MICHIGAN

More U.S. restaurants, bars going smoke free

Jennifer Toland

November 22, 2005

Smoke-free laws in some states have proven to be beneficial to businesses according to new statistics from the American Cancer Society, although some argue it should be up to business owners to decide if they want to go smoke free. At the beginning of the month, Washington became the 14th state to ban smoking in public places, restaurants and workplaces. One year after New York enacted its smoke-free law in 2003, it showed a 9 percent increase in sales receipts, Judy Stewart, campaign manager for the Campaign for Smokefree Air said.

MICHIGAN

Event brings holiday cheer to Lansing

Downtown Lansing was a blur of festive lights Friday night as "Silver Bells in the City" embarked upon its 21st year.

MICHIGAN

Blood donors wanted over holiday season

Kristi Jourdan

November 21, 2005

The American Red Cross is asking Michigan residents to give blood during the holiday season. According to a press release from the Red Cross, eligible blood donors can help save the lives of up to three people and help stop the decrease in blood collections that occurs around the holidays. Okemos Community Church, 4734 Okemos Road, will host a blood drive from 8 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Sharp sets sights on new life chapter

Kristi Jourdan

November 21, 2005

Burning couches and dispersed tear-gas canisters will forever remain engraved in the memory of former East Lansing City Councilmember Bill Sharp. "The on-going unrest between the students and townsfolk really bothers me," he said.

MICHIGAN

Potter Park to hold wonderland of lights

The Potter Park Zoo in Lansing will feature holiday light displays this season, including lighted lion, bear, llama, giraffe, monkey, fox and penguin structures.

MICHIGAN

Collection of leaves in E.L. to continue

The due date for bulk leaf collection for the city has been prolonged into early December due to inconvenient weather conditions and a behind schedule leaf drop. Residents should rake their leaves to the curb as soon as possible to have their leaves collected by the city.

MICHIGAN

CATA bus service to change over holiday

Margaret Harding

November 21, 2005

Campus bus service by the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, will end at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

MICHIGAN

$110M revamp plans could be ready by Jan.

Redevelopment plans for the vacant Citizens Bank headquarters and (SCENE) Metrospace art gallery are slated to include the MSU Museum, high-end residential living and office space, and they could be finalized by January. The potential eight- to 10-story structure, located near the intersection of Abbott Road and Grand River Avenue, would most likely include restaurants, three floors of the MSU Museum — to be moved from its on campus location — and loft-style residential units, said the project's developer Scott Chappelle, president of Strathmore Development. The project, previously City Center II, was renamed the Michigan Museum Place, and would have to go before the East Lansing Planning Commission and City Council for approval once plans are finalized.

MICHIGAN

Shelters overflow as winter approaches

Laura Collins  and  Fredricka Paul

November 18, 2005

With the first dusting of snow Wednesday, a Lansing overnight shelter run by Volunteers of America had to have six men sleep on the floor because the shelter was full. "You get a higher demand," said Patrick Patterson, vice president of Lansing operations for Volunteers of America.

MICHIGAN

Wal-Mart faces public protest

A certain smiley face might be frowning this week as many in the MSU community join a national campaign challenging the superstore, Wal-Mart, to become a better corporate citizen. As part of Wal-Mart Higher Expectations Week, more than 1,200 events in each state, including protests, legislative town hall meetings and screenings of a new documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" have been organized, said Nu Wexler, spokesman for Wal-Mart Watch. The nonprofit organization has been working to publicize allegations that the superstore practices discrimination against employees, other corporations and the environment all in an effort to keep prices low. Wexler said the name of the week was a spin-off on a statement once made by Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. "He used to tell his employees that high expectations are the key to everything and we certainly agree," Wexler said.

MICHIGAN

City will invest $4M for Lansing Center upgrades

Millions of dollars in renovations to the Lansing Center will bring more people into the city. At least, that's what the Lansing City Council hopes. "We need to keep the Lansing Center viable," City Council President Sandy Allen said.

MICHIGAN

New SN editor expects gradual changes for paper

Kris Turner

November 16, 2005

Connecting to readers and expanding the content of The State News are just some of the plans Nick Mrozowski would like to implement as the next editor in chief of the paper. Mrozowski, a journalism junior who is the deputy managing editor of the paper, was appointed head of the newsroom by The State News Board of Directors in late October.

MICHIGAN

FDA to reconsider morning-after pill

Jennifer Toland

November 16, 2005

The morning-after pill might be available over the counter after congressional investigators questioned the Food and Drug Administration's requirement to consider it a prescription. The independent Government Accountability Office reviewed the FDA's first rejection, uncovering what they called "unusual" decision making.

MICHIGAN

New council members look to revitalize city with youth

Lansing's student population could increase if the new Lansing council members have anything to do with it. Newly elected members Tim Kaltenbach and Kathie Dunbar both said they want Lansing to be more attractive to younger people and want to give the city a night life. "I'd like to see our downtown open at night, with galleries and shopping and restaurants and coffee houses that are open," Dunbar said.

MICHIGAN

Word on the street: What do you think the East Lansing mayor does?

"I definitely can't tell you what his name is here. But I think a mayor's job is to be a visionary, to have a focus or vision for his time in office.

MICHIGAN

Apartments to replace destroyed home

A three-story apartment complex with space for 12 occupants will be constructed on Evergreen Avenue where the hollowed remains from a June house fire still stand. Each four-person apartment will include four bedrooms, a kitchen and living space, said the property's owner Matt Hagan, an agent with Hagan Reality Inc. A parking lot for at least 12 cars will be located behind the complex, he said. Hagan owned the house at 404 Evergreen Ave., north of campus near the Valley Court Park, when a June fire caused an estimated $175,000 in damages. Hagan decided to submit plans for a small apartment building because the house would be too costly to repair, and the property's proximity to campus would be attractive to students.

MICHIGAN

Groups protest SN editorial cartoon, support U.S. military troops

About 25 people gathered outside of The State News, 435 E. Grand River Ave., on Monday in response to Friday's editorial cartoon. From about 1 to 3 p.m., protesters occupied both sides of the street in front of the building chanting, passing out information about the cartoon and carrying signs and an American flag. The cartoon, by State News cartoonist Mike Ramsey, featured a World War II veteran saying "I liberated a torture camp back in '45" to a modern-day soldier. The soldier, shown holding a bloody baseball bat with a nail at the end, responds by saying "I work in one." International relations junior Dave Coogan participated in the protest and said the cartoon's release on Veterans Day was distasteful. "I was really disappointed in The State News," Coogan said.

MICHIGAN

Bill could revise gun laws

Kris Turner

November 15, 2005

While deer hunters across the state gather their guns for opening day, legislation in the state House could make it easier for people to transport firearms in their vehicles. According to Michigan law, it is illegal to transport a firearm unless the owner has a hunting license, is traveling to or from a firing range or has a concealed weapons permit. The legislation would amend the state law to allow people who own firearms to transport them in the trunk of a vehicle, while unloaded, without a hunting license or a concealed weapons permit.

MICHIGAN

Lansing parade salutes veterans

By Tara Thoel Special to The State News The contributions that veterans have made to the United States should be celebrated every day, said Capt.

MICHIGAN

Changes proposed for condom labels

Jennifer Toland

November 14, 2005

In an effort to better educate consumers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants condom labels to warn that they are not effective in preventing all types of STDs — especially those transferred by skin-on-skin contact. If the aim of this change is to provide better information for condom users, rather than scare people, Olin Health Center Health Coordinator Dennis Martell said he thinks it is a good idea. "Any time you can give knowledge to anyone using contraceptives, it helps them make better decisions," he said.