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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

GVSU picks former U official for job

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

MICHIGAN

Spotlight program targets underage drinking

Let the buyer beware. Area cops are teaming up to curb liquor sales to minors. The East Lansing Police Department, Meridian Township Police Department and Ingham County Sheriff’s Department kicked off their new Spotlight program Wednesday afternoon at Spartan Sports Den, 1227 E.

MICHIGAN

Workers set wage under local laws

Amy Cooke likes the idea of being paid $10 per hour for a minimum wage job. Fortunately for the German senior, a growing number of Michigan cities are making that a reality by instituting a living wage ordinance.These ordinances allow local communities to set a higher minimum wage and qualifications for employees to set such a wage.Cooke said she earned the $5.15 per hour federal minimum wage while working at an East Lansing day care facility.

MICHIGAN

Doctor off to Balkans

With tensions heightening between ethnic Albanians and ethnic Serbians in Kosovo, the U.S. military is preparing to send additional personnel to the area. Dr. Dean Sienko is prepared for the battle - medically. Sienko, medical examiner of the Ingham County Health Department, will command the medical forces in the Serbian Providence beginning March 8, and oversee medical health and assistance to Allied and U.S.