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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Multiple thefts reported across campus in 1-day span

Five burglaries occurred on campus Wednesday within a 10-hour span, totaling more than $800 in losses, MSU police said. Students living in Butterfield, Campbell, Hubbard, Mary Mayo and Williams halls reported stolen property such as wallets and MP3 players, and several said their rooms were left unattended during the incidents. Police and university officials are unsure if all five incidents are linked, but they stressed the importance of exercising caution and vigilance in the residence halls. At about 6:40 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Shoppers flock for football

Gabrielle Russon
September 1, 2006

Football is back in town and for many East Lansing businesses, it's a familiar, yet welcome return. "It does have a huge impact on everybody's business," said Student Book Store manager Brad Ballein.

MICHIGAN

Zoo unveils exotic rodents

Brendan Bouffard
August 31, 2006

After a voyage of more than 300 miles, five new Patagonian cavies are on display at the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing. The cavies, which were quarantined for the past month in the zoo, were first shown to the public last week. The long-legged rodents, a relative of the guinea pig, look similar to a cross between a miniature deer and jackrabbit.

MICHIGAN

Gov. Granholm leads slightly over DeVos

Lindsey Poisson
August 31, 2006

A recent poll of likely Michigan voters gave Gov. Jennifer Granholm a slight lead over the challenger Republican candidate Dick DeVos in the race for Michigan governor. In a poll of 1,200 likely voters conducted Friday to Sunday by Georgia-based Strategic Vision LLC, 48 percent said they would re-elect Granholm.

MICHIGAN

Voters support wiretap verdict

Lindsey Poisson
August 30, 2006

A majority of Michigan voters agree the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance of international e-mails and phone calls is unconstitutional, according to a poll conducted last week by Lansing-based EPIC-MRA. Fifty-six percent of 600 likely voters agreed with last week's ruling by U.S.

MICHIGAN

Trial date pushed back in playground fire case

The scheduled pretrial hearings of the two 17-year-olds charged with burning a Harrison Meadows Park playground structure has been delayed. Alex Charles Ellis and Jace Wickman, both of East Lansing, will appear in court on Oct.

MICHIGAN

Word on the Street

The average price of gas is down 35 cents per gallon in the past three weeks, and it hit a new five-month low. Does that change how much you drive? Does it mean anything to you? "No.

MICHIGAN

Gas prices at 5-month low, could drop further

Gabrielle Russon
August 29, 2006

Another cause for celebration this Labor Day weekend could come from an unlikely place — the gas station. After this weekend, gas prices should begin to drop, said AAA Michigan spokeswoman Nancy Cain. "We don't think we've seen the lowest price yet," she said. Already, the gradual drop at the pumps can be seen as the summer slowly dwindles to an end. The price of regular gasoline is down 35 cents per gallon over the past three weeks, and the statewide average reached a five-month low of $2.77, AAA Michigan announced Monday. Still, compared to this time in August 2005, prices are up 9.5 cents per gallon.

MICHIGAN

'Glass Castle' author visits E.L.

Andrea Humanic
August 28, 2006

A woman who grew up almost constantly on the move with her eccentric family discussed how her life has changed since sharing her memoir with the world Wednesday night at the Hannah Community Center. Jeannette Walls, whose book "The Glass Castle" was chosen for the "One Book, One Community" program, charmed an audience of about 750 guests with stories of people she has met since her book was published, as well as the reaction of those who knew her but didn't know her past struggles. The "One Book, One Community" program was created in the fall of 2002 and is designed to strengthen the relationship between the university and the community of East Lansing by giving students and residents a common bond. "The Glass Castle" covers Walls' unconventional childhood, her relationship with her parents who were careless and unkind at times and her own coming-of-age despite her difficult roots.

MICHIGAN

Northern Tier land could be sold to E.L.; votes could decide area's fate

Kris Turner
August 28, 2006

Correction: "Northern Tier land could be sold to E.L.; votes could decide area's fate" should read "Northern Tier land could be annexed to E.L.; votes could decide area's fate." About 200 acres of land in the Northern Tier area could be obtained by East Lansing if voters decide to expand the city's boundaries. Gilbert White, a local real estate developer, sent two petitions in late July to the Ingham County Clerk's office asking for parts of Meridian Township to be annexed to East Lansing. The Northern Tier is located north of Lake Lansing Road and includes The Landings and The Village at Chandler Crossings apartment complexes. "It would be a substantial loss to the community," Meridian Township supervisor Susan McGillicuddy said.

MICHIGAN

Teens charged in playground arson

Two East Lansing 17-year-olds were charged with felony arson for their involvement in the July destruction of a Harrison Meadows Park playground structure. Alex Charles Ellis and Jace Wickman were arraigned Tuesday and charged with two counts of arson of real property and one count of conspiracy to commit arson. Each offense is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and, in this case, a possible restitution payment of more than $42,000. Wickman allegedly contacted East Lansing Police Department Detective Jeff Walsh in August with information about possible suspects in the case and said Ellis was with him when the fire occurred. Walsh interviewed the defendants separately and said he discovered differences in each defendant's sequence of events.

MICHIGAN

Parks and Rec tutoring program receives grant

Brendan Bouffard
August 28, 2006

The East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts has received a $1,170 grant for East Lansing middle and high school students who need after-school tutoring. The scholarships are designated for those students who attend tutoring sessions filled primarily with volunteers from the MSU Service-Learning Program. The grant allows for 10 students to attend the one-on-one tutoring sessions. To apply for one of the student scholarships, fill out an application available at www.cityofeastlansing.com.

MICHIGAN

Expanding into nature

Holly Klaft
August 16, 2006

Walkers, joggers and bikers will have a little more to enjoy as the city begins construction to extend the Northern Tier Trail. The trail has been a prominent feature in the city for about seven years, and runs north to south along the west side of Abbott Road for four miles.