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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Population persistent issue for E.L., Lansing

Kris Turner
February 22, 2005

Although Lansing and East Lansing populations dropped between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, both cities are now estimating a slight increase in their populations. A study recently released by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments reported the population of Detroit has fallen below 900,000 people for the first time since 1920. Delores Muller, a senior planning analyst for the council, said people might be moving out of the city to find a better quality of life, but it is hard to pinpoint one direct cause. Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing's planning and community development director, said the city's population dropped from about 50,700 people in 1990 to 46,500 in 2000. "Since then, we have climbed back up to 47,300," he said. Lansing's Senior Planner John Hodges said he doesn't have exact estimates for Lansing, but has observed several new housing units that led him to believe the city population has slightly increased. However, numbers have not reached the levels they were at in 1990, and Lansing and East Lansing officials say this is affecting polices being put in place.

MICHIGAN

Study discloses breast cancer, weight-gain link

Kristin Longley
February 21, 2005

The amount of weight a woman gains after age 18 is a strong indicator of whether she will develop breast cancer, according to American Cancer Society research. Some local health officials, however, question the findings. Women who gain between 20 and 30 pounds after age 18 are 40 percent more likely to get breast cancer after menopause than women who keep the weight off, said lead researcher of the study Heather Spencer Feigelson. Women who gained more than 70 pounds were twice as likely to get cancer than women who gained less than 20 pounds, the research showed. "It is a well-descripted finding in the scientific world, but it's not very well-known among women that weight gain is a high risk factor," Feigelson said. Feigelson said the best explanation is that estrogen stimulates breast cancer cells to grow and multiply and, throughout her life, a woman's estrogen is stored in fat tissue.

MICHIGAN

Muhn to retire as police chief

Lauren Phillips
February 21, 2005

When East Lansing Police Chief Louis Muhn was a child, he was in a minor car accident and was given a ride home by a police officer, who let him turn on the siren in the cruiser. That experience stayed with Muhn and inspired him to become a police officer. After 32 years with the East Lansing Police Department, Muhn will retire April 30. "I want to retire when the department is in good shape and things are running smoothly," he said. Muhn's career in law enforcement started at the Michigan State Police, where he applied the first day he could, on his 21st birthday. When he wasn't accepted for a job, he went directly to the East Lansing Police Department. He was hired the same day as a dispatcher coordinating responses to emergency calls.

MICHIGAN

E.L. speed limits changed this week

Kris Turner
February 18, 2005

After a year of conducting traffic studies, the Michigan Department of Transportation approved raising the speed limits along parts of Grand River Avenue and Saginaw Highway. Because of the studies' findings, which concluded traffic was moving too slowly along parts of each area, speed limits were raised by 10 mph.

MICHIGAN

Wasp could stop ash borer spread

About three years ago, U.S. Forest Service researcher Leah Bauer was studying the Chinese long-horned beetle in China, when she heard an Asian beetle called the emerald ash borer had established itself in Michigan. Since then, the ash borer has spread to 28 U.S.

MICHIGAN

School board to vote on closing 6 locations

Melissa Domsic
February 17, 2005

Nine people will decide the fate of seven Lansing schools and their hundreds of students and staff tonight at the Lansing Board of Education meeting. Due to declining enrollment and $32 million in budget deficits from the past three years, the district is considering closing five elementary schools and one middle school.

MICHIGAN

Clothing sale benefits E.L. elderly

Jacqueline Wayneguite
February 17, 2005

Modeling a pastel, tulle dress for the workers at the Class Clothing Sale, Laura Galgan said she knew she had found the perfect Halloween costume. Earlier in the day, the sociology junior bought a vintage hat, and she came back that afternoon for a long winter coat.

MICHIGAN

Governor clarifies opinion of Ten Commandments' place in Capitol

Rebecca Mcnulty
February 16, 2005

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is saying 'no' to having a monument of the Ten Commandments in the rotunda of the state Capitol, days after saying she wouldn't mind having one. Granholm had said on the WKAR television show "Off the Record" that having a statue of the commandments in the Capitol wouldn't bother her. "I know that will make some people mad, but I think they are universal values," Granholm said.