MICHIGAN
Regional Chamber of Commerce to host speaker from Big Ten
Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany will be speaking about commercialism in intercollegiate athletics at 1:30 p.m.
MICHIGAN
Engler takes first job in private sector working for Texas data company
Former Gov. John Engler is moving from the executive branch of Michigan government to an executive position with the state's largest high-tech employer. Engler announced Monday he is Electronic Data Systems Corp.'s new president of state and local government and vice president of government solutions for North America. As governor, Engler created the Department of Information Technology, which worked to provide new online government services on the state's award-winning Web site, www.michigan.gov. "This position allows me to draw from my technological experience to meet the needs of state and government business and the citizens who depend on those government services," Engler said in a written statement. Engler, an MSU alumnus, will be responsible for directing the services EDS offers in government-based information technology.
MICHIGAN
Capital City Airport sees travel increase during holiday season
Lansing's Capital City Airport experienced record passenger travel during the month of December, although totals for 2002 were lower compared to the previous year, officials announced Wednesday.According to the Capital Region Airport Authority, 47,405 passengers made their way through the airport in December - an increase of 15 percent compared to the same period in 2001.However, total passenger travel for 2002 declined just less than 2 percent.Robert Kolt, spokesman for Capital City Airport, said business was poor at the beginning of last year, but the airport recovered by slowly gaining more travel each month."The numbers dwindled toward the end of the year, but we had a really strong December," he said.
MICHIGAN
MLK Day volunteers head Into the Streets
Lansing - To some MSU students, Martin Luther King Jr. Day means a day without classes and a chance to sleep in - but the volunteers at Monday's Into the Streets community service project made the day mean much more. "We felt that since we didn't have classes we should make good use of our time," communication freshman Stephanie Gooch said. Gooch joined about 280 student volunteers to donate time to various locations around the Lansing community, said English senior Andrea Hart, chairwoman of the Into the Streets group. "We were really pleased with the turnout," Hart said.
MICHIGAN
Anti-war protesters march to Capitol
Lansing - Carrying a large American flag, Lynn Meadows said she usually attends two rallies a week. The Chelsea resident said since the Sept.
MICHIGAN
New bill plans to take Canada to the dumpster
Congressman Mike Rogers is fed up with Canada's garbage - literally. Rogers plans to introduce a bill that would prohibit Canada from sending Michigan its trash when the House reconvenes later this month.
MICHIGAN
City worker steps down
When Peter Eberz thinks of East Lansing, he says green and white comes to mind just as often as city landmarks and developments."It's a composite of the whole community," he said.
MICHIGAN
Activists to escort war mural to Washington, D.C.
Lansing - The plaster masks represent the people of Iraq while the newsprint covering them symbolize what someone would call the faceless status in American culture. The images on the mural are special to the 31 members of the Greater Lansing Youth for Peace and Justice, who created the project as part of their involvement in the anti-war in Iraq movement.
MICHIGAN
Residents worried about sex offenders
Information on 1,313 registered sex offenders residing in Michigan has been lost by Michigan State Police, leaving some Michigan residents worried about their safety. "I'm scared," marketing freshman Meredith Fenton said.
MICHIGAN
Cars need protection against cold weather
As the new year is brewing a frigid winter season, experts are suggesting motorists winterize their cars. AAA Michigan spokesperson Jim Rink said motorists should have car items checked out - ideally before the winter driving season. "During the week when you have close to single digits and various wind chills, it drastically reduces the starting power of the battery," he said.
MICHIGAN
Public schools will face cuts
Lansing - In a swift reaction to the budget deficit, Gov. Jennifer Granholm notified state public school districts Wednesday that funding will be cut as soon as March. "This is painful to any parent, whether you're a Republican or a Democrat," Granholm said. Despite the regret Granholm expressed, she said the budget had to be dealt with as soon as possible. "We have to bring the budget into line," she said.
MICHIGAN
Bus way to be discussed at open meeting
A public information meeting tonight will allow students and city residents to comment on the proposal of a new dedicated bus way between Harrison Avenue and Farm Lane. Representatives from the Capitol Area Transportation Authority and MSU will be present at the forum, which takes place from 5 p.m.
MICHIGAN
Landlords say occupancy codes difficult to enforce
Tenants beware - many area landlords are going the extra step to ensure occupancy codes are followed. With East Lansing officials pressing the over-crowding issue for the past couple years, landlords say students can sometimes be elusive. Fred Bauries, an East Lansing landlord, says he keeps a close look on the houses around him - mostly because he rents out the three houses right next door. "My most creative way would be that I live next door," he said.
MICHIGAN
Kids booking it over to E.L. library for storytelling
Four-year-old Livia Belman was among about 20 children trying to wiggle out of their winter clothing as quickly as possible Monday evening. Livia was anxious to begin her first StoryTime at the East Lansing Public Library.
MICHIGAN
Police continue hunt for Linden attacker
East Lansing police haven't received any new leads since Monday afternoon in the Friday assault of an MSU student, Lt.
MICHIGAN
Hollister confirmed by Senate committee
Lansing Mayor David Hollister was the first of Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm's appointments to go in front of the Senate Government Operations Committee in a series of hearings to examine candidates for top spots in the governor's cabinet Tuesday. A state Senate committee unanimously confirmed Hollister as the director of a new state department on labor and economic growth. "He will represent Granholm very well," said Mary Dettloff, spokeswoman for Jennifer Granholm.
MICHIGAN
Extension programs look for 'creative way' to balance budget
Two of MSU's educational programs for state residents are looking for creative solutions to upcoming funding problems - and hoping to avoid layoffs that may be inevitable. The Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, MSU Extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station were counting on nearly $4 million in state money to make up for a 2 percent cut to higher-education funding.
MICHIGAN
City, LCC combine to build education
Delta Twp. - With a combined cost of $43 million and a slow economy, Lansing Community College has reached out to local businesses and community partners to help pay for its new technical centers.As an extension of LCC, Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) and Technical Training Center are scheduled to open next year.The M-TEC cost the city nearly $34 million and the training center close to $9 million.
MICHIGAN
Experts discuss state tax revenue
With Michigan's top three budget experts meeting today to estimate Michigan's tax revenue, Gov.
MICHIGAN
Rogers chosen to be on energy committee
Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, has been appointed to serve on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce in the 108th Congress. Rogers' subcommittee assignments will be announced in the next few weeks. The committee, which was formed in 1795, provides principal legislative oversight related to telecommunications, consumer protection and food and drug safety. The committee also oversees public health, air quality and environmental health and the supply and delivery of energy, as well as interstate and foreign commerce.