School, radio station host fundraiser

Riddle Elementary School and Power 96.5 FM are hosting a fundraiser for the renovation of the school's playground at 2 p.m.

Secretary of State closed on holiday

Branches of the Michigan Secretary of State office will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Licenses and plates that expire on the day the offices are closed can be renewed the following day without penalty.

Jazz band invites listeners

Toes tapped, fingers snapped and heads swayed as Caleb Curtis' fingers busily ran up and down the keys of his golden alto saxophone. With eyes closed, the jazz studies senior's face slowly turned red as the quick, clean tones of the Caleb Curtis Quintet filled the dimly lit room at Gregory's, 2510 N.

Haslett Road repairs to slow traffic

Traffic on the south side of Haslett Road will be reduced to one lane beginning at 8 a.m. today for sewer repair.

Legislation supports scholarship fund

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., have introduced legislation to create 350,000 $1 coins marking the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Proceeds from the coins will go to the United Negro College Fund's scholarship program.

U.S. Postal Service: Tidy up mailbox

The U.S. Postal Service announced this week is Mailbox Improvement Week. This is the time for Lansing homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes that may have been damaged this year.

Practice makes perfect

Practice makes perfect and the training exercises of the East Lansing Fire Department create intense situations for its officers. Along with Meridian Township, the firefighters went through real-life training simulations Wednesday afternoon at former Alpha Tau Omega, or ATO, houses, located at 243 and 237 Louis St. The departments have an opportunity unlike any other.

Immigration reform gives preference to skilled labor

The complexities of the issue of immigration reform have once again created a flash point of debate and political battles. The reform proposal opened for debate in the U.S.

School celebrates Malcolm X Week

This week Shabazz Public School Academy celebrates Malcolm X Week. Most events take place at the school, 1028 Barnes Ave.

Pet, family abuses linked

State Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga Township held a town hall meeting Monday to spread a message in Ingham County: Animal abuse can be an indicator of domestic violence and child abuse. A small group of social workers, officials and concerned citizens met at the Ingham County Animal Control Shelter, 600 Curtis Road in Mason, to find out what they can do to help. "I just wanted to increase awareness of the link between animal cruelty, domestic violence and child abuse," Byrum said.

Community band offers free concert

The MSU Community Music School will hold a concert at 7 p.m. today. The New Horizons Band will present its Spring Concert "Music for All Ages" in the school's auditorium, 841 Timberlane St. The concert will feature the works of Mozart, Holst and "The Music Man."

Emergency teams train for worst

When a toxic chemical spill occurs, every second counts. Emergency response workers have to be ready to clean up spills within minutes before the chemicals cause harm to workers and the surrounding environment, said Pete Eiter, an instructor for MSU's Emergency Response Solutions. Eiter timed how long it took Ford Motor Co.'s emergency response workers to assemble the parts of an oxygen tank during the Ford-MSU Emergency Response Team Challenge at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education on Tuesday.

E.L. funds local microenterprises

The Lansing City Micro-Enterprise Fund will receive $10,000 in funding as part of its new partnership with East Lansing. Microenterprises make up more than 80 percent of the businesses in Ingham County and tri-county area.

WEB EXTRA: Granholm sets looming deadline to resolve state budget crisis

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has set June 1 as a deadline for the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate to come together with the governor's office to reach an agreement as to how to remedy Michigan's financial situation. Michigan is facing an $800 million deficit for the 2007 fiscal year, and with the end of the year approaching, the pressure is on to find a solution to the state's budget crisis. House Democrats, along with Granholm, have been pushing for a solution consisting of a combination of comprehensive reforms, cuts and additional revenue, most likely through taxes. "Obviously, it is a huge, huge deficit," said Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Granholm.

Further budget cuts hurt school funding

As Michigan's financial crisis mounts and the deadline to balance the 2006-07 budget draws near, East Lansing schools along with districts across the state could face major cuts. Currently, the state is facing an estimated $600 million shortfall in the General Fund and a $202.8 million shortfall in the School Aid Fund, or SAF. The SAF represents money promised by the state to school districts, collected through the sales tax. Part of the problem facing schools and school funding is the recession the economy has been enduring, said Rep.

Program decreases suspensions

The Lansing School District's Restorative Justice Program was awarded an award from the Michigan Association of School Boards.

Police briefs 05/23/07

ELPD's motorcycle unit features bigger Harleys

The East Lansing Police Department's motorcycle unit will be issuing speeding tickets and regulating parades in style this year after the purchase of four new Harley-Davidson bikes. The Electra Glide motorcycles have few differences than the ones the department purchased last year, but they do boast much larger and more powerful engines, said East Lansing police Sgt.

Lawmakers push for a no-helmet legislation for Mich. motorcyclists

Some lawmakers and interest groups are pushing for the removal of the state's motorcycle helmet law. Under the proposed legislation, motorcyclists would not be required to wear a helmet if they are over 21, operated a motorcycle for two or more years, completed a safety course and carry $20,000 worth of insurance. If requirements are met, riders would be eligible to purchase a $100 sticker they would display on their bikes. The helmet law is keeping about $1.2 billion in revenue out of Michigan, said Rep.

MSU trustee celebrated

As an MSU student in the 1950s, George Perles went on a rebound date with a girl who had just broken up with her boyfriend. Just before the date, she and the guy got back together. Perles, now an MSU trustee wasn't completely out of luck.