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State honors Chavez
The Legislature has moved one step closer to commemorating the legacy of a man who fought for the rights of migrant farm workers. A bill introduced by state Sen.
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'Magic' opens inventor center
Lansing - A tearful Earvin "Magic" Johnson returned to his hometown for the opening of the 11th Magic Johnson HP Inventor Center Thursday at the Black Child & Family Institute, 835 W.
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Student City Council candidacy in review
The MSU student hoping to run for an East Lansing City Council seat might have to wait two more years. Caleb Marker, an international relations junior, turned his petition into City Clerk Sharon Reid, Tuesday with 55 signatures but not all signatures were valid, she said. A candidate must turn in an petition with at least 50 valid signatures from registered East Lansing voters. Five of Marker's signatures did not belong to registered voters in East Lansing and two were illegible, bringing Marker's signature total below the mark, Reid said. The clerk's office is working to verify the last two signatures, which must be validated for Marker's name to appear on the ballot. Marker also sits on The State News Board of Directors. If Marker's petition cannot be verified, only the three incumbents will be candidates.
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'U' helps lure graduates to MI
Researchers at MSU and other institutions across the state are working on ways to get more college graduates to come to Michigan. Many Michigan graduates find jobs in the state, but employers are hoping to attract out-of-state graduates as well, researchers have found. "Since 1996, 72 to 76 percent of Michigan grads have stayed in the state," said Phil Gardner, director of research at MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute.
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Trials for March rioters scheduled to begin
Those charged with crimes committed during the March 31 riot will be sent to pretrial May 28 and 30. Ian Bailey, Bala Mucki, Daniel Callton, James Luellen, Kimberly Martin and Miguel Miranda will go to pretrial May 28 and a preliminary exam May 30 before Judge David Jordon. Timothy Ricker and Tony Warren will go to pretrial May 30 and a preliminary exam June 2 before Judge Richard Ball. These students are being charged for crimes committed in the riot which caused more than $40,000 in damage to MSU's campus. University and city officials pursued rioters by formulating a task force offering a $2,500 reward for tips leading to the arrests and convictions of people involved. Joseph Montes
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Weather raises risk of West Nile virus
Summer humidity and heat could bring an explosive mosquito population, increasing East Lansing's risk for the West Nile virus, city officials say. "The greater the mosquito population, the higher the concern that more people will get West Nile," said Dave Smith, environmental specialist for East Lansing. The city of East Lansing is implementing a program to monitor and control a large increase of mosquitoes during the summer months. East Lansing, along with many areas throughout the state, are at risk because of standing water and retention ponds which is creating mosquito breeding grounds, Smith said. The city has not had a mosquito control system in place in recent years, but the issue could be crucial this year, Smith said. "We have not done anything up until the point because mosquitoes were nothing more than a nuisance problem - now it is a human health issue," he said. Employees in the East Lansing Department of Public Works are identifying mosquito breeding grounds and placing donut-like cakes of larvicide to keep new mosquito populations down. The cakes, or "dunks," are composed of a natural bacteria found in soil that kills mosquito larvae. "We are trying to get ahead of the situation because there will most likely be cases of West Nile virus, it's just a question of how many and how severe," public service administrator Angela Mabin said. At a work session Tuesday, department officials explained the affects of spraying a higher-toxicity insecticide to combat the mosquitoes. "Targeted spraying would be the last resort," Mabin said.
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Bernero leans toward joining mayoral race
State Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing said he is "seriously thinking about running" for Lansing mayor. "I am moving closer to a decision, I am leaning toward running," he said.While Bernero has not filed an application with the city yet, he is expected to publicly confirm his decision today.
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Officers pass cycle school finals
MSU police Officer Shaun Mills rides his motorcycle with precision around small orange cones on one of the hardest courses a rider can be tested on.Scoring 98 percent on his final exam, Mills has just graduated Police Motorcycle Operator Training, a program run by MSU's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.As program instructor, Doug Wolfe handed Mills his graduation certificate he made mention of Mills high score and stopping ability."Mr. balanced stop," Wolfe said.
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State legislators closer to handing down higher ed cuts
Public universities in Michigan might see varying cuts in funding under a budget proposal approved by a higher education subcommittee in the state House on Wednesday.
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Listening Ear rebuilds after embezzlement
Even through the scandal of a $13,000 embezzlement, the Listening Ear Crisis Intervention Center will continue its work serving the Greater Lansing community.In early April, the Listening Ear suspected their office manager was using the organization's credit card for personal use.
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3 City Council spots open for election
The deadline to run for East Lansing City Council is quickly approaching, but only two applicants have applied for the three available positions. City Clerk Sharon Reid said while at least eight people have picked up petitions, only two incumbent council members have turned them in.
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News briefs
Citizen's Police Academy to give public chance to learn The MSU Department of Police and Public Safety is now signing up those interested for its Citizen's Police Academy. The next class is scheduled to begin 7 p.m.
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2 E.L. roads might see speed limit increases
A recent study shows speed limits on Grand River Avenue and Saginaw Highway could be increased by 10 miles per hour because motorists on those roads are not driving the legal limit. A study by the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Transportation collected speed surveys on both state-regulated roads to calculate the 85th percentile of speed limits driven on the state-funded roads.
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Eco challenges OfficeMax practices
Okemos - A demonstration by four Eco members might be able to sway a corporate office supply chain to change one of its policies.
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Hannah Community Center to serve up talent, soup
Community members in East Lansing are bringing residents of all ages together for beatboxing, jugglers, folk music, punk rock, yo-yos and soup. East Lansing teen and senior citizen groups will be sponsoring the first ever "Vegetable Soup Variety Show," featuring talent from area elementary and high school students, senior citizens and MSU faculty. The event will be held 6 p.m.
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Rally supports change to health care policies
Lansing - Shouts of "Everyone in, no one out!" rang through the calm warmth of the afternoon air, stirring the crowd gathered at the steps of the Capitol on Thursday. "Should life depend on how much money we have?" Lansing Mayor Tony Benavides asked the crowd of more than 100 people.
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Police, students to rekindle football rivalries
After nearly 25 years, the Pigs and Freaks are ready to butt heads again. But this time the hostilities between police officers and college students looming over a football game will no longer attract 40,000 fans.
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'U' officer builds bridges in Iraq
Three days before MSU police officer Travis Schuler was told he had to report to begin his journey to Iraq, he called his close buddy MSU police officer Danial Munford to deliver the news. Munford said the family always knew there was a chance Schuler's reserve unit would be called up as the United States had moved closer to war, but when the news of his deployment hit home on Jan.
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E.L. to celebrate Earth Day
Earth Day events this weekend will fill city streets with music, vendors and educational information about the environment. The 2003 Earth Day celebration, which will shut down M.A.C.
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Health care rally to be held on Capitol steps
MSU medical students and health-care professionals will rally for health insurance equality from 1-4 p.m.