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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Some alcohol-related crashes decreasing

The number of car crashes involving repeat offenders with multiple alcohol convictions has decreased 39 percent since repeat offender laws were enacted on three years ago, research findings announced Tuesday said. The laws brought tougher penalties for repeat offenders while establishing standards for licensing consequences and treatment.

MICHIGAN

Higher insurance premiums affect small businesses

Increasing insurance premiums are hitting small businesses and no immediate relief is in sight, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan officials said. This year, premiums for Blue Cross Blue Shield Traditional, PPO and Point of Service products have grown by an average of 11.4 percent for all Michigan groups and 15.8 percent for Michigan businesses with under 100 employees.

MICHIGAN

Group stretches for Yoga Day

The mats were lined up across the small studio as a group of about 20 people quietly stretched in preparation for Yoga Day USA. Yoga instructor Cherie Ferro gazed over the diverse group as they eagerly awaited her instruction.

MICHIGAN

E.L. to host oral history workshops

The Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries will offer workshops designed to teach people about the art of oral history. The MSU Museum, Friends of Michigan History and the Michigan Oral History Association will work with the department to sponsor the workshops from 9 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Owners say lakefront homes need rebuilding

Meridian Twp. - Old dilapidated homes sitting on valuable lakefront properties are in the midst of being torn down to build big modern homes on Lake Lansing. Other homeowners looking to stay on the block must adhere to regulations on lakefront housing that require trees and muted paint colors. With such changes in store, Haslett resident and lakefront homeowner Ivan Bartha says it’s impossible for new homeowners not to rebuild or refurbish the homes surrounding the lake.

MICHIGAN

Spooky weekend

A tortured scream rang through the woods as a masked man stepped out of the fog and revved his chainsaw. Rebekah Lampart gasped.

MICHIGAN

Objecting to WAR

Grand River Avenue traffic was halted Saturday afternoon as MSU student groups and area residents took to East Lansing streets in protest of a U.S.-led preemptive strike on Iraq. Hoisting anti-war placards and chanting pro-peace slogans, the participants marched west on Grand River Avenue before turning at Michigan Avenue to march east.

MICHIGAN

Greeks hand out candy, cookies, pumpkins in carnival activities

Wendy Andersen held an umbrella over the head of a three-foot Harry Potter on Friday, shielding the boy and his freshly painted purple pumpkin from falling raindrops.While the downpour soaked the streets, it didn’t put a damper on the turnout of the greek community’s Safe Halloween carnival.East Lansing children dressed as monsters, princesses and superheroes searched through a pile of wet hay for candy, decorated cookies, painted pumpkins, played games and ate doughnuts at the event on M.A.C.

MICHIGAN

Free Internet entices java junkies to cafes

Business owner Young Oh connects with his customers by providing free Internet access at his local coffee shops. Oh recently added the amenity as a way to accommodate his customers at Caffe Latte, 130 Charles St., and attract new ones to Café Mania, 547 E.

MICHIGAN

Customers asked to donate cell phones for abuse victims

Body care products and cell phones go hand-in-hand at Meridian Mall this month to battle domestic violence. The Body Shop has partnered with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Wireless Foundation to sponsor a national cell phone collection for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Customers are asked to donate their old cell phones to the store so they can be sold, refurbished or recycled with proceeds going to the national coalition and the Wireless Foundation. The Body Shop in Meridian Mall, 1982 W.

MICHIGAN

Students embrace Halloween activities

A black mechanical bat hung from the ceiling and flew around in circles as students shopped at the temporary Halloween Warehouse Superstore in preparation for Halloween next Thursday. From large afros to fake blood, the store housed many of the items students need to capture the Halloween spirit. Business senior Choey Sookthis, a saleswoman at the 115 E.

MICHIGAN

Candidate dotes on kids, tennis

Melvin “Butch” Hollowell may have many things on his mind since announcing his candidacy for secretary of state, but the Democratic attorney can rest easy when it comes to choosing a necktie. “My daughter picks out my ties every morning - she takes out a tie, lays it neatly on the bed and she says, ‘this is what you’re going to do today,’” Hollowell said laughing.

MICHIGAN

Police increase patrols for Halloween driving, parties

Halloween means parties, costumes, candy - and for some, alcohol. But before trick-or-treaters take to the roads, county law enforcement officials are warning drivers they’ll be out in full force to crack down on impaired driving this weekend. Agencies within Ingham County, including East Lansing, plan to increase police presence starting Friday.