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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Contests give young adults chance to talk politics in Boston

A pair of contests will give young people the opportunity to participate in July's Democratic National Convention in Boston. The two contests, called Speak Out for the Future and Gavel in the Future, allow young people of various age groups to submit writings to the Democratic National Convention Committee on two separate topics. To participate in Speak out for the Future, people between the ages of 18 and 24 must write a short essay about the importance of politics to young adults.

MICHIGAN

Speed-limit hike draws criticism

Don Jordan
March 26, 2004

The mayor of East Lansing will plead his case to state officials at a meeting today, in hope of preserving existing speed limits on two East Lansing roadways. Michigan Department of Transportation representatives and Mayor Mark Meadows will discuss the increase, which raises the speed limit 10 mph on sections of Saginaw Street and Hagadorn Road.

MICHIGAN

Basketball tourney's end saves E.L. police money

Sarah Mcevilly
March 26, 2004

With the MSU men's basketball team's short run in the NCAA Tournament, the East Lansing Police Department didn't have to dip deep into funds for riot protection and safety in the city. "We saved a lot of money by not having to invest in all of that prevention," said East Lansing Deputy Police Chief Tom Wibert.

MICHIGAN

MEAP alternatives debated

Alessa Thomas
March 25, 2004

High school students might not have to take the Michigan Educational Assessment Program, or MEAP, tests anymore if some state lawmakers and members of the Education Alliance of Michigan get their way. Supporters of removing the MEAP are working to replace the test with the ACT Assessment, a common test taken by students seeking college admission.

MICHIGAN

E.L. murder suspects to head to trial in May

Sarah Mcevilly
March 25, 2004

The two men charged in connection with the shooting at an East Lansing convenience store last month appeared in 54-B District Court on Wednesday morning for a pretrial hearing. Detroit residents Eric Charles Gordy, 35, and 29-year-old Hatarie Deamont McCorkle, were charged on March 2 with the murder of Lansing resident Joseph Lavon Parker and attempted murder of George Edward Whitfield, also of Lansing. Parker and Whitfield were shot at about 2:30 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Police: Assault might be linked to E.L. robbery

Sarah Mcevilly
March 25, 2004

Police are investigating a possible connection between an early Saturday morning sexual assault in Meridian Township and an armed robbery on Monday near the Cedar Village apartment complex. Police said the descriptions of the male assailants is similar in both cases.

MICHIGAN

60 E.L. teachers to receive layoff notice

Don Jordan
March 25, 2004

More than 60 East Lansing teachers soon will be receiving layoff slips, but school-district officials say it's more of a technicality than a threat to teaching jobs. The slips are a preemptive move the district is making in preparation of a $1 million expected deficit in the budget to be released in July. Kelley Peatross, the director of human resources and public development for East Lansing Public Schools, said teachers shouldn't worry. "I really don't anticipate any permanent layoffs," she said.

MICHIGAN

Report: State property tax could 'cripple' East Lansing

Don Jordan
March 24, 2004

East Lansing falls into the ranks of municipalities being financially "crippled" by state tax systems, according to a report released Tuesday by the Michigan Municipal League. Under the state's General Property Tax Act, municipalities must roll back millage rates when property values go up in a city, thereby decreasing their yearly revenue. The league argues in its report that cities are being penalized for growing and succeeding. "All Michigan cities are on a conveyer belt to crisis," said Summer Minnick, a lobbyist with the Michigan Municipal League.

MICHIGAN

Bestselling author to read at E.L. center

Alessa Thomas
March 24, 2004

Author Chris Bohjalian will visit East Lansing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday when he appears for a reading at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road. Bohjalian has written eight novels and is working on a collection of essays. His novel "Midwives" was a No.

MICHIGAN

WEB ONLY: 5K run to raise money for food banks

The Lansing Dietetic Association will sponsor a "Food & Fitness 5K" run and walk to raise money for area food banks Saturday. The event, which will take place at Hawk Island County Park in Lansing, also will include a children's run, face-painting, a clown and a milk-mustache photo booth.

MICHIGAN

2 'U' profs named to environmental board

Agnes Soriano
March 23, 2004

As experts in different forms of science, two MSU professors will serve on the Michigan Environmental Science Board. College of Agriculture Professor Joan Bray Rose is as interested in Michigan's water as MSU-DCL College of Law and College of Natural Science Professor Nicholas Mercuro is interested in how Michigan's financial state affects the environment. Established in 1992, the board serves as an independent state agency, aiding in the governor's decisions about environmental and natural resources.

MICHIGAN

Murder suspects head to pretrial hearings

Sarah Mcevilly
March 23, 2004

Two men charged with the murder and attempted murder of two Lansing men at an East Lansing convenience store are expected to appear in court this week. Detroit residents Eric Charles Gordy, 35, and 29-year-old Hatarie Deamont McCorkle were charged on March 2 with the murder of Joseph Lavon Parker, a 34-year-old Lansing resident, and attempted murder of 32-year-old George Whitfield, also of Lansing. Gordy and McCorkle now are scheduled to appear in a pretrial hearing at 1 p.m.

MICHIGAN

New state legislation looks to minimize distractions to drivers

A host of bills aimed to limit distractions to Michigan drivers currently is before the state Legislature. Motorists who drive with an animal in their laps might face penalties if one bill in the Legislature becomes law. Another bill, before a state House committee, would make it illegal to breast-feed while operating a vehicle, and a third seeks to add points to a motorist's license if cell phone use is found to be the cause of an accident. Although each piece of legislation limits different activities, legislators say the underlying purpose is clear: to cut down on the amount of distracting activities people can perform while driving. "The only thing behind this bill is safety," said Arika Pearlman, an aide to Rep.

MICHIGAN

Family, friends remember slain Grand Ledge man

Sarah Mcevilly
March 22, 2004

Jeffrey Friedlis, a man said to have made his family proud and taught his students to believe in themselves, was honored on Saturday in a memorial service. Friedlis, of Grand Ledge, 29, was found shot to death March 11 at the Institute of Traditional Asian Martial Arts, 130 W.