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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Youths take active roles in community

Shaun Byron
April 1, 2002

Erica Peery does more than her day-to-day classes.After school, the 14-year-old balances school work, friends and family with the Youth Action Team.“Some people think we started it to just get out of classes, but I am a good student already and we do a lot for the community,” she said.The team is comprised of East Lansing high school and middle school students who take active roles in the city through community service and event planning.Many hope the team will form a junior East Lansing city council, similar to other communities.“I think it is a really good idea for the students to interact with the community,” Peery said.The team is working to become more involved in decision-making, said Kathleen Miller, youth coordinator for East Lansing Parks and Recreation Facilities Department.“We do a lot of social activities,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Membership rises for area clubs

Kendra Snyder
April 1, 2002

Michigan membership in international service clubs decreased through the ’80s and ’90s but Lansing-area chapters memberships have begun to boom.The Rotary International Club has 4,167 Michigan members, compared to 4,510 in 1994.

MICHIGAN

Granholm wary of states pollution criteria

Aaron Johnson
April 1, 2002

A proposed change in the state’s cleanup of dioxins drew fire last week from Attorney General Jennifer Granholm.The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, as part of its work to update its criteria for cleanup, proposed an increase to its standard for acceptable contamination from 90 parts per trillion to 150 parts per trillion.According to Granholm, there is no evidence to support such an increase.“Generally, scientific information suggests that we should be going for a tightening, not a loosening in standards,” said Genna Gent, spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s office.Granholm cited an analysis from the Michigan Department of Community Health that suggested a 12 parts per trillion standard.But DEQ spokeswoman Geralyn Lasher said that number wasn’t supported by any real data and was only a reaction to a U.S.

MICHIGAN

Seasons boost construction

Aaron Johnson
April 1, 2002

The days are longer, jackets are removed, lunches are eaten outside and construction workers and laborers return to work.While many companies experience a surge of business due to higher temperatures and sunnier days, the construction trade often sees large fluctuations in both business and employment, secretary-treasurer for Laborers Local 998 Joe Gunther said.The recession the nation faced during the winter resulted in the worst winter layoffs in three years, and most in the trade have been affected, Gunther said.“If you have 10 employees for a company they’re going to lay off three but if you have 30 or 40 you’re going to see about 10 get laid off,” he said.The result is a large discrepancy in the number of projects done in the summer and winter. Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing director of planning and community development, said he saw a lot less paperwork cross his desk in the winter.“We’re starting to get into the construction season so we get a lot of projects in now,” he said.For Ravensway, the spring represents the first of two major business opening times.Many restaurants try to open in the spring to take advantage of the flow of people into the city.But in September retail shops open in time for the holiday shopping season.“(Timing’s) a really tricky part of the construction business,” Ravensway said.This summer is not expected to be any different with Cosi and Douglas J expected to open in May.But not all parts of city development shut down for the winter.

MICHIGAN

Cell phone store thriving, growing

Aaron Johnson
March 29, 2002

The interior of Wireless Express L.L.C. doesn’t immediately look impressive - boasting only a brown adobe pot, a couch, a couple of rows of cellular accessories and few small display cases. But behind the checkout desk - complete with a set of barstools - Navid Ghavami makes a living. The 18-year-old Okemos High School graduate owns and manages the store, 109 E.

MICHIGAN

Tutoring made easy for teens

Shaun Byron
March 28, 2002

Anthony Banks and Ben Minadeo needed help with math.But since the two 13-year-old middle-school students have signed up for tutoring, figuring out percentages and decimal places has been a breeze.“You’re challenged educationally,” Banks said.

MICHIGAN

Aquatic Center to see repairs, drop slide for summer season

Shaun Byron
March 28, 2002

A drop slide could make the city’s savings go down the drain, officials say.The East Lansing City Council voted three to two in favor of improvements to the pool, located at 6400 Abbott Road, which includes the repair of a bathhouse floor and a drop slide.Councilmembers Bill Sharp and Beverly Baten both voted against the improvements saying the $38,900 drop slide was an unneeded expense..“This is not the time to do a drop slide,” Baten said.

MICHIGAN

Neighborhoods request traffic studies

Shaun Byron
March 26, 2002

Traffic safety has become a growing concern for neighborhoods.Several residents are saying motorists are racing through their neighborhoods without abiding by the speed limit.Various neighborhood associations have been contacting the city asking for traffic studies and changes, such as new stop signs and raised crosswalks to improve safety.Sally Silver, Bailey Community Association member and former president, has seen plenty of changes to slow motorists down in her neighborhood.Some have worked, while others have not, she said.“If you are going down Whitehills Drive, the traffic islands are raised,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Experts offer tips to help find lost children

Kendra Snyder
March 26, 2002

While a card with 10 black smudges on it can be an important safety precaution for children, it isn’t the only choice parents have to protect them.“Fingerprints are fine, but if there is an abduction you want as many ways possible to identify the child,” Michigan State Police Sgt.

MICHIGAN

Grant aids abuse prosecution

Casey Mcnenly
March 26, 2002

Lansing - A $180,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will help Ingham County better prosecute perpetrators of domestic abuse. Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III joined U.S.

MICHIGAN

Rogers shares tales of Afghanistan

Aaron Johnson
March 26, 2002

Lansing - As more than 75 people ate platters of melons and salad, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers recounted sometimes brutal tales of his time in Afghanistan. The Brighton Republican left three weeks ago as part of a week-long tour with the House Military Construction Appropriations Committee. Webberville resident Richard Hamlin was one of the many who paid the $3 to eat and listen in the Central United Methodist Church, 215 N.

MICHIGAN

E.L. hosts family fair

Shaun Byron
March 25, 2002

Tonja Robertson-Fowler had an arm full of flyers on summer programs for Zacchious Fowler, her 7-year-old son.The East Lansing resident was one of more than 200 parents attending the second Family Resource Fair on Saturday.The fair is held to help Lansing-area parents find activities for their children and to help people find opportunities to volunteer.