An agreement between East Lansing and Meridian Township to share construction inspection services and save money for both communities went into effect Monday. As a result of the agreement, Meridian Township utility inspections will be conducted by East Lansing inspectors.
When Bob Hoffman, the public relations manager for Wharton Center, was cut off by a woman driving in front of him, he had no idea it would lead to the grassroots nonprofit movement ePIFanyNow.org. Hoffman invited friends to do the same, resulting in 250 people at Dublin Square Irish Pub, 327 Abbot Road, for the inaugural Pass It Forward party in February 2009, which was hosted by the website.
About 90 percent of pregnant women who discover their child will be born with Down syndrome have an abortion, but Jamie Rahrig, the vice president of activities and events for the Capital Area Down Syndrome Association, or CADSA sported her “proud parent” T-shirt Saturday, which displayed a picture of her 6-year-old son, Jackson, who has Down syndrome. Rahrig and CADSA hosted an inaugural scavenger hunt event Saturday, which was used not only to garner funds for other CADSA functions, but also to raise awareness about the genetic disorder.
Two ballot proposals crucial to the funding of the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, were approved by voters during Tuesday’s primary election. One proposal — which passed with 63 percent of the vote — was to renew and conjoin two millages for CATA, allowing the buses to continue operating without cutbacks.
As polls closed Tuesday evening, Susan McGillicuddy felt the support of Michigan’s 69th district with 65 percent of the vote in the Republican primary election for a seat in the state House of Representatives. McGillicuddy, an MSU alumna and 10-year Meridian Township supervisor, had 4,123 votes to beat opposing Republican candidate and General Motors Corp. lineworker Frank Lambert’s 2,237.
Following a close finish, Clinton Canady and Billie Jo O’Berry were the top two vote-getters in Tuesday’s primary for 30th Circuit Court Judge, allowing them to move on to a November general election face-off. Canady, the founder of Canady Law Offices and an attorney with 37 years of experience, earned nearly 30 percent of the vote. In second, O’Berry, an assistant city attorney for the city of Lansing, gained 27 percent support.
Employees at the Capital Area District Library, or CADL, knew even in a slowing economy, area residents still would be there to support their services. Voters approved a CADL proposal to renew 1.56 mills, or $156 for a house worth $100,000, for the next four years during Tuesday’s primary election.
Breast-feeding mothers face unique challenges when returning to work, and MSU’s Breastfeeding Initiative, or BFI, is hoping to create solutions. The organization held its second annual Breastfeeding Awareness Walk on Wednesday along the Red Cedar River to inform the MSU community of obstacles faced by working, breast-feeding mothers.
Sarah Willis, a creative writing sophomore at Grand Valley State University, directs this summer’s production of Peter Pan at All-of-us-Express Children’s Theatre at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road., which premiered Friday night. The All-of-us-Express Children’s Theatre is a local nonprofit organization that produces plays throughout the year.
In line with a growing trend of businesses offering mobile access, Biggby Coffee customers can access a calorie counter, find nearby locations and other information using the company’s new mobile website. The site, launched in July, converted the original Biggby website into a mobile-friendly version for use on cell phones.
Friday is the last day to be counted in the 2010 U.S. Census. Any Michigan resident who failed to mail back a form or talk to a census worker should call 1-866-872-6868 to be counted.
Rain showers sent children and their parents fleeing for cover under the colorful canopies Wednesday afternoon at the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, but after the sun came out less than five minutes later, the celebrations continued. The 2010 Summer Splash took place Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of the aquatic center, 6400 Abbot Road.
Four area lawyers will vie to become 30th District Circuit Court Judge in Tuesday’s primary. The six-year position opened after the retirement of Judge James Giddings, leaving no incumbent in the race to become Ingham County’s newest judge. Competing for the position are: Clinton Canady, Gregory Crockett, Jim Jamo and Billie Jo O’Berry.
Textbooks might become a lot cheaper for students at MSU and across the nation if a bill in the U.S. Senate becomes law. The Open College Textbook Act, introduced in Sept. 2009, would provide one-year grants to universities and professors to produce quality textbooks that would be available for free online.
Based on past voter turnouts and filings for absentee ballots, about 1.7 million voters are expected to vote in Tuesday’s primary, according to the Michigan Secretary of State.
The Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, will offer free rides to all customers with a Michigan voter registration card during regular service hours Tuesday, the date of the primary elections. Valid cards must be presented to the driver upon boarding to receive a free ride.
With magic tricks, blues music, free food and speeches from a variety of Michigan’s advocates for disability rights, the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, was celebrated Monday on the Capitol steps in Lansing. The ADA provides disabled citizens with civil protections that provide equal opportunities in education, communications, transportation and employment.
Although most still are in operation, some local hookah bars have watched their profits go up in smoke as a result of Michigan’s workplace smoking ban. The law prohibits smoking in public areas, but because more than 75 percent of sales are derived from tobacco products, hookah lounges such as Blue Midnight Hookah Lounge, 330 Albert Ave., are not required to cut smoke from the premises.
Burger lovers in East Lansing and at MSU have something to look forward to this fall. A franchise location of Five Guys Burgers and Fries will open in September at 623 E. Grand River Ave., replacing Take 2 Authentics, with construction beginning Monday, said owner Michael Abrams.
The Ingham County TRIAD Senior Prom provided dinner, dancing and live music for about 300 people who attended, and was sponsored by the nonprofit Ingham County TRIAD and Elder Law of Michigan, said Lansing police Sgt. Traci Ruiz, who organized the event and is the chair of TRIAD.