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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Recent break-ins prompt warnings

Residents in DTN Management Co.-owned apartments are being cautioned to lock their doors and windows because of numerous cases of intruders checking for unlocked doors and, in some cases, entering apartments. DTN has sent out a letter warning residents to be on the lookout and report any suspicious activity to the police. The suspect has generally been described as a male in his mid-20s, with a medium build, ranging in height from 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, with brown hair and very intense blue eyes. Authorities say that the Cedar Village apartments and East Village area is a common thread in all of the cases, but incidents have been reported as far north as the Burcham and Abbott roads properties. "It usually occurs in the early morning hours, but we don't have a specific pattern as far as the days are concerned," East Lansing police Detective Steve Gonzalez said. East Lansing authorities have already made one arrest. Gonzalez said that although the arrest may have pertained to the case, there are still other suspects that haven't been caught. "A couple weekends ago, on Saturday morning, a suspect was identified and we're in the process of pressing charges against him," Gonzalez said.

MICHIGAN

Belt safety up since 2000

By Caitlin Scuderi For The State News More people are wearing seat belts, cutting down on traffic fatalities in Michigan, state police reported. Since the safety belt law was passed in Michigan in 2000, traffic fatalities have decreased progressively, said Lynn Suftin of the Office of Highway and Safety Planning. "Over the past three years, safety belt use has increased dramatically," Suftin said.

MICHIGAN

Internet connections

Kristin Horner, an anthropology graduate student, placed an ad on www.craigslist.org to find a roommate for next year, after a previously successfully attempt. Craigslist, the free online forum, is a listing of classified ads — a place to find a job, housing, buy a boat or find a date for Saturday night.

MICHIGAN

Global warming could affect cherry farmers

It only takes one night. Tart cherries, grown in the northwestern part of the state, can be destroyed within one night of frost, leaving a $60 to $80 million deficit for Michigan cherry farmers. "We live on pins and needles this time of the year," said Phil Corson, president of the Cherry Marketing Institute in Lansing.

MICHIGAN

Bill quells funeral protests

Protests around the country at the funerals of American soldiers have prompted a strong reaction from legislators at both the state and national level. A bill introduced Wednesday by U.S.

MICHIGAN

Group rallies against 1996 Mich. drug law

About 80 protesters marched in front of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday afternoon, calling it the chamber of corruption and demanding prescription drug reform. AFL-CIO members from around the state marched from the Michigan AFL-CIO office, 419 S.

MICHIGAN

National day honors troops; license plates could raise funds for soldiers

March 26 officially became National Support Our Troops Day after a Waterford Township high school student started a grassroots campaign to recognize the troops. While watching the news late last year, 16-year-old Alexandra McGregor said she recognized the strength of the soldiers fighting in Iraq. During winter break, McGregor began writing letters to state and U.S.

MICHIGAN

Student bicyclist hit

Usually, you can't miss him. Erik Green rides a double-decker bike — a dark blue frame stacked on top of a copper-colored one.

MICHIGAN

Mich. battles tree-slaying insect

Known as the "unwanted hitchhiker," emerald ash borer is emerging from its winter slumber to attack and kill millions of unsuspecting Michigan ash trees this year, unless proper funding is provided, MSU researchers said. "The outreach efforts are not funded at the level they need to be," said Deb McCullough, MSU forest entomology professor.

MICHIGAN

Wine event offers MSU Museum sip of support

By Tara Thoel For The State News Steve Szilvagyi makes wine, cooks with wine and wants to keep up on the latest varieties of the drink. That's why a wine-tasting benefit at the Kellogg Center on Friday was perfect for the East Lansing resident. Tables were lined with more than 100 different kinds of wine, as volunteers poured many glasses and wine distributors answered questions about the different selections to support ongoing programs at the MSU Museum.

MICHIGAN

Deficit may affect zoo, Lansing jobs

The future of Potter Park Zoo and the regional make-up of Ingham County's fire department dispatch response could be in limbo with Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero's budget plan. Bernero will present those ideas and a list of 40 budget proposals to quell Lansing's $11 million deficit at 7 p.m.

MICHIGAN

B-ball buddies

East Lansing police officers trade in their handcuffs and guns for whistles and basketballs a few nights each week to teach kids the basics of basketball and team work. "It's a great way for kids to be introduced to police officers," East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said. Before basketball practice on Friday, Wibert joined about 45 children as they warmed up with jumping jacks. East Lansing police Officer Steve Whelan counted out loud with each jumping jack, and the kids would chime in.

MICHIGAN

State tourism on 'uphill swing'

Michigan tourism revenue increased by 4 percent in 2005, despite rising gas prices, MSU researchers said. "We had very good weather conditions during the peak travel season in summer and fall," said Don Holecek, director of MSU's Tourism Center.

MICHIGAN

Businesses feel the loss

It's not just the MSU men's basketball team or the student body that felt like Friday's first-round loss to tournament Cinderella George Mason was a letdown. Local East Lansing stores planning for big MSU merchandise sales and restaurants expecting huge turnouts for Spartan tournament games in the later rounds are feeling the effects of the Spartans' second first-round exit in the last three years. "We're not even doing 5 to 10 percent of what we did last year," said Stacey Renfrow, assistant buyer of Spartan Bookstore, located in the International Center.

MICHIGAN

2 Lansing residents charged with child abuse, murder

A Lansing man and woman were arrested Wednesday morning for the abuse and murder of the woman's 2-year-old child, Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said. Cynthia Daniel, 30, and Samuel Courtland, 31, are in jail with no bond on counts of child abuse and open murder. Daniel's 2-year-old son, Jalyn Daniel, died last May from pneumonia. "This kid was tortured," Dunnings said.

MICHIGAN

Bill could lift Mich. Single Business Tax

Michigan's Single Business Tax would be repealed in December 2007 if a bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday becomes law. The Senate voted almost entirely along party lines in passing the bill, which was approved in the House last week. The Single Business Tax, or SBT, was scheduled to expire in 2009. The bill also stipulates the revenue lost by repealing the SBT will not be replaced by raising taxes or rates on the state income tax, the sales tax, use tax or property tax. Gov.

MICHIGAN

E.L. amends law for Breathalyzers

A revision to an East Lansing law will officially allow people to turn down a breath analysis test without being ticketed or fined — although the method had been practiced by East Lansing police for more than two years. The East Lansing City Council approved the amendment Tuesday evening after a brief public hearing. Although the revisions were just brought up at a February 28 City Council meeting, East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said voluntary consent for a breath analysis test — commonly known as a Breathalyzer — in this type of situation isn't new.