MICHIGAN
E.L. Aquatic Center to open for public
The East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, 6400 Abbot Rd., will open to the public on June 4. The center will have its doors open until September 6.
MICHIGAN
Group looks for support, funds to repaint garage
A local group is beginning a project that could change the appearance of an iconic East Lansing structure. Members of an East Lansing law firm have started an exploratory petition to change the color of the Lot 10 Colorful Garage, on Division Street between E. Grand River Avenue and Albert Street, from the current orange and green color scheme to a more MSU-centric green and white.
MSU
MSU researchers develop possible biofuel
Recent scientific advancements of biofuels by MSU researchers could pave the way for both new fuels and low-calorie foods. Timothy Durrett, an MSU plant biology research associate, along with visiting professor of plant biology Michael Pollard and university distinguished professor of plant biology John Ohlrogge, discovered a technique of isolating a gene responsible for the synthesis of an oil in the seeds of the Euonymus alatus — or burning bush.
MICHIGAN
Heat Awareness Day helps inform locals
As students sweated out the summer heat with temperatures reaching 85 degrees Wednesday, the National Weather Service was promoting how to stay cool for Heat Awareness Day. The day was established to draw attention to how dangerous heat can be in the summer months.
NEWS
Memorial holiday service to be held
State Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran of Operation Desert Storm, will preside over the 16th annual Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Michigan Senate Chamber at the Capitol Building.
NEWS
Three Republican gubernatorial hopefuls debate in Grand Rapids
Three of the five Republican gubernatorial candidates focused on education funding cuts and keeping graduates in Michigan during a GOP debate held Monday in Grand Rapids as part of the Great Debates 2010 series.
MICHIGAN
City Council looks to increase festival business
With thousands of people coming to East Lansing during the summer for a variety of festivals, local restaurants need more space to adequately seat customers who want to eat while enjoying the festive atmosphere, city officials said. Last week, East Lansing City Council passed requests — all of which were encouraged by festival planners — to extend outdoor seating for several East Lansing restaurants.
MICHIGAN
City Council to discuss dog laws, location for sculpture
A prominent new city sculpture and more extensive dog laws are on the agenda for Tuesday night’s East Lansing City Council work session. Project Pride will be making an artistic donation to the city and its potential location in the new plaza being constructed on the east side of the East Lansing Marriott at University Place. The City Council also will discuss the issue of dog laws after two loose dogs attacked and killed a neighbor’s pet dog, about a month ago.
MSU
Bill to support federal funding rejected
Legislation providing federal funding for academic research that failed to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives last week could mean more competition for MSU faculty seeking funds in the future. The America COMPETES Act will grant more federal support to university research, but the failure to pass the reauthorization bill will spread the act’s funding over a longer time period than originally anticipated
MICHIGAN
August weather arrives in May
Reaching a high of 83 degrees Monday, Michigan has rarely had weather this warm this early in the year. With a chance of storms on Thursday, the air might cool, promising a more comfortable weekend with temperatures ranging in the high 70s and lower 80s for an enjoyable holiday.
MICHIGAN
E.L. Public Library displays local art at May Gallery Walk
Part the East Lansing Public Library’s of the May Gallery Walk Monday, the gallery invites students and residents to experience the visions of local artists at no charge. The current exhibit is named “Many Faces of Art,” displaying work from local artists.
NEWS
CATA bus services closed for holiday
The Capital Area Transportation Authority will not operate May 31 in observance of Memorial Day. All CATA services, including Fixed-Route, Spec-Tran, Redi-Rides, Connectors, Rural Service and Shopping Bus will be affected.
MICHIGAN
Click It or Ticket campaign resumes
Police officers across Michigan are on the lookout for drivers not wearing seat belts as part of the Click It or Ticket campaign, which kicked off Monday in preparation for Memorial Day weekend. To keep motorists safe, police officers are increasing enforcement of state seat beat laws because Memorial Day is one of the state’s biggest travel days.
MSU
MSU prof finds human link in climate shift
An MSU professor on national panel contributed to a report released last Wednesday to Congress that found climate change is occurring and people are part of the cause. Tom Dietz, a professor of sociology, former director of MSU’s Environmental Science and Policy Program and vice chairman of a panel on the America’s Climate Choice project, reported his findings last week in Washington, D.C., and said pollution caused by humans accounts for a significant part of global climate change.
NEWS
Police Brief 05/24/10
A 45-year-old East Lansing man reported his bicycle stolen during the morning of May 12 outside the Natural Resources Building, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said. The man secured the bike’s frame to the rack outside the building.
MSU
Spring Arts and Crafts Show draws thousands
Artists unveiled their creations Saturday and Sunday at the 2010 MSU Spring Arts and Crafts Show at the Union. The University Activities Board, or UAB, has sponsored the annual show for 46 years and has seen it grow into one of the largest arts and crafts shows in the state.
MICHIGAN
Memorial raises disease awareness
Friends and family of Imade Asemota, an MSU alumnus who died from sickle cell anemia in 2009, hosted a memorial concert Friday to raise awareness and donations for a foundation that was created in her name. The Imade Asemota Foundation, which was founded by Asemota’s family, stressed how difficult it has been to recover from the loss of their loved one.
NEWS
Local business fund police helmets
The East Lansing Police Department recently was awarded $2,200 in funding from local businesses to purchase new headgear for officers on duty. The four Nolan N43 Trilogy helmets for the ELPD motor unit feature “full face” shielding to protect the officers and increased crash, hearing and UV light protection while riding.
MSU
College of Law to use grant for play
The MSU College of Law announced Friday that it received a $15,000 grant from the Michigan Humanities Council. A mid-November production of a play written by Sandra Seaton, MSU Law’s inaugural writer, and a corresponding symposium will both be supported with the available money.
MICHIGAN
Locals enjoy Middle Eastern cuisine
The annual Middle Eastern Food Festival occurred on Thursday and Friday in Lansing at the St. Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church. The event featured Middle Eastern specialties including homemade pastries and hosted raffles and church tours throughout the day.