U-M student rocket scare; Bookbound closing; cicadas are coming

Happy Friday!

We’ve made it to May and soon millions of Brood X cicadas will be emerging in parts of Southeast Michigan after spending the last 17 years developing underground. The noisy insects, while they present no danger to humans, could harm young trees and plants in your yard. Here’s what a University of Michigan entomologist recommends you do to protect vegetation from the onslaught.

In anticipation of the emergence, the city of Ann Arbor announced that it is suspending tree planting efforts. Want to know more? Here’s a fun -- and informative -- read by ClickOnDetroit’s Ken Haddad that dives into all-things-cicada.

Have a great weekend.

- Meredith (@meredith_A4)

What’s been happening:

📚 The owners of Bookbound Bookstore announced they will be closing permanently after nearly eight years in business. (A4)

🗣 Physician assistants rallied outside U-M Hospital this week in support of their colleagues negotiating a new contract with Michigan Medicine. (A4)

📈 The Washtenaw County Health Department is now using census tract data to track local vaccination progress. (A4)

🤒 Michigan Medicine has opened long haul clinics for adults and children experiencing long-term complications from COVID. (A4)

💉 Can the United States reach herd immunity? Hear from a U-M disease expert. (A4)

⚖ Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced this week an innovative pre-plea diversion program that will be piloted at Ann Arbor’s 15th District Court. (A4)

🍞 VA Ann Arbor started hosting monthly pop-up food pantries yesterday. Here’s when veterans in need can visit the sites. (A4)

🏀 University of Michigan sophomore Franz Wagner announced that he is leaving the school to enter the NBA draft. (A4)

🚧 Avoid the area: A section of Ashley Street downtown is closed through May 15 for streetscape improvements. (A4)

🛶 The city of Ann Arbor has transformed Huron River Day into a month-long celebration. Take part in nature walks and a new challenge for a chance to win prizes throughout May. (A4)

🤝 A U-M alumnus and longtime supporter of UMMA has donated a collection of Chinese ceramic art and an endowment worth roughly $5 million to the museum. A portion of it will be on view this fall. (A4)

Good to know:

🌷 It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday. Sarah put together this awesome list of ideas that also support local shops. It’s a win-win. (If I’m being honest, I’d be happy if all I get is a long, uninterrupted nap). (A4)

🦆 Good news of the week: Members of Ann Arbor’s police and fire departments rescued a dozen ducklings that were stuck in a storm drain. (A4)

🎨 Organizers of the biannual Westside Art Hop said the event is tentatively on for June and that they are currently searching for volunteer hosts and artists for the outdoor event. (A4)

🧘‍♀️ Ann Arbor Rec & Ed will be offering a free program for adults 65 and older to improve physical activity starting this month. (A4)

Feature interview of the week:

“We had no clue the sophistication or the hazard of what this group was doing prior to last night. The fact that there were no fatalities or injuries was remarkable given the fire and gas wave that was created in this incident.”

- Mike Kennedy, Ann Arbor Fire Chief on a blast caused by a U-M student rocket club that shook homes on Ann Arbor’s northside

🗨 Have something to share? Write me anytime at mbruckner@wdiv.com.

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