MICHIGAN

Landlords say occupancy codes difficult to enforce

Brian Charlton

January 16, 2003

Tenants beware - many area landlords are going the extra step to ensure occupancy codes are followed. With East Lansing officials pressing the over-crowding issue for the past couple years, landlords say students can sometimes be elusive. Fred Bauries, an East Lansing landlord, says he keeps a close look on the houses around him - mostly because he rents out the three houses right next door. "My most creative way would be that I live next door," he said.

MICHIGAN

Kids booking it over to E.L. library for storytelling

Lindsay Weiskittel

January 15, 2003

Four-year-old Livia Belman was among about 20 children trying to wiggle out of their winter clothing as quickly as possible Monday evening. Livia was anxious to begin her first StoryTime at the East Lansing Public Library.

MICHIGAN

Police continue hunt for Linden attacker

Chad Previch

January 15, 2003

East Lansing police haven't received any new leads since Monday afternoon in the Friday assault of an MSU student, Lt.

MICHIGAN

Hollister confirmed by Senate committee

Lansing Mayor David Hollister was the first of Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm's appointments to go in front of the Senate Government Operations Committee in a series of hearings to examine candidates for top spots in the governor's cabinet Tuesday. A state Senate committee unanimously confirmed Hollister as the director of a new state department on labor and economic growth. "He will represent Granholm very well," said Mary Dettloff, spokeswoman for Jennifer Granholm.

MICHIGAN

Extension programs look for 'creative way' to balance budget

Kurt Ludke

January 15, 2003

Two of MSU's educational programs for state residents are looking for creative solutions to upcoming funding problems - and hoping to avoid layoffs that may be inevitable. The Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, MSU Extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station were counting on nearly $4 million in state money to make up for a 2 percent cut to higher-education funding.

MICHIGAN

City, LCC combine to build education

Benita Mehta

January 15, 2003

Delta Twp. - With a combined cost of $43 million and a slow economy, Lansing Community College has reached out to local businesses and community partners to help pay for its new technical centers.As an extension of LCC, Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) and Technical Training Center are scheduled to open next year.The M-TEC cost the city nearly $34 million and the training center close to $9 million.

MICHIGAN

Experts discuss state tax revenue

Joey Guillen

January 14, 2003

With Michigan's top three budget experts meeting today to estimate Michigan's tax revenue, Gov.

MICHIGAN

Rogers chosen to be on energy committee

Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, has been appointed to serve on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce in the 108th Congress. Rogers' subcommittee assignments will be announced in the next few weeks. The committee, which was formed in 1795, provides principal legislative oversight related to telecommunications, consumer protection and food and drug safety. The committee also oversees public health, air quality and environmental health and the supply and delivery of energy, as well as interstate and foreign commerce.

MICHIGAN

Senator tours state promoting security

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., met with police and firefighters in Marquette Monday to address their concerns regarding homeland security. Stabenow spokesman Dave Lemmon said the round-table discussion was her sixth such visit to Michigan municipalities.

MICHIGAN

Union, school board square off in lawsuit

Brian Charlton

January 14, 2003

The bickering over the budget crisis in East Lansing Public Schools reached the legal level Monday.The East Lansing Education Association, the union representing East Lansing teachers, filed unfair labor practice charges against the East Lansing School Board - accusing them of breaking a state labor law.Union officials have pointed fingers at the school board, saying Superintendent Tom Giblin broke state labor laws by releasing budget plans publicly before they were presented to the teachers' union.

MICHIGAN

E.L. promotes recycling with new drop site

East Lansing residents again have an opportunity to turn their trash into reusable goods.The city reopened the Valley Court recycling drop-off site on Friday, located at Valley Court and Hillside Court.

MICHIGAN

Financial experts fight embezzlement

Brian Charlton

January 13, 2003

MSU Controller David Brower says he is ready to join the fight to rebuild the United Way's reputation while the local chapter attempts to recover nearly $1 million in missing money.Brower was appointed by the Capital Area United Way blue-ribbon panel of experts which will analyze the chapter's financial safeguards.

MICHIGAN

Michigan groups to fight for transgender causes

Benita Mehta

January 13, 2003

Lansing - The National Association for the Advancement of Transgendered People will with high hope for change, founder and president Melissa Sue Robinson says.The nonprofit association, which will act as a political activist group, union and support organization for transgender people, is beginning with a 25-person membership but Robinson said she expects that number to increase as more people learn about the association.The association will hold monthly support meetings on the third Saturday of every month."We will help transgendered people if they run into problems," she said.

MICHIGAN

Route loss might hassle riders

Students and East Lansing residents may soon have to go further down the road for personal railway service.About 40 people braved freezing temperatures Saturday afternoon to participate in a rally to protest the loss of ticket agents and possible route closing.As of today, East Lansing's Amtrak rail passenger station, located at 1240 S.

MICHIGAN

Fifth Third comes to E.L.

Casey Mcnenly

January 13, 2003

Fifth Third Bank officials say they are ready to tap into the banking needs of East Lansing business and MSU staff and students.A new branch of Fifth Third Bank is moving into its new digs at 309 E.

MICHIGAN

Educational programs help cut truck fatalities

Dana Hunter has always found truck drivers to be courteous on the road."I've never had a problem with semi-trucks driving on the road," the no-preference freshman said.

MICHIGAN

Lansing group promotes peace

Benita Mehta

January 10, 2003

Lansing - The collective chant of "Peace in Iraq" reverberated within the walls of a Lansing church Thursday after a group of anti-war speakers motivated the crowd.

MICHIGAN

LCC trustee search narrowed to 6; decision expected Jan. 24

Chrystal Liebold

January 10, 2003

The Lansing Community College Board of Trustees has narrowed down its choices for a vacant position from 27 applicants to six.On Jan.

MICHIGAN

Byrum sworn in as caucus leader

Joey Guillen

January 10, 2003

Women in Michigan politics took another step forward Wednesday with state Rep. Dianne Byrum becoming the first woman to lead a legislative caucus in Michigan."I'm proud to be chosen by my caucus to represent them," she said.

MICHIGAN

E.L. service provides recycling program for Christmas trees

For many East Lansing residents, leftover remnants of the holiday season can be considered more of a nuisance to be disposed of than to be put toward a useful cause."I had this huge, beautiful Christmas tree in our living room, and I didn't know what to do with it," no-preference sophomore Sarah Mellon said.Mellon was happy to learn her tree could soon be transformed into healthy fuel to be used year-round in city parks through a tree recycling program run by the East Lansing's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services."Recycling is always beneficial in any way possible," she said.