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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

I-96 will feature hi-tech devices to deter speeders

Kendra Snyder
February 26, 2002

MSU and transportation officials are trying to make construction zones safer for motorists and workers.Experimental sensors and electronic signs will display the safe speed limit on a five-mile stretch of Interstate 96’s construction zone south and west of Lansing.In addition, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced that it will use at least $350,000 to cover the overtime costs of police officers patrolling work areas across the state.MDOT employee Jeff Grossklaus said the sensors will be installed in April and will detect the volume and speed of traffic as well as indicating if the pavement is wet.

MICHIGAN

Bill holds Michigan funeral homes accountable

Lindsay Frederickson
February 25, 2002

State Rep. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac, a licensed funeral director, wants to protect Michigan families from fraud and further grief with harsh penalties for failing to properly cremate or bury the deceased. This legislation was prompted when Georgia authorities discovered more than 130 bodies left to decay by a northwest Georgia crematory.

MICHIGAN

Interfraternity event fund raises for blind

Kendra Snyder
February 25, 2002

Sorority and fraternity members shed their winter coats for flip-flops, capri pants and bathing suits Saturday to raise money for the blind.Thirteen fraternities competed in the weeklong fund-raising activities Anchor Splash sponsored by the Delta Gamma sorority.Saturday’s events included swim races, synchronized swimming, a catwalk competition and an announcement of the winners.Sigma Pi’s Paul Charron, an electrical engineering freshman, won the anchorman competition and Pi Kappa Alpha won the overall fraternity competition.Dan Scappaticci, a construction management sophomore, was the anchorman for Tau Kappa Epsilon.“It’s been real fun,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Survey predicts increase in employment during spring

Aaron Johnson
February 25, 2002

Those who have spent the past months frantically searching for jobs may have some relief in sight.After several months of disappointing employment figures, some officials now say hiring could increase in the coming months.An employment outlook survey put together by Manpower Inc. found that almost 30 percent of employers in the state of Michigan are expecting to increase employment during April, May and June.The Lansing area, predicted to see a net increase of 13 percent, is expected to approximate the state average.“Usually what we’ve seen in the most recent past and the trends for Lansing and for Michigan is usually pretty close to the national trends,” said Elaine Sandbrook area manager for Manpower.The survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower, compiled data taken from 16,000 companies nationwide.Estimates for the first quarter of the year, released in November, predicted no change in employment with just as many employers predicting an increase in employment as those predicting a decrease.“The last one we had was pretty bleak,” Sandbrook said.

MICHIGAN

Clarinet student memorialized through song

Shaun Byron
February 25, 2002

A man who knew very little about a young girl who was stabbed to death in 1998 managed to write a piece of music that will be connected to her life.East Lansing resident John Moss was commissioned to write a song dedicated to the 14-year-old clarinet player, Stacy Davis, who was killed after school on Sept.

MICHIGAN

Senate passes bill to help suffering farmers

Aaron Johnson
February 22, 2002

After a tough summer, local farmers are receiving some help from the government - or at least that’s the plan. The state Senate passed a bill 35-1 Wednesday providing more than $200 million for farmers in the form of five-year zero-interest loans to help make up for a poor situation. “The agricultural economy is experiencing severe losses that they have not seen since the Great Depression,” said Sen.

MICHIGAN

Mayor pushes for change in process

Shaun Byron
February 22, 2002

Mark Meadows has been with East Lansing City Council since 1995. In 1997 he was elected by council to take the gavel at their meetings as mayor. This spring, Meadows hopes to change the process of who takes the gavel next. By allowing East Lansing citizens to vote for their mayor he’ll not only change the city’s charter, but the role the people in East Lansing play in their government. “I think the mayor, for good or bad, tends to be a representative of the city,” he said. If the election system does change, Meadows said there will still be a city manager and the city council will carry on the same. He’d just like to give the people in East Lansing a stronger voice, Meadows said. “For the most part in East Lansing, you can knock on any door and be treated with respect here,” he said. Having a role in government was not new to Meadows when he took center seat at the council meetings. Meadows serves as assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan. But he still finds time to enjoy being an East Lansing official. “It’s nice to be able to make decisions and to interact with citizens in the community,” he said. While Meadows is a popular figure among the city’s officials, the change has met with some different opinions. “I don’t always agree with him and he doesn’t always agree with me, but he has done a good job,” Councilmember Bill Sharp said. One issue Sharp doesn’t agree with Meadows on is the city’s election process. “It would make it too political, it is supposed to be nonpartisan,” he said. Councilmember Beverly Baten said it is no secret why the mayor has been effective. “He has done an excellent job with organization abilities and bringing people together and the leadership he has exemplified,” the council member said.

MICHIGAN

Crystal Award nomination forms available, due soon

Kendra Snyder
February 22, 2002

Nomination forms for the 15th annual Crystal Awards are available at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbott Road, and online. About three to four awards are given to organizations, groups, businesses and individuals every year. Community Events spokeswoman Kelcey Anderson said the awards are given to those who have made a difference in the city of East Lansing. “The winners always have a different background because there are different committee members every year,” she said. Last year’s recipients included Lola O’Meara, the Student Body of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and Rollie Ledebuhr.

MICHIGAN

Businesses weigh pros, cons of filing taxes online, by hand

Aaron Johnson
February 21, 2002

As April 15 nears, businesses as well as individuals are examining the options they have for filing their tax returns.For businesses, the questions often outweigh the normal individual decision of a computer program or filing by hand.Larger businesses are required to file electronically, oftentimes prepared by a professional accountant, Internal Revenue Service spokeswoman Sarah Wreford said.“If you send in a paper return, we have to hire individuals to input the data,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Events make Splash in fund-raising efforts

Kendra Snyder
February 21, 2002

Members of Delta Gamma are raising money for the blind this week through a series of events called Anchor Splash.One anchorman is chosen to represent each of the 15 fraternities participating and at the end of the week one anchorman and one fraternity win.Kinesiology junior Dave Smith is the anchorman for Pi Kappa Alpha.

MICHIGAN

Children learn history hands-on at museum

Kendra Snyder
February 20, 2002

Lansing - Gumdrops and toilet paper rolls were some of the materials used to teach children about black inventors at the Impression 5 Science Center’s second African American Celebration on Tuesday. In addition to its regular exhibits, the center, 200 Museum Drive in Lansing, had hands-on activities which focused on six black scientists and their inventions.

MICHIGAN

Grant partners law agencies in pursuing felons

Shannon Murphy
February 20, 2002

The Ingham County prosecutors office received a $120,000 grant from the federal government to begin Project Safe Neighborhoods. The three-year grant is part of a program aimed at getting criminals with gun violations off the street. The grant makes it possible for federal, local and state government agencies to work together to prosecute felons. John Cipriani will be working as both an Ingham County prosecutor and a special U.S.

MICHIGAN

Rogers tours hospitals

Lansing - Local health care professionals received a boost and a promise for helpful changes in the health care system when U.S.

MICHIGAN

Housing renovations designed to lower bills

Aaron Johnson
February 19, 2002

Off-campus students, like Diane Mater, routinely complain about drafts and heat loss during the winter. Such concerns often translate into higher utility bills, especially electricity and gas. The chemistry senior lives in an old house with windows that don’t provide the best heat insulation. “Of course there are steps (to lower heat losses),” she said.

MICHIGAN

Tax guides available to help file forms easily, accurately

Tax season is here again, and Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom, R-Temperance, hopes to make the filing process a little simpler. “There were dozens of changes that taxpayers need to be aware of in order to file their taxes correctly,” Hammerstrom said in a written statement. The tax books include a summary of tax laws, including information on tax credits and the Single Business Tax. A sample form and phone numbers for more assistance are also included.