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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Legislative bill denies custody to abusive parents

Drew Harmon
March 26, 2001

State Rep. Doug Hart, R-Rockford, introduced a bill Thursday that would create “rebuttable presumption” in custody cases involving perpetrators of domestic violence. “It makes sense that perpetrators of domestic violence should not have custody of their children,” Hart said in a written statement. Hart hopes the bill will increase the protection available to victims of domestic violence.

MICHIGAN

Group looks at effect of social norm programs

Jeremy W. Steele
March 26, 2001

A growing number of campuses are telling students that their peers drink more responsibly than they may think, but little information is available to show if such efforts result in safer drinking practices.But a Massachusetts-based education policy group is collecting data from 34 colleges nationwide to prove such campaigns - known as social norms programs - lead to more responsible drinking by college students.“To date the effectiveness has been largely anecdotal,” said Helen Stubbs, a spokeswoman for the Education Development Center Inc. “Certainly it’s been shown to work on some campuses.”Studies show most students think other students drink heavily, when in reality most abstain or drink moderately, Stubbs said.

MICHIGAN

Study says greeks drink less alcohol after graduation

Jeremy W. Steele
March 26, 2001

Although studies suggest members of fraternities and sororities may drink more frequently and more heavily than most college students, researchers say greeks are not more likely to use alcohol after graduation.The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, questions what leads greeks to drink more in college.

MICHIGAN

E.L. program receives national accreditation

Jamie Gumbrecht
March 23, 2001

The East Lansing Recreation & Arts program has become the first organization in the state to receive accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.The program had to meet 154 standards set by the national agency for its human resources, finance, facility safety, program and instructor quality and diversity.“We had a lot of stuff in place already,” Executive Director Jim Crisp said.

MICHIGAN

Residents grab petitions for race

Jamie Gumbrecht
March 23, 2001

Although an election for two seats on the East Lansing City Council isn’t until November, City Clerk Susan Donnell has had a busy week.Two candidates picked up petitions to run for two open East Lansing City Council seats late this week, bringing the total of possible candidates up to seven.Urban planning senior David Jirikovic also grabbed an application Monday.“We were kind of surprised that we have three in a row,” Donnell said.Donnell said it’s uncommon to have several candidates express interest during one week.Nicholas D’Isa, who stays at home with his two children, and Mark Van Remortel, a substitute teacher in the Lansing area, are the latest additions to the candidate pool.D’Isa, 34, has been a city resident for eight years.

MICHIGAN

Demolition reveals E.L. past

Eric Morath
March 22, 2001

As dust cleared from the corner of M.A.C. and Grand River Avenues, forgotten advertisements were unveiled sparking memories in the minds of East Lansing residents.Ads for Vernors ginger ale, Curious Book Shop, Michigan State College Supply and The Ink Pot were discovered on the side of the building that now houses the Curious Book Shop, 307 E.

MICHIGAN

Chief prepares for duty

Jamie Gumbrecht
March 22, 2001

Roland Talifarro is quite nervous.When the 13-year-old walks into East Lansing High School this fall, he will be a new face in town - just like his dad, who’s the new face at the East Lansing Fire Department.Roland’s father, Randy Talifarro, was inducted into his new post as East Lansing’s fire chief this week, following 17 years of service with the Flint Fire Department.“I’m the only one in my family that’s nervous,” Roland said.

MICHIGAN

Committee passes bill to increase funding

Eric Morath
March 21, 2001

LANSING - On a track to narrowing the funding gap, MSU leaped its first hurdle without stumbling.The House Appropriations Committee passed the higher education funding bill on to the state House on Tuesday, without changing the subcommittee’s recommended funding increases for the university.MSU is still slated to receive the maximum seven-percent increase - $22.5 million in additional funding.

MICHIGAN

U student plans to run for city council

Jamie Gumbrecht
March 20, 2001

David Jirikovic thinks he has a great relationship with his East Lansing neighbors - he plowed their driveways in the winter, and they baked him cookies. It was the urgings of those neighbors that convinced the urban planning senior to run for one of two East Lansing City Council seats that will open up this year. “One of my main concerns is student-resident relations - it’s a mess right now,” he said.

MICHIGAN

Assistant prosecutor dies suddenly

Steve Eder
March 20, 2001

Ingham County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kathaleen Rae Price died Sunday. She was 48.Price managed a staff of 30 attorneys and specialized in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and drug gang cases in her three years as the county’s No.

MICHIGAN

Todays special elections to fill three open seats

Drew Harmon
March 20, 2001

The empty spots in the state Legislature will be filled today by a special election. And although predictions are low for voter turnout, the candidates for the 26th state Senate district have been trying to get their messages out in the hopes of getting people to the polls.“The campaign looks like it did from the beginning - in question,” said Rosemary Reed, a Democratic candidate from Perry, Mich.

MICHIGAN

LCC to look at dance internship

Brandi Lewandowski
March 19, 2001

Lansing Community College’s Board of Trustees may vote to eliminate the college’s dance program today in an effort to save money, but dance officials say they developed a solution to keep students pirouetting. Program officials want the college to offer professional dance internships with local companies, which school officials say could be possible. “I’m very positive they will see significant merit in the planning that has gone into this internship,” said Dianne Newman, director of Happendance School & Co., 3448 Hagadorn Road in Okemos.