Rewind: News Highlights From The Last 7 Days

Lansing police wrongfully detained a Black youth, sparking national outrage. A video posted on TikTok shows Tashawn Bernard, 12, being handcuffed and put into a police vehicle while taking out the trash outside his apartment complex. Bernard was later released to his father. Police were looking for an accused car thief who had fled from officers on foot. The thief was wearing similar clothing to Bernard’s and was also Black. The video has been viewed millions of times and has generated thousands of posts across social media platforms, accusing the Police Department of racism. The department said it hopes it can put “this unfortunate case of ‘wrong place, wrong time’” behind it. Mayor Andy Schor also released a statement apologizing to Bernard and his family. Attorneys for Bernard’s family said they’re exploring “all legal options,” including a possible lawsuit.

Following a July 30 mass shooting that wounded five people, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor is asking City Council to revoke an event license for the Energy Event Center in the Logan Square shopping center. A cabaret license is required for public spaces that offer live entertainment or dancing alongside the sale of food, alcohol or merchandise. “The Energy Event Center in Logan Square was issued a permit and failed to keep things secure when the party moved outside,” Schor said. “I am joining with LPD to send to City Council a revocation of this cabaret event license. This puts bad actors on notice that if you don’t keep large events secure and safe, you cannot have that party in the City of Lansing.” Council President Carol Wood said Council leadership is aware of the resolution and plans to hold a public hearing. Schor is also working with the City Attorney’s Office to draft a change to the cabaret license ordinance that would increase security measures during events with large crowds. 

Daekuan Hallums, 24, of Lansing was arraigned on charges of open murder, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm possession following the death of 24-year-old Eric Humes. Humes was found dead with a gunshot wound in the 2200 block of West Holmes Road. Hallums was arraigned in 54-A District Court and was denied bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 25.

A 22-year-old Lansing Township man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head at a house in the 200 block of North Catherine Street. A 31-year-old man who was standing in the backyard told police someone in the house had been shot. Police arrested the man and took him to the Ingham County Jail. Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory personnel collected several pieces of evidence, including a firearm they believe was used in the shooting. It is believed drugs were involved and that the shooting wasn’t random. Anyone with information should call Detective Randy Volosky at 517-999-0291 or email him at voloskyr@lansingtownship.org. 

East Lansing City Council voted 3-2 to hire Robert Belleman as the new city manager. Belleman, the former Saginaw County controller, will replace former East Lansing and Lansing Fire Chief Randy Talifarro, who has served as interim city manager since January. Talifarro replaced longtime City Manager George Lahanas, who was unanimously dismissed by City Council at the beginning of the year. In June, Belleman was removed from his controller position in an 8-3 vote by the county’s Board of Commissioners. The vote came after a public meeting where Belleman’s employees alledged he was a retaliatory boss and created a “toxic work environment.” Belleman applied for the city manager role before he learned of his termination. He told East Lansing City Council in his interview for the city manager position that the chair of the Saginaw County Board didn’t like him. Belleman will be officially approved as city manager pending the result of a background check and contract negotiations.

The East Lansing Public Library hired a new interim director. Angelo Moreno was the library’s adult services librarian for four years and began his role as interim director last week. He has 11 years of librarian experience in Michigan and Mexico, including as a branch manager at the Grand Rapids Public Library, where he worked with Latinx staff to develop library services for Spanish-speaking communities. “ELPL is lucky to have exceptional staff who work hard every day, and I’m grateful to be supported by such a great team,” Moreno said. “Over the next six months, I’m excited to work with staff to continue to provide the exceptional programs, services and resources that our community has come to expect while we transition toward a permanent director.”

Michigan State University purchased two buildings at the corner of Hagadorn Road and Hannah Boulevard to consolidate its healthcare services. The university paid $48 million for a two-story, 60,000-square-foot building at 4700 Hagadorn Road and a six-story, 150,000-square-foot building at 4660 Hagadorn Road, known as the Eyde Building. The new healthcare complex will offer family and internal medicine, pediatrics and outpatient surgery as well as services currently offered at the school’s Clinical Center and Fee Hall, such as endocrinology and psychiatry. Some services, including the new Heart and Vascular Center, already occupy space in the Eyde building. The buildings are occupied by other tenants, but the last lease will end in 2027.