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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Meridian Township experiences rise in housing permits

The Charter Township of Meridian has reported a growth trend in the number of construction requests for single family residences. Associate Planner in the Department of Community Planning and Development at the Charter Township of Meridian, Peter Menser said the area has seen growing numbers in construction since the end of last year.

MICHIGAN

Welcome to the neighborhood

Welcome to the “Capital of Cool,” where ribbons are cut with teeth instead of ceremonial scissors. On Tuesday, Old Town in Lansing welcomed five new businesses, as well as two existing business that expanded or moved.

MICHIGAN

New E.L. apartment complex opens doors on Aug. 1

As the 2013-14 school year lingers on the horizon, DTN Management Co. is preparing to open one of East Lansing’s newest student housing establishments. 550 Michigan — no catchy apartment names here — is set to open its doors Aug. 1 as construction and inspections wrap up this week, Wolf River Development Company managing partner Mike Dowdle said.

MICHIGAN

MSU alumna knitting for local homeless shelters

While some people take the morning to sleep in, some local Lansing residents are up bright and early knitting and packaging items to help the homeless. Lansing residents, Emily Trumbull, 76, and Tilly Montaven, 71, both came together this morning at Trumbull’s home to knit, stuff and send out packages that contain items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, sunscreen and shampoo, that will be sent to various shelters around the Lansing and East Lansing area. Before retiring years ago, Trumbull was a teacher and counselor for Riddle Elementary School and other surrounding Lansing area schools with Montaven as her assistant.

MICHIGAN

Classic auto show attracts cars statewide

Mother nature whizzed though Lansing’s 21st annual classic auto show, pouring down heavy rain and wind Saturday afternoon, but car owners stood their ground. A little rain wasn’t going to ruin an event full of classic cars, trophies and as Lansing local Mario Ledesma would say, “a great time.”

MICHIGAN

Locals discuss automatic license plate readers

What law enforcement officers consider an efficient and helpful tool, the public seems to think of as an invasion of privacy. The tool, automatic license plate readers, allows officers to check for stolen cars, expired license plates or outstanding warrants without the lift of a finger.

MICHIGAN

Republicans lead in fundraising

With the 2014 elections just on the horizon, new figures detailing fundraising efforts released by both parties show Republicans, who control both the House and the Senate, are opening up a significant lead on their Democratic colleagues. The House Republican Campaign Committee has raised $316,000 since April, nearly double the $160,000 the House Democrats raised during the same three-month period. Over on the Senate side, Republicans garnered $291,000 in contributions from constituents, dwarfing the $24,000 raised by Democrats.

MICHIGAN

Amendment to limit NSA spying narrowly defeated on House floor

A proposal to stop blanket surveillance programs conducted by the National Security Agency was narrowly shot down on the U.S. House floor Wednesday night. The 217-205 vote showed a rare solidarity between Democrats and Republicans. Even rarer, the massive support for Congressman Justin Amash’s amendment showed that both sides of the aisle are willing to go against their respective party’s leadership. Even if that means the President.

MICHIGAN

HopCat’s August arrival to spice up E.L. bar scene

The East Lansing bar scene: Dublin Square, Harper’s Restaurant & Brewpub, Rick’s American Café, The Riv. In August, a felinelike juncture will be added to the city’s bar lineup. HopCat is set to open its East Lansing location at 211 Ann St. in August, tucked beneath the altitudinous Residences apartments of Cron Management.

MICHIGAN

Whole llama love

The Topliffs have a whole lotta love for their llamas. In 1993, Don and Sheryl Topliff bought their first two llamas. Now the herd on their 50-acre plot of land in Williamston, Mich., has expanded to 24 llamas. They said the llamas are a large attraction for their bed and breakfast.

MICHIGAN

Charges against Dishon Ambrose still stand

Detroit resident Dishon Ambrose was denied the motion to quash in the Ingham County Circuit Court this afternoon, according to a representative from Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings’ office. Ambrose was attempting to quash the bind-over, which would have dismissed his charges.

MICHIGAN

State surcharge helps low-income families

After two years of quick-fix solutions, the Legislature passed a new long-term plan to provide heating assistance for low-income families. The recently approved program adds a new surcharge on utility users — up to $1 per month.

MICHIGAN

Alcohol-after-midnight ordinance faces changes

East Lansing’s moratorium on restaurants serving alcohol past midnight could become permanent in the fall. City council adopted a resolution on March 5 authorizing a 180-day temporary moratorium on approval of restaurants serving alcohol past midnight. The moratorium was enforced to provide staff time to evaluate the approval of downtown restaurants serving alcohol, as well as the overall impact of licensed establishments. The goal is to recommend appropriate policy changes that address those issues, East Lansing Planning & Community Development Director Tim Dempsey said.