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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

McCowan's case focuses on blows to head in fight

Lauren Gibbons  and  Katie Abdilla
October 13, 2013

After reaching the door of MSU student Andrew Singler’s apartment on the morning of Feb. 23, Okemos resident Connor McCowan said his subsequent actions were a result of a series of blows to the head. Singler allegedly hit McCowan multiple times above his left eyebrow when McCowan saw a bright light and stumbled backward into the hallway, McCowan testified Friday in his trial in Ingham County Circuit Court.

MICHIGAN

Look inside Spartan Linen Services

Simon Schuster
October 13, 2013

Spartan Linen Services, located south of campus at 373 Service Road, might be the farthest thing from a laundromat. More of an industrial facility than laundry service, Spartan Linen Services washes almost all the linens used on MSU’s campus, from Kellogg Center tablecloths to employee uniforms. They also clean the linen packages that some on-campus students use.

MICHIGAN

Retired MSU dean honored by MSU Black Alumni Association

Casey Holland
October 13, 2013

A retired dean of the MSU College of Urban Development was honored by the MSU Black Alumni Association this weekend for his work in education and activism.? Robert L. Green, a dean emeritus and former associate of Martin Luther King Jr., was honored at an event in Lansing to celebrate Green’s 80th birthday and to help raise funds for the Robert L. Green Scholarship Fund. Green also received a “distinguished alumnus” award.

MICHIGAN

City sponsors comprehensive planning events

Casey Holland
October 13, 2013

The Plan and Design Kick-Off Week for East Lansing’s 18-month update to its comprehensive plan is set to take place Oct. 14 – 17. The comprehensive plan is a policy document for the physical, economic and social development of the city, reviewed for updates every five years to project land use planning 20 years in advance.

MICHIGAN

Update: McCowan concludes testimony in murder trial

Katie Abdilla
October 11, 2013

Discrepancies between the actions and testimony of Okemos resident Connor McCowan were questioned during the defense side of his trial Friday morning. McCowan, 19, was taken into custody by Meridian Township police just hours after he allegedly stabbed and killed MSU student Andrew Singler on Feb. 23. He called his mother, Judy McCowan, from the Ingham County Jail that morning, and testified Friday that he was “devastated,” when she told him Singler had died.

MICHIGAN

State bill could keep bars open later, but city officials skeptical

Ever go out for a few beers, stumble toward the clock and realize it’s already 2 a.m., but still need to pound a few more? A new bill could let patrons imbibe later into the night, but some East Lansing officials aren’t sold on the idea. A new bill from state Sen. Virgil Smith, D-Detroit, would allow bars to stay open two hours later — a move supporters hope would make Michigan cities more competitive with metropolitan areas such as Chicago or New York City.

MICHIGAN

Connor McCowan emotional in court during trial testimony

Simon Schuster
October 10, 2013

On the morning of Feb. 23, Connor McCowan recalled walking up the stairwell to MSU student Andrew Singler’s apartment, where he paused. According to his testimony in Ingham County Circuit Court, he took out the folding knife he had in his pocket and opened it, exposing the blade. He slid it back into his pocket before he entered his friend’s residence.

MICHIGAN

Connor McCowan begins testifying in his own murder trial

Lauren Gibbons  and  Simon Schuster
October 10, 2013

Okemos resident Connor McCowan took the stand in his own murder trial Thursday to defend himself against allegations that he stabbed and killed MSU student Andrew Singler. Defense attorney Chris Bergstrom began questioning McCowan in Ingham County Circuit Court Thursday afternoon. Much of the testimony centered around text messages sent between McCowan, his sister Shay McCowan and Singler on Feb. 23 before Singler died.

MICHIGAN

Defense begins calling witnesses in Connor McCowan murder trial

Micaela Colonna
October 10, 2013

Connor McCowan’s murder trial continued Thursday morning in Ingham County Circuit Court. Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor John Dewane rested his case, and the defense began calling witnesses, including Judy McCowan, to the stand. Connor McCowan is accused of fatally stabbing MSU student Andrew Singler Feb. 23 after getting in a fight with him over text messages.

MICHIGAN

Face Time: East Lansing City Council candidate Sam Artley

Geoff Preston
October 9, 2013

Sam Artley isn’t far removed from the rigors of college life.? A 2012 MSU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social relations and policy, Artley originally is from the Waterford Park area of southeast Michigan. She hopes to use her background as a young college graduate to bring a fresh perspective to the East Lansing City Council.

MICHIGAN

Oswald Scott Wilder waives arraignment in sexual assault trial

Lauren Gibbons
October 9, 2013

A man accused of sexually assaulting four female MSU students waived his scheduled arraignment in Ingham County Circuit Court Tuesday. Vernon, Mich. resident Oswald Scott Wilder Jr., 26, recently was charged with one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of third degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of assault with intention to commit sexual penetration, one count of gross indecency and three counts of unlawful imprisonment.

MICHIGAN

University officials: Future of Spartan Village area remains unknown for time

Justine McGuire
October 8, 2013

The fate of Spartan Village, an apartment complex close to campus that houses a combination of graduate students and families with ties to the MSU community, remains up in the air at this point, officials said. The strategic plan for Residence Education and Housing Services, or REHS, slates the apartment complex for demolition as early as 2017 or as late as 2020 because the buildings are deteriorating.

MICHIGAN

Campaign finance spending limits challenged in U.S. Supreme Court

America’s most wealthy citizens could use more of their affluence to support politicians and political parties if the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of scrapping certain limits on campaign contributions, and many advocates in Michigan are outraged over the possibility. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard the case of Shaun McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission. McCutcheon, a conservative Alabama businessman, challenged the limit on aggregate contributions to politicians and fundraising groups.

MICHIGAN

New bill could ensure pints are filled to brim

Derek Gartee
October 8, 2013

A bill going through the Michigan legislature could give bar patrons throughout the state a few more drops of beer in their mug. The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights, would mandate that all bars selling pints must serve patrons a full 16 ounces.

MICHIGAN

Screen printing business sets up shop in East Lansing

Derek Gartee
October 8, 2013

Screen printing business Michigan Shirt Works hopes to capitalize on the hustle and bustle of East Lansing with a new location on Grand River Avenue. Michigan Shirt Works, located at 1385 E. Grand River Ave., is a screen printing and retail company that now will call East Lansing its primary home. In addition to screen printing, the store also serves as a local retail outlet.

MICHIGAN

Pre-Medical Association collects books, funds to benefit needy kids

Simon Schuster
October 8, 2013

MSU’s Pre-Medical Association, or PMA, is hosting a book donation and blanket-making event Wednesday night in order to benefit underprivileged children in the Lansing area. From 7 to 9 p.m. in Room 111 in Erikson Hall, PMA will be accepting gently-used books during its Curl Up and Read event, while members of the organization make blankets to give to homeless and underprivileged children.