Kalamazoo Public Safety is investigating an early morning shooting near the WMU campus. Interim MSU President John Engler criticizes legislation that would make it easier for sexual assault victims to file lawsuits. A court dismisses ex-State Representative Cindy Gamrat's lawsuit against her fomer colleagues. A Battle Creek police officer pleads guilty to drunk driving.
A Battle Creek police officer accused of driving drunk has pleaded guilty to the crime. TheBattle Creek Enquirer reports that Chad Francisco was charged with operating while intoxicated after crashing his vehicle in February. He was off duty and the crash did not injure anyone else. Francisco has served with the Battle Creek police for more than 15 years. The department put him on paid leave during the criminal case. Francisco is expected to be sentenced in a couple of weeks.
A court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by ex-State Representative Cindy Gamrat. Mlive reports that a US District Court judge rejected claims that Gamrat’s former colleagues engaged in stalking, wiretapping and other misdoing against her. The house expelled Gamrat in 2015 following revelations that she’d had an affair with then-Representative Todd Courser. The pair’s attempts to cover up the affair led to accusations of misconduct.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is getting a new president.Its Board of Trustees announced Thursday that it’s picked Luther Marshall Washington as KVCC's third president. He'll replace long-time President Marilyn Schlack, who's retiring. Washington is now the president of New River Community and Technical College in Beckley, West Virginia. He and KVCC trustees must still negotiate a contract.
Kalamazoo’s Public Safety Department is investigating an early Friday morning shooting near the Western Michigan University campus. A 33 year old man was wounded, and is listed in serious condition at Bronson Hospital. Public safety officials say the shooting happened on Howard Street near Michigan Avenue. There is no word on suspects.
Michigan State University interim President John Engler told lawmakers Thursday that bills that would make it easier for sexual assault victims to file lawsuits would drive up tuition. And, he said, it makes it harder for MSU to settle with victims of former sports doctor Larry Nassar. Engler, a former Michigan governor, told a Senate budget subcommittee the Legislature’s getting in the way of settling hundreds of lawsuits filed by Nassar victims. Engler said the bills were drafted to benefit trial lawyers. The Committee chairwoman, Lawton Republican Tonya Schuitmaker called Engler’s comments insulting to Nassar’s victims. The bills are now before the state House.
The Great Lakes Folk Festival will not be held in East Lansing this summer. The festival has long been operated by the MSU Museum. Museum Director Mark Auslander says the one-year hiatus is called for due to logistical problems posed by construction in downtown East Lansing. The decision is unpopular with folk music fans. Auslander says the folk festival will return in some form next year. (WKAR)
The United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Michigan held a news conference addressing the area’s opioid crisis. U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge explains the situation is “a matter of saving lives” pointing out that during 2017 in Kent County there were 137 drug overdose deaths, a 50-percent increase over the number reported in 2016. Across the Midwest opioid overdoses are up 70-percent during that same period. The U.S. Attorney’s office is also working on prevention programs with community partners by discouraging potential users. That includes educating young people. There’s a preservation component partnering with medical and treatment professionals assisting citizens with substance abuse disorders and providing overdose antidotes. (WGVU)