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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Groups rally for sexual orientation rights in Michigan

Eric Morath
April 18, 2001

LANSING - MSU students and community members held a rally Tuesday on the steps of the Capitol Building to voice support for legislation that adds sexual orientation as a trait that cannot be discriminated against. The Alliance of Lesbian-Bi-Gay and Transgendered Students, an MSU student group, organized the rally to bring awareness to the issues that face their community and the legal challenges they face in Michigan. Alliance member Jeremy Grzymkowski said his group is supporting a proposed amendment to the state’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act that makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

MICHIGAN

New senators set records

Drew Harmon
April 18, 2001

LANSING - The state Senate convened Tuesday morning to swear in its two newest members. The two new members happen to be the state’s first Mexican American senator and the sixth female senator, who brings the highest number of women ever in the senate. “I remember taking the oath of office,” said Lt.

MICHIGAN

City officials may receive pay raises

Brandi Lewandowski
April 17, 2001

LANSING - Lansing officials are slated for a raise in July and then again in mid-2002, unless city council members vote to oppose the increases. If the council doesn’t vote before April 28, Lansing Mayor David Hollister, City Clerk Steve Dougan and Lansing City Council members will see salary increases ranging from 2 percent to 13 percent. Lansing’s Elected Officers Compensation Commission approved the increase in March.

MICHIGAN

Council to discuss location of cellular phone tower

Jamie Gumbrecht
April 17, 2001

Although Amanda Machovsky has owned a cellular phone since she began college four years ago, she never noticed any of East Lansing’s nine cellular phone towers. Toting her brand-new, pale green cellular phone, Machovsky, an elementary education senior, says the communication tool can be a necessity - or an accessory. “The other one I had was attached to my car,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Parks serve tastier foods

Brandi Lewandowski
April 16, 2001

LANSING - Amy Thompson is a huge Lansing Lugnuts fan, but one of her favorite reasons for visiting Oldsmobile Park is the wide array of foods she can fill up on. “It’s usually food you can’t have at your house,” said Thompson, an eighth-grader at Holt Junior High School, while munching on her giant New York Pretzel. And at Oldsmobile Park, 505 E.

MICHIGAN

Concealed weapons law opens discussion

Eric Morath
April 13, 2001

New online information concerning Michigan’s concealed weapons law, which goes into effect July 1, has area students and groups debating how the law will impact the state.The law establishes statewide requirements for people who carry concealed weapons.

MICHIGAN

Police tie flexcuffs to murder

Jeremy W. Steele
April 13, 2001

MASON - After nearly 15 years, a mother’s persistence may have paid off.Muriel Kirby sat with a box of tissues on her lap Thursday while investigators announced they had arrested the man they believe killed her daughter in 1986.David Phillip Draheim was arraigned in 55th District Court on Thursday for the murder of Jeanette Kirby.Kirby, a 36-year-old state employee from Lansing, was found dead in Riverbend Park in Holt on June 12, 1986.

MICHIGAN

State teachers receive new laptop computers

Drew Harmon
April 13, 2001

Several East Lansing teachers gathered Thursday afternoon for something that resembled Christmas coming early - just a little more high-tech than the Christian holiday.As part of a new state program, Michigan teachers are able to sign up to receive new laptops from the state for use in their classrooms and homes.Several East Lansing elementary teachers received their new computers Thursday, along with a training session on how to use them.The teachers all opened their bags at the same time, littering the desk with plastic bags and cardboard.

MICHIGAN

Ladybugs infest U, Michigan

Shannon Murphy
April 12, 2001

Stephanie Lauer hates ladybugs - the tiny, red, flying beetles that are considered good luck by many.The nursing sophomore said the bugs, correctly dubbed lady beetles, infested her Wonders Hall dorm room last semester.“We had hundreds of them in our room and we could not get rid of them,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Great Lakes drilling causes concern

Drew Harmon
April 12, 2001

Rising energy concerns in America may have some oil companies hoping to say “yes” to Michigan.But reactions by Michigan residents and environmentalists to a possible increase in drilling in the Great Lakes have been negative, according to a local poll.

MICHIGAN

New Oasis to open on Grand River

Shannon Murphy
April 12, 2001

The smell of baked kibbee will be wafting through the air this summer in East Lansing’s downtown.Kibbee, a ground meat spiced with salt, pepper, onions, pine nuts, cinnamon and allspice is one of the items that will be on the menu of Chuck Raad’s newest restaurant, Woody’s Oasis, located at 211 E.

MICHIGAN

State broadens tourism industry with promotional campaign

Leslie Escobar
April 12, 2001

LANSING - With the slogan “Michigan. Great Lakes. Great Times. Not a great distance,” state tourism officials hope to expand Michigan’s $10 billion annual tourism business. The new campaign, launched this week by Travel Michigan - a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation - is intended to draw more travelers from surrounding states. “It’s a great ad campaign,” said Nancy Cain, a spokesperson for AAA. “And the timing of it is good, because with higher gas prices, people in the Midwest are going to stay in the Midwest.” The campaign features television, newspaper, radio and Internet advertisements that will be shown in Green Bay, Wis., Indianapolis, Chicago and Cleveland.