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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Workers set wage under local laws

Eric Morath
February 28, 2001

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

Council to discuss ordinance

Jamie Gumbrecht
February 27, 2001

The East Lansing City Council will continue discussion of an ordinance that may limit the maximum allowed height for buildings throughout the city at today’s work session.Council members requested to amend the ordinance at the Feb.

MICHIGAN

Fair provides healthy information, treats

Eric Morath
February 26, 2001

LANSING - The music was soulful and the information was taken straight to the heart Saturday at the Gier Community Center. Participants at the Heart of Our Heritage Health Fair - an event that inform blacks of the risks faced by their community - were entertained by live performers at the community center, 2400 Hall St.

MICHIGAN

GVSU considers former U official

Eric Morath
February 26, 2001

A former MSU vice president is among three finalists running to become Grand Valley State University’s next president.One of the candidates, State Treasurer Mark Murray, served as MSU vice president of finance from September 1998 until January 1999 before taking his current position in 1999.

MICHIGAN

Polls indicate support for Blanchard

Steve Eder
February 26, 2001

Former Gov. James Blanchard is the preliminary favorite to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for Michigan’s 2002 gubernatorial election, according to a new poll.Blanchard led Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and U.S.

MICHIGAN

Lansing looks to improve parks

Brandi Lewandowski
February 23, 2001

LANSING - Angie Smith’s golden retriever, Neuman, could run freely in Lansing if a proposed dog park is included in the Parks and Recreation Department’s five-year master plan.“A park specifically for dogs would be great,” the 27-year-old Lansing resident said.

MICHIGAN

Rogers to visit campus, district for first tour

Eric Morath
February 23, 2001

For the first time since taking his position as a U.S. congressman, Mike Rogers is returning to MSU as part of his 8th Congressional District listening tour.The Brighton Republican has been touring his district - one that encompasses MSU - during the week to hear his constituents’ concerns.“He very much enjoys being on campus and interacting with the students,” said Sylvia Warner, Rogers’ press secretary.Warner said a new congressional office in Lansing, 1327 E.

MICHIGAN

Englers spokesman to vacate position

Drew Harmon
February 22, 2001

After 12 years of working under Gov. John Engler as his spokesman, John Truscott has decided it’s time pursue his own agenda.The director of communications and press secretary for the governor, Truscott has earned a reputation as knowledgeable and trustworthy.

MICHIGAN

Speech to youth spurs success

Steve Eder
February 22, 2001

ONONDAGA - Kwame Kilpatrick isn’t just the state House Minority Leader, he also is a motivator.Kilpatrick, D-Detroit, used this quality as he spoke to 48 residents at Highfields Youth Opportunity Camp, 5123 Old Plank Road, about his upbringing, his experience playing college football at Florida A&M and work in government as a part of the Black History Month program.“Essentially the theme is that being successful is a choice,” Kilpatrick said.

MICHIGAN

State works to prevent water diversion measures

Eric Morath
February 22, 2001

Protecting water in the Great Lakes may cause Michigan to make concessions in its water use.According to testimony heard this week before the Michigan Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, lawmakers may need to enact water-use laws for the state to have a solid legal defense against water diversion challenges from other states.The committee met Tuesday to discuss Annex 2001, the proposed changes to the Great Lakes Charter of 1985.

MICHIGAN

Racial profiling analysis entails more than data

Jeremy W. Steele
February 21, 2001

A newspaper analysis of Michigan State Police traffic stop data fails to tell the entire story of why minorities are more likely to be searched by troopers, a department official said. According to a Detroit Free Press study of 2000 police data, black and Hispanic men were about 2 1/2 times more likely than white men to be searched involuntarily.

MICHIGAN

Greeks to lip-sync in support of Sparrow

Members of the greek community will be lip-synching their hearts out for Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital Coaches for Kids as part of the “MTV Fundraising Night” tonight at the Auditorium. The money raised from the event will be given to the hospital for its effort to construct a new children’s wing. Jackie Kim, co-chairwoman of greek week, said she’s hoping the annual event will attract the community’s interest. “Everyone’s going to be performing, hoping that their friends and the community will want to come watch them,” the nutritional science senior said. The event is open to the public with admission costing $3 or $2 with a canned good.

MICHIGAN

Working exhibit inspires women

Jamie Gumbrecht
February 21, 2001

LANSING - “We can do it.” That phrase, used by the ficticious Rosie the Riveter during World War II to inspire women to take over jobs that had been vacated by men who were filling the role of soldiers, also touched Bonnie Krystoff nearly 60 years later. The teacher and photographer from Auburn Hills, Mich., created “A-B-C’s of Working Women: Women in Non-Traditional Work,” a traveling photography exhibit of women working in every job from archeologist to zoo biologist to help prove to the younger generation of girls they can do anything they want. “I want to draw (girls) into this because they’re the ones we want to reach,” Krystoff said.

MICHIGAN

Gas prices decrease, future prices weigh on Middle East

Karalee Miller
February 21, 2001

For the first time this year, Michigan motorists are paying less for a gallon of gasoline than they did in 2000.The cost of self-serve regular gasoline plummeted 7.1 cents to $1.47 - nearly three cents a gallon less than during this week of last year, according to a AAA Michigan gas study released this week.AAA spokesman Jim Rink said a slowing economy is helping motorists save at the pump.“If the economy continues to slow down as it has been, then the overall world oil market will probably feel that and respond by lowering prices,” he said.However, there is evidence indicating that gas prices could rise again, he said.“The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will be meeting in March to talk about production cuts, and if that happens, that will increase gas prices,” Rink said.

MICHIGAN

Levin addresses taxes, students

Drew Harmon
February 21, 2001

LANSING -U.S. Senator and Detroit Democrat Carl Levin made his way to several Michigan colleges Tuesday, including a stop at Lansing Community College. “I thought we’d talk a bit about the economy,” Levin told the audience of about 40, which filled up a college classroom.