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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Bars strive for safer 21st birthdays

Brian Charlton
April 16, 2003

The ritual of excessive drinking in bars and restaurants on a 21st birthday hit a snag Tuesday as 16 bars and restaurants in East Lansing passed new management practices for the often-celebrated birthdays.Members of the Responsible Hospitality Council are hoping to avoid tragedies such as what happened to MSU student Bradley McCue, who died in East Lansing on his 21st birthday after drinking 24 shots in 1998."We're trying to change the ritual and change it to an appeal that on your birthday you can just go out and have fun," said Joe Goodsir, owner of Rick's American Café, 224 Abbott Road, and co-director of the council.Owners say they want to focus on friends of the birthday person to cut down on peer pressure.

MICHIGAN

Omi offers Japanese cuisine, retro atmosphere

Casey Mcnenly
April 16, 2003

While the introduction of Omi Japanese Restaurant might have gotten a late start, owners and new patrons still feel they came out with a bang.Journalism senior Hunter Stair said he didn't expect to go to dinner and eat "on the set of '2001: A Space Odyssey.'"Stair and his friend William Baldwin described the restaurant, located at 210 M.A.C.

MICHIGAN

Filers rush to post office for today's tax deadline

In Michigan, nothing is certain. The Red Wings can lose and it might snow in April, but everyone knows April 15 is tax day.Students and area residents will be scampering around the city to finish their taxes today, hoping to postmark them as tonight's midnight deadline rapidly approaches.Li Xiong, a graduate international student, was busy copying forms at the East Lansing Post Office, 1140 Abbott Road, on Monday.

MICHIGAN

City might cut police cadet program

Brian Charlton
April 15, 2003

While nearly 2,000 people filled East Lansing streets on March 30 trying to avoid spending the night at police headquarters, Heather Dunn started her night there.Dunn, an East Lansing police cadet, spent the night after the Elite Eight MSU loss to the University of Texas running water and food to officers, managing phone calls from concerned residents, coordinating an onslaught of media calling for updates, grabbing requested equipment and listening intently to the police radio."We were just basically behind the scenes," the criminal justice junior said.

MICHIGAN

Another student charged for involvement in riot

Chad Previch
April 15, 2003

Another student who was arrested this weekend for his alleged involvement in the March 28-30 disturbances was arraigned Monday in 54-B District Court.Criminal justice freshman Tony Oliver Warren was charged with unlawful assembly and preparing to burn less than $200 in property, East Lansing officials said.

MICHIGAN

Capitol update

Sarah Frank
April 14, 2003

Michigan Legislature resumes next week The Michigan Legislature will not be in session until April 29, due to a two-week spring recess. When session resumes, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education will conduct a vote on the budget for Michigan's 15 public universities, postponed last week. The subcommittee is expected to introduce a plan to review the tier system of per-pupil university funding.

MICHIGAN

Lawsuit filed against developers in accident

The family of a former MSU student hit by a car near The Village at Chandler Crossings has taken legal action in a $5 million suit against Bath Township apartment developers.The family says the developers failed to provide adequate walkways and lighting.Ashlee Nichols, who was 19 years old at the time of the accident, was struck by a car near the apartments at 5:05 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Lansing Community College eliminates 22 staff positions

Benita Mehta
April 14, 2003

Lansing - Recent budget cuts resulting in 17 layoffs and the elimination of five staff positions for Lansing Community College were needed in order to keep tuition low, Trustee Todd Heywood said. "We're at a place where really tough decisions have to be made to avoid increasing tuition rates so that they are affordable," he said.

MICHIGAN

Granholm declares LBGT Day of Silence

Joey Guillen
April 11, 2003

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is relying on a gay rights organization to publicize her historic gay-friendly proclamation she made this week. On Monday, Granholm declared April 9, 2003, as the Day of Silence in Michigan at the request of the Detroit-based Triangle Foundation, Michigan's leading gay rights advocacy organization.

MICHIGAN

'Yellow Ribbon' package to help military families

Joey Guillen
April 10, 2003

State House Republicans are planning to introduce a package of bills, titled the Yellow Ribbon package in an attempt to protect Michigan families of military personnel stationed overseas.Included in the package are bills involving tax credits, tax exemptions and compensation for state employees for wages lost during service.Matt Resch, spokesman for House Speaker Rick Johnson, R-LeRoy, said the package's impact on Michigan's budget will be examined throughout the processing of the bill when legislators weigh the priorities of the state."The feeling is that there are few priorities greater than helping our military families," he said.But Rep.

MICHIGAN

Plans for Kresge unveiled

Benita Mehta
April 9, 2003

Kresge Art Museum officials unveiled plans on Tuesday for an $11- to $12 million expansion that will begin in 2006.The museum plans to add 32,000 square feet for exhibitions, educational programming and a better visitor atmosphere by 2009, celebrating the museum's 50th anniversary.

MICHIGAN

Corridor reserves spot for research

Amy Bartner
April 9, 2003

Novi - MSU, along with four other research institutions in Michigan, teamed up to reserve their spot of "precious real estate" at the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor Conference on Tuesday. Faculty members from MSU, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Van Andel Research Institute and officials from science companies gathered for the conference.

MICHIGAN

ACLU discusses riot suspension policy at 'U'

Chad Previch
April 8, 2003

Fifteen people, including 10 students, allegedly involved in the March 28-30 disturbances have now been arraigned in 54-B District Court. More than $40,000 in damage occurred to the city and campus during the weekend MSU bowed out of the NCAA tournament, and university and city officials vowed those who broke the law would be punished to the maximum extent. Twenty-one students were arrested during the disturbances but more arrests are expected as the university works with police departments and the public to find additional information to make further charges. But as university officials suspend students believed to be involved, the American Civil Liberties Union is questioning whether the university is acting responsibly. The university temporarily suspended two students for actions following two MSU basketball games.

MICHIGAN

Medicaid could see $60M cut

Joey Guillen  and  Sarah Frank
April 8, 2003

Medicaid could feel the blow of a $60 million cut if the state House's attempts to save the Michigan Merit Award Scholarship succeed.The Michigan Merit Award program gives $2,500 to students who successfully pass at least four out of the five portions of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program test.