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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Meningitis kills employee, state tightens regulations

State lab workers are working under stricter regulations when studying meningococcal bacteria - the organism that causes meningitis.The move comes after Department of Community Health employee Linda Reese died Christmas Day after she was infected by a meningitis bacteria sample that she had been working on.

MICHIGAN

Miller files suit to protect personal privacy

By ED RONCO The State News A new law requiring Michigan residents to submit their Social Security numbers when they renew their driver’s licenses is being challenged in a lawsuit filed Thursday by Secretary of State Candice Miller. States are required under the federal Welfare Reform Act approved by Congress in 1997 to collect Social Security numbers from licensed drivers to help track parents who fail to pay child support. Miller said the requirement, which took effect in October, violates the privacy of Michigan’s 6.9 million licensed drivers. “I will not sit idly by while residents’ privacy is invaded by an intrusive, ineffective and unfunded mandate,” Miller said. Michigan is the only state not complying with the requirement that took effect in October, said Pam Carte,r of the U.S.

MICHIGAN

Police ask students to be cautious

With books closing and doors slamming, many students prepare to depart from MSU for their homes with few thoughts of burglary, fire or tragedy to where they reside during the academic semester.“Theft is not something I would really think about,” said Tara Relyea, an accounting sophomore.

MICHIGAN

Student puddle-splasher may face jail time, fines

Apparently, pedestrians are not the only people who need to watch out for puddles these days. A 20-year-old MSU student may face misdemeanor reckless driving or assault and battery charges for purposely splashing a woman with his pickup truck while driving over a puddle on Oct.

MICHIGAN

Bootery to close after 65 years

After 65 years, the sole of East Lansing is closing its doors.Like many of the shoes of customers looking for a new pair, Tonnie and John Temple, owners of the MSU Bootery, are worn out.The couple has decided it is time to close down the family business at 217 E.

MICHIGAN

Santa on wheels

Each year children flock to a mall to sit on Santa Claus’ lap to tell him their hopes and dreams for Christmas morning and get their picture taken with the jolly old soul. But this year, a new tradition has been born. Meridian Township will be having its first-ever drive-thru Santa Claus in the Central Park parking lot, 5151 Marsh Road in Okemos, from Dec.

MICHIGAN

Abduction attempts send scare to city

An attempted child abduction occurred Wednesday morning between Baker Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue in Lansing - the fourth attempt in the area since September.According to the Lansing Police Department, a 10-year-old female walking at 8 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Program stresses holiday safety

LANSING - Although the Lansing Fire Department is usually called on to extinguish fires, it spent Wednesday morning lighting one - all for good reasons, of course. In a small brick room at the Lansing Fire Department Training Center, Battalion Chief Larry Martin lit a flare and set it at the base of a decorated Christmas tree as firefighters armed with hoses looked on. Within seconds, a smoke detector sounded and the tree was barely visible, first lost in smoke, then engulfed in flames. However, the staged fire wasn’t just for Grinch-like kicks. “We wanted to get the word out there that before you (put lights on your) tree, make sure your home is adequately equipped with smoke detectors,” said Gary Burkart, vice president of Flagstar Bank, which sponsored the demonstration as part of its Safety First program. The program gives away thousands of free or discounted smoke alarms to people across the state.

MICHIGAN

Police identify suspect in robbery

Lansing police officials announced Tuesday that they are seeking a local man who they believe is responsible for the most recent bank robbery in the city. Terrence Leontha Wallace, 31, is described as a black male, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 194 pounds.

MICHIGAN

Coat drive warms locals

Some MSU students are doing their part to make wintertime a little easier on those less fortunate.The North Complex Black Caucus, McDonel Hall Senate, Residence Life and the MSU police are holding the second “Help Keep a Family Warm This Winter” coat drive.Officer Kahlil Wasson, who helped coordinate the event for the MSU police, said the drive has collected more than 200 coats since the drive began on Nov.

MICHIGAN

Police aim to educate E.L.

East Lansing residents will have the opportunity to attend a citizens’ police academy hosted by East Lansing police. Those who work or live in East Lansing or are enrolled in MSU and are 18 or older may submit an application to East Lansing police.

MICHIGAN

Seat belt violation turns into drug arrest

Ingham County deputies stopped a car for a seat belt violation Monday and ended up apprehending a potential drug trafficker. Officers pulled over a white Pontiac heading west on Interstate 96 at Okemos Road for a seat belt violation.

MICHIGAN

Police identify suspect in robbery

Lansing police officials announced Tuesday that they are seeking a local man who they believe is responsible for the most recent bank robbery in the city. Terrence Leontha Wallace, 31, is described as a black male, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 194 pounds.

MICHIGAN

Winter season brings fire risk

Don’t forget to turn off the lights, blow out the candles and check your smoke detector.A recent study by the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents says winter is the deadliest season when it comes to fires.“Fire prevention should be practiced every day of the year, but the winter months increase the chances for a house fire,” said Gary Mitchell, spokesman for the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents.