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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

'U' community tapped by Bush

Brian Charlton
October 20, 2003

Two MSU students and Trustee Dave Porteous were named to the Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election leadership team Friday alongside veteran politicians, established business executives and millionaires.The early "grass-roots" campaign comes about a year before the 2004 election and focuses on states that were won or lost by less than 5-point margins in the 2000 election, said Marc Racicot, campaign chair for Bush-Cheney '04 from the Marriott East Lansing University Place, 300 M.A.C.

MICHIGAN

Education creates awareness for Domestic Violence Month

Meghan Gilbert
October 17, 2003

Lansing - Area residents are using education to respond to widespread domestic assault during Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October. In 2002, Lansing had almost 500 domestic assault arrests, the Lansing Police Department reported. "The only way that we break this cycle is if we educate people that this is what happens in domestic violence cases," said Judge Amy Krause of the Lansing 54-A District Court, the keynote speaker at a vigil at the Capitol on Tuesday evening. Several area support groups, including MSU Safe Place, Capital Area Response Effort and End Violent Encounters, Inc., collaborated in events which have drawn victims, survivors and advocates to create awareness for the national concern. In a rally Thursday afternoon, 75 people from across the state gathered at the Capitol to ask for clemency for 20 women.

MICHIGAN

E.L. firefighters reach 4-year deal

Steve Eder
October 16, 2003

More than 14 months after their contract expired, East Lansing firefighters have reached a four-year agreement with the city amidst a shrinking budget.The contract seeks a balance between the city's money woes and concerns about staffing and overtime among firefighters, officials on both sides of the agreement say.Fire Union President Don Carter said members are not thrilled with the agreement, but understand that economic troubles cause "some give and take on both sides."The firefighters' contract is among the most expensive for the city, accounting for an estimated $4 million of East Lansing's $30 million general fund, said George Lahanas, the city's human resources director."The budget is tight and health care issues are increasing demands on our shrinking budget," he said.The new contract calls for no reductions in the department's overall staffing levels, which stand at 51 including the chief.One concern among firefighters is the reduction in the minimum number of firefighters required to be on duty at any given time.

MICHIGAN

Candidates to hold 3-day, Arab-issue conference

Brian Charlton
October 16, 2003

Leading presidential candidates will address the Arab-American community for the first time on the campaign trail this weekend in Dearborn.The Arab American Institute will host a three-day conference in metro Detroit, home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans outside of the Middle East - with about 403,000 people of Arab descent.The event has attracted eight presidential candidates and representatives from President Bush's re-election campaign to speak either in person or via satellite.Civil liberties, U.S.

MICHIGAN

Nuclear vessel burial concerns some officials

Allison Lucy
October 15, 2003

A 290-ton nuclear reactor vessel left its home Oct. 7 at Big Rock Point nuclear plant en route to South Carolina for burial, leaving some state officials concerned over safety and public notification procedures.Kevin Kamps, a nuclear waste specialist with the Nuclear Information & Resource Service in Washington, D.C., said the nuclear reactor vessel, which left its second destination in the Gaylord area early Tuesday, is like a moving X-ray machine that can't be turned off."The government is not requiring advance notification to emergency officials and not requiring security," he said, adding that the reactor vessel contains low-level radioactive waste.

MICHIGAN

Fall festival features crafts, fun house

On Oct. 18, the first Harvesting Hope Fall Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan and Old Town Mainstreet in Lansing partnered for the event.The festival will include events such as birdhouse making, pumpkin Olympics, craft booths, a storybook fun house and food.There also will be a pumpkin and scarecrow contest.

MICHIGAN

Volunteers to go 'into the streets' Saturday

Antonio Planas
October 10, 2003

Students looking for something to do on Saturday can interact and lend a helping hand with East Lansing citizens during the kickoff events of "Into the Streets." "Into the Streets" is intended to emphasize the importance of community service. The event is open to all MSU students and registration begins from 9 to 9:45 a.m.