Dearborn - In a state with one of the largest Arab populations in the United States, volunteers are working to encourage strong voter turnout among Arab Americans for Saturday's Michigan Democratic caucus. Jumana Judeh, an active volunteer with the Arab American Institute, attempted to mobilize hundreds of potential voters at a rally in Dearborn on Wednesday.
As an MSU student in the 1980s, Bob Fish dreamed big. While majoring in hospitality business and working at a local restaurant, Fish hoped to turn his love of coffee into a full-fledged career. "I was always intrigued with the social environment of coffee shops," the 1988 graduate said.
A flooded street and sidewalk area caused trouble for some MSU students Wednesday, who faced the option of either taking an alternate route or strapping on their galoshes.
The East Lansing fire marshal confirmed on Wednesday the cause of an early morning house fire in northern East Lansing. Fire Marshal Bob Pratt said heat from two 250-pound propane tanks kept on a wooden floor caused the fire. The fire broke out at 462 Anhinga Drive, a house under construction in the Hawk Nest Community near Chandler Road, shortly after 12:30 a.m.
To many of the students active with the Hillel Jewish Student Center, Judaism is more than a religion - it's a culture, a way of life and it's political. At Israelfest on Tuesday evening, an event designed to bring cultural and political awareness to members of the pro-Israel community at MSU, all aspects of the heritage were brought together. Colorful art by Israeli artists was displayed, Mediterranean food was catered and Ellen Rothfeld, a Hebrew lecturer at MSU, taught Israeli dances she learned while living in the country. "They're a lot of fun - good, aerobic exercise," she said.
It started with a slow drip onto the table in the conference room of The Listening Ear Crisis Intervention Center. On Tuesday, the table was gone, and volunteers at the area's oldest crisis center moved back into their facility at 313 W.
A variety of reasons prevented almost 10 percent of applications to vote online or by mail in the 2004 Michigan Democratic caucus from being approved, party officials said Tuesday. Around 12,000 of the 123,000 applicants who wished to vote from home were turned down, Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Jason Moon said.
With the onset of winter fully unleashed upon the city of East Lansing, some off-campus students are battling another seasonal foe - increasing gas bills. Many older rental houses in student neighborhoods are plagued by poor insulation, frigid drafts and leaky windows. Adding to the problems is the rising cost of natural gas due to shrinking supplies.
The Arab American Institute will hold a rally in Dearborn on Wednesday to prepare voters for the Michigan Democratic caucus Saturday. The rally, which is aimed at motivating Arab-American voters, will be hosted at the Henry Ford Center for Performing Arts, a Saturday caucus site. There will be an explanation of caucus procedures as well as on-site voter registration.
The USA Patriot Act will be the subject of scrutiny tonight as members of the American Civil Liberties Union meet with East Lansing residents to discuss the controversial legislation. ACLU attorney Noel Saleh will lead the meeting at 7 p.m.
The long journey for one downtown East Lansing restaurant might end tonight, as the East Lansing City Council votes on whether to approve a special-use permit that would allow the establishment to sell alcohol. Harry Saites, owner of adjoining restaurants Lou & Harry's Five Star Deli and LH Grille Room, will go before the council today at 7:30 p.m.
East Lansing now has one less location for underage students to hang out with their legal-age friends on late nights. About two weeks ago, The Peanut Barrel Restaurant, 521 E.
An early morning fight on Grand River Avenue has left East Lansing police looking for suspects and waiting for more witnesses to come forward with information. The fight occurred around 2:30 a.m.
When asked what he appreciates most about his life, Agron Fejzullahu will tell you it's his freedom. Five years ago, Fejzullahu, formally of Kosovo, was forced to leave his home and then his country.
As early as this fall, off-campus students might have a central place to get their questions about living in East Lansing answered. An off-campus resource center is in the early stages of planning by the Community Relations Coalition. The coalition is submitting a grant proposal for $12,000 today to pay for an office, possibly in Bailey Community Center or at the base of the parking garage on Grove Street. "It's within the neighborhoods, so it's not a big hike and it's all centralized," said Nancy Schertzing, East Lansing resident and executive director of the coalition.
Saturday is the last day to apply to vote early for the 2004 Michigan Democratic caucus. To apply to vote online or by mail, visit applytovote.com any time before 6 p.m.
The 54-B District Court in East Lansing will be closed on Friday. The court will perform an annual Physical Case Inventory, which is required by the Michigan Supreme Court. The offices, located at 101 Linden St., will not be open for walk-in arraignments or ticket payments, but previously scheduled felony preliminary exams will still take place. Both the police desk and the city hall parking lot have drop boxes available for filings and payments.
The snow-covered streets, white-out conditions and icy roads have put some drivers in danger this week. East Lansing and MSU police have reported an increase in the number of vehicle accidents due to the hazardous driving conditions.
In his first State of the City address as Lansing's mayor, Tony Benavides described the city's economic situation as secure Monday night and highlighted a number of plans to improve Lansing's business activity.
Lyndsay Davis doesn't take off her shoes anymore. In almost every nook and cranny of the journalism junior's Cedar Village apartment, stacks of blankets are stuffed behind chairs.