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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Experts: Void left by business tax loss must be filled

Nearly a week after state lawmakers decided to repeal the Single Business Tax, concern has risen as to how the Legislature plans to fill the hole it will cause in the state's economy. Revenues from the tax make up 22 percent of the state's general fund. The tax, which should be phased out by the end of 2007, is believed to be a burden that's keeping new businesses from locating in Michigan.

MICHIGAN

Local airport calm despite terrorist threat

Justin Kroll
August 11, 2006

There were no delays and the atmosphere remained calm at Capital City Airport on Thursday despite heightened security due to an attempted terrorist plot. British authorities arrested 24 people after they were tipped off about a plan to blow up at least 10 planes leaving for the U.S.

MICHIGAN

Traffic stop yields terror arrest of 2 Mich. men

Lindsey Poisson
August 11, 2006

Two 20-year-old college students from Dearborn were arrested and charged Wednesday with money laundering and procuring items with the intent to use them in terrorist acts. Local authorities stopped Osama Sabhi Abulhassan and Ali Houssaiky for a traffic violation in Marietta, Ohio, when the deputies found flight information, $11,000 in cash and 12 phones in their car, according to an Associated Press report. A map showing Wal-Mart locations in Kentucky, Tennessee and North and South Carolina were also found.

MICHIGAN

CATA invests in energy-efficient buses

Mara Deutch
August 10, 2006

After 10 years of working toward improving the environment, the Capitol Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, furthered its goal by purchasing three diesel, hybrid electric buses. The buses, which are the first of their kind to be used in the state of Michigan, will create less emissions than other CATA buses and provide a smoother ride for customers, said Sandy Draggoo, executive director and CEO of CATA. CATA plans to begin building the buses into their regular routes as soon as Aug.

MICHIGAN

County considers 911 centers' consolidation

Lindsey Poisson
August 9, 2006

For Ingham County, the question is whether or not less is more for emergency dispatch centers. County commissioners are considering merging Ingham County's two 911 centers after a recent independent study showed the potential cost effectiveness of having one emergency dispatch center for the entire county. If the two centers merge, concerns from local police include quality of service diminishing, lack of a contingency during a power failure and what will happen to employees within the two centers. The county is concerned about funding without raising taxes.

MICHIGAN

Financial woes

There are several obstacles facing businesses located near the Chandler Crossings apartment complexes, East Lansing Economic Development Administrator Tim Dempsey said. Although the area is divided between the city of East Lansing and Bath Township, businesses seem to filter in and out of the area after having their doors open for only a few years. "There's a number of challenges faced by that shopping center," Dempsey said. "One of them is its design and placement.

MICHIGAN

Fliers may prompt more votes in coming elections

Justin Kroll
August 8, 2006

In an effort to raise voter turnout, Michigan residents are being notified of whether or not their neighbors voted. Ingham County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Mark Grebner, sent 20,000 fliers out to registered voters across the state listing whether or not their neighbors voted to see if it increases numbers at the polls. The effort is part of a statewide voter turnout study being conducted by Grebner. "We're hoping that fliers like these will get more voter participation," Grebner said.

MICHIGAN

Burned play structure to be replaced

Lindsey Poisson
August 7, 2006

Efforts to rebuild an East Lansing playground structure that burned down in early July are already underway as police continue to investigate the arson. A replacement for the structure in Harrison Meadows Park, located on Roxburgh Avenue, could be completed by either fall or spring, depending on how smoothly everything goes, said Tim McCaffrey, director of East Lansing parks and recreation. "The city has every intention of replacing the playground structure," he said.

MICHIGAN

Ballot machines could malfunction

Justin Kroll
August 4, 2006

Voters and candidates could face the possibility of problems with ballot machines for the primary elections Tuesday. Ingham County Clerk Mike Bryanton and his staff demonstrated how the ballot machines work and the possible problems that could occur with their use at the Ingham County Courthouse on Thursday. "We are hoping for everything to go smoothly," Bryanton said.

MICHIGAN

Alumnus may plead guilty in melee case

Lindsey Poisson
August 4, 2006

A former MSU student living in Illinois who was charged with offenses from an on-campus disturbance in 2003 might plead guilty to a misdemeanor relating to the incident as part of a plea agreement. Kyle Thomas Manning, a 22-year-old who attended but did not graduate from MSU, is charged with an unlawful assembly felony and an arson of personal property valued at less than $200 misdemeanor.

MICHIGAN

A move for goodwill

Mara Deutch
August 4, 2006

Lansing — Joseph and Demetria Burton can often be found at community activities or volunteering at local organizations, but now they have decided to do more than participate.

MICHIGAN

Examination continues for accused

Lindsey Poisson
August 3, 2006

Preliminary examinations for two men charged in connection with an alleged Feb. 23 assault in Hubbard Hall are scheduled to recommence today, according to 54-B District Court records. MSU student Albert Reginald Robinson and nonstudent Joel Ross Hamlar appeared in court previously for their examinations June 23 and July 28, which included testimony from the victims of the incident. On Feb.

MICHIGAN

Scouts' common cents

Always be prepared — to spend money. That's the motto area business owners were happy to see thousands of Boy Scouts live by this week during the Boy Scouts of America's National Order of the Arrow Conference, which is being held at MSU.

MICHIGAN

Final Mich. plate will showcase 'peninsulas'

Justin Kroll
August 3, 2006

Michigan drivers will have something new to tack on their vehicles after the Michigan Secretary of State revealed its new license plate Wednesday. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land unveiled the new plate in Dearborn and Grand Rapids. Judges from across the state spent the last month searching through more than 1,500 entries. "It was a very tough decision to find the right design," said Kelly Chesney, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State.

MICHIGAN

State to vote on Single Business Tax

Rebecca Mcnulty
August 3, 2006

The Single Business Tax is closer to meeting its doom, as a ballot initiative that would repeal it has been approved by the Board of State Canvassers. Members of the organization Repeal The Single Business Tax, or Repeal SBT, which includes Oakland County Executive L.