Mid-Michigan Elections Finalized; Police Investigate Human Remains Found in Burned Vehicle

Election results are in across mid-Michigan, where Lansing voters re-elected Mayor Andy Schor to a third term Tuesday. Schor defeated challenger Kelsea Hector with nearly 67% support. The City Council at-large seats were won by challenger Clara Martinez and incumbent Jeremy Garza.

 

Deyanira Martinez will represent the second ward, while at-large Councilmember Peter Spadafore was elected to the fourth ward. Voters also approved the adoption of a new city charter. In East Lansing, council seats were won by Steve Whalen and Chuck Grigsby, while a parks and recreation millage failed.

 

A transportation millage was voted down in Delta Township. In Eaton County, a county commissioners race was decided by a razor-thin margin, with Republican Andy Shaver edging Democrat Rob Piercefield by only 10 votes. School millage proposals passed in the Mason, Waverly, Stockbridge, Eaton Rapids, Charlotte, and Olivet districts.

 

In statewide election news, Detroit voters elected City Council President Mary Sheffield as the city’s first female mayor. She will take office in January, succeeding three-term Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running for governor as an independent next year.

Human Remains Found in Burning Vehicle

Michigan State Police are investigating after human remains were discovered inside a burning vehicle in Hillsdale County Monday afternoon. Troopers from the Jackson Post responded to the area of Sand Hill and Baker Roads around 4:30 p.m. Police say the remains appear to belong to a woman, but they have not been positively identified. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Chrysler Recalls 320,000 Plug-In Hybrids Over Fire Risk

Chrysler’s parent automaker, based in Auburn Hills, has issued a recall for 320,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles due to faulty batteries that could fail and cause fires. The recall affects 2020–2025 Jeep Wranglers and 2022–2026 Jeep Grand Cherokees. Owners are urged to park the vehicles away from buildings until repairs are finalized.

Michigan Flags Lowered for Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Flags across Michigan are being flown at half-staff in honor of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who died this week at age 84 from complications related to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease. Cheney served two terms as vice president under President George W. Bush.