An organic impact

Football-sized squash and budding tomato orbs grow among a produce section’s variety of herbs and vegetables in what would normally be the front yard of 405 Grove St.

Free yoga helps local art spot

Yoga instructors at the Center for Yoga, Movement & Massage, 1780 E. Grand River Ave., couldn’t stand the thought of an art gallery closing.

Environmental groups push for clean energy

Environmental groups are pushing the Michigan Legislature to enact clean energy policies to help create jobs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Drivers break ties with Big Daddy Taxi

Rodney Biller and Julie Voeller said they stepped through hazy clouds of marijuana smoke when they walked into the office while working at Big Daddy Taxi. Customers hopped into their vans and told them of other drivers smoking marijuana with them and other riders, or handing out beer to MSU freshmen.

Theater company holds auditions

Flap showing for one last week

Republicans concerned over 2008 budget

Although not every department’s budget had been passed, Marsden said it was important to address them now.

Three MSU students in Minneapolis share their reactions to overpass collapse

You can find an MSU student or graduate almost anywhere in the country, and Minneapolis is no exception.

Experts: 'Mich. bridges are safe'

Michigan motorists shouldn't second-guess crossing the state's bridges, despite the state's percentage of "structurally deficient" bridges, experts say. The Interstate 35W bridge that collapsed Wednesday in Minnesota was named "structurally deficient" two years ago.

Word on the street

What do you do to keep cool on hot summer days? "I worked all day in the air conditioning, and now I'm going to class to sit in the heat.

WEB EXTRA: Package causes evacuation of Romney Building

At 9 a.m. a suspicious package was delivered to the George W. Romney Building, 111 South Capitol Ave., Lansing, and by 9:30 a.m.

Bill makes low-income tax credit unlikely

Michigan's Earned Income Tax Credit program could be stopped before it's even started, if a bill being considered by the Senate Finance Committee is passed. The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is a tax measure that would provide a refundable tax credit for low-income workers and families earning a wage below a certain threshold. Passed in 2006, and not scheduled to go into effect until 2008, the EITC would cost the state of Michigan roughly $130 million in tax revenue. But if Senate Bill 662, sponsored by Sen.

18 churches to hold day of prayer

The Capital City Community Action Network, or CCCAN, invites the interfaith community to participate in a day of prayer from 7 a.m.

Safety Carnival to take place Aug. 7

East Lansing National Night Out Safety Carnival will take place from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at Patriarche Park, 1100 Alton Road. National Night Out is a national event and campaign used to aid crime prevention and promote community interaction. Co-sponsored by the East Lansing Police Department and East Lansing Kiwanis Club, attendees can enjoy free hot dogs, chips and drinks, and participate in activities such as a First Aid kit workshop, carnival games and Michigan National Guard climbing wall. For more information, call (517) 319-6813.

'FRESH' choices for less

Greasy chips and candy bars may be a cheap buy, but some farmer's markets provide low-income families and seniors with healthier alternatives at a lower cost. The Meridian Township Farmer's Market, 5151 Marsh Road, in Okemos, offers Project FRESH, a program that provides $20 coupons redeemable for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. "It's rewarding to be able to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to several people who might not be able to get them otherwise," said Earl Threadgould, a Mason farmer and vendor at the market. "The second advantage is, by having them get fruits and vegetables Michigan-grown, it helps people get accustomed to having fruits and vegetables, and they improve their eating habits," Threadgould said. Project FRESH began in 1986 and provides eligible families with coupon booklets to be used from until through Oct.

Police patrols return to standard mileage

Expect to see more Michigan State Police troopers patrolling up and down the highway now that the state has lifted mileage restrictions on the troopers. In March, Michigan's Department of Management and Budget, or DMB, forced state police to limit miles driven while on patrol. "Since March, we've reduced patrol by about one million miles." said Shanon Akans, Michigan State Police spokeswoman.

Businesses prepare for grand opening

Steve Christodoulides has 25 years of restaurant experience under his belt but never before has he opened up an eatery in East Lansing - until now. Christodoulides said people are anxiously awaiting the opening of his new family-owned and operated restaurant, Spartan Gyros, 565 E.

Bikers stop in Lansing

MSU alumnus Ken Blidy joined his Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brothers last year to embark on a 63-day coast-to-coast bicycle tour. It wasn't until he finished the tour when everything came together for him. "It didn't actually hit me until we got to Washington, D.C., and we raised our bikes in the air," he said.

New store to cater to college students

Joe Conrad has catered to the hungry, late-night drunken crowd before. The former MSU student involved in opening the Menna's Joint restaurants is at it again with Conrad's Corner, 228 Abbott Road. Conrad describes his new business, located next to Rick's American Cafe, 224 Abbott Road, as a miniature convenience store. "The store is going to be a glorified concessions stand with more of an emphasis on food," he said.

Photo ID required

With a change in the state's voting policy, casting a ballot in Michigan will require more than just a pen - it'll require photo identification. In a 5-2 decision July 18, the Michigan Supreme Court upheld a 1996 law that required voters to present photo ID every time they voted.