After about two months of listening to public comment, reviewing programs and buildings' uses, the East Lansing School Board unanimously approved the districts 2003-04 budget recommendations. The budget prepares for a projected $4.2-million shortfall.
After weeks of negotiations, Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation have reached a temporary deal allowing the railway to continue operating its two state-funded train lines for at least the next three months.Amtrak officials and department representatives settled the deal in a conference call Monday, with both sides agreeing to a three-month contract setting Amtrak's funding level at $1.425 million through July 1.Department spokeswoman Stephanie Litaker said the deal provides the Legislature more time to pass a bill lifting a $5.7-million cap in state funding Amtrak annually receives, while still securing Michigan's passenger rail service."This deal is somewhere in between," Litaker said.
Residents of East Lansing might face increased sewer and water rates and higher parking prices as city officials attempt to spare public services and still adjust for a $1.4-million shortfall in the city's nearly $53.5-million budget. Officials will present the 2003-2004 budget to the city council at 7:30 p.m.
The Listening Ear Crisis Intervention Center moved to its new location Monday without missing a phone call.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm joined U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in Detroit on Monday to ask Congress for more money to better prepare Michigan for threats to homeland security.Stabenow spokesman Dave Lemmon said Michigan's location on the U.S.-Canadian border, along with other factors, require more money than local governments can afford, especially with the state's budget crisis."Whether it's money for additional training or additional equipment, local and state governments need the assistance for homeland security," he said.The Bush administration has outlined a supplemental appropriations bill to spend $4.25 billion for states' homeland security efforts.
The East Lansing Public School Board will continue adopting parts of its 2003-04 budget, which will make up for a nearly $4.2-million shortfall, at 7:30 p.m.
Tereza Guimaraes didn't know the food was going to be so spicy.The native Brazilian said because of the African influence in her country, she is familiar with African styles of cooking.But when she sampled the food at the annual African Culture Gala Saturday night, she was surprised."The ingredients are similar," she said after finishing a plate of Ethiopian chicken and other dishes.
Homeland security site helps prepare citizens Gov. Jennifer Granholm launched a homeland security Web site last week in an effort to better prepare Michigan residents for an emergency.
As the spring weather thaws East Lansing, city officials are fixing a record amount of water mains. Due to the cold temperatures and troubling frost conditions, the city has fixed approximately 40 to 50 water main breaks this winter, costing the city about $40,000, said Todd Sneathen, the city's director of Public Works and Environmental Services.
The House Transportation Committee passed a bill Thursday to lift the $5.7-million funding cap on the annual funding Amtrak receives from the state. The House bill passed with a 12-2 vote, with 14 of the committee's 17 members in attendance for the vote, said Rep.
A train of police cars followed the stream of about 60 area residents on bicycles, skateboards and foot. "Stop the war!
Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Wednesday state and local police agencies apprehended 107 violent parolees this week as part of Project S.A.F.E., a revitalized statewide partnership between the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Corrections.Six Michigan State Police fugitive teams and three Michigan Department of Corrections Absconder Recovery Unit teams were joined by several county and local agencies in a two-day statewide effort of fugitives who posed the highest public safety risk.Some of the suspects are charged with murder, criminal sexual conduct and armed robbery among other crimes.Chad Previch
A public hearing Thursday will help establish a long-term deal and secure a financial agreement between Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation, officials say. On Monday, the department offered the financially strapped railway service a six-month contract to retain passenger rail service in the state, declining Amtrak's request for a deadline extension for its contract with the state. No further meetings between the groups are scheduled this week, but Thursday's public hearing will determine whether the bill will pass.
A new brand of cigarette, designed to ease smokers from their nicotine dependence, has hit the East Lansing market.Quest cigarettes are being introduced to seven states so far: Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois - the same states that account for 30 percent of the nation's smokers.The company offers three levels of cigarettes.
The East Lansing Police Department arrested a man at the Marriott East Lansing University Place wanted in Evanston, Ill.
State lawmakers will ask university officials to take responsibility for spending the state's money by asking them to account for all income and expenditures.The House Higher Education Committee will invite state university leaders to speak in the next few months in an effort to avoid excess spending and tuition increases.
A set of keys, a pair of glasses and a wedding ring are some of the items Kathryn Rennells left behind when fire engulfed the third floor of her Haslett apartment building early Tuesday morning. The fire began on the upper level of the three-story, 24-unit building at about 1 a.m.
Spartan Village Elementary School's doors will not open next fall after nearly 50 years of educating East Lansing children.The East Lansing School Board approved 5-2 the closure of Spartan Village Elementary on Monday, which is on the MSU campus, and the reorganization of the additional six elementary schools.
East Lansing police have a warrant in connection to an armed robbery that occurred Friday afternoon, in which one shot was fired into a home on the 1700 block of Haslett Road. The warrant is for two counts of armed robbery and one count of felony firearm and was issued Friday because the victim knew the suspect.
Lansing - The city's rainy day fund will be used for the first time to help balance the 2003-04 fiscal year budget. After Mayor Tony Benavides presented his $107.3-million budget to the Lansing City Council on Monday, he said it's been the most difficult budget that's been tackled in almost 20 years.