State Roundup

Detroit
Man convicted of enslaving 4 African children

DETROIT (AP) — A federal jury has convicted a Washtenaw County man on charges he enslaved and abused four West African children in his home for several years.
The jury deliberated for less than a day in Detroit’s U.S. District Court before finding Ypsilanti resident Jean-Claude Toviave guilty Tuesday on four counts of forced labor. He faces up to 20 years in prison when he’s sentenced Feb. 6.
Victims testified that Toviave beat them with broomsticks, a toilet plunger and other objects when they failed to obey him. They also allege he deprived them of food and sleep.
Federal authorities say the Togo native brought the victims into the U.S. with fake documents by pretending they were his own children.

Van Buren Twp.
Visteon Corp. says Stafeil to serve as its financial head

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Automotive supplier Visteon has named Jeffrey Stafeil as chief financial officer.
The 42-year-old executive takes over the post on Friday from interim CFO Michael Widgren, who will remain as vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer.
Earlier this month Visteon, the former parts arm of Ford Motor Co., announced that CFO Martin Welch had stepped down from his post.
Stafeil, who will also serve as executive vice president, most recently served as CEO of Dura Automotive Systems LLC. Dura said that Lynn Tilton, founder and CEO of Patriarch Partners will serve as interim CEO until a successor is named.

East Lansing
Michigan State museum gears up for Day of Dead

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan State University Museum is gearing up to celebrate the dead.
The museum on the university’s East Lansing campus is launching its annual Day of the Dead exhibit Thursday with a free program that includes poetry, dance and face-painting. This year’s theme is Latinas in Cinema.
The Day of the Dead — or El dia de los Muertos — marks an ancient Mexican celebration in which families reconnect with and remember departed ancestors..
The installation has been created by Michigan State history professor Juan Javier Pescador. The exhibit in the museum’s  entry hall continues through Nov. 11.

Detroit
Say ‘no’ to soda campaign kicks off with pep rally

DETROIT (AP) — Health care officials, some Detroit elected leaders and high school students are saying “no” to soda.
A monthlong campaign targeting sugary soft drinks kicked off Wednesday afternoon with a pep rally at Detroit Medical Center Sinai-Grace Hospital.
Sinai-Grace Hospital President Dr. Reginald Eadie says “soda pop can lead to weight-control issues and obesity.”