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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Capsule app aims to make party planning private

Becca Guajardo
March 15, 2012

A new smartphone application named Capsule is getting some attention among young adults because of its innovative way of party planning and sharing. The app launched Jan. 19 and provides users with a way to invite specific friends to an event without having it publicly displayed on Facebook or other social media sites. A specific phone number and email address is selected for the Capsule group so personal information can be anonymous.

Katie Harrington ·
MICHIGAN

Students rally for nurse rights

Katie Harrington
March 14, 2012

“Protect our jobs! Protect our voice!” and similar chants filled Michigan Avenue in Lansing Wednesday as close to 500 registered nurses, students and activists from across Michigan flooded the streets with signs and flags. “I think with health care really being in the forefront of politics today and nurses being the most trusted profession in the country, we can make a difference,” said Debra Nault, a registered nurse and clinical faculty member at MSU. The campaigners gathered at the Lansing Center, 333 E.

MICHIGAN

Judge discounts recent lawsuit

Beau Hayhoe
March 14, 2012

A lawsuit filed against the city of East Lansing accusing the city council of violating a law that mandates all governing bodies hold open meetings has been thrown out by Judge Clinton Canady of Ingham County’s 30th Circuit Court. The lawsuit — filed by East Lansing resident Phil Bellfy and his attorney, Jeffrey Hank — said the city council violated the Open Meetings Act, or OMA, and made a secret decision not to investigate Bellfy’s claims of misconduct by the city attorney’s office.

MICHIGAN

Developer says City Center II ready to advance

Beau Hayhoe
March 14, 2012

In response to the article “E.L. extends City Center II’s financial plans to April,” (SN, 3/14), Strathmore Development Company President Scott Chappelle said in an email he is confident the City Center II project has all the necessary components in place to move the project forward to completion.

MICHIGAN

Pie lovers celebrate math on Pi Day at Grand Traverse Pie Co.

Alex McClung
March 14, 2012

Mathematicians and dessert enthusiasts united Wednesday afternoon to celebrate Pi Day at Grand Traverse Pie Company, 1403 E. Grand River Ave. At 3:14 p.m., Grand Traverse Pie Company began giving away free slices of pie for 31.4 minutes to celebrate the irrational number, which begins with the digits 3.14.

MICHIGAN

Mich. prepares for sale, use of newly legal fireworks

Ian Kullgren
March 13, 2012

Fourth of July will have more of a spark this year thanks to a new Michigan law allowing consumers to access more powerful fireworks, and although no stores in the state currently are carrying rockets or firecrackers, police are warning residents about potential noise violations using the explosives could bring with the approaching St. Patrick’s Day weekend and NCAA Tournament.

MICHIGAN

Study takes closer look at US citizenship exam format

Lauren Gibbons
March 12, 2012

Results of a recent study questioning the legitimacy of the U.S. Naturalization Test might cause concern for immigrants, including some MSU students vying for official citizenship status in the U.S., according to an MSU professor. Paula Winke, assistant professor of second language studies and lead researcher on the study, said the analysis largely focused on the randomness and level of difficulty of different questions asked in the civics portion of the U.S. Naturalization Test and determined the test structure might be unreliable.

MICHIGAN

‘Kony 2012’ video draws support, criticism

Ian Kullgren
March 11, 2012

Last Tuesday, James Madison freshman Riley Mahoney clicked on a Twitter link leading her to a video about an African guerilla leader who until recently was virtually unknown to the Western world. For her, the 30-minute video of a grassroots movement to end Ugandan guerilla leader Joseph Kony’s cling to power evoked some strong emotions.

MICHIGAN

Alleged armed robbery at Spartan Village, attempted mugging occur during spring break

Lauren Gibbons
March 11, 2012

Although both MSU and East Lansing police departments reported a few unusual crimes during the university’s spring break week, it was business as usual for the most part, with the crime rate on par with past university holidays, police officials said. Those who remained in the area, particularly in university housing complex Spartan Village, were surprised by the announcement of an alleged armed robbery in the complex that took place at about 8:40 p.m. March 5.

MICHIGAN

E.L. celebrates anniversary banning LGBT discrimination

Beau Hayhoe
March 11, 2012

Last week, East Lansing officials recognized the 40th anniversary of the city’s decision to include sexual orientation protection in its civil rights ordinance, a move officials said still has repercussions decades later. On March 7, 1972, the East Lansing City Council voted to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the city’s hiring practices, becoming the first city in the country to do so.

MICHIGAN

Medical amnesty bill passed by state House

Ian Kullgren
March 11, 2012

A bill aimed to provide legal protection for minors who turn themselves or a friend in to police for being dangerously drunk passed in the state House last Tuesday in a near-unanimous vote and now will move on to the Senate. The proposed law would shield minors from a minor in possession charge if they seek police help for themselves or a friend for being too drunk.

MICHIGAN

Officials assess long-term goals for East Lansing

Beau Hayhoe
March 1, 2012

As city officials take their first steps toward re-evaluating East Lansing’s strategic priorities, residents, students and members of the city council are stressing the need for increased community involvement and a positive relationship with the university. Members of the city council held their first discussion regarding a re-evaluation of the strategic priorities, a list of long-term goals that are examined every two years, at the council’s Wednesday night work session.

MICHIGAN

E. coli in raw clover sprouts linked to some Jimmy John’s

Rebecca Ryan
March 1, 2012

Last week, the Michigan Department of Community Health issued a public health alert warning against eating raw clover sprouts — a topping on some Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches items — after two E. coli-related illnesses were reported and five more were suspected in central and southeast Michigan. The people who were ill all had a common link — they had eaten raw clover sprouts from sandwich shops.

MICHIGAN

Police warn students to take extra safety precautions for spring break

Kellie Rowe
March 1, 2012

As Courtney Borchard walked into her East Lansing home after Labor Day weekend last year, she found jewelry strewn across her counters, overturned drawers and a hole cut through the screen of her bathroom window. It led her to one conclusion — someone had broken in while she was away. For the political science senior, much more than her laptop and other tangibles had been stolen.

MICHIGAN

MSU offers free tax advice for low-income taxpayers

Darcie Moran
March 1, 2012

Michigan weather might slowly be taking a turn for the better, but many dread the approach of the change in seasons: Tax season has arrived. Filing deadlines for 2011 federal and state tax returns are quickly approaching on April 17, about one month after students return from spring break. Rich Smith, owner of Spartan Tax Relief, 2875 Northwind Drive, said the process of filing taxes can seem frightening for some students.