Ethanol continues to grow in Michigan

Correction: Each gas station that carries E85 ethanol sells an estimated 1,500 gallons a month. When Jim Little first began selling gas at H&H Mobil in 1969, the price hovered around 35 cents per gallon. "People didn't worry about foreign oil and energy independence, but things have changed," he said. Those two factors were the driving force behind Little's decision to open East Lansing's first E85 ethanol pump Tuesday at H&H Mobil, 1500 Haslett Road. The move makes Little's gas station the third in Mid-Michigan with an E85 ethanol pump and the 44th in the state. "If you would have told people (in 1969) they would be running their car on corn, they would have laughed at you," Little said. E85 ethanol is a fuel made from a mixture of corn and gasoline. Gov.

Coordinator takes new position in Vermont

Just two weeks after the East Lansing Art Festival, Sharon Radtke, the city's arts program coordinator, left her position with the city and moved to Vermont. Though Radtke decided to move out of state to be closer to her pregnant daughter, the decision to leave East Lansing was not an easy one, she said. "The city has developed a great culture," she said.

Web site, traffic study to be reviewed

A new Web site, designed to promote community living in East Lansing, will be presented to the East Lansing City Council at its meeting today. The Web site, www.homeineastlansing.com, debuted late Monday afternoon, said Lori Mullins, East Lansing's senior project manager. The Web site was initially envisioned as a way to promote the city's housing programs for low to moderate income families, Mullins said. "Our community development group approached the MSU Federal Credit Union, and they suggested they could create a Web site that could provide information and link to their site," she said. The credit union designed the Web site, and will link users to information about its mortgage programs and other financial services for home-buyers.

Police briefs 06/05/07

New businesses invade Old Town

Lansing — Old Town may need a new name after adding 16 new businesses by fall. Currently, the area offers year-round festivals including salsa, jazz, blues and October festivals, said Jamie Schriner-Hooper, director of Old Town Commercial Association or OTCA.

Beer keg deposits increase to $30

Forget about rising gas prices - the minimum deposit price for a beer keg tripled last month. As of May 11, Michigan's Liquor Control Commission increased the deposit price on half- and quarter-barrel kegs from $10 to $30. Thousands of beer kegs have not been returned to breweries because people are taking the kegs to scrap yards, who will pay by the pound for the metal with which the keg is constructed, allowing the keg to be sold at a profit, according to the Associated Press. Major breweries lobbied for the increase, saying that it costs a beer manufacturer about $152 to replace stolen or scrapped beer kegs, according to the Associated Press.

Second Artisans' Market on Sunday

Meridian Township's Parks and Recreation Department will host its second Artisans' Market on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

MSU department ranked nationally

The MSU Department of Family Medicine was ranked seventh in the nation by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Big Three universities' research aids economy

MSU could play a key part in keeping the state's economy afloat, with cuts being made to higher institution education in Michigan and a heavy reliance on a worsening domestic auto industry. The University Research Corridor, an alliance comprised of MSU, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, recently released preliminary data from a study stating the collaboration generated $6.5 billion - 2 percent of the state's entire economic activity. The independent analysis was conducted by the East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group and outlines how the URC has contributed to the state's economy.

Recycling event helps local charities

The environment wasn't the only beneficiary at Project Pride, an event aimed at helping East Lansing residents recycle and reuse. Local charities accepted much-needed donations such as bikes, household appliances and clothing for a variety of causes.

Fresh veggies, fresh thinking

On their hands and knees, 12 people dug small holes, pressing young, summer squash plants into the soil on a football field-sized plot of land. Sweating in the hot sun, some of the dirty-kneed and often barefooted, planters squinted as they glanced up at Jeremy Moghtader, MSU Student Organic Farm manager and instructor, to learn how to properly plant the squash - ensuring the plants would grow strong until they could be harvested. "See how that part is sticking up?

History of E.L. streets revealed at center

The East Lansing Historical Society will host "The History of East Lansing's Street Names" 2 p.m.

2 local gas stations penalized for leakage, soil contamination

Eight Michigan gas stations, including one in East Lansing and one in Okemos, have been fined by the state Department of Environmental Quality for failing to comply with state regulations. The eight stations, all formerly owned by BP Amoco PLC, were fined a total of $869,150 for not submitting required reports about contamination because of leaking underground storage tanks. "These fines are simply for their failure to properly address the contamination as required by Michigan law," said Bob McCann, DEQ spokesman.

E.L.'s Project Pride cleanup Saturday

Unconventional recyclables such as tires, used furniture and scrap metal will be accepted at the city of East Lansing's Project Pride cleanup Saturday. Items can be taken to the Abbott Center parking lot, 1400-1500 Abbott Road, for disposal.

E.L. Family Aquatic Center opens

The East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, 6400 Abbott Road, opens today for the summer season. The center features a 190-foot tube water slide, play structures and sand areas.

Spend trails day in Northern Tier

The 15th annual National Trails Day is Saturday and the city of East Lansing is encouraging everyone to spend time on the Northern Tier Trail or one of the several trails in the Lansing area. For more information, call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts at (517)333-2580 or a map of the Northern Tier Trail can be found at www.cityofeastlansing.com.

Police briefs 06/01/07

VP to focus on students

Vennie Gore's daughter tells him he talks for a living. With his recent appointment to assistant vice president for Housing & Food Services at MSU, effective August 13, he expects that to continue. Gore is currently the associate director for Housing and Food Services at the University of Washington. He meets with students, faculty, campus clients and other to talk about plans for the university - and his job at MSU will be much of the same. Gore is used to a life with no routine, he said.

Student Organic Farm planting party

The MSU Student Organic Farm will have it's summer planting party Saturday. Participants will plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other vegetables at the farm located at 3291 College Road in Holt from 9 a.m.

Capitol revisits 1907, commemorates Roosevelt

Lansing — From the dark green vintage REO automobile parked on the Capitol's front lawn, to the Civil War garb worn by period reenactors Thursday, Lansing turned back the clock 100 years.