Fiesta celebrates cultures

Lansing — The empty grounds of Cristo Rey Catholic Church gave little clue of the vibrant dancing and steaming food that will fill the air this weekend.

Incident report withholds details on driver's actions

The investigation into Dannielle Brandt's on-campus death on Feb. 3 has been completed, but a copy of the incident report reveals no new information on what happened that night. The report obtained by The State News through the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, from the Meridian Township Police Department on Wednesday, has most of the information regarding the accident, driver and Brandt removed. The information that was blacked out was considered private information, said Cindy Cummings, FOIA coordinator for the Meridian Township Police Department. More than three months ago, Brandt was walking home from an event at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, where she was walking her cow in preparation for an event the next day.

Memorial Day events

In Holt, a parade will be held starting at 2 p.m. on Monday. The parade will begin with a gathering on Holt Road near Lumbertown, 4000 Holt Road.

ASMSU posts vacancies for new staff positions

New staff positions for ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, are currently open.

Distinguished Professor dies from cancer Monday

Michael Pressley, university distinguished professor of education, died Monday from cancer. Pressley was the director of the Literacy Achievement Research Center — a center focused on promoting literacy among adolescents and children. His funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 a.m.

Mich. Walk of Fame ceremony welcomes first 12 inductees

Lansing area residents joined former White House Bureau Chief Helen Thomas as she kicked off the first Michigan Walk of Fame induction ceremony Thursday night at the Michigan Historical Museum, 702 W.

Mich. terminates use of traditional blue license plate

Michiganians can say goodbye to their "Old Blue" license plates since the Secretary of State announced earlier this month that it will stop issuing it at the end of the year. About 5.6 million motorists use the "Old Blue" license plate design, which was introduced in July 1982, according to the Secretary of State. "The license plate has been around for roughly 24 years, and most states replace their plates within five to 10 years," said Kelly Chesney, spokesperson for the Secretary of State. Having a reflective background on license plates will improve visibility on roadways and allow law enforcement officers to perform their public safety duties better. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said in a written statement that she feels it's time to use newer technology to create the license plates. "This change will also allow the state to use the same type of material for all of its license plates, which makes production more efficient," Land said in the statement. Michigan is the only state in the nation that uses the costly and outdated process of applying finely ground glass beads to the characters on the license plate during production, Chesney said. Small, glass beads that have the consistency of sand are sprinkled on the wet white paint on license plates to give them limited reflectivity. As registrations expire, Michigan residents will be issued the new plates. "From a public safety perspective, having license plates that are easier to read at night will assist law enforcement in keeping our streets safe," said state Rep.

Study: E.L. houses affordable

Homes in East Lansing and Lansing are the most affordable in the country, according to the Housing Opportunity Index released this month. The National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo collected information for the index, which is determined by measuring the number of homes that are affordable to those who make the median income of the area.

Police briefs 05/25/06

Gov., husband mentor children

Changing society one youth at a time is Gov. Jennifer Granholm's philosophy when it comes to youth mentorship — a philosophy her staff has also adopted. Grand River Elementary Magnet School in Lansing benefits directly from Granholm's office since 25 of her employees are involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lansing mentor program at the school. The agency is a youth mentor service that matches a child with an adult in order for him or her to spend time with a positive role model. Joni Burch, case manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lansing, has worked with Granholm and her staff. "Her 'little sister' absolutely loves hanging out with her; they do a lot of art projects together," Burch said and added that Granholm's entire family is involved with the program. "She adores her," said Lansing resident Cynthia Mares, the mother of the 10-year-old child Granholm mentors, whose name is also Cynthia.

Ford workers compete in emergency contest

Ray Ott was dousing a blazing inferno amid a grass field beside the Pavillion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, only to realize that the hose had sprung a leak.

MSU President holds 2nd meeting in city

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will meet with East Lansing residents today in the second of four meetings designed to improve communication with East Lansing residents. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Concert to benefit New Orleans project

Since Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans in August, the rich culture of the region has kept the spirit of the city alive.

E.L. speech by state legislator postponed

A speech by Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Lansing, scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, has been cancelled.

Police briefs 05/24/06

2-year study abroad to involve Mich. businesses

More Michigan engineers, architects and contractors may soon have the opportunity to work in Eastern Europe, but not before getting a lesson or two in Eastern European culture. The MSU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is planning a two-year study abroad program with Michigan companies that would help former Soviet countries build new roads and buildings and undertake environmental cleanups.

Course to make Great Lakes Web site

MSU students can participate soon in a new online project in which they will collect and report information on issues concerning the Great Lakes. Beginning this fall, the Great Lakes Wiki project will allow students to do research on contaminated areas in the Great Lakes that have been identified by the U.S.

FDA to possibly OK HPV vaccine

Women and girls may soon be able to further protect themselves from cervical cancer if the Food and Drug Administration approves a new vaccine next month. On Thursday, an FDA advisory committee endorsed the safety and effectiveness of Gardasil in a unanimous decision.

Zoo family gets new baby

The Bactrian camel population at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing increased from two to three on April 29 with the birth of a two-humped baby. The nearly month-old Bactrian camel is covered with a fuzzy fur coat and has two humps, a feature that differentiates it from the one-humped Dromedary camel. "In the wild, there's not that many," zoo veterinarian Tara Harrison said.

WEB EXTRA: Benefit to be held for New Orleans project

A benefit concert for the New Orleans Summer Project will be held at the Cadillac Club, 1115 S. Washington Ave., in Lansing Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.