State Roundup

Marysville
Court rules for school in suit tied to student's death

MARYSVILLE, Mich. (AP) - An appeals court has ruled in favor of a Michigan school district in a lawsuit related to the death of a high school senior in 2012.

Steven Jahn, who was known as Jake, killed himself hours after he admitted stealing a teacher's laptop at Marysville High School, near Port Huron. Officials said they would suspend the honors student for the rest of the year and prohibit him from school functions.

Jake's family filed a lawsuit against Marysville officials, saying his due process rights were violated. A federal judge disagreed, and that decision was affirmed this week by an appeals court.

The court says school officials didn't create a danger for Jake. The court says officials discussed the possible consequences of the theft and released the teen to his parents.

Livonia
Area veterans to receive bicycles for transportation

LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) - Eight military veterans will receive new commuter bicycles to help them get to work, school and health care appointments.

A ceremony is scheduled Wednesday in Livonia.

The Region 10 Veterans Community Action Team, AmeriCorps members and D&D Bicycles and Hockey will provide the Shift 1 Trek bikes as alternate, reliable forms of transportation.

The veterans also will get helmets, backpacks and security locks.

State
Patrols for Fourth of July target drunken drivers

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) - Stepped-up patrols targeting drunken drivers are planned this month around the Fourth of July holiday, so residents are encouraged to be available to serve as a designated driver, officials said Wednesday.

A movie-themed effort highlighting the importance of designated drivers is called "Who's Your D.D.?" and features movie-style posters. In a statement, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning said "you don't need a cape or superpowers to be a superhero."

Law enforcement officers from police departments, sheriff's offices and the Michigan State Police will conduct increased drunken driving enforcement in all 83 Michigan counties during the crackdown, which runs through July 12.

"Our publicity efforts are designed to forewarn the public that additional patrols will be out in force, and they should make alternate arrangements for transportation when drinking," said Michael L. Prince, Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning director.

Holland
College's new art museum to show major donation

HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) - A donation of Asian art worth more than $1.2 million has significantly boosted the collection of a new museum opening at a liberal arts college in western Michigan.

More than 500 artworks and 7,000 art-related books, publications and catalogs donated by California residents David Kamansky and Gerald Wheaton have increased Hope College's collection by about 30 percent. The school's Kruizenga Art Museum is set to open Sept. 8, with many pieces on display that have never been seen by the public before, The Holland Sentinel reported.

The new museum marks a shift in internal ownership at Hope College, with the collection and display now being handled by its new museum department instead of its art department, which had overseen the school's artwork since 1965.

As director of the museum, Charles Mason's main job is to make it relevant to the study body, he said. Mason hopes to make the museum a resource to both the college and the community, serving Hope College students and local children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The museum is named in honor of a financial gift from Holland residents and 1952 Hope College graduates Dr. Richard and Margaret Kruizenga.

Construction on the $3 million building in Holland began in May 2013 and was completed this June. The museum will feature two galleries, with one displaying European and American art, and the other displaying Asian art.

Art will be installed in the building in July.

Dearborn
Woman sues, says police forced her to remove scarf

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - A Muslim woman is suing a Michigan police department, saying her rights were violated when she was ordered to remove a headscarf for a mugshot after her arrest.

Maha Aldhalimi was told that she was wanted for an unpaid parking violation. She says she was ordered to remove the headscarf, known as hijab, for a photo at the Dearborn Police Department last September.

Aldhalimi says she was crying while explaining that removing the scarf in front of male strangers would violate her religious beliefs. She says she finally agreed to remove it under threat.

Lawyers for Aldhalimi filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Detroit federal court, accusing Dearborn police of violating federal law. The city declined to comment.

Dearborn has one of the largest populations of Arab-Americans in the country.

Published: Thu, Jul 02, 2015