Heroin is folded inside of some notebook paper in this file photo. Authorities believe a toxic mix called "black shadow" could be causing a rise in overdose deaths.

Courtesy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office

A toxic heroin mix called “black shadow” appears to be causing a rise in overdose deaths around southeast Michigan, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press.

First and foremost, it is important to not place yourself into harm's way. If you discover what appears to be a hazardous material, or if you encounter someone actually polluting, dumping a substance, or engaged in an activity you feel may be illegal, call 911. Keep yourself at a safe distance and avoid the temptation to investigate. Try to note any characteristics or information about the person or material and report it to the authorities.

If you find an environmental condition that isn't immediately life threatening but is concerning, please call Washtenaw County Environmental Health at 734-222-3800 and file a complaint.

Leon Moore, Environmental Health Administrator

AnnArbor.com file photo

1) Waterskiing - Waterskiing is a great workout and a super fun one! If you’re a newbie to skiing, try with two skies, the wider the better. Have some fun on the water with a challenging and exciting activity. Skiing will strengthen muscles that you may not typically use, especially your biceps, triceps, shoulders and upper back muscles.

The memory support wing incorporates the latest innovations in dementia care to provide better therapeutic outcomes for residents. The current facilities are being updated as well with a bistro-style eatery, movie theatre, library, lounge, game room and wellness center.

What do the violations in the reports mean?
The laws governing food service changed significantly on October 1, 2012. The most noticeable change was in the terminology used for violations in restaurant inspections. Previously, violations were Critical or Non-Critical, but now they are categorized as Priority, Priority Foundation or Core.

• Priority violations are the most serious. Correcting these eliminates or reduces a problem directly associated with foodborne illness. Examples include improper food temperatures and lack of hand washing. Priority violations were previously called Critical violations.

• Priority Foundation violations are problems that can lead to a Priority violation. Correcting these problems may keep Priority violations from occurring. Examples include not having an appropriate food thermometer, not having sanitizer test strips and not having soap or paper towel at a hand sink. The Priority Foundation category is made up of violations that were previously called Critical or Non-Critical Violations.

• Core violations are related to general sanitation and facility maintenance. Examples include dirty floors and improper facility lighting. Core violations were previously called Non-Critical violations.

Where can I see the inspection results?
Washtenaw County Public Health posts restaurant inspections monthly on Ann Arbor.com. The inspections posted were completed the month prior (i.e. January inspections are posted in February).

You can also search the online database of all restaurant inspections and detailed reports. Click here for access to all Washtenaw County restaurant inspections!

How frequent are inspections?
Routine inspections take place twice per year (or once per year if the business is only open seasonally). Routine inspections are typically unannounced. However, when there are changes to the Food Code or Food Law, like those that took place Oct. 1, 2012, the first routine inspection is scheduled. Key restaurant staff must be present so the Sanitarian can explain how the changes impact the establishment’s operations. The number of violations observed often decreases when inspections are announced. This may explain why the inspections appeared somewhat better than usual from October 2012 through March 2013.

Each inspection is a snapshot in time, and conditions found at the restaurant are not necessarily the conditions that could be found in the restaurant at other times. Sanitarians (otherwise known as health inspectors) ask many questions about the menu, operations and procedures to get the best possible idea of the day-to-day conditions of the restaurant. Environmental Health conducts additional inspections if a foodborne illness or other complaint is reported.

What if I have a complaint?
Environmental Health responds to general restaurant complaints as well as foodborne illness complaints. Please call our office at 734-222-3800 to file a complaint or to report a suspected foodborne illness.

The Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit marks a full-scale collaboration between the two hospital systems and introduces southeast Michigan to an integrative model of care that is making inroads nationwide and appears to improve patient outcomes. There are about 25 such units across the country.

AAPS spokesperson Liz Margolis said the whooping cough cases. also known as pertussis, have occurred during a month-long period. The cases have been reported at Pioneer High School, Slauson Middle School and Skyline High School.

Kaiba Gionfriddo plays with his mother, April outside his Youngstown, Ohio home Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Born with a birth defect that caused the boy to stop breathing every day, he can now breathe normally, with a first-of-a-kind biodegradable airway made by Michigan doctors using plastic particles and a 3-D laser printer.

AP Photo/Mark Stahl

It's the latest advance from the booming field of regenerative medicine, making body parts in the lab.

Since the beginning of May, Ann Arbor Animal Hospital has been pulling ticks off dogs, and sharing tick adventures of ourselves and families. We expect this tick bloom to last from mid April through early July. Walking our family dog Maddie in Saginaw Forest, a University of Michigan property west of Ann Arbor on the north side of Liberty Road, has resulted in ticks on the dog, ticks crawling on the car seats, and ticks scampering on my hat and ears and attached to me.

The grooming facility in our building, Groom and Go, has been removing many ticks from dogs coming for grooming. Ticks can and do attach to cats, but my experience so far this year is seeing ticks on dogs only.

Participants of 'Run as One', which was held at the VA Hospital by Team Red, White & Blue's Ann Arbor branch.

Courtesy of George Ferrier

More than 40 people ran a 3-mile ‘Run as One’ race at Ann Arbor’s Veteran’s Affairs Hospital on Saturday in commemoration of veterans who have lost the battle against PTSD or depression.

The event was held by Team Red, White & Blue, a worldwide nonprofit volunteer organization that aims to bring veterans together through physical activity.