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MICHIGAN

Downtown development

Michigan cities might soon get some tools to help attract out-of-state and international corporations to stimulate job growth and improve the quality of life in downtown communities. The state Senate passed a set of bills Thursday to give Michigan cities and villages the option to set up tax-based finance groups.

MSU

3 file sharing cases settled

Three of the nine MSU students who face legal action from the Recording Industry Association of America for illegally downloading and file sharing copyrighted music online have settled their cases. The amount of money agreed upon will not be disclosed, but RIAA spokesman Jonathan Lamy said the regular settlement trend remains the same.

MICHIGAN

Reagan's impact on 'U' mixed

Former President Ronald Reagan's relationship with colleges and universities was often strained, but it was also a relationship of cooperation, say many who worked at MSU during his tenure in the White House.

MICHIGAN

Chili Cook-Off heats up Lansing

Lansing - Close to 40 restaurants and businesses dished out more than 2,000 gallons of chili Friday night at the Lansing Board of Water and Light's Down-By-The-River Chili Cook-Off in the Lansing Center, 333 E.

MICHIGAN

Crunchy's owner killed in accident

At Crunchy's, amidst the typical chuckling and flow of beer, an underlying scent of sadness permeates the barroom as employees and regular patrons cope with the death of restaurant owner David Milligan, 55. "Today, while enjoying your visit to Crunchy's, remember Dave in your heart and with a smile," reads a sign hanging adjacent to the bar. By all accounts, that's just the way Milligan - who was killed in an early-morning crash Thursday - would have it. "I've been coming here for 20 years," Lansing resident Fred Pendergraft said, remembering the occasional Saturdays that he worked as a cook for the late owner.

MICHIGAN

World War II vet receives diploma

Dansville - Jonathan Frye began ninth grade as a teenager, but it wasn't until he turned 78 that he walked away from Dansville High School a graduate. Last week, Frye, who left his school at age 17 during the 1940s to fight in World War II, visited his old stomping grounds to pick up a long-awaited diploma. "It was the most self-satisfying thing you can possibly imagine," Frye said. Shy of his junior year, Frye was drafted into the U.S.

MSU

'U' professor remembered as a role model, mentor

Professor David Stewart progressively lost most of his hearing as a young child, but turned what some would see as a hindrance into passionate fuel for deaf education. For friends and co-workers, they will no longer have the opportunity to work with Stewart.

MICHIGAN

Grand Ledge 5K to benefit education

The inaugural Grand Ledge Education Foundation 5K Comet Chase will be held on Saturday in downtown Grand Ledge. Proceeds from the 5K run/walk/roll will raise money for educational opportunities within the Grand Ledge Public Schools. Registration for the event is $15 and will be held, along with runner check-in, from 7:30 a.m.

MICHIGAN

WEB ONLY: E.L. gears up for public school board elections

Today's East Lansing Public School Board election may feel like a step back in time for area voters and city officials. "It's like conducting an election in 1790 except we're not using quill pens," said Mark Grebner, chairman of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. This year, three seats on the East Lansing school board were open but only one person was nominated for candidacy.

MICHIGAN

Police find link between shooting, E.L. robbery

Police in East Lansing and Sterling Heights are working with the FBI in an investigation involving a link between a series of bank robberies - one that occurred in East Lansing - and the fatal shooting of a Sterling Heights police Officer. Timothy W.

MSU

'U' scientists help refine quark definition

An international science collaboration involving 11 MSU scientists has refined the mass measurement of an important subatomic particle. DZero, a group of university scientists and students from 18 nations, found a more accurate determination of the top quark particle may verify the Standard Model - a theory that explains how subatomic interactions occur - and would allow scientists to more completely understand the nature of the world and what holds it together.

MSU

'U' looking to receive federal tech money

MSU is one of 53 competitors in the running for a share of $24 million in funding from the state. The funds are made available by the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor in order to promote research, commercialization and job creation in the sciences, auto manufacturing and homeland security industries. A panel from the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences reviewed 131 proposals from universities, nonprofit organizations and private research facilities on how to develop the three industries.

MICHIGAN

Capitol engagement

The state Capitol steps have been the site of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride events for more than 15 years, but Pride Weekend organizers anticipate this year's festivities will be extra special. Michigan Pride spokeswoman Sarah Mieras expects at least 15,000 people - a 50-percent jump from last year - to attend a rally and commitment ceremony on Saturday, in addition to other events this weekend.

MICHIGAN

Supreme Court approves state appeal on pipeline

The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed a decision made by the state Appeals Court, calling for approval from the six cities between Jackson and Lansing, that would have been involved a proposed 26-mile gasoline pipeline. Lansing officials brought the case to the Appeals Court three years ago claiming they were against having a pipeline, which would have been built by Wolverine Pipeline Company and traveled alongside Interstate-96.

MICHIGAN

Condominiums and retail space to occupy rezoned property in E.L.

East Lansing city officials say they are hoping to redevelop property near the former Greyhound Bus Station on West Grand River Avenue, by adding condominiums and retail space. Council members refereed to the city's planning commission, at Tuesday's City Council work session, an ordinance to rezone the properties into what city officials are calling the "West Village." Plans to renovate part of the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, and resurface Burcham Road between Timberlane and Hagadorn Roads were also discussed at the session. The "West Village" property covers what is now the Greyhound Bus Station, the Sunshine Restaurant and a few rental houses to the west. Jerome Abood, of Signature Associates, said he plans to turn the run-down bus station into owner-occupied housing because of the city's request. "The plan is to do a mixed use development with commercial stores, condos and some townhouses," Abood said. Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing's director of planning and community development, said the city wanted to make sure Abood's plans did not include adding more rentals into the East Lansing area. "He knew that it was the city's preference that the area be owner-occupied," van Ravensway said.

MSU

Construction begins to revamp Marshall Hall

Piles of broken bricks and mortar surrounded the exposed backside of Marshall Hall on Wednesday as construction began this week on the $6.86 million renovation. Marshall Hall was constructed in 1902 and later named after Professor Charles Marshall, an eminent bacteriologist at MSU.