Thousands of bargain hunters braved the chilly darkness across Michigan early Friday morning for a shot at early bird sales. In the Lansing area, shopper turnout mirrored the scene across the state.
Michigan residents are becoming more aware of their state's unhealthy status, according to a recent survey. A majority, or 57 percent, of residents gave the overall health of Michiganians a poor rating.
The East Lansing Winter Festival & Chili Cook-Off will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 4. Some of the activities include a chili cook-off at the Marriott Hotel, 300 M.A.C.
East Lansing city officials want to remind residents that they are responsible for keeping all sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of snow and ice.
After more than a year filled with an eviction, obtaining permits and doing renovations, members of the Quan Am Temple have a new spiritual home in Mason. "It's a good feeling," said Thich Minh Quang, dharma master or monk for the temple.
Potter Park to offer E.L. night of lights Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., is hosting the East Lansing Night at the Zoo from 5 to 8 p.m.
Candidates are emerging to fill the seat of state Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, as talks of holding a special election are still up in the air. Bernero was elected mayor of Lansing and will officially be sworn in after the first of the year.
The parks and recreation advisory commission has an open seat for a term ending Dec. 31, 2006. The City of East Lansing is currently accepting applications for the job.
The city of the Lions, the Tigers and Motown is also the second-most dangerous in the nation, according to a company's rankings based on crime statistics. Detroit comes in behind Camden, N.J., in the 12th annual report, released Monday by Morgan Quitno Press, a publishing and research company.
Smoke-free laws in some states have proven to be beneficial to businesses according to new statistics from the American Cancer Society, although some argue it should be up to business owners to decide if they want to go smoke free. At the beginning of the month, Washington became the 14th state to ban smoking in public places, restaurants and workplaces. One year after New York enacted its smoke-free law in 2003, it showed a 9 percent increase in sales receipts, Judy Stewart, campaign manager for the Campaign for Smokefree Air said.
Downtown Lansing was a blur of festive lights Friday night as "Silver Bells in the City" embarked upon its 21st year.
The American Red Cross is asking Michigan residents to give blood during the holiday season. According to a press release from the Red Cross, eligible blood donors can help save the lives of up to three people and help stop the decrease in blood collections that occurs around the holidays. Okemos Community Church, 4734 Okemos Road, will host a blood drive from 8 a.m.
Burning couches and dispersed tear-gas canisters will forever remain engraved in the memory of former East Lansing City Councilmember Bill Sharp. "The on-going unrest between the students and townsfolk really bothers me," he said.
The Potter Park Zoo in Lansing will feature holiday light displays this season, including lighted lion, bear, llama, giraffe, monkey, fox and penguin structures.
The due date for bulk leaf collection for the city has been prolonged into early December due to inconvenient weather conditions and a behind schedule leaf drop. Residents should rake their leaves to the curb as soon as possible to have their leaves collected by the city.
Campus bus service by the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, will end at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Redevelopment plans for the vacant Citizens Bank headquarters and (SCENE) Metrospace art gallery are slated to include the MSU Museum, high-end residential living and office space, and they could be finalized by January. The potential eight- to 10-story structure, located near the intersection of Abbott Road and Grand River Avenue, would most likely include restaurants, three floors of the MSU Museum — to be moved from its on campus location — and loft-style residential units, said the project's developer Scott Chappelle, president of Strathmore Development. The project, previously City Center II, was renamed the Michigan Museum Place, and would have to go before the East Lansing Planning Commission and City Council for approval once plans are finalized.
With the first dusting of snow Wednesday, a Lansing overnight shelter run by Volunteers of America had to have six men sleep on the floor because the shelter was full. "You get a higher demand," said Patrick Patterson, vice president of Lansing operations for Volunteers of America.
A certain smiley face might be frowning this week as many in the MSU community join a national campaign challenging the superstore, Wal-Mart, to become a better corporate citizen. As part of Wal-Mart Higher Expectations Week, more than 1,200 events in each state, including protests, legislative town hall meetings and screenings of a new documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" have been organized, said Nu Wexler, spokesman for Wal-Mart Watch. The nonprofit organization has been working to publicize allegations that the superstore practices discrimination against employees, other corporations and the environment all in an effort to keep prices low. Wexler said the name of the week was a spin-off on a statement once made by Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. "He used to tell his employees that high expectations are the key to everything and we certainly agree," Wexler said.
Millions of dollars in renovations to the Lansing Center will bring more people into the city. At least, that's what the Lansing City Council hopes. "We need to keep the Lansing Center viable," City Council President Sandy Allen said.