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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Police battle racial profiling

Jeremy W. Steele
January 29, 2001

LANSING - Police department officials put about 30 area residents through the same training this weekend that officers have received to combat racial profiling.Two-hour sessions on Saturday and Sunday drew about 15 people to the Harry Hill Vocational Center, 5815 Wise Road, to discuss profiling practices and learn about the department’s strategy to prevent it.Racial profiling is a practice in which police take action based on race, ethnicity or national origin rather than illegal or suspicious activities.“Historically, police officers were taught this.

MICHIGAN

Attorney Generals life threatened in letter

Eric Morath
January 29, 2001

Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm’s life was threatened via a letter last week before she made a scheduled speech in Chesterfield Township.A threat assessment was done by the Michigan State Police in conjunction with the Warren Police Department, and it was determined that there was no danger.

MICHIGAN

Restaurants seek permit for dance floors

Jamie Gumbrecht
January 26, 2001

East Lansing businesses want to give residents a place to put their feet up, and kick their feet up.Two downtown restaurants have requested the entertainment license required to have a dance floor: Troppo, 213 Ann Street, and Spartan Sports Den, 1227 E.

MICHIGAN

Number of flu cases to increase

Aaron M. Miller
January 26, 2001

The flu has been slowly making its rounds and the worst may still be on the way. Last year influenza reached its height in December, but this year the bug has been delayed throughout the nation, including Michigan, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu causes 20,000 deaths and 110,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States. English freshman Allyson Stanley had the flu during winter break, but didn’t go to the doctor. “I figured if it ended within a day, then I wouldn’t go, but if it persisted, I would go to the doctor,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Faculty help ease transition into college

Brandi Lewandowski
January 26, 2001

Marqus Coleman knows what he’ll be doing after he graduates from East Lansing High School in June.He’ll attend Defiance College in Ohio.“The counselors at my school helped me with deciding but my mom and my dad always told me that I had to do something after high school,” Coleman said.Although the senior high school student’s decision was influenced by his counselors and parents, MSU officials say the trend is for prospective college students to get too wrapped up with career plans.William Metcalfe, a psychologist at MSU’s Counseling Center, said he talks with MSU students who are concerned about their niche at college and about future careers.“Sometimes I’ll see students early on adjusting to just what this place is like, where their niche is and what their opportunities are here,” he said.

MICHIGAN

House rejects pay increase

Eric Morath  and  Steve Eder
January 26, 2001

It is not often that 100 people would each turn down $20,000.“Have you ever voted down a pay raise?” asked House Speaker Rick Johnson, R-LeRoy, in his office Monday.The state House rejected a pay raise of that amount Thursday in a 100-6 vote.

MICHIGAN

Airfare prices increase

Eric Morath
January 25, 2001

When Hester Hughes travels by air she chooses to fly out of Capital City Airport. But a hike in airfare may have Hughes to question that decision next time.“I use Lansing because it is more convenient, once I flew out of Detroit, it was more of a problem with the traffic, frustration and a great inconvenience,” the human ecology graduate student said.“I am hesitant to make travel plans because the increase in airfare.”Some fares on flights departing from the Lansing airport have rose since American Eagle Airlines stopped serving Lansing in May, Deputy Executive Director Mike Lynn said.The increase in prices and a lower number of flights have caused airport travelers to decline by 10 percent in 2000 compared to 1999, he said.“(American Eagle) fares made this market competitive,” Lynn said.American Eagle was second the second largest carrier out of Lansing before their departure - Northwest is the first.“We expect that right now they are going to Flint, Grand Rapids and some to Detroit.

MICHIGAN

Energy company to raise rates

Aaron M. Miller
January 25, 2001

Escalating costs are forcing gas-provider Consumers Energy Co. to seek rate increases that would cost students and area residents several hundred more dollars per year for natural gas. If the Michigan Public Service Commission approves, Consumers Energy bills could increase between 40 percent and 60 percent April 1.

MICHIGAN

Charles Street to close Monday

Jamie Gumbrecht
January 25, 2001

East Lansing city officials will close Charles Street on Monday near the City Center Project so that construction on the project can continue. The crane being used to build the parking structure for the $35 million project will be moved onto Charles Street, forcing East Lansing to close the area between Grand River Avenue and Albert Avenue. Lori VanOmmeran, a city urban planner and community analyst, said the street will re-open by the end of March.

MICHIGAN

City council considers roundabout

Jamie Gumbrecht
January 24, 2001

East Lansing motorists might be driving in circles in 2002.The East Lansing City Council affirmed Tuesday that it will continue considering a roundabout in place of a four-way stop at the corner of Albert Avenue and Charles Street.

MICHIGAN

Council to consider altering local traffic

Jamie Gumbrecht
January 23, 2001

The East Lansing City Council will discuss building a roundabout at the intersection of Albert Avenue and Charles Street at today’s work session. The roundabout, like those found on campus, would be built to accommodate the City Center Project that is scheduled to open in 2002.

MICHIGAN

Concept thrift store hits E.L.

Shannon Murphy
January 23, 2001

Stanley Blanchard wasn’t chicken to name his new business after the nickname given to him by his ex-girlfriend.The co-owner of East Lansing’s newest clothing shop and his partner Bryan Stoner say their shop, Chicken Heads, which opens Monday at its 543 E.

MICHIGAN

Court reverses blood-alcohol ruling

LANSING - A judge has to consider a blood-alcohol test taken more than two hours after a traffic stop, according to an appeals court decision released Monday. The Court of Appeals’ 2-1 decision reverses the ruling of an Oakland County judge to leave out Michael Allen Cupp’s 0.12 blood-alcohol content, slightly more than the 0.10 percent that is considered drunk under state law. Police tested Cupp’s blood-alcohol content more than two hours after they stopped him at 1:12 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Stabenow, Levin regard presidency with few celebrations

Tony Paul
January 22, 2001

WASHINGTON - It’s like attending the Academy Awards, minus a nomination.While U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin are no thespians, they can likely relate to the actors who attend the annual glitzy gala despite lacking a chance to win.You see, Michigan’s two senators are Democrats.And this was no Democratic weekend.

MICHIGAN

Amtrak keeps E.L. stops

Shannon Murphy
January 22, 2001

Megan Dowd takes Amtrak’s International Route from East Lansing home to Chicago at least once a month.Fortunately for Dowd, the Michigan Transportation Committee approved a $5.7 million subsidy for Amtrak last week in order to save two of its most popular routes running.The approval follows plans by the 22,000-mile passenger rail system to reroute its train service, cutting the stops in East Lansing as well as Durand, Flint, Lapeer and Port Huron, in order to save money.Dowd, a communication freshman from Winnetka, Ill., is relieved that her route will not be removed.“If it weren’t here I wouldn’t be able to get home,” she said Sunday after stepping off a train.