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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Group promotes, protects forest products industry

Aaron Johnson
March 21, 2002

The timber industry gained a helping hand this week.The Michigan Forest Products Council, a public affairs group for timber industries, officially began work Tuesday.“It’s basically to promote and protect the industry,” said Steve Hicks, acting chairman of the council’s board of directors.Hicks said the council will essentially serve as a representative in the state capital for the industry that provides more than 200,000 jobs and $12 billion.But people shouldn’t interpret the council’s creation as a sign that the industry is in jeopardy, Hicks said.“We’re not in trouble,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Residents concerned about increased apartments, traffic

Shaun Byron
March 21, 2002

New apartment complexes on Chandler and Abbott roads have East Lansing city officials and residents worried about increased traffic.Abbott Road becomes Chandler Road at the Clinton County Line north of Lake Lansing Road.Resident Terry Linger said he avoids the road as much as possible because of its poor condition.The two-lane road is under the control of the county and can’t support the amount of traffic renters going back and forth from work and MSU create, he said.“Most of them will be going during rush hour,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Business owners expect festival tourism to pump up commerce

Aaron Johnson
March 21, 2002

Despite concerns about summer tourism earlier this year, East Lansing business owners aren’t worried about sales dropping during the city’s summer festival season.But Lori Martin, a research specialist at MSU’s Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center, said the tourism outlook for 2002 is uncertain while the nation recovers from recession.“There are a few wild cards out there,” she said.Those wild cards include the possibility of terrorism, weather and gas prices.Despite the unknowns, the center’s researchers expect increases in tourism throughout the state, including a 3 percent increase in traffic volume due to tourism in the region including Ingham County.And East Lansing officials aren’t expecting much of a drop-off as the Great Lakes Folk Festival and East Lansing Art Festival near.“It seems like people are looking for more things that they can spend time with their family or friends,” community events specialist E.

MICHIGAN

E.L. residents not expressing concerns

Shaun Byron
March 20, 2002

East Lansing residents may be passing up a chance to let city planners know what they think. Since March 11, two forums have been held at Hannah Community Center with light attendance, said Kevin Beard, East Lansing Planning Commission chairman. “We know there are concerns out there,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Senator looks to end fake ID flow

Lindsay Frederickson
March 20, 2002

Around college campuses, perhaps more than anywhere else, fraudulent IDs abound. But one senator wants to make it harder for people to misrepresent themselves by lengthening the process used by Secretary of State officials. “Every precaution needs to be taken,” said Sen.

MICHIGAN

Council to vote on permanent parking passes

Shaun Byron
March 19, 2002

The East Lansing City Council will vote tonight whether to give permanent parking passes to residents in the College Grove area of the Bailey neighborhood. The city has issued temporary passes to residents the past few years after several homeowners and renters complained of downtown visitors parking in the streets, city engineer John Matuszak said. The College Grove area lies in the area between Abbott Road and Grove Street.

MICHIGAN

Bill proposes do-not-call list for public

Elissa Englund
March 19, 2002

With a click, Tatyana Fisher switched from her long-distance phone call to the caller on the other line. When she realized the caller was the same credit card company that had been pestering her all week, she became furious. “They would give me the same information each time,” the political science junior said.

MICHIGAN

House to discuss sewer upgrades, funding

Aaron Johnson
March 19, 2002

The same issues the cities of Lansing and East Lansing are addressing while improving their sewer systems will be the focus of state legislators this week. The House Commerce Committee meets today to discuss sewer upgrading options. “We’ve been hearing all sorts of testimony,” said Jamie Callahan, legislative director for Rep.

MICHIGAN

East Lansing traffic codes to get face-lift

East Lansing City Council will meet tonight to vote on updating the city’s traffic code. The city adopted the Michigan Vehicle Code, and any changes made in the state Legislature have to be made locally, Deputy City Manger Jean Golden said.

MICHIGAN

Ingham Sheriffs Office hands out awards

Shannon Murphy
March 18, 2002

Holt - Jeffrey Ribby was employee of the year twice - in the same year. Ribby, a deputy with the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, was honored Thursday, along with many other office employees in the annual Ingham County Sheriff’s Office Awards Ceremony. Employees received plaques and certificates for jobs including appreciation, bravery and life-saving, signed by Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth, commending the recipients on a job well done. Ribby won Employee of the Year, which along with the other awards, is picked by an awards board.

MICHIGAN

Community group seeks new interns

Shaun Byron
March 18, 2002

When Sara Posius graduates this spring, she’ll take with her not only a diploma but also the memories of good relationships with neighbors. The audiology and speech sciences senior is finishing an internship as a neighborhood resource coordinator for the East Lansing Community Relations Coalition. “I liked it because it gives me a chance to meet other people,” Posius said. Others, too, have the opportunity to get involved. There are at least six positions open for students to apply for in the fall 2002 and spring 2003 semesters. The internship asks that interested students have at least a 3.0 grade-point average, training or interest in community building and communication and have plans to live in one of the East Lansing neighborhoods for the academic year.

MICHIGAN

Clinic remains stable after state funding cut

Kendra Snyder
March 18, 2002

Employees and affiliates of Otto Community Health Center still are waiting from the state to restore funding that was cut from the clinic four months ago. The state cut $160,000 in funding for the center in November, along with the funding for 18 other health clinics statewide. Shortly after the decision, Gov.

MICHIGAN

Broadband bills could boost economy

Elissa Englund
March 18, 2002

Gov. John Engler signed the Broadband package into law Thursday, making high-speed Internet services more available throughout Michigan. Legislators hope the package, consisting of three bills, will encourage businesses to both come to and stay in Michigan, thus boosting the state’s economy.