The East Lansing City Council voted Tuesday night to suspend City Manager Robert Belleman with pay, effective at noon Wednesday.

During the meeting, Belleman addressed the council and acknowledged concerns about his leadership.

“I’m sorry if any of you have felt that I have not been the leader you needed me to be,” Belleman said. “Each day I strive for the city to deliver services at the highest level possible, but I can do better and I will do better.”

City officials did not publicly identify the reason for the suspension. However, Belleman had previously faced sexual harassment allegations that were later deemed unfounded following an independent investigation.

The council also approved a budget for the next fiscal year, including amendments to the city’s $50 million general fund. Councilmember Mark Meadows proposed adding $6,000 for the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission to fund independent analysis of police data for the commission’s annual report. Another amendment restored $2,000 to the Human Rights Commission for mediation services.

Two MDOT Workers Killed in Ingham County Crash

Authorities are investigating a deadly crash Tuesday on northbound US-127 near Holt Road that killed two Michigan Department of Transportation workers and critically injured a driver.

According to investigators, the workers — both Mason residents ages 49 and 51 — were struck by a vehicle driven by a 24-year-old man from DeWitt. Officials believe speed was a factor in the crash.

The highway remained closed for several hours while crews investigated the scene.

Eaton County Crash Sends Mason Man to Hospital

Another serious crash Tuesday in Eaton County left a 55-year-old Mason man hospitalized after his pickup truck collided with a dump truck near M-99 and Maxey Road, north of Bunker Road.

Investigators with the Michigan State Police said a 44-year-old Lansing man driving the dump truck had turned onto M-99 from Maxey Road when the pickup struck the rear of the vehicle.

The pickup driver was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. The dump truck driver was not injured. Authorities said alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash.

Lansing Police Investigating Fatal Four-Vehicle Crash

Police are continuing to investigate a four-vehicle crash in Lansing over Memorial Day weekend that killed a 21-year-old man and injured four others.

The collision happened Saturday night near Waverly and West Holmes roads. Investigators say speed is believed to have contributed to the crash.

MSU Trustees Could Face Sanctions

Two trustees at Michigan State University may face sanctions after refusing to sign a newly approved code of ethics and conduct.

Trustees Mike Balow and Rema Vassar argue the policy is unconstitutional. The pair also had their credentials revoked for this week’s Mackinac Policy Conference.

Former Gubernatorial Candidate Breaks Silence

Last night at the Mackinac Conference, former Mike Duggan spoke publicly after ending his gubernatorial campaign last week, saying there was no longer a viable path to victory.

“I’m sorry for the people here who are disappointed,” Duggan said. “But I would have disappointed you far more if I had gone for another five months knowing there’s not a path.”