States are being encouraged by highway officials to report when crashes are caused by distracted drivers. The Governors Highway Safety Association is issuing a new report called the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria that police officers will be able to use when writing reports for car accidents that were caused by distracted drivers.
Michigan lawmakers are looking to place stricter penalties on drunken drivers in an effort to increase safety on Michigan roads, but some feel the policy-making is only a response to pressure from the federal government. Two bills, unanimously passed in the state House, lower the blood alcohol level for drunken driving from .10 to .08 grams and stiffen penalties for drivers found to have a blood alcohol level of .15 grams or more. If the bills are not passed by Sept.
Almost 900 commercial truck drivers will act as eyes for police in a drunken driving campaign. The program, "Night Owls," will employ Michigan truck drivers to help police identify highway drivers under the influence from Friday to July 13.
Lansing - Communities across the nation will be extending knowledge and insight about HIV and AIDS as part of National HIV Test Day on Friday.
A bill raising the penalty for impersonating a police officer was signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, changing the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony.Sen.
The sixth annual Bob's 5K run/walk drew 330 competitors to the starting blocks on Sunday in East Lansing to accomplish ambitions of their own as well as goals for the community.For Okemos resident Louise Forsythe, the event's coordinator, the race served dual purposes - to honor her late husband Bob Forsythe and to raise money for the Listening Ear Crisis Intervention Center.The center provides free 24-hour telephone crisis counseling to those dealing with depression, sexual assault and suicide, among other issues.
East Lansing police issued 80 tickets during the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning's "Buckle Up or Pay Up" campaign.Extra officers were placed on streets in designated zones in the Lansing area to spot drivers not wearing safety belts from May 26 to June 1.
Lansing - Elizabeth Ballew carefully wrapped rainbow beadwork around her daughter Sarah's braided brunette hair, as the 10-year-old attentively looked toward the powwow arena. "These were given to me when I graduated high school," Ballew said.
Lansing - MSU 2002 graduate Courtney Bullock went to Lansing Community College to earn her teaching certificate this summer because of lower tuition rates, but she soon found it was going to be more expensive than planned. Faced with $4.5 million in state funding cuts, LCC, like other community colleges across the state, was forced to compensate with a 5.9-percent tuition increase on Monday.
Lansing - Lansing's fire and police departments pushed a car and driver into a river Wednesday morning - on purpose. The fire and police departments were working together for a water rescue training scenario at the Grand River's boat launch on River Street in Lansing. The training simulates possible situations with both departments working together as if the rescue were real.
MSU and East Lansing are closer than ever and the proof is in a Web site developed by city and university officials. The Web site, www.partnerships.vpga.msu.edu, lists more than 120 community activities and projects residents can participate in.
Advocates against domestic abuse gathered Tuesday to gain a better understanding about helping victims of domestic violence.Workers from abuse shelters, police officers and prosecutors listened to Deborah Tucker, executive director of the National Training Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence in Austin, Texas, speak about the problems leaders face in helping domestic abuse victims."We can build a society and world without violence," Tucker said to about more than 30 people gathered at the MSU-Detroit College of Law Building.
Lansing - A 20-by-30 foot rainbow-colored flag draped the Capitol building on Saturday, commemorating thousands of people who lost their lives to the AIDS epidemic.The flag contained 3,318 names of people who died from the disease since 1991.
A masked man escaped with an undetermined amount of money around 1:30 p.m. on Friday after holding up a Flagstar Bank.It was the second robbery in three weeks for the East Lansing business, located at 1400 E.
By Joseph MontesThe State NewsWhile playing and listening to the music he loves, a Lansing resident was able to help a local organization.John Krohn put on the third annual Krohnstock in Stockbridge's Memorial Park on Saturday exposing local music, and benefiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lansing Inc. The organization links volunteers, who serve as mentors, with at-risk children."We're in the wide-open country where you can walk around barefoot," Krohn said.
Michigan lawmakers are working to prevent deaths from severe allergic reactions by passing legislation requiring all ambulances to be equipped with adequate drugs to quickly relieve patients.State Rep.
Lansing - All the struggles, advancements and setbacks the pride movement has endured for 15 years were showcased in the form of a video on Saturday.The movie aired every 15 minutes throughout the 2003 Annual Michigan Pride LGBT March, Rally & Festival in Lansing, and featured news articles of lesbian, bi, gay and transgender endeavors and interviews, interlaced with photos of past rallies and people from across the state.The collaboration, "One Voice
In an effort to increase voter turnout and save school districts and local governments money, a bill introduced in the state House would establish a set number of election days in Michigan.Sponsors and supporters met at the state Capitol Wednesday to discuss the legislation."This is about the voters, we need to make this as simple as possible," Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said.
Firefighters substituted their hoses for fishing poles Wednesday.Several Lansing area firefighters gathered for the first "Firefighters Fishing For Kids" event at Lake Ovid in Sleepy Hollow State Park, 7835 Price Road, in Laingsburg.
The Lansing Police Department is handing out free drug tests for parents to test their children.Lansing police Sgt.