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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Mich. kids could get to college earlier

Pete Nichols
June 11, 2007

Two bills proposed in the Michigan House of Representatives could change the way some high school students get their education. The bills would change current education law by allowing 15-year-old students the option of enrolling in a nearby community college, or four-year university, to attain an associate's degree while finishing off their high school education. Presently, schools get $7,085 in funding per student.

MICHIGAN

Michigan's legislature may turn part-time

Pete Nichols
June 7, 2007

Michigan lawmakers may shift the state's legislature from full-time to part-time if a plan supported by Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, goes through. The move could offer various benefits to the state, such as reduction in legislative staff, pay and benefit levels, which would save the state money, Bishop Spokesman, Matt Marsden, said. "I think it's an example of one of the reforms that needs to take place in state government to make it more efficient and more cost-effective than it currently is," he said. The plan has additional benefits, such as forcing legislators to go back to their districts to deal with their constituents, and create time lines to expedite the legislative process, he said. The plan has an ally in Gov.

MICHIGAN

Juice bar to blend into E.L.

Jennifer Orlando
June 7, 2007

It's a family affair when it comes to California Juice Company. Co-owners Erin Horton and her uncle, Steve Dennis - along with Horton's sister, Lainie, and Dennis' daughter, Meghan - will all take part in the family business. "I'll be running it, Meghan will work and my little sister, Lainie, will be working" Horton said.

MICHIGAN

WEB EXTRA: Faculty and students train for disasters alongside MSU police and E.L. Fire Dept.

Cash Kruth
June 7, 2007

Rescuing trapped people from buildings, extinguishing fires, applying first aid, and shutting off gas and electrical lines were just a few of the things MSU faculty and students learned alongside MSU police and the East Lansing Fire Department. The Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, training program is a way for everyday people to learn how prepare for disasters, ranging from terrorist attacks to tornadoes. "I'm one of those people who is afraid of what I don't know," said Jacque Shoppell, an MSU employee and East Lansing resident. Participating in the four-day program, along with about 70 other people, was a way for Shoppell to be better prepared in case emergencies occur anywhere. Armed with goggles, helmets, flashlights, face masks and first aid kits, in East Lansing's Fire Station 1 on Wednesday, the teams ran through a tornado scenario where they had to extinguish a fire and rescue people trapped in a building, MSU police Lt.

MICHIGAN

Ethanol continues to grow in Michigan

Brian McVicar
June 6, 2007

Correction: Each gas station that carries E85 ethanol sells an estimated 1,500 gallons a month. When Jim Little first began selling gas at H&H Mobil in 1969, the price hovered around 35 cents per gallon. "People didn't worry about foreign oil and energy independence, but things have changed," he said. Those two factors were the driving force behind Little's decision to open East Lansing's first E85 ethanol pump Tuesday at H&H Mobil, 1500 Haslett Road. The move makes Little's gas station the third in Mid-Michigan with an E85 ethanol pump and the 44th in the state. "If you would have told people (in 1969) they would be running their car on corn, they would have laughed at you," Little said. E85 ethanol is a fuel made from a mixture of corn and gasoline. Gov.

MICHIGAN

Coordinator takes new position in Vermont

Sarah K. Norris
June 5, 2007

Just two weeks after the East Lansing Art Festival, Sharon Radtke, the city's arts program coordinator, left her position with the city and moved to Vermont. Though Radtke decided to move out of state to be closer to her pregnant daughter, the decision to leave East Lansing was not an easy one, she said. "The city has developed a great culture," she said.

MICHIGAN

Web site, traffic study to be reviewed

Sarah K. Norris
June 5, 2007

A new Web site, designed to promote community living in East Lansing, will be presented to the East Lansing City Council at its meeting today. The Web site, www.homeineastlansing.com, debuted late Monday afternoon, said Lori Mullins, East Lansing's senior project manager. The Web site was initially envisioned as a way to promote the city's housing programs for low to moderate income families, Mullins said. "Our community development group approached the MSU Federal Credit Union, and they suggested they could create a Web site that could provide information and link to their site," she said. The credit union designed the Web site, and will link users to information about its mortgage programs and other financial services for home-buyers.

MICHIGAN

New businesses invade Old Town

Craig Trudell
June 5, 2007

Lansing — Old Town may need a new name after adding 16 new businesses by fall. Currently, the area offers year-round festivals including salsa, jazz, blues and October festivals, said Jamie Schriner-Hooper, director of Old Town Commercial Association or OTCA.

MICHIGAN

Beer keg deposits increase to $30

Ryan Beene
June 5, 2007

Forget about rising gas prices - the minimum deposit price for a beer keg tripled last month. As of May 11, Michigan's Liquor Control Commission increased the deposit price on half- and quarter-barrel kegs from $10 to $30. Thousands of beer kegs have not been returned to breweries because people are taking the kegs to scrap yards, who will pay by the pound for the metal with which the keg is constructed, allowing the keg to be sold at a profit, according to the Associated Press. Major breweries lobbied for the increase, saying that it costs a beer manufacturer about $152 to replace stolen or scrapped beer kegs, according to the Associated Press.

MICHIGAN

Recycling event helps local charities

Sarah K. Norris
June 4, 2007

The environment wasn't the only beneficiary at Project Pride, an event aimed at helping East Lansing residents recycle and reuse. Local charities accepted much-needed donations such as bikes, household appliances and clothing for a variety of causes.