MICHIGAN
Panera Bread says community kneads it
The smell of fresh bread baking will be wafting through Meridian Township next month. Panera Bread, a bakery-cafe, is expected to open Aug.
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.
MICHIGAN
State named best in voting management
The 2000 presidential election created controversy across the country in regards to voting procedures.
MICHIGAN
Bill would provide funding for rape kits
Lansing resident Heather Boyer said her insurance covered her hospital costs when she was raped in 1999.“The hospital experience was very positive,” Boyer said.But not all survivors can cover the expenses to cover a rape kit.“The out-of-pocket costs can be scary and intimidating,” Boyer said.State Sen.
MICHIGAN
Local cops get tough about buckling up
Drivers should buckle up, otherwise the police will buckle down.The law allows for officers to stop motorists for not wearing a safety belt in the front seat, if a child 4- to 15-years-old is not properly buckled up, or if a child passenger under 4-years-old is not in an approved child safety seat.Lansing police Lt.
MICHIGAN
Community services go online
Web sites have become an increasingly important way for people to get information to others.And companies and average citizens aren’t the only ones accessing the World Wide Web.
MICHIGAN
Harpers turns retro to raise money for crime victims council
Big hair, leggings and the music of Devo will be back this Friday. The 1980s will be returning to East Lansing, but only for one night. The Crime Victims Advocacy Council is holding a 1980s theme fund-raising event at Harper’s Restaurant & Brewpub, 131 Albert Ave., to help fund the group. “We support and provide services for victims of any crime,” said Heather Boyer, executive director of the council. The organization was founded this past January by victims of crime to help other victims deal with trauma and stress.
MICHIGAN
Drunken driving drops in E.L., Michigan
Gov. John Engler announced last week fatalities and accidents involving drunken drivers have dropped to the lowest point in eight years.The recent drop in numbers was attributed to Michigan’s repeat offender laws.Under state law, a repeat offender has two or more alcohol-related convictions within seven years, three or more convictions for driving while suspended or revoked in seven years, or three or more alcohol-related convictions within 10 years.Motorists who are repeat offenders face tougher sentencing, license sanctions and are required to attend substance abuse counseling.The numbers dropped from 541 deaths in 1999 to 515 in 2000.
MICHIGAN
Qdoba grill to increase E.L.s Mexican flavor
The tiles are halfway done and the walls are brightly painted for East Lansing’s newest Mexican restaurant. Qdoba Mexican Grill will be opening at 1127 E.
MICHIGAN
Fire scorches E.L. apartment building
An East Lansing apartment building suffered heavy damages and 12 occupants were left homeless after an early Saturday morning fire.East Lansing firefighters arrived at Stonehedge Apartments, 1502 South Shore Drive, at 4 a.m.
MICHIGAN
Council to discuss new waste program
The East Lansing City Council will discuss a voluntary automated solid waste system program at its Tuesday work session. The program would give residents the opportunity to put out a 65-gallon container, instead of bags, that would be picked up by an automatic waste truck. Jean Golden, East Lansing deputy city manager, said the system would save time and prevent injuries, such as back injuries, to employees lifting heavy bags and waste cans. “Right now we have two-person trucks and people have to get out, pick up the trash bags and throw them back in the truck,” she said.
MICHIGAN
Bailey festival features 10 acts
The audience sat on red and yellow painted wooden box chairs or shag carpeting as Cathy Illman sang bittersweet songs on her guitar.The psychology junior was just one of the acts in the first Bailey Music Festival on Saturday at the Bailey Center, 300 Bailey St.The concert, which included 10 performances, was sponsored by East Lansing Recreation & Arts.Studio art junior Josh Kermiet, who helped coordinate the event, said the idea for the daylong music festival was his.“The idea was to throw together local talent that doesn’t get much exposure,” he said.The Bailey Center, he said, had at one time been a place for people to come and enjoy live bands.
MICHIGAN
Council votes to build skate park near Frandor
LANSING - The council chambers at City Hall were packed with young teens wearing shorts and T-shirts awaiting word Monday night.Clutching skateboards and inline skates, they were there in support of the skate park, which the council voted unanimously to build near the Frandor Shopping Center at Ranney Park in Lansing.“I told the rest of the committee last night I needed to go home and pinch myself,” George Leichtweis, finance chairman for the Lansing Area Skate, Bike & Recreation Foundation, said Tuesday.Leichtweis, who also owns Modern Skate and Surf, 1393 E.
MICHIGAN
Forum introduces candidates to E.L.
Students and residents will have a chance to listen to all of the candidates vying for East Lansing City Council in one place tonight. The Greater Lansing Area League of Women Voters will host a forum for the eight city council candidates at 7 p.m.
MICHIGAN
Council to give Troppo decision
The East Lansing City Council will discuss Tuesday whether to give Troppo a permit to build a second-story addition. The restaurant, 213 Ann St., is asking for a permit to build a second-story addition to the existing restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. At its last meeting June 26, the council decided to wait until this meeting before making a decision, allowing council members to speak with community members and Troppo owner Kris Elliott. The decision came after some council members and community members said they were unsure of whether Troppo was a fine-dining restaurant or a bar. Residents raised concerns that if Troppo was a bar, the increased consumption of alcohol, especially on a rooftop, would be a disturbance to those in surrounding businesses and neighborhoods. Councilmember Beverly Baten is still uncertain of what she or the council will do about the special-use permit application. “I’m definitely listening to the concerns from the community,” she said.
MICHIGAN
High-schoolers preview college
Many high school students spend their summers dreaming of being in college and out on their own. A few of those students are getting a taste of college life this summer at MSU.The students are members of the Minority Apprenticeship Program, a six-week program run by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
MICHIGAN
E.L. arts commission looks to fill vacancy
Art lovers may be able to see their ideas unfold in East Lansing. The East Lansing Arts Commission is looking for someone to fill an opening after a member resigned. The commission is looking for an East Lansing resident who has a background in art and an interest in sculpture. Lori VanOmmeren, the city’s urban designer and staff liaison to the commission, said the new member’s term would go through the end of 2003. She also said the commission is very important to promoting art in the city. “They advise city council on matters pertaining to art programs, review and request support for art programs and administer the public art program,” she said.
MICHIGAN
Michigan pay phone users face price increase this fall
With rising tuition, bus fare, housing and pop prices, students now have another price increase to contend with - pay phones. SBC Communication Inc., the parent company of Ameritech, announced it would be raising pay phone prices from 35 cents to 50 cents. Denise Koenig, an Ameritech spokeswoman, said the increase, which will be implemented across Michigan by September, was because of a number of reasons. “The change is due to increased operating costs and decreased usage,” she said.
MICHIGAN
Two stores to join Meridian Mall this fall
OKEMOS - Shoppers at Meridian Mall will soon be able to read a book before they head to another wing to try rock climbing. The mall, 1982 W.
MICHIGAN
Farmers market celebrates new locale
Students and residents won’t have to live on a farm to get fresh produce. The East Lansing Farmer’s Market will allow people to purchase fresh products when it holds its grand opening celebration Thursday. The farmer’s market, which is in its seventh year, will be moving from its location under the Charles Street parking structure to a new location on the corner of Albert Avenue and Charles Street, just east of the Marriott hotel at University Place, 300 M.A.C.