Rewind: October 27, 2021

The Lansing Police Department tracked two more homicides for a total of at least 24 reported so far this year — already surpassing last year’s decade’s long record high of 21 homicides. Authorities said Noah Daniel Sisung, 18, of Holt, was shot near the corner of Lyncott and Kendon drives last week before he crashed his pickup truck into a tree and died from his injuries. On Monday, a 34-year-old man was also shot and killed on the 1500 block of Bailey Street. No arrests have been made. Those with tips can call 517-483-4600.

A labor union that represents about 2,200 employees at Sparrow Health System in Lansing announced an “informational picket” for Wednesday (Nov. 3) while the union continues to bargain with administrators for a “fair” contract. Key complaints included nursing shortages and inadequate working conditions for hospital staff. Visit lansingcitypulse.com to read more.

Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum called for voters to return their ballots this week ahead of the general election Tuesday. With one week before Election Day, only about 55% of absentee ballots issued countywide have been returned. Those are due back at 8 p.m. Election Day. Any ballots that arrive after polls close will not be counted, as barred by law.

Lansing tosses another $225K at old City Market

The city allocated an extra $225,000 toward the redevelopment of the former City Market into the Lansing Shuffleboard and Social Club, FOX 47 News reports. The funding was requested by developers as a result of increased construction costs, bringing the total project cost to about $3.5 million — including a $400,000 in previously approved tax incentives.

Wainwright Elementary gets a new name

The Lansing School District renamed Wainwright Elementary School as the Dr. Richard J. Halik Professional Development and Leadership Center — a nod to the former longtime superintendent, who served in the school district’s top leadership position from 1985 to 2000.

Eaton County deputy accused of excessive force

Daemon Schopper, of Delta Township, filed a lawsuit that accused Eaton County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Turner of using excessive force with a police dog during an arrest in February, reports the Lansing State Journal. The suit reportedly alleges that Turner allowed his police dog to “violently attack” Schopper for several minutes while Turner pinned Schopper to the ground.

Health Officer Linda Vail said that Ingham County has no plans to reinstate a hotel rental program to house homeless people, even after three local shelters stopped accepting new residents amid a recent coronavirus outbreak. Last year, the county operated a program that steered COVID-positive people out of shelters and into local hotels until they recovered, reports the Lansing State Journal. Vail said the county no longer has the staff to operate that initiative.

To help mitigate an ongoing shortage in residential dining halls on campus, Michigan State University officials have asked at least 132 full-time faculty members and other staff to volunteer for one eight-hour shift each week without any extra pay, reports the Lansing State Journal.

Credit card skimmers found at Lansing gas stations

A routine inspection blitz from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development uncovered credit card skimmers placed inside gas pumps at a Sunoco station at 5843 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Lansing and a Mobil station at 1500 Haslett Road in East Lansing. The devices are known to steal personal information for fraudulent use. Recent customers should contact their banking institution if they suspect that their personal information was compromised.

A recently awarded federal grant will provide about $25.5 million to the Lansing School District over the next three years to implement a project focused on teacher support and leadership training. The new project — titled “Rewarding Educator Achievement” — is designed to improve student achievement by increasing student access to effective educators in all schools.

Schor,

Mayor Andy Schor cut the ribbon at a new pocket park at the intersection of Pleasant Grove and Holmes roads. The space also includes a public art piece called “EnCompass Lansing,” which was funded, in part, through a total city investment of about $175,000. Nearby businesses also received funding for beautification efforts and various facade improvements.

Lansing awarded $16 million for rental assistance

An additional $16 million in federal rental assistance funding was accepted by the City Council, bringing the total amount allocated to the city to $46 million. The grant funding must be used by renter households that earn less than 80% of the area median income and have qualified for unemployment, experienced financial hardship or are at risk of homelessness. Application materials and additional details are available online at ceraapp.michigan.gov.

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