Rewind: News from the last 7 days

Some Lansing City Council members are proposing a change to the city’s current red tag/pink tag system for condemning homes and requiring demolition procedures. The city has about 620 red-tagged homes and they spend an average time of nearly three years on the list, according to a Feb. 6 update. The change would have four color tags and would add up to $500 a day in fines, steeper than the current system. The new colors would be white or yellow for missing rental certificates or lapsed inspections, red for required safety repairs and black for near demolition. Council members could vote on the new system in the next few weeks.

The City of Lansing awarded $70,000 in grants through its annual Arts and Culture Grants program, which is administered by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. The grantees and supported art efforts include: All of the Above Hip Hop Academy (Cap City Breaking Jam, a breakdance competition at Lansing Shuffle, Sept. 26), the Capital City Film Festival (16th annual, April 8-18), the Fenner Nature Conservancy (Visitor Center murals), the Lansing Children’s Choir (two community concerts and the 2026 Music Art Drama and Dance Camp), the Lansing Symphony Association (Neighborhood Concerts), Pure Winds (Young Listeners Program for local schools, including invitations to Pure Winds’ Robin Theatre concerts), and the REACH Studio Art Center (Creative Connections programming by local artists).

The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a lawsuit that would have challenged Michigan’s voter roll process for dead voters. A U.S. Court of Appeals and a federal district court each previously rejected the lawsuit, filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation. The Appeals Court decision from last summer said, “Michigan is consistently among the most active states in cancelling the registrations of deceased individuals.” The lawsuit began from correspondence from the foundation to Michigan’s Department of State before and following the 2020 election. In a statement, Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said: “The claims in this lawsuit were not supported by evidence; they were partisan attacks aimed at undermining people’s faith in our secure elections. I’m glad to see the Supreme Court acknowledge that the facts and the law still matter and stand with the lower courts that have praised Michigan’s comprehensive work to maintain accurate voter rolls.”

The Michigan Princess is being deconstructed. Its owners announced last week that the river ferry — host to countless dances, weddings and events for three decades — would never float again. The ferry was damaged in 2024 when it was being returned to water. “The structural damage that occurred last year was simply too great to repair, and new State of Michigan maritime regulations have made restoration impossible to do safely or affordably,” the owners announced last week in a Facebook post. The same company operates two other Michigan river ferries: the Detroit Princess Riverboat and the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Co.

The Michigan Supreme Court has allowed state prosecutors to continue their case against Ethan Cao. He is named as a “pledge master” and accused in the November 2021 alcohol death of a Michigan State University student during an alleged Pi Alpha Phi party. Cao faces additional counts of injuring three others. The Supreme Court decision on Feb. 26 affirmed a Court of Appeals ruling from October. That October ruling said the state’s Garrett’s Law, an anti-hazing measure, was constitutional and the original district court had acted appropriately in handling Cao’s case.

Buckshot, the frisbee-retrieving bundle of joy better known as Zeke the Wonderdog, has died. His human partners, Jim and Terri Foley, announced Sunday that Zeke IV had died of cancer. Buckshot performed as MSU’s signature high-performance dog since 2016 at Spartan events large and small, from stadiums and classrooms to parades and video promotions. “He left a legacy of Spartan love,” Jim Foley said, in the announcement. Zeke the Wonderdog began as a tradition in 1977, with a dog named Ezekiel. The tradition was resurrected in 2002, after an 18-year gap, by Zeke II and the Foleys. Buckshot/Zeke IV was actually the fifth dog to serve as Zeke, according to MSU Today. A dog named Keze briefly filled the role in 1981, during Ezekiel’s tenure, and was not given a Zeke numeral. The Foleys, who also handled Zeke III, said that Zeke V is ready to carry the frisbee next, with plans underway to introduce the next Wonderdog to fans soon.

MSU announced Feb. 24 that alumni Jay and Jill Craig have made a “$26.25 million commitment … to strengthen student success across the Eli Broad College of Business and the College of Social Science.” The Craigs met as students in 1980 and credit their MSU experience with shaping their personal and professional paths. Their philanthropy reflects a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives and expand opportunity. Their commitment is structured to support students now and for generations to come. “By investing in flexible student success funds, the Craigs are empowering MSU to respond to evolving needs and create opportunities that will make a lasting difference for generations of Spartans,” said Vice President for University Advancement Kim Tobin.

The 50^th class of the Lansing Sports Hall of Fame will include MSU head coach Tom Izzo, the winningest coach in Big Ten history, now in his 31^st year. Also scheduled to be inducted are basketball players Cortney Scott, Denzel Valentine (who played for Izzo) and Drew Valentine, as well as Dave Allen (baseball), Debbie Kent (softball) and John Holmes (football, basketball). The 1999 state champion Okemos softball team will be inducted, as well. The 50^th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled for Aug. 20, according to the Hall of Fame’s website.

Okemos Public Schools has named Perry Public Schools Superintendent Lori Haven and Matt Olson, assistant superintendent of the Northwest Education Services in Traverse City, as its two superintendent finalists after a round of public interviews. The final interviews are tentatively scheduled for March 17 and will be accompanied by a public interview with the board and a community meet and greet. Current superintendent John Hood announced his retirement in November after more than 30 years with the district.

The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office has identified Jackson Patrick Truman, 19, as the individual killed in an automobile crash on Friday in Aurelius Township near Mason. The vehicle Truman was driving went off Bunker Road, near South Eifert Road, and struck a tree. Police said they do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. Those with any information are asked to contact Sgt. Adam Jackson at 517-676-8212.