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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Emergency simulated at Capital City Airport

Kurt Ludke
June 17, 2002

Lansing - Emergency crews from more than 17 area agencies found one of their worst nightmares at Capital City Airport on Thursday morning.When firefighters, police and paramedics arrived on scene, they found 83 people scattered along the runway among damaged luggage and patches of blackened grass near the rear of a burning plane.Fortunately, the disaster was only a two-hour simulation required every three years by the Federal Aviation Administration to test emergency crews’ readiness for such a disaster.Some volunteers acted as wounded passengers while others played the role of casualties, with wounds made from charcoal, tissue paper and petroleum jelly.The mock disaster included a plane modeled after a Boeing 727 hooked up to a gas tank to simulate fire from an accident.

MICHIGAN

Public forum to debate road improvements

The public is invited to attend a hearing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on pedestrian- and biker-safety recommendations to East Grand River Avenue. The open forum will be during the East Lansing City Council meeting in Courtroom 2 at 54-B District Court, 101 Linden Street.

MICHIGAN

E.L. school board decreases layoffs

Jacquelyne Froeber
June 12, 2002

The East Lansing School Board failed to bring back 33 faculty and staff members at their meeting Monday night. Reinstating 75 employees was just part of passing the $39.4 million budget for the 2002-03 school year. “The whole situation was complicated,” school board President Susan Schmidt said.

MICHIGAN

Picnic honors working women of World War II

The Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame, 213 West Main St., Lansing, will hold the 18th annual Picnic on the Lawn on June 13.The theme is “Rosie the Riveter” which coincides with its new exhibit “A Few Good Women: The Role of Women in the Military during the Second World War.”The picnic will pay homage to Michigan’s “Rosies,” women who worked in the war industry plants of World War II.

MICHIGAN

Bill could increase sex education

Katie Byrne
June 10, 2002

Joy Whitten believes it’s time for the state to do away with the antiquated laws regarding sex education.“When teens are given honest information, they make more responsible choices,” said Whitten, community specialist for the Planned Parenthood Mid-Michigan Alliance.

MICHIGAN

Chili cook-off to offer mouth-watering fun

Spicy servings of chili will bubble and make mouths water during Friday’s 2002 Down-By-The-River Chili Cook-Off . The event will feature more than 40varieties of chili supplied by different restaurants and organizations.

MICHIGAN

Riders seek repeal of helmet law

Katie Byrne
June 6, 2002

Thirty states have no laws regarding motorcycle helmets, and some Michigan riders think the state should become 31.“We’re the minority,” said Chip Ashton, treasurer of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education of Michigan.

MICHIGAN

Legislature talks tongue splitting

Katie Byrne
June 5, 2002

Opinions are divided on whether people should be allowed to split their tongues. Tongue splitting, a procedure that separates the tongue into two separate parts, may not be allowed under legislation sponsored by State Rep.