Latest news with #lsj.com
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police: Man found dead in Hummer in Tennessee was from Lansing
MURFREESBORO, TN — Police said a man found dead inside a locked vehicle at a Tennessee tow yard on May 1 was from Lansing. Murfreesboro police on May 13 identified the remains as 63-year-old Dale Hilsabeck's. He is the registered owner of the Hummer in which his remains were found, according to the updated police press release. Detectives were awaiting autopsy results to determine how Hilsabeck died, and the investigation is ongoing, police said. In a May 2 release, police said authorities requested an autopsy to determine how long the man had been dead and how he died. Detectives began the investigation May 1 after tow yard workers discovered the remains on a sleeping mat inside the 2007 Hummer HU3. The SUV had been towed from a Walmart to E.A. Towing on Southpointe Court on April 5 after it was reported abandoned, according to the May 2 release. Towing company employees approached the Hummer after completing a tow lien when no one claimed the vehicle, police said. They noticed flies and an odor coming from the rear of the vehicle and used a lock-out tool to open the doors, police said. The Hummer's windows were covered with black-out material, making it difficult to see inside, police said. The towing company and Walmart were fully cooperating with the investigation, police said. Contact Ken Palmer atkpalmer@ and on X @KBPalm_lsj or reporter Scott Broden at sbroden@ This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Police: Man found dead in Hummer in Tennessee was from Lansing
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Bath Township's Babcock's Landing features Looking Glass River access for fishing, watercraft
A Walk in the Park is an ongoing series from State Journal photographer Nick King, who intends to explore Lansing area parks one hour at a time. If you have a suggestion of a park he should visit, email him at nking@ Babcock's Landing in Bath Township is a smaller park with its main focus on boating and fishing. The park is located just south of the Looking Glass River on the 10000 block of Babcock Road, a 20 minute drive north of East Lansing. The park features easy access to the water making it the perfect spot to launch kayaks and canoes and for fishing. With the current flowing generally west, water trips from Babcock's Landing can take you to parks along the river in DeWitt and further west. The site is on state land managed under the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. For anglers, fishing at the park can produce bass, northern pike and carp, to name a few. There are various spots to drop a line from shore or fishermen can try their luck out on the water. The park has ample wildlife including species that gravitate to water such as ducks, geese and sandhill cranes. A variety of small mammals call the park home as well. There are no real walking trails to speak of in the Clinton County park, but there are some areas to explore alone or with a leashed dog and the space offers a nice spot to take in the scenery right at the shoreline. Mature trees and other plants can be thick along the river adding to the park's beauty. Babcock's Landing has a parking lot with limited spaces and a circle drive for that makes unloading watercrafts a breeze. There are no bathrooms on site. No camping or fires are allowed at the park. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Babcock's Landing in Bath has Looking Glass River access for fishing
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
New Capital City Riverside Park features access to the Red Cedar and River Trail
A Walk in the Park is an ongoing series from State Journal photographer Nick King, who intends to explore Lansing area parks one hour at a time. If you have a suggestion of a park he should visit, email him at nking@ The new Capital City Riverside Park features trails along the Red Cedar River with river access and connection to the Lansing River Trail. The park, located behind Michigan State University's Brody complex at the back southwestern corners of Bailey and Armstrong halls on South Brody Road, features a mulch trail that winds along the north side of the river leading to the river trail behind the Red Cedar development up to Kalamazoo Street. Stroll the pathway and take in the sights and sounds of the river and the wildlife that frequents the habitat including small fury animals, birds, ducks and more. The riverfront trail is peppered with mature trees and is easily traversed along the clear pathway. There are spots along the river to relax and the access is ideal for fishing. There's an observation deck with picnic tables near the Brody end of the park for those looking for a nice spot to take a lunch. According to a news release, the city of Lansing, MSU Landscape Services, Michigan Waterways and several other local organizations worked together to ready the park. More than 100 volunteers recently worked to clean the space of invasive trees and brush, laid the mulch trail along the river, cleared out garbage and planted 35 tulip poplar trees, the release said. Check signage before deciding to whether to park in the lot behind the Brody complex. A permit could be required. There are parking spaces closer to the Red Cedar development, but this park may be best explored if your are out enjoying the river trial. There are no bathrooms on site; leashed dogs are welcome. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Capital City Riverside Park features access to Red Cedar, River Trail
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Angel: Michigan needs greater transparency in how it conducts its business
Sunshine is an antidote for many things: mood swings, stress, depression. It also can be an antidote to government corruption or malfeasance. As taxpayers and citizens, we deserve transparency — including access to public records and governmental meetings at which the people's business is conducted. Without access and transparency, there is an absence of accountability. Public records are the backbone of watchdog and public service reporting. But it's not just reporters who want access to public records. Parents want to know how money is spent in their school districts. Developers want to know how municipalities work with business partners. Voters want to know who is donating money to various campaigns. Taxpayers want to know the details behind the deals their elected officials are making. And the list goes on. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act provide the framework for access. Yet Michigan has a long way to go to meet the spirit of transparency and accountability. As we observe Sunshine Week, March 16-22, it's worth noting Michigan is one of two states that exempts the governor's office from FOIA. The overwhelming majority of state legislatures are subject to FOIA. Michigan's is not. The big question is: Why? What is it our elected state officials don't want us to know? Citizens should demand their state representatives and governor hold themselves to the same public records standards as all other public bodies in the state. Legislators and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer can and should fix this issue in the current legislative session. In a climate where there is rising distrust in government, transparently conducting business is the best way to show taxpayers you're doing the work you've been hired to do. Another sticking point for people, including news agencies, seeking public records is exorbitant fees. There are rules in place to limit fees, but some municipalities ignore them and others stretch their limits. High fees naturally prevent some information-seekers from following through on their FOIA requests. Everyday citizens likely aren't going cough up hundreds or thousands of dollars for public records. And fees are haphazard. One municipality might give a requestor information for free without a FOIA request; another might charge a fee for the exact same information. The same blueprint applies for how quickly records are delivered. Some entities will deliver them upon request; others file for time extensions and then estimate it will takes weeks or months to procure the requested information. To be clear, high fees and lengthy delays are distinct strategies some public bodies use to stymie requests for public records. Again, what are these entities hiding? Why do they have such disdain for those seeking access to how government works. Sunshine is a disinfectant. And Michigan is desperately in need of more sunshine. Stephanie Angel is executive editor of the Lansing State Journal. Contact her at sangel@ This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Sunshine Week: Michigan's public bodies lack transparency
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Flint man fatally shot near Fowlerville in Livingston County
CONWAY TWP. — A 25-year-old Flint Man was found fatally shot Saturday morning in the 8000 block of Robb Road, north of Fowlerville, in Livingston County. Deputies with the Livingston County Sheriff's Office said in a press release they are investigating the unidentified man's death and why his 2000 Toyota Camry was destroyed by fire. They were called to the 7000 block of Sherwood Road in Conway Township because of a report of a vehicle fire at about 8 a.m. Saturday, a few hours before finding the man. They were dispatched at 10 a.m. to the shooting scene. They have identified the shooting victim as the owner of the Camry and said his vehicle seems to have been "intentionally set" on fire. 'Due to the sensitive nature of the on-going investigation, further information will be released at a later time,' deputies said. 'There is no threat to the public.' Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Brian Uzoni at 517-546-2440, ext. 4842. Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@ or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Flint man fatally shot near Fowlerville in Livingston County
