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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

WEB ONLY: 5K run to raise money for food banks

The Lansing Dietetic Association will sponsor a "Food & Fitness 5K" run and walk to raise money for area food banks Saturday. The event, which will take place at Hawk Island County Park in Lansing, also will include a children's run, face-painting, a clown and a milk-mustache photo booth.

MICHIGAN

2 'U' profs named to environmental board

As experts in different forms of science, two MSU professors will serve on the Michigan Environmental Science Board. College of Agriculture Professor Joan Bray Rose is as interested in Michigan's water as MSU-DCL College of Law and College of Natural Science Professor Nicholas Mercuro is interested in how Michigan's financial state affects the environment. Established in 1992, the board serves as an independent state agency, aiding in the governor's decisions about environmental and natural resources.

MICHIGAN

Murder suspects head to pretrial hearings

Two men charged with the murder and attempted murder of two Lansing men at an East Lansing convenience store are expected to appear in court this week. Detroit residents Eric Charles Gordy, 35, and 29-year-old Hatarie Deamont McCorkle were charged on March 2 with the murder of Joseph Lavon Parker, a 34-year-old Lansing resident, and attempted murder of 32-year-old George Whitfield, also of Lansing. Gordy and McCorkle now are scheduled to appear in a pretrial hearing at 1 p.m.

MICHIGAN

New state legislation looks to minimize distractions to drivers

A host of bills aimed to limit distractions to Michigan drivers currently is before the state Legislature. Motorists who drive with an animal in their laps might face penalties if one bill in the Legislature becomes law. Another bill, before a state House committee, would make it illegal to breast-feed while operating a vehicle, and a third seeks to add points to a motorist's license if cell phone use is found to be the cause of an accident. Although each piece of legislation limits different activities, legislators say the underlying purpose is clear: to cut down on the amount of distracting activities people can perform while driving. "The only thing behind this bill is safety," said Arika Pearlman, an aide to Rep.

MICHIGAN

Family, friends remember slain Grand Ledge man

Jeffrey Friedlis, a man said to have made his family proud and taught his students to believe in themselves, was honored on Saturday in a memorial service. Friedlis, of Grand Ledge, 29, was found shot to death March 11 at the Institute of Traditional Asian Martial Arts, 130 W.

MICHIGAN

'Bad driver' bill awaits governor's signature

Michigan residents who have paid fines for failure to provide proof of insurance to police officers might soon have the opportunity to receive reimbursement. Legislation was passed Wednesday that would amend laws passed last year intended to punish people who drive without having car insurance. Under current laws, referred to as "bad driver" laws, drivers could pay fees reaching up to $435 over a two-year period in addition to $300 in assessments for failure to provide proof of insurance. The amendment would allow Michigan residents who can prove before the court that they had insurance at the time of citation to only pay a $25 administrative fee, which was charged before "bad driver" laws were put in place.

MICHIGAN

City seeks talent for 'Veggie' variety show

The City of East Lansing is asking for individuals or groups to participate in the second annual Vegetable Soup Variety Show. Last year's show included comedy, music and theater routines. Applications are due by April 9 and can be picked up at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, or found online at cityofeastlansing.com. The East Lansing Prime Time Seniors' Program and the Hot Spot Teen Club will host the event at 6 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Dunnings to run again

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III has announced his plans to run for re-election as the county's head lawyer. The position is a four-year term and pays about $100,000 a year.

MICHIGAN

Elementary students get brainy with help from 'U'

At the front of teacher Dennis McCarthy's fifth-grade classroom, a group of students gathered excitedly around a table, eyes wide, whispering to each other. They weren't staring at the latest toy - they were touching real human and animal brains. As a part of Brain Awareness Week, sponsored by the Society for Neuroscience, MSU faculty and graduate students traveled this week to more than 10 local elementary, middle and high schools with hands-on presentations about the organ. McCarthy's class attends the Grand River Elementary Magnet School, 1107 E.

MICHIGAN

Arrest tally normal for Irish holiday

While many people flocked to downtown bars or held parties of their own to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Wednesday, police said arrests and incidents were normal for the holiday. "There was nothing out of the ordinary," said East Lansing police Capt.

MICHIGAN

Professor to be honored in ceremony

Colleagues and friends of Ruth Simms Hamilton have planned a memorial service and symposium to honor the former MSU professor's life and work. "This memorial service will be an opportunity for the campus community to celebrate the life of one of its most distinguished colleagues," said David Campbell, associate dean of the College of Social Science. Hamilton, 66, was found dead in her Meridian Township home on Nov.

MICHIGAN

New whiskey targets college crowd with local promotions

A new 100-proof liquor is making its way to local shot glasses this week as the product is unveiled in various Midwestern college towns. The Cutty Black whiskey, distributed by Skyy Spirits LLC, is being geared toward a college-age demographic with a "dedication to American male culture and the timeless feeling of American rock n' roll." Promotional parties at East Lansing and Lansing bars and restaurants include Michigan's "100 Proof Girls," nine scantily clad women tying into the liquor's advertisements that feature medieval, fantasy-themed women. "Cutty Black is an edgy, irreverent brand targeting consumers in these high-energy markets who are on the cutting edge of music and trends and enjoy a pleasure-seeking lifestyle," said Marc Bromfeld, a brand manager at Skyy Spirits LLC., in an e-mail to The State News.