East Lansing resident Jenna Neal works on a vase during a ceramics class on Monday at the Bailey Community Center, 300 Bailey Street. “I just thought it would be something fun to learn,” Neal said.
Many East Lansing residents recognize Greg Robertson as one of downtown’s prominent street performers, but few know his history and how his life led him to his spot outside the Peanut Barrel Restaurant, where he regularly serenades shoppers.
Heading into Tuesday’s primary, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra has the upper hand on his Republican opponents, leading his closest opponent by nearly 35 percent in a recent poll. Hoekstra is ahead of opponent Clark Durant 51 percent to 17 percent, according to a July 26 poll by Public Policy Polling.
Recent advertising graduate Aaron Smith, of Lake Orion, Mich., stands with Shelby Charter Township, Mich., resident Alex Wolak near a mirror on the porch of a house on Bailey Street on Sunday. After living in this house for a year, Smith and his friends are moving out as they graduate from college.
When emergency vehicles roar down East Lansing streets with sirens blaring, they receive additional help from up above. Attached to about 15 streetlights in the city and each emergency vehicle owned by the department, the Opticom system can override programmed streetlights, changing the light to green for emergency vehicles and red for traffic running perpendicular to the intersection.
Spending for House of Representative races across the state increased by 17.4 percent from the 2010 election, amassing more than $9.6 million statewide, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. Republicans campaigning for state office raised about $1.5 million more than Democrats seeking office. Candidates were required to submit financial reports to the Secretary of State last week, prior to the upcoming primary election on Tuesday, stating their contributions and expenditures up to July 22. The candidates for the 69th district seat raised more than $250,000, most of which came from a battle between Democratic candidates Sam Singh and Susan Schmidt. Singh has raised $136,522 during the cumulative election cycle, to Schmidt’s $95,356.
George Nastas, a longtime local resident, is throwing his hat in the ring to seek a seat in the House of Representatives for the 69th district.
In a court verdict handed down Wednesday, cities and townships are legally prohibited from banning the growth and use of medical marijuana. The Michigan Court of Appeals decided the state medical marijuana law pre-empts a local ordinance in Wyoming, Mich., and local ordinances do not have more authority than state law, the Detroit Free Press reported. The verdict stems from a case in which a patient using medical marijuana challenged a city zoning ordinance that prohibited the use or growth of marijuana.
On Tuesday, Susan Schmidt — an East Lansing educator and former chief of staff to Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing — will challenge fellow Democrat Sam Singh in Tuesday’s primary to become the state representative for the 69th district. The State News talked with Schmidt about her biggest concerns for the state.
In 2008, Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics for the world to see. The children at the Lil’ Olympians Sports Camp are too young to remember the games, but fast forward four years, and the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, is teaching children the Olympic basics.
The coming months will be crucial for the East Lansing Fire Department as city officials discuss a study conducted by Plante Moran concerning collaboration between the department and five other local municipalities.
The 158th annual Ingham County Fair isn’t just a place to go when you’re having a craving for a corn dog or a ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl. For some, it’s a tradition that has been passed down through generations.
After dealing with personal struggles, Pang Lo discovered love and faith in the religion of Islam. And now in her observance of Ramadan, she has found the ability to thrive in it.
Republican candidate for the 69th district House of Representatives seat Susan McGillicuddy said she’s ready to move up.After serving as the Meridian Charter Township supervisor for 12 years, she wants to try her hand at state politics. The State News sat down with McGillicuddy to speak about her campaign.
The 2012 Summer Olympics just started in London, but the Olympic flame is taking a while to spark in East Lansing bars. The bars haven’t experienced big crowds to watch the games just yet, but hope they will as the games progress.
With the primary election coming up next week on Aug. 7, the three Republican candidates and two Democratic candidates for the 69th district seat in the House of Representatives are in the last stretch to reach out to voters. The State News will profile each of the candidates this week, starting with Democrat Sam Singh.
John Michels bought his 1924 Dodge nearly 60 years ago so he could go fishing while at college; but this Saturday, his car was helping him catch more than fish — it helped him catch attention. The Lansing resident was one of more than 150 car enthusiasts who showed off their wheels at the 20th annual Car Capital Celebration at Adado Riverfront Park, 300 N. Grand Ave., this weekend.
In 2008, Bill Cleary lost his wife of 48 years, along with all social life, forcing him into a shell. With a push from his daughter, Cleary, 89, decided to attend the Senior Prom in 2009, a dance held for senior citizens, and he has not missed the event since.
When Susan Schmidt campaigns door to door, she is surprised by the connection she feels with the community. On Tuesday, the Democratic candidate for the 69th district House of Representatives seat spent about eight hours speaking with voters about their concerns, many of whom she visited before.
Anyone near the Michigan Supreme Court building Wednesday morning probably heard chanting by a large group rallying outside, but might be surprised by the topic of their protest.