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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Harry Potter release inspires celebration

When 7-year-old Will Miklavcic dons a black cape and pair of glasses repaired with tape, he said he resembles Harry Potter, even though he's blond. "I like Harry Potter; I've read all the books," the Haslett resident said.

MICHIGAN

Police use fliers to aid search for missing boy

The search for a missing Williamston boy advanced today when officials from the U.S. Post Office agreed to distribute 65,000 fliers containing his picture and description. As part of the Deliver Me Home Network, the fliers aim to make residents aware of disappearances.

MICHIGAN

Scholars assess Scientology

The religion Scientology has been around for more than 50 years, yet recently it has become the center of media and public attention. Some relate the rise in popularity to actor Tom Cruise for being outspoken in the media about his views of Scientology and psychiatry. But Mary Anne Ahmad, director of public affairs of Midwest Churches of Scientology said this is not a new religion. "It's always been here," she said.

MICHIGAN

Graffiti artist paints Flats Grille

Artist Joseph Houghton paints graffiti that people will pay to have on their walls. In an effort to beautify a vacant wall, Flats Grille owner Paul O'Connor commissioned Houghton to paint a large mural on the side of his restaurant at 551 E.

MICHIGAN

Fair weather, fair season

The Ferris wheel and cotton candy season has arrived. Officials hope that local county fairs will have increased admissions this summer with carnival attractions and local exhibitors. Surrounding county fairs have already started.

MICHIGAN

West Village developer awaits state approval

Redevelopment plans for the West Village project are still underway, but city officials said the developer needs approval from state officials before the overhaul begins. Michigan officials are previewing the site plans and other paperwork before they give the project's developer the OK, said Tim Dempsey, East Lansing's community and economic development administrator. The developer Jerome Abood of Abood Properties, 603 E.

MICHIGAN

2 Mich. bills could force coverage of contraceptives

Contraceptives could be covered by more Michigan health-insurance agencies, if a new initiative is passed that is currently in the state Senate. Senate Bills 431 and 432 were introduced in April and could require Michigan-based health-care providers who already cover Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription medications to also cover approved contraceptives. "Right now insurers are not required to insure (contraceptives)," said T.J.

MICHIGAN

Church OKs same-sex marriage

The United Church of Christ general synod passed a resolution last week endorsing same-sex marriages. This makes the United Church of Christ the first mainline Christian denomination to officially support same-sex marriages said Michael Schuenemeyer, minister for LGBT Ministries in the church's national office in Cleveland.

MICHIGAN

E.L. works to finalize city's grant budget

Final expenditures for several downtown improvement projects are unknown, but city leaders said they're working on a more detailed budget. East Lansing received a $100,000 Cool Cities Neighborhoods in Progress grant, along with 13 other Michigan cities, about two weeks ago.

MICHIGAN

Mich. 1st to offer e-mail protection for children

For parents like Detroit attorney Talia Goetting, who worry about the e-mails their children are receiving, there is a new program in place to ease their fears. Michigan is the first state to create a registry to prevent certain spam e-mails from reaching a minor's online account. "I'd hate for (my daughter) to open something up at such a young age and be shocked," Goetting said, adding her 7-year-old daughter recently started e-mailing people. In 2004, the Michigan Children's Protection Registry Act was created to prohibit people from sending e-mail to children about products or services that are illegal for minors.

MICHIGAN

Commission meeting open to public debate

The independent review commission will hold a meeting from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday in the Executive Conference Room at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road. The commission is reviewing the planning and implementation strategies to control spontaneous large crowd events, including the April 2-3 disturbances. The commission has invited everyone who has spoken on the issue in the past to speak at the Friday meeting, along with other individuals who want to voice their concerns, said Mayor Mark Meadows, chairman of the commission.

MICHIGAN

Merit Award distribution might change

House Speaker Craig DeRoche, R-Novi, announced an economic plan on Thursday that included setting aside $1.5 billion of Michigan's tobacco settlement money for the Merit Award program. The money would be divided between 15 public universities, said Jason Brewer, spokesman for DeRoche. "Under the Republican plan, no politician will be able to touch the Merit scholarships," DeRoche said in a statement.

MICHIGAN

Forensics aid murder case

Death is a puzzle - at least when it comes to determining what causes it. With the recent discovery of two bags containing human remains in the Red Cedar River, the Ingham County medical examiner and a team of forensic scientists are trying to piece together the mystery behind the disassembled body parts. Police are waiting on DNA tests to confirm how many people's remains were recovered, said Sgt.

MICHIGAN

Officials: Avian flu vaccine will cover 2 percent of population

The government hasn't stockpiled enough of the only drug known to be effective against avian influenza but is in "aggressive discussions" with its maker to buy more, federal health officials said Thursday. Enough Tamiflu to treat 2.3 million people is in a national stockpile set aside in preparation for the next flu pandemic - a worldwide outbreak that influenza specialists fear could be triggered by the increasingly worrisome avian influenza in Asia. "There are simmering reports about China and Vietnam of people dying, animals dying," said Dean Sienko, medical examiner at the Ingham County Health Department.