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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Conversion plan will change one-way streets

Brandi Lewandowski
March 16, 2001

Monica Zuchowski’s vehicle could be heading in a different direction in Lansing, if a two-way street conversion plan receives approval from the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Lansing City Council.The plan would convert six of the city’s one-way streets - Allegan, Ottawa, Pine and Walnut streets and Grand and Capitol avenues - into a two-way network by 2003.Lansing city officials say the alterations will benefit the area, but Zuchowski, president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, is skeptical.

MICHIGAN

Weekend dance brings fun for diverse crowd

Tyler Sipe
March 16, 2001

Julie Levy-Weston describes contra dancing as “one of the few dance forms that thrusts a person of the opposite sex into your arms every 30 seconds.”Levy-Weston, the events planner for the MSU Museum, is coordinating the contra dance with the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association, an area organization dedicated to bringing arts back to Lansing.

MICHIGAN

Sparrow gives Day of Relaxation

Sarah M. Emery
March 15, 2001

LANSING - As she walked the maze-like pattern in the cement, Connie Purdue said it brought her inner peace, despite hearing car horns, engines and other sounds of a busy day. “As I get towards the end of the labyrinth I tend to slow down,” the East Lansing resident said.

MICHIGAN

Survey sees bald eagles migrate to Michigan

Shannon Murphy
March 15, 2001

The bald eagle, a familiar and popular symbol of American culture, is finding its way to Michigan.A survey, which is part of the nongame fish and wildlife fund, is conducted every winter by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to give officials some clue as to where bald eagles are staying during the winter.The survey, conducted in January, reported a statewide count of 1,510 bald eagles, almost twice as many as the 782 reported last year.Ray Rustem, supervisor for the natural heritage program with the DNR, said citizens who saw the bald eagle would report its location either on a Web site or by sending a postcard to the DNR.

MICHIGAN

Bill may increase funding for U by $22 million

Steve Eder
March 15, 2001

They’ve planted the seed.The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education sent on a bill that calls for a $22 million boost in state funding for the university.The committee’s efforts may help to reduce the funding gap between research schools, which has existed for decades in the state.

MICHIGAN

GVSU picks former U official for job

Eric Morath
March 15, 2001

Grand Valley State University chose Mark Murray, a former MSU vice president of finance, Wednesday as its next president.Murray, 46, will leave his current position as state treasurer to take the job when current GVSU President Arend Lubbers retires in June.Murray will be the third president in GVSU’s 41-year history.“Grand Valley in particular, I believe, is an under-known asset to the greater state of Michigan,” Murray said in a written statement.

MICHIGAN

Local students focus on safety

Eric Morath
March 14, 2001

LANSING - Lansing-area high school students voiced concerns about school safety to a panel of state House Democrats on Tuesday at Everett High School, the site of a 1978 school shooting.Vince Villegas, an Eastern High School senior, 220 Pennsylvania Ave., in Lansing, said the first step to preventing school violence is making counselors available.“The average student would have to put in a request to see their counselors and wait about a week,” Villegas said.

MICHIGAN

Web site allows U to view council meetings

Jamie Gumbrecht
March 13, 2001

The city of East Lansing is plugged in, logged on and waiting for the e-mail to pour in. With the help of MSU Broadcasting Services, every East Lansing City Council meeting will be digitized and available to listen to and view on a new Web site - giving students and residents another way to watch officials in action. “It’s designed to be one of the many ways East Lansing and the university cooperate,” project coordinator Donald Weinshank said.

MICHIGAN

Proposed legislation fights hate crimes

Drew Harmon
March 13, 2001

A group of legislators and activists joined together Monday morning to introduce new legislation that may help combat hate crimes and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.“Right now, people can be punished for hate crimes performed for ethnic or racial reasons, but not for sexual orientation,” said state Rep.

MICHIGAN

Women honored at Lansing hall of fame

Brandi Lewandowski
March 12, 2001

LANSING - Melanie Olmsted believes with March being National Women’s History Month, every woman should take time to reflect on her accomplishments. “A lot of times women are put at the bottom of the totem pole in society,” the international studies and political science junior said.

MICHIGAN

Cities push for state fire funds

Jamie Gumbrecht
March 12, 2001

As high-rise buildings spring up on college campuses across the state, concerns about fire safety and funding for fire protection are growing just as high.“When you have a high-rise, it can be a problem,” East Lansing firefighter Troy Brya said.

MICHIGAN

Nurses open new clinic in Lansing

Sarah M. Emery
March 2, 2001

LANSING - Gail Harvey and Vicky McAree said they have always wanted to own their own business but never knew whether their dream would become reality.But this week, when the two former Olin Health Center nurses opened the doors of the Travel Wellness Clinic, 416 Frandor Ave.

MICHIGAN

Increased sales make merchants optimistic

Shannon Murphy
March 2, 2001

Cory Curtisis hoping once again his sumo wrestler clocks will pull their weight in sales.The owner of Cool Creations, 209 M.A.C Ave., said the novelty items, which are sumo wrestler figurines with working clocks attached on the front, are among some of the items that are selling.And according to The Michigan Retailers Association’s Michigan Retail Index released this week, getting that kind of weight off the shelves can be expected.The report predicted sales during the next three months will increase, which will be a pleasant change from the sales slump experienced in January.“I’m being optimistic,” Curtis said.

MICHIGAN

Legislature redraws districts

Drew Harmon  and  Eric Morath
March 2, 2001

Michigan legislators are beginning to look at redrafting the state’s political boundaries when Michigan’s new census figures are released next month.According to Michigan law, after every census is completed, the political districts must be examined by state lawmakers and adjusted to meet the needs of the population.

MICHIGAN

Demolition to clear way for City Center Project

Jamie Gumbrecht
March 1, 2001

East Lansing city officials probably won’t mind the buzzing, whirring and crunching in the background as they celebrate the next step toward completion of the $30 million City Center Project today.A kickoff ceremony to mark the beginning of the deconstruction of the Byrnes Building and University Mall on M.A.C.