Monday, October 7, 2024

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City

MICHIGAN

Suspect wanted by ELPD for criminal sexual conduct arrested in Los Angeles

A suspect wanted by the East Lansing Police Department for six counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) was arrested in Los Angeles, California on Friday by the United States Marshals Service, according to an ELPD statement.  The suspect is 26-year-old Mikael Alexandre Frutin. They have been investigating the case since July of 2014 after he was accused of having an illicit sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. He was the girl's gymnastics instructor at Red Cedar Gymnastics in Delhi Township however the statement said none of the alleged crimes happened there. After becoming aware of the investigation, Frutin fled the state and ELPD worked with the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team to track him down.

MICHIGAN

City council repeals law used to suppress political speech

An ordinance approved at Tuesday night's city council meeting repealed a portion of the city code dealing with handbills and bill posting that had been the subject of controversy at the Great Lakes Folk Fest in early August.  Councilmember Ruth Beier, Triplett and Yeadon all agreed that the repealed portion of the code was subject to misinterpretation and miscommunication.

MICHIGAN

East Lansing floodings not a sign of dysfunctional sewer system

Despite heavy downfalls plaguing city sewer systems in the past month, East Lansing officials said there is nothing unusual about it.  More than 3.6 inches of rain bombarded the city during the aforementioned week, and caused problems for both students and residents alike. East Lansing Director of Public Works Scott House said the sewer system in East Lansing does not seem to hold as much water as it needed to during a period of heavy rainfall or flash floods.  "In that type of event you’re exceeding the design capacity for the system, meaning that the pipe can only handle so much," House said. "The rest will sheet flow so that will typically seek low ground where it will pool or find an opening where it will convey through." MSU Infrastructure Administrator Ron Lacasse  mentioned detention basins play a major role in lessening the overall effect that a flood has on an area.

MICHIGAN

ELPD and MSUPD warn students of phone scam

Both the East Lansing Police Department and MSU police are receiving reports of phone scams involving student victims, according to an ELPD statement. The scams involve a caller claiming there is a warrant out for arrest on the person they are calling, saying they must pay fines immediately over the phone or face arrest.  Both police departments are saying these are frauds, especially when the caller demands the alleged fine to be paid with a Green Dot or other pre-paid card. ELPD and MSU police stress they do not call to demand the payment of fines by phones. Scams of this nature are long running and The State News reported on them both during last spring semester as well as over the summer.