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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Patch treats depression

Melanie Thomas
March 16, 2006

Patients now have more options to treat major depression after federal officials approved the first antidepressant skin patch. The Food and Drug Administration approved the once-a-day skin patch — expected to be available to consumers in April — that delivers Emsam, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, through the skin and into the bloodstream at a constant rate. Greta DeWolf, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Michigan vice president, said the patch offers another option for patients who are resistant to other antidepressants.

MICHIGAN

Mayors adjust to new roles

Bob Darrow
March 15, 2006

Virg Bernero is the first to admit he's not one to mince words. Speaking to a group of public relations professionals in late February, he called Republicans "nonsensical" and then confessed that running a city has made him more Republican. He drew laughs apologizing for a clash he had with Lansing's City Council, blaming his temper on his Italian heritage. "Do I have a temper?

MICHIGAN

Senate OKs pay increase

Ken Osborne
March 14, 2006

The Senate passed a bill last week which would incrementally increase Michigan's minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.40 per hour by July 2008. Senate Bill 318 was passed March 9 by a unanimous vote.

MICHIGAN

New market boasts old goods

By Andrea Byl For The State News Okemos Flea Market has brought a whole new experience to shopping. The grand opening March 3 brought in nearly 15,000 curious shoppers to the old Frank's Nursery & Crafts warehouse, across from Meridian Mall.

MICHIGAN

WEB EXTRA: This week's E.L. council work session canceled

Bob Darrow
March 13, 2006

The East Lansing City Council work session scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled. The council's next regular meeting will be held March 21. Last Tuesday, the council took care of some spring cleaning, approving licenses for Lou & Harry's Five Star Deli, The Post and Cosi Inc. to open their sidewalk seating. The Meijer store at 1350 W.

MICHIGAN

Circus comes to Breslin

Daredevil motorcyclists, cotton candy, elephant rides, wide-eyed children and a human cannonball — Breslin Center came alive this weekend with the sights, sounds and smells of the Royal Hanneford Circus. Lansing's Caravan Youth Center brought the circus to campus for the 15th-straight year for five weekend performances.

MICHIGAN

Officials offer spring break travelers advice

By Melanie Thomas, Melissa Domsic, and Cori Devries The State News With the relaxed party atmosphere that tends to go along with spring break, officials want to make sure students don't leave their common sense back home. "A lot of times on vacation (students) want to get away; they want to relax," said Jodi Roberto Hancock, educational program coordinator for the MSU Women's Resource Center.

MICHIGAN

Investors sought for East Village

Bob Darrow
March 3, 2006

East Lansing officials are lining up the necessary pieces to encourage high-rise, mixed-use, urban construction projects in the 35-acre East Village, located adjacent to MSU between Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road.

MICHIGAN

Health aides push wage hike

Melanie Thomas
March 3, 2006

Home help workers are joining forces across the state to push for higher wages to improve Michigan's home health care system. The Michigan Quality Home Care Campaign wants to convince state lawmakers to pass legislation to raise wages, add insurance and require training for in-home help workers to reduce the number leaving home health care sectors.

MICHIGAN

New store to hire stylish employees

Corinne Devries
March 1, 2006

American Apparel asks job applicants to send photos of themselves with a résumé in order to apply for a position at its clothing stores, one of which will open in East Lansing at the end of March. The company is looking for people with a "certain fashion sense" to work at the store, said Kristina Ledesma-Davies, manager of human resources at American Apparel. "It's the way people dress, it's the way people present themselves, if they would present our clothes well," Ledesma-Davies said.

MICHIGAN

Local officials react to Michigan road report

Ken Osborne
March 1, 2006

The poor condition of Michigan's transportation system, detailed in a report released Monday by a national organization, did not come as a surprise to John Niemela, the director for the County Road Association of Michigan. "This is not news to us," Niemela said.

MICHIGAN

Helping hands

Vanessa Notman
February 28, 2006

An area group that raises money for South African schools and scholarships has raised more than $35,000 for the cause since the organization's conception. Linking All Types of Teachers to International Cross-Cultural Education, or LATTICE, is a local nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting global understanding in elementary and secondary schools. With unemployment as high as 40 percent in South Africa and education costs at about $150 per student, many children's educations are cut short, the group members said. Tuition, books and uniforms add to the cost, which leads many South African women to fall back on their skills in the ancient art of basket weaving to raise money to provide their children with a basic education. This is why LATTICE joined with Skills Dynamic in South Africa to export the weaver's baskets into the United States. Some Lansing-area teachers and LATTICE members have created pen-pal relationships between their students and students in South Africa who received scholarships.