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MICHIGAN

Officials: ‘Rape Trail’ more urban legend than fact

Darcie Moran
January 23, 2013

Although MSU students might fear the nights they walk alone along the banks of the Red Cedar River, the “rape trail” isn’t real, according to MSU officials and the term might be creating a false sense of fear on campus. Using the term “rape trail” not only gives the wrong impression about the walkway next to the Red Cedar River on campus but about rapes and sexual assaults themselves, MSU sexual assault program coordinator Shari Murgittroyd said in an email.

MICHIGAN

Renovations to former City Center II site and ban on hookah lounges to be discussed

Michael Koury
January 23, 2013

At Tuesday’s regular work session, the East Lansing City Council debated solutions to parking problems related to renovations to the property formerly known as Evergreen Arms and a proposed ordinance that would ban more hookah lounges from establishing in East Lansing. The abandoned buildings at 341 and 345 Evergreen Ave. are owned by City Center Two Project, LLC, which is the same group that owns the property on 124-140 W. Grand River Ave, formerly the project site for City Center II.

MICHIGAN

Cold weather to continue

Michael Koury
January 22, 2013

As temperatures drop and snow falls in the city, there’s little relief in sight for students dressed more for an arctic expedition than a walk to Brody Hall. Temperatures will rise throughout the rest of the week, reaching a high of 27 degrees Sunday. But with brisk winds, it will feel like temperatures are dipping below zero, National Weather Service in Grand Rapids meteorologist Brandon Hoving said.

MICHIGAN

Design sets Sigma Phi Epsilon apart as no. 16 best house nationally

Simon Schuster
January 22, 2013

Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity was nationally recognized Monday as the No. 16 best fraternity house in the country for its historic architecture and luxurious amenities, including a “full-size stripper pole,” according to brobible.com, a men’s lifestyle site. Brobible.com associate editor Andy Moore said the top 30 houses were chosen from a pool of 60-70 self-submitted entries.

MICHIGAN

Alpha Gamma Rho hosts Beef Preview Show

Isabella Shaya
January 21, 2013

The fraternity held the AGR Beef Preview Show on Friday through Sunday at the Ingham County Fairgrounds, 700 E. Ash St., in Mason, for the first time. The event benefitted Michigan AgrAbility, which provides injured or disabled farmers with equipment and resources to continue working. The event raised about $4,000 for the charity, said David Stutzman, chair of the AGR Beef Preview Show, member of AGR and beef cattle management junior.

MICHIGAN

Residents go batty for new zoo creatures

Isabella Shaya
January 16, 2013

On Wednesday, the Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., in Lansing, officially welcomed in its newest animals — Seba’s short-tailed bats. Seba’s short-tailed bats are small, fruit-eating bats native to South and Central America, said Melissa Lincoln, one of the two primary caregivers for the bats.

MICHIGAN

Unsually warm weather spurs crime

Darcie Moran
January 16, 2013

Warm weather might have been a factor in the high number of assaults and underage drinking arrests last weekend. East Lansing police arrested six minors for carrying alcohol, wrote nine minor in possession citations, and answered calls for three assaults, seven fights, nine thefts and one stolen vehicle, according to the weekend report. “For a winter month, coming back after break … it is a little higher than normal,” East Lansing police Capt.

MICHIGAN

High tax leads smokers to smuggle cigarettes

Isabella Shaya
January 15, 2013

In 2011, almost 30 percent of the cigarettes smoked in Michigan were smuggled from other states, according to research from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, which factored information from 47 of 48 states. Michael LaFaive, director of Morey Fiscal Policy for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said the high smuggling rate is partly because Michigan currently has the 10th highest tax rate at $2 per pack, according to statistics from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

MICHIGAN

Updated: Former City Center II property’s future remains undecided

Michael Koury
January 15, 2013

Well into Tuesday night, the East Lansing City Council discussed before a crowd of residents the future of the formerly proposed City Center II property, an ordinance that would allow those looking to sell their homes to rent them for a short period of time and approved the contract of East Lansing and Lansing Fire Department Chief Randy Talifarro. The council decided to send the proposition back to the planning commission for review and recomendations for the future of the site as well as attempt to solve the parking issue.

MICHIGAN

Working Together: One Year Later

Michael Koury
January 14, 2013

East Lansing and Lansing Fire Department Fire Chief Randy Talifarro works between 40 and 50 hours a week, receives 100 or more emails a day and treks between East Lansing and Lansing daily. Adding time spent outside of work at city council meetings and other community events, his work week sometimes can stretch to nearly 70 hours.

MICHIGAN

Michigan universities differ on Taser use in police depts.

Darcie Moran
January 14, 2013

After Eastern Michigan University police began using Tasers this month, MSU police and students are joining the debate of when and how they should be used on campus. MSU police have about 55 to 60 Tasers for all officers assigned to the road who complete a four-hour training, with renewed training every two years, said MSU police Sgt.

MICHIGAN

US Supreme Court to rule on drunken driving law

Kellie Rowe
January 14, 2013

A Michigan law that required police to obtain a warrant before forcing State Rep. Bob Genetski to take a blood test for evidence of drunken driving now might be implemented nationally, pending a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court held oral arguments last week, but are expected in June to reach a decision on whether or not police should be able to draw blood samples from suspected drunken drivers without a warrant or consent from the driver, which currently is illegal in Michigan.

MICHIGAN

Flu shots scarce in local pharmacies

Isabella Shaya
January 10, 2013

As a deadly flu strain hits Michigan, pharmacies in the East Lansing area are dealing with increasing demand for vaccinations. CVS Pharmacy, 240 M.A.C. Ave., did not have any available shots as of about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, but the store expects to receive a shipment today. CVS Pharmacy distributes shots on a walk-in basis.