INGHAM COUNTY

The Safe Sleep for Babies Act became law last week and is meant to improve efforts to make sure infants sleep in a safe environment.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) created a website to share information about pedestrian bridges.

Police recovered two stolen rifles from a children’s playground in Lansing.

A Michigan inmate who isn’t being considered for parole because he failed to complete a required sex offender program in prison sent a letter to his sentencing judge, using expletives in place of her name and vowing to get revenge, authorities said.

FLINT TWP., MI – Three people charged in connection with operating an illegal gambling operation in Flint Township are scheduled to be sentenced in Ingham County Circuit Court next month. “Illegal gambling facilities often target lower income areas and vulnerable populations, and their operations deprive residents of the protections of legal, regulated gaming,” said Henry Williams, Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director. Following an investigation that began in July 2018, a cease-and-desist letter was sent in January 2019 giving Spin City two weeks to cease operating. The trio scheduled for sentencing next month are not the only ones who have been charged in connection with suspected illegal gambling activity at Spin City. He had been accused of supplying illegal gambling games to Spin City between May 2017 and February 2019.

LANSING, MI -- An inmate at a Michigan prison in Jackson will face a new felony charge after sending a threatening letter to the Ingham County judge who sentenced him. Christopher Shenberger has been charged with one count of communicating a false threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony, after mailing a threatening letter to Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk. Shenberger, of Jackson County, is currently serving a 75-180-month sentence in the Michigan Department of Corrections. As Draganchuk serves in Ingham County, the case was referred to the Michigan AG. More from the Jackson Citizen Patriot:‘Deplorable’ conditions spark push for new Jackson County JailStaff being called Nazis prompts a Jackson department to change its nameFallen police officers honored in downtown Jackson ceremonySemi crash brings down power lines on Jackson County roadway

Michigan State University police are searching for a missing 22-year-old student.

Police released body camera and surveillance footage on Thursday of the non-fatal shooting of a person who reportedly had a gun at a Meijer store in East Lansing.

Big changes are coming to the campus of Michigan State University after a visiting college student was found dead in the Red Cedar River.

I got so many calls and emails from parents asking me to investigate campus security at Michigan State University after Brendan Santo disappeared.

More than 55,000 Michiganders will not have to pay back a total of $431 million in pandemic unemployment benefits that was improperly awarded to them, the state announced.

An activist group is targeting a Michigan company that’s already facing a federal lawsuit containing allegations of racial harassment on the job.

Michigan police say they arrested nine people early Monday morning after suspects led police on a chase along I-96 with several vehicles stolen from a Lansing automotive plant.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made April 25 through May 1 Student Appreciation Week. The goal is to celebrate Michigan’s young people.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI -- A 27-year-old Okemos man was arrested and charged with several counts relating to the possession child sexually abusive material this week. Michael Thomas Luckie, of Okemos, was arraigned Friday in the 55th District Court on one count of child sexually abusive activity, three counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and four counts of using a computer to commit a crime, according to a Michigan State Police news release.

Michigan State University is reevaluating its COVID-19 restrictions after virus cases declined significantly in recent weeks following a monthslong surge of infections and hospitalizations.

A new bill introduced in Lansing is looking to hold power companies accountable when the power goes out.

LANSING, MI -- An Ingham County woman decided to switch up her Keno numbers and it lead to an incredible win as the 76-year-old player brought home a $250,000 jackpot recently. The lucky winner matched all 10 of her numbers -- 03-05-07-09-12-14-18-21-23-26 -- as part of the 22 numbers drawn for the Keno drawing on Jan. 19 to win the jackpot. “I checked the winning numbers early in the morning and when I saw I’d matched all of mine, I went numb. “I had my daughter read the winning numbers aloud to me to be sure I read them correctly. For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games.

A 76-year-old woman from Ingham County felt numb after finding out she won $250,000 playing the Michigan Lottery’s KENO! game.

A Lansing man has been sentenced to decades in prison after he manipulated a minor girl into sending him sexually explicit photos and videos, officials said.

Brendan Santo, 18, was visiting friends at Michigan State University over Halloween weekend last year when he went missing.

Michigan health officials have updated the state’s quarantine and isolation guidelines as COVID cases continue to drop following the omicron surge.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – A Michigan man died after the vehicle he was driving struck an embankment in Ingham County. Deputies from the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at Grand River and North M52 in Leroy Township at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The driver, a 47-year-old Perry man, was traveling south through the intersection when he struck a ditch embankment. He died from his injuries at the scene, police said. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office at 517-676-8202

Here are tonight's top stories.

The rolling back of school mask mandates continued Friday, Feb. 11, as Oakland and Washtenaw counties joined Ingham County on the list of those who plan to lift their mask requirements for K-12 schools and daycares.

It’s a trend we’ve seen across the country, and It’s picking up momentum in Metro Detroit schools. More counties are planning to lift the orders requiring face masks in schools. Ingham County is rescinding Its mask requirements on Feb. 19.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a statement Thursday calling on Canadian authorities to resolve the Ambassador Bridge closure.

Brendan Santo, 18, was visiting friends at Michigan State University over Halloween weekend last year when he went missing.

I’ll admit I was a bit nervous driving up to East Lansing to meet private investigator Ryan Robison.

LANSING, MI -- An Ingham County man got quite the shock when he logged into his Michigan Lottery account recently as he’d won a $430,194 Fantasy 5 jackpot prize. The 56-year-old winner matched all five numbers drawn -- 05-10-18-20-23 -- for the drawing on Jan. 23 to win the jackpot. “I was scrolling through my emails Monday morning while I was eating breakfast and saw a prize notification email from the Michigan Lottery. I logged in to my Lottery account to verify the prize and was stunned when I saw the amount pending. For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state health officials are shipping 250,000 free COVID tests to Michigan residents.

WILLIAMSTON, MI -- A string of vandalism damaged nearly 50 mailboxes in Ingham County this week, police said. Officers from the Williamston Police Department responded to a reckless driver complaint at about 10:50 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Plymouth Landing development in Williamston, police said. Between 10:30-11 p.m., a suspected drunk driver damaged or destroyed at least 48 mailboxes in the subdivision, police said. The driver was arrested at the scene for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. See them in actionHonor African American culture, achievements with these Black History Month events in Jackson

Two universities and two counties are working together in hopes of saving lives after a college student was found to have bacterial meningitis.

Fresh off a victory with a 7 billion dollar investment from General Motors, Governor Whitmer pitches her plans as she heads into an election year. Because of COVID, Gov. Whitmer did her State of the State remotely. Breaking tradition, Whitmer took her show on the road to Detroit Diesel to give her address.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her annual State of the State address tonight at 7 p.m.

A Michigan podiatrist pleaded guilty to illegally prescribing addictive opioids to women in exchange for sexual favors, cash and other drugs.

The body of a teen who went missing while visiting Michigan State University last October was recovered from a river on Friday after a planned search of that area was executed sooner than expected.

The body of Brendan Santo was found Friday, Jan. 21, in an area full of debris, but what led law enforcement to the location?

The body of Brendan Santo was found Friday, Jan. 21, in an area full of debris, but what led law enforcement to the location?

A body believed to belong to Brendan Santo was recovered from the Red Cedar River in East Lansing.

Police said a body they believe to be Brendan Santo has been found in the Red Cedar River nearly three months after he disappeared on the campus of Michigan State University.

Police have launched an investigation after a 38-year-old man was found dead in the middle of an East Lansing roadway.

Six former employees of United Electrical Contractors filed a lawsuit against the Lansing-based company.

The debate over how many Michiganders died of COVID in nursing homes and long-term care facilities took center stage in Lansing on Thursday.

Michigan health officials have issued an epidemic order that requires nursing homes to offer on-site doses of the COVID vaccine to their residents.

It’s been nearly three months since Brendan Santo was last seen at Michigan State University, but there’s still no sign of the missing Rochester Hills student.

Michigan’s new director of the unemployment office was questioned by lawmakers on Thursday.

The new 2022 schedule for Michigan State football has finally been released by the Big Ten, with the Michigan game moved to Ann Arbor.

With Michigan in the midst of its most dramatic COVID spike to date, health officials held a briefing to address this surge and talk about where the state is heading.

Michigan health officials updated their K-12 school quarantine and isolation guidance to reflect updates made by the CDC.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is isolating after her husband tested positive for COVID.

Michigan health and education officials are urging schools to postpone or make virtual large gatherings, including sporting events, if they are not “essential" — as COVID-19 cases spike across the state.

In a statement late Wednesday, MDHHS said it will review supporting evidence for the guidance issued Monday.

Michigan’s new redistricting commission has approved congressional and legislative maps, ones that is fairer to Democrats than when the process was controlled by the Republican-led Legislature for two decades.

The Michigan Department of State said no violations have been found in connection with two campaign finance complaints made against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the bipartisan Council of Great Lakes Governors joined forces to ask federal leaders to include funding for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in the 2022 Water Resources Reform and Development Act.

LANSING, MI — A judge in Ingham County has terminated a personal protection order granted to a Michigan Democratic lawmaker against her Republican colleague following the end of what was described as an volatile relationship. Judge Lisa McCormick issued a three-page order Wednesday dismissing the PPO obtained by Rep. Mari Manoogian, D-Birmingham, against Rep. Steve Marino, R-Harrison Township.

Candlelight illuminated the sky in the heart of Spartan Country on Tuesday night as a vigil was held at Michigan State University in remembrance to the victims of the Oxford High School shooting.

Brendan Santo, 18, was last seen on Oct. 29 at Michigan State University.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI - The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a mother and her 1-year-old son. Sarah Jane Heltzel, 40, and her son Ryan Carroll Heltzel were last seen leaving Gale Road near Kinneville Road in Onondaga on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 4 p.m., according to police.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured one man on Wednesday, Nov. 24. Around 10 p.m., a vehicle heading south on US-127 near Covert Road sideswiped another southbound vehicle, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. One of the vehicles overturned, and the driver, a 26-year-old Horton man, was ejected. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office at 517-676-8202. More on MLive:Man shot, killed in fight at Battle Creek bar2 dead, 1 critically injured in Grand Rapids shootingPolice arrest woman after man injured in Battle Creek shooting

Federal officials have sent two medical teams to Michigan to help doctors and nurses as the state’s hospitals fill up with COVID and other patients.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Litigation between Canadian giant Enbridge and the state of Michigan over the potential closure of the Line 5 oil pipeline will remain in federal court. Gretchen Whitmer’s Line 5 shutdown order. Nessel, Whitmer and Enbridge opponents wanted the case heard before a circuit court judge who might have been friendlier to the state’s position. “Enbridge is pleased with the decision and agrees that this case belongs in federal court as we’ve asserted all along,” said Enbridge spokesperson Ryan Duffy. Enbridge filed to remove the case to federal court while also seeking a ruling that only the federal Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) had jurisdiction and the authority to order a pipeline’s closure.

Michigan identified 101 new COVID-19 outbreaks linked to schools last week, resulting in the infection of at least 592 students and staff. Michigan’s latest outbreaks report also featured 402 ongoing outbreaks from prior updates, which have infected at least 5,082 individuals. Among the 101 new school outbreaks, 14 involved 10 or more students and staff. Below is an online database that allows readers to search outbreak data by school name or by city or county. Outbreak data for K-12 schools includes only cases in which the student or staff was infected at school or at a school-related function.

LANSING, MI -- An Ingham County man had to change up his routine, but it was worth it after he won a $500,000 jackpot playing the Michigan Lottery’s Mega Black instant game. “I love the Mega Black game and play it all the time,” said the 67-year-old player who chose to remain anonymous. For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games. The last players from Michigan to win a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot is the Wolverine FLL lottery club which claimed a $1.05 billion jackpot in March. If you’d like to be the next player from Michigan to win a huge lottery prize, take a look at these tips from lottery expert Richard Lustig.

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI — An ex-con accused of killing a 13-year-old girl during a nearly two-day rampage has been found psychologically fit for trial. Isabella County Judge Sara Spencer-Noggel on Friday, Sept. 10, ruled that Isaiah G. “Zeek” Gardenhire, 40, is mentally competent to participate in future court proceedings. Gardenhire is to appear for a preliminary examination in Isabella County Trial Court at 9 a.m. on Oct. 27. In Ingham County, he is to appear for arraignment on Sept. 23. Gardenhire also served probation terms for convictions of attempted felonious assault and attempting to assault a jail employee in Isabella County in 2000.

MASON, MI - Ten people, including a former University of Michigan football team captain, are suing the university for alleged violations of the Open Meetings Act at Board of Regents meetings. “Anderson survivors have regularly been among the members of the public addressing the board, including as recently as the July board meeting when five Anderson survivors addressed the board,” Fitzgerald said. The lawsuit requests the court force UM to allow more speakers to address sexual abuse with the regents at future meetings. Hill is is one of the hundreds of survivors who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit against UM over its handling of Anderson’s sexual abuse. A deeper look into report on University of Michigan doctor’s sexual abuseUniversity of Michigan official mishandled Title IX case at another Big 10 university, lawsuit alleges

INGHAM COUNTY, MI -- New emergency orders make face coverings required for all staff and students in Ingham County schools. As a result of the efforts of superintendents and school boards within the Ingham Intermediate School District, 97% of students in public schools are already attending a district where masks are required. They also require personnel to adhere to specific isolation and quarantine measures after identification of close contact, household exposure or confirmed cases of COVID-19. In the two-week period of Aug. 12-25, Ingham County had a 515% increase in new COVID-19 cases among those age 0 to 17 as compared to the two-week period of July 1-14. The vaccination rate among those age 12 and older in Ingham County is 61%.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI -- Michigan State Police troopers rescued three men from a fiery wrong-way crash involving three vehicles on U.S. 127 Wednesday night. The trooper immediately attempted to rescue the driver of the truck, whose vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, police said. The officers were able to slow the spread of the fire and rescue that driver, police said. The driver of the third vehicle, a 19-year old man from Leslie, was also taken by ambulance to Sparrow Hospital, police said. The crash remains under investigation, but alcohol does appear to be a factor, police said.

A new traffic policy meant to address systemic racial bias in the criminal justice system is raising concern for a Michigan police association. On Tuesday, July 27, Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon announced that her office will no longer pursue certain criminal charges resulting from non-public safety traffic stops. She said this policy change meets a need to reexamine and reconsider how policing practices can perpetuate racial injustice. A July 26 report from the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office notes that Black people are significantly more likely than white people to be stopped for a traffic violation. “There are 83 county prosecutors and each county prosecutor has to take approaches to problems in the communities that involve crime in their community.”

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – A man who spent 16 years in prison for the murders of three people was to walk free today after an investigation determined he was wrongly convicted. That victim who survived had identified McCall as one of four gunmen at the home on March 26, 2005, presumably to rob the occupants, according to court documents. That investigation turned up new evidence and witnesses that proved McCall’s innocence, Nessel said at a press conference Friday. The first is Gilbert Poole, who was released from prison on May 26 after serving 32 years for murder. Subsequent investigation turned up a receipt from Walmart proving McCall’s alibi, as did forensic analysis of his cell phone, Nessel said.

LANSING, MI -- An Ingham County man say he plans on buying a new house and helping out his family after he won a $600,590 Fantasy 5 jackpot. The 57-year-old winner matched all five numbers drawn -- 02-16-18-27-31 -- for the drawing on April 27 to win the jackpot. ”The reality of winning is still setting in, but I am so glad to be able to help family.”For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games. If you’d like to be the next player from Michigan to win a huge lottery prize, take a look at these tips from lottery expert Richard Lustig. The author of “Learn How To Increase Your Chances Of Winning The Lottery” has won more than $1 million in Florida by winning top jackpot prizes in smaller games.

INGHAM COUNTY — The Potter Park Zoo will give families free admission if one member is vaccinated at the zoo’s clinic. The zoo, located at 1031 Pennsylvania Avenue in Lansing, is hosting Ingham County Health Department in administering Pfizer vaccines. The vaccine is available for anyone age 12 and up. The clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 29. If one family member gets vaccinated, the family can enter the zoo free of charge, according to a Twitter post from the zoo.

Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail says post-infection immunity is short-lived and will do little to stop COVID-19's continued spread.

Michigan’s supply of COVID-19 vaccines has begun to catch up with, and in some cases surpass, the demand for shots. It was still the second-highest average to date, but the decline indicates a reduced demand as health officials were noting continued increases in supply. “It’s not that there isn’t demand, we’re just concerned there’s a diminishing demand,” said Linda Vail, health officer for Ingham County. As of Wednesday, April 22, Michigan had administered nearly 6.17 million doses of the three available COVID-19 vaccines. Too soon to tell, experts sayMichigan coronavirus data for Wednesday, April 21: 56 counties trending down in case counts15.6% of U.S. adults are COVID-19 vaccine hesitant, how does Michigan stack up?

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s next community conversation will be a discussion on sexual assault with Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina. The virtual public event, “Recognizing Sexual Assault -- And Take Action,” will take place at noon Wednesday, April 14. Wednesday’s Cooley Law School event is open to the general public. Cooley Law School was founded in 1972. The law school and WMU recently voted to end the university’s affiliation with Cooley that began in 2003.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – A Michigan animal control officer is being celebrated for putting his own well-being at risk to save a cat in need. According to the Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter, the bizarre rescue occurred when officer Kyle Hanney responded to a report that a cat had climbed into a car engine and couldn’t get out. Fortunately, Hanney was able to reach into the car engine and retrieve the cat, however, his hand was injured in the process. “As soon as I saw it, I knew it was either the cat, or my hand,” he said. Both Henney and cat are expected to make full recoveries, according to the shelter.

RELATED: 9 things to know about Michigan’s expansion of vaccine eligibility to all agesVail weighs in on what you need to know. If you don’t have insurance, it’s OK.Be sure you have not had another vaccine two weeks prior to your coronavirus vaccine. If you are getting a two dose coronavirus vaccine, do not plan to get a different vaccine in between your coronavirus doses, Vail said. This will help you feel better after your vaccine, Vail said. You do not need to avoid any activities before or after your vaccine, Vail said.

click to enlarge Shutterstock.com🚨🚨 BREAKING NEWS🚨🚨 The Ingham County Board of Commissioners just passed the CROWN Act, banning hair discrimination in Ingham County! This makes our county the first in Michigan to pass such a resolution! And 80% of Black women surveyed believe they need to change their natural hair to fit in within the workplace.The Ingham County resolution is but one success in the fight against race-based hair discrimination. State Rep. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) reintroduced a similar bill to the Michigan House of Representatives last month, that would ultimately ban hair discrimination in all workplaces statewide, as well as in public school settings. “It’s pretty historic for a county to be the first in the state to do this," Anthony said Tuesday.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – More than 150 firefighters helped fight a large brush fire in Leslie Township Wednesday that burned 30 acres and three barns. No one was injured in the fire, which Howe said is amazing since there were between 150 and 200 firefighters on scene. “That was the best community action I’ve seen,” Howe said. Departments from Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Livingston and Washtenaw counties assisted at the scene. Some agencies staged outside the fire to help respond to other emergency calls in Ingham County.

INGHAM COUNTY – A large grass fire burned Wednesday afternoon in Leslie Township north of Jackson. The fire started before 1:45 p.m., March 10, near the area of Covert, Tuttle and Ingalls roads just north of Leslie. The fire is at a farm in the area and there are collapsed remains of at least two barns as of 3:20 p.m. A backhoe is moving debris on the scene. The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police were also on scene. Read more from MLive:Tracking a year of coronavirus in MichiganConsumers Energy wants to raise rates; attorney general questions whether it’s ‘exorbitant’More than 50 limited-attendance outdoor graduation ceremonies planned for Michigan State University

Complicating the issue is the lack of available grand jury records, which prosecutors said Tuesday would help clarify the reason for the charges and why they were filed here. “Judge Newblatt, acting as a one-man grand jury can make a mistake just like a citizen grand jury ... Just like anyone else,” Lennon said. The grand jury is a secure and unbiased investigative tool used to determine if enough evidence exists to issue criminal indictments,” Hammoud said in the statement. “We said nothing in court or in public to challenge the typical citizen-empaneled grand jury process. Read more on MLive:Judge waits for arguments on who should decide if Flint water charges against Snyder are dismissedBoth sides agree: Flint judge should rule on motion to dismiss water crisis charges against SnyderSecret grand jury helped prosecutors beat statute of limitations deadline in Flint water case

Michigan reported 1,526 new coronavirus cases and 37 new deaths Thursday, March 4. Of the 37 deaths reported Thursday, 29 occurred previously and were identified through a vital records review, which the state health department conducts three times per week. Since the pandemic began, Michigan has reported 593,279 confirmed cases and 15,600 deaths related to COVID-19. (The above chart shows Michigan’s 7-day rolling average of new confirmed coronavirus cases. (The above chart shows Michigan’s 7-day rolling average of deaths involving confirmed coronavirus cases.

MASON, MI — A small plane landed in Ingham County without the benefit of its landing gear. About 12:25 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, sheriff’s deputies responded to the Mason Jewett Airport located at 655 Aviation Drive in Mason. They had been summoned there in response to a Piper Twin Comanche dual prop plane having landed without its landing gear deployed, according to information from the Ingham County alert system. The plane ended up landing safely on its belly. Read more:Preliminary findings released on Michigan plane crash that killed 3 family members3 dead after small plane crashes into Oakland County house, sheriff saysFour injured after small plane crashes in Saginaw County

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – Police figured out how an Ingham County Jail inmate escaped in November. The jail staff had changed some policies because of the coronavirus pandemic, a news release from the sheriff’s office said. He dismantled a daylight window and used mattress padding to form a fake body shape on his cell bed around Nov. 12, per previous reporting. Michigan jail escapee on run for 8 days captured after two vehicle chasesHe used commonly available items to break out the window over several days, the release said. Sheriff Scott Wrigglesworth said he and his staff never thought the temporary policy change could result in an escape.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – A restraining order has been issued against an Upper Peninsula café that has refused to shutdown amid the COVD-19 pandemic. Ingham County Judge Wanda Stokes issued the order against Café Rosetta of Calumet on Thursday because it has continued to operate without a valid food service establishment license. Café Rosetta had already received a cease-and-desist order and summary suspension order from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). When Café Rosetta continued to offer indoor dining after this ruling, MDARD submitted a motion for a temporary restraining order to the 30th Judicial Circuit in Ingham County. “If we did close at that point, or only offer take-out, our business would be destroyed.”The temporary restraining order reaffirms the decisions and actions of the state regarding Café Rosetta’s operations, state officials said in a news release.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – A teenager died in a two-car crash that also injured six other people Sunday afternoon in Stockbridge Township. The 17-year-old boy from Ovid who was driving the vehicle carrying the teenagers died from his injuries, police said. His four passengers, two 17-year-old girls, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, all from the Ovid-Elsie area, were taken to a hospital with serious injuries, police said. A 50-year-old man from Chelsea and his 25-year-old daughter, who were in the second vehicle, were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Ingham Regional Crash Investigation Team.

JACKSON COUNTY, MI – A former Jackson County basketball coach was sentenced to prison for the sexual assault a minor on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Former Jackson-area coach pleads guilty to sexual assault of minorSanders had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl on Nov. 5, 2019, per previous reporting. The attorney general tried the case because of a conflict of interest in the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. The case ended up in Ingham County after Jackson County judges recused themselves. He has been lodged at the Jackson County Jail since Sept. 4, according to jail logs.

EATON COUNTY, MI -- A man who escaped the Ingham County jail more than a week ago was captured after two separate vehicle chases Saturday in Eaton Rapids. He escaped the Ingham County Jail late Nov. 12 or early Nov. 13 by dismantling a daylight window and also using mattress padding to form a fake body shape on his cell bed. Police think he stole a vehicle not far from the jail after the escape. An Eaton Rapids officer soon spotted the vehicle in the 911 caller’s description and gave chase. Eaton County sheriff’s deputies were already in the area to help with a perimeter and they began pursuing the second pickup.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – Police continue to search for Michael David McKerchie who escaped from the Ingham County Jail last week. McKerchie, 32, escaped in the early morning of Friday, Nov. 13, Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth’s said during a Monday, Nov. 16 news conference. Ingham County inmate escaped by ‘meticulously’ dismantling jail window, police sayThe sheriff’s office is working with state and federal authorities to find McKerchie, a white male, with brown hair, brown eyes and a neck tattoo that says “Joardan” in cursive script. An image of the decal on a truck believed to have been stolen by escaped Ingham County Jail inmate Michael McKerchie (Courtesy: Ingham County Sheriff)The truck has not been found as of Monday morning, police said, adding they are actively receiving tips from the public about McKerchie. Read more from MLive:Jackson County man accused of plotting to kidnap Gov.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI -- A man still on the run after escaping the Ingham County Jail “meticulously” dismantled a window and angle iron to get out, then is believed to have stolen an area pickup, police said. Detectives believe McKerchie might be headed to Battle Creek, Otsego or Indiana. Ingham County sheriff’s investigators said a corrections deputy at 5:46 a.m. Friday found that McKerchie was not in his cell. They also learned he had meticulously disassembled a daylight window and the angle iron used to frame it. An image of the decal on a truck believed to have been stolen by escaped Ingham County Jail inmate Michael McKerchie (Courtesy: Ingham County Sheriff)More from MLiveLine 5 shutdown order heralded as ‘enormous victory’ by pipeline opponents, but ‘irresponsible’ by othersMichigan reports 8,516 new coronavirus cases and 118 deaths for Friday, Nov. 13

MASON, MI – Police are searching for an in inmate who escaped from the Ingham County Jail Friday morning. Michael David McKerchie, 32, escaped from the jail on Cedar Street around 5:30 a.m., Nov. 13, according to the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office. McKerchie is a white male, with brown hair, brown eyes and a neck tattoo that says “Joardan” in a cursive script, per police. People are asked to call 911 if they see him or if they saw anything suspicious in the area at the time of his escape. Read more from MLive:Shot twice in the line of duty, Jackson County deputy returns to work after 18-month recoveryFormer Secretary of State calls for independent audit of election results in Michigan voter fraud lawsuitChristian school in fight over masks closes on its own as coronavirus cases surge

LANSING, MI -- An Ingham County man says his love of new lottery games helped lead him to a $500,000 jackpot win playing the Michigan Lottery’s Holiday Gold instant game. The 60-year-old winner says the money will change his life and allow him to enjoy his retirement. For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games. The last player from Michigan to win a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot was Cristy Davis of Waterford who won $70 million playing Powerball in February. If you’d like to be the next player from Michigan to win a huge lottery prize, take a look at these tips from lottery expert Richard Lustig.

Michigan’s mask mandate in schools prevents students from getting a Catholic education, a Lansing elementary school argues in a new lawsuit against the state. Resurrection School – a Catholic school in Lansing – is suing Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon for his mandate requiring mask wearing in schools all day because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maloney has been asked to grant a temporary restraining order, which would allow Resurrection School to not enforce the mask mandate for now. Ingham County put out its own mask mandate when Michigan’s executive orders were invalidated. The school mask mandate gives off the impression that COVID-19 “continues to be a terrifying and deadly threat,” per the lawsuit.

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, recently reported a threatening voicemail to U.S. Capitol Police, who traced it back to an Ingham County minor, according to a campaign spokesperson. In a Sunday statement, Slotkin described the threat left on her campaign office voicemail as “using threatening, sexually explicit, and violent language, including a threat to ‘shoot my way to victory.’”Slotkin told Dave Akerly on WILS Morning Wake-Up on Monday the threat is not the first she’s received. Slotkin said due to her CIA background she has always taken security threats seriously and reports them to authorities. Campaign spokesperson Gordon Trowbridge said law enforcement acted quickly and traced the threat back to an Ingham County minor after the campaign reported the threat to the U.S. Capitol Police. Law enforcement determined the individual was unlikely to pose an actual threat, according to the campaign.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – An Amber Alert for a missing 2-year-old boy has been cancelled. The boy has been found safe, state police. The alert was issued around 7:45 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, for Phoenix Washington Jr. who was allegedly taken from his home in Lansing Township by Phoenix Washington Sr., 26, police said. Police reported that the boy was safe but did not provide further details. Read more:Police identify pedestrian killed in crashWoman killed in Kalamazoo apartment shooting was ‘kind-hearted’ 20-year-oldTeacher video diaries show what it’s really like going back to school

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – An Amber Alert has been issued for a missing 2-year-old boy. The child, Phoenix Washington, has the same name as the 26-year-old man accused of taking him. The child was allegedly taken from 3209 W. Michigan Ave. in Lansing Township, state police said in the Amber Alert. Lansing Township Police Department requested state police issue the Amber Alert. Police asked anyone with information to call 911 or Lansing Township police at 517-485-1700.

Meanwhile, Ingham County, which has been struggling with outbreaks among Michigan State University students, has moved from red to orange as numbers in the county continue to drop. The arrows indicate whether the total number of cases over the past seven days (Sept. 17-23) has gone up or down compared to the previous seven days (Sept. 10-16). Latest on coronavirus testingFive Michigan counties have a positive rate of at least 5% in coronavirus tests reported in the last 14 days ending Sept. 22. (As of Sept. 1, the state stopped reporting numbers on Sundays, so numbers on Sept. 7, Sept. 14 and Sept. 21 cover two days.) For more statewide data, visit MLive’s coronavirus data page, here.

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