MICHIGAN
Interns help victims of abuse in court
Calley Cerano sits in a courtroom three days a week waiting for people who may not even show up. But Cerano isn’t a judge or even a lawyer.
MICHIGAN
Greek Week events to benefit community
The campus greek system has existed for 130 years, and part of that tradition, the Greek Week celebration, will return Sunday. Billy Molasso assistant director of Student Life, said Greek Week is based around leadership, scholarship, friendship and service.
MICHIGAN
E.L. honors passing of former chief
East Lansing police Chief Louis Muhn remembers when he was first hired into the department by former police Chief Stephen Naert.Naert, who became the city’s chief of police in 1972, died Monday at age 75.“I remember he had a tremendous memory for names, one I truly envied,” Muhn said.
MICHIGAN
Analysts: Candidate faces tough battle to upset Whitmer
Williamston - In a United Methodist church in his hometown, Larry Ward officially kicked off his campaign Thursday night in what many call an uphill climb against state House incumbent Gretchen Whitmer. Ward is the only Republican to file so far in the race for the 70th District House seat held by Whitmer, an East Lansing Democrat.
MICHIGAN
Senator joins Bonior
State Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith officially joined U.S. Rep. David Bonior in his gubernatorial campaign. Wheeler Smith, D-Salem Township, announced her decision to drop out of the running for the Aug.
MICHIGAN
Granholm may take action in pricing law case
Attorney General Jennifer Granholm may take legal action against Home Depot for violating the Michigan Item Pricing Law in 45 of their retail stores.The law, enacted in 1976, states that each business must prominently display each item’s price on it and must give customers a receipt of the transaction.The attorney general’s office works with the Michigan Department of Agriculture to enforce it.The department receives complaint calls from consumers who feel a store has violated their rights and then turns its findings over to the attorney general’s office, where legal action is taken.Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Sara Linsmeier-Wurfel said the law serves two purposes.“The law makes sure that commerce has an even playing field,” Linsmeier-Wurfel said.
MICHIGAN
State selects quarters
Lansing - Excited youthful designers and coin enthusiasts joined the governor at the Library of Michigan Historical Center Wednesday for the unveiling of the five possible larger-than-life images of Michigan’s state quarter.
MICHIGAN
Study shows some STDs not reported
In a three-state study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, officials found some sexually transmitted diseases were not being reported as required by state law.Up to 36 percent of gonorrhea cases and up to 22 percent of chlamydia cases were not reported.The study was conducted in Colorado, Minnesota and Massachusetts, examining gonorrhea and chlamydia cases from 1995 to 1999.
MICHIGAN
Wheeler Smith, Bonior join forces in governors race
Alma Wheeler Smith, after months of poor showing in the polls, has joined forces with U.S. Rep. David Bonior in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.Wheeler Smith, a state senator from Salem Township, decided to step into position as Bonior’s lieutenant governor when it became clear she would not be able to raise the money for her campaign.“They both believe it’s time for Michigan to have a real change,” Mark Fisk at Bonior’s campaign office said.Bonior, D-Mt.
MICHIGAN
Alcohol poisoning suspected in death
The Ann Arbor Police Department is awaiting autopsy results in the death of a 21-year-old Ann Arbor man this weekend.
MICHIGAN
Rising gas prices hit Michigan
Residents of Michigan and the rest of the Midwest have grown used to large increases in gas prices over the summer.But this year, the increases brought on by seasonal changes in travel have been joined by the United States interactions with Middle East oil producers.AAA Michigan spokesman Jim Rink said motorists already have seen some of the results of OPEC management.
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Engler signs funding bill into law
Lansing - It’s official. MSU will receive no funding cuts next year provided it keeps tuition increases at or below 8.5 percent. Gov.
MICHIGAN
Proposed bill enables security guards to use reasonable force
Watch out unruly shoppers, disruptive concertgoers. Security guards may soon have legislative permission to use “reasonable force” when removing those who engage in disorderly conduct from the premises of a shopping mall or concert hall.A bill introduced by state Sen.
MICHIGAN
Court declares obscenity law unconstitutional
The Michigan State Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a law prohibiting obscenities in front of women and children was too vague and thus unconstitutional. In 1999, Timothy Boomer, of Roseville was convicted for violating the law after shouting obscenities when he fell from a canoe into the Rifle River in Arenac County.
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Student continues to make movie
Famous movie directors won’t spend their entire budget filming in East Lansing, but to student filmmakers, pocket change might mean lunch for the entire crew.
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Youths take active roles in community
Erica Peery does more than her day-to-day classes.After school, the 14-year-old balances school work, friends and family with the Youth Action Team.“Some people think we started it to just get out of classes, but I am a good student already and we do a lot for the community,” she said.The team is comprised of East Lansing high school and middle school students who take active roles in the city through community service and event planning.Many hope the team will form a junior East Lansing city council, similar to other communities.“I think it is a really good idea for the students to interact with the community,” Peery said.The team is working to become more involved in decision-making, said Kathleen Miller, youth coordinator for East Lansing Parks and Recreation Facilities Department.“We do a lot of social activities,” she said.
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Seasons boost construction
The days are longer, jackets are removed, lunches are eaten outside and construction workers and laborers return to work.While many companies experience a surge of business due to higher temperatures and sunnier days, the construction trade often sees large fluctuations in both business and employment, secretary-treasurer for Laborers Local 998 Joe Gunther said.The recession the nation faced during the winter resulted in the worst winter layoffs in three years, and most in the trade have been affected, Gunther said.“If you have 10 employees for a company they’re going to lay off three but if you have 30 or 40 you’re going to see about 10 get laid off,” he said.The result is a large discrepancy in the number of projects done in the summer and winter. Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing director of planning and community development, said he saw a lot less paperwork cross his desk in the winter.“We’re starting to get into the construction season so we get a lot of projects in now,” he said.For Ravensway, the spring represents the first of two major business opening times.Many restaurants try to open in the spring to take advantage of the flow of people into the city.But in September retail shops open in time for the holiday shopping season.“(Timing’s) a really tricky part of the construction business,” Ravensway said.This summer is not expected to be any different with Cosi and Douglas J expected to open in May.But not all parts of city development shut down for the winter.
MICHIGAN
Granholm wary of states pollution criteria
A proposed change in the state’s cleanup of dioxins drew fire last week from Attorney General Jennifer Granholm.The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, as part of its work to update its criteria for cleanup, proposed an increase to its standard for acceptable contamination from 90 parts per trillion to 150 parts per trillion.According to Granholm, there is no evidence to support such an increase.“Generally, scientific information suggests that we should be going for a tightening, not a loosening in standards,” said Genna Gent, spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s office.Granholm cited an analysis from the Michigan Department of Community Health that suggested a 12 parts per trillion standard.But DEQ spokeswoman Geralyn Lasher said that number wasn’t supported by any real data and was only a reaction to a U.S.
MICHIGAN
Membership rises for area clubs
Michigan membership in international service clubs decreased through the ’80s and ’90s but Lansing-area chapters memberships have begun to boom.The Rotary International Club has 4,167 Michigan members, compared to 4,510 in 1994.
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Domestic violence laws to allow more testimony, include more victim types
A set of laws designed to fight domestic violence will take effect today. These laws will allow victims’ statements made at the time of the crime to be counted as evidence in the court, will honor personal protection orders issued in other states and will create a uniform standard for reporting domestic violence.