Drunken driving drops in E.L., Michigan

Gov. John Engler announced last week fatalities and accidents involving drunken drivers have dropped to the lowest point in eight years.The recent drop in numbers was attributed to Michigan’s repeat offender laws.Under state law, a repeat offender has two or more alcohol-related convictions within seven years, three or more convictions for driving while suspended or revoked in seven years, or three or more alcohol-related convictions within 10 years.Motorists who are repeat offenders face tougher sentencing, license sanctions and are required to attend substance abuse counseling.The numbers dropped from 541 deaths in 1999 to 515 in 2000.

Program helps ex-racehorses

EATON RAPIDS - Fax, an ex-racehorse, nuzzled up to Eaton Rapids resident Michelle Poe on Monday as she changed his dressings from a knee injury that ended his career.“He’s nosy and needs to be where the action is,” said Poe, a volunteer with the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses.

Police briefs 07/25/01

Fire scorches E.L. apartment building

An East Lansing apartment building suffered heavy damages and 12 occupants were left homeless after an early Saturday morning fire.East Lansing firefighters arrived at Stonehedge Apartments, 1502 South Shore Drive, at 4 a.m.

Police briefs 07/23/01

Council to discuss new waste program

The East Lansing City Council will discuss a voluntary automated solid waste system program at its Tuesday work session. The program would give residents the opportunity to put out a 65-gallon container, instead of bags, that would be picked up by an automatic waste truck. Jean Golden, East Lansing deputy city manager, said the system would save time and prevent injuries, such as back injuries, to employees lifting heavy bags and waste cans. “Right now we have two-person trucks and people have to get out, pick up the trash bags and throw them back in the truck,” she said.

Bailey festival features 10 acts

The audience sat on red and yellow painted wooden box chairs or shag carpeting as Cathy Illman sang bittersweet songs on her guitar.The psychology junior was just one of the acts in the first Bailey Music Festival on Saturday at the Bailey Center, 300 Bailey St.The concert, which included 10 performances, was sponsored by East Lansing Recreation & Arts.Studio art junior Josh Kermiet, who helped coordinate the event, said the idea for the daylong music festival was his.“The idea was to throw together local talent that doesn’t get much exposure,” he said.The Bailey Center, he said, had at one time been a place for people to come and enjoy live bands.

U-M contemplates tuition increase

Kary Howard hasn’t been able to lay in the sun, relax or read a good book this summer.Instead, the agriculture and natural resources and communications senior has to work two jobs.She’s prepping for her tuition bill, complete with its 8.9 percent tuition increase.“I had grant money to cover it before,” she said.

New LCC trustee shares plans

On July 30, Lansing Community College Trustees Todd Heywood, Kathy “K.P.” Pelleran and Mark Canady will convene with their fellow trustees.The three ran unopposed when the three spots became open in April.

Police briefs 07/19/01

Cyclists ride to fight HIV, AIDS

Regardless of the trek, bicyclists are preparing to help people affected by the HIV and AIDS viruses.The seventh annual Life Ride 2001 bike-a-thon to benefit people with HIV and AIDS is being held Friday and Saturday.

Troppo gains approval for second-story addition

Kris Elliott, owner of Troppo, hopes to start construction on the restaurant’s second-story addition as soon as possible.On Tuesday, Troppo, 213 Ann St., was approved for a special-use permit by the East Lansing City Council to build a second-story addition with indoor and outdoor dining.Elliott told the council he would begin construction as soon as he received a building permit and would hopefully be ready to open right after Thanksgiving.The council voted 4-1 to approve the permit.

Council votes to build skate park near Frandor

LANSING - The council chambers at City Hall were packed with young teens wearing shorts and T-shirts awaiting word Monday night.Clutching skateboards and inline skates, they were there in support of the skate park, which the council voted unanimously to build near the Frandor Shopping Center at Ranney Park in Lansing.“I told the rest of the committee last night I needed to go home and pinch myself,” George Leichtweis, finance chairman for the Lansing Area Skate, Bike & Recreation Foundation, said Tuesday.Leichtweis, who also owns Modern Skate and Surf, 1393 E.

Police briefs 07/18/01

Forum introduces candidates to E.L.

Students and residents will have a chance to listen to all of the candidates vying for East Lansing City Council in one place tonight. The Greater Lansing Area League of Women Voters will host a forum for the eight city council candidates at 7 p.m.

Activist sentenced to community service

The 1997 MSU graduate accused of assaulting a Philadelphia police lieutenant will not be serving any jail time.Steve Swart was given a misdemeanor and sentenced to community service Monday, said Catyie Abookire, spokeswoman for the Philadelphia district attorney.“During jury selection, the defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 23 months in jail and immediately paroled with a $146.50 fine,” she said.

Students try life in ROTC

The heat was beating down, the enemies were closing in and the troops had to navigate across a river using only a rope bridge.This wasn’t real combat; it was a simulation used by MSU’s Army ROTC to help students from different organizations define the meaning of teamwork.Forty-five high school students from all over Michigan, decked out in camouflage shirts and dog tags, gathered to take part in the Future Farmers of America Leadership Camp on Monday.The camp consists of high school students who have just been elected as FFA regional officers.“We help stress the importance of teamwork and we also get a chance to give our input,” Capt.

Celebrities assist opening of new lab

MSU students in the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine anticipated the arrival of Out of Sync, Britney Shears and Christina Posterior Angulara on Thursday afternoon at East Fee Hall.Those aren’t typos.

Police briefs 07/16/01

Council to give Troppo decision

The East Lansing City Council will discuss Tuesday whether to give Troppo a permit to build a second-story addition. The restaurant, 213 Ann St., is asking for a permit to build a second-story addition to the existing restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. At its last meeting June 26, the council decided to wait until this meeting before making a decision, allowing council members to speak with community members and Troppo owner Kris Elliott. The decision came after some council members and community members said they were unsure of whether Troppo was a fine-dining restaurant or a bar. Residents raised concerns that if Troppo was a bar, the increased consumption of alcohol, especially on a rooftop, would be a disturbance to those in surrounding businesses and neighborhoods. Councilmember Beverly Baten is still uncertain of what she or the council will do about the special-use permit application. “I’m definitely listening to the concerns from the community,” she said.