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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Retailers ponder holiday shopping

Michigan retailers may need a crystal ball to determine whether to stock more merchandise or cut back from last year’s levels.The Michigan Retailers Association released a recent report saying 41 percent of stores are buying more, while 44 percent are buying less and 15 percent are staying at the same level.Tom Scott, spokesman for the association, said the expectations for this year are low.“(The economy) has been slow all year long, and the events of Sept.

MICHIGAN

Bill retains firefighting grants for state buildings

Gov. John Engler is expected to sign a bill that restores firefighting grants that protect state buildings.Engler recently vetoed legislation that would have increased fire protection grants to $9.4 million, saying that the state couldn’t afford a $2 million increase from last year.

MICHIGAN

Local resident brings mules to Homecoming

Dade Schultz knows animals.He has spent his entire life around horses and mules - as a child in one grandfather’s blacksmith shop in Chester, Mich., and on his other grandfather’s farm, where 30 horses pulled the plows.He moved to his own farm in Charlotte in 1974 where he raises horses and mules, showing them in parades around the country and using them to teach children.Two of his mules, “Bays in Brass,” the show name for 14-year-olds Ruth and Rudy, will pull a show wagon adorned with several “East Lansing, Home of MSU” banners during tonight’s Homecoming parade.The parade begins at 6 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Legislators aim to keep parolees, probationers in check

State representatives in the House Criminal Justice Committee want to keep better track of parolees and probationers.The committee unanimously approved legislation Tuesday that enters Michigan into a national group of states working together to manage parolees and probationers who wish to cross state lines.

MICHIGAN

Great grapes grow into fine wines on Michigans coasts

Those who picture Michigan’s Great Lakes may think of swimming, sailing or historic lighthouses.But they’re also responsible for producing some of the best wines in the nation.“There are dramatic advantages to Michigan,” said Joel Lichty, owner of Veritas Wine Shop, 211 M.A.C.

MICHIGAN

Enthusiasm, doubt surrounds new downtown center

Most makeovers provide drastic change in very little time, but East Lansing’s downtown has been in the process of a long makeover for more than six years.And it’s really beginning to take shape.Jim Cash of The Christman Company, the Lansing-based development company in charge of the project, said the $30 million project is going well and staying true to its schedule.Two of the projects - a new 730-space parking structure and the relocated Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave.

MICHIGAN

Fraternity working to regain house

Members of Sigma Chi are determined to earn back their chapter house with the support of alumni throughout the country.“We recently had a vote that the house is not going to be sold right now,” said Sigma Chi president Jeff Maxwell.

MICHIGAN

Construction projects show signs of growth in community

The economic status of the United States may still be on shaky ground following the events of the last month, but the city of East Lansing is maintaining its development efforts.East Lansing has several of its own construction projects underway within the city limits, and several projects are underway in adjacent Bath Township on Abbott Road north of Lake Lansing Road.

MICHIGAN

Seniors may face difficult job search in weak economy

Alex Beachum isn’t worried about finding a job when he graduates.The interdisciplinary studies and pre-law senior said he plans on selling real estate before he enters law school.“The economy is pretty slow, but the line of work I am going into doesn’t really matter,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Lansing zoo celebrates Conservation Day

Chandra Thomas said seeing a snake was frightening. “My dad was scared of it and I was too,” the eight-year-old Lansing resident said. Chandra, her two-year-old sister Amari and father Stephen Thomas were just some of the families at Conservation Day. The event was sponsored by the Potter Park Zoological Society and held at the Potter Park & Zoo, 1301 S.

MICHIGAN

Local watering holes filled to brim during Cold War

The heated rivalry on the ice during Saturday’s “Cold War” was melted into a night of lines and friends for many.East Lansing night spots were filled with students, alumni and visitors for the hockey game.With the temperature at 41 degrees and the wind chill at 32 degrees, people still traveled or stood in line to celebrate the game with friends.Dave Milligan, owner of Crunchy’s, 254 W.

MICHIGAN

Boots overflow for disaster relief aid

Lansing - As rain fell from the sky, dollars poured into the boots of Lansing firefighters Friday afternoon. The firefighters were on full alert, collecting donations for those affected by the attacks in New York as part of the “Fill the Boot” campaign.

MICHIGAN

Faithful pray in Life Chain

It might have looked like a protest along Grand River Avenue on Sunday when groups of students and community members lined the roadway with white signs, but a closer look showed that the “protesters” were praying quietly for life.The groups were participating in the Life Chain, a national non-denominational movement on the first Sunday of October to promote pro-life thinking.“We’re not a political group, we’re a prayer group,” said Marty Johnson, an East Lansing resident who helped plan the event.