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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

News briefs

Cell phones recycled, funds restore Old TownLansing's Old Town MainStreet is instituting a cell phone recycling program for collecting and redeploying used and unwanted cell phones. The generated funds will be used toward the nonprofit organization that works to revitalize Lansing's Old Town district. The Charitable Recycling Program of Bloomfield Hills is collaborating the program with Old Town MainStreet and will give money received from cell phone collection back to the establishment.

MICHIGAN

Habitat for humanity receives $80,000

Habitat for Humanity Lansing has received an $80,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis' Affordable Housing Program for aiding construction of homes in Greater Lansing. The grant money will go toward building materials and other expenses for eight Habitat Lansing homes, as well as helping to pave the way for three other homes not yet under construction. Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Denise Paquette said in a written statement that the funding will help to move 10 families out of substandard living conditions and into reasonably priced housing. In order to secure the grant money, Habitat for Humanity Lansing joined the National City Bank to apply to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.

MICHIGAN

Residents gather to prevent crime

Sarah Mcevilly
August 6, 2003

The streets of Lansing neighborhoods were filled with residents and police officers on Tuesday evening as they gathered to join a nationwide effort to cut crime and make neighborhoods safer to live in.

MICHIGAN

Optical scan to replace voting methods by 2006

Dawn Klemish
August 6, 2003

Lansing - Ingham County voters will have to adapt to a new voting system as early as 2004, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said Monday.Land outlined plans for a uniform voting system for Michigan, which currently employs five different methods at the polls.

MICHIGAN

Mayor looks to keep seat

Sarah Frank
August 5, 2003

Editor's note: This is the last in a series of articles profiling Lansing's six candidates for mayor.Lansing - When Mayor Tony Benavides talks about Lansing, it's almost as if he's mayor of a small town.He knows neighborhoods, ordinances, city businesses and some citizens by name.

MICHIGAN

Mayor looks to keep seat

Sarah Frank
August 4, 2003

Editor's note: This is the last in a series of articles profiling Lansing's six candidates for mayor. Lansing - When Mayor Tony Benavides talks about Lansing, it's almost as if he's mayor of a small town. He knows neighborhoods, ordinances, city businesses and some citizens by name.

MICHIGAN

Veterans gather to remember Korean War

Amy Davis
August 4, 2003

Nearly 75 veterans gathered Wednesday night for a ceremony to remember the Korean War. Organized by the East Lansing Historical Society in the Hannah Center, 819 Abbott Road., the memorial was held to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the cease-fire signing, which ended the war.

MICHIGAN

ACLU contests Patriot Act

Antonio Planas
July 31, 2003

A provision of the USA Patriot Act is being challenged through a lawsuit filed by Detroit's branch of the American Civil Liberties Union and some Arab-American advocacy groups.The provision, section 215 of the anti-terrorism legislation, calls for librarians to hand over names and records of suspected terrorists to FBI agents.

MICHIGAN

Schools a priority for candidate

Sarah Frank
July 30, 2003

Editor's note: This is the fourth in a series of articles profiling Lansing's six candidates for mayor. If elected mayor of Lansing, candidate Mary Ann Prince said the front door to her duplex home will always be open. "I'll be available to the citizens, if you can't come to me, I'll come to you," the retired state employee said. Prince worked for more than 26 years in Michigan's departments of community health and education. After campaigning day and night in 1993, Prince was defeated in that year's Lansing mayoral primary election, and says this year she'll do just the opposite. "I learned a lot back then, I paid a lot of money, I put up the signs, I sent out the mailers, I did the parades and I just decided I'm not going to do that this time," Prince said. Instead, the lifetime Lansing resident and Lansing Community College graduate spends her time knocking on doors and networking at her church social functions.

MICHIGAN

Lansing park opens paved trail, plans for more improvements

Dawn Klemish
July 30, 2003

Lansing - Dick Sullivan has a brand new course to skate on. The grand opening of the Hawk Island Trail was celebrated Monday by the Ingham County Board of Commissioners and the Ingham County Parks Board. Located in Lansing's Hawk Island's Park, the trail consists of a paved, 1.5-mile loop around the park and is the next step in many planned improvements. A resident of Lansing for more than 40 years, Sullivan attended the opening ceremonies, adding that he couldn't wait to try out the added route. "I rollerblade here every day," he said.

MICHIGAN

State Police program results in less deaths

More than 2,500 arrests were made during the statewide "You Drink & Drive You Lose" program police agencies across the state participated in. This year, more than 300 agencies participated in the program that took place from June 27 to July 13.

MICHIGAN

Candidate plans to attract housing

Sarah Frank
July 28, 2003

Editor's note: This is the third in a series of articles profiling Lansing's six candidates for mayor. Vietnam veteran Leon Black says his lack of political experience is exactly what Lansing needs in a mayor. One of four of Lansing's six mayoral candidates with virtually no experience holding any public offices, Black says he is planning to bring honesty and integrity to his home city. "I'm not a career politician," said Black a self-proclaimed "strong conservative." "Though, I think that I'm the one - the long shot that I am," he said. After an unsuccessful run against former Mayor David Hollister two years ago, Black, 59, is once again trying to win the top job in the more than a 120,000-person city. Black will be competing against five other candidates for a spot on the November ballot at the primary election on Aug.

MICHIGAN

Ellen's Race draws to close after 10 years

Dawn Klemish
July 28, 2003

More than 1,000 people gathered at Pinecrest Elementary School on Sunday for the last time to celebrate life and community during the 10th Ellen's Race 5K Run and Walk. In addition to raising money for three area organizations, the 3.1-mile run and walk served as a memorial to Ellen Osborn, a fourth grader who passed away on Nov.

MICHIGAN

Telling nature's story

Lansing - Professional storyteller Tim Bogar stood underneath the cool shade provided by an Oak tree near the Grand River on Friday as he wrapped duct tape around his khaki pant legs.After spending several minutes doing this, he recreated his camping trip - catching stable flies with the sticky side of the tape.

MICHIGAN

Ballot might include race admissions

Amy Davis
July 24, 2003

A ballot initiative was proposed Wednesday that would allow Michigan voters the option to prohibit preferential treatment based on race or gender. With the support of several Republican state representatives by his side, the chairman of the Sacramento-based American Civil Rights Coalition, Ward Connerly, announced the campaign for the ballot initiative at the state Capitol. If passed, the initiative would become a constitutional amendment against the U.S.

MICHIGAN

United Way, unions kick off campaign

Antonio Planas
July 24, 2003

With wounds still fresh from a more than $2-million embezzlement scandal, Mike Brown, president of the Capital Area United Way, addressed a crowd of laborers saying the scandal won't shake the 64-year partnership with the labor union. "We have to roll up our sleeves and go back to work," Brown said.

MICHIGAN

Mayoral candidate hopes to attract youth

Sarah Frank
July 24, 2003

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles profiling Lansing's six candidates for mayor. Melissa Sue Robinson says after half a decade of being a constituent, she's ready to make her mark on Lansing by running for mayor. "I want to give back to the people that helped me," the 53-year-old said.