For the more than 600,000 people who used Amtrak trains last year to travel, possible state budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year might end their way of traveling around the country. Celeste Shoulders, a supervisor in the Eli Broad College of Business, said she uses the Amtrak train about 30 times a year to visit family and friends.
A budget shortfall that left an East Lansing low-cost clinic reeling this May hasn't improved, and the 34-year-old clinic might have to close its doors in July. Local nonprofit Gateway Community Services, 2875 Northwind Drive, runs several programs, including a runaway shelter, a youth crisis intervention center and a free or low-cost medical clinic.
MSU student Scott Posthumus watched as his East Lansing home was ravaged by fire on Saturday. By 4 a.m., he had landed in jail, he said. Posthumus, a finance junior, was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of being loud, boisterous and disorderly, his mother Cindi Posthumus said. "I stood right there and watched the whole thing in disbelief," she said of the arrest. A faulty electrical outlet was the probable cause of the fire that started in the garage of the house at 404 Evergreen Ave.
City officials, students and local residents said a peaceful relationship among the three groups is being hindered by a lack of communication and city ordinances. Students and residents negatively stereotype each other, East Lansing's Deputy City Manager Jean Golden said, adding that once students and residents start socially interacting, those stereotypes will be broken down. "If I know you as an individual, I'm going to be much less likely to stereotype you when I see you on the street," Golden said. However, family community services senior Sara Johnson said it's hard for students and residents to be cordial. "The student population changes from year to year, so it's not the same students that are doing bad things," she said. But East Lansing residents aren't the problem, "it's the city," interdisciplinary studies in social sciences junior Starr Jones said. City officials are making it hard for students to have financial stability with charges such as paying a monthly fee to have a trash can, Jones said. "City Council is only interested with getting our parents' money," she said. East Lansing resident Jayme Theis, 27, agreed with Jones, and said the general vibe from residents is that they're trying to push students out of the neighborhoods. Theis said city leaders are aiding the residents by relocating students to the northern part of the city and by not allowing additional rental home licenses in the area. But City Manager Ted Staton said students and residents are misinformed. The city recently approved a rental-home license and hundreds of new apartment licenses for East Lansing, he said. Staton also said it is not true that East Lansing officials want students to move away from the city. "It couldn't be further from the truth," he said.
East Lansing residents will have an opportunity to get a peek at the inner workings of the city's public works and recycling center this evening. The East Lansing Department of Public Works will hold a dedication ceremony from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
A professor from the University of Baghdad will speak about women's struggles in Iraq in a presentation at a local church Friday. The presentation, titled "Through My Eyes: A Woman's Struggle for Peace in War Torn Iraq," will showcase Professor Naba Saleem Hamid and other women's experiences in Iraq at 7 p.m.
A cocktail party to benefit the group End Violent Encounters, or EVE, will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Two people were arrested and charged with an armed robbery that occurred in Chandler Crossings apartments early last week. The Bath Township Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident. Jawan Laderdale and Frederick Lilly were arraigned on felony charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm on Wednesday.
Michigan senators approved the higher-education portion of the state budget on Thursday that provides funding for public universities and colleges. Senate Bill 273, which now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration, might provide a total 1-percent increase to universities and a total higher-education increase of 3.1 percent, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency. MSU would receive an increase in funding by 0.6 percent, according to that analysis. Northern Michigan University and Wayne State University received significant cuts under the proposed budget. Senators also held a hearing on Thursday to look at another bill that might increase state funding by up to 5 percent. The bill, which was introduced in February, would increase state funding to K-16 by no more than 5 percent, or by an inflationary rate based on the cost of living, said Sen.
George Boissineau, a carpenter from North Branch, waits for the grand entry at the Riverbank Traditional Pow Wow on Saturday afternoon.
The owners of Sandhill Crane Vineyards in Jackson gathered in their tasting room, swirling and smelling a dry red wine Sonata made from their own winery. "This is a retirement for my husband, his sister and I," said Alice Moffatt, co-owner of Sandhill Crane Vineyards.
The jubilant man who appeared on the front page of Tuesday's edition of The State News might look like a crazed Michael Jackson fan, but he is actually an actor and writer on the late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live." The man identified in the caption as Jake Byrd is really Tony Barbieri and was pictured rejoicing after Monday's acquittal.
A senate hearing today at 8:30 a.m. will provide expert opinion and information on funding dealing with a bill that might increase state funding for public schools and universities. Senate Bill 246, which was introduced in February, would increase state funding for grades K-16 by either a 5-percent increase or to reflect inflation increases, said Sen.
Complete with food, music and wine tasting, the sixth annual Festival of the Sun will be taking place on Saturday in Lansing. The festival is a fundraiser to help improve the area of Lansing known as Old Town, Marketing Coordinator Lesly Burgamy said. "This is an opportunity to celebrate the start of the summer," Burgamy said.
Two Michigan women have filed a federal lawsuit attacking Michigan's newest constitutional amendment that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman.
Every time Christy Allen drives past the empty space above Gary's Campus Hair Salon, she said she feels heartbroken. For about six years, it was a place where she and fellow members of MSU's Campus Crusade for Christ used as a downtown hangout. "That place brings back so many memories," said Allen, a psychology and studio art senior. But the group had to end their lease on June 1 due to a limited budget. Allen said she'll miss the former 547 Place, named after its Grand River Avenue address, where Campus Crusade for Christ members gathered after weekly meetings. "It (was) a casual place where kids can just come and be themselves, instead of worried about sticking to the norm," she said.
College might be more affordable for future high school graduates if a proposal to change the Michigan Merit Award program, penned by a class of college students, gets the governor's approval. Six Central Michigan University students went before the state Senate on Wednesday to present a new plan for the award that would increase the scholarship from $2,500 to $5,000. As part of the Michigan Merit Award program, the state provides two annual payments of $1,250 to students who meet or exceed Michigan standards on all four Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests and perform 40 hours of community service.
As tourists and residents venture out to swim in one of the many Lansing-area lakes this summer, they won't have to worry about contaminants that might be swimming with them. In an effort to keep beachgoers informed of the water quality in area lakes and watersheds, samples of water from various locations are collected each week by the Ingham County Health Department to be tested for harmful contaminants. "It makes sense for it to be clean; it is a matter of health," said Meghan Burns, sanitarian for the department and an MSU alumna.
"There are less parties; in order to do things you have to travel because there are less things going on on campus.
The East Lansing Hannah Community Center will provide a Summer Study program for students in sixth through eighth grades to help with their study habits.