MICHIGAN

Mock fire raises awareness

Brendan Bouffard

January 22, 2007

The room was typical. A dirty mattress and an old wooden desk were crammed into a space smaller than a prison cell, and stains on a tattered La-Z-Boy chair made the site eerily similar to a standard dorm room or rental home. As East Lansing firefighters dropped a burning flare into a trash can filled with old newspapers, a vivid message was delivered. "If your smoke detector goes off because of a fire, you have 90 seconds to get out of the room," said Gerald Rodabaugh, East Lansing's fire inspector.

MICHIGAN

Beaner's trainees use faux facility

Cash Kruth

January 19, 2007

Tucked away on the third floor of a Fifth Third Bank in East Lansing is a training center for Beaner's Gourmet Coffee employees. It's there that they learn to work the cash register, make well-known drinks and deal with the hassles of being a barista.

MICHIGAN

E.L. heroes rewarded

One person pulled an elderly man from a burning vehicle, another saved his girlfriend from the clutches of an attacker and another fought off a violent rapist. These former or current MSU students were honored alongside police officers Thursday night at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, during the East Lansing Police Department's annual awards ceremony. Josh Burda, a physiology senior, was honored for pulling a man in his 70s from a car that exploded no more than 10 seconds after saving him, he said. "I was just driving and saw there was a guy pulled over, an old man, and I swear that there was a little bit of smoke inside the car.

MICHIGAN

U.S. House cuts loan interest for students

Alex Altman

January 19, 2007

The legions of people fearing post-college debt breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday, when the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a proposal to lower the interest rates of student loans. The legislation, which passed 356-71, could decrease the current 6.8 percent interest rate on Federal Stafford Loans.

MICHIGAN

Bernero to focus on high-tech industry

Alex Altman

January 19, 2007

Creating high-tech jobs in Lansing will be the focus of Mayor Virg Bernero's second year in office. He will detail his plans during his State of the City address at 7 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Photo marks city's anniversary

Kristen Daum

January 18, 2007

Almost 700 people took to East Lansing's streets Wednesday afternoon — but it wasn't to cause trouble. An army of about 180 residents adorned with Spartan-green raincoats stood stationed on M.A.C.

MICHIGAN

Drivers race to pumps after price drop

Cash Kruth

January 17, 2007

This time last year, gas prices averaged $2.20 a gallon. Now, motorists are gleefully rushing to the pump, in awe of some of the lowest gas prices they've seen in a year. "I like (the prices). It helps my bank account," said Andrew Vaneenenaam, a human biology senior, who filled up at the Marathon gas station on Michigan Avenue in East Lansing on Tuesday. Gas prices dropped under $2 a gallon Monday.

MICHIGAN

Volunteers needed for senior program

Jacob Carpenter

January 17, 2007

Volunteers are being sought for the East Lansing Prime Time Seniors' Program to help run its Legacy Project, which aims to bridge the gap between young people and seniors.

MICHIGAN

Partnership to draw businesses to Lansing area

Brendan Bouffard

January 17, 2007

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and other key community members announced Tuesday the creation of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, an organization to foster business growth. "It is hoped that this organization will build avenues for economic development," said Joe Reid, chairman of Capitol Bancorp Ltd.

MICHIGAN

Former trustee files against LCC board

Colleen Maxwell

January 17, 2007

A former Lansing Community College trustee filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the LCC Board of Trustees. Todd Heywood claims that during a 2006 meeting, the board violated Michigan's Open Meetings Act, which requires publicly elected boards to open meetings to the public. According to the lawsuit, trustees asked two LCC employees who were attending the meeting to leave, turning the meeting into a closed session. "When elected officials are willing to violate that sacred trust, it raises all kinds of questions of what the fundamental core of democracy is," Heywood said.

MICHIGAN

Whitmer appointed to Senate groups

Alex Altman

January 17, 2007

State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, was named lead Democrat on the Education and Judiciary committees in Michigan's Senate earlier this month, and she also will serve on the Agriculture and Finance committees. Whitmer will be responsible for developing policies related to her respective fields.

MICHIGAN

Health classes open

Jacob Carpenter

January 17, 2007

Be And Stay Healthy, or BASH, is offering a six-part community health workshop for East Lansing residents starting Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

MICHIGAN

(SCENE) Metrospace to display new art

Jacob Carpenter

January 17, 2007

An art exhibit featuring technology opens Friday at (SCENE) Metrospace, 303 Abbott Road. It will take place from 6-9 p.m.

MICHIGAN

New housing draws student interest

Kristen Daum

January 16, 2007

Several MSU students will call West Village "home" next year, since their parents reserved property in the new residential development. "A lot of parents are interested in buying for their children, so those will be owned by the family, not licensed for rental," West Village spokeswoman Lisa Spaugh said. More than half the properties in the village already have been reserved, and construction begun on the complex.

MICHIGAN

Donations benefit alumni foundation

Cash Kruth

January 16, 2007

Noodles & Company, 205 E. Grand River Ave., is donating 10 percent of sales from 5-9 p.m. on Jan.

MICHIGAN

Health screening teaches diversity

Jacob Carpenter

January 16, 2007

Najim Salman walked into the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing for a series of medical tests Monday and left with a smile on his face. "A clean bill of health," he said at the center's 920 S.

MICHIGAN

Winter season kicks off late

Finally. Glazed like a doughnut, a thin shell of ice covered East Lansing on Sunday night, ushering in winter weather.

MICHIGAN

Football player gets jail time

Through tears, former MSU football player Bobby Jones learned he'll be spending the next four weekends in jail Thursday for throwing an empty bottle of Captain Morgan on a 20-year-old woman. The incident happened at the Chandler Crossings apartments on Oct.

MICHIGAN

Additional troops protested

Jacob Carpenter

January 12, 2007

Area residents gathered Thursday in downtown East Lansing to protest President Bush's announcement that he will send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq. About 100 opponents of the war in Iraq waved signs calling for peace and the return of soldiers, as car horns blared in response at the corner of Grand River Avenue and Abbott Road. "We're hoping to send a strong message to Washington that we want the escalation of the war to end," Haslett resident and rally attendee Linda Carrington said. The demonstration was organized by the Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice, a nonviolent organization that advocates international peace. Margaret Kingsbury, a Lansing resident and member of the group, wants the protest to garner the attention of government representatives. "When you have enough numbers, it sends a very strong message to the people you've elected," Kingsbury said. Grand Ledge resident John Baumgartner held a sign at the rally reading, "It's time for peace.

MICHIGAN

Revised fuel tests inform consumers

Brendan Bouffard

January 12, 2007

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that its testing methods for determining fuel efficiency in vehicles has been revised for the first time in 20 years. "Fuel economy has risen on the list of priorities for car buyers," said John Millett, a spokesperson for the EPA in Washington, D.C.