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CMU approves same-sex partner benefits
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University is extending same-sex partner benefits to its administrators and other nonunion employees.
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State hopes to recruit national businesses
Michigan is attempting to keep the lights on for new businesses. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is using big dollars to urge big businesses from California to relocate to the state.
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Two men hospitalized after different assaults
Two separate aggravated assaults occurred in East Lansing on Saturday, according to the East Lansing Police Department. A 22-year-old St.
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Council approves ordinance to limit city building heights, keep downtown skyline
East Lansing may be maturing as an urban area, but it’s not growing up.After more than one year of discussion and planning, the East Lansing City Council approved an ordinance at its Tuesday regular meeting that limits building heights throughout the city.The height limits have been reduced from eight stories, or 14 with a city permit, to four stories, or 10 with a city permit.The ordinance also allows the city council to make exceptions for projects that would be beneficial to the city but require more height.Councilmember Sam Singh said the change would help protect residents living near the downtown from the shadows of tall buildings, while still leaving the city open to new development.“I think the downtown can handle some more considerable heights, especially on the Grand River (Avenue) side, but as soon as you get down around Albert (Avenue), you start to encroach on neighborhoods,” he said.“We’ve had the opportunity to have buildings of considerable size and it just hasn’t happened.”Orilla McHarris, a resident of East Lansing’s Bailey neighborhood since 1965, said she was pleased with the decision to hold on to the small-town atmosphere that can be ruined by tall buildings.“Our neighborhood is generally in favor of keeping the buildings low and letting everybody get some sunshine and fresh air,” she said.
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New restaurant to bring E.L. international cuisine
It’s going to be East Lansing’s newest flavor.Raydan Café and Market, 317 M.A.C.
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U grads combine books and beans at coffee shop
LANSING - When Lisa Thompson and Cynthia Pugh met on MSU’s campus as undergraduates almost 20 years ago in Bryan Hall, they never imagined they would one day open a Beaner’s Gourmet Coffee shop in Lansing. But that day came Monday, when the duo opened a cafe in hope to promote intellectual conversations and thinking, inside the Capital Area District Library, 401 South Capital Ave. “It’s been fun and hectic,” said Pugh, an owner of the new coffee shop.
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Expansion of citys historic area proposed
Monica Zuchowski lives in a home that could be included in one of Lansing’s proposed historical districts, if the Lansing City Council votes to establish it. “It’s an old home,” Zuchowski said of her Walnut Street residence.
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Stepshow raises money for charity
Eleven acts, dressed in costumes using props ranging from wood canes to soda cans, rallied those attending the Greek Week annual tradition of Stepshow on Tuesday with rock-stomping beats.The event held, at the Auditorium, was part of a series of events held by greek chapters during the spring tradition known as Greek Week, which runs through Saturday.Greek Week co-chairwoman Jackie Kim described Stepshow as an “amazing stomping, clapping, body moving choreographed show.”“It is one of the more adrenaline running and exciting performances that we put on during Greek Week,” the nutrition science senior said.
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Police launch safety number
LANSING - The Michigan State Police hopes it has the number to stop violence in schools. Police, education and government officials unveiled a new anonymous hotline Wednesday for students, parents and teachers to report threats in Michigan’s schools.
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New supermarket to replace local building
OKEMOS - A new Okemos farmer won’t need a tractor and plow to run his business. That’s because this farmer is a Farmer Jack Supermarket, which will be located on East Grand River Avenue near Park Lake Road. The block dubbed Majestic Plaza houses Pro-Bowl East; Oriental Mart; Pistachios Restaurant, 2827 E.
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Legislation to grant women equal pay
Tuesday marked the day people across the country recognized efforts to close the pay gap between men and women.Sen.
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Group investigates wrongful convictions
A Cooley Law School group working to free those wrongly convicted of crimes in Michigan is on the way to its first test.A Calhoun County judge ordered evidence used to convict Michael Hicks of the 1993 rape and kidnapping of a 19-year-old woman be sent to a California lab for DNA testing.
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Census numbers down; city may lose funding
East Lansing’s population has fallen by more than 4,000 citizens, putting the city in danger of losing funding for city services.According to the U.S.
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Greek Week kicks off charity events
Greek Week 2001 was dealt an April Fool’s joke Sunday, when snow and rain caused the co-chairpersons of Greek Week, Jackie Kim and Mark McConnell, to cancel the opening field-game events.“We were going to have food and a DJ,” said Kim, a nutrition science senior.
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Task force looks to help voters
Alicia Paulistin tried to vote in November’s election in East Lansing, but was turned away from the polls twice before she received any help.Although she eventually filled out an affidavit that allowed her vote to be counted, the English senior was confused by the problems she encountered.“They said I wasn’t registered to vote here - I know that I registered to vote here,” she said.
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Council to approve plans for Earth Day celebrations
The East Lansing City Council is expected to approve plans to close Ann Street for Earth Day celebrations at today’s regular meeting. The April 22 holiday will include performances by local bands at the Ann Street Plaza and areas for environmental groups to promote conservation, recycling and waste reduction. Teri Parks, owner of Bohemian Barber, 223 M.A.C.
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Art show displays work of Lansing area artists
Visitors to a Lansing art show today will see more than just a few pieces of art. Dozens of nude drawings will be on display and for sale from 6 p.m.
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State ATMs rank No. 2 in fees
Heidi Wenger is sick of paying high fees to get her money out of the bank.“Banks usually charge outrageous fees,” said the finance graduate student, who withdraws money using ATMs nearly every day.
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Bill to mandate meningitis shots
Engineering freshman Jonathan Sedon hadn’t heard about the massive immunization effort for meningitis on campus a year ago, or reports about a student hospitalized with the potentially deadly disease. But he got his shot anyway. “My mom told me to get the vaccination,” said Sedon, who received a vaccination for meningitis before he came to MSU.
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I-496 closure begins city traffic diversion
LANSING - Traffic officials say they’re prepared for the closure of Interstate-496 through downtown at 6:01 p.m.