News highlights from the last 7 days

City Pulse News Rewind: Lansing Police probing maskless officers

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City Pulse News Rewind is a look back at five noteworthy items that made the news over the last week.

Lansing Police probing maskless officers

Lansing Police Chief Daryl Green has vowed to investigate and possibly discipline several maskless police officers who mistakenly detained a City Pulse reporter downtown last Thursday. Policy dictates that local cops should wear face coverings during all encounters with the public, but those rules were ignored. Officials said the investigation could take up to three months to complete.

Ingham County launches Racial Equity Taskforce

The Ingham County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for a new,12-member Racial Equity Taskforce to work toward achieving equitable outcomes in wealth accumulation, income, education, safety, health and more. With input from residents, the taskforce will identify and track data in areas like criminal justice, social capital, voter suppression, education and transportation to “achieve community-centered solutions to address racial injustices faced by Black communities.” Applications are available online at ingham.org and must be received by Aug. 30.

Outdoor gatherings limited to 25 people in East Lansing

No more than 25 people may gather outdoors in parts of East Lansing (including downtown)  following an emergency order issued this week by the Ingham County Health Department. The order took effect immediately and will remain in place indefinitely, officials said.

The order arrives as Michigan surpasses 100,000 COVID-19 cases, including nearly 2,400 across Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. Large gatherings can also easily become “super-spreading events and fuel the coronavirus pandemic,” the order states.

Health officials said they didn’t give advanced notice of the order because the looming deadline would’ve only increased the likelihood of college students’ throwing last-minute parties.

The restricted area stretches from the northern edge of MSU’s campus to Burcham Drive and is bounded by Harrison and Hagadorn roads, including properties adjacent to those streets. The area was identified based on a frequency of noise ordinance violations and large house parties.

Outside that zone, outdoor gatherings are restricted to 100 or less. Those who disregard the new order could face a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $200 fine.

At least 13 businesses ordered close amid pandemic

Local prosecutors and health officials have issued at least 13 cease-and-desist letters to businesses they determined had opened in violation of executive orders issued during the pandemic, reports the Lansing State Journal. Almost all were in Ingham County, including one cease-and-desist notice sent recently to High-Caliber Karting and Entertainment at the Meridian Mall. One order was sent to Champion Fitness and Boxing in Delta Township in Eaton County. None were in Clinton County.

One tough week for Andy Schor

A lawsuit against Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and the city was filed last week by seven current and former Black city employees. Leaked audio of Schor recognizing the existence of — and apologizing for — widespread racial issues at the Fire Department surfaced over the weekend. And Fire Chief Mike Mackey, after only 16 months of the job, confirmed his resignation Monday. (Story, page 12.)

City Pulse for a year and a half has reported on allegations of racial discrimination within the Fire Department and the Mayor’s Office. And with a lawsuit filed last week, those issues are reaching a boiling point as calls for Schor’s resignation reverberate, largely within the Black community, and Schor raises funds for what is quickly shaping into a contentious bid for reelection in 2021.

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