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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Rogers campaigns early

HOWELL - He’s only been in office six months, but U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers is hopping onto the campaign trail a little early - and he’s getting a little help from a friend. Vice President Dick Cheney joined the Brighton Republican for a $1,000-a-plate fund-raiser in the congressman’s district Monday evening. “It’s funny - the other night I said to my wife, ‘Guess who’s coming to dinner?’” Rogers said.

MICHIGAN

Bills strike Great Lakes drilling debate

Energy companies could soon have permission from the state Legislature to drill for oil and natural gas under Michigan’s portion of the Great Lakes. The topic has led to bitter debate along partisan lines since the state Senate passed two bills on the subject, 20-13, in May - all in favor being Republicans and all opposed being Democrats.

MICHIGAN

House approves privacy bill

It’s almost inevitable.If you own a telephone, there’s a good chance the phone has rung just as you sit down for a relaxing evening meal.And the person on the other end probably isn’t your best friend or a relative calling to inquire about your day.

MICHIGAN

E.L. festival seeks volunteers

Paul Loeffler has been volunteering for the National Folk Festival in East Lansing for the past two years and said the perks can’t be beat. Loeffler and his wife, Linda, Williamston residents, have volunteered as loggers for the festival, archiving the music and information about the musicians and their songs. Loeffler said volunteers get a “nifty” T-shirt, preferred parking, water and snacks, the chance to meet the band members and an invitation to the volunteer meal and bash at the end of the festival. “It’s a steal for a volunteer to put in a four-hour shift for what they get out of it,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Council to debate Troppos request for addition

The East Lansing City Council on Tuesday will discuss an application for Troppo to build a second-story addition.Kris Elliott, the restaurant’s owner, said he wants to build an addition with a combination of indoor and outdoor seating.“The business demand has been adequate,” he said.

MICHIGAN

From principal to pottery

MASON - Barb Kanuth felt like an artist instead of a middle school principal Friday when she received her wish from the WKAR Wish Board. Kanuth, principal at Hope Middle School, 2020 Park Lane in Holt, bid on a wish from the MSU television station’s wish board auction to make pottery with local artist Doug DeLind. Earlier this year, DeLind created wooden statue silhouettes of several members of MSU’s men’s basketball team to commemorate their success in the 2001 NCAA Tournament. The WKAR Wish Board is just one of the categories in the broadcasting station’s auction to raise money for public television.

MICHIGAN

Athletic league, police to sponsor bike rodeo

Sondra Hamilton, like many other MSU students, doesn’t wear a helmet when she is riding her bike. “I don’t think I am going a far distance, so it isn’t really an issue,” the human biology sophomore said while riding her bike in downtown East Lansing. But some bike safety advocates say wearing a helmet is important no matter where you go.

MICHIGAN

Five applicants fill Lansing clerk pool

It’s going to be a tight race as five Lansing residents vie to fill the one city position that most interests them.“They all seem to have experience and most, at least, seem to be pro-voter,” said Mark Grebner, who works for East Lansing-based Practical Political Consulting, 220 Albert Ave.The field of five will be narrowed to two during the city’s Aug.

MICHIGAN

Stretch of I-69 may commemorate Pearl Harbor attack

John Sterling is always looking for a good excuse to take his older brother’s Monterey blue, 1941 Buick out for a joyride.And he’s hoping the state Legislature will soon give him one.The state House is considering a bill that would name the stretch of Interstate 69 between Perry and Flint to honor Americans who lost their lives in the Dec.

MICHIGAN

Bill urges U to get vaccinations

Michigan lawmakers could choose this week to pass legislation that would urge college-bound teens to receive meningitis vaccinations before moving onto state campuses.If the measure is passed before Thursday, it would come less than a week after Ohio health officials began innoculating thousands of high school students in an effort to contain a meningitis-related outbreak that killed two teen-agers in May and put a third in the hospital June 2.

MICHIGAN

Officials say restaurants license may not be taken

Although Coscarelli’s Restaurant & Lounge is in jeopardy of having its liquor license revoked by the Lansing City Council, officials at the Lansing Police Department said Tuesday they’re “optimistic” it won’t be revoked.Revoking prevents the restaurant from regaining permits.

MICHIGAN

Byrum testifies for task force on election reform

State Sen. Dianne Byrum on Tuesday provided written testimony to the national commission on election reform, urging it to seek federal funding to modernize and improve poll machinery. “I find the election issue interesting and challenging,” said the Onondaga Democrat whose district includes MSU.

MICHIGAN

Bills ask to ban racial profiling; collect data

The state House is preparing to examine the issue of racial profiling as a new package of bills makes its way to the Legislature.Racial profiling is a practice in which police take action based on race, ethnicity or national origin rather than illegal or suspicious activities.“For more than 15 years, the use of racial profiling has grown,” said state Rep.