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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Ex-wife lied to police in '73 case

Lansing — The ex-wife of a man charged with the 1973 murder of an MSU student testified she lied to police about her ex-husband's involvement in the crime Thursday. Roberta Price, ex-wife of Kumbi Salim — who is charged with the murder of Martin V.

MICHIGAN

Student's design takes 2nd

The design — a sidewalk twisted like an awareness ribbon, hitting a brick wall emblazoned with bronze plaques in honor of the 529 Michigan police officers who've lost their lives in the line of duty.

MICHIGAN

Program keeps E.L. kids active

Ashley Harmon seemed confident of a win Wednesday night. As the fifth-grader's team sat back, the opponents wildly threw balled pieces of paper into a trash can. "I think we're going to win," Harmon said.

MICHIGAN

Senate birth-control bill draws support

The Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan called on state legislators Tuesday at the Capitol Building to join them in fighting the country's problems with unintended pregnancies. The "Prevention First" initiative was established to expand access to birth control and accurate sex education on both national and statewide levels, said Sarah Scranton, executive director for Planned Parenthood affiliates of Michigan. "Improving access to preventative health care, supporting healthy families, should be a shared statewide goal that we all can agree upon," Scranton said.

MICHIGAN

WEB EXTRA: Recycling available to apartment complexes

The curbside recycling program allows some residents to do their part in protecting the environment — if the East Lansing City Council approves a new ordinance, more people could be eligible for the service. Apartment buildings with more than four units are not able to receive the curbside service.

MICHIGAN

Free tuition could be available for veterans

A proposed bill in the state House could provide Michigan residents with a little bit more incentive to serve their country. The legislation, titled "Veterans Tuition Waiver Act," would grant free tuition for certain qualified veterans of the U.S.

MICHIGAN

City manager honored for service

East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton earned the Excellence in Local Government award from the Michigan Local Government Management Association during the association's winter conference. "It's always nice to be recognized by your peers in your profession," Staton said.

MICHIGAN

Road project to finish in late 2007

Meridian Township — Sarah Christensen cuts through Birch Row Drive when traveling to the grocery store from her apartment, north of East Lake Lansing Road. But massive construction of Birch Row Drive and its adjoining streets, beginning last year has extended Christensen's would-be two minute commute to the store. "It just seemed like it took way too long to pave a silly road," the human resource management junior said.

MICHIGAN

Development permit rejected for environmental concerns

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality rejected a permit for an office park that would have affected part of East Lansing's wetlands. The project, being developed by Okemos-based TMN Builders Inc., would have "significant adverse impacts" on a wetland, according to the department, or DEQ. The East Lansing City Council will take this into account, among other factors, when deciding on a city permit for the developer during its work session at 6 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Midday snow storm could drop more than 6 inches

The subzero temperatures might have passed, but Old Man Winter isn't done yet. Snowfall might exceed 6 inches today, possibly meriting a winter storm warning, said WILX Channel 10 meteorologist Andy Provenzano. "They start with a watch to heighten awareness," he said.

MICHIGAN

Service tax proposed

A 2 percent tax on services is what Michigan consumers can expect the next time they go to a hair salon, dry cleaner or movie theater, if Gov.

MICHIGAN

YouTube users to receive profit share

There are more than 100 million videos shown each day on YouTube.com, with at least 65,000 videos uploaded daily and viewed by some 70 million users. Now, imagine if every user who uploaded a video to the Web site was paid for the content. YouTube, which recently was purchased by Google, is now offering to share ad revenue with users.

MICHIGAN

Governor reveals state budget plan

Gov. Jennifer Granholm followed through on her promise to Michiganians on Thursday when she unveiled a budget proposal focused on increasing funding for education. Granholm's proposal includes initiatives to increase investment in higher education by more than $43 million, increase per pupil funding in K-12 schools by $178 per student and invest $200 million to expand early childhood education. "This budget continues the trend of investing record amounts in education," Granholm said in a statement.

MICHIGAN

Quenching the economy

While Michigan's $800 million deficit is thirsty for dollars, one nonprofit corporation is looking to dry the public's palette by raising a tax on beer. The Center for Michigan, a nonpartisan think-tank, has created "Eight Ideas to Structurally Change How Michigan Does the Public's Business in These Difficult Economic Times." The plan, which has been developed for months, gives ideas to alter both spending and taxation. Aside from an increase on the beer tax, the plan also calls for the creation of a soft drink tax. Executive director John Bebow said the current beer tax is "reaching irrelevance." The $6.30 tax per barrel of beer hasn't changed since 1966.