MICHIGAN

City officials consider noise policy revisions

Brian Charlton

April 24, 2003

The East Lansing City Council accepted a list of noise recommendations Tuesday to push city staff to implement policies that might raise noise penalties.After gathering information from student and city groups and local commissions, council members instructed staff to continue combating noise in an attempt to tame problems in the fall."What we have now is a real product that achieves a working practice for the city," Deputy City Manager Jean Golden said.The issue arose last fall when noise violations increased 36 percent from the previous fall.

MICHIGAN

Study: Michigan mental health care fails

Benita Mehta

April 24, 2003

After Michigan was the only state to receive all failing grades in a recent national study of mental health care, state officials are saying improvements are in the works.The National Mental Health Association report, which was released Wednesday, examined parity in services provided by private insurance plans and government programs, access to medications and protection against declining services that may result from managed care.

MICHIGAN

Council discusses environmental issues

Casey Mcnenly

April 23, 2003

The East Lansing City Council's Earth Day work session on Tuesday resulted in the designation of May 4-10 as Water Quality Awareness Week.The council considered two issues: the effort to stencil, "No Dumping, Drains to River" on the city's storm drains and the inventory of local wetlands.

MICHIGAN

8 chapters unite for Black Greek Week

Aaron Foley

April 23, 2003

There's been a lot of divine intervention on campus lately."Divine Nine" is the nickname for the nine national historically black fraternities and sororities.

MICHIGAN

E.L. denies spring block party requests, citing 'bad timing'

Brian Charlton

April 23, 2003

As spring rolls into East Lansing, thoughts of burgers roasting on the barbecue and bands pumping out music down the street come into many students' minds.

MICHIGAN

James Madison freshman dies near Holly train tracks

Chad Previch

April 23, 2003

A 19-year-old MSU freshman was found dead Tuesday morning next to train tracks in Holly, about 20 miles south of Flint. The body of Michael Randolph, a James Madison freshman from Owosso, was found several hours after being struck by a train, Michigan State Police trooper Mark Pravato said. Police believe the death was a suicide.

MICHIGAN

Student remembered for interests

Chrystal Liebold

April 23, 2003

John Eckhold loved to talk about music."John and I would converse about what kind of music we liked," said Ric Shahin, a teacher at Midland High School, which Eckhold attended.Eckhold, a 23-year-old psychology junior, was found dead in his home at Woodside Apartments, on the corner of Haslett Road and Woodside Drive, on Sunday.

MICHIGAN

Officials change zoning districts to residential

Benita Mehta

April 23, 2003

Lansing - Two rezoning ordinances were passed unanimously on Monday by City Council. The area at 1001 E.

MICHIGAN

City council promotes water awareness week

The East Lansing City Council kicks off Earth Day by designating May 4-10 Water Quality Awareness Week at its work session today.East Lansing Commission on the Environment and the Department of Public Works will present ways to improve the city's water quality.

MICHIGAN

Optional university cuts faces opposition

Joey Guillen

April 22, 2003

A new proposal to change Gov. Jennifer Granholm's recommended higher education funding cuts is facing an uphill battle to make it out of subcommittee for full House consideration.Rep.

MICHIGAN

Ingham County Jail to begin $1.8M expansion

Benita Mehta

April 22, 2003

Mason - In an effort to reduce problems with overcapacity, the Ingham County Jail will undergo a $1.8 million expansion project.The move will add 90 beds, which is important because the jail books more than 11,000 criminals annually and is over capacity nearly every day, Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth said.

MICHIGAN

Sophomore arraigned in connection to riots

Another person allegedly involved in the March 28-30 disturbances was arraigned Monday in 54-B District Court.Daniel Callton, a hospitality business sophomore, faces felony charges of rioting, malicious destruction of property and a misdemeanor charge of arson.Police believe Callton is partly responsible for damaging a 1996 Dodge Neon, which was parked outside the Auditorium on March 30.The felonies carry up to a five-year sentence and up to a $10,000 fine.

MICHIGAN

Harper's Downtown mixes fashion, music

Casey Mcnenly

April 21, 2003

A fashion show at Harper's Downtown on Friday could have been what the city and Cool Waves need before the summer migration of students, showgoers said. Cool Waves owner Gaston Garcia collaborated with the club to put on the VIP Fashion Show, bringing together students, models, music and fashion in East Lansing.

MICHIGAN

City council to consider harsher noise penalties

Brian Charlton

April 21, 2003

The East Lansing City Council plans to hear recommendations Tuesday to increase penalties for loud and unruly parties in the city. In a continuing effort to combat noise problems in the city, council members can move forward with considering a series of revised recommendations submitted by student, city groups and local commissions.

MICHIGAN

Capitol update

Joey Guillen  and  Sarah Frank

April 21, 2003

State health department reports 3rd SARS case The Michigan Department of Community Health announced the third suspected case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS in Michigan on Wednesday.

MICHIGAN

Students arraigned in riots, anti-war protests

Chad Previch

April 18, 2003

City officials decided they have enough evidence against three students who have been charged with involvement in the March 28-30 disturbances to move their cases for jury selection next month. The students, the first to appear for a pretrial, were in 54-B District Court Thursday for their pretrials and East Lansing Assistant City Attorney Molly Clark said although the students were hoping for an offer to lower possible repercussions, none were granted.

MICHIGAN

State promotes Web site use on signs

Joey Guillen

April 18, 2003

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will be redesigning branch office signs in an effort to save money and raise online awareness with her new campaign, "Save Time, Renew Online!" The new design will not force a complete replacement of existing signs.

MICHIGAN

Cool Waves' fashion struts into Harper's

GastonGarcia is organizing 25 models, their clothes and the order they strut down the runway in the VIP fashion show tonight at Harper's Downtown, 131 Albert Ave. Garcia will bring together Detroit DJs, 25 models and more than 500 people for the East Lansing retailer's first fashion show. "I want to make it very local where everybody knows these people and to be able to identify with these people," he said.

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Officials: Student is innocent

As a lawsuit ensues against Kimberly Hostetler, an English sophomore who was driving the car that struck two women on Chandler Road in October, officials have determined the 19-year-old was not at fault. Bath Township police released a report Monday, which Clinton County Prosecutor Charles Sherman reviewed, detailing the accident that killed elementary education and child development sophomore Clare McCormick and injured 19-year-old former MSU student Ashlee Nichols. The two women were walking along Chandler Road near the Village at Chandler Crossings at 5:05 a.m.

MICHIGAN

City Council vote might boost student turnout

Brian Charlton

April 17, 2003

East Lansing voters can eliminate primary elections for City Council races on November's ballot, which would allow returning students greater impact on local politics.City Council unanimously supported Tuesday to let residents vote to eliminate the primary.