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Professor explores Colombian civil war
It's not every day that Ron Dorr writes letters to his loved ones in anticipation of his death.
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Mosquito numbers to dwindle
The rainy May that East Lansing experienced wreaked havoc on rivers, homes and vacation plans, but mosquitoes in the area were living the dream. But have no fear, the mosquitoes currently buzzing around will dwindle down within the next couple weeks.
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Lawmakers hurry to balance budget
State legislators say offsetting the current fiscal year's budget deficit and balancing the budget next year is proving to be the omnipresent issue plaguing them right now. With the deadlines for getting both a new cigarette tax bill signed into law and balancing next fiscal year's budget fast approaching, state legislators are scrambling to get both done. Last week, Gov.
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E.L. Council to discuss rezoning, improvement
Planning and zoning move to the forefront of today's East Lansing City Council work session. The council will review two applications to renovate and rezone city property to include new residential housing, as well as another measure to resurface a major road. Council members will review an application, which would rezone properties on West Grand River Avenue to allow for the inclusion of townhouses, retail stores and apartments. Developer Signature Associates would renovate the former Greyhound Bus Station and surrounding houses, located at the intersection of Hillside Court and West Grand River Avenue, into what city officials are calling "West Village." "Plans include a mixed use structure with retail space, apartments above and a building containing several townhouses," said Bob Owen, the city's planning and zoning administrator.
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Change of venue
Like George and Louise Jefferson, the MSU Student Housing Cooperative is movin' on up to the east side. After 34 years in Student Services, the cooperative's headquarters has moved to 541 E.
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Alumnus conquers Everest
Fighting hunger, frigid conditions and the death of several group members, MSU alumnus Dale Darling, 39, had to rely on his experience to take him to the summit of Mount Everest. Darling, who has been climbing mountains for 10 years, knew how to pace himself, thus he never was worried about death.
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Funding to aid Northern Tier policing
Bath Township - Bath Township Police Chief Jack Phillips said he hopes to use a $15,000 donation from a local developer to train a team of police officers from several communities, in an attempt to prevent serious problems within the community's student housing district. Gordon Hunsaker, chief executive officer of Atlantis Development Group Ltd., said the money, which he donated Thursday morning, could come in handy with patrolling student apartment complexes in the Northern Tier. "The Bath Township area is currently experiencing tremendous growth," Hunsaker said in a written statement.
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Reagan's influence warmly remembered
Following former President Ronald Reagan's death Saturday, some local politicians say the "Gipper's" charm and optimism enabled him to cross party lines and inspire Democrats and Republicans alike. During Reagan's presidency, state Sen.
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Gold alumni bleed green
Though reunions are traditionally a time to focus on the past, when MSU graduates of 50 or more years convened on campus this past weekend, much of the conversation was focused on the future. While the tone of the 76th annual Kedzie Reunion was altogether positive, some alumni voiced concern over the future of the school amid the upcoming leadership change.
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Pistons' success sells locally
The Detroit Pistons' recently earned Eastern Conference Champion title has had East Lansing businesses scrambling to catch up with the fan-based hype. Stores are expanding their selection of Pistons merchandise, while restaurants are adding TVs to handle the influx of fans expected for the NBA Finals, which started Sunday. "We have already sold most of what we have," said Jerry Collins, manager of MC Sports, 5002 W.
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Student housing might be limited
Student housing in some East Lansing areas could be restricted or prohibited due to a new East Lansing rental housing ordinance. With signatures from two-thirds of property owners, community members can petition the City Council to turn their neighborhoods into rental overlay districts - which would limit or restrict new rental housing licenses from being issued in their areas. "With this ordinance people can keep the integrity of their single family homes, and the neighborhoods that are rental can keep their integrity," Councilmember Vic Loomis said. The ordinance will keep areas designated for university rental housing more separated from those designated for East Lansing families.
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Officials confirm Fox's visit to Mid-Michigan
Lansing - Mexican President Vicente Fox is coming to speak in mid-Michigan, according to officials with the Michigan Commission on Spanish-Speaking Affairs. Invited to speak at the Lansing Center, 333 E.
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WEB ONLY: Rare tiger cub dies at Potter Park Zoo
The rare Amur tiger cub born May 24 at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing died Monday. The seven-day-old female cub, born amidst heavy rain that flooded the park entrance and parking lot, might have had an infection or brain damage, according to a zoo veterinarian, adding infant mortality in Amur tiger cubs is highest during the first week of life. Last year two Amur tigers, Kendra and Charley, were given to the zoo for breeding purposes through the national Tigers Species Survival Program.
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WEB ONLY: Lansing mayor to set example, participate in run
Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides wants to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage area residents to get active. To prove his point, Benavides will strap on his shoes Saturday for the eighth annual Mayor's Family River Walk.
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Gov., legislators battle over 'sin taxes'
Lansing - Gov. Jennifer Granholm's recent plea to increase the tax on cigarettes and liquor is being met with skepticism by some state legislators. Rep.
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Local firemen 'bait up' for children's charity, Ele's Place
"This is a unique kind of event," said Rob Thompson, a Lansing Township fireman and event spokesperson.
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WEB ONLY: Event to showcase area's gardens
Flower lovers can visit the Gardens Galore Tour 2004 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The event is sponsored by National City Bank, Great Lakes Capital Fund, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation to benefit the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition (GLHC). Ten area gardens are featured, including some in East Lansing, Okemos, Williamston and Lansing. Tickets for the event are $15, and are available at all area Beaner's Gourmet Coffee and Wild Birds Unlimited locations, Mole Hole, 234 S.
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Bureau urges residents to be local tourists
Lansing - In an attempt to get people who live in the Lansing area to see it as a vacation destination, local officials are offering visitors to mid-Michigan on Saturday the chance to visit Potter Park Zoo, the Michigan Historical Center and about 30 other local attractions all for a $1 ticket. "Be a Tourist In Your Own Town," an event sponsored by more than 20 area businesses and the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, will give residents the opportunity to buy a passport for $1 access to attractions, such as; the Fenner Nature Center, Impression 5 Science Center, both in Lansing, and the Nokomis Learning Center in Okemos. The passport is good from 10 a.m.
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Amateur-built aircrafts receive low safety stats
Three days after three people were killed in a home-built airplane crash, advocates of amateur-built aircraft are defending the genre's safety - claiming federal statistics portraying it as comparatively unsafe are invalid. Allen Ward, 52, from Ypsilanti, piloted the kit plane that crashed in Vermontville Township on Monday afternoon.
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State police teach precision driving at facility
Lansing - Keeping control of his 2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor at 80 mph and whipping around nearly 90 degree turns wasn't the hardest part of Sean Khoo's three week trip to Lansing.