LANSING, Mich. — A winter weather advisory remains in effect across the Lansing area through 7 a.m. Tuesday, bringing hazardous travel conditions, strong wind gusts, and dangerously cold temperatures to Mid-Michigan.  Forecasters are calling for one to three inches of patchy, blowing snow, along with sub-zero wind chills. In response, the City of Lansing’s Code Blue cold weather emergency plan is in effect through Saturday morning, activating multiple warming centers across the region, including facilities in East Lansing.  The Hannah Community Center is serving as a warming center through 9 p.m. Monday, providing shelter for residents seeking relief from the extreme cold.

 

Despite the weather, a large crowd is still expected to attend the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the Lansing Center. Elaine Hardy, chair of the MLK Commission of Mid-Michigan, said the signature event typically draws about 1,600 attendees.  “There’ll be music and celebrations, and we hope that we will inspire people, uplift them, and inspire them to go out and serve each other, serve humanity,” Hardy said.  This year’s program includes Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Bolden as the keynote speaker, along with civil rights icon Dr. Diane Nash as a special guest.

 

In other Lansing-area news, protesters gathered at the Michigan State Capitol on Sunday for a solidarity rally for Venezuela. The demonstration followed recent military escalations and came two weeks after a large-scale U.S. strike that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Both are now in New York, facing federal drug trafficking charges.

 

Lansing police are investigating a suspected DUI crash that occurred early Sunday morning at the intersection of Cedar Street and Holmes Road. Five people were injured in the crash, three of them critically. One person was arrested, though additional details have not yet been released.

 

In Jackson, a house fire on Dettman Road is being deemed suspicious. The Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety said three people were displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. Weather conditions made it difficult for investigators to determine the cause of the fire.

 

Meanwhile, in Ingham County, firefighters responded to a barn fire Saturday night in the village of Dansville. Fire Chief Brendan Whipple said the fire broke out just after 8 p.m. at Hart Farm on Mason Street. A semi-truck inside the barn also caught fire. No injuries were reported, and the investigation remains ongoing.

 

Gas prices are also on the rise across the region. As of Sunday, the average price for a gallon of gas in the Lansing area was $3.02, according to AAA Michigan — about 16 cents higher than a week ago. The statewide average rose to $2.96 per gallon, reflecting a similar increase.