Outdated Web site irks city residents
The World Wide Web may seem like a world wide wait for Lansing residents seeking updated and accurate information from their city government. Last Monday, the city clerk’s Web site had city council agendas through June 17, but meeting minutes were only available through May 13. Neighboring communities are providing more up-to-date information online, including voter registration. East Lansing’s city clerk Web page links to the Secretary of State’s home page, but Lansing’s leads to the National Mail Voter Registration Form, which hasn’t been revised since June 25, 2000. Disclaimers on both city Web sites say the information provided on the Internet is unofficial and should be used at one’s own risk. Liza Estlund-Olson, director of Lansing’s Department of Management Services, said the disclaimer is needed because city departments control their own Web content. Estlund-Olson said the city is in the process of hiring a team of people to work on the Web site. The Lansing City Clerk’s home page has an additional disclaimer saying all documents provided there by the office are unofficial and may contain errors.
Police to increase patrols for holiday
Police and fire officials nationwide will be campaigning for safety while Americans are lighting fireworks and enjoying barbecues this holiday weekend. MSU’s Department of Police and Public Safety will participate in a nationwide campaign to enforce drunken driving laws during the holiday weekend. “People are always getting together over the holidays and having a few drinks,” Sgt.
Voter registration deadline Monday
Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 6 primary election. Michigan residents can register to vote at their city or township clerk office, any Secretary of State branch office or by mail with a voter registration form.
Nonprofit organizations suffer shortage of summer help
Area nonprofit organizations have to deal with program cuts every summer when MSU student volunteers leave campus. But some groups who rely on volunteers say this year is worse. John Tucker, executive director of Lansing-based Youth Development Corp., said the group had two volunteers working 40 hours a week last summer, but this year there are none. “We use MSU students as mentors for kids, but (summer) reduces our program a good 75 percent,” he said.
Organizations ask for blood
Associations across the nation are joining voices in a call for blood as supplies have reached a critically low point.Alicia Mitchell, spokeswoman for the American Hospital Association, said she believed a possible explanation for low donations may be misinformation about who can donate and statistics say she’s right.
Recount shows Donohue wins by 3 votes
A recount Monday agreed with what chance had decided in the race for a seat on the East Lansing school board.After recounting the ballots cast in the East Lansing school district election, William Donohue defeated Randy Bell by three votes for a seat on the board of education.
Tuition continues to rise for U students
For the second year in a row, MSU students will witness their tuition jump higher than usual. For the fourth year in a row, faculty members will witness an salary increase as part of the 2002-03 MSU budget approved by the MSU Board of Trustees on Friday. The increased tuition fees may also return next year might, MSU officials say. “It’s going to be a rugged year,” Provost Lou Anna Simon said.
Area crowd enjoys skate parks grand opening
Lansing - Team Pain’s new skate park brought the opposite feeling to hundreds of skateboarders and in-line skaters Saturday when city officials and organizers finally opened Ranney Park’s newest addition near Frandor.Jonathan Fox said the park is “awesome,” and he plans to compete there July 14.“It’s really smooth,” the 11-year-old skateboarder said.
E.L. officials divided over voucher ruling
Public school money can now be used to help fund private schools after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that is stirring up controversy in East Lansing. The 5-4 ruling Thursday comes two years after the Kids First!
Ruling unites parties in protest
State legislators joined the fray of lawmakers denouncing last week’s 2-1 ruling by an appeals court panel that the Pledge of Allegiance’s reference to God is unconstitutional.
Student worker passes away
An MSU student and staff member died after suffering from a heart attack while helping his friend with home repairs Wednesday night. Larry Green, 56, re-enrolled at MSU last fall in an attempt to finish the degree he began in 1963.
Supreme Court rules high school drug testing legal
High school and middle school students across the nation involved in extracurricular activities are now eligible for drug testing, the U.S.
Council to discuss land-share proposal
The East Lansing City Council will hold a meeting at 7:30 p.m. today in East Lansing’s 54-B District Court, 101 Linden Street, to discuss a possible land-share agreement with Bath Township. Known as a 425 agreement, residents are encouraged to attend.
Dems accuse Posthumus of bad ads
The Michigan Democratic Party accused Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus on Wednesday of misleading voters with his new TV spots for the gubernatorial race. Party Chairman Mark Brewer said Posthumus’ advertisement unjustly tout the candidate’s record on education funding, retirement security and welfare. “His legislative career is full of examples of hostility toward seniors in this state,” Brewer said.
Bar expansion raises questions about alcohol
The days of long lines and grumbling stomachs at Buffalo Wild Wings may soon be over. The restaurant, 360 Albert Ave., currently seats 275 people, but it is seeking an additional 111 seats and 2,150 square feet by expanding into 350 Albert Ave.
U removes phones from dorm rooms
The roaring ring from the familiar manila phones will not echo down dorm halls this fall.Rather, students will have to provide their own phone.Increased cell phone use among university students is leading to a decrease in the use of university-provided long distance services.MSU is seeing a decrease in the commission it receives from its long distance company, AT&T, said Tom Koch, telecommunications coordinator at University Housing..The drop is not substantial enough to change University Housing operations or reduce services to students, he said.But MSU will no longer provide phones for dorm rooms, though they will still offer them upon student request.
Mail quantity swells before postage hike
Penny-pinchers have been pouring into post offices around the country this week in an attempt to mail their letters before stamp prices rise to 37 cents this Sunday.The U.S.