Volunteers prepare for Ypsi PRIDE Day
May. 13, 2010 · 7:09 a.m.
Each year, residents in and around the city of Ypsilanti carry on a tradition started by a group of community members enrolled in a city leadership program, a sort...read more
Bicycles zoom as flowers bloom
Apr. 30, 2010 · 2:11 p.m.
The weather has turned, the trees are budding and the flowers are popping out of the ground; time for a cruise through town. But don’t be so quick to hop in the...read more
Sheriff Clayton visits Ypsilanti Township
Apr. 29, 2010 · 12:59 p.m.
About 50 Ypsilanti Township residents gave the Washtenaw County Sheriff Office their input about law enforcement in the community Tuesday evening.
The information...read more
Local photographer raising funds for Ypsi Project exhibit
Apr. 20, 2010 · 2:20 a.m.
Ypsilanti has many faces, and Erica Hampton wants to share a few of them with you.
Over the past year, Hampton created the The Ypsi Project, a series of portraits...read more
Savoy taking shape as live music venue
Apr. 17, 2010 · 2:38 p.m.
Ypsilanti's newest concert venue is preparing for its grand opening weekend April 23, more than a month after its soft opening March 13.
Formerly Club Divine,...read more
Photo by Christine Laughren
What is That art gallery at 130 W. Michigan Ave. in Downtown Ypsilanti will be playing host Saturday to the Ypsilanti Citizen's launch party.
Nov. 11, 2008 · 10:37 p.m.
The Ypsilanti Citizen, Ypsi's new online news source, will make its official release from 2 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at What Is That art gallery, located at 130 W. Michigan Ave.
After one year of preparation the Internet-based news medium became officially live Nov. 2, releasing the first community news stories to the Web.
“It's been one year but we've finally arrived,” said Christine Laughren, co-owner of the site. “This is just what Ypsi needs.”
The motto of the site is “your news, your city, our home.” The critical element according to owners Dan DuChene, Andrew Cipolla and Laughren, is the simple fact that the Citizen is based in Ypsilanti.
“We all live here,” DuChene said. “Ypsilanti is our home and has such a rich culture. It deserves a news source that is locally-owned.” He added it is important for a newspaper to not just report on the community but to be a part of it as well.
The mission of the Ypsilanti Citizen, according to its owners, is to provide a comprehensive, accurate and timely news source free of charge to the community using the almost limitless potential of the Internet.
With the added benefits of multi-media, such as pod casting and video, Laughren believes the site will offer more to the community then a printed paper.
“The ability to provide multi-media elements makes the Internet a perfect avenue for news,” Laughren said. “Ypsi has such a large blogging community and given Wireless Ypsi, the community has access.”
The Citizen is the first site of its kind in Ypsilanti to employ a new tactic in the field of journalism. The concept of the Mobile Journalist is only in its infancy but reins in on the limitations of print media. The Mobile Journalist or as it is known affectionately by the Citizen, MoJo, has no office and no set schedule.
“The MoJo's are out on the street and when things happen that’s when they write,” DuChene said. “There isn't even really a deadline because the article is uploaded the minute it’s completed.” He said the MoJo's have their areas of coverage and keep a close watch for events and activities taking place in their beats.
The Citizen covers all of Ypsilanti including Depot Town, Downtown, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw County, Superior Township, Ypsilanti Township, High School news and local sports. The site also features a semi-weekly news brief pod cast presented by Corey Close.
“The community has been very welcoming and supportive,” DuChene said. “Be sure to check out the site and stay up-to-date on your local news.”
Saturday's event will feature a brief presentation of the site beginning at 3 p.m. It will be broadcasted live at www.ypsiciti.com. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided. The community is invited and welcome to attend. Questions should be directed to Andrew Cipolla via e-mail at andrew.cipolla@ypsilanticitizen.com.
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