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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Residents can take crash course on city

Kristen Daum
April 18, 2007

Students have an opportunity to hone their political skills through a new community leadership program sponsored by East Lansing. The city is launching the East Lansing Emerging Leaders Program to give residents a 10-week crash course this fall on the city's governmental process. The program, slated to run September through November, will cover the formats, processes and laws binding city government. "A lot of people might want to become involved but feel they don't have the knowledge or experience, but we want to give them the opportunity," said Marie McKenna, executive assistant to the city manager. In order to create a diverse, yet intimate, learning environment, the program will include about 20 community participants chosen through a comprehensive application process, McKenna said. Any East Lansing resident over the age of 18 can apply to join the program.

MICHIGAN

East Village plan drafted

Kristen Daum
April 17, 2007

A revised design for an East Lansing development project and the city's 2008 finances are among the items up for discussion at tonight's City Council meeting. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

MICHIGAN

E.L. officials consider water bill increase

Kristen Daum
April 13, 2007

The average East Lansing homeowner could pay nearly $15 more for the city's water and sewer services beginning later this year, if a public works proposal is approved within the city's budget. City officials are recommending a 3 percent increase in water billing charges for the 2008 fiscal year — which would add up to an extra $3.66 every three months for the typical household. The next fiscal year begins on July 1. According to the city's 2008 budget proposal, the increase would be used to compensate for increased water consumption by residents and rising costs that East Lansing must pay to purchase the water from the East Lansing-Meridian Township Water and Sewer Authority. The authority serves about 74,000 people between the two municipalities and is able to distribute up to 15 million gallons of water per day. The East Lansing City Council still needs to approve the final budget, which would happen in May, so the proposed 3 percent increase could fluctuate before then, said Todd Sneathen, director of public works and environmental services. "We've anticipated we're going to average (the increase) in terms of that," Sneathen said.

MICHIGAN

MSU group earns top donor registry honors

Brendan Bouffard
April 13, 2007

Standing on the third floor of North Kedzie Hall, surrounded by the walls that house the Medical Technology Program, is a trophy meant to symbolize MSU's dedication to compassion and generosity. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land gave the award to students in the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Student Association for winning the Gift of Life's University Challenge for the third time in four years. The Gift of Life sponsored an organ donation competition that worked with 14 different colleges and universities in Michigan.

MICHIGAN

Council wants plan prepared before vote

Kristen Daum
April 12, 2007

After six months of discussion, the East Lansing City Council isn't ready to vote on a proposed ordinance to ban homeless people from the city's parking facilities. It's not the ordinance that's causing the delay — it's how the city would end up implementing it that is the problem, council members said Tuesday. Instead of punishing, city officials want the proposal to benefit the homeless by providing them with proper shelter and resources to improve their well-being. "How do we take that theory and put it into practice?

MICHIGAN

Residents comb E.L. for bottles

Kristen Daum
April 11, 2007

East Lansing residents have a chance to give back to their community while getting to know their neighbors during a can-and-bottle drive scheduled for April 21. The drive will benefit the Bailey Community Association, which lies in the region bounded by Saginaw Street, East Grand River Avenue, and Hagadorn and Abbott roads. From 2-4 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Video shows E.L. life

Kristen Daum
April 11, 2007

"Rental World: MSU" is available for viewing online at www.offcampusliving.msu.edu. The scripted spin-off of MTV's "The Real World" follows five MSU students as they experience off-campus life.

MICHIGAN

Store's event shut down for dancing

Cash Kruth
April 10, 2007

Students and customers of a local underground hip-hop community are upset with the East Lansing Police Department for shutting down a weekly freestyle hip-hop event. The music store, Code of the Cutz, 317 M.A.C.

MICHIGAN

Cutting from education

Alex Altman
April 10, 2007

Scott Hirko tries not to get involved with political games, but when it comes to his future, he's not messing around. Hirko, a second-year graduate student in MSU's higher, adult and lifelong education program, responded to the Republican-controlled state Senate's initiative to cut funding from Michigan's educational system by launching a Web site, www.geocities.com/michiganforknowledge/. Cutting funds from K-12 schooling and higher education would cripple the state, Hirko said. "Those that are already underprivileged, that have less resources and money to get to college, are going to be less likely to get to college," Hirko said.

MICHIGAN

Police agencies to share data

Cash Kruth
April 9, 2007

Local police agencies are going to gain the ability to snoop through each other's police files and records. The East Lansing Police Department has teamed up with Williamston, Mason, Meridian Township, MSU, Ingham County and Lansing Township to use a software system enabling them to share information. The data-sharing system, which is being installed by the North Carolina-based VisionAIR, will give the municipalities the opportunity to view files on arrests, 911 calls and criminal investigations. "It's almost like all the clouds are blowing into place and we're taking advantage of a lightening strike," said East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert at the March 28 contract signing. Sharing information between departments isn't a new practice — the departments have been doing it for years, East Lansing police Capt.

MICHIGAN

Clinton favored by state Democrats

Alex Altman
April 9, 2007

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republicans John McCain and Rudy Giuliani are the presidential favorites in Michigan, according to a poll released March 23 by www.newsmax.com. Of 454 Democrats polled, 45 percent said they would vote for New York Sen.

MICHIGAN

State delays funds for culture groups

Alex Altman
April 6, 2007

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's imposed a moratorium on all state grants, stunning arts and cultural organizations throughout the state. The moratorium, which took effect Wednesday, will delay $7.5 million in promised payments to arts and cultural groups until the end of the fiscal year, according to ArtServe Michigan. This moratorium is one of 10 issued by Granholm this week to deal with the state's immediate cash-flow crisis and force further efficiency in the government's overall operation. Michigan is facing a $940 million budget deficit this fiscal year.

MICHIGAN

East Village design to include city, residents' input

Kristen Daum
April 6, 2007

And then there was one. When Pierce Company officials left East Lansing five weeks ago, they said they'd return after narrowing down five preliminary design concepts for the East Village project. The San Diego-based master developer plans to unveil one design concept based from the original five when they visit in 10 days, said Theresa Nakata, vice president of marketing and communications for The Pierce Company Inc. "We're moving forward, and we're excited," Nakata said. City officials want the East Village redevelopment to bring a mix of retail, residential and entertainment properties to the area bounded by Hagadorn Road, East Grand River Avenue, Bogue Street and the Red Cedar River. Nakata said at the end of February that the representatives planned to bring back at least two or three concepts, which would take into consideration feedback from East Lansing residents. But Thursday, Nakata said architect David Moreno of Hollywood-based 5+Design was able to incorporate all the feedback from the numerous officials, property owners, students and community members into a single design.

MICHIGAN

Oakland out in MSU's campus search

Kristi Jourdan
April 6, 2007

Oakland University and Beaumont Hospitals announced Thursday they will construct a new medical school in Rochester. Oakland has withdrawn its proposal to become the new satellite location for MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine. MSU Trustee Colleen McNamara said Oakland University officials are attempting to become the state's fourth research university, joining MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. "Oakland is very savvy about how they pushed and looked at what the top three universities have," McNamara said.