Saturday, February 21, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Amtrak considers changes to train routes

Local travelers hoping to hop a train bound for Canada this spring might face a longer trip. Amtrak is negotiating with the Michigan Department of Transportation to discontinue the Toronto connection of its international route - which includes stops in East Lansing and eight other cities - and restore a long-defunct line. If a deal is made with the department, the railway service - dubbed Blue Water and not used since the early 1980s - will depart from Port Huron daily beginning April 26. Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said, although a contract might not be signed until the end of the month, change was prompted by declining ridership on the Toronto-to-Chicago route in recent years.

MICHIGAN

E.L. to discuss housing inspections

Don Jordan
February 24, 2004

The East Lansing City Council will discuss the necessity of all-trade inspections for rental houses and apartments in the city at its work session tonight. Under city rules, each rental home is given an all-trade inspection every ten years, no matter the condition of the house. The extensive inspections, which bring in plumbing, building, mechanical, electrical and fire inspectors to check the safety and efficiency of the house, are billed to the building's owner - often at a costly price. "Most of the houses are in good shape, and I can't personally see why we should put an expense on a landlord that has good inspections every year," Councilmember Bill Sharp said. Sharp estimated that an all-trade inspection could cost up to $3,000. With the proposed changes, all-trade inspections only would be administered under certain conditions.

MICHIGAN

Rock of ages

As a first-time shopper at Elderly Instruments in Lansing, you might think you've come across a musician's Mecca. From one side of the main showroom comes a full-out assault of Sunburst Fender Telecasters.

MICHIGAN

Health experts wary of drug club

Relatively high prices for prescription drugs in Michigan have left some residents and legislators seeking cost-saving alternatives. Buying pharmaceuticals from Canada, which traditionally has provided lower prices, is becoming a popular but controversial method for Michiganians to buy their medications.

MICHIGAN

Hot 'N Now to open in E.L. in May

Following a lengthy development period, Hot 'N Now Burgers is expected to open its East Lansing store some time in May. Building permits for the East Lansing Hot 'N Now, 403 E.

MICHIGAN

E.L. Library hosts 11th annual medieval fair

Don Jordan
February 23, 2004

Bothe wee and olde assembled at noonday on Sunday to partake in medieval ribaldries at the East Lansing Public Library. The 11th annual Dragon's Faire brought more than 400 people to the event, which combined medieval sword-fighting exhibitions and dancing with children's crafts and bright green "dragon punch." Wide-eyed children stared and cheered as swords clashed in metallic exuberance as The Ring of Steel, a theatrical combat troupe, exhibited various types of fighting. The Dexter-based team, equipped with weaponry of all shapes and sizes, spoke to the audience about violence, chivalry and sword safety. In one segment of the exhibition, troupe Executive Director Chris Barbeau explained some of the tricks that moviemakers use to convey reality without putting any of the actors in harm's way. Barbeau has worked with many actors, training them to sword fight, including Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman for "Hook" and Bruce Campbell for "Army of Darkness." "Facial scars do nothing for our acting careers, let alone our chances with the ladies," he said.

MICHIGAN

Affirmative action group disagrees with petition

Emily Bingham
February 20, 2004

A civil rights group filed a lawsuit Thursday against the State Board of Canvassers due to the wording of a petition aimed at banning racial preferences. The lawsuit was filed in the Ingham County Circuit Court and hearings will begin March 4. If the petition gathers 317,757 registered voters' signatures by July 6, a state constitutional amendment banning racial preferences in employment practices and public university admissions will be put on the November ballot.

MICHIGAN

Group to remain active despite Dean dropout

Alessa Thomas
February 19, 2004

After months of identifying supporters, registering voters and campaigning, the Students for Dean crusade came to an end Wednesday. Howard Dean officially announced he was dropping out of the race for Democratic presidential nominee Wednesday in Burlington, Vt.

MICHIGAN

Vietnam veteran status helps Kerry's campaign

Service in the Vietnam War, something that once elicited spite from many Americans, has become a source of credibility for John Kerry as he continues to surge in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Kerry, the current front-runner in the race, discusses his Naval service during the war - as well as his activities after it - at nearly every public appearance. During a recent visit to Mott Community College in Flint, the candidate told the crowd he still counts on the men who served alongside him.

MICHIGAN

High-tech trade

Lansing-area recyclers might have a new way to keep Michigan clean. Freecycling, a system where people can exchange unwanted items - at no cost - through online postings, is getting attention as a way to reduce landfill trash from Ingham County and surrounding communities. "It's kind of like a garage sale where everything is free," said Aaron Liepman, the creator of the Mid-Michigan Freecycle Network.

MICHIGAN

Shoe store thrives on individuality

When Richard Liscombe first laid eyes on a Birkenstock shoe in the early 1970s, he viewed the footwear as "uniquely different." "The vast majority of people who saw them thought they were ugly," he said.

MICHIGAN

Bush campaign continues to grow

Alessa Thomas
February 17, 2004

Campaign supporters say the re-election effort for President Bush is in full swing, even though he doesn't have a definite opponent. Katie Allardyce, chairperson of MSU Students for Bush, said they have been working to recruit volunteers to spread Bush's message.

MICHIGAN

Taxes would hurt bar business

Although 4:40 p.m. would not typically be considered peak business hours for a bar, almost 20 patrons sat in The Peanut Barrel Restaurant at that time Monday - a few eating one of the establishment's hamburgers, some simply perched at the bar for a drink. Among the latter was Johnny Stewart, who sat reading the paper with a large glass of beer in his right hand.

MICHIGAN

Program aids tax filing

Accounting senior Maria Goodfellow sat at a long table in the basement of Student Services and furrowed her brow, punching calculator keys to add a sum on Barbara Boillat's 1040 income tax form. Boillat rocked her 5-year-old son, David, in her arms as she patiently awaited the results of her income calculations. "I have absolutely no clue about taxes," the Haslett resident said.

MICHIGAN

Billions in tax refunds might still be available

Student workers, take note: You may be eligible to receive a long-overdue tax refund. According to the Internal Revenue Service, nearly 2 million taxpayers nationwide who did not file a 2000 income tax return have until April 15 to claim as much as $2.5 billion total in refund checks. About 81,200 Michigan residents failed to file a return in 2000, totaling $96,031 in lost funds, according to IRS data. Taxpayers have three years to claim a refund owed to them, IRS spokeswoman Sarah Wreford said.