Rewind: News from the last 7 days

The city of Lansing has filed eight lawsuits agianst landlord Christian Nwobu, alleging that he has violated the city's housing codes, WLNS News reported. "Just a couple weeks ago in my State of the City, I said that bad landlords are on notice," Mayor Andy Schor said. Nwobu, of East Lansing, owns or has control over at least 42 Lansing properties. A City Pulse story last December reported that 23 of these had delinquent property tax balances. An earlier WLNS investigation revealed he had been renting pink-tagged (not properly inspected and registered) and red-tagged (considered unsafe to inhabit) properties.

A tree fell on a house in Stockbridge Township, killing a 56-year-old man, and the National Weather Service confirmed tornados in Williamston and near Leslie during severe storms Sunday. The NWS said that Williamston’s EF-1 tornado produced roughly 110 mph winds, and an EF-0 tornado south of Leslie blew about 75 mph. The storms caused about 18,000 to lose power, which Consumers Energy and the Lansing Board of Water & Light were working to restore. DTE Energy also reported that about 3,500 customers lost power in the Williamston and Webberville areas. More storms with potentially damaging winds were forecast for Greater Lansing Wednesday afternoon.

The U.S. Energy Department’s Office of Science has approved $49.7 million for MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. MSU will use the funds to build one of the two parts needed for the planned high-rigidity spectrometer, which will significantly expand its ability to conduct research. Officials expect the beam line to be completed in April 2030, pending annual congressional appropriations. “FRIB plays a crucial role in helping MSU work toward its $1 billion research expenditure goal by 2030, as envisioned in the MSU Strategic Plan, embodying a shared vision to foster innovation, enhance collaboration, and create impactful futures that will drive positive change for the world,” said Doug Gage, MSU vice president for research and innovation.

Joshua and Rachel Piland of Lansing were convicted of murder and child abuse charges for denying their newborn daughter, Abigail, potentially life-saving medical care in 2017 due to their religious beliefs. The child died as a result of hemolytic disease of the newborn, which in turn resulted from an Rh incompatibility between her and her mother. The Ingham County Circuit Court jury convicted the Pilands, who had been free on bond for the past eight years, of second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse following a two-week trial. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. Circuit Judge James Jamo set sentencing for June 11.

Ashley Person of Lansing, 34, was sentenced to at least 22 years for the 2021 shooting of LeeAnn Hawkins during a confrontation at an apartment complex on Forest Road. Person will serve 20 to 60 years in prison for second-degree murder and the mandatory two years for felony firearm possession. Person said the shooting was an accident, but Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane said it was “deliberate and intentional” and that Person “brought a gun to a fistfight.” She had chambered a round in her handgun she pulled from her waistband, he said, and twice pointed it at Hawkins’ head before shooting.

Dontae Deshawn Horton, 22, has been charged with carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, and felony firearm possession after he stole a vehicle in Delta Township. The city of Grand Ledge sent out a shelter-in-place warning for the two hours between the incident report and when they found and arrested the suspect on the banks of the Grand River. Horton was arranged in 56A District Court and will appear for a probable cause conference and a potential preliminary examination later in April.

The family of Lance Pollo, 38, of Lansing, is offering a $5,000 reward for information to help police and prosecutors arrest and convict someone responsible for killing him earlier this year. Officials found Pollo’s skeletal remains following a structure fire in Windsor Township. The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office said that Pollo’s death is being investigated as a homicide, having discovered him in the rubble of a fire in February and determined someone had shot him in the head before the fire. Crime Stoppers is offering an additional $1,000 for any information leading to the conviction of those responsible for his murder.

MSU students rallied outside the Hannah Administration Building Friday for a protest organized by Sunrise Movement MSU to address the university’s ties with fossil fuels, call for divestment from Israel and express broader concerns about federal policies affecting higher education. The Sunrise Movement presented a list of demands for MSU, including adopting a Green New Deal, “Going Green”; taking reparative justice measures to support students and faculty of color, as well as low-income populations; creating a fully accessible campus with ADA-compliant buildings; expanding public transportation infrastructure; implementing fair wages and a stronger voice for campus workers; and holding a town hall meeting with students.