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National chain-restaurant to make Big entrance
Big Boy will soon find out if it passes its Business 101 course when it opens up shop at 101 E.
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Cigarette tax burns holes in area pockets
Since the cigarette tax increased by 50 cents Aug. 1, some people might see their money go up in smoke.Wesley Thomas contends the change, along with measures across the country to eliminate smoking in public, is discrimination against smokers.“It’s stupid that they’re raising taxes and saying that we can’t smoke where we want to,” the 19-year-old Lansing resident said.
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Police warn joggers to take precautions
Many students hoping to stay fit might opt to take up jogging this semester.But local police want to remind students to be safe.“First, I would suggest that they don’t jog at night,” MSU police Sgt.
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New complexes please residents
Students are flocking in droves from downtown East Lansing to the northern city limits to settle in two new apartment complexes. Melrose Apartments, 16789 Chandler Road and the Village at Chandler Crossings, 3839 Hunsaker Street, will be the beneficiaries of students seeking a bargain.
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Espresso Royale reopens
A red garage door marks the entrance to an East Lansing business, but instead of cars and motorcycles rolling in and out, it will be cappuccinos and espressos.
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Textbooks targeted for thefts
Each year students lose thousands of dollars worth of cell phones, textbooks and other personal items because of theft. “It’s often because they’re left unattended,” MSU police Lt.
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Web site allows users to report food poisoning
MSU’s National Food Safety and Toxicology Center is leading state agencies in implementing the nation’s first Web site for reporting food poisoning.The site will allow people to go online, answer a 15-minute questionnaire about foods they’ve consumed in the last 48 hours and view postings from other citizens.Veterinary epidemiology Professor Paul Bartlett is heading the project.
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Education key to gaining legislation
It took Maryland legislators a decade to include sexual orientation in that state’s civil rights law.
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Campaigners rely on students
When Republican Larry Ward began his state House campaign against incumbent Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, critics told him he didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell against the Democrat from East Lansing. Political science junior Jason Miller said he hoped to improve Ward’s chances. Miller, Ward’s campaign manager, took the back roads to Hell, Mich., in the dead of winter and had himself photographed holding a snowball next to a sign that read “Welcome to Hell.” “Hell freezes over in Michigan,” Miller said. Until MSU students and recent graduates can begin their own political careers, they pay their dues by doing what it takes to get their elders into office. Ward, a Republican candidate for the 69th District state House seat, found his campaign manager at an MSU College Republicans meeting. “He came up and picked my brain after the meeting,” Ward said of Miller, chairman of the student GOP group.
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Amendment may force Merit program to be cut
A proposed constitutional amendment to dedicate tobacco settlement money to health care is putting the future of the Michigan Merit Award scholarship program in jeopardy.The Citizens for a Healthy Michigan Coalition introduced the Healthy Michigan Amendment in March.The proposed amendment would dedicate 90 percent of funds from the nationwide tobacco lawsuit settlement of 1998 to health care.
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Report suggests ways to fight alcohol abuse
Three months after a controversial report was issued by the Responsible Hospitality Council, tempers have died down and council business has resumed.The hospitality council is made up of more than a dozen East Lansing bars and restaurant owners and managers that meet once a month to discuss possible ways to curb alcohol abuse.
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E.L. expands, adds more than 1,000 acres
Students returning to East Lansing might have noticed that the city seems larger than last year, because it is. Two Public Act 425 agreements, known as land-share deals, allowed the city to bring in more than 1,100 acres.
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Atmosphere defines new shop
Ice cream fans got a little bit cooler without having to buy sunglasses or wear a leather jacket. Cold Stone Creamery, an ice cream shop at 200 M.A.C.
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Department prepares for more students, more alcohol
An influx of students during welcome week means an increase in traffic, crowding and drunken driving.The East Lansing Police Department and MSU’s Department of Police and Public Safety create safeguards each year to help deal with the substantial growth in the area’s residency.East Lansing adds patrols during welcome week, football weekends and any other time period where people traffic may be high, Capt.
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City prepares for influx of U students
The roads will be packed with minivans and eager students as the annual fall ritual runs its course this Welcome Weekend and East Lansing is ready. East Lansing Police Capt.
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West Nile virus cases increase in Michigan
The number of dead birds found with West Nile virus in Michigan has risen exponentially since the first few were discovered in mid-June.Birds with the virus have been confirmed in 24 counties in Michigan this year, including Ingham County.“We’re adding more counties every day,” said Jon Patterson, associate professor of pathology.
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Council gives grants to cultural organizations
Eight different cultural and historical projects in Michigan were awarded a total of $65,792 from the Michigan Humanities Council. The money came from the council’s new grants program, “Creating Vision for the New Century: The Humanities and the Strengthening of Michigan’s Communities.” The program emphasizes educational, cultural and community-based organizations providing humanities projects in Michigan communities. The recipients of the grants include the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Michigan Historical Museum, Keweenaw Krayons, Covert Public Schools and Magical Rain Theaterworks. Each project was allotted a different sum to put toward their interest.
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Secretary of state calls for open primaries
While the primary election brought a record number of registered voters to the polls, unofficial numbers show a significant number of those votes were not counted.Earlty estimates show about 6 percent of ballots were thrown out because voters chose candidates from both parties on the same ballot.
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Officials to decide on new Mormon church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 431 E. Saginaw St., could rise from the ashes.Architects have been working on two designs for a new church since the original building was burned because of arson to the ground in June.One of the two plans will be unveiled to residents at a public hearing 7:30 p.m.
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Volunteers needed for cancer charity-event
The American Cancer Society needs volunteers for its Relay For Life, a 24-hour team event to raise cancer awareness and research money. The relay is Saturday and Sunday at Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S.