MICHIGAN
Granholm picked for vice chairwoman spot
Michigan's first female governor will join fellow Democratic governors in assisting her political party's cause. Gov.
MICHIGAN
Michigan PGA moves to East Lansing area
The Michigan chapter of the Professional Golfers' Association of America is moving to the East Lansing area, which could help raise the prestige of local courses.
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Experts forecast drier winter
Snow enthusiasts might find less of the white powder than usual this winter, experts say. Winter temperatures are expected to be fairly typical, but snowfall is projected to be lighter this season, local and national meteorologists said. Throughout the winter weather season - defined by meteorologists as December through February - a weak El Niño system in the Pacific near the equator is going to lead to drier-than-usual conditions, said David Beachler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Grand Rapids center. "We're pretty confident that the pattern we've forecasted for this winter is going to pan out," said Beachler, adding that even with the service's projections, nature can still be unpredictable.
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Evening car accident leaves woman dead
A 34-year-old woman was killed by a police cruiser as she walked in the middle of an U.S. 127 ramp on Tuesday night, Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth said. Tina Marie Potter, who has no known address but has parents living in Ludington, was determined dead on the scene. Deputy Robert McElmurray was on his way to a call in Webberville, and as he exited northbound U.S.
MICHIGAN
Would a smoking ban at East Lansing bars and restaurants be a good idea?
"It would be a great idea. I hate going to the bar and coming home and reeking of smoke. The health risks are just as important even though it's not something you think about in the short-term." Erin Purdy communication senior "It would be a bad idea.
MICHIGAN
Senate delays bill to allow state pipeline veto
The same day Rep. Michael Murphy, D-Lansing, held a town meeting to oppose a proposed gas pipeline running through Lansing, state senators announced they will not consider a related bill this year. Last month, the House passed a bill that would give the state government the power to decide if utility pipelines pass through city property on state-owned property.
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Legislators debate same-sex benefits
A Michigan state representative is constructing a House resolution to oppose considering domestic-partnership benefits in future contracts for same-sex state employees. Rep.
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Holiday nature event features family fun
The Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road in Meridian Township, is sponsoring "Holiday in the Woods" a seasonal family event. The event will take place from 10 a.m.
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E.L. retailers react to new liquor law
Some local liquor retailers say they don't plan to raise their liquor prices in response to a gubernatorial decision that allows them to do just that. The bill, which Gov.
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Winter festival will include chili, Santa
East Lansing will host its annual Winter Festival and Chili Cook-Off from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Marriott at University Place, 300 M.A.C.
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E.L. council members to review renovations
East Lansing City Council members will get their first look at the semi-renovated East Lansing High School when they meet with the city's Board of Education tonight. The groups also will touch base on mutual concerns, such as snow plowing services, and will discuss the possibility of housing some school buses at a new East Lansing Department of Public Works site. Mayor Mark Meadows said the council is looking forward to touring the new high school during one of its quarterly meetings with the school district. "It was a big issue for the community when they voted to provide the school board with funds to make those changes," Meadows said. Construction on the $55 million project, which began in January 2001, is about 75 percent complete, said Paula Steele, principal at East Lansing High School. New music rooms, two gymnasiums, a 550-seat student union, an inside track and science laboratories are among the completed additions to the building, Steele said. The auditorium is scheduled to be completed in mid-December, and a media center will be finished by August 2005. "Everybody's been really patient," Steele said.
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ID theft trial moved to undetermined date
Former MSU student Denita Dorsey's circuit court trial was moved to an undetermined date, county court clerks said. The May graduate faces 27 charges for identity theft and fraud of more than $100,000 from earlier this year.
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IBM program to aid research
As a computer sits unused in a dorm room or office, a free program available online can contribute the idle energy to research for cures for diseases such as tuberculosis. IBM has unveiled the World Community Grid, a program designed to cut down on research time and increase cost-effectiveness for the companies who sponsor the projects, IBM spokeswoman Catherine Collins said, adding that anyone with access to the Internet can download the program into their computer. "The more people we get signed up for this, the more research we can get done," Collins said. Collins said because of the amount of computers at a university, MSU is an ideal place to implement the program.
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Nurses avoid strike with agreed contract
Saturday negotiations between Lansing's Sparrow Health System and Michigan Nurses Association ended with a tentative agreement on a new contract. The previous agreement expired on Oct.
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E.L. Post Office opens new self-mailing center
With the swipe of a card and the push of a few buttons, local postal customers can now mail letters and packages themselves.
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E.L. officials discuss blighted designation
East Lansing City Council members said at a meeting Tuesday they would like to discuss the East Village blight designation with property owners who want to opt out of the area before the decision is made.
MICHIGAN
WEB ONLY: CATA services to change during holiday weekend
Several services will be adjusting their hours for the holiday weekend. MSU's Capital Area Transportation Authority bus service will end at 11:30 p.m.
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Deer collisions up this season
Entering the second week of Michigan's firearm hunting season, state officials and insurance companies continue to caution motorists about deer on the road. The number of monthly deer-car crashes commonly begins to increase during fall months and peaks in November, but deer can present problems for motorists into early December, said Jim Rink, a spokesman for insurance company AAA Michigan. "Fall is mating season for the deer so they're generally more active
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WEB ONLY: Lansing's Fire Dept. included in security grant
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security named Lansing's Fire Department as one of 15 Michigan fire departments included in a $776,500 grant.
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Beaner's to open new shops in E.L., 3 southeast states
A local coffee shop chain is expanding into other parts of the state and country, opening in three southeastern states after operating in the Midwest for nearly a decade. Beaner's Gourmet Coffee, founded in East Lansing in 1995, is opening three locations in Mobile, Ala., Charleston, S.C., and Dacula, Ga., near Atlanta, said Michael McFall, president of the company. "The markets we're going into, like Mobile, Alabama, and Charleston, are really underserviced from the gourmet coffee perspective," McFall said.