Rewind: News from the last 7 days

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor introduced his annual budget on Tuesday. It is about 1% higher than the current budget and proposes to increase the amount set aside for a rainy day. The budget is for $307.2 million, with $182 million of that being general fund. Schor’s budget asks for additional fire, police and code compliance workers as well as $7.5 million for wastewater treatment plant upgrades and $1.5 million for sidewalk repairs. His budget proposal outlines how the city plans to spend an estimated $1 million in new taxes, if a controversial downtown data center is approved. He plans to spend $400,000 on firefighter equipment, training and personnel; another $400,000 on housing rehabilitation and related programs and the rest split between facade improvement and neighborhood grants.

The Lansing City Council voted Monday by a 6-2 margin to increase its pay by 3.5% and that of Schor and City Clerk Chris Swope by 5%. The city’s elected officers compensation committee recommended the raises, but they had to be approved by council. Schor’s current pay is $148,112 and Swope’s is $123,600; both are full time positions. Each will increase by 5% this year and again by that amount Jan. 1, 2027. Council members currently receive $28,146 (part-time), with the president earning $30,730 and vice president i$28,999. Council members Ryan Kost and Adam Hussain voted against the increases.

Margo Powers has received the highest honor a postal employee can get for her act of courage while on the clock: the Postmaster General Hero Award for bravery. Powers heard a customer yelling for help while deliver her Dewitt route during the busy holiday season in December, according to a Post Office announcement. She was able to help someone who had fallen on the ground and was bleeding for two hours, according to the Post Office. Powers called 911 and assisted the person until emergency workers took over. The Post Office ended their announcement with an extremely Post Office stamp of approval: “The grateful customer sent Powers a card thanking her for her efforts.”

Lansing’s César E. Chávez Avenue, like many others across the nation, could soon be changed. Grand Avenue was named for the workers’ rights champion in 1994, but that was quickly reversed. Then in 2017, the Old Town section of Grand River Avenue from Oakland Avenue to Pine Street was renamed for Chávez. Last week, Delores Huerta, a labor leader who shared space with Chávez, accused him of abuse in the New York Times, prompting a wide-spread reckoning. The United Farm Workers, the union closely associated with both Chávez and Huerta, has called the allegations, from Huerta and others, serious and has cancelled any Chávez Day-related activities. In Lansing, council member Trini Pehlivanoglu introduced a resolution to change the name. It could be reverted back to Grand River Avenue or changed to something new.

Justin Drwencke has been named the permanent director of East Lansing’s Parks, Recreation and Arts Department. He has been serving as interim director since July and has been working for the city since 2019, including as assistant director and on issues including capital improvement projects and coordinating community events. Drwencke leads a department with 16 full time and more than 150 part-time or seasonal staff. The new role covers 34 parks as well as trails, the Hannah Community Center, East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, sports complexes, city festivals and more. “I am thrilled to continue leveraging my skills, expertise and passion to make a meaningful, positive impact on the East Lansing community as the next Director of Parks, Recreation and Arts,” Drwencke said in a city statement. He is a Michigan State University graduate and is working on his Master of Public Administration degree from Cornell University.

Hal Heard III has been selected by the Holt Public Schools Board of Education to be its next superintendent. Heard, who previously worked 13 years for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, most recently as the district’s executive director of student services, is negotiating a contract with the board and is expected to start on July 1.  He said he plans to work with current superintendent Dr. David Hornak, until the latter’s retirement in December, to create a smooth transition. The board stated in a release that Heard provides “cultural competency, ethical integrity and collaborative spirit necessary to champion every student and staff member within the diverse Holt Public community.”

The application window for Meridian Township’s Green Grant program is open until Tuesday, March 31, inviting project proposals from schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, congregations, clubs, and other parties located in the Township. The Township encourages applicants to submit grant applications in the $300 to $4,500 range for project proposals focusing on supporting green infrastructure in the community. It suggests projects such as tree plantings, or those related to gardens or green gathering spaces used for pre-K-12 education, pollinator gardens, invasive species mitigation, habitat protection and restoration, renewable energy systems and more. The Township may hold a second grant application window in April. Those interested in more information and applying can go to https://www.meridian.mi.us/living-in-meridian/conservation-green-initiatives/green-grants/.

Michigan Independent Media Group (MIMG) is announcing the acquisition of the Tri-City Times, marking the organization’s newest expansion in Michigan and continued investment in strengthening local journalism across the state. The Tri-City Times, a longstanding and trusted source of news serving the Imlay City, Almont, Capac, and Dryden communities, becomes the latest addition to a growing portfolio that includes the Yale Expositor, Hamtramck Review and Lansing City Pulse. Like the other newspapers in its portfolio, Tri-City Times will be operated by Buried Lede Media. Through a partnership with Civic Media out of Wisconsin, MIMG also formed the joint venture Michigan Civic Media Alliance, which owns five radio stations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, further expanding its commitment to local media across multiple platforms. “We are thrilled to welcome the Tri-City Times into the MIMG family,” said Jason Franklin of Michigan Independent Media Group. “This publication has deep roots in its community, and we see tremendous opportunity to build on that legacy while ensuring it remains a strong, independent voice for local news.”
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Lonnie Scott, CEO of Buried Lede Media, echoed that sentiment. “Local newspapers are the backbone of informed communities, and the Tri-City Times has a proud history of serving its readers with integrity and consistency. We are honored to carry that work forward.” Scott also expressed appreciation for the publication’s previous ownership. “We want to sincerely thank the prior owners for their years of dedication to the community and to this newspaper. Their stewardship has made the Tri-City Times what it is today, and we are excited to build on that foundation.”
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Under MIMG’s stewardship, the Tri-City Times will continue its mission of delivering reliable, community-centered reporting while exploring opportunities to enhance digital access, expand local coverage, and strengthen long-term sustainability. “This is not about changing what makes the Tri-City Times special,” Scott added. “It’s about investing in it—supporting local reporters, growing readership, updating and expanding its online presence, and making sure these communities continue to have a strong, trusted source of local news for years to come.” The acquisition reflects MIMG’s broader commitment to revitalizing local news through strategic investment, operational support, and a belief in the essential role community journalism plays in civic life.