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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Election education

With a bundle of rubber-banded Democratic leaflets and brochures in hand, Eric Burton, dressed in blue jeans and a green MSU track T-shirt knocks on East Holden Hall doors as students stream by wearing garb more appropriate for the Halloween night. "Hi, I'm just dropping off some literature about next week's election," Burton says, who by now has knocked on 10 doors in 25 minutes. The student at the door responds with a thank you.

MICHIGAN

Magic gives back to community

Brendan Bouffard
November 2, 2006

Lansing — David Demyers waited in anticipation as he practiced his color guard routine. Working on it for close to three weeks now, he was almost bursting at the seams with excitement at the prospect of performing for a favorite celebrity. Demyers was one of many children who got to meet Earvin "Magic" Johnson Wednesday night at a charity event in Lansing. "It's a time in my life when I get to meet someone famous," Demyers said.

MICHIGAN

Whitmer runs for state Senate twice in a year, now against Lambert

Kristyn Peterson
November 1, 2006

Democratic state Sen. Gretchen Whitmer is readying herself for her second election in less than a year. Because she technically filled the vacant Senate position left by now-Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero in March, she's running again this November for a second term. This time she's up against Republican challenger Frank Lambert. Both candidates agree that educational funding is an important issue facing Michigan residents.

MICHIGAN

Local coaches: No on Prop 2

Brendan Bouffard
October 31, 2006

Okemos — MSU basketball coaches Tom Izzo and Joanne P. McCallie denounced Proposal 2 Monday afternoon, saying the ballot initiative would harm diversity in the state. They were joined by several other collegiate basketball coaches, including Tommy Amaker from University of Michigan and Ernie Zeigler from Central Michigan University. Izzo urged Michigan voters to oppose Proposal 2. "We should be trying to take steps forward," Izzo said.

MICHIGAN

Potential development may offer housing close to campus

Kris Turner
October 31, 2006

Construction on a Louis Street apartment building that will house 96 people could begin by June, giving students more housing options close to campus. Joe Goodsir, president of Community Resource Management Co., said he hopes this project mirrors the success of an apartment building he opened in 2001 on Louis Street. "That has been a very successful building for us," Goodsir said. The plans for the new apartment building will go before the East Lansing City Council at its Nov.

MICHIGAN

Boudro defense cites photos in testimony

The victim of an August assault in East Wilson Hall said Friday he has lost 90 percent of his hearing in his left ear, has decreased cognitive abilities and is recovering from a skull fracture. William Suits' testimony was part of a preliminary examination in East Lansing's 54-B District Court in the case against Paul Boudro, a Richmond resident who is charged with one felony count of assault in connection with the incident, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The alleged assault occurred at about 3 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Kids celebrate historical Halloween

By James Andersen Special to The State News Lansing — Dressed as Detroit Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson, complete with fake facial hair and a baseball glove, 8-year-old Noah Kitson of Lansing smiled as he described his favorite part of the 1931 movie "Frankenstein." "I like the part where Igor drops the normal brain and picks up the other one," he said.

MICHIGAN

Student helps start SADD chapter at MSU

Years after Amy Gnotek lost her aunt, uncle and two high school classmates in separate drunken driving incidents, she now has a way to raise awareness about the problem. The interdisciplinary studies in social science senior helped form MSU's first chapter of Spartans Against Drunk Driving, or SADD, which will raise awareness about drunken driving, supports victims of the crime and prevents underage drinking. The group will hold its first meeting at 7 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Hookah venue continues trend in downtown East Lansing

Gabrielle Russon
October 26, 2006

A new hookah lounge opening in downtown East Lansing in November will test whether the industry has enough steam to survive. The Blue Midnight Hookah Lounge, which is under construction at Subway's vacated Albert Avenue location, doesn't plan on getting a liquor license or selling main courses. However, the lounge might need additional offerings — like alcohol or food — to make a profit because of high rent and overhead costs, said Matt Rouhan, the store manager of Silver Streak and Krazy Katz, a retail store that sells hookahs and flavored tobacco. "Keep in mind — this is tobacco," Rouhan said.

MICHIGAN

Students grill to raise money for troops

Tara Thoel
October 26, 2006

Spartans Supporting the Troops, a student organization devoted to serving members of the military, grilled up some meals on Wednesday at BD's Mongolian Barbecue in Okemos to help fund care packages for troops overseas. "We want to let the soldiers … know that younger people do care about them and care that they are gone," said Jessica Fischman, the group's president.

MICHIGAN

Walk held for children to trick-or-treat safely

All area goblins and ghouls are welcome to participate in the Great Pumpkin Walk in downtown East Lansing tonight from 5-7 p.m. Free trick-or-treat bags for the annual event can be picked up at Green River Cafe, 211 M.A.C.

MICHIGAN

Construction of Campus Village apartments begins, to open additions next fall

Kris Turner
October 26, 2006

A project to build the second phase of the Campus Village apartments has broken ground and should be completed by next fall. Students are already leasing apartments for the building, which will be constructed at 1231 Michigan Ave., formerly the site of Capital Honda. "There is a big hole in the ground right now; we hope to have it completed a year from now for the start of school," said Ernest Schaefer, president of Rochester Hills-based Campus Village Communities.

MICHIGAN

Groups rally at Club X-Cel for election issues

Lindsey Poisson
October 25, 2006

Lansing — Election volunteers and special interest group members took a serious tone on Tuesday under the spotlights and disco ball at Lansing's Club X-Cel. At a "Get Out the Vote Rally," speakers from Michigan Equality, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Organization for Women talked to a crowd of 45 people about Proposal 2, HIV-AIDS and some Michigan politicians' inaction on legislation for equality. Despite some somber topics, there were positive rallying and cheers on Tuesday night. Penny Gardner, an MSU women, gender and social justice professor, was invited to speak at the rally about second parent adoption. "Voters need to be informed and also perked-up in a rally," she said.

MICHIGAN

Spooky supplies to dwindle for shoppers

Gabrielle Russon
October 25, 2006

Sparkly pink eyelashes for drag queens. Oversized elf ears. Bushy mustaches so realistic they look like they were ripped from someone's upper lip. These are just some of the items for sale as the scramble for Halloween costumes ramps up this week during the busiest shopping time of the holiday, local businesses said Tuesday. "People go crazy — it's last minute shopping," said April Rose, a supervisor at Halloween USA in Frandor Shopping Center.