Live News Updates for Oct. 16-22
City is looking to pull the license for Spin scooters in East Lansing.

City Attorney Anthony Chubb announced at the Tuesday (Oct. 17) City Council meeting that the city is looking to pull the license that allows Spin to operate in the city. The electric scooter company has caused problems in the city for, among other reasons, not finding a way to keep their products out of the Red Cedar River.
During public comment, President and Founder of Michigan Waterways Stewards Mike Stout addressed the issue.
Stout said scooters and bicycles being discarded into the river is a major problem. While the issue of bikes being dumped into rivers is not a new issue, the lithium ion batteries that power the scooters presents a new, larger threat to the environment.
Since December 2022, Stout said his group has recovered 289 scooters from the Red Cedar River, primarily near the Bogue Street bridge. Stout said that all but 30 of the scooters belonged to Spin. He said he had reached out to Spin to try to find a solution, but was met with indifference.
“WIth your help, we’re going to solve this long-standing problem,” Stout said to Council.
He said his group was working to create awareness and deterrence programs. He said they’ve had collaborative discussions with members of Lansing and East Lansing governments, Michigan State University (MSU), as well as civic and MSU clubs. The group plans to launch its campaign on Nov. 11.
Stout said that the campaign will include creating signs and posters to spread awareness and stewardship pledges to encourage environmentally friendly behavior. He also recommended deterrence measures like creating “Safe Zones” to place scooters that are not near the river.
During the city attorney report, Chubb said that in order to operate in the city, electric scooter companies need to be licensed through the clerk’s office. Spin is currently licensed but, because of environmental threats and mobility concerns, the city is looking to revoke Spin’s license.
Spin has filed a notice of appeal.
“The appeal is pending,” Chubb said. “As soon as we have the hearing on that, a hearing officer has been appointed, then the scooter license will be permanently revoked from Spin scooters. So, I expect that to happen within the coming month or so.”
Reported by Lucas Day (Friday, Oct. 20, 2023)
Safe Halloween event is Thursday on M.A.C. Avenue.

The Michigan State University Fraternity and Sorority Life is bringing back its Safe Halloween event to M.A.C. Avenue from 5-7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 26). During the event, there will be activities, haunted houses, musical performances, candy for all attendees – young and old – and each sorority house on M.A.C. Avenue will have festive games.
The organizers said in a press release they want to provide the East Lansing community a safe alternative to Trick-or-Treating. Safe Halloween also allows for chapter houses to raise money for a community building philanthropy project.
This is a family-friendly event and open to the public. There is no charge to participate so community members of all ages are invited to attend. People from surrounding communities are also welcome and encouraged to join the festivities.
Reported by Eli Taub (Friday, Oct. 20, 2023)
ELPS is seeking applicants for an Equity Advisory Committee.
The East Lansing Public Schools (ELPS) District is seeking applicants to be a part of its new Equity Advisory Committee.
The announcement from the school district said ELPS is seeking applicants who are school board members, district administrators, community members, parents or guardians of currently enrolled students, high school students, middle school students and ELPS staff members.
Members of the Equity Advisory Committee will assist the East Lansing Board of Education in several ways, including making recommendations on district policies, assisting with the school’s equity audit and analyzing data to track progress toward district goals.
The school district said it is looking for members with the following attributes:
- Open-mindedness
- Willingness and ability to collaborate with all members
- Ability to be a representative of a larger entity of individuals
- No specific or individual agendas
- Deep interest and investment for equity advancement in ELPS
Applications are due Friday (Oct. 20). The application and a full description of responsibilities can be found here.
Reported by Lucas Day (Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023)
Premier Dance Studio holds ribbon-cutting event at new East Lansing location.

Premier Dance Company held a ribbon-cutting event on Oct. 1 at their brand new, renovated space at 4050 Hunsaker Drive, East Lansing.
Premier Dance Company, originally based in Haslett and owned by Ashley Dempsey and Alyssa Mulligan., enters its ninth Season. The studio is considered a leading dance program for recreational and competition dancers.
PDC has seen success on the national stage – winning top spots at many dance nationals, according to a press release to ELi from Dempsey. The Premier Dance website shows the studio offers a variety of dance styles taught by instructors who specialize in or are certified to teach in those styles.
Dempsey and Mulligan bring over 25 years of experience to their students. They have a track record of competitive excellence, as well as recreational student development.

“PDC has seen success on the National stage – winning top spots at many Dance Nationals,” Dempsey wrote. “Premier Dance offers a variety of dance styles taught by instructors that specialize in or are certified to teach in those styles.”
Dempsey went on to write that, with their staff, the studio is built around a personalized approach to teaching that “ensures dancers of all ages and levels get the attention they need to grow in the art of dance.”
“PDC Programs are uniquely designed to promote safety, teach proper dance technique and injury prevention in a fun and supportive environment,” Dempsey said. “PDC is thrilled to be a part of the East Lansing community and looks forward to meeting families in the greater Lansing area!”
For more information about Premier Dance Company go to the studio’s website.
Reported by Julie Seraphinoff (Monday, Oct. 16, 2023)
From the ELi Now Saturday mailer: What’s Happening in East Lansing?

It’s hard to believe, but we’ve already reached mid-October and the season of ghosts, costumes and trick or treating. Adding to the exciting fall feeling, this next week the city gears up for the home-matchup between Michigan State University and the University of Michigan football teams Saturday (Oct. 21).
For the ELi team, last week was another week of preparing readers for the Nov. 7 elections. We highlighted the responses to short answer questions ELi sent to each of the eight City Council candidates. The questions and responses are here:
- Do you support moving city elections from odd years to even? Why?
- What do you plan to do to help retain city staff?
- What is your vision for development in the downtown area and the need for affordable housing going forward?
Additionally, ELi asked candidates if they plan to vote “yes” or “no” on the three ballot initiatives voters are being asked to decide on in the November election. While voters will decide to approve or not approve the ballot initiatives (not the new Council), candidate responses help to give voters insight into their stances on important matters in the city. Here is that report.
You can see more election details and guides here.
Outside of election coverage, City Desk Editor Luke Day brought a report on the Oct. 4 East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission (ELIPOC) meeting. At the meeting, commissioners discussed ELIPOC’s goals for the next six months.
Additionally, Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty covered Monday’s (Oct. 9) Board of Education meeting. The four-hour long meeting saw J. Estrella Torrez named as the new board trustee and a discussion about a separation agreement with physical education teacher Dennis Petrowitz. The long-time MacDonald Middle School teacher was suspended last spring for using the N-word while addressing students, and was suspended again last month for an “unprofessional verbal interaction” with a student and staff member. East Lansing Education Association (ELEA) President Mark Pontoni made some strong statements to the board during public comment.
Reporter Eli Taub delivered a report on the Human Rights Commission’s determination that DTN had violated a former tenant’s civil rights. The commission had been discussing the complaint for close to a year.
What’s ahead this week?
Also this week, it appears that Tuesday’s (Oct. 17) City Council meeting will bring a long-awaited decision on whether or not to allow a workforce housing building to be constructed over a surface parking lot at 530 Albert Ave. The proposed project dominates the business portion of the agenda. The project was also discussed at the Oct. 3 Council meeting. Dustin’s coverage of the meeting can be read here.
There are several other city meetings besides Council this week. The Commission on the Environment will meet today (Oct. 16). The University Student Commission will gather Tuesday (Oct. 17). The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission convenes Wednesday (Oct. 18). And Thursday (Oct. 19), the Arts Commission will meet. Agendas for the meetings can be found here.