEBRUARY 6, 2026 YouTube Court increases access and transparency, violates privacy MARIE Groundcover contributor Over the New Year, a local resident served as a catalyst for this writer to investigate the current climate of using Zoom and YouTube for court. The resident sought community support with a cyber-stalking situation following personal information being shared via YouTube during landlord/tenant court. The stalker was sending pictures, personal information, and messages claiming they had seen the resident on YouTube court and were offering “help.” A peer provided assistance mitigating the situation by helping the resident change privacy settings on their social media accounts and blocking unwanted contact. According to the Michigan Judicial Council (MJC) Transparency and Public Access Live Streaming Policies/ Rules Workgroup Report and Recommendations, July 2023, there are several situations when information is considered protected and should not be broadcast, which includes, but is not limited to, information often shared during landlord/tenant proceedings and cases involving vulnerable stakeholders. The MJC is a 29-member panel established in 2021 by the Michigan Supreme Court [MSC] responsible for planning strategically for the Michigan Judicial Branch [MJB], enhancing the work of the courts, and making recommendations to the MSC on matters pertinent to administration of justice. After speaking with numerous local community members (who will all be referred to as “Buddy” to maintain anonymity), watching several YouTube court posts, and reviewing accessible information from the MJB, a pattern emerged, suggesting some overlapping viewpoints about the benefits and weaknesses of Michigan’s current internet court trends. For those who have internet access, attending court online or utilizing online court services saves time and reduces the cost burden associated with court activities. For many, online court access raises concerns related to privacy and decorum. For others, the use of livestreaming aids research and observation of courtrooms across the country. The basics of online court The concept of conducting court business with the aid of the internet is not a brand-new concept. All courts at this time have a website where information may be obtained and forms about how the platform operates, a channel with 1000 subscribers is eligible for monetization through advertising. The MSC Task Force report from 2021 suggests not utilizing a platform that has ads, and ads are among the options for monetizing YouTube channels. Task force concerns about ads at a minimum acknowledges a monetized incentive for livestreaming court proceedings. Using a monetized platform was identified as a conflict of interest by some stakeholders as it places profit or finances over the rights of people in the justice system. At this time whether the court system is earning any money is unclear. Investigations to gain clarity Judge Simpson hears a case remotely. accessed. Zoom court, or remote participation via the Zoom platform, has been around for many years, especially in areas where travel to courthouses is lengthy. The MSC’s Task Force on Open Courts, Media and Privacy Final Report, dated December 2021, defines Zoom court as participating in a court proceeding online via videoconference, without physically being in a brick-and-mortar courthouse. In addition, courts in Michigan use YouTube to livestream proceedings to accommodate observation (not participation) by the public. When COVID-19 hit, a major internet transition occurred when courts began livestreaming judicial proceedings via YouTube, and using Zoom for remote participation became the norm. YouTube court refers to the ability to view activities occurring in a courtroom either live or via posted recording. The MSC’s 2021 Final Report states: “To preserve access to our courts, parties and their counsel were generally allowed to participate in proceedings remotely. To preserve the transparency of our courts, those proceedings were streamed online using a variety of platforms.” Judicial transparency is “the idea that the public should be able to observe and receive information regarding judicial proceedings, including through media coverage.” To promote transparency, proceedings may be streamed online. Judicial access is “the idea that those who need recourse to judicial proceedings should be able to obtain it.” To preserve access to court participation, parties and their counsel may be allowed to participate using the internet. Positions on internet court The rules surrounding the use of the internet for court appear to be a work in progress, and according to the 2023 MJC report, providing live online streaming access is no longer mandatory. Both the MJB and the community express ongoing concerns including misuse of court proceedings made available online, monetizing live-streaming as evidenced by advertising, and violations of privacy. The MJC council presented the following list of stakeholders who require special shielding in all courtrooms: • protection of children and vulnerable adults, • protection of crime victims and witnesses, • preventing disclosure of sensitive financial details, • protecting privacy interests of parties, and • protecting privacy interests of jurors. A 2023 recommendation from the MJC suggests establishing guidelines for trial courts for the use of livestreaming, which include protections for stakeholders especially those who are vulnerable, throughout the process, as well as informing stakeholders in attendance about livestreaming prior to being streamed. Amidst ethical issues and concerns about constitutional rights, Michigan is utilizing procedures common in most states. Currently, the State Court Administrators Office Michigan Trial Courts Virtual Courtroom Standards and Guidelines, dated April 7, 2020, encourages the creation of a YouTube channel if a court does not have one. While YouTube.com provides more information around monetization are ongoing. Public comment Dozens of community members were approached and/or observed via the internet while conducting research for this article. Perspectives presented cover many judicial stakeholders, yet they do not represent all positions nor every population impacted by the justice system. While some of the following real-life examples were transcribed in real-time, many community members were engaged in a less formal interview format with notes written afterward. Buddy 1 didn’t know their court proceedings would be streamed: “[I had] no clue I was going to be on YouTube … the housing unit [in the jail] told me I was on the news … Judge has a YouTube channel and it was probably going to be on there … It’s B.S. the way they will exploit a person.” Buddy 1 also shared negative consequences of being on YouTube as “embarrassment and public humiliation … the judge kept egging me on, he’s supposed to be a professional.” On the positive side, they said, “I have a good rapport with [the] Judge now. I’m not going to smart off to a judge again. I learned a lesson.” Buddy 2 shared they have never been in trouble to the extent they had to appear in court, “but I would not want to be broadcast … it’s wrong and a violation of privacy.” Buddy 3 shared a story where they assisted a person who escaped a sexual assault and were coerced into testifying as a witness. While this buddy’s experience occurred prior to Zoom and YouTube court practices being implemented, they described testifying as traumatic, as they felt attacked while see YOUTUBE page 15 

FEBRUARY 6, 2026 COMMUNITY Thank You Washtenaw County! GROUNDCOVER STAFF During the recent cold spell, where temperatures were near or below zero, Washtenaw County stepped up and offered hotel stays for over 50 people experiencing homelessness. As the cold snap stretched on, the county extended the stays for 11 nights! Many thanks to staffers Tabatha Reynolds, Ashley Hall and Terrence Williams, and of course to Administrator Greg Dill. Gratitude also to the County Commissioners, including Yousef Rabhi and Justin Hodge but especially Annie Somerville, for advocating on behalf of the community. Many groups and individuals letter to the EDITOR I just have to say how blown away I was by Pedro Campos' poem "Before love learned its name" published in the January 23, 2026 issue of Groundcover News. Pedro's poems are always good but this one is exceptional. I felt myself carried along and uplifted, verse by verse, compelled to share with you its effect on me. Please consider printing it again, perhaps in your Valentine's Day edition. — Susan Beckett community EVENTS ANN ARBOR HAPPY HOUR GROUNDCOVER FUNDRAISER Friday, February 6, 6:30-9 p.m. LIVE Nightclub, 102 S. First Street, Ann Arbor. Close out Vendor Appreciation Week with the Groundcover crew! Live music by Corndaddy and The Medicine Men. Groundcover merchandise for sale. Admission free. 'IN THE SPIRIT' POETRY CLASS Saturday, February 7 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. In trying times, often Spirit is all we can depend on. Spirit and the ability to call on it has sustained people of African descent for centuries. In this workshop, hosted by Eastern Michigan University professor Dr. Toni Pressley-Sanon, we will explore and celebrate spirit-inspired poetry by several writers, both in the United States and beyond, and then take up our own pens to add our voices to the praise repository. Register at: ypsilibrary.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=253706 GALENTINE'S DAY Saturday, February 7 Main Street, Ann Arbor. Over 25 establishments are participating offering specials, deals and fun giveaways throughout the day. This year’s theme, Rom-Com Meets Ann Arbor Magic, brings meet-cute moments, postcard-worthy photo ops, and charming in-store experiences to life.The event features a passport style small business crawl, where you can collect stickers from participating businesses throughout Downtown Ann Arbor and be entered to win a giant gift basket of items. WINTER SIMMER POTS WITH GETDOWNTOWN Saturday, February 7, 2 p.m. Downtown Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor. Conquer the cold by making your own winter simmer pot with TheRide’s getDowntown program! We’ll provide ingredients and recipes to create a winter simmer pot that will make your home smell amazing. getDowntown staff will provide sustainable transportation resources, tips and tricks on staying warm while traveling in winter, and hot chocolate. AADL FIBER ARTS EXPO Sunday, February 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Downtown AADL, Ann Arbor. This fiber-filled day will have a full slate of hands-on programs, demos, and presentations, and a lobby full of local vendors. You can learn about knitting, crocheting, weaving, and spinning. Try your hand at macrame, embroidery, and more! Vendors will be on hand selling accessories, patterns, books, dyes and all things fiber related! YPSIWRITES OPEN MIC NIGHT Thursday, February 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Ypsilanti District Library Superior branch, 1900 N Harris Rd, Superior Township. Writers are encouraged to share their work, in whatever stage it is currently in, with supportive members of the YpsiWrites community. All are welcome to attend, read, listen, and encourage the writers. Sign up at tinyurl.com/YW021226 A.P. STYLE GUIDE WORKSHOP Friday, February 13, 10 a.m. at the Groudncover office. Learn the basics of the Associated Press Stylebook, the newspaper writing standard. Facilitated by Colleen Newvine. RSVP by calling 734-263-2098. Submit an event to be featured in the next edition: submissions@groundcovernews. com stepped up both to place additional individuals in hotel rooms after the County program filled up and to feed the hotel guests three meals a day. These include the Daytime Warming Center, Washtenaw Camp Outreach, FedUp Ministries and Pastor Anna Taylor-McCants, MISSION/Purple House and many many others. Finally, for assistance with coordination, meals, transport, guest relationships and so much more, gratitude to Corn Williams and LEAF Harm Reduction. This week and a half represented an amazing demonstration of everyone coming together in compassion and solidarity. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5

6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POLICING Two violent incidents within 48 hours involving Washtenaw County and city police have residents questioning whether law enforcement has become too militarized. Many in the community look towards a non-violent crisis response to neighbors instead of law enforcement to mitigate harm. January 4, and January 5, 2026, in Ypsilanti, law enforcement used what many thought was unnecessary force to remove a person having a mental health crisis. The next day an unarmed individual, who still hasn’t been identified, was shot and killed by Washtenaw County Sheriff Deputies. The siege on January 4 and 5 involved the combined police forces of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, Plymouth, Howell, Hamburg Township, Shiawassee County, the state of Michigan police, and Washtenaw county SWAT, who surrounded an Ypsilanti resident for 30 hours because he had a sword in his own place of residency (see Groundcover News January 9, 2026). Ruben Peeler, 53, is still in the hospital but may be facing numerous felony charges. Final charges are unknown while Peeler remains in hospital custody, because he has still not been arraigned. January 20, 20 Ypsilanti residents spoke in support of resolution 202618, “A resolution condemning the militarized policing siege on West Cross Street, calling for all charges to be dropped, and demanding immediate systemic reform,” introduced by Councilmember Amber Fellows (Ward 3). The resolution didn’t pass (see Groundcover News January 23, 2026). February 3, Ypsilanti City Council Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not Flood said he represents the estate of a 34-year-old St. Clair man who was killed by Washtenaw County Sheriff’s deputies on Jan. 6. The man has not yet FEBRUARY 6, 2026 Two recent local injustices reveal law enforcement overreach been identified. "Four deputies are on administrative MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 voted to delay a proposed Police Advisory Commission review of the Ypsilanti Police Department's role in the incident. One day after the stand-off, early that next morning (January 6), a driver was shot and killed by Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies after fleeing and crashing in Ypsilanti. Initially, authorities said the driver was armed, but later said no weapons were in the vehicle. January 22, 2026, authorities in Washtenaw County released dashcam footage of the deputy-involved shooting. The footage showed the chase and shooting that left the unarmed driver dead after multiple deputies opened fire on his vehicle. The deputy-involved shooting happened on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Prospect Road. Soon after the release of the dashcam footage the family of the victim of the deputy-involved shooting announced their plans to sue the Washtenaw County Sheriff Office for wrongful death. “This is a fatal O.K. Corral shooting of a man that did not have a gun, nor did he post a threat of great bodily harm or imminent danger as far as physical harm to another,” said Todd Flood, a Detroit-based lawyer. “It should have never taken place,” reported mLive. to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling an issue more than 4 weeks old. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially leave and under investigation, and will remain on administrative leave while Michigan State Police conduct their investigation,” said Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer. “Law enforcement” refers to government-authorized agencies and personnel, such as police, federal agents, and sheriff's deputies, responsible for maintaining public safety and order. These entities investigate crimes, detain suspects, enforce laws, and protect property. Their core function is to ensure compliance with legal regulations allegedly intended to uphold justice. “Crisis response” refers to the immediate action and strategies implemented to address and mitigate the impacts of a critical event or emergency. It involves planning, mobilizing resources, providing assistance and communicating effectively to minimize harm and to facilitate recovery. Unarmed crisis response, as an alternative to law enforcement, is all about community, ordinary everyday people come together to help and render aid to those who are unhoused, those with mental illness, emotional issues, and those in distress who struggle with drug addiction. There is a noticeable difference between law enforcement and crisis response. I went out into the community and asked a few members of the community what would be the best response to an emergency situation like the stand-off West Cross Street and/or the deputy involved shooting? How should law enforcement respond? vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from A wooden heart decorated with flowers installed in the yard of 1111 W Cross St. invites neighbors and passersby to write positive messages for Ruben Peeler. Or should crisis response groups play a bigger role in deescalating tense situations in their community? Kimberly Daley, who is a social worker and an Ypsilanti resident, said, “The police response to the West Cross Street stand-off was totally inappropriate. I don't know if the police should have that level of military equipment. We need non-violent crisis response groups like Care Based Safety (a non-police team that responds without guns, pepper sprays and tasers), but city leaders refuse to fund Care Based Safety and this is the result.” Carol Smith lives in the neighborhood where the police stand-off took place. “The people in the neighborhood think the situation was handled poorly; the poor man was traumatized.” selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code or leave positive review of a Vendor experience please email contact@ groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website.

FEBRUARY 6, 2026 LIVING ARCHIVE GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Vendor experiences with police brutality GROUNDCOVER COMMUNITY Violent, unjust encounters with police are nothing new for Black people in America, and these injustices can be compounded by homelessness. We sat down and talked with some of our Groundcover vendors to hear their experiences with racial injustice, homelessness and the police. La Shawn — Envisioning the future of public safety The murder of George [Floyd] does not surprise me at all. I myself have been a victim of the brutality and mistreatment by bad people who are and/ or have been employed as police officers. I would like to see the day when individuals who apply to become law enforcement agents are required by law to undergo a more thorough mental health evaluation over a twoyear period, as well as complete the National Alliance of Mental Illness classes. This process should also require that prospective had my papers in my hand and a small knife nestled among them because I had gotten in some fights with some haters earlier that day and the night before. A student came out of the Union and followed right behind me. I turned and asked him, “Hey, you want to buy a Groundcover News or buy me a beer?” He said no so I continued down the street. When I got to Dominos, seven cops told me. “Put up your hands.” I did. Then they asked, “You got a knife?” I said “Yes,” and gave it to them. I asked what I did wrong. They locked me up for attempted robbery. In court, the student said I held a knife to his throat. My public defender asked him a series of questions based on my account and the guy admitted that I didn’t ask him for money as part of a robbery. As soon as he was dismissed from the witness stand, he ran out of the courtroom for good. But I was still charged with armed officers receive education from licensed psychiatrists to educate these individuals about the numerous symptoms that are preexistent, those that are triggered in people who have a mental illness diagnosis, and symptoms in people who are not aware or capable of seeking treatment. I do understand that it is a dangerous task for the police, too, when they cannot tell what the risks are, if any, when responding to an incident. In my mind there are just simply people who choose to do the wrong thing by abusing authority. Overall, I’d like to see times where we as a whole demonstrate respect for humanity. Last but not least, be more openminded to things that we may not have a full understanding of and be willing to take a deeper look at another’s point of view. Matt — How it happened to me I was on my way home from selling Groundcover, on the edge of State St. I robbery because of the knife. The prosecutor gave me a choice of facing a possible conviction and five years in prison or accepting a plea deal of 18 months of probation in exchange for a guilty plea to felony attempted robbery. I took the deal but violated probation by drinking alcohol. I was in and out of treatment programs and jail for the next year, consequently losing my apartment. Joe — My experiences The police had me in handcuffs at the mall; they profiled me as a drug dealer. They came up to me and immediately put me in handcuffs. I asked them, “Why am I in cuffs?” and they wouldn’t tell me. They just kept on saying, “Where the drugs at, where the drugs at?” I didn’t have any drugs. I was chained for 12-15 minutes. The police ain’t nothing but a big ole gang. We talk about gangs, but the police are the biggest organized gang out here. The whole judicial system is. I wish people stopped the stupid hatred. I guess this is what we need to go through to get the love and the peace. Something tragic has to happen to get the good out. It’s kinda messed up. You gotta hit rock bottom to get back up. Quincy — Police and homelessness The police should protect and serve, but they go out of their bounds and overdo it sometimes. If I do have police contact, I have to have total respect for the police, because if I don’t, they’ll screw me up. You never know. Let’s say I called the police. Everything is reversed on me. First I’m the plaintiff, and all of a sudden I become the defendant. They try to beat me down. “Wait, I called you guys, why are you trying to beat on me?” When you resist, they use force. When they use force, they abuse their authority. They were holding George Floyd down by his neck. Regardless, they were gonna kill him. He’s choking, let him up. If I’m getting hurt, there’s not much they can do to help. If I’m getting jumped, they won’t get there in time. The police might be overrated. Conclusion When asked to define justice, Quincy replied, “Justice means free, it means honor, it means cherishing a moment of peace within yourself, within the next being around you. Justice is essential, it’s being found not guilty. I could look at that word in many different perspectives. It means you won your battle.” The end to police brutality—the fight for justice— is proving to be a long, hard-fought battle. We must continue to center the voices of those who are most oppressed in this country when imagining a future without police. Originally published in the July 2020 edition of Groundcover News. This was Groundcover's first printed issue after pausing print sales in March 2020. The article was written after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.

8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Avalon awarded Low Income Tax Credits for the final phase of Hickory Way DAN MEISLER Avalon Housing Avalon Housing has been awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits which will bring in approximately $10,000,000 in tax credit equity for the third phase of the Hickory Way Apartments campus in Ann Arbor. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced the awards in December. The tax credits will pay for about 60% of the total cost of the project, which will add 39 one-bedroom units to the existing 70 units at Hickory Way. Securing the tax credits will allow Avalon to move forward in pursuing the remainder of the funding needed; depending on how that process goes, construction could start in the late summer or fall of 2026, with the project opening to tenants in late 2027 or early 2028. “We’re really excited to be able to add more local housing to help address homelessness in our community,” said Wendy Carty-Saxon, Avalon’s Director of Real Estate and Development. “We have seen what a difference it makes on an individual and community basis!” Other funding sources for the project include federal HOME and HOME ARP projects allocated through Washtenaw County; the City of Ann Arbor Affordable Housing Millage; a payment in lieu of taxes to the city that lowers the project’s property taxes; Washtenaw County Brownfield Program, construction loans from the Huntington National Bank and Chelsea State Bank; and pre-development funding from the Corporation for Supportive Housing. National Equity Fund is the investor limited partner. The City of Ann Arbor helped Avalon acquire the land by exercising its “right of first refusal” — when the previous owner sold the plot, the deed allowed the city to purchase it before any other buyer. The city bought the land, and entered into a purchase agreement with Avalon at cost, which was approximately $260,000. “When so many parts of a community come together — the federal level, the county board, the City of Ann Arbor, and our partners in banking and finance — we can do great things to address homelessness and make sure all of our neighbors have a safe place to call home,” said Avalon Housing Executive Director Aaron Cooper. Twenty-four of the new units will have project-based housing vouchers, meaning rents cannot exceed 30% of tenants’ income. Twenty of those apartments will be set aside for people directly leaving homelessness, and four will also be open to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Avalon provides all residents access to support services to help them thrive, including help addressing food insecurity, on-site health care, and transportation to critical appointments, among others. When the first phases of Hickory Way opened in 2021, the rate of chronic homelessness in the county fell by 31%. ELIZA JANSSEN Big Issue Australia Home is where the heart is. It’s an escape from the outside world, or the freedom to open up and let it in. It’s somewhere to thrive, to dream or simply to sleep. A home can be easily taken for granted — if you’re safe and secure in a place of your own. Aristea knows just how important it was to be given this kind of space. At the age of 11, she found herself in a tenuous living situation after her parents’ separation — with her mother and three siblings, she had to squeeze into a small private rental. It was overcrowded, and the family bonds suffered under the strain. “For a lot of kids on the margins, you grow up really quickly, right?” Aristea explained. “In some ways, you are like an adult in a kid’s body. It’s a very sensitive time, when you want the most amount of privacy, and I had none whatsoever.” Breathing room came in the form of not-for-profit Kids Under Cover, which works with young people at risk of homelessness. They built a free-standing spare bedroom in the backyard of the family’s public housing property. “When I got that space from my mum, our relationship improved a lot,” Aristea says today. “I’m not sure that we ever would have gotten to where we are now without the studio.” These studio spaces help to empower young people to break the cycle of poverty, while staying close to their families where possible. “We always came from a lower socio-economic background,” Aristea said, “and we’d had a lot of experiences with people not validating or believing our point of view at a time when we were struggling. So to have Kids Under Cover come in and meet us where we were at was really wonderful and affirming.” Kids Under Cover is making a real Hickory Way is an Avalon Housing apartment complex on the west side on Ann Arbor. It currently has 70 one-bedroom units (50 of which are project-based vouchers). difference, and like Habitat for Humanity, Anglicare and other Australian organizations making room for those in need, it benefits from the groundbreaking efforts of the Homes for FEBRUARY 6, 2026 Inside the Big Issue Australia's Homes for Homes Homes program. Now in its 10th year, Homes for Homes has been instrumental in funding life-changing projects that have provided homes for 400 people and counting. The idea came from California, where in the mid-2000s large-scale property developer Lennar Corporation began making voluntary contributions of 0.1 per cent from each of the units that they sold each year. That was around $1,000 (USD) per unit, and with tens of thousands of units sold each year, substantial sums were funnelled back into public and affordable housing. “If you’ve ever been to California, it’s hard to ignore the rough sleeping challenges they face over there,” Homes for Homes chief operating officer Tracy Longo pointed out. Inspired by the U.S. success story but setting its sights even higher, Homes for Homes was launched by The Big Issue Australia in September 2015, with the aim to inspire Aussie homeowners, construction companies, real estate agents and “anyone in the property sector” to help end the housing crisis in Australia. Under the scheme, homeowners register their property, pledging to donate 0.1 per cent of its eventual sale price to Homes for Homes. So, a $1 million sale equates to a $1,000 tax-deductible donation. This is added to a pool of funds that is used to finance social and affordable housing projects across Australia — like those built by Kids Under Cover. To date, the social enterprise has granted almost $3 million to 28 projects across the country. But Longo is just as interested in the ripple effect these projects generate. “The way I see it, it’s not just the life of the individual who’s been given a home that changes,” she said. “It’s see HOMES page 15 

FEBRUARY 6, 2026 HISTORY GROUNDCOVER NEWS Remembering Bob Marley on his 81st birthday: Messenger of one love, one heart, peace and justice Robert Marley was born on February 6, 1945. If we do our math correctly, he would have been 81 years old now if he did not pass away on May 11, 1981. This year, the city of London has planned a big birthday party for Marley on February 6. Across the globe, including some college towns like Ann Arbor, there will be some form of get-together at house parties in remembrance of the great singer, philosopher and humanitarian. Robert Marley, who is known around the world as “Bob Marley,” is the first global super-star from the “third world.” He was born in a rural neighborhood known as Nine Miles in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica. His father, Norval Marley, was a white Englishman who was a supervisor of geographic agricultural lands in upland Jamaica. He was 50 when Bob Marley was born. Marley’s mom, Cedella Booker, was a black Jamaican teenager when Marley was born. In order to avoid local and international scandals, the couple quickly got married, but did not live together. Bob Marley was raised by his mother in a poor, rural village. Marley did not have much contact with his dad. At the age of 12, Marley and his Mom moved to Jamaica’s largest city and capital, Kingston. Life was tough for Marley and his mom at Kingston’s public housing known as “Trenchtown.” During his early teens, Marley learned to be a welder so he could help provide income for his family and help his mom. Marley got more interested in the music business. By the age of 16, he recorded his first song titled “Judge Not,” which was well received in Kingston. Marley met a young musician, Bunny Wailer, in 1962. Marley was about 17 years old and Wailer was a young adult who was friends with Marley's mom. Later that year, they asked another young musician, Peter Tosh, to join them in a new band they called “The Wailing Wailers.” Why did they call their band The WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 Wailing Wailers? The name was chosen because they said that they were all born crying as they grew up in the slums and ghettos of Jamaica, especially Kingston. Their song genre of preference was reggae. Their songs were a reflection of the poverty, deprivation, racism and injustice of 1960s Jamaica. The Wailing Wailers’ first song, “Simmer Down,” was a number one hit in 1963 in Jamaica. At the time, Jamaica’s dance music was fast frequency music called “scuff.” However, the Wailer’s reggae song slowed the beat. The original Wailers released many influential songs. Through his music, Marley and his band members tried to develop visions of peace and freedom. 1966 was a pivotal time for the Wailers and Marley. It was the year the Wailers fully joined the Rastafarian religion. It was the year that the Wailers began to grow their dreads. It was the year that Emperor Haile Selassie visited Jamaica. Selassie was regarded as the “Black King” who had been prophesied by “Jamaican Hero” Marcus Garvey. Some Jamaican historians and documentarians believe that Bob Marley and many other Jamaicans became convinced that Selassie was “Jesus Christ Reincarnated.” The Wailers and the Rasta elders believed that Jesus would return with a different name, and over time began to think that name was Haile Selassie. After Selassie went back to Ethiopia, the influence of Rasta spread exponentially and rapidly. 1966 was also the year that Bob Marley met a “Rasta woman” by the name of Rita. They got married the same year. Rita became one of the three female back-up singers of the Wailers. 1966 was also the year that Marley decided to migrate and join his mother in the United States. He was employed at a Chrysler Auto Plant in Delaware where his mom worked as an assembly plant union employee. He wanted to spend time with his mom and send earnings to new wife Rita, who still Bob Marley and The Wailers in the recording studio. Photo from Bob Katz and Fact Magazine. lived in Jamaica. After a few months, Marley left the job and the United States to continue his music and song-writing career in Jamaica. The Wailers felt exploited by the recording companies in Jamaica. Because Marley was an iconic and gifted performer with incredible stage presence, the musical group changed their name to “Bob Marley and the Wailers.” Luckily, in 1972 they were signed to a London-based recording company managed by Chris Blackwell, who was known in the European and United States music industry. “Catch a Fire” was their first album after signing the contract with Mr. Blackwell. Among the popular songs in “Catch a Fire,” which was released in 1973, were “Stir it Up” and “Concrete Jungle.” Bob Marley after the breakup In 1974, the band broke up. Each see MARLEY page 13  9

10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS People in the neighborhood: Rob Rob is a friendly man. Very easy to talk to and loves light and clever conversation. I’ve known Rob for a few years now. His health is challenged and is exacerbated by suffering through homelessness. Rob is a talented DJ, I see him on the bus and in the library with his mixing program on his laptop all the time. He is a capable man, even with his health struggles. “Where were you born?” I asked. “I am from Dearborn, Michigan,” Rob replied. “Did you go to high school?” I asked. “Yep, I graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1980,” Rob replied. “Did you go to college?” I asked. “No,” Rob said, “I went to a vocational school to be a sound engineer and a DJ.” “What got you into DJing?” I asked. “My mom. We were in the Grace Church choir for seven years. I got to help out on the sound board. I've been a DJ for 43 years now. I’ve done over a thousand weddings, and have been up and down the gentleman’s clubs on 8 Mile in Detroit,” he replied. “If you could go to college for free and study any subject, what would it be?” I asked. “I would go to Full Sail in Florida and get a certificate in sound engineering. Engineering jobs can start at up to $96k per year,” Rob said with emphasis. “Would it be easy to get a job after the courses?” I asked. “If I get a certificate, probably,” Rob replied. “It's a matter of having good ears. If you don't have good ears, you can still get a certificate. Those certificates pretty much just show you know the basics. A certificate means you have just enough skills to get a chance,” Rob continued. “What kind of places hire sound engineers?” I asked. “Usually touring bands. I might find a studio to work at but I kind of like to go out on the road. It would be fun to travel and get paid,” Rob mused. “But unfortunately there's no opportunities here. I need to go to Vegas but I don't want to leave because I like the guys here. But sometimes you have to make sacrifices to be where you want in life.” “What about starting your own DJ business?” I asked. “I've had a couple of those. I'd rather just find a place to work,” Rob replied. “What was life like for you before all that happened?” I asked. “It was OK,” Rob recalled. “I was working at a club doing what I do. Just living at the time, trying to make ends meet, you know, just one thing after the other. I had a four-year-old car, turbo with all wheel drive. I was living with my best friend. He was living his JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 life, I was living mine. We were working, driving, shopping and taking in what life has to offer.” Then it happened. Rob shared the moment his life fell apart. “You said your best friend passed away?” I asked. Rob replied, “We went to South Carolina and decided to get a house. So, you know, if we didn't find someone to marry, at least we could help each other pay the bills. He passed away and all of a sudden, all the bills were in my lap. I burned through my savings, then I crashed my brand new Chevy after being cut off in traffic. Then my sister passed away within three weeks after that. There's a whole bunch of other stuff that happened then next thing you know, I’m homeless.” “All right, so what's going on now? Tell me about the last two years of your life,” I asked. “It's been living in a tent and trying to make money by donating plasma. I’m surrounded by people with dangerous mental illnesses, I’ve had three surgeries and had to recover in my tent. I can't really do a lot of physically intense work. There’s not a lot out here for broken 60-year-old men,” he said. “Tell me about the last couple of days at your camp,” I asked. “I haven't been there. I've been going back to check on my tent, but somebody finally took it out. Somebody took my tent and took all my stuff out of it. All my clothes were actually in a bag ready to go do laundry, so they just picked them up and took them. You know, I'm 5'6", 170 pounds. The only [people] who wear my clothes are probably girls. You know, so whatever. I'm a little angry, but I'm over it.” The clothing Rob was referring to were things he had gotten for Christmas from a local hospitality house. “Where are you with housing? Are there agencies helping you?” I asked. “I asked PATH where I was on the list and they couldn’t give me an answer. Then I found out I was not on the list, so finally I had to fucking deal with it. They've got every little bit of useful ID and information they need, so I don't know. I guess with the kidney stones and bad back and everything else, I Rob is a career DJ who became homeless after the sudden death of a housemate and sibling. must not be a priority. But still. I'm not gonna let it keep me down. I've crawled out of the hole a few times. So, you know, this is just taking a little longer because I'm older. ” It is important to note that, like many others, Rob has been waiting on help from the government for months. He was acting responsibly when he was in South Carolina — working and paying bills — and then tragedy struck. Was it his fault his friend died? Was it his fault his car was wrecked? Was it his fault for having kidney stones? No, no, and no. So where is the state? This is what social welfare programs are for, so why are so many people waiting months for help? Here is some more information about people recovering from surgery while experiencing homelessness: Post-surgical mortality and homelessness: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are more likely to experience surgical complications, with one study finding they have 1.42 times greater odds of complications compared to housed patients (American College of Surgeons). Homelessness is an independent risk factor for developing infections and complications within 90 days of surgery (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Reports have documented specific cases, such as a woman in a Canadian tent encampment who passed away after being denied necessary surgery because she had no safe place to recover (New Brunswick Media Co-op). about “You had surgery recently. Tell me that. What happened afterwards?” I asked. “They (Trinity Medical) just released me. I had to wait for a bus to take me back to my camp. No ride, no motel, nothing. They didn’t even let me spend the night.” “Are you recovering okay?” “I’m still bleeding,” Rob replied. FEBRUARY 6, 2026

FEBRUARY 6, 2026 COMMUNITY RESOURCES GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11

12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PUZZLES CROSSWORD International Network of Street Papers FEBRUARY 6, 2026 ACROSS 1. Candy, informal 5. In base 8 10. Worked the soil 14. On or to the left 15. Choice 16. A rounded knob or protuberance 17. Black cat, maybe 18. Consumed 19. Barbecue entree 20. Creative activity in front of an audience 23. "-zoic" things 24. Oolong, for one 25. Legislative assembly of Spain and formerly Portugal 28. A shore onto which a ship could be blown in foul weather 33. Came down 34. -myalgia, debilitating condition 35. ___ green 36. Device that performs operations, usually in binary notation 40. "The Three Faces of ___" 41. "Encore!" 42. "Scream" star Campbell 43. A system for broadcasting words on TV 45. Covered in slices of bacon 47. Amigo 48. Boat in "Jaws" 49. Descriptions of something as admirable 56. English spelling for the capitol of Shaanxi province 57. Exploits 58. ___ gin fizz 59. ___ brat 60. Harvard, Yale, Brown, etc. 61. Cork's country 62. ... 63. Like some goodbyes 64. Gets into DOWN 1. Hoof sound 2. Blood pigment 3. "Your turn" 4. Colored paper thrown at celebration 5. Met productions 6. Forces something into an insuffcient space 7. South American monkey 8. "Absolutely!" 9. Not shortsided 10. Cry of triumph 11. Bypass 12. Declines 13. Affairs 21. Bauxite, e.g. 22. "Belling the Cat" author 25. Citadel student 26. Antipasto morsel 27. Star in Orion 28. Allowed 29. Black, in poetry 30. ___ out (declined) 31. "The Canterbury Tales" pilgrim 32. Dog-___ 34. Cultivated for its linseed and textile fiber 37. Golden Horde member 38. "You must be at least 21 to drink alcohol" 39. Made without yeast 44. Namesake for a discovery 45. Tastelessly showy or loud 46. Appear 48. A boorish or aggresive person, especially an Australian man 49. Copter's forerunner 50. Dalai ___ 51. The Jackson52. Hip bones 53. Assortment 54. Norse goddess of fate 55. Attends 56. "Do the Right Thing" pizzeria owner PUZZLE SOLUTIONS January 23, 2026 edition

FEBRUARY 6, 2026 TAX RESOURCES tax preparation RESOURCE CORNER Tax day is April 15! The IRS is already accepting and processing tax returns; don't wait until the last day! If your total income is less than $69,000 you likely have one or more cash benefits waiting and tax prep services are at no cost to you. Exact details vary based on the specific tax credit, your tax filing status and the number of people in your household. Some, but not all, tax credits require that you or your children have a Social Security Number. FINDING TAX FORMS Ann Arbor District Library branches offer physical copies of various federal tax forms beginning in late January. Librarians can print additional forms for no cost. Call (734) 327-4200 for more information. Ypsilanti District Library offers tax forms, while supplies last, at the Whittaker and Superior branches. Call the library for more information. Whittaker branch: (734) 482-4110, x2411  MARLEY from page 9 member pursued a solo career. Bunny Wailer went his own way and Peter Tosh went his own way. Marley performed with a new lineup still using the band name Bob Marley and the Wailers. Marley had his first international breakthrough in 1975, according to a Jamaican documentary. The collaboration with music executive Chris Blackwell meant that the reggae band from Jamaica had access to cutting-edge musical recording equipment. Bob Marley’s hit song “No Woman, No Cry” came out of the “Natty Dread” album. The next year, in 1976, he released “The Rastaman Vibration” album. Both albums bore themes of poverty, slums, oppression, inequality, injustice and resistance, which were commonplace in the third world. His messages include dreams, hopes, unity, peace, harmony, and above all, love. By 1976, there was no doubt that Bob Marley had become an international superstar. He was in demand for concerts in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, and several more countries. Many reggae music lovers were rediscovering his older songs. On December 28, 1976, there was an assasination attempt on Marley’s life. It happened in his house in Kingston, Jamaica. Marley, his wife Rita, and his manager were all shot. They survived; they were lucky. Marley moved to London at the end of 1976. Marley and his new Wailers band Superior branch: (734) 482-4110, x2431 Download necessary tax forms from the Michigan Department of Treasury website and check income tax refund status. www.michigan.gov/taxes FILING HELP The Housing Bureau for Seniors Offering FREE tax return preparation in partnership with AARP Foundation! Appointments are offered Wednesdays and Fridays from February 4 - April 10. Trained volunteers will be able to provide with a full federal and state return or complete the Michigan Property Tax Credits you qualify for. Past returns can be completed from 2022 onwards. Call Housing Bureau for Seniors to schedule your appointment at 734-998-9341! United Way Southeastern Michigan Tax preparation services are provided by IRS-certified non-profit partners, Accounting Aid Society and Wayne Metro Community Action Agency. Participation requirements include: make less members released a very influential album named “Exodus” in 1977. Its title song was written in response to the campaign slogan of Socialist Party leader Michael Manley, “We know where we’re going.” Exodus is partly vision and partly an anthem with a siren call to all the world to leave the wickedness of Babylon and return to the Holy Place of Ethiopia. “We know where we’re goin’, we know where we're from. We’re leavin’ Babylon, y’all, we’re goin’ to our Father’s Land,” he sings. In 1978, Marley visited Kingston. He brought the concept of reggae for peace and unity. The political disagreements and election campaigns got very violent in Jamaica. Marley wanted Jamaicans to see a symbolic show of peace and unity. What did he do? He gave a concert in a big arena which ended with Socialist Party leader Manley and Conservative Party leader Edward Siega (who both served as Prime Minister) lifting their arms and shaking hands while Marley was standing between the two. It was an important gesture for a peaceful democracy. Siega said the following about Bob Marley after Marley’s passing: “I myself was a minister in the government, responsible for art and culture … Bob Marley captured the popular imagination of the people. Marley internationalized Jamaican music. Bob Marley was successful because of his creative music. He captured public imagination. His songs had a message that transcended race, color and creed. It dealt with the protests of a large section of the world.” than $69,000/year, have a Driver's License or picture ID, have a Social Security Card or ITIN, live in Washtenaw County. Schedule your appointment at unitedwaysem.org/ resources/tax-preparation-assistance/ St. Francis of Assisi Parish Offers tax help to individuals with limited income ($57,000.00 or less) and simple tax returns. Call the parish office at (734) 821-2121 to make an appointment to drop off your return. Services offered February through April. Assistance also available in Spanish. ONLINE FILING MyFreeTaxes.com Free online service provided by United Way for preparing and filing your taxes brought to you by United Way. Must make $67,000 per year or less to use this service. Get started today at MyFreeTaxes.com GROUNDCOVER NEWS 13 Michael Manley commented that Bob Marley’s art was very significant. “He was one of the rare artists to come around in a generation. Bob Marley was able to internationalize his songs and message. Bob could sing about Zimbabwe and Trenchtown.” Robert Marley, according to Manley, was “one of the most articulate ‘troubadours’ of the ghetto.” His caring about social issues such as poverty, inequality and injustice was unshakable and uncompromising. Bob Marley’s final two albums were released in 1979 and 1980. “Survival” (1979) had popular songs such as “Zimbabwe” and “Africa Unite” and “Survival.” Marley’s last studio album, “Uprising,” showcased Marley’s belief that reggae music came out of Africa and people like Marley polished the music and made it famous. Reggae was indeed a reflection of the stories of oppressed people in Africa and the African diaspora. When the End is Near Music historians say that Marley’s last concert performance was at Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, Pa. on September 23, 1980. That was around the time he found out about his illness — cancer. The diagnosis showed that the cancer, which started on his foot, had probably spread to other parts of his body, and his managers cancelled the rest of his tours so he could get treatment. Because of his religious beliefs, Marley rejected the amputation which was recommended by his doctors. In the final stage of his life, from 1980 to 1981, he sought alternative medicine. It did not work. Treatment at a clinic in Germany did not stop the cancer from spreading rapidly. Marley prepared himself to die in his mansion in Kingston. But while trying to get back home, he passed on at a medical center in Florida, now known as the University of Miami Medical School. Marley’s dead body was flown to Jamaica where he received a state funeral fit for a national hero or a prime minister. They mourned and celebrated Bob Marley’s life and death all over Jamaica. His music, his song lyrics were sung from every corner of the world. There is no question that Marley’s funeral was a triumphant event, as mourners sang and danced to the melodies which brought hope and comfort to masses of downtrodden and poor people across the globe. There is a line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “When beggars die there are no comets seen/ The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.” Bob Marley was a global Prince of “One Love,” which Prime Minister Edward Siega said meant “the vision of peace and unity” during his eulogy in 1981. Bob Marley’s musical accomplishments are staggering. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Marley’s 1977 album titled “Exodus” was designated album of the 20th Century by Time magazine in December 1999. Marley’s song “One Love” was designated Song of the Millennium by the BBC. Marley continues to be remembered all over the world.

14 GROUNDCOVER NEWS SPOTLIGHT Sugar Man and the origins of SK Rodriguez TOMMY SPAGHETTI Groundcover vendor No. 669 Everybody knows Sugar Man right? If you don't know Sugar Man then perhaps you missed the greatest Cinderella story of the 21st century: Artist/ musician makes a record. Record flops. Record company drops Artist from label. Artist lives in relative obscurity 30+ years. Through an internet connection, Artist discovers they have millions of fans overseas. Artist travels to foreign country and receives a hero's welcome. Artist makes triumphant return home. Artist lives happily ever after. What I just described to you was documented in the 2014 Academy Award winning movie "Searching For Sugar Man," directed by Malik Bendjelloul. I have to mention Malik's name because without him this whole comeback story might have been missed. It is easy to identify with the artist Sixto Rodriguez (aka Sugarman), especially if you're in the music business or if you just like it when the underdog wins. Maybe it was better that Sugarman's album flopped commercially in the United States because it preserved his body for future use. We all know the down-side of overnight stardom: drug and alcohol use/abuse; fast living; overconsumption of food; sex and an early demise. The road after success is littered with youthful corpses, i.e., Hendrix, Joplin, Morrison, Belushi. Sugarman’s 1973 record album, Cold Facts, had music that was danceable but the lyrics were perhaps too honest for the average consumer. The song "I Wonder," while upbeat and danceable, pondered sex. Pondered Vietnam. Was written and composed in the early 70s vernacular. No wonder it didn’t sell well in the United States in the 1970s. The title track "Sugar Man" integrated marijuana, tolerated cocaine — two subjects the Motown Records subsidiary was not interested in promoting. Lets fast forward now to 2026 and we have Sandra Rodriguez carrying her father's legacy like an Olympic torch. The two imposters, Chance and Fate, lured us together. Necessity wrote the screenplay. I was looking for a band to hire for a variety show and after a brief phone conversation with Sandra Rodriguez, aka SK, it was clear that her experience was beyond my own. I gratefully relinquished my position and invited SK to produce our "In Loving Memory" show, a tribute concert to the late poet activist John Sinclair. (Wishing to avoid confusion I am calling Sugarman, "Rodriguez." And I am calling Sandra Rodriguez, "SK." That's how they are referred to locally by friends and family.) Collaborating with SK made me realize that I was in the presence of greatness and that I needed to conduct an interview with SK for Groundcover News in Ann Arbor, because Groundcover has a loyal readership. TS: How did you get the moniker SK? SK: The initials of my name Sandra Kennedy. Rodriguez first called me SK and I like it. TS: How did you get into singing as a career? SK: I wrote and copyrighted six songs. When Rodriguez learned about it he asked me to be his "ice breaker" and open his shows with my originals. My first performance was at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in front of 6000 people. TS: Wow! What year was that? SK: 2013. “Resurgent troubadour Rodriguez — the subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary, "Searching for Sugar Man" — is performing at Barclays Center on Wednesday, October 9 at 8 p.m. The concert at Cushman & Wakefield Theater at Barclays Center continues one of the most remarkable musical comebacks in recent memory on Rodriguez’s wildly popular U.S. tour itinerary. Support acts for Rodriguez will be Sandra Rodriguez, Susan Coswill and John Sinclair.” — A press release at the time. TS: Were you the "ice breaker" for all those shows in South Africa and Australia? SK: Yes all the shows in Europe, Canada, the United States, Australia — I have yet to perform in ZA, I just announced a tour, trying to make it there. TS: ZA? SK: Republic of South Africa TS: You were already in ZA. I saw "Searching for Sugar Man" movie poster about Sixto Rodriguez. you in the movie "Searching for Sugar Man." Was that before Barclays Center? SK stands in front of Detroit mural of her father, Sixto Rodriguez. FEBRUARY 6, 2026 TS: Yes, and South Africa was before my dad knew I wrote and sang and played songs. And the other time he toured I stayed in the United States and sent my daughters. They have been there several times, bless that man! TS: Are you excited about going to ZA? SK: About the possibility, yes. TS: Seems like a difficult thing to pull off. I would be nervous but you've been there before. You played four sold out shows in Australia in 2025. How do you stay relaxed while traveling such great distances and performing for large audiences? SK: I see it as a privilege and a pleasure and an honor to be there, and doing music is even more incredible! TS: Sandra, I wanna call you Sugarmomma. How do you feel about that? SK: Not interested in being called that. My name is SK. Or Sandra. By this time in our relationship SK and I had become friends. Unwittingly I got stranded on the east side of Detroit. I could’ve taken a city bus back home (13 miles) but I've already walked five miles and I'm worn out. Knowing SK lives somewhere on the east side I give her a call and she answers. The angels seem to be on my side so I press my luck. "SK. I'm stuck at 8 mile and Gratiot. Can you swoop me?" In just a few minutes SK arrives in a squeaky clean new-looking SUV. After I buckle the seatbelt SK tells me, "I wanna show you something ..." Wasting no time SK drives to the Cass Corridor stopping at not one, not two but three gigantic murals painted in Sugarman’s likeness. Each mural depicting Rodriguez in a different guitar pose. This is a drive-by mural tour so it doesn't take long to observe the murals. SK steers her SUV down an alley. We stop and SK gets out of the car. Unlocks and opens a huge wooden gate. We are now in a fairytale existence. Looking at a huge stately home in Wayne State University’s Woodbridge neighborhood. Sweeping my head from side to side I gaze at the perfect concrete, the manicured grass, the stockade fence offering neighborly privacy and foliage. "Imagine the shows we could put on here," states SK. "This porch could be the stage." SK unlocks the door and we enter the unoccupied house. "Rodriguez bought this house for $100 in the 1970s. It was his lifelong project." SK is giving me 'the nickel tour' starting on the first floor. The walls look freshly drywalled. No art adorns them. Sanded hardwood floors perfectly level. No furniture at all until we reach the second story. In the living room rests a polished black grand piano. Lifting the key cover I sit down to play a tune while SK walks around making sure the balcony windows and doors are firmly locked. "My sisters want to sell the house. It's listed for $325,000. I want to buy them out." SK leads me into the basement. There on the floor against the bricked wall are tools. Hammers, sledges, crowbars, saws, levels, all neatly aligned, perfectly spaced, like it's an exhibit at Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford Museum. From this evidence it's clear that Sixto Rodriguez was a master craftsman. This house is symbolic of Rodriguez's music career. Impressive and enduring. The three Rodriguez murals are not hyperbole. Rodriguez is remembered and loved by everyone around here.

FEBRUARY 6, 2026 COMMUNITY RESOURCES  YOUTUBE from page 4 testifying, and would not want the experience to be broadcast. Buddy 4 stated, “I don’t agree with that at all, I didn’t know that [they broadcast on YouTube]. It is public knowledge, the public has a right to know about criminals, but with that said it doesn’t mean I want to be on YouTube. It wasn’t meant to be the way people use it.” Buddy 5 said it’s the “age we live in, it's the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), it's the age of social media.” Buddy 6 said it “shows what kind of fraud they is, all the system is is money.” Buddy 7 said, “It’s the First Amendment and Fifth Amendment, its FOIA. I see it as content, but with that said I wouldn’t want to be on YouTube court. YouTube is how a lot of people get their news now. After they get a thousand subscribers they monetize it.” Buddy 8: “Zoom court has saved my life, but it shouldn’t be something that anybody can access and monetize, there should be oversight.” Buddy 9: “Typically I think it's horrible. This guy was having a horrible time and people were laughing, it's not funny. It speaks to the popularity of true crime. If I was in court and I wanted my support system to be there but couldn’t be there physically, it could have a function.” Buddy 10: “I think the court system  HOMES from page 8 generational change that impacts the outcomes for people around them, too. It’s incredibly powerful when you’re able to change the trajectory for someone’s life by simply giving them what they need at the time they need it most.” We know that housing ends homelessness, but the scale of the problem is daunting. More than 122,000 Australians are without a home each night, and another 1.26 million households are living in housing stress — spending more than 30 per cent of their income on rent or mortgage payments. And with a critical shortfall of social housing, there are 640,000 households on the waiting list for an affordable home. Longo believes that it will take the combined efforts of many motivated, connected movements to make a lasting impact, and Homes for Homes is taking the long view: seeking enduring rather than quick-fix solutions, and new brick-and-mortar sanctuaries rather than emergency triage options. Longo outlined the need for a “healthy ecosystem,” with housing options existing on a continuum. “You’ve got social housing, affordable housing, private rental and then private ownership,” she said. “It’s really critical should be abolished. I’m not comfortable with it [YouTube court]. I think they play to the camera.” Buddy 11: “Law teacher at school uses it. They show the live courtroom to the students to show how the court system works.” Buddy 12: “It’s f***ed-up, they [the police] profiled me off of that. ‘We know what you are in court for,’ because I got in trouble. It's supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, now it's guilty until proven guilty.” Buddy 13: “COVID brought it to light when everything went virtual … YouTube is broadly used in a way to embarrass people and I don’t like it. I don't like all the viral, stressful, emotional, hard on public display for entertainment ... different people have different comfortability … people have a right to view … using it as entertainment I am personally in disagreement with … there are sensitive issues, people are going through things ... using their plight for entertainment.” Buddy 14: “I don’t think you should be allowed to put a very private, intimate, life-altering experience out for display like reality TV … mental shame and anguish … people haven’t even been given due process. It robs them of a sense of justice that they can participate in justice fairly.” Buddy 15 clarified they didn’t know they were being broadcast. It’s “21st century modern times and everything that those sectors are in harmony, and that those most vulnerable are given an opportunity to move through the system when they’re financially positioned to do so.” The dream for Homes for Homes, as it ticks past its first decade, is to see the recipients of its projects grow into a position where they might give back themselves, signing up to pay 0.1 per cent forward — good housing karma incarnate! “In time, I would hope to see that,” Longo said. “In the next 10 years, I’d love for [Homes for Homes] to get to the point when it’s just understood to be part of the buying and selling process in Australia, in the same way we talk about safety measures like wearing a seatbelt or a helmet.” “With my background, I think from a very early age, I realized the power that advocacy actually has,” Aristea said. By the end of September, she will be admitted as a solicitor, working in criminal law — using the “talent for self-advocacy” that she discovered through securing her family that studio, and applying it for the benefit of others. Empowered by her own experience of finding the right housing at the right time, she can speak to the cracks that she’s seen in the system. so to some extent things are recorded. What I couldn't imagine in a million years is that it would be taken into a public domain so quickly and publicly. It’s a lucrative content-making opportunity off of parading people around like legal Jerry Springer, and unlike talk shows, real outcomes with real cases, real lives affected forever. The bottom line is there is money to be made from this content and as long as that’s the case we will keep seeing these types of exploitative practices. Like with everything, the internet could be used for good or bad. It streamlines bottlenecks that have long been there, but there is a cost to people’s safety and privacy.” Post-pandemic court COVID-19 launched a permanent shift to rely more heavily on internet access to court business. However, concerns remain about how current practices balance constitutional rights. At this time courts rely heavily on State Court Administrator Office’s 2020 guidelines and standards. While the guidelines explicitly state Zoom and YouTube are not the only acceptable platforms, the directions do explain how to utilize them. In 2023 the MJC recommended SCAO add updates to the standards and guidelines for live-streaming settings to decrease trauma. A recent review of Washtenaw “A lot of people who end up in front of the criminal justice system were victims first, who often didn’t have the adequate support that they needed when they were younger,” she reports, “and the rates of criminalization in people who have experienced domestic violence as youth are sky high.” Aristea said that her family’s humble Kids Under Cover studio felt way bigger on the inside, providing her with a place to study, decompress or escape — without actually having to leave the family and face an uncertain future alone. “It’s that step towards independence that’s actually prolonging childhood,” Aristea said of the young people who are granted their own studio spaces, “and it’s keeping them at home for longer.” Today, she is a fierce critic of governmental neglect of public housing. “The reality is that there’s no viable alternative. You’re converting a system that helps working-class families, that supports migrants and domestic violence victims, and a lot of those people who would be appropriately placed in public housing are going to end up homeless.” Longo feels the same, claiming that in a perfect world, her role at Homes for Homes would not exist. “But the reality is that there’s been under-investment GROUNDCOVER NEWS 15 County judges listed on the MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom directory suggests not all Washtenaw County courtrooms currently have a working YouTube link, nor do all judges with a working link have the 1000-subscriber threshold for monetization. The judges without a YouTube link and those with fewer subscribers appear to handle a larger load of cases relating to protected and vulnerable populations such as juveniles, families, personal protection orders and specialty courts. However, an inspection of the MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory and washtenaw. org indicates that both state and county information about courtrooms and judges sometimes need updating. At this time, a FOIA request is in progress, with the goal of gaining clarification surrounding whether courtrooms have monetized livestreaming and how the revenue is being utilized. According to a Michigan Courts News Release from November 6, 2025, written by John Nevin, titled "A New Era for Michigan’s Trial Courts: Transformative Funding Model Proposed," efforts are underway to change court funding aiming to “eliminate financial conflicts of interest, ensure fair and stable funding, and expand equitable access to justice for all Michiganders.” In the release is a summary see YOUTUBE page 16  in social, affordable housing for multiple years, and it can’t be solved by one organization, one government. There has to be multiple levers and strategies, and Homes for Homes is one of those.” Ten years in, the scope and impact of Homes for Homes continues to evolve, with renters now involved in the process, too — donating 0.1 per cent of their monthly rent. So too, the sale or lease of offices, retail outlets and factories. With a number of projects in the works, one of the closest to Longo’s heart is The Cornelia Program, which gives at-risk women in Victoria the accommodation and specialized help to stay with their newborn babies. It sounds a million miles away from some kind soul selling their pile of bricks — but it’s not, Longo said. “We’re looking at how the entire community can be part of the solution, how we’re all able to link arms in support of this cause. “It’s allowing us to grant funds across a diverse variety of different organizations. We want to tackle long-term outcomes for people who need housing. It’s seamless and it’s simple, but it goes a long way to making a difference for people on the margins.” Courtesy of The Big Issue Australia / INSP.ngo

16 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Hot chocolate LUIZA DUARTE CAETANO Groundcover contributor Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk* 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1/2 cup sugar 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped finely Optional toppings: marshmallows, whipped cream Directions: Bring milk to a simmer on medium-low heat. Whisk in cocoa powder, sugar and chopped chocolate. Keep on low heat until chocolate melts completely and everything is fully combined. Add preferred toppings in each glass. Makes four servings. *Substitute a plant-based milk for a just-as-good dairy-free verison! Help vendors stay warm during this extra-cold winter by donating hand warmers, toe warmers and hot chocolate packets. It makes a big difference when working long hours outside! Drop off to our office anytime during our daily hours, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coordinate a pick-up by calling 734-263-2098. Thank you! SAVON SALVADOR Groundcover vendor No. 273 This is our song: “Happy Scopes is here today. Read it, laugh and smile all day! Happy Scopes is here today!” Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19): Your qualities and craftsmanship are spectacular — expect nothing but the best from the avenue of choice and chance. Aquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18): Those broken promises are mending. Don't let that temper ruin the peace around you. Maybe focus on what’s right in front of you. Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 22): Escape from your hardship and the past. Try to hunt the kinder heart you have. Stay in one lane and complete it; you will have better results. Aries (Mar 21- April 19): Wear loose clothes and you will slide into that new position. You have so much to look forward to. The new moon is going to energize your body, mind and soul, so don't miss out. Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Don't be unsure, but gardening your responsible hands will for sure work. Try out a self-pamper day. The spa awaits you. Scoripo (Oct 23- Nov21): Insight about assessing research about what is aiding you. Dedicate and challenge yourself to overcome that which is superficial or small. Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21): There are theories about what you may do new or what your new move might be, but keep it to yourself. They don’t need to know the results until the final product or decision. FEBRUARY 6, 2026 February Happyscopes Gemini (May 21- June 20): Yes, you learn quickly, however, learn to not chat with the wrong crowd. It’s time to write your own song and tune and let someone else listen to your creation. Cancer (Jun 21-July 22): A good meal in solitude will help open your mind. Taking a step back to recreate yourself is always important. Leo (July 23-Aug 22): Your heart is golden, but who is going to shine it when it’s dull or dusty? Gain and give at the same time — it is a cycle. Virgo (Aug 23- Sept 22): Become that animal within your finances and secure your future. Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22): Don't be afraid to let your guard down, cool kid. Your bravery will be rewarded with true friendship.  YOUTUBE from page 15 USE THIS COUPON ANYTIME $5 OFF NATURAL FOODS MARKET 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP ANY PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE One coupon per transaction. Must present coupon at the time of purchase. Coupon good for in-store only. No other discounts or coop cards apply. Not valid for gift cards, case purchases, beer or wine. OFFER EXPIRES 3/30/2026 suggesting a framework for the future of internet court taken from India’s experiences, dated July 2025, written by L. Gupta, published in The Legal Youngster, and titled Judicial Transparency Vs Privacy: An Analysis of Live Streaming of Court Proceedings. In the article Gupta says a judiciary’s credibility relies on public confidence, which “hinges on transparency and accountability.” Seven safeguards and recommendations follow: 1) Selective streaming which only streams proceedings “involving constitutional interpretation, public interest litigation, and significant legal questions, with cases involving family, vulnerable populations or sexual offenses excluded;” 2) Anonymization and blurring measures to protect identities; 3) Content regulation where a time-delay may be utilized to filter inappropriate or confidential material; 4) Training and sensitization for judges, lawyers, and court staff to handle streamed proceedings with decorum and professionalism; 5) Technological infrastructure that includes secure and high quality audio-visual equipment for smooth streaming; 6) Legal framework that provides clear guidelines, data protection principles, and penalization of misusing content; 7) Archives and accessibility for recording storage on official judicial portals with metadata, categorization, and public access tools. Part of Gupta’s conclusion states livestreaming “has the potential to revolutionize public engagement with the legal system, enhance legal education, and promote institutional accountability. However, the enthusiasm for openness must be tempered with a cautious understanding of its repercussions.” Making improvements to the justice system is in progress, and it is possible for Michigan courts to improve access, maintain transparency, protect privacy — and even achieve MSC’s goal of making our justice system “a model for the nation.”

1 Publizr

Index

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5
6. 6
7. 7
8. 8
9. 9
10. 10
11. 11
12. 12
13. 13
14. 14
15. 15
16. 16

Home