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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

New council members look to revitalize city with youth

Lansing's student population could increase if the new Lansing council members have anything to do with it. Newly elected members Tim Kaltenbach and Kathie Dunbar both said they want Lansing to be more attractive to younger people and want to give the city a night life. "I'd like to see our downtown open at night, with galleries and shopping and restaurants and coffee houses that are open," Dunbar said.

MICHIGAN

Apartments to replace destroyed home

A three-story apartment complex with space for 12 occupants will be constructed on Evergreen Avenue where the hollowed remains from a June house fire still stand. Each four-person apartment will include four bedrooms, a kitchen and living space, said the property's owner Matt Hagan, an agent with Hagan Reality Inc. A parking lot for at least 12 cars will be located behind the complex, he said. Hagan owned the house at 404 Evergreen Ave., north of campus near the Valley Court Park, when a June fire caused an estimated $175,000 in damages. Hagan decided to submit plans for a small apartment building because the house would be too costly to repair, and the property's proximity to campus would be attractive to students.

MICHIGAN

Groups protest SN editorial cartoon, support U.S. military troops

About 25 people gathered outside of The State News, 435 E. Grand River Ave., on Monday in response to Friday's editorial cartoon. From about 1 to 3 p.m., protesters occupied both sides of the street in front of the building chanting, passing out information about the cartoon and carrying signs and an American flag. The cartoon, by State News cartoonist Mike Ramsey, featured a World War II veteran saying "I liberated a torture camp back in '45" to a modern-day soldier. The soldier, shown holding a bloody baseball bat with a nail at the end, responds by saying "I work in one." International relations junior Dave Coogan participated in the protest and said the cartoon's release on Veterans Day was distasteful. "I was really disappointed in The State News," Coogan said.

MICHIGAN

Bill could revise gun laws

Kris Turner
November 15, 2005

While deer hunters across the state gather their guns for opening day, legislation in the state House could make it easier for people to transport firearms in their vehicles. According to Michigan law, it is illegal to transport a firearm unless the owner has a hunting license, is traveling to or from a firing range or has a concealed weapons permit. The legislation would amend the state law to allow people who own firearms to transport them in the trunk of a vehicle, while unloaded, without a hunting license or a concealed weapons permit.

MICHIGAN

Changes proposed for condom labels

Jennifer Toland
November 14, 2005

In an effort to better educate consumers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants condom labels to warn that they are not effective in preventing all types of STDs — especially those transferred by skin-on-skin contact. If the aim of this change is to provide better information for condom users, rather than scare people, Olin Health Center Health Coordinator Dennis Martell said he thinks it is a good idea. "Any time you can give knowledge to anyone using contraceptives, it helps them make better decisions," he said.

MICHIGAN

Senate votes to protect private land

Michigan senators approved legislation this week to keep governments from seizing landowners' private property for public use. A constitutional amendment passed 35-3 which would change the state constitution to keep governments from forcing private landowners to sell their land to be used by governments for economic development or increased tax revenues.

MICHIGAN

Fieger denies Cox's claim

Kris Turner
November 11, 2005

It's still unclear how Republican Attorney General Mike Cox's admission that he had an extramarital affair, or his accusation that Geoffrey Fieger was going to blackmail him about it, could affect the 2006 attorney general's race. "The big question is whether or not anybody is going to be charged with a crime," said Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, a Lansing-based political newsletter.

MICHIGAN

LCC East plans for expansion

Bob Darrow
November 11, 2005

Officials at Lansing Community College announced plans Thursday to expand their newly opened east campus by spring semester. Lansing Community College East, 2827 Eyde Parkway, is a two-story facility located south of Hannah Plaza off Hagadorn Road. The eight-classroom second floor opened this fall, and about 500 students are currently enrolled in classes there. The expansion will complete the first floor of the building — adding six more classrooms and pushing the size of the center to 20,000 square feet. The first floor was still under construction Thursday, with unfinished drywall, but should be completed by January. The finished facility will be able to accommodate 3,000 students, but enrollment this spring will likely be closer to 1,000, said Jean Morciglio, LCC's executive director for strategic enrollment management. College officials took a "wait and see" approach to completing the building, Morciglio said.

MICHIGAN

Special election still in question

With Virg Bernero's election as Lansing's new mayor on Tuesday, defeating incumbent Tony Benavides, an empty seat will be left by the Democrat in the state Senate. State Rep.

MICHIGAN

Cold case reopened, new information found

Margaret Harding
November 9, 2005

New information obtained from North Carolina has caused Lansing police officers to place a 1999 murder case into active investigation status, a news release from the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office stated. Officers with the Raleigh Police Department contacted Lansing police after finding information while executing a search warrant of resident Drew Planten's home on Oct.

MICHIGAN

Word on the street

Heather Holcomb no-preference freshman "No. I just turned 18 yesterday and I'm from Dallas, Texas, so I don't know how that works.

MICHIGAN

Mich. considers small-business tax cut

Kris Turner
November 9, 2005

The state legislature and Gov. Jennifer Granholm hammered out an agreement last week that would provide for more than $3 billion in funds for job creation and a cut in the small-business tax. The bills would cut the tax by 0.05 percent starting in 2009. By cutting the small-business tax, employers can create more jobs statewide and help the economy, said Ari Adler, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming. "One of the things we need to do in Michigan is become more competitive with our taxes," he said.

MICHIGAN

2 youths driving stolen car to face charges

Margaret Harding
November 9, 2005

The two youths found driving a stolen car in Lansing on Friday will face charges of receiving and concealing stolen property, according to Lansing Community College Police and Public Safety. The car was taken from Ramp 2, which is near Bessey Hall, on Oct.

MICHIGAN

Groups drive voters to polls

Kristi Jourdan
November 9, 2005

Local voters took advantage of free rides on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the East Lansing City Council election. The MSU College Democrats and the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, both offered free services to help people get to the polls.

MICHIGAN

New U.S. citizens take oath

By Amy Oprean Special to The State News Bernadetta Kozakiewicz, 32, smiled as she walked up the aisle of the Howell High School Freshman Campus auditorium on Monday — in hand, a certificate declaring her a citizen of the United States. "I wanted to feel important too," said the dental assistant, who lives in Auburn Hills.