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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Number of hits increases at Mich. Web site

Alessa Thomas
October 23, 2003

The state Web site is getting more attention this year than ever before, according to a survey conducted by MSU's nonpartisan Institute for Public Policy & Social Research. In the past year, 64 percent of Internet users in Michigan visited the state Web site, compared to 59 percent in 2002. Michigan's Department of Information Technology reported in September 2002 that the site's main page received 1.75 million hits.

MICHIGAN

State apple crop booming

Bethany Chismark
October 22, 2003

After being left with a sour taste from last year's apple season, apple lovers throughout the state are excited about the size, quality and quantity of this year's crop. According to the Michigan Apple Committee, Michigan has about 1,100 orchards, with about 200 acres each.

MICHIGAN

ELPD host meetings with students

Alessa Thomas
October 22, 2003

In a relationship strained with riots and a heightened noise policy, the East Lansing police continue monthly meetings with MSU students to alleviate concerns. The East Lansing Police Department began the Police/Student Relations Committee after the March 27-28, 1999 riot.

MICHIGAN

Web site offers free food to students

Scott Bartosiewicz
October 21, 2003

Students short on cash can get free food, pick-up or delivery from one of four East Lansing restaurants simply by logging onto a Web site. Campusfood.com, a network of collegiate restaurants, provides an Internet ordering service and is sponsoring the free food promotion along with Sidestreets Deli, The Pita Pit, D.P.

MICHIGAN

Lansing candidates hold debate

Lansing mayoral candidates Tony Benavides and Virg Bernero met on campus Monday, in the first and only "official" debate of the 2003 election, to challenge each other's views on issues including same-sex benefits, public safety and recent allegations. The two men came together at the WKAR television studios in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building for the debate, which was moderated by "Off the Record" host Tim Skubick and WKAR radio host Matt Ferguson.

MICHIGAN

Dogs dress up for Halloween

Agnes Soriano Special for The State News From demonic dogs to princess poodles, owners disguised their pets in creative costumes and masqueraded more than 20 of them Saturday at the Walk in the Woods Halloween Costume Party. The contest categories included "Looks Most Like Owner," "Scariest Costume," "Most Creative Costume" and "Looks Most Like a TV/Movie Celebrity." The dogs competed for the ultimate prize: A huge basket of doggie toys and treats. The event, hosted by the Friends of Greater Lansing Dog Parks, brought in an estimated $200.

MICHIGAN

Red Cross simulates disaster

As marketing junior and mock tornado victim Theresa Watts entered the simulated disaster shelter Saturday, she was surrounded by Red Cross volunteers eager to assist her and other victims. As Watts registered her name in the makeshift shelter of a local church, she was handed a folded blanket and a small white bag full of toiletries to last about a week.

MICHIGAN

Drum circle bangs up as open mike alternative

Mike Townsend Special for The State News A pounding cadence sounded out into the streets near Caffe Latte Friday night - Team Mania was holding its biweekly drum circle. A circle of about 15 people, including two first-time drummers, gathered to play at the coffee shop at 110 Charles St. "It's a lot of fun," drummer Manuela Kress said.

MICHIGAN

'U' community tapped by Bush

Brian Charlton
October 20, 2003

Two MSU students and Trustee Dave Porteous were named to the Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election leadership team Friday alongside veteran politicians, established business executives and millionaires.The early "grass-roots" campaign comes about a year before the 2004 election and focuses on states that were won or lost by less than 5-point margins in the 2000 election, said Marc Racicot, campaign chair for Bush-Cheney '04 from the Marriott East Lansing University Place, 300 M.A.C.

MICHIGAN

Education creates awareness for Domestic Violence Month

Meghan Gilbert
October 17, 2003

Lansing - Area residents are using education to respond to widespread domestic assault during Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October. In 2002, Lansing had almost 500 domestic assault arrests, the Lansing Police Department reported. "The only way that we break this cycle is if we educate people that this is what happens in domestic violence cases," said Judge Amy Krause of the Lansing 54-A District Court, the keynote speaker at a vigil at the Capitol on Tuesday evening. Several area support groups, including MSU Safe Place, Capital Area Response Effort and End Violent Encounters, Inc., collaborated in events which have drawn victims, survivors and advocates to create awareness for the national concern. In a rally Thursday afternoon, 75 people from across the state gathered at the Capitol to ask for clemency for 20 women.

MICHIGAN

E.L. firefighters reach 4-year deal

Steve Eder
October 16, 2003

More than 14 months after their contract expired, East Lansing firefighters have reached a four-year agreement with the city amidst a shrinking budget.The contract seeks a balance between the city's money woes and concerns about staffing and overtime among firefighters, officials on both sides of the agreement say.Fire Union President Don Carter said members are not thrilled with the agreement, but understand that economic troubles cause "some give and take on both sides."The firefighters' contract is among the most expensive for the city, accounting for an estimated $4 million of East Lansing's $30 million general fund, said George Lahanas, the city's human resources director."The budget is tight and health care issues are increasing demands on our shrinking budget," he said.The new contract calls for no reductions in the department's overall staffing levels, which stand at 51 including the chief.One concern among firefighters is the reduction in the minimum number of firefighters required to be on duty at any given time.

MICHIGAN

Candidates to hold 3-day, Arab-issue conference

Brian Charlton
October 16, 2003

Leading presidential candidates will address the Arab-American community for the first time on the campaign trail this weekend in Dearborn.The Arab American Institute will host a three-day conference in metro Detroit, home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans outside of the Middle East - with about 403,000 people of Arab descent.The event has attracted eight presidential candidates and representatives from President Bush's re-election campaign to speak either in person or via satellite.Civil liberties, U.S.

MICHIGAN

Nuclear vessel burial concerns some officials

Allison Lucy
October 15, 2003

A 290-ton nuclear reactor vessel left its home Oct. 7 at Big Rock Point nuclear plant en route to South Carolina for burial, leaving some state officials concerned over safety and public notification procedures.Kevin Kamps, a nuclear waste specialist with the Nuclear Information & Resource Service in Washington, D.C., said the nuclear reactor vessel, which left its second destination in the Gaylord area early Tuesday, is like a moving X-ray machine that can't be turned off."The government is not requiring advance notification to emergency officials and not requiring security," he said, adding that the reactor vessel contains low-level radioactive waste.