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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Education bond incites protest

Brandi Lewandowski
April 26, 2001

LANSING - Less than a dozen people gathered on the steps of the Capitol on Wednesday to urge community members to “Vote No May 1” and protest Lansing’s school bond.Although hundreds of community members showed up at previous rallies supporting the $388.5 million school bond, only a handful of residents took a stand against the bond, saying they’ll “Vote No” when the city of 127,000 people sends voters to the polls on May 1.

MICHIGAN

Community reflects on crime, victims rights

Eric Morath
April 26, 2001

LANSING - Daniel Anderson had good reason to attend the annual Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Night at the Capitol on Wednesday evening - he survived a blast from a 22-gauge shotgun more than 15 years ago.The Lansing resident, who spent two and a half months in intensive care as a result of his injury, was joined by wife Pat and son Brian to share his story and offer support to other survivors.“We want to give back to the community and try to help victims of violent crime,” he said.As Anderson shared hugs and smiles with other event-goers, he turned the group of seats around him into a community of support.The care of the Lansing Police and the Ingham Regional Medical Center opened Anderson’s eyes to the needs and concerns of violent crime survivors.

MICHIGAN

Council continues search for ways to slash budget

Jamie Gumbrecht
April 25, 2001

Although the East Lansing City Council hasn’t begun to slash away at the city’s 2001-02 budget, it is leaving the whole thing on the chopping block.The city council continued discussion about ways to remove a $325,000 dip into the city’s general fund at its work session Tuesday.The money shortage comes after a year of increased costs for health care, recreation facilities and low Census 2000 numbers.City officials plan to contest the supposed 4,200 drop in East Lansing’s population that could have cost the city up to $1 million in funding.City Manager Ted Staton reported that state funding would not be as low as expected, although budget problems remain from continued use of the city’s general fund.“We’re a far cry from the worst case,” he said.

MICHIGAN

U will have to go farther for tickets

Shannon Murphy
April 25, 2001

Chris Sample is disappointed that soon there will be nowhere close by to purchase his concert tickets.The telecommunication senior said he attends about 10 concerts a year and usually purchases them at the closest Ticketmaster outlet - East Lansing’s Tower Records-Videos-Books, 115 E.

MICHIGAN

State senator faces decision about future

Eric Morath
April 24, 2001

David Jaye may learn his fate today as his colleagues discuss his future in the state Senate. Jaye’s future as a senator has come into question after he was jailed April 12 in Florida on charges of assaulting his fiancée. Senate Majority Leader Dan DeGrow, R-Port Huron, who relieved Jaye of his committee assignments, will announce today his recommendation regarding Jaye’s most recent actions to the Republican senators at a caucus meeting.

MICHIGAN

Awards honor residents, U

Jamie Gumbrecht
April 24, 2001

Rollie Ledebuhr’s family knew. His friends knew. His colleagues knew.But when the 48-year city resident realized he was the only one who didn’t know he was being honored at Monday’s 14th annual East Lansing Crystal Awards, he began to cry.“I’ve always felt happy because the community accepted me when I was just a darn old dairy farmer,” he said, barely able to hold onto his engraved crystal bowl.

MICHIGAN

E.L. Council to review budget

Jamie Gumbrecht
April 24, 2001

The East Lansing City Council will continue discussing revisions to the 2001-02 budget at today’s work session. Council members are working to eliminate a proposed $325,000 dip into the city’s savings to cover recent increases in health care and recreational project costs. Another work session will be held Tuesday to discuss budget changes before it is finalized on May 15. During the April 10 work session, council members raised questions about possible ways to add revenue or cut costs. East Lansing Finance Director Gary Murphy said he hopes to provide more answers for the city council tonight. “These are just possibilities,” he said.

MICHIGAN

E.L. to reduce liquor licenses

Eric Morath
April 23, 2001

Some East Lansing business owners and officials have little concern that a dropping population in the city will lead to fewer available liquor licenses.Because Census 2000 numbers indicate a population drop of more than 4,000 city residents, East Lansing’s seven available liquor licenses would be reduced to five.

MICHIGAN

Democratic candidates speak at Jefferson Jackson dinner

Drew Harmon
April 23, 2001

DETROIT - A crowd of approximately 1,600 Democrats filled a banquet room here Saturday night to hear from all five 2002 Democratic gubernatorial candidates. The event, held at the Cobo Conference Center, was also highlighted by a keynote address by Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. Lewis followed speeches by former Michigan Gov.

MICHIGAN

Community takes part in Earth Day events

Shannon Murphy
April 23, 2001

LANSING - Local environmental enthusiasts joined together Saturday with events to celebrate the day before Earth Day. The Adopt a River Program took place during the weekend with more than 400 volunteers collecting at least one bag of garbage each from the Grand and Red Cedar rivers’ banks, program Director Jennifer Rostar said. “I was very happy with the dedication people had with coming out,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Senator introduces bill to ban riverfront casinos

Drew Harmon
April 23, 2001

State Sen. Burton Leland, D-Detroit, introduced new legislation Thursday that would make it illegal for Detroit to place casinos on riverfront property along the Detroit River. “Detroit’s riverfront is a jewel, one that should not be squandered,” Leland said in a written statement.

MICHIGAN

McPherson, senators debate university funding

Eric Morath
April 23, 2001

FLINT - MSU President M. Peter McPherson pleaded the university’s case for increased funding before the Senate Higher Education Apportions Subcommittee on Friday at the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint. McPherson cited rising costs of employee health insurance, increasing wages for faculty and the funding gap between MSU and the state’s other research-level schools, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. State Sen.

MICHIGAN

Local businesses, organizations prepare for Earth Day activities

Jamie Gumbrecht
April 20, 2001

When the first Earth Day was born April 22, 1970, Americans were slurping leaded gasoline through oversized sedans. Thirty-one years later, Americans are slurping unleaded gasoline through road-wide sport utility vehicles. While there have been improvements in the way people treat the environment, there’s still work to do, said Kyle Tisdel, a member of the East Lansing Commission on the Environment. “We’re taking some steps back in some areas, but I think it’s changing as well,” the international relations senior said.

MICHIGAN

U-M woman assaulted near Mile event

ANN ARBOR - A woman who was walking across the University of Michigan’s campus was sexually assaulted Tuesday night, the same time as the “Naked Mile.” She was not participating in the annual nude celebration that marks the end of spring semester classes, said Ann Arbor Police Sgt.

MICHIGAN

Skateboarders request funds for city project

Jamie Gumbrecht
April 19, 2001

When Dave Spruit was a high school senior in Grand Rapids, he and his friends were ticketed while skateboarding.As a human resources management senior at MSU, Spruit fears it will happen again.“I’ve worried about that in East Lansing,” the MSU Skateboard Organization member said.