Mid-Michigan News Roundup: Fires, Traffic Alerts, Memory Café Launch and More

East Lansing fire officials are investigating a weekend blaze that forced residents from the Walden Woods Apartments on Harrison early Sunday morning. The cause of the fire remains under review, and no injuries have been reported.

In Williamston, another large fire broke out Saturday afternoon in the 500 block of High Street. Authorities say no injuries were reported there either, but the cause is still undetermined.

The Greater Lansing Care Foundation is preparing to launch the region’s first Memory Café in early September. The program aims to support individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Michael Schaefer with the foundation noted that nearly 7 million Americans live with dementia, including roughly 200,000 in Michigan.

For Lansing commuters, sewer work began today at Pleasant Grove and Holmes, closing turn lanes through tomorrow while keeping traffic moving in all directions. In Jackson, four exit ramps off I-94—including M-99, Parma, Deering, and Concord Roads—are set to close Tuesday for construction.

Meanwhile, CATA has resumed all campus routes at Michigan State University ahead of the fall semester. Additional service changes across the region also go into effect today. More details are available at CATA.org.

Drivers are reminded to be cautious as area schools, including Lansing and Holt, return to session this week. Michigan auto law attorney Alex Kemp warns that fines for passing stopped school buses range from $100 to $500, and are doubled in school zones.

In Owosso, the former animal shelter that has sat vacant since 2012 will reopen as the Shiawassee County Animal Control and Care Shelter. Final inspections are scheduled for August 25, with plans to open days later.

And in sports, fallout continues from the NCAA’s ruling against the University of Michigan football program’s sign-stealing scandal. Hondo Carpenter of Spartan Nation criticized the organization for inconsistent punishments, calling it “worthless” and in need of a complete overhaul.