City Pulse News Rewind: Lansing backs off Russian investments

Lansing backs off Russian investments 

The city has joined the state of Michigan — and a host of other municipalities and companies — in ending its investments in Russian-based funds, including those operated by the Employee Retirement System and the Police and Fire Pension System. Mayor Andy Schor said he recently met Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitcschko to discuss the importance of economic sanctions on Russia and has since instructed his staff to track down and divest from all Russian investments. 

Schor drops LEAP for in-house team 

In a move to “amplify” economic development in the city, Mayor Andy Schor announced that he will reincorporate the Lansing Economic Development Corp. as the city’s primary economic development agency — a contractual role that’s been filled by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, which serves as a sort of middleman to subcontract with LEDC. Under the new deal, the city will contract directly with the LEDC and retain the existing staff too. The city will also remain a LEAP member and, as such, retains all the benefits that come with it. 

Downtown Lansing shines for Ukraine 

The Boji Tower and the Accident Fund Insurance headquarters in downtown Lansing glowed with blue and yellow light displays this week in support of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. 

Crash closes I-96 near Williamston 

Eastbound I-96 was closed for about an hour near Dietz Road on early Friday (March 11) morning after the driver of a car lost control and struck a large box truck, which was then forced into a ditch and overturned, authorities said. The driver of the car was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries. Deputies also responded to a dozen other weather-related crashes Friday. 

Car insurance refunds en route  

The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association has initiated the transfer of $3 billion in surplus funds to the state’s auto insurance companies — and eligible policyholders will be sent their $400-per-vehicle refunds by May 9, state officials announced this week. Some have been sent. 

Ingham prosecutor lobbies in Texas 

County Prosecuting Attorney Carol Siemon — along with 92 other criminal justice leaders from across the country — filed an amicus brief to support efforts to block the state of Texas from prosecuting and criminalizing parents seeking gender-affirming care for their transgender kids. 

Lansing man faces charge in shooting 

Matthew David Sutherland, 28, of Lansing, was arraigned on four felonies charges — including assault with intent to murder — after authorites said he evaded a traffic stop in East Lansing on Tuesday (March 8) evening, started shooting at officers (and missing them) as he drove west into Lansing and was eventually arrested in the 8600 block of Carlsbad Lane in Eaton County.  

East Lansing: Masks off at City Hall 

Following a move made in Lansing this month, the city of East Lansing has also decided to make face masks optional for employees and visitors inside city buildings — including City Hall. Unlike in Lansing where it’s no holds barred, however, East Lansing’s mask requirement will remain in place for congregate settings like Council meetings and other staff meeting rooms, as well as for a variety of other events and programs put on by city departments. Read the signs. 

Stolen gun law passes in Lansing 

A new ordinance approved by the City Council requires residents who have had their firearms stolen to report the incident to the Police Department within five days otherwise risk facing a civil infraction and a fine of up to $500. State law already requires stolen weapons be reported to the Michigan State Police. But since local cops can’t seem to access that data, thefts must now also be reported online at lansingmi.gov/168/Police-Department or by calling 517-483-4600. 

Eaton Rapids man charged in crash 

David Duane Brown, 57, of Eaton Rapids, was arraigned on felony charges of driving on a suspended license and failing to stop at the scene of a deadly accident after authorities said he struck and killed DeJaven Bernard Hopkins, 13, of Lansing, on West Jolly Road on Nov. 14. Brown turned himself into the Eaton County Sheriff’s Department; his court case continues this month. 

Neogen founder donates $5M to Sparrow 

Jim Herbert, the founder of Neogen, and his wife Judith Herbert, donated a record-breaking $5 million to the Sparrow Foundation — the largest gift in Sparrow Health System history — to establish a fund that advances the diagnosis and treatment of cancer through genomics. Meanwhile, Sparrow Hospital President Dr. Alan Vierling decided to “amicably separate” from the company, a Sparrow spokesman said.  

New Amazon warehouse faces delays 

The 1-million-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center being built off Mt. Hope Highway won’t open this year as initially planned last fall and will instead delay its launch date to sometime in 2024, according to reports in the Lansing State Journal. If it can stay on schedule, the center will reportedly be Amazon’s eighth fulfillment center in the state and the first in mid-Michigan.