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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Pop in schools pits profit against health

Erica Berg
February 7, 2002

Cassie Kraft loves the taste of Mountain Dew and drinks about two 20-ounce bottles of it every day. Although her parents didn’t always keep soda pop in the house when she was young, she’s still managed to drink it her entire life.“I’m not scared about the health risks of drinking pop, but in elementary schools I don’t think pop should be sold,” the studio arts sophomore said.Health officials rallied Wednesday to support a bill that prohibits the sale of soda pop in Michigan elementary and middle schools and limits its sale in high schools.State Rep.

MICHIGAN

Granholm to address role of women in law

Chad Previch
February 7, 2002

Although the role of women has changed in the last 100 years, some women say it will continue changing - and they’re going to change with it.Attorney General Jennifer Granholm will talk about the role of women in law today at a presentation sponsored by Cooley Law School’s Women’s Law Alliance.Natalie Alane, a third-year Cooley student, said Granholm is an important figure in Michigan, and is excited that she will be making an appearance to help women’s image in law.“I think women influence things in different ways,” said Alane, the alliance’s president.

MICHIGAN

Students protest weight of MEAP in schools

Jeanne Chan
February 6, 2002

With her turquoise scarf blowing behind her, Julia Reges walked in front of the Capitol steps carrying a sign that said, “I don’t need a test to tell if I’m smart.” The neon pink letters of her sign reflected the sentiments of the five picketers who stood in front of the building Tuesday afternoon.

MICHIGAN

City Council approves condominum home construction By Shaun Byron

Shoveling snow and cutting the grass can be a troublesome or time consuming task - and East Lansing officials are beginning to see a market in housing that doesn’t involve chores like those.The city council voted unanimously in favor of constructing a 32-condominium unit on Coolidge Road following an unanimous recommendation from the city’s Planning Commission.

MICHIGAN

City briefs

Series to feature Peru As part of its Odyssey travel series, the Kiwanis Club of Okemos will be presenting a narrated travel film at 2:30 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Policy advises rights for gay parents

Camille Spencer
February 6, 2002

A recent policy by the American Academy of Pediatrics said same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children, citing their ability to provide as stable a household as heterosexual couples. The policy, released Monday, focuses on gaining legally protected parental rights for gay parents whose partners have children and for couples who wish to adopt a child.

MICHIGAN

Patriarche recalls former E.L.

Shaun Byron
February 5, 2002

Sitting in the Victorian-style lounge of the Burcham Hills Retirement Center, Jack Patriarche recalled moving to East Lansing.The 84-year-old relaxed on a blue-flower-patterned couch as residents passed wishing him a good morning and greeting him with smiles.One of the three remaining charter members of the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing, Patriarche is considered by many a good friend and a fountain of information regarding the city’s past.Only 1,800 people lived in East Lansing and all of the streets were gravel or mud when he moved here in 1922.

MICHIGAN

Land-exchange suit expands

Aaron Johnson
February 5, 2002

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians added another plaintiff and defendant Friday to its search to stop the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ South Fox Island land exchange.The exchange would be between the state and landowner David Johnson.The amendment to the lawsuit named Johnson, an MSU alumnus, and his Mirada Ranch as defendants and the Michigan Land Use Institute as co-plaintiff in the tribal group’s lawsuit.The changes came from a recommendation by Circuit Judge Thomas G.

MICHIGAN

Booklet could list tax credits

Kristina Woiderski
February 5, 2002

The process of filing taxes could soon be much easier, especially if state Rep. Nancy Cassis has anything to do with it.Joined on Friday by about 20 representatives from both sides of the aisle, Cassis, R-Novi, unveiled what she calls a taxpayer empowerment bill.

MICHIGAN

Experts say Rocky faces uphill battle

Lindsay Frederickson
February 5, 2002

For state Rep. Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski, R-Farmington Hills, the road to Washington may be a long and arduous one.“You can achieve anything if your heart is in the right place and you believe in what you’re doing,” Raczkowski said.Raczkowski will challenge Sen.

MICHIGAN

Family trees branch out in E.L.

Shaun Byron
February 4, 2002

Carole Callard has been investigating her family history since 1974.She traced her father’s family back to Jamestown, Va., in 1623 and her mother’s family came to the United States from Ireland in the 1850s, she said. Callard, a genealogy specialist from the Library of Michigan, will help others fill holes in their family histories at 7 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Lack of salt inventory causes price to soar

Aaron Johnson
February 4, 2002

Like many salt suppliers, Cargill Salt builds contracts with buyers before winter with the hope of filling all its customers’ salt needs for the season.Last year, the snowy winter put a bit more pressure on plow companies with salt trucks.“Companies were using their entire contract amount by December,” said Lori Johnson spokeswoman for Cargill Salt.

MICHIGAN

Bill introduced in Washington could make service mandatory

Lindsay Frederickson
February 4, 2002

U.S. Rep. Nick Smith, R-Addison, introduced a bill Tuesday that would require young men to be available to serve in the military or national community service for at least six months. “Military training and experience prepares communities for potential challenges while encouraging community and national service,” Smith said in a statement.

MICHIGAN

Students interact with kids

Shannon Murphy
February 4, 2002

Sarah Masternick spent her Saturday afternoon tying ice skates and spinning kids on the ice. The elementary education junior volunteers along with about 40 MSU students through Meridian Township Police Department’s Spartan Buddies program. The program, which pairs elementary-aged students with college-aged mentors, was started nine years ago by Meridian Township police officer Gayelord Mankowski. “We found we didn’t have much success with the adults, so we decided to do things with the kids,” he said. Spartan Buddies began at Wardcliff Elementary School for children in need.

MICHIGAN

Corps anticipate interest

Kendra Snyder
February 1, 2002

President Bush is calling on all Americans to serve their country for the equivalent of 4,000 hours - or two years - in their lifetimes. MSU Peace Corps recruiter Chris Foley said this push could definitely increase interest in the Peace Corps on campus. “It gives good publicity and can only do good,” he said.