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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

New ad tries to keep minors from drinking

Lindsay Frederickson
April 17, 2002

Lansing - A new ad campaign that will attempt to discourage underage drinking was launched in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, accompanied by signs proclaiming “We all lose when kids buy booze.”“We want to address the issue that comes home to parents when kids drink,” said Mark Smith, director of enforcement for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.Smith and Michigan Liquor Control Chairman Dan Gustafson said they plan to have a hotline, or a central place to call to report those who are selling to or providing minors with alcohol.“We’re going to start in the Lansing and Jackson area,” Gustafson said.

MICHIGAN

Paternity bills could increase fathers rights

Lindsay Frederickson
April 16, 2002

Biological fathers’ rights in establishing paternity and paying child support could be reinforced if a group of bills passes. The bills would make it harder to terminate the parental rights of unwed biological fathers, allow courts to order genetic testing and terminate child support and make it a misdemeanor to knowingly misidentify a biological father.

MICHIGAN

Pipeline raises safety, discrimination concerns

Aaron Johnson
April 16, 2002

Just as gas prices rise for the summer, the issue of where a new gas pipeline will go is heating up.Ingham County Commissioner Lisa Dedden filed a brief Friday opposing the Wolverine Pipe Line, 2691 Lake Lansing Road, proposal to route a new gas pipeline along Insterstate 96 in Lansing.The route is the second proposed by the company after its first, running through Meridian Township, was denied by the Michigan Public Service Commission on the basis of safety.An issue still at large in the new proposal, Dedden said.“The same things exist so therefore the public safety commission needs to deny this, too,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Residents protest E.L. rezoning, commercialization

Shaun Byron
April 16, 2002

City officials will make the decision tonight whether to rezone a 64-acre golf course.Neighbors of the Four Winds Golf Course, 5800 Park Lake Road, have been concerned the owner will develop the property.But officials say it won’t happen.“We have opportunities to address the concerns of the neighbors,” Mayor Pro Tem Sam Singh said.

MICHIGAN

Spartan Bigs provide companionship

Kendra Snyder
April 16, 2002

Annie Schave met her little sister about three months ago and the pair has spent about four hours a week together ever since - but they’re not related.Schave, a science education junior, is president of Spartan Bigs, an MSU extension of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lansing Inc. in its first year as a registered student organization.Her match, Jazmine, likes to spend their time together talking, eating ice cream and playing outside.“I like just hanging out, laughing and being a kid again,” Schave said.

MICHIGAN

Scheduling conflicts delay preliminary examination

Shannon Murphy
April 16, 2002

The preliminary examination has been postponed for four female MSU students charged in connection with the drowning of an 18-year-old Bay City man. Nicole Bukowski, 21, Cassandra Duggan, 20, Laurel Trezise, 20, and Sara Kaufman, 21, were charged with running an unlicensed bar at a party that Delta College student Eric Blair attended before he drowned in the Red Cedar River. Police say the four females had a party on Oct.

MICHIGAN

State quarter awaits U.S. Mint approval for design

Thousands of Michigan residents chose their favorite pick for the new Michigan quarter in an online poll Monday. The winning design, gaining one-third of the total votes, depicts an outline of the state, the Great Lakes and six other icons.

MICHIGAN

Program to be suspended for lack of funding by state

Shaun Byron
April 15, 2002

East Lansing may suspend a program that would create more sidewalks for joggers and bicyclists.The program was passed in 2000 and would connect major portions of the city that do not have sidewalks, City Manager Ted Staton said.“We are just going to suspend it for a year,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Junior League fund-raiser promotes community with auction, entertainment

Aaron Johnson
April 15, 2002

Okemos - It wasn’t unusual to see a Porsche and a BMW parked inside Williams Auto World. But the hanging banners showcasing a man riding an elephant, a hot-air balloon floating by a mountain and other traveling sites and the buffet lines were certainly out of the ordinary for the Okemos auto dealership, 2186 Jolly Road. The dealership’s altered state provided the ambiance Saturday for the Junior League of Lansing’s fund-raising dinner. The night included food provided by restaurants such as Troppo, Beggar’s Banquet and Coral Gables, a live auction and dancing. The event normally is held in November to raise money to support the organization’s goals of community, volunteerism and increasing the role of women, but the date was changed this year. Junior League members still expected 500 guests, each paying $45, despite the change, league President Kim Hartman said. “This year we decided we would try a different venue and a different time, for a change of pace,” she said. Lansing resident Alex Dimmig said he attended because of his girlfriend but supported the group. “I like the whole idea,” he said. The auction, with auctioneer MSU women’s basketball coach Joanne P.

MICHIGAN

Former mayors remember terms

Lindsay Frederickson
April 15, 2002

On Saturday afternoon, former and current mayors of East Lansing gathered to reminisce on their terms and reflect on changes in the city.The meeting, held in the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, featured three former mayors and current Mayor, Mark Meadows.Ted Staton, East Lansing city manager, moderated the panel hosted by the East Lansing Historical Society.“I think all of us run for council because we have an issue that’s dear to our hearts and a love for the community,” said Liz Schweitzer, mayor from 1989 to 1993.

MICHIGAN

Pan-Hellenic Council kicks off week of events

Kendra Snyder
April 15, 2002

The sounds of Billy Joel, Studio 54, “Grease” and “The Flinstones” signaled the end of Greek Week on Sunday at the Auditorium. Songfest was the last event of Greek Week, which featured MTV Fundraising Night, a speech by Judge Mitch Krane, Battle of the Bands, the “Beat the Greeks” game show, Special Olympics and Greeks into the Streets. The week of activities and community service raised about $60,000 for Area 8 Special Olympics, Coaches for Kids, Haven House, Children’s Miracle Network and Verlinden Elementary School in Lansing. “I think that our showing this week as far as fund-raising and community service was far above what is has been in the last few years,” Greek Week director Chris Braverman said. Fourteen teams, each with two fraternities and one sorority, participated.

MICHIGAN

Festival highlights art form of anime

Elissa Englund
April 15, 2002

On Saturday, nearly 80 anime enthusiasts showed up at the East Lansing Public Library for the second four-hour festival.The air rang with a mixture of Japanese voices and children’s laughter.“The films here are in Japanese with subtitles,” MSU anime club president Melanie Schoen said.

MICHIGAN

Capitol rally to increase awareness of care system

Erica Berg
April 15, 2002

“The Michigan Health Care Rally - Eliminating Health Care Disparities: A Prescription for the 21st Century” will take place Tuesday to educate people about today’s health care system and increase awareness of various health disparities. The rally will be held 1-4 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Fountain Square construction nears end

Shaun Byron
April 12, 2002

Dasha Loskutova passes Fountain Square three or four times a day on her way to class.The East Lansing High School student, who also is enrolled at MSU, can’t wait to see it when the construction is finished.“They had an old fountain here before,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Options open to file taxes

Aaron Johnson
April 12, 2002

With the tax deadline on Monday, Juanita Russell and Joshua Dickerson still haven’t sent their taxes.Russell, a sociology sophomore, just hasn’t gotten around to it.“I’m just a procrastinator,” the computer science senior said.And Dickerson said he didn’t work over the last year.“I always (got my taxes in early) when I had a job - around mid-January,” he said.The two aren’t alone - millions across the United States wait until the last minute to file their taxes.The Internal Revenue Service expects 132 million returns this year, but as of April 5, the agency only had received 79.7 million.Michigan was on pace with 2.8 million returns filed out of 4.6 million expected.IRS spokeswoman Sarah Wreford said even if you wait until Monday, there are ways to avoid being audited.Wreford said a majority of the mistakes on returns involve putting down the wrong social security number and math errors.But both types of errors can be avoided if filers take a second to relax, Wreford said.“Put it aside then go back and double-check your math,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Council may fill vacant seat with election

Shaun Byron
April 12, 2002

Lansing City Council will fill a vacant council seat, left by Lou Adado, by May 13.Adado announced his resignation Monday because of the distraction from recent sexual harassment allegations.Three bids have been filed with the city clerk since his decision.Two city employees have accused Adado of the charges.Heather Eman and an unnamed woman have said Adado touched them inappropriately.The council has 30 days after Monday, when they vote to accept Adado’s resignation, to find a replacement.Under the city’s charter, the council must accept any resignation in a formal meeting.“We have been elected to do a job and sometimes that job is not easy,” Councilmember Geneva Smith said.City officials will begin interviewing applicants May 6 for the open position.