Fink Resigns from ELPS Board; Special Meeting Being Held Today to Discuss Filling Her Seat
Public comment is on the agenda for the 12:30 p.m. meeting. Comments about the suspension of the middle school teacher are anticipated.
Public comment is on the agenda for the 12:30 p.m. meeting. Comments about the suspension of the middle school teacher are anticipated.
ELi Now is a column from the East Lansing Info reporting and editorial staff, created as a space to provide live updates of East Lansing news. Current top story: “Precincts, Pollbooks & Proposals” will be held next week.
ELi Now is a column from the East Lansing Info reporting and editorial staff, created as a space to provide live updates of East Lansing news. Current top story: The ELPD is partnering with the faith community for a coat drive.
City Council will vote on the contract at their Tuesday meeting.
ELi Now is a column from the East Lansing Info reporting and editorial staff, created as a space to provide live updates of East Lansing news.
Current top story: Spartan Appreciation Day at the ELFM is Sunday.
The seed donor for ELi’s new Investigative News Fund has let us know we can release his name. The fund has reached almost $5,000 in two weeks.
ELi Now is a column from the East Lansing Info reporting and editorial staff, created as a space to provide live updates of East Lansing news.
Current top story: ELIPOC to hold community workshop.
ELi Now is a column from the East Lansing Info reporting and editorial staff, created as a space to provide live updates of East Lansing news. A fresh column will land on our front page each Monday and be updated throughout the week.
The loss of surface parking is the chief objection of critics. But the owners of the land say the lot is going to be redeveloped one way or another.
Commissioners also discussed during the Aug. 2 meeting reported incidents of ELPD officers looking in parked cars and seeing guns.
Your local team of reporters and editors have been in overdrive recently working to keep the community informed with deep and time-consuming investigative work.
ELi Now is a new column from the East Lansing Info reporting and editorial staff, created as a space to provide live updates of East Lansing news. A fresh column will land on our front page each Monday and be updated throughout the week.
The meeting where Robert Belleman was fired from his job as Saginaw County’s controller included strong public statements for and against his termination, a recording obtained by ELi shows. Two commissioners who voted for termination spoke with ELi.
Gregg doesn’t have the power to formally call for revisiting the vote. Only Mayor Ron Bacon and Councilmembers Dana Watson and Noel Garcia can do that.
The controversial amendment proposing changing City Council elections from odd- to even-numbered years was ruled to conflict with the Home Rule City Act.
Four other charter amendments have made it to the ballot, including one that’s confusing even to Council.
Two candidates say they would have voted for Tim Dempsey, one shows disbelief, others are pragmatic and two haven’t yet responded to ELi.
There was wide support for internal candidate Tim Dempsey in written communications and public comments. “This is a farce. This is an absolute farce,” one member of the community said after the vote.
DTN’s attorney told the EL city attorney this was never about discrimination – it was always just about the money.
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All candidates responded to 21 questions from council members before going into interviews before city staff and then attending an evening reception at the Hannah Center.
ELi has learned East Lansing Public Schools Board Trustee Amanda Cormier has tendered her resignation from the board. A special school board meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. today (Aug. 4) to develop a process for her replacement. Cormier won her seat in November 2022, along with Trustees Terah Chambers, Kath Edsall and Tali Faris-Hylen,…
View the packages using the links provided in the story; the interview process begins Monday (Aug. 7) at the Hannah Community Center.
Some departments have been hit harder than others after numerous key employees leave for other jobs or retire.
The five semi-finalists were chosen from a pool of 14 applicants; only six of the applicants live in Michigan.
After an unanimous vote of support, Adult Services Librarian Angelo Moreno has been offered the position of interim director of the East Lansing Public Library.
The East Lansing Human Rights Commission continues to discuss the possibility of vending machines that dispense emergency contraceptives, although the path to making it happen remains murky.
There’s no topic quite so contentious as parking downtown, as became evident at Thursday’s DDA meeting.
The deadline for filing for candidacy in the East Lansing City Council race passed today at 4 p.m. and it looks like there are either seven or eight candidates running for the three open seats on the November ballot. Interim City Clerk Marie Wicks told ELi at 4:54 p.m. today, “I can confirm that Mark…
Long-anticipated opening of the Abbot Road branch was celebrated during a July 21 event featuring music, local foods, and speakers from the credit union, university, city and more.
Five candidates accepted and two alternates approved to take part in a full day and evening of interviews scheduled for Aug. 7.
It appeared as though voters would be deciding in November whether or not to expand the East Lansing City Council from five to seven members – briefly. Mayor Ron Bacon had started reading the final item on the business agenda at the Tuesday (July 11) City Council meeting when City Attorney Anthony Chubb interjected. “I…
The nonprofit organization teaches the game of football, but also promotes “sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, responsibility, and self-discipline.”
The Congregation Shaarey Zedek community can’t help but feel fear and uncertainty as antisemitic sentiments increase nationwide.
Retired teacher helps launch GoFundMe for her former student. Girl’s family encourages advocacy and awareness for those with disabilities.
Council discussed new strategies for the future when making deals with large developers.
The East Lansing City Council will look for an interim director for the East Lansing Public Library while library trustees will orchestrate a search for a full time candidate.
Rideshare company to provide Lansing-area residents transportation to Michigan Flyer.
New moderation policy is centered on our dedication to readers trusting us to be responsible.
The list of candidates continues to grow, but no word yet if Bacon and Gregg are running for reelection.
Eleven library staff members spoke about their jobs and responsibilities, stressing “libraries work because we do.” The union staff is currently in contract negotiations.
Commission Chair Erick Williams calls the April 2022 police shooting at Meijer a “learning opportunity” and offers recommendations for the future.
All Saints Episcopal Church and Edgewood United Church will donate $100,000 to the Justice League of Lansing.
Six retiring educators and staff and the Michigan Lottery Educator of the Year recipient were all recognized during the June 12 meeting.
A small but spirited crowd gathered to recognize the day in 1863 the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free.
Two new commissioners and ELPD Lt. Adam Park made their first appearances at the police oversight commission meeting.
After a closed session, the commission voted unanimously to ask Council to use its subpoena powers to investigate DTN in a civil rights complaint.
A local resident pushed the school district to open the facility for regular public use.
The official grand opening of the renovated Patriarche Park pickleball facility is Thursday but, once the nets went up last week, there was no stopping the enthusiasts from playing.
The annual meeting is a chance to celebrate the center’s work and honor community members and students.
Weeks after being advised by Lansing’s deputy mayor that giving cash away to a local charity violates state law, East Lansing’s mayor supported another $5,000 donation by his city. And why did former city manager George Lahanas start two “nongovernmental” charities from City Hall?
We published fresh news today…but not here.
“When I was a young man, I didn’t really appreciate what Memorial Day meant,” Interim City Manager Randy Talifarro told those gathered.
River Caddis Development’s exclusive deal is facing expiration on July 17; the DDA will ponder the new “collaborative approach” for the next 30 days.
A resolution was passed recognizing and honoring the lifesaving actions of first responders and those impacted by the mass shooting on the MSU campus.
ELPL Board of Trustees and Director Kristin Shelley have back-and-forth exchanges during two-hour meeting.
Peck graduated from Michigan State University in 2004 with a degree in journalism and a specialization in public relations, and her career has spanned marketing, fundraising, and nonprofit management.
We’re not (just) working from an anonymous complaint, and this is not the first time we’ve looked very closely at local officials’ actions.
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Also on the full agenda was approval of board minutes, a new patron code of conduct and much more.
The annual drive, Movers for Moms, is dedicated to collecting necessities for mothers in need.
The staff at Blue Owl Coffee contacted ELPD after numerous high-stress encounters with the man.
No Mow May, recycling, conversation starters and ways to take action are all part of the annual spring event.
Incident has led to a special investigation by the library board and complaint to the EL Human Rights Commission.
The Brookfield neighborhood’s covenant still includes discriminatory language.
Company hopes to make travel between cities easier for college students.
Find out what’s happening at ELi (and hurry if you want to join us tomorrow night).
The city attorney said the investigation was stalled because he couldn’t reach a key person involved. ELi reached her by phone last night.
Thanks for all your support of this local news service team, East Lansing!
Superintendent Dori Leyko gave a detailed update on security measures that have been implemented in the district.
This article tells you about the job and why ELi’s Board of Directors is making this move.
ELi’s Board thanks Ray Vlasin for his exceptional service during a difficult time and looks forward to working as a new leadership team.
Public expresses mixed views about the road conversion, but transportation commission unanimously approved the project.
When should law enforcement decide not to respond to a 911 call?
City officials say they cannot block installation of the towers because of a state law.
Interim director of human resources also gives notice joining a wave of people leaving city jobs.
Council members and city officials make emotional statements in the aftermath of the MSU mass shooting.
One week later, community continues to find ways to heal and speak out.
Students and other members of the community gathered on Wednesday to mourn and to vow to take action.
MSU sophomores waded through scary misinformation while barricaded in their dorm room.
ELi brings you this rundown of what is happening today, to keep you informed about delays and closures along with opportunities for public grieving and private support.
Greater Lansing is coming together to help students, staff and residents navigate the unfathomable.
New board members are well-versed in ELi operations and goals.
We’re asking your patience while we work out the bugs at our website.
Learn about ELi’s operations, income and expenses for 2022 in this annual transparency report.
Photos and videos of the individual have appeared across social media.
An inside look at what’s happening at ELi.
We’d love to see you at our event on Wednesday, Jan. 25!
This is a breaking story and may be updated.
East Lansing’s Human Rights Commission is asking if others think they were discriminated against by DTN. In this report, ELi looks at how the big student housing market impacts housing options for other demographics in East Lansing.
ELi brings you a report on what you might have missed at Council last week and what’s coming up this week, including discussion of the small cell towers being constructed in neighborhoods and the traffic caused by the Starbucks drive-thru on Grand River Ave.
The special session of East Lansing’s City Council was held on a holiday weekend and was not broadcast or recorded for the public. Find out from ELi what the candidates said.
Local law students, attorneys and notaries are teaming up to help people move past old, nonviolent convictions. Learn more from ELi’s Al Hargrave-Jackson.
“From the beginning, your honors, in the circuit court and before this court, this case has been a farce,” ELi’sattorney Brian Wassom said. “This is an exercise of Mr. Chapelle’s vanity and vendetta parading as a defamation claim.”
Oaths of office, election of officers, parents’ concerns about play spaces and fighting, and a hint of future district policies. ELi brings you the news.
The request to conserve water ended about 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12. Earlier in the day, City of East Lansing has released more information on the water distribution problem.
The mayor said he wants to “send out the clarifying call that we are that shining city on the hill.” But Councilmember Brookover said he thinks this will do little additional good, and could harm.
Both votes passed on a 3-1 split, with a third motion failing. What happens now? Find out from ELi.
ELi obtained the information via the leak of an internal communication. Tom Fehrenbach’s departure adds to the turmoil in the city’s leadership.
Council will convene for a special session on Saturday morning. The five candidates will be interviewed, and then a winner will be chosen.
East Lansing and Meridian water authority customers are asked to refrain from high uses of water while main transmission line is repaired.
ELi filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain the applications, so members of the public can see them in advance of Council’s vetting and decision. What did the people who want to be seated on East Lansing’s Council give as their qualifications and reasons? Find out.
“Is that the sun, or is it just me?”
A reader has asked ELi to investigate. So, we just checked the National Weather Service’s website and also looked outside, and we can confirm: the sun is out in East Lansing – for the first time since last year.
Want to learn a lot about East Lansing city government? The deadline to apply to participate in the 2023 Emerging Leaders Program has now been extended to Jan. 13.
City of East Lansing staff say more than 50 new “small cell” towers may be coming around town.
The retiring school board president and vice president honored during Dec. 12 meeting.
More units of housing, but fewer residents. And a more diverse populace. What else changed about East Lansing from 2010 to 2020?
Thanks to you, we did it! ELi’s Annual Campaign raised over 78% of what we anticipate will be ELi’s total budget for 2023 ($175,000). This means we can focus our efforts on doing what we came to do: reporting the news for you.
ELi’s supporters have raised over $134,000 to keep the news coming in 2003. Remaining matching funds run out at midnight on Dec. 31. Find out how a commitment of $10/month gets us $240 closer to our goal!
We let you in on what’s coming at ELi in January and February.
ELi brings you the names of who will be considered. Soon, we’ll also be bringing you their applications.
What are we expecting to cover in 2023 for East Lansing? Here’s a rundown.
We took your questions about traffic patrols, downtown robberies and assaults, crime-solving and more to East Lansing Police Captain Chad Pride. Today, we bring you the answers.
Congregation Shaarey Zedek remains cautious during this time of increased hateful ideas.
So many options!
What’s going on with the City of East Lansing’s pension funds? How much money is marijuana bringing in taxes? What’s going on with the city’s income tax? ELi follows the money and brings you this special report.
Following an acrimonious debate between City Manager George Lahanas and Councilmember Dana Watson, East Lansing’s deer cull has been put on hold and will be discussed at Council’s next scheduled meeting, Jan. 10, 2023.
It’s easy to wonder how many lives would be different had Ball lost his bid against an incumbent in 1992. He won by 69 votes, and the rest is local history.
OK2SAY, a state-wide reporting program, is one tool being used by the school district.
What the DDA decides this Thursday could determine not just whether River Caddis Development obtains a special deal that will exclude other developers, but also what gets built next downtown and how much longer the DDA will prolong its bond debt. ELi catches you up.
The 146-page report prepared by CNA was presented to City Council at the Dec. 6 meeting.
East Lansing residents who are registered voters are invited to apply for the seat being vacated by Lisa Babcock.
The four-hour meeting included honors for retiring Judge Richard Ball, discussion on EL becoming a sanctuary city and much more.