No charges filed against NMU hockey forward: Police question NMU hockey player after shocking accusations by a female neighbor (and actually his “tenant”) – that was witnessed by others

U.P. Breaking News Bulletin: – 4-14-18 – 5:25 a.m. ET

No arrest: Marquette Police on Saturday morning were called to investigate allegations an NMU hockey player forced himself into a neighbor’s apartment and allegedly went a step further

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Marquette, MI) – At last report no criminal charges were filed in connection with this morning’s alleged drunken incident involving a Northern Michigan University Hockey Player – who is also a landlord – and a female tenant who called police in a frightened panic after an alleged assault incident apparently witnessed by her roommates.

The call was dispatched about 2:23 a.m. ET this morning, Saturday April 14, 2018 to 250 W. Ridge Street, Apartment #1 in Marquette, MI.

A week before his birthday and two weeks after the end of the season, an NMU hockey star was questioned by Marquette Police this morning after a questionable incident involving his conduct – allegedly barging into a female’s apartment – and more.

Plus police were told that the hockey player was actually the landlord of the building – that has numerous apartments – and the “victim” is a tenant who lives in upstairs Apartment #1.

It is not clear if NMU Hockey has a moral turpitude agreement with its athletes.

“His name is Mitch Slattery – He lives in the apartment below – Apartment #2,” a Marquette County Central Dispatch 911 dispatcher radioed to Marquette Police Department officers responding in their police cars.

Slattery is 21-year-old, 186-pound forward for the NMU Wildcats hockey team.

Victim Miranda Findlay “is advising that her landlord just forced himself into her apartment and then tried to force himself upon her in her room,” the dispatcher told two Marquette Police units rushing to the scene.

The suspect “entered without her permission, he is very intoxicated.”

That’s when her roommates came to her defense.

“She had to had him removed by her roommates,” the dispatcher said.

The alleged drunken incident involved lots of alcohol – and happened only a week before Slattery’s April 20 birthday – and about two weeks since the end of this year’s NMU college hockey season.

The reported victim is a 23-year-old graduate assistant who studies English at Northern Michigan University and works as a salon receptionist, according to her Facebook page. She attended high school in downstate Reese, MI.

It is not clear if Slattery plans to get in front of the story and apologize – or if innocent angrily deny the incident.

Its not clear if Slattery is the owner of the home (or his parents, NMU etc.) – that was recently taken off the housing market after being advertised as a good rental investment property.

In May 2017, the Minnesota Magicians stated they were “excited to announce that forward Mitch Slattery has committed to play Division I hockey at Northern Michigan University of the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (WCHA).”

http://www.magicianshockey.com/mitch-slattery-commits-to-northern-michigan

http://www.nmuwildcats.com/sports/mice/2017-18/bios/slattery_mitchel_h0cg?view=bio

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=226543

BEFORE NMU: Attended Hill-Murray High School. Mr. Hockey award nominee 2014. A part of the Minnesota State High School all tournament 2013, All Midwest Division Team, North American Hockey League 2016-17.
PERSONAL: Son of Nancy and Mike Slattery. Brother to Jocie and Lexi Slattery who also play collegiate ice hockey.

——-

The home has an estimated value that seems to differ sharply depending on which online realtor site you visit:

Investment Property in the City of Marquette. Main floor unit currently rented. Upper Unit has updated flooring. Both units are very spacious. Centrally located to NMU, MGH and downtown shopping. Large parking area. Home sits on corner lot. Some TLC needed.

Another online site:

Details: 8 Beds/2 Baths
2,366 square feet
Single Family House
Value: $77.1K
Residents: 54 residents

NMU student busted early Thursday after a three-car hit-and-run accident including heavily damaging a pizza delivery vehicle – Suspect’s father’s car was heavily damaged, dumped at MSHS, and student allegedly fled on foot but was caught by police

URGENT URGENT – U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 3-22-18 – 8 a.m. ET –

NMU student facing hit-and-run, drunken driving charges this morning following a three-vehicle crash – after which he allegedly dumped his dad’s wrecked car in the Marquette Senior High School lot and fled on foot

John Morgan Edwardsen

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Marquette, MI) – An NMU student is facing drunken driving and hit-and-run charges this morning following am crash during which he allegedly hit two other vehicles in Marquette.
The hit-and-run wreck was reported about 11:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday night, March 21, 2018 on the 900 block of West College Avenue between Northrup and Norway streets.
In addition to the suspect’s car, the wreck involved two other cars including heavily damaging a pizza delivery vehicle.
The dark-colored Chevy Malibu with heavy damage fled east on West College Avenue.
Witnesses said the suspect’s “wheel was skidding – he thought he may have went straight through the high school lot,” Marquette Police Officers told the 911 dispatcher.
At 11:33 p.m. Wednesday, the vehicle was found by police in the Marquette Senior High School lot.
“It looks like the driver bailed,” radioed the officer who discovered the vehicle.
The suspect may have been wearing a tan coat and pants – heading north on Lincoln,” said an officer to other police units paroling the area.

John Morgan Edwardsen

Police found a driver’s license on the hit-and-run vehicle’s floor belonging to the suspect – 20-year-old John Morgan Edwardsen of Rapid River, an NMU student living on campus and a 2016 Norway-Vulcan High School graduate.

A minute later the suspect was apprehended by police near Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue.

Edwardsen is facing charges that including operating while impaired (OWI) plus hit-and-run. Bond has not been set for Edwardsen.

He was booked into the Marquette County Jail at 1:26 a.m. ET this morning.
The hit-and-run vehicle turn out to be a 2011 Chevy Malibu registered to the suspect’s father John William Edwardsen of Rapid River, MI.
In the hit-and-run vehicle, police found a Savage Model 17-caliber bolt action rifle in the trunk.
“Looks like he might have been shooting out of his car, there’s a bunch of spent casings in there,” said one investigating officer talking via radio to another officer.
The victims driving the other two vehicles were 18-year-old Isabella Joy Fisher and 22-year-old Gerald Willard VanBuren the IV of Marquette, MI.
Neither were injured.

NMU student dies in dorm – classmates in shock – as it is only the latest of numerous suicides in Marquette County and the Upper Peninsula in recent weeks

URGENT URGENT – U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 3-18-18 – 9:15 p.m. ET – 

Another young life is lost in Marquette County

Our U.P. lawmakers personally know the pain of suicide – yet have done nothing to restore mental health funding

The U.P. is in desperate need of more mental health funding, and we as a population must remove the stigma from depression so that people can seek help without fear of judgment and scorn

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Marquette, MI) – A Northern Michigan University student died in a dorm on campus Sunday, the latest victim in a rash of young suicides in the Marquette, MI area this year.

Emergency officials were called to Spooner Hall on Campus late Sunday evening because a student hung himself. CPR was performed, however was not successful.

The student is believed to have been 21-years-old. U.P. Breaking News has decided to withhold the exact dorm number and floor.

Among those responding were the NMU Department of Public Safety, Marquette Police department, Marquette Fire department, and paramedics from U.P. Health System-Marquette.

NMU officials are expected to have grief counselors, and other services available to students affected by this tragedy.

The name of the student has not been released by officials. The investigation continues.

There were two alcohol overdoses reported at U.P. universities on Sunday including one at NMU following the suicide.
At East McNair Hall at Michigan Tech University, a 21-year-old female was taken to the hospital early today after what were reported to be “stroke-like” symptoms. Details of those three incidents are not known – but all involve college students.

For 35 years, this reporter was like others in the U.P. – and did not report suicides.

However, in recent years we have changed our opinion because ignoring the problem has not helped bring back mental health funding to the U.P. – that was slashed by current and former governors.

With poverty, drugs, alcohol and social pressures getting greater – the problem keeps growing.

The U.P. suicide rate has been skyrocketing in the past few years – as thee have been at least two NMU students have taken their lives this winter – and another young man in his 20s was recently found dead behind a Marquette school.
In the past month there have been at least four gun suicides in the U.P.

We ask our lawmakers – who personally know the grief of suicide of one of their own – when is enough, enough?

Expelled NMU student files federal civil rights suit saying any decision on his future at NMU should have waited until the end of a felony pot case – a case he was cleared of all criminal charges after being kicked out – and charges that Kyle Nelson always said were bogus and started with an “anonymous” tip

URGENT – U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 2-8-18 – 10:50 a.m. ET

Expelled then cleared: NMU student Kyle Nelson files 17-page, two-count federal civil rights suit against NMU officials and students involved in government

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Marquette, MI) – A federal judge in Marquette, MI today set a February 20, 2018 status conference in a civil rights suit recently filed against NMU officials by an expelled student who was cleared of all criminal pot charges.

The 17-page, two-count civil rights suit was filed on Feb.2, 2018 under the pseudonym John Doe.

However, federal court records state the plaintiff is Kyle Nelson.

Nelson has charged the defendants with two legal allegations – retaliation and violation of 14th Amendment due process.

Nelson was charged with delivery of marijuana (four-year felony) on Nov. 3, 2015 by the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office – and was eventually bound over to circuit court, the suit states.

Nelson was cleared of all criminal charges after his expulsion, the suit states.

Nelson says the marijuana charges are false -and that NMU officials and students didn’t allow him due process. He requested many times that any decision on expulsion be decided after the criminal case was concluded.

Nelson alleges he was in essence targeted by an anonymous tip:
“On November 2, 2015, anonymous complain was made via email, to an NMU “tip line,” alleging that (Nelson) was involved in drug activity,” the suit states.

In the fall of 2014, Nelson, then 19, “majored in construction management, and before his suspension from the University that led to his eventual expulsion, was living on campus in Gant Residence Hall,” the federal civil rights suit states

Nelson is suing:

Northern Michigan University
Lina Blair, NMU Assistant Dean of Students
Christine Greer, NMU Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students
Guy LaPlante, Detective Lieutenant with the NMU Department of Public Safety and Police Service
John Frick, NMU Associate Director of Housing
Jim Gadzinski, Director NMU Career Services
Paul LaPlant, NMU student from Marinette, WI
Unknown Parties #1 and #2:
Three Anonymous Student Members of the NMU Student Conduct Board Hearing Committee
Unknown Members of the Student Conduct Appeals Committee

The presiding judge in the case is Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Jonker – and all conferences and hearings will be handled by U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley.

“Plaintiff Kyle Nelson” paid a fee of $400 to file the case in federal court.
Nelson is represented by Ann Arbor attorney Nicholas Roumel, who has his own law firm.
The NMU defendants being sued are represented by Kalamazoo attorney Kurt P. McCamman of the law firm Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, PLC in Detroit.

Here are some excerpts from the suit (remember ‘John’ Doe is Nelson):
Or you can read the original suit and the amended complaint

Original complaint – Expelled NMU student Kyle Nelson 17-page, two-count civil rights suit against NMU officials (1)

Original complaint – Expelled NMU student Kyle Nelson 17-page, two-count civil rights suit against NMU officials (2)

Amended complaint – Expelled NMU student Kyle Nelson 17-page, two-count civil rights suit against NMU officials (1)

Amended complaint – Expelled NMU student Kyle Nelson 17-page, two-count civil rights suit against NMU officials (2)

John Doe Motion – Expelled NMU student Kyle Nelson 17-page, two-count civil rights suit against NMU officials

Hearing notice Expelled NMU student Kyle Nelson 17-page, two-count civil rights suit against NMU officials

——-

Criminal Allegations Are Made Against John.

On November 2, 2015, a complaint was made via email, to an NMU “tip line,” alleging that John was involved in drug activity. Defendant LaPlante interviewed a witness who made certain allegations against John.
Based on the witness’ allegations, LaPlante swore out an affidavit for search warrant against John.

The affidavit was based entirely on hearsay evidence.

The search warrant was granted and executed on November 2, 2015 by LaPlante, and returned an assortment of over the counter and prescription pills and a small amount (less than an ounce) of alleged marijuana and marijuana “wax.”

After the search was executed, LaPlante read John his “Miranda” rights, and John exercised those rights under the Fifth Amendment, and chose to not make any statements. John was charged by the Marquette County Prosecutor on November 3, 2015 with a single count of delivery of marijuana on 11/3/2015, a felony with a maximum sentence of 4 years imprisonment, fine of up to $20,000, and other possible penalties.

John was arraigned on November 4, 2015 was eventually bound over to Circuit Court on the charge.

Northern Michigan University in violation of his Federal Constitutional Rights under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, when he was denied the rights to delay Student Conduct Board proceedings until after resolution of his concurrent criminal case, denied the right to confront the witnesses against him, and repeatedly retaliated against for his invocation of constitutional rights.

After his expulsion, all criminal charges against him were dismissed.

“John Doe” (“Mr. Doe,” “John” aka Kyle Nelson) is a young man who began attending Northern Michigan University in fall, 2014. He majored in construction management, and before his suspension from the University that led to his eventual expulsion, was living on campus in Gant Residence Hall, carrying a grade point average of approximately 3.55.

He requests anonymity in this lawsuit due to the inflammatory nature of the allegations against him and the social stigma of being associated with such charges. He will file the appropriate motion for anonymity if necessary and requested by this court.

Defendants Rebuffed John’s Multiple Requests to Postpone the Conduct Board Hearing until the Criminal Case Was Concluded

NMU Initiates Conduct Board Proceedings 16. While the criminal charges were pending, NMU (via defendant Greer) sent John a letter dated November 3, 2015 suspending him from school “until all charges are adjudicated,” and that he was prohibited from “enter[ing] onto any part of the campus” campus under threat of arrest and filing of additional Student Code charges.

On December 18, 2015, NMU initiated eighteen charges against John alleging various violations of the NMU Student Code, for Drugs: Possession, Use or Sale (Code 2.3.12) and under the General Regulatory Statement (Student Code 2.3.15). 18.

According to the charging document, the charges were based on a “Description of Incident reported by” Defendant LaPlante, with “Charges Imposed by” Defendant Blair. A Conduct Board Hearing was held on April 15, 2016. Defendant Blair was the “non-voting chairperson” of that proceeding.

Other Board members included defendants John Frick, Jim Gadzinski, Paul LaPlant, and “Three Anonymous Student Members of The Student Conduct Board Hearing Committee” whose names are redacted from the hearing transcript. 20.

John was represented by Escanaba attorney Trent Stupak.

The case is named Nelson v. Northern Michigan University, et al..
Nelson v. Northern Michigan University

United States District Court Western District Of Michigan Northern Division notice of hearing – take notice that a hearing has been scheduled as set forth below:
Type of hearing(s): Status Conference Date/Time: February 20, 2018 at 10 a.m. U.S. Magistrate Judge: Timothy P. Greeley will hold the conference via by telephone Parties shall call the Court’s conference line. Dated: February 8, 2018

Upper Peninsula Racism: Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan University accused of racial discrimination by staff members

U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan University accused of racial discrimination by staff members – 11-24-17 8:50 a.m.

Michigan Tech school aimed at helping foreign students stands accused of racial discrimination and retaliation

NMU accounting instructor says his skin color and age are reasons he was forced out of Northern Michigan University

By Greg Peterson
Upper Peninsula Breaking News
News Director/Co-Owner
906-273-2433

(Marquette, MI) – Federal civil racial discrimination suits have been filed in 2017 by former teaching staff at both Northern Michigan University and Michigan Tech University.
If history is a judge, those filing the unrelated lawsuits have a big battle ahead as both universities seems to always win their lawsuits.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In these cases, distinguished former employees of both institutions are claiming they were unrelated victims of unfair treatment including retaliation, racial discrimination based on skin color, wrongful termination, and age discrimination.

Below are links to other recent NMU lawsuits – and how the university won. Also read both of these 2017 lawsuits that have not been reported by the U.P. Media – most of which can not handle reporting on racial issues.

Sara Amani vs Michigan Tech University

The charges involve the MTU “Intensive English as a Second Language” (IESL) program.

In August 2014, Amani was the assistant director and lecturer for the (IESL) and held many other positions at MTU: IESL Liaison to Multiliteracies Center, Writing Program, Modern Languages Program for two academic years (2014-2016); and IESL acting director and TESOL programs during Spring 2016. Amani state4s she signed an offering on April 27, 2016 to May 2018 as a lecturer in the MTU Department of Humanities.

Among those who allegedly “harassed” Amani including IESL Director Heather Deering, who was hired in the fall of 2016 as the IESL director.
Amani states she was fired on Oct. 7, 2016 after she copied her emails – with the harassment and other allegations – to some of the high ranking MTU officials including chair of the Humanities Dept., and the University Provost College of Arts and Science Dean.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Amani by Marquette/Ishpeming attorney Dan Mead. This is the sixth suit filed against MTU since 1989. Besides Amani, only one of those suits was in recent years and was voluntarily dismissed.

Counts:
Race and National Origin Discrimination
Retaliation
Wrongful termination (breach of implied employment contract)

Laws involved include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Alleged incidents happened at MTU in Houghton, MI
Filed a charge against MTU with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC).
On April 7, 32017, Amani received her “right to sue” letter from the EEOC.
The charges were probed by EEOC investigator Anthony Warren.

W. L. Cisler College of Business instructor charges NMU with racial and age discrimination

Sam Joseph vs Northern Michigan University

A former accounting instruction at Northern Michigan University says he was treated unfairly because of his age and skin color.
Sam Joseph, who now lives in New Jersey, was employed by NMU in Marquette, MI

The 63-year-old Joseph is of middle eastern origin and “his skin is darker than other Caucasian.
Joseph was hired on Aug. 11, 2015 “as an instructor of accounting”
Sam M. Joseph was appointed an instructor at the W. L. Cisler College of Business, a tenure track appointment, effective August 19, 2015, according to NMU Board of Trustees records.
The rift between Joseph and other staff – also included “four disgruntled students” who complained about Joseph’s teaching skills, according to an Northern Michigan University response to the lawsuit – in which they deny the claims including that Joseph was “treated harshly.”
The lawsuit was filed in May 2017

 

Counts:
National origin and color discrimination
Age discrimination

Laws:
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act

The defendant initially asked Mr. Joseph where he was from because it was curious, and he told it, but the question made him uneasy.
10. Initially in his employment four disgruntled students complained about Mr. Joseph.
11. Throughout Mr. Joseph’s employment his numbers and performance improved.
12. The defendant never formally warned or disciplined Mr. Joseph about his performance.
13. On March 11, 2016 the defendant precipitously dismissed Mr. Joseph from his job without giving him a reason for it.
14. Similarly situated Northern European and younger instructors and assistant professors were not treated as harshly as Mr. Joseph was.
15. As a result of the wrongful termination set forth above, Mr. Joseph has suffered and will continue to suffer a loss of income and benefits, emotional distress, damage to his reputation, and other consequential damages.
16.
The federal civil suit was filed on behalf of Joseph by Portage, MI attorney William F. Piper.
The case was filed in federal court in Marquette – United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan – Southern Division

The lawsuit is being heard by U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney. The latest filings this month (Nov. 2017) indicate mediation is on the horizon – and a lot of technical paperwork flowing both ways including Monday’s routine “certificate of service”

Representing NMU are two high-powered Kalamazoo attorneys – Kurt P. McCamman and
Philip E. Hamilton of the law firm Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, PLC.
Federal records in Marquette show that at least four federal civil lawsuits have been filed against NMU since 2011.
In the latest case, a lawsuit by Bruce Committee was thrown out in June 2016 by federal Judge R. Allan Edgar.
The case was filed by Bruce Committee versus David Rayome, George Wilson, Joel Thompson, Trent Batchelor, Robert A. Eslinger, Alan McEvoy, Nanci K. Gasiewicz , Kerri Schuiling, Fritz J. Erickson, and Janet L. Koski.

Read or download the 2017 lawsuits plus past opinions, complaints and other federal and university documents:

5-15-14 Student Adrian Bush suit vs NMU over financial aid

6-21-16 Judgement against Bruce Committee vs NMU

7-27-17 Instructor Sam Joseph vs NMU

9-20-07 LaFace Records Copyrght Infringment suit against NMU 2

9-20-07 LaFace Records Copyrght Infringment suit against NMU 3

9-20-07 LaFace Records Copyrght Infringment suit against NMU

12-21-12 Judge throws out Adam Yott suit vs NMU, Mqt Police

Motion in LaFace Records Copyright Suit Jan. 2009 vs NMU

MTU Discrimination fed lawsuit (1)

MTU Discrimination fed lawsuit (2)

MTU Discrimination fed lawsuit (3)

September 2015 NMU Board hires Sam Joseph

Sam Joseph vs NMU

Stipulation on witness in MTU lawsuit Sara Amani

Presentation_new_faculty 14

IESL-handbookiesl-handbook(1)

Related links:

https://www.eeoc.gov/

http://civilrights.findlaw.com/discrimination/filing-discrimination-charges-with-the-eeoc.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Employment_Opportunity_Commission

https://www.workplacefairness.org/file_MI

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-amani-37201a39/

http://blogs.mtu.edu/humanities/2014/09/17/welcome-to-our-new-faculty-fall-2014/

https://mtu.instructure.com/courses/418280/files/37740442/download

https://www.mtu.edu/esl/iesl-handbook.pdf

http://hdmzweb.hu.mtu.edu/husyllabi/2014_2015/2015_Summer/ESL492%20-%20Transitional%20Listening-Speaking%20-%20Amani.pdf

 

NMU Football team to attend funeral of their beloved “T-Bone” the Gentle Giant – whose untimely death from an apparent enlarged heart – and the outpouring of kindness and grief has made the national sports news – and shocked all of Michigan

Northern Michigan University lovingly foots bill to send whole football team to honor 20-year-old Anthony Hebert of downstate Lapeer – affectionately called “T-Bone” – a large, strong man who understood the pleasure of the simple things in life like Hunting, Fishing, and 4-H

Visitation Friday evening, Jan. 20, 2017, funeral Saturday in Lapeer, MI

Herbert’s Mom Lori has publicly thanked all the kindness expressed from the Upper Peninsula and across Michigan (scroll down to see her comments, other coverage, and his obituary).

Anthony Herbert worked at Marquette Holiday Inn – and family is touched by all the kindness at the hotel and for all the love from across the state

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

The death of 20-year-old Northern Michigan University football player Anthony Herbert has shocked Michigan and beyond.

The victim’s mom says that the entire team, coaching staff and others will leave Friday morning for his funeral in downstate Lapeer, MI.

Yet despite overwhelming grief his family is taking the time to thank NMU, Marquette, emergency officials and everyone else across the state for their outpouring of love.

Using Facebook to keep thousands informed  Herbert’s mom Lori says his cause of death may be a previously undiscovered enlarged heart – as this kind man’s untimely death has shaken the sports world even at his tender age.

U.P. Breaking News and others stories:

https://upbreakingnews.com/2017/01/18/the-effort-to-save-an-nmu-football-player-audio-tapes-of-what-police-paramedics-and-firefighters-were-told-after-it-was-reported-that-anthony-herbert-was-not-breathing-in-his-dorm-room/

http://nmuwildcats.com/sports/fball/2016-17/releases/20170117gc460j

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18497665/anthony-herbert-northern-michigan-wildcats-dies

http://www.si.com/college-football/2017/01/18/northern-michigan-anthony-herbert-dies

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2017/01/17/northern-michigan-football-anthony-herbert-dies/96695802/

Scroll down to see mother Lori Herbert’s comments and information about her son’s life and funeral

Lori Hebert on Friday afternoon said she was heart-warmed by today’s article about her son in the Detroit Free Press about – that profiles the popular athlete and outlines how many Michigan student athletes die every year – with an enlarged heart one of the causes.

Lori Herbert on possible cause of her son’s passing at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI – a campus in tears tonight:

“An autopsy was performed (Tuesday) morning, and although we won’t have solid answers for a couple of weeks, it appears Anthony had an enlarged heart, that we never knew about. A part of our lives have been taken away from us, and we are beyond devastated. We are amazed at how many lives has been touched by our son! We love you all. We are beyond blessed to be able to call Anthony our son, and brother!“

The story that warmed a mother’s heart in Detroit Free Press: Click on link or graphic to read heart-warming profile of “T-Bone”

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2017/01/19/anthony-herbert-northern-michigan-football/96772906/

 

 

 

 

 

The effort to save an NMU football player: Audio tapes of what police, paramedics and firefighters were told after it was reported that Anthony Herbert was not breathing in his dorm room

U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 1-18-17 5:15 a.m. ET

They tried to save him: The death of Anthony Herbert at Northern Michigan University

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

This is a summary of emergency calls involving the effort to save the life of Anthony Herbert – a 20 year-old sophomore from downstate Lapeer, MI.

Herbert had participated in an early morning workout (Tuesday, Jan. 17) and went to breakfast before returning to his room in Spaulding Hall.

Emergency call starts about 8:21 a.m. – and this is condensed tape for next five minutes with pauses removed:

The dispatcher at 911 is talking to unit “141” – an ambulance U.P. Health Systems – Marquette:

The “caller advises patient is not breathing, appears like there’s something in his airway. CPR is in progress.”

“They do not believe he is breathing.They are starting CPR now.”

The you hear a Marquette Fire Truck go en-route – that firetruck is unit “2054”

“Marquette city units – check that – Marquette County units we have an AED incident that is on campus – Spaulding Hall room 117”

“One-Seveteen Spaulding Hall – 20 year old male – CPR instructions are being given – it’s 8:23”

The you hear a nurse at the hospital tell the ambulance to keep everyone in the emergency room informed.

AED means Automated External Defibrillator (Wikipedia)

Some police vehicles in Marquette County carry AED units – used to help restart a heart.

Then you hear Marquette firetruck 2052 go en-route

Also dispatcher confirms address to all responding with the AED units

At 8:25 a.m. You hear an officer on scene to give directions

“For responding units and ambulances – come down the courtyard between Gant (Hall) and Spaulding off of Lincoln” Avenue.

The dispatcher confirms that the courtyard is location for rescuers to set up- and then the dispatcher relays that info to arriving fire trucks.

Dispatcher tells all en-route:

“The caller was the roommate – states the patient was acting normally – because it was witnessed”

Both fire trucks confirm at 8:27 a.m. And the first fire truck arrives at 8:28 a.m. – and there are campus police at the scene.

At 9:20 a.m., the ambulance takes the deceased football player to the hospital presumably for an autopsy.

At 9:24 a.m., the fire trucks radio they are leaving NMU – and are back in service.

The ambulance arrives at the hospital with Anthony Herbert and goes back in service at 9:25 a.m.

Cause of NMU Athlete Death After Practice Under Investigation: U.P. Breaking News joins those across Michigan who tonight are honoring NMU football player Anthony Herbert who unexpectedly died today – see how downstate media is covering the tragedy and see the Facebook tributes and photos

Shocked family friends, teammates, staff tonight are trying to even believe the tragic unexpected death of a downstate football player attending Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University head football coach Kyle Nystrom:

“In my brief time with Anthony, I could tell that he was a great young man,” said Northern Michigan University head football coach Kyle Nystrom. “He was well respected by his coaches and teammates and was a leader on the offensive line. We are devastated by this tragedy, and we are keeping his family in our prayers”

Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson:

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Northern Michigan University lost a member of its family today. Sophomore Anthony Herbert of Lapeer, Mich., passed away suddenly in his residence hall room this morning.

Anthony was a construction management major and a member of the Wildcat football team. What caused his passing is unknown at this time, and right now our concern is for Anthony’s family, friends, teammates, coaches and team staff, teachers and fellow students. Northern is providing counseling services to those impacted who need help to deal with this loss.”

“We will be talking with Anthony’s family on their wishes regarding memorial/funeral services and will keep the campus informed as those details become available”

Anthony Herbert Remembered and Honored With Outpouring of Love – from his local TV station to his shocked friends and from NMU itself

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

A gentle giant is being remembered state-wide after the Northern Michigan University football player died in his dorm room this morning Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.

Officials have not announced how 20-year-old Anthony Herbert of downstate Lapeer, MI died – other than he was alive when paramedics arrived and died shortly afterwards – this after a dorm mate called 911.

The incident started about 8 a.m., shortly after morning practice and breakfast.

Tributes have been pouring in all day from the head football coach to family friends and media in his home town.

Photo by Lori Herbert September 24, 2016 with Kristen Herbert and Anthony Herbert

Photo by Lori Herbert September 24, 2016 with Anthony Herbert, Kristen Herbert and Michael Herbert

Photo by Lori Herbert June 28, 2016 Somebody missed Anthony! And so did his Mama! — with Anthony Herbert.

Photo by Lori Herbert May 14, 2016 with Kristen Herbert and Anthony Herbert

His Facebook page has numerous tributes and his photos includes attending a charity event for the Beacon House. He is pictured with a U.P. football legend and former NFL coach:

Photo by Lori Herbert NMU football supporting Beacon House Charity Event 2016 with Steve Mariucci! — with Anthony Herbert (third from right) June 24, 2016

This is how the NMU media and Hebert’s hometown media are reporting the story:

NMU Media:

WNMU Radio/TV

MARQUETTE, MI– A Northern Michigan University student has died on campus.

Tuesday afternoon President Fritz Erickson released the following statement:

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Northern Michigan University lost a member of its family today. Sophomore Anthony Herbert of Lapeer, Mich., passed away suddenly in his residence hall room this morning.

Anthony was a construction management major and a member of the Wildcat football team. What caused his passing is unknown at this time, and right now our concern is for Anthony’s family, friends, teammates, coaches and team staff, teachers and fellow students. Northern is providing counseling services to those impacted who need help to deal with this loss. We will be talking with Anthony’s family on their wishes regarding memorial/funeral services and will keep the campus informed as those details become available.

If Anthony was a part of your life, the university community and I offer our deepest sympathy and prayers to you at this time. Anthony will be missed by many.

President Fritz Erickson”

The Northwind:

NMU student and football player, sophomore Anthony Herbert has “passed away suddenly in his residence hall room this morning,” President Erickson said in a statement today.

The reason behind his passing is unknown at this time. The university is offering counseling services to anyone who knew Anthony.

https://www.facebook.com/NMUNorthWind/

Media from player’s area:

Downstate TV Station ABC 12 WJRT:

http://www.abc12.com/content/news/A-college-football-player-with-ties-to-Mid-Michigan-dies-dorm-room-410999765.html

LAPEER (WJRT) – (01/17/17) – A college football player with ties to Mid-Michigan has been found dead in his dorm room.

Anthony Herbet, from Lapeer, was a sophomore at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

ABC12 News has confirmed Herbert suffered some kind of medical emergency in his dorm room Tuesday morning.

A university spokesperson says his roommate called 911 after finding the 20 year old in distress.

First responders got there minutes later and started treating him. They tried multiple times to revive him, but were unable to.

We’re told Herbert was in good health at team workouts and breakfast Tuesday morning.

He was a starter on the football team.

NMU will have counseling services on hand for grieving students and staff.

Herbert was a star offensive lineman during his time at Lapeer High School, where he graduated from in 2015.

His death still under investigation. Police don’t think drugs, alcohol or anything criminal was involved.

MLive:

MARQUETTE, MI — A Northern Michigan University sophomore suffered a medical emergency and died Tuesday following a morning workout with his football teammates.

Attempts by emergency crews to resuscitate 20-year-old Anthony Herbert were unsuccessful, according to an NMU spokesperson.

“What caused his passing is unknown at this time and right now our concern is for Anthony’s family, friends, teammates, coaches and team staff, teachers and fellow students,” said University President Fritz Erickson in a statement.

Herbert participated in an early morning workout Tuesday, Jan. 17 and went to breakfast before returning to his room in Spaulding Hall. There, EMTs were called to his aid after he suffered a medical emergency, officials said.

Soon after the incident, counselors were on site to support Herbert’s friends and teammates. They’ll continue to provide services to those impacted who need help dealing with the loss.

“We will be talking with Anthony’s family on their wishes regarding memorial/funeral services and will keep the campus informed as those details become available,” Erickson said in a statement.”

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U.S. Justice Department Probe of Northern Michigan University policies

Now DOJ has launched a probe at NMU in Great Story Thanks to “FIRE” and reporter Marieke Tuthill Beck-Coon:

This very important story was broken by reporter Marieke Tuthill Beck-Coon with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education:

https://www.thefire.org/doj-opens-investigation-into-northern-michigan-university-self-harm-policies

DOJ Opens Investigation into Northern Michigan University Self-Harm Policies

By Marieke Tuthill Beck-Coon December 21, 2016

Northern Michigan University’s (NMU’s) policies on self-harm have once again brought scrutiny down on the Upper Peninsula school. In Setember of this year, FIRE reported on NMU’s practice of forbidding students from discussing thoughts of self-harm with other students. In response to a national outcry, the administration publicly announced an end to the practice of telling students suspected of having suicidal thoughts that discussing those thoughts with others would result in disciplinary action (although NMU has failed to remove related policies from its student handbook). Now, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation into NMU to determine whether its treatment of students suspected of self-destructive thoughts amounted to disability discrimination under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The DOJ’s investigation is based on a complaint filed on behalf of an NMU student by attorneys for Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc. (MPAS) and the Law Office of Karen Bower. NMU allegedly threatened to disenroll the student after he or she (identifying information is being kept confidential) discussed a mental illness with a friend. This despite the fact that state police, who were called in to investigate by a Resident Director, determined that the student was not in danger. Furthermore, a suicide assessment conducted by the NMU Counseling Center—to which the student acquiesced under pressure from Dean of Students Christine Greer—also determined he or she was not suicidal. In order to remain enrolled, Greer advised the student that he or she would have to sign a Behavioral Agreement that required, among other things, that the student not engage in any discussion of suicidal thoughts or actions with dormitory residents, friends, or any other students. Under protest, the student signed the agreement, which remains in effect today.

FIRE learned of MPAS’ DOJ complaint—as well as a long-pending investigation by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights based on the same facts—after FIRE’s September coverage of NMU brought to light that our organizations were focused on different legal aspects of the same problem: NMU’s practices around self-harm and student mental health. While FIRE’s primary concern is the First Amendment issue in the case, MPAS is a private, nonprofit disability rights organization, designated by the State of Michigan as the agency responsible for protecting and advocating for the legal and human rights of persons with disabilities in Michigan.

The DOJ investigation of MPAS’ complaint provides an opportunity to account for and address some of the extremely troubling open issues that remain regarding NMU’s treatment of students suspected of contemplating or engaging in self-harm. Although the administration quickly moved to quell last fall’s public outcry over its practices by publicly committing to end the practice of forbidding students from discussing self-harm, it left students like MPAS’ client with a number of unanswered questions. Does the administration’s September 26, 2016 statement that “NMU does not forbid, in writing or verbally, students from talking to others about self-harm thoughts[,]” mean that the Behavioral Agreement signed by MPAS’ client no longer applies? Does it mean that current students told by the Dean of Students’ office not to involve their friends in discussion of self-destructive thoughts—at least as recently as the Spring 2016 semester, per student reports to FIRE—are now free to ignore those directives? Do the NMU policies and practices related to self-harm raised in MPAS’ complaint result in unlawful disability discrimination against students?

Just as importantly, will NMU ever be forced to acknowledge and answer for the harm it has already done to so many named and unnamed students and former students? The administration acknowledged that its recently-jettisoned practice of imposing gag orders on the discussion of self-harm had been in place since 2002 and that the Dean of Students’ office sent out 25 to 30 emails per semester threatening students with discipline for reaching out to friends. While NMU’s mistreatment of potentially hundreds of students with mental health needs is staggering, and its response to exposure has been reactive and clumsy, worst of all is the school’s failure to remedy or apologize for past wrongs.   

The stories posted to social media and told to FIRE by students after our September coverage are painful and deserve acknowledgment from NMU. I recently spoke with NMU graduate student Molly Fox, who was hospitalized in January of this year because of self-harm. When Molly left the hospital, she was called in by the head of her department to learn that she had lost her graduate teaching position and her teaching stipend. Then, in early February, she was called in for a meeting with Associate Dean of Students Mary Brundage. At that meeting, she was informed she would not get in any more trouble as long as she had not “involved” any other students in the circumstances surrounding her hospitalization.

Molly had heard about the controversy the previous fall surrounding NMU’s practice of forbidding students from discussing self-harm with other students, had signed a petition on the issue, and even discussed it with the classes she taught. She was surprised that, after all of the public attention, this was still happening to her. She was particularly concerned because her roommates, also graduate students, had taken her to the hospital—so they knew what had happened. She left the meeting with the understanding that if the administration found out her roommates had been involved, she could be kicked out of school. Indeed, she received an email the next day reiterating that she wouldn’t get in any more trouble as long as she hadn’t told anyone of her ordeal.

As Molly finished up work on her graduate Writing degree that semester, she dropped a second concentration in Pedagogy, choosing not to take a required teaching class when she herself was prevented from teaching. She graduated in the spring of this year and is now doing community-based work in Detroit. She sent me comments about her experience this past semester that I would like to share in full. NMU needs to hear them:

What I want is for NMU to take this issue more seriously and with more compassion than they have, and I want them to recognize the harm that this policy has caused. When I was feeling most vulnerable and low, I found very little support from NMU, and was threatened with punishment if I simply reached out to my friends or others in my program. Once again, I found it reiterated that mental illness is something to be ashamed of, not a very real medical issue that I have little control of. I regret not saying something when this happened last February, but I was honestly concerned that I would be kicked out with only a few months left of my program. I focused on my thesis (which is comprised of personal essays that look at mental illness) and just tried to keep my head down and graduate. I felt completely beaten down by everything that had happened, but wish I had pressed harder on it and am happy that it is getting real attention now.

I feel like NMU is trying to sweep this under the rug and quiet down the controversy, but they have a responsibility to the students who’ve been affected by this policy to recognize and apologize for how destructive it was. I love NMU, and the six years I spent there as an undergraduate and graduate student were some of the most influential and important years of my life. But this policy and the way it was enacted made me feel ashamed, scared, and like the school I devoted so much time and energy to was a place I felt almost ashamed to have any connection with. I hope and have confidence that they will take the necessary steps to make this right, and think it’s the least they owe all of the students.

Molly is not the only one who has expressed love of her school community, and faith that the administration will act to reconcile past harms and make the necessary policy changes that still remain. NMU should work to deserve her as an alumna along with everyone else who has expressed such faith. NMU should answer the unanswered questions posed above, offer an apology for its past harms, and work to ensure that all of its policies and practices are compliant with the First Amendment, Title II of the ADA, and other applicable laws.

FIRE hopes that by bringing attention to MPAS’ work on behalf of NMU students, and its open DOJ investigation, we encourage past and present NMU students to continue sharing your stories and contributing your voice to the record by contacting MPAS and FIRE.

Michigan Tech M& M Building Water Leak on Freezing Morning: NMU had leak at Superior Dome on Friday and this morning it happened at MTU

Cold Monday at MTU Minerals and Materials Engineering Building

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director – 1-906-273-2433

(Houghton, MI) – A water pipe reportedly burst water at Michigan Technological University this morning causing a big mess on a morning that has some schools called off due to the dangerously frigid morning.

An alarm triggered about 8:15 this morning at the MTU Minerals and Materials Engineering Building for a reported water sprinkler burst on the 7th floor. However it was later reported as a pipe burst and was causing a mess in the mining education building.

“A frozen sprinkler exploded,” stated the first report.

A few minutes later an update did not bring better news.

“There is a lot of water running on the 7th floor,” stated one witness.  “It’s leaking water everywhere.”

It’s not clear how much damage the leak has caused or how uickly it can be fixed.

Known as the M&M Building, it houses the College of Engineering, the Department of

Biomedical Engineering, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and the Pavlis Honors College (on the 7th floor).

The city of Houghton Fire department was dispatched but cancelled while enroute to the scene. MTU Public Safety was reported on the scene.

On Friday, the NMU Superior Dome offices and other areas were damaged when water leaked apparently from a sprinkler or pipe.

At 3 p.m. Friday, “the water puddle was visible outside the door and freezing,” said a U.P. Breaking News source. “No fire trucks were called. Lots of NMU employees though.”

 

The water was pouring down “against the glass in the entryway,” said our source.

“The drains couldn’t keep up with it and there were no drains close,” our source said.

The flood “cleared everyone out of the building,” sources say.

 

——-

fyi from an MTU Brochure:

Minerals and Materials Engineering Building—12

Known as the M&M, this building houses the College of Engineering, the Department of

Biomedical Engineering, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and the Pavlis Honors College.

The lakeshore section of the M&M has more than 80 labs, and the undergrad labs on

the sixth floor—which include a scanning electron microscope facility—are some of

the best in the nation.

Pavlis Honors College is located on the seventh floor and offers all students the opportunity to customize their degree through industry, innovation, research, service, and global pathways.

The M&M building has one of the few university-run foundries in the nation, and it houses three cutting-edge biomedical engineering research labs: the Regeneration and Repair, Engineered Biomaterials, and Biosensors Laboratories.

Dome sprinklers make for crazy Friday at NMU

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Marquette, MI) – The Superior Dome was apparently flooded today (Fri., Dec. 16, 2016) after the fire sprinklers decided to spread a little holiday cheer at the hot spot for Northern Michigan University athletes.

We are told everyone took the whole event in spirits fitting the season – another exciting Friday of university life in Marquette, MI. Those of us who live on the Chocolay River didn’t expect that 2016 fall food, and its likely nobody was prepared (or dressed) at NMU for a mid-day shower.

At 3 p.m. today, “the water puddle was visible outside the door and freezing,” said a U.P. Breaking News source. “No fire trucks were called. Lots of NMU employees though.”

 

The water was pouring down “against the glass in the entryway,” said our source.

“The drains couldn’t keep up with it and there were no drains close,” our source said.

The flood “cleared everyone out of the building,” sources say.

 

U.P. Breaking News has left a message for the NMU Department of Communications and Marketing and the NMU News Bureau – but so far no info. Sources say the sprinklers flooded the hallways and other areas for at least 10 minutes.

The above photo was reportedly taken after the Dome wash had been going for five minutes. It is not clear if this flood caused thousands of dollars of damage to carpets and other property, but likely insured.

We’d love to hear from anyone who was present as the dome rained.