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.
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.
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.
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.
Detroit - More than 500 gallons of oil have spilled into the Detroit River and its Rouge River tributary, the U.S.
East Lansing resident Bill Hartwig can’t decide whether he wants to move into the City Center condominiums.“I just admire the people who have made the decision,” he said.
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.
Two counts of supplying alcohol to a minor were dropped Wednesday in the case of an MSU student charged in connection with the death of Eric Blair.Blair, an 18-year-old Bay City resident and Delta College student, drowned in the Red Cedar River in October.Police said Blair began drinking Oct.
At a time when students’ heads should be in the books, many have them in the clouds. Three weeks before final exams, students are celebrating the return of higher temperatures in sunglasses and tank tops while playing recreational sports outside.To commemorate Wednesday’s 58-degree weather, Krysten McCully, a pre-vet junior, was just one of the guys.
Lansing City Council will begin reviewing applications today for a city council seat left vacant after Lou Adado resigned Monday night.The former city council member gave his resignation following accusations of sexual harassment by two former city employees.The council will meet at 1:30 p.m.
At Bassam Mahmoud’s restaurant, the meat is prepared according to Muslim dietary law - and a new state law will prevent other restaurants that don’t follow the dietary law from claiming they do.Some Muslims are allowed to eat foods considered halal, which is slaughtered in a certain way.
As Doug Belles filled out the address on his letters by the post office in the Union, a few people trickled through, dropping off various pieces of mail.But the numbers are lower than the U.S.
Construction will continue as planned for the Governors Collection development in Meridian Township.A lawsuit filed by residents trying to stop a land-sharing agreement between Lansing and Meridian Township was dismissed Monday.
Despite a Lansing City Council member’s unexpected resignation Monday, a city employee is still considering a sexual harassment lawsuit against the city.Councilmember Lou Adado announced his resignation at Monday night’s city council meeting, citing negative attention on the city due to two women’s charges that he sexually harassed them.
Although a Macomb Community College professor’s lawsuit was thrown out by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 29 after he was suspended for using obscenities in class, some say it won’t have much impact on classroom conduct around the state. John Bonnell, a professor of Western literature and English composition at the community college, was suspended in November 1998 after a female student complained she felt sexually harassed by language he used in class. “It’s a dark day,” Bonnell said.
There’s not much room left in Lansing.But the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is looking to alleviate the problem this summer.The 5-year-old agency is getting ready for the development of several brownfield sites.Brownfields are contaminated sites redeveloped by businesses as a way to reduce urban sprawl and excess growth.“It results in additional tax value,” said Tracy Carney-Miller, development specialist for the city’s Economic Development Corp.
A group of environmental groups are working to reduce the amount of mercury falling on Michigan residents.The Michigan Environmental Council, National Wildlife Federation and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs are working with the state and private businesses to raise awareness of mercury emissions.Mercury is produced through a variety of processes, but Michigan Environmental Council policy director James Clift said coal-burning plants contribute about one-half of the total emissions.“A new coal-burning power plant has emissions that are five to 10 times lower than older plants,” he said.
Eleven greek teams contributed their creativity, sweat and the rhythmic ability for the fourth annual MTV Fundraiser Night, at the Auditorium on Monday night. About 2,000 people attended the first fund-raising event of Greek Week 2002 to raise funds for Sparrow Hospital’s pediatric emergency room.
Michigan is one of eight states without a hazing law, but that could change with a package of bills proposed by State Rep.
Lansing - Gov. John Engler signed the fiscal year 2003 community college budget Monday that will maintain 2002 funding levels for Michigan’s 28 community colleges. Engler signed a similar budget for the state’s 15 public universities April 1, stating the Legislature would not cut funding to the universities as long as they keep tuition increases at or below 8.5 percent or $425, whichever is greater. The community college budget for fiscal year 2003 will remain at $321.7 million with Lansing Community College receiving $32.2 million in funding.