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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Students protest, claim human rights Gap

Fall fashion and student opinions clashed like stripes and plaids Thursday night at Gap, 435 E. Grand River Ave. Members of MSU’s Students for Economic Justice protested the store’s fall fashion show to raise awareness about sweatshop labor. “We came out to educate the public,” said member Zak Bleicher, an international relations and political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore.

MICHIGAN

Frat and sorority scene makes mark

For MSU students, greek chapters are among the most popular organizations on campus.According to the 2002 edition of The Princeton Review’s “The Best 331 Colleges,” MSU is the sixth highest college in the nation for a “major frat and sorority scene.”“I think it’s a good thing that people recognize that we’re here,” said Billy Molasso, assistant director of Student Life.

MICHIGAN

Police release sketch of imposter officer

While East Lansing’s Police Department includes a force of about 70 members, at least one officer on the city streets isn’t carrying a valid badge. A sketch has been released of the suspect in a police impersonation incident last Thursday on Marfitt Road, near the Lake Lansing Meijer. Police describe the suspect as a white male, 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-2, about 200 pounds, with medium-length brown or black hair, medium build and possibly in his late 20s to early 30s. He was wearing a dark blue, long-sleeve police shirt, uniform pants and a Garrison-style cap. This is the fourth time since 1999 a police impersonator has been reported in East Lansing.

MICHIGAN

Stabenow serves as leader; signs books

OKEMOS - Debbie Stabenow’s mother, Ann Greer, proudly smiled as the U.S. senator signed books and took snapshots with her constituents Monday. “She has always had this drive to continue to help others and be a role model for women,” Greer said.

MICHIGAN

Temple receives dedication

A historical building in East Lansing will receive its historical marker. Strathmore Development Company and The Masonic Investment Group will dedicate a state Historical Marker at 4 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Senator aims to inspire young

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s niece and daughter were at her side during her campaign. Since then, she continues to make a statement to young women, said Dave Lemmon, Stabenow’s communication director. “Debbie has talked about how she sees herself as a role model for young women,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Council members strive for standard permit conditions

East Lansing City Council will discuss standard conditions to be used for Special Use Permits on Tuesday. Jeanne Rogers, community development analyst for the city, said the council wants to make a standard set of conditions that are put on bars and restaurants applying for the permits. “We keep trying to make a standard set but when we get into the middle of the discussion in the meeting people will have concerns,” she said. Rogers said the council could still add conditions if it thought it was needed. “If council had concerns they could change it,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Restaurants clear out smoke, gain more business

More Michigan restaurants are throwing out ashtrays and adopting no-smoking policies. Smoke-free restaurants have increased by 200 to come to a total of 3,000, according to the “Dining Smoke-Free in Michigan” guide for 2001, which lists smoke-free restaurants. According to state figures, Grand Rapids had 135 smoke-free restaurants; Traverse City, 127; Ann Arbor, 106; Muskegon, 86; Kalamazoo, 82; and Lansing had 63. Scott Walker, the director of health promotions in the state Department of Community Health, said a smoke-free atmosphere is in demand among 76 percent of nonsmokers in Michigan.

MICHIGAN

Programs praised for teen pregnancy drop

Low pregnancy rates among teenagers show more teens are saying sex can wait. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the national teen pregnancy rate dropped 22 percent since 1991. For every 1,000 females ages 15 to 19, there were 48.7 births in 2000. Factors for lower pregnancy rates include more awareness of HIV, AIDS and other STDs, effective contraceptives and education, said Joy Whitten, a community specialist at Planned Parenthood of Mid-Michigan, 300 N.

MICHIGAN

City hopes to aid at-risk youth

College may not be a long shot for at-risk teens in Lansing, who can earn scholarships by staying in school. The Helping Other People Excel Scholarship Program will aim to provide two-year Lansing Community College scholarships to 500 at-risk seventh-graders in Lansing schools each year. “H.O.P.E.

MICHIGAN

Night Out seeks to clear crime from neighborhoods

Neighborhoods in Lansing are stepping out.From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, the Lansing Police Department, Neighborhood Watch and city of Lansing are coming together for National Night Out.The night serves as a way for neighbors to get to know each other and helps promote police-community relationships against crime.