Thursday, October 3, 2024

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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Tourism grows at slower rate; state considers bill

As voters cast ballots Tuesday, state lawmakers turned their focus to tourism.Donald Holecek, director of MSU’s Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center, told the state House Commerce Committee that state tourism continues to grow, although it is slower than in recent years.“Activity levels are barely up this year over last,” Holecek said.

MICHIGAN

Information booths guide students toward polls

A helping hand and a keen eye await students at the polls on campus today. One of the key problems discovered last spring by the East Lansing Election Task Force was students were unaware of what precinct they were supposed to vote in - or whether they were registered at all. The nine-member task force formed last year in response to concerns over many problems encountered by students trying to vote in last year’s presidential election.

MICHIGAN

Lansing residents to vote on city council

A student, some experienced politicians and local challengers have set their sights on the Lansing City Council. Today the polls for the Lansing City Council elections open, and at stake are two seats on the city council at-large and a seat on both the second and fourth wards. Louis Adado, a 42-year-old incumbent, will be completing his first term on the council. He has lived in Lansing his entire life and is the son of a previous city council member. He is running along with incumbent Larry Meyer, Western Michigan University student Vince Villegas and chiropractor Jerry Heathcote for the two open seats on the Lansing City Council at-large. Adado said he will be examining ways to save money and wants to continue improvements to roads and the green areas of Lansing. “(We should) take a good hard look at our parks and (recreation) money and see if we are taking good care of our parks before we add new land,” he said. Adado also serves as the chief executive officer of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association. He said the experience has prepared him for a new term. “There won’t be that learning curve there if Larry (Meyer) and I get re-elected,” Adado said.

MICHIGAN

Law forum to discuss pros, cons of drilling

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drill under.The Law Review of MSU-Detroit College of Law will host a forum Tuesday on the issue of directional drilling in Michigan.The forum, “Directional Drilling in Michigan: Beneficial or Misdirected Policy,” will be moderated by DCL professor Christine Klein and will begin at 7 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Program works to socialize children

Christopher Bell loves learning and playing with children his own age, but there aren’t always many around. Luckily, about a month ago, his mom, East Lansing resident Adrienne Bell, heard about the All Children Connected To Succeed program that allows the 11-month-old to make friends and learn at the same time. “I wanted to get him around other kids because he loves to play with them,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Fatal hit-and-run penalties increased

For several months, Loretta Focht made the drive periodically from her home in Gibraltar, Mich., to Lansing, hoping it would be worth her while.Legislation passed by the Senate last week with her help proved to her that it was - and that the drive will be safer in the future.Focht’s son, 21-year-old Brian Slebodnick, was killed in a hit-and-run accident April 13, 2000.

MICHIGAN

Shoe store takes place of Hallmark

East Lansing is getting a new sole.Where residents used to be able to buy a card celebrating a loved one’s birthday, they will instead be able to find a variety of footwear.Gina’s Hallmark, 539 E.

MICHIGAN

Drivers advised to stay clear of deer this fall

As the population of about two million deer across the state continues to grow, more car-deer accidents occur, according to a report by AAA Michigan. Because it’s mating season, deer are more apt to walk across roads because they are very active, resulting in more car accidents, said Bill Semion, spokesman for AAA, and a member of the Michigan Deer Crash Coalition.

MICHIGAN

Web site created to assist voters in coming election

Students were confused after the 2000 presidential election.That fact stood out above all others for the city and the university, and it resulted in YouVote, a comprehensive plan to educate and register student voters.The program began late last spring after recommendations from the East Lansing Elections Task Force identified voter education as one of six areas needing improvement.

MICHIGAN

State remains prepared for anthrax, terrorism

Lansing - Preliminary reports of anthrax in Kansas City, Mo. and Indianapolis have brought the threat of the potentially deadly bacteria to the Midwest, but state police say there is no reason to panic. Federal and state authorities are investigating 18 possible bioterrorist hoaxes, but have not found any anthrax in Michigan, said James Haveman, director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. No arrests have been made and the incidents are believed to be separate. Haveman said he is encouraging people to receive a flu shot to prevent worry that flu symptoms may be anthrax infection.

MICHIGAN

Police strengthen security for game

While students, stores and sports enthusiasts have been preparing for Saturday’s football game against rival University of Michigan, local police departments were doing the same. Overnight security for Spartan Stadium and Sparty began earlier this week to prevent vandalism.

MICHIGAN

E.L. cafe is westward bound

Espresso Royale Caffe is heading west.Because Marcus Goller, president of Espresso Caffe Corp., wants a piece of what was Bagel-Fragel Deli’s pie.Espresso Royale Caffe, 547 E.

MICHIGAN

Flood of fans hit area stores

A tidal wave of football fanatics will be hitting East Lansing on Saturday.But when the levy breaks, owners hope to be ready.Kent Ward, owner of Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave., said the restaurant will be staffed to the hilt.“I know the football stadium holds the same, but it is the extra people (in town) that make the difference,” he said.Ward said customers will start showing up by noon to watch the game.

MICHIGAN

Crew finds clues to cougar existence in Michigan

They have been rumored to stalk Michigan forests.But unlike Bigfoot, there are some signs the myths are true.Cougars may live in Michigan.The Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation has found some traces of cougars in the Upper and Lower peninsulas in recent field studies.Prior to the recent traces, the last known cougar to walk on Michigan turf was shot near the Tahquamenon River in Chippewa County in 1906.The foundation released a report Monday discussing the recent findings of Patrick Rusz, director of wildlife programs for the foundation and 1986 MSU graduate.