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E.L. to teach children about snow, winter
The East Lansing Public Library will have a children's program from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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Thousands sign new petition to ban race, gender admissions preferences
In its first victory in a two-year effort to ban race and gender-based preferences in university admissions and government hiring and contracts, The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative submitted a petition of more than 508,000 signatures to state election officials Thursday. MCRI began the petition effort in response to the U.S.
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Comic store gets new owner, look
On Grand River Avenue Monday afternoon, a fleet of metallic soldiers were in the middle of warfare. They glared menacingly across a dark stone canyon at their enemies, who stood ready to obliterate them with laser cannons. But the warriors were only two inches tall and kept under glass as part of a new battle scene diorama at 21st Century Comics & Games, 515 E.
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Bill to fund pregnancy help centers passes
MSU could be one of several colleges to receive a pilot program to help pregnant college students continue their education without having an abortion. The Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Act was signed by Gov.
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Saltwater aquarium demo at library today
The East Lansing Public Library will host a session called "Go Fish!" at 7 p.m. today that teaches how to create a saltwater aquarium. Taught by David Annis, who has years of experience with saltwater aquariums, the event will explain how to design an aquarium, what kinds of fish and equipment to buy and how to properly care for one. The program is free to the public.
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Police: E.L. saw few arrests during break
All was quiet on the MSU and East Lansing crime front this winter break as students went home and temperatures dropped, police officials said. At MSU's Department of Police and Public Safety office, there were no criminal complaints documented from Dec.
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Muscles flex after New Year
Working out side-by-side on stationary bikes at East Lansing's Powerhouse Gym, friends Michael Nye and Brandon Scott are staying true to their New Year's resolutions to get in shape. The MSU College of Law students are two gym members who help make January busy as new memberships skyrocket at local gyms after the holiday season. Rob Caputo, an employee at Powerhouse Gym, 435 E.
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WEB ONLY: Weather creates few problems as students travel back to campus
After a three-week break, MSU students and faculty traveled back to East Lansing on Sunday with few problems from the weekend's snowstorm.
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Competition closes E.L. Gap
With three other stores in the Lansing area, the East Lansing Gap permanently closed in December. East Lansing city officials said its downtown establishment, 435 E.
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East Village 'blighted'
During break, the East Lansing City Council officially designated the East Village blighted. The council approved a motion to deem the properties, which include Cedar Village, an area of community rehabilitation, revitalization and renewal, with a vote of 4-1. Comprised of 35 acres, the blighted area is bounded at the north and south by Grand River Avenue and the Red Cedar River, and on the east and west by Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road. "We are trying to provide many tools to redevelop the area," said Tim Dempsey, the city's community and economic development administrator. The designation makes the city more attractive for state incentives, like financial help, Dempsey said. While the city plans to use the title as a tool, some students feel it might have a negative impact. "We aren't in support of being included in that area," said Cody Dawson, vice president of external relations for the Interfraternity Council.
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BoarsHead considers relocation
Shakespeare might soon have to hang his collared tunic at another address. The BoarsHead Professional Theatre, 425 S.
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City technology centers attract businesses
As Lansing and East Lansing officials move toward creating a technology center to attract high-tech businesses, similar centers in the state are already seeing positive results. Commonly referred to as SmartZones, the technology hot spots are located in 10 other Michigan cities, including Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Both SmartZones were established in 2002, officials said. The Grand Rapids SmartZone is located downtown and is working with 15 new businesses, said Susan Shannon, Grand Rapids' economic development director. Success has come through partnerships between the city, medical facilities and Grand Valley State University, Shannon said. "That core group has partnered very closely to bring all the resources necessary to the area," she said.
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Lansing hosts workshop
In an attempt to maintain their coolness factor, or become a "Cool City," local Michigan officials gathered Thursday at the Lansing Center for a community development workshop. The seminar, "Tipping to Cool: Next Steps in Linking Culture, Community and the Economy" is a continuation of the "Cool Cities" initiative began by Gov.
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Part of Coolidge Road open to 2-way traffic
The portion of Coolidge Road north of Grand River Avenue, which has been closed to southbound traffic in previous years, opened as a two-way road on Tuesday. Traffic can now turn off Saginaw Street onto Coolidge Road to travel south to Grand River Avenue.
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Bill aims for easier hunting donations
Michigan hunters will have an easier time donating their game to the hungry if a recently passed House bill becomes law. The bill, introduced by Rep.
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New term begins for Ingham County sheriff
Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth was sworn into a new term Wednesday afternoon. The event marked the beginning of Wriggelsworth's fifth term as sheriff.
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Tree burning display at LCC teaches fire safety
By Jennifer Dodyk Special for The State News Firefighters from the Lansing Fire Department stressed the importance of fire safety and awareness to middle school students at a yearly Christmas tree burning demonstration in Lansing.
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Ingham County chief assistant prosecutor named to fill empty position
The Ingham County prosecutor appointed a new chief assistant prosecutor to fill the vacancy left by Joyce Draganchuk, who was elected to the Circuit Court.
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Debt prompts officials to rethink parking plans
The newly built City Center parking ramp and a more efficient bus system have caused an increased debt in the city's parking system, officials said. Although parking revenues increased from $2.8 million to $3 million between 2003 and 2004, the expenses are more than the city's parking income, said Joe Heffernan of Plante & Moran. East Lansing Assistant Finance Director Connie Larkin said the debt has increased over the last four years because there are more operating expenses for additional parking, including paying for maintenance and staffing the parking lots. "Service costs are the biggest problem," Larkin said. The city overbuilt the newer structures because it was cheaper than building more in the future, but it now owes several million dollars on the lot, she said. "In the past, we were always short parking when we were doing development and we certainly didn't want to end up with that problem," Larkin said. She also said less people are driving downtown due to a more efficient Capital Area Transportation Authority system. The addition of shopping at Eastwood Towne Center in Lansing Township and a lack of downtown business diversity slowed parking usage as well, she said. The parking system also loses money when the city collects for parking tickets because it goes to the courts instead, a system which Larkin said the city is working to change. East Lansing City Councilember Vic Loomis, who is on the city's parking task force, said a substantial expansion of parking on MSU's campus is another reason for a drop in cars downtown, but that all the factors have an impact. "All of them taken into consideration put real pressure onto the revenues of the parking system," Loomis said. Dan O'Connor, East Lansing parking administrator, said his department is looking at different technologies that could attract more downtown parking patrons. O'Connor said central pay stations that accept credit cards and cash are options for replacing meters. "We're trying to accommodate the customers," he said. Larkin said although the credit card system will be an added cost, it is a good service to provide customers and hopefully keep them downtown. Since money is tight, Larkin said the city is also considering privatizing the parking program. "We're going to work as hard as we possibly can to solve these problems and try to not create more," she said. O'Connor said the parking department is hopeful that the improvements will help bring drivers back. "Right now, we're holding our own," he said.
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New council to foster Mich. economy, job development
The Michigan economy and the number of residents with a college degree will each gain some needed attention through the formation of a council on Tuesday by Gov.