MICHIGAN

911 dispatch center to combine E.L., Lansing

Emily Wilkins

October 11, 2010

A new building for a 911 call center, combining the current East Lansing and Lansing dispatch center, will cost more than projected, however county officials said the county still is saving money. Five years ago, the county first looked into combining the dispatch centers and hired Plante & Moran, a consultant firm, to perform a study on consolidating the centers, Ingham County Deputy Controller John Neilsen said.

MICHIGAN

City of E.L. to provide free waste pickup

Andrew Krietz

October 11, 2010

The city of East Lansing will offer free pickup of yard waste and leaves prior to the start of winter. Prior to 7:30 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Five guys opens E.L. location

Alanna Thiede

October 7, 2010

Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened Thursday in East Lansing, giving the local area a fresh perspective on a signature fare. The first day of business for the restaurant, 623 E.

MICHIGAN

Bars debate installing Breathalyzer machine

Karen Confer

October 6, 2010

Most MSU students consider a night of drinking that ends in a Breathalyzer test a bad night. But if East Lansing bars choose to follow a growing Big Ten trend, ending with a Breathalyzer test could become the norm for many students.

MICHIGAN

E.L. city council seeks input on ordinance

Lauren McKown

October 6, 2010

The East Lansing City Council is looking for community feedback on the local implementation of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.

MICHIGAN

E.L. City Council rejects rental license

Alanna Thiede

October 6, 2010

East Lansing City Council denied an application for a rental license, which has been in the process for more than a year, at its Tuesday night meeting at City Hall, 410 Abbot Road.

MICHIGAN

E.L. Police Chief accepts job in Texas

Emily Wilkins

October 5, 2010

After 25 years of service in the East Lasing Police Department, East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert will leave the ELPD at the end of this month. This morning, Wibert received an offer from the police department in New Braunfels, Texas for the job as Chief of Police.

MICHIGAN

Fire Prevention Week spreads awareness

Jason Pearson

October 4, 2010

Monday was the beginning of Fire Prevention Week, a national initiative to heat up discussion about fire prevention safety and education. The theme for this year — “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!” — is aimed at smoke alarm systems and their importance in fire prevention.

MICHIGAN

Bill to deny bridge card use in casinos

Karen Confer

October 4, 2010

MSU students strapped for cash no longer will be able to use their Bridge Cards to support a weekend at the casino, if a bill passed unanimously by the Senate Sept. 21 becomes law.

MICHIGAN

Rental license applications to be discussed by council

Alanna Thiede

October 4, 2010

A rental license application, that has faced many delays in processing, will be discussed at East Lansing City Council’s Tuesday night meeting at City Hall, 410 Abbot Road.

MICHIGAN

Michigan Ban on synthetic weed in effect

Lauren McKown

October 4, 2010

East Lansing stores were forced to immediately remove a popular marijuana substitute, K2, from shelves and explain the product’s ban, after the substance became illegal across the state Friday after Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed bipartisan legislation, Thursday.

MICHIGAN

Diamond Dash benefits participants, charity

Jason Pearson

October 3, 2010

A cell phone was the game piece, and downtown East Lansing and MSU’s campus were the interactive game board in the second annual “Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamond Dash,” Sunday afternoon.

MICHIGAN

Oktoberfest celebrates German heritage

Alanna Thiede

October 3, 2010

Glass steins full of frothy beer and spätzle with schnitzle, combined with lively polka dancing on a brisk fall evening, made for a festive weekend at Old Town’s Oktoberfest in Lansing.

MICHIGAN

Coalition to host coal alternative planning session

Lauren McKown

September 30, 2010

The MSU Sierra Student Coalition will host a planning session to encourage MSU to end its use of coal energy on campus at 7:30 p.m. today in Room 114 of Berkey Hall.

MICHIGAN

Report: Cost of living in E.L. one of lowest in area

Megan Durisin

September 29, 2010

The city of East Lansing’s cost of living is one of the lowest compared to surrounding communities, according to the 2010 Mid-Michigan Residential Cost Comparison.

MICHIGAN

Voter registration gets students involved

Karen Confer

September 29, 2010

Under tents decorated with red, white and blue balloons, packaging sophomore Kelsey O’Keefe signed her name on her voter registration application, planning to vote in the Nov.

MICHIGAN

E.L. Farmer's market to accept Bridge card

Alanna Thiede

September 29, 2010

Local residents now have a bridge to fresh food because of an initiative at the East Lansing Farmer’s Market.

MICHIGAN

Student pleads not guilty in thefts

Emily Wilkins

September 29, 2010

Lyman Briggs sophomore Nicholas Tisdale pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon in Detroit’s 36th District Court on charges of receiving and concealing stolen property, said Todd Flood, managing partner of Flood Lanctot Connor Stablein, PLLC.

MICHIGAN

House, Senate pass final budget bills

Karen Confer

September 29, 2010

The state House and Senate passed the final budget bills Wednesday in advance of their Friday deadline, avoiding a government shutdown. Both houses passed the higher education budget Tuesday, approving a 2.8 percent funding cut to MSU and other public universities.

MICHIGAN

MSU candidate proposes tuition freeze

Karen Confer

September 29, 2010

MSU students could see a tuition freeze if law student Kyle Haubrich is elected to the state Senate.