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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

SPARE rally not as 'U' hoped

Lansing - Students came from across the state sporting school sweatshirts and banners - all 50 of them. Students Protecting And Representing Education, or SPARE, held a rally at the Capitol on Wednesday to maintain higher education state funding as the state faces a budget crisis with a $1.7 billion deficit. "This is embarrassing," said Jared English, SPARE member and ASMSU director of university and governmental affairs.

MICHIGAN

State gas prices drop despite war with Iraq

Adrienne Broaddus
April 2, 2003

While oil fields in Iraq remain safe, gas prices in Michigan have dropped nearly 16 cents per gallon in the past two weeks.AAA spokesman Jim Rink said war fears have not come forth and have allowed for the decrease in gas prices."Initial fears that the oil fields in Iraq would be sabotaged have not taken place," Rink said.

MICHIGAN

E.L. School Board approves budget cuts

Brian Charlton
April 2, 2003

After about two months of listening to public comment, reviewing programs and buildings' uses, the East Lansing School Board unanimously approved the districts 2003-04 budget recommendations. The budget prepares for a projected $4.2-million shortfall.

MICHIGAN

Temporary extension keeps Amtrak running

After weeks of negotiations, Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation have reached a temporary deal allowing the railway to continue operating its two state-funded train lines for at least the next three months.Amtrak officials and department representatives settled the deal in a conference call Monday, with both sides agreeing to a three-month contract setting Amtrak's funding level at $1.425 million through July 1.Department spokeswoman Stephanie Litaker said the deal provides the Legislature more time to pass a bill lifting a $5.7-million cap in state funding Amtrak annually receives, while still securing Michigan's passenger rail service."This deal is somewhere in between," Litaker said.

MICHIGAN

Officials try to avoid public service cuts

Brian Charlton
April 1, 2003

Residents of East Lansing might face increased sewer and water rates and higher parking prices as city officials attempt to spare public services and still adjust for a $1.4-million shortfall in the city's nearly $53.5-million budget. Officials will present the 2003-2004 budget to the city council at 7:30 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Granholm, Kilpatrick, Stabenow seek more federal security funds

Joey Guillen
April 1, 2003

Gov. Jennifer Granholm joined U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in Detroit on Monday to ask Congress for more money to better prepare Michigan for threats to homeland security.Stabenow spokesman Dave Lemmon said Michigan's location on the U.S.-Canadian border, along with other factors, require more money than local governments can afford, especially with the state's budget crisis."Whether it's money for additional training or additional equipment, local and state governments need the assistance for homeland security," he said.The Bush administration has outlined a supplemental appropriations bill to spend $4.25 billion for states' homeland security efforts.

MICHIGAN

Gala celebrates African food, culture

Aaron Foley
March 31, 2003

Tereza Guimaraes didn't know the food was going to be so spicy.The native Brazilian said because of the African influence in her country, she is familiar with African styles of cooking.But when she sampled the food at the annual African Culture Gala Saturday night, she was surprised."The ingredients are similar," she said after finishing a plate of Ethiopian chicken and other dishes.

MICHIGAN

Capitol update

Joey Guillen  and  Sarah Frank
March 31, 2003

Homeland security site helps prepare citizens Gov. Jennifer Granholm launched a homeland security Web site last week in an effort to better prepare Michigan residents for an emergency.

MICHIGAN

Winter thaw causes water main breaks

Brian Charlton
March 28, 2003

As the spring weather thaws East Lansing, city officials are fixing a record amount of water mains. Due to the cold temperatures and troubling frost conditions, the city has fixed approximately 40 to 50 water main breaks this winter, costing the city about $40,000, said Todd Sneathen, the city's director of Public Works and Environmental Services.

MICHIGAN

State, local police look for high-risk parolees

Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Wednesday state and local police agencies apprehended 107 violent parolees this week as part of Project S.A.F.E., a revitalized statewide partnership between the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Corrections.Six Michigan State Police fugitive teams and three Michigan Department of Corrections Absconder Recovery Unit teams were joined by several county and local agencies in a two-day statewide effort of fugitives who posed the highest public safety risk.Some of the suspects are charged with murder, criminal sexual conduct and armed robbery among other crimes.Chad Previch

MICHIGAN

Amtrak contract extended for 6 months

A public hearing Thursday will help establish a long-term deal and secure a financial agreement between Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation, officials say. On Monday, the department offered the financially strapped railway service a six-month contract to retain passenger rail service in the state, declining Amtrak's request for a deadline extension for its contract with the state. No further meetings between the groups are scheduled this week, but Thursday's public hearing will determine whether the bill will pass.

MICHIGAN

Cigarettes offer new way to quit

Casey Mcnenly
March 27, 2003

A new brand of cigarette, designed to ease smokers from their nicotine dependence, has hit the East Lansing market.Quest cigarettes are being introduced to seven states so far: Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois - the same states that account for 30 percent of the nation's smokers.The company offers three levels of cigarettes.

MICHIGAN

House committee to discuss budget cuts

Joey Guillen  and  Sarah Frank
March 27, 2003

State lawmakers will ask university officials to take responsibility for spending the state's money by asking them to account for all income and expenditures.The House Higher Education Committee will invite state university leaders to speak in the next few months in an effort to avoid excess spending and tuition increases.

MICHIGAN

Blaze displaces residents

Elysia A. Smith  and  Eric Morath
March 26, 2003

A set of keys, a pair of glasses and a wedding ring are some of the items Kathryn Rennells left behind when fire engulfed the third floor of her Haslett apartment building early Tuesday morning. The fire began on the upper level of the three-story, 24-unit building at about 1 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Budget cuts force board to close Spartan Village

Brian Charlton
March 26, 2003

Spartan Village Elementary School's doors will not open next fall after nearly 50 years of educating East Lansing children.The East Lansing School Board approved 5-2 the closure of Spartan Village Elementary on Monday, which is on the MSU campus, and the reorganization of the additional six elementary schools.