Children receive free bike helmets in local campaign

By Jennifer Dodyk Special for The State News Lansing - Seven-year-old Rahjae Flowers-Taylor was excited to try on his first bicycle helmet on Saturday. "If I fall, I won't hurt my head," he said. His mother, Nicole Flowers, 33, brought Rahjae and his two siblings to the Helmet Safety Campaign at Pleasant View Elementary School in Lansing, where the children were outfitted in free helmets. "I've been wanting to get them (a helmet), but I couldn't get them one because I didn't have the money," Flowers, of Lansing, said.

SmartZone aids local technology companies

MSU faculty members will benefit from the Ingham County regional SmartZone, which will help them research and start their own companies and support businesses in early stages. The regional SmartZone is a designated area in which developing, technology-based businesses are "incubated," or fostered, by established corporations.

Granholm passes wine 'doggy-bag' bill

Restaurant customers who enjoy sipping wine during their meals no longer have to worry about polishing off the bottle due to a recent bill signed by Gov.

Police embark on 2-week seat-belt vigilance campaign

This summer, there will be more police officers in more locations looking to enforce Michigan's seat belt law. Today, the East Lansing Police Department is kicking off a statewide effort to maintain Michigan's safety belt use in 53 counties, including Ingham County. Enforcement zones on and off campus will be clearly marked with signs along with several officers in those zones making sure motorists are wearing their seat belts. Through June 5, area police will be out to enforce the Click It or Ticket campaign.

Tomorrow's Political Leaders gather to construct house for Habitat for Humanity

By Kristen Creager Special for The State News Lansing - On Saturday, a group of 30 aspiring politicians dug, hammered and hauled - getting dirty on their way up the political ladder. Members of the group Tomorrow's Political Leaders were building a Habitat for Humanity home as part of a volunteer project. Tomorrow's Political Leaders includes students and recent graduates of Michigan colleges who want to get involved in politics. The group participates in a two-week program at MSU that helps young people learn about becoming part of the political world. "I always wanted to run for office, but I didn't know how," said Catherine Fontana, a sophomore at Albion College and member of the group.

Town hall meeting to discuss Mich. wages

A town hall meeting discussing raising Michigan's minimum wage will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Delhi Township Hall, 2074 Aurelius Road in Holt. House Democratic Leader Dianne Byrum and Rep.

Police briefs 05/19/05

Local nature center to hold wilderness class

A wilderness survival class will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road in Okemos. The class will teach participants how to stay cool when it's hot, start a fire without matches, build a shelter out of natural materials and get water from the ground. The program is open to all ages and is $60 per person. For more information, call (517) 349-3866.

Inspectors warn residents about possible hazards

When a city housing inspector recently told Jenny Peters to take down lantern lights from her back porch because they were a fire hazard, she listened. "Two of my friends' houses burned down in the past two years," the audiology and speech sciences junior said.

Summer quiet, slow for local residents, university students

East Lansing may be a bustling college town, but with most students gone for the summer, some have mixed feelings. For many, the proximity of the university affects them as residents. "When the students leave, it's a change of pace for everyone," said Sally Silver, East Lansing resident and Bailey Community Association Chair.

Cartoonist uses life, people for inspiration

As a child, Mike Ramsey doodled caricatures of his teachers, friends and himself. These drawings became the inspiration for his cartoon, "Sidwood." "I've been drawing my whole life, specifically cartoons.

Council approves budget, lead developer

Tuesday was a busy night for the East Lansing City Council. City officials eliminated four positions in the police department, cut funding for buying library books and removed a managerial position from the finance department. They also named the lead developer in the East Village overhaul project and passed the 2005-06 fiscal year budget. The council approved the East Village Spartans LLC as the lead developer for the redevelopment.

Eateries to move into campus food courts by mid-August

Two food courts on campus are in the midst of a makeover that will bring four new restaurants to MSU by fall. The Taco Bell and Wendy's located in the International Center announced in February that they would not rebid their contracts, which expired at the end of the semester.

Police briefs 05/19/05

HPV vaccine sparks controversy, could be on market in 2 years

As newly developed vaccines for human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can cause cervical cancer and genital warts, are being developed, controversy also is emerging between moral ethics and science. Merck & Co. Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline are two drug companies that are working to market the vaccines within the next two years.

Locals try alternative medicine for relief

With a sniffle or sneeze, many people head to the doctor or a local drug store for relief - but that might not always be the answer.

Class to teach steps for home-alone crises

The East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation & Arts will hold a home-alone class for children ages 11 and older from 9 a.m.

Police briefs 05/17/05

E.L. director of finances retires

After almost 30 years of adding and subtracting money to East Lansing's financial account, Finance Director Gary Murphy will retire Friday.

Lansing Center to host bead, jewelry vendors

The Michiana Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Lansing Center, 333 E.