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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Zoning delays East Village rebuilding

Bob Darrow
April 14, 2006

East Lansing officials are pushing for redevelopment in the East Village area, but for the time being, they're going to have to put a stop to the very activity they want to promote. The city's planning commission is in the midst of reviewing a new zoning code for the East Village, located south of Grand River Avenue between Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road, and would provide for taller buildings and a mix of retail and residential space not permitted by the existing law. Officials hoped that work on the code, detailing exactly what can and cannot be built in the 35-acre area, would be completed by the time a City Council-imposed construction freeze is lifted. But since the planning commission is still engaged in the review process, it will be almost impossible for the City Council to approve the new code before the moratorium on building in East Village expires May 6.

MICHIGAN

Word on the street

Are East Lansing noise ordinances coming down too hard on house parties? "If you're trashing public property, then there should be a fine.

MICHIGAN

Local spa promotes health, relaxation

Grand Ledge — It was just a birthday gift for a day of beauty treatments at a local salon, but for Sheila Laing, something clicked. Laing, who had worked as an MSU secretary for 14 years and had been an MSU student for more than two years, quit her job and began to chase her long-time dream of starting her own salon business. "I told my husband this is what I wanted to do," Laing said.

MICHIGAN

Nazis may sue city for counter-gathering

Melissa Domsic
April 13, 2006

A group of American Nazis might sue the city of Lansing for holding a diversity rally the day of its white supremacist rally later this month, a group spokesman said. The group, dedicated to the preservation of the Aryan race and the establishment of a socialist state in America, is also angry that a fence and metal detectors might be used for security at the National Socialist Movement's rally April 22 at the state Capitol Building. Spokesman Bill White said the diversity rally violates First Amendment rights because it's not neutral, and added that a lawsuit is very probable. "They're doing this to target us and to infringe our exercising of our rights," White said of the diversity rally.

MICHIGAN

National Socialists argue Lansing's counter-event illegal

Ken Osborne
April 11, 2006

The Nazi group planning to hold a rally in Lansing later this month is upset about a rally the city is planning as an alternative for people opposed to the group's viewpoint. The National Socialist Movement, a group dedicated to the preservation of the Aryan race and the establishment of a socialist state in America, claims the city's alternative rally would violate the law which requires the city to be "content neutral," in preparing for a demonstration. Both rallies are scheduled for April 22. "Frankly, we may just decide to join the city's diversity rally, which is 'free and open to the public,' and help them celebrate our white heritage," Bill White, the group's spokesperson, said in a press release. Despite this, the city plans to continue with its alternative celebration, said Randy Hannan, deputy chief of staff to Mayor Virg Bernero. "Our plans haven't changed a bit," Hannan said.

MICHIGAN

Protesters rally for same-sex benefits

Melanie Thomas
April 11, 2006

Protesters will gather today to rally on the steps of the Michigan Hall of Justice to challenge Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox on whether state institutions and employers can offer domestic partner benefits to unmarried couples. Cox will argue before the Michigan Court of Appeals that any state institution offering domestic partner benefits will be in violation of Proposal 2. "We have descended the voice of the people of Michigan and will continue to do so," said Nate Bailey, spokesperson for the Michigan Attorney General.

MICHIGAN

Congress to consider lake protection act

Melanie Thomas
April 10, 2006

Help for the Great Lakes is making its way through U.S. Congress. The Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act, introduced by lawmakers Wednesday, could help clean up contaminated sediments and alleviate problems with invasive species and sewage overflows in the Great Lakes. The bipartisan act, cosponsored by Michigan Democrat Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and Republican Congressman Vernon Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, is asking for more than $23 billion as part of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration recommendations, a planning process initiated by President Bush. "Invasive species are destructive to our ecosystem and create tremendous costs for communities and businesses throughout the region," Gov.

MICHIGAN

Smokin' win

By Danielle Grondin For The State News Despite chilly temperatures, MSU's men's Ultimate Frisbee team was on fire this past weekend.

MICHIGAN

Meet with E.L. mayor for dinners on campus

Bob Darrow
April 7, 2006

About 15 MSU students had an opportunity to eat dinner with the mayor on Wednesday. East Lansing Mayor Sam Singh met with students in the Holmes Hall cafeteria, the first of four informal conversations planned for this month. Singh said he was pleased with Wednesday's dinner, as conversation drifted from community issues to casual chatting about sports. The final three dinners will be held April 11 in Wilson Hall, April 17 in Abbot Hall and April 18 in Holden Hall.

MICHIGAN

Mich. regulates crops

Melanie Thomas
April 6, 2006

Michigan could become the 15th state to take away a local government's authority to decide the type of seeds grown on its farms. The bill, introduced in September 2005, removes a local government's ability to decide whether farmers can grow genetically modified or organic seeds.

MICHIGAN

Apple makes switching from Windows easier

Gabrielle Russon
April 6, 2006

Apple computer users will now be able to use Windows, through a new piece of software introduced Wednesday. Apple Computer Inc. revealed the software, called Boot Camp, which will help Mac owners run Windows XP operating system. Boot Camp guides people on how to download Windows and lets them choose between Windows or Mac OS X when they start their computers. By Wednesday afternoon, Sean Leahy, a software support specialist at the MSU Computer Store, had already installed it.

MICHIGAN

E.L. parking perks

Corinne Devries
April 6, 2006

Parking garages and lots in downtown East Lansing could soon offer discounts for students and part-time employees as soon as fall semester and allow people to pay for parking by credit card.

MICHIGAN

WEB EXTRA: East Lansing mayor and Guster to promote environmental-friendly fuels

Bob Darrow
April 5, 2006

Local government, rock 'n' roll and biodiesel will collide Thursday when East Lansing Mayor Sam Singh joins Adam Gardner, singer and guitarist for the popular rock band Guster, on MSU's campus to advocate for environmentally friendly fuels. The two will meet Dr. Steve Pueppke, director of MSU's Office of Bio-based Technologies, and Bob Boehm, manager of Commodity and Marketing for the Michigan Farm Bureau, at 1 p.m.