Live News Updates for Sept. 25-Oct. 1
Two sessions of “Precincts, Pollbooks & Proposals” will be held next week.
As the Nov. 7 city elections draw closer, the East Lansing City Clerk has announced plans for an informational voter engagement event and the community is invited to attend.
“Precincts, Pollbooks & Proposals: An East Lansing Community Conversation Around Elections” will include both daytime and evening sessions to be accessible to a wider audience, a city press release said.
The first session will be Monday (Oct. 2) from noon-2 p.m. and the second on Thursday (Oct. 5) from 7-9 p.m. Both sessions will be held at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road. Attendees are asked to arrive promptly and RSVP to mwicks@cityofeastlansing.com or call (517) 319-6914.
“The presentation will look back on how elections functioned a decade ago then follow the changes that have come with Propositions 2018-3 and 2022-2, ending with a rundown of what to expect going forward,” Interim City Clerk Marie Wicks said. “I encourage questions and hope for a lively couple of sessions. We are so excited to offer this information for local voters!”
Additionally, staff from the City Clerk’s office will be on site with applications for election inspectors, absentee voter (AV) ballot applications, voter registration forms and more, as well as being available to answer questions about voting and elections.
Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/elections to learn more about voting and elections in the City of East Lansing.
Reported by Julie Seraphinoff (Friday, Sept. 29, 2023)
The second Salaam Peace Festival is Saturday.
The Islamic Center of East Lansing at 920 S. Harrison Road will celebrate its second Salaam Peace Festival on Saturday (Sept. 30) from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Part of the wider-celebrated PeaceQuest, the festival is free to all, but registration is required.
Like last year’s celebration, Muslim culture and food from several countries will be highlighted and 50 percent of the profits will benefit the Refugee Development Center in Lansing. Restaurant vendors will include East Lansing eateries Sparty’s Kabob, Sultan’s Mediterranean Cuisine and Tabooli.
According to organizers, attendees can learn from Muslim cultural exhibits and participate in crafts and activities, such as henna tattoos, calligraphy, face painting and balloon twisting.
Reported by Dustin DuFort Petty (Friday, Sept. 29, 2023)
Absentee ballots for Nov. 7 election are on their way.
As of Thursday (Sept. 28), the East Lansing City Clerk’s office has absentee ballots available for the Nov. 7 election.
According to a press release from the city, voters who applied for an absentee ballot earlier this month will receive their ballot in the mail within a few days.
Voters who wish to vote absentee in this year’s election may still submit an application to receive a ballot through the mail or in person at East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road. Applications for absentee ballots may be requested from the City Clerk’s Office in person or by phone at (517) 319-6914. Voters may also request an absentee voter ballot online from the Michigan Voter Information Center at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication.
Those voting by absentee ballot have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to return their ballots to the City Clerk’s office in person or using one of the ballot drop boxes at the following locations:
- East Lansing City Hall north lot, 410 Abbot Road
- East Lansing Department of Public Works, 1800 E. State Road
- MSU-CATA Transportation Center, 592 N. Shaw Lane
- East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road
Drop boxes are checked daily by authorized staff from the City Clerk’s office. Voters are reminded to be sure to sign and seal envelopes when returning ballots.
Voters with questions or concerns regarding ballots or elections in general, should contact the City Clerk’s Office directly.
“Providing education to voters and clearing up any election misinformation remains a high priority for the City Clerk’s Office,” the press release said. “The City Clerk’s Office staff are happy to address any questions or concerns voters may have.”
Voters may contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6914.
Reported by Julie Seraphinoff (Friday, Sept. 29, 2023)
Parks & Rec Commission hears details of lights to be installed downtown.
The public may notice a brighter nighttime in the future as lights are installed in downtown East Lansing areas. At the Wednesday (Sept. 20) meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, EL Community & Economic Development Specialist Matt Apostle shared plans for the new fixtures.
The lights will be installed at William Sharp Park at the corner of Abbot and Albert in the downtown area. City staff have worked with Matrix Consulting Engineering, Inc. from Lansing, to explore options.
Six large light columns will be installed at the park, each totaling 13.5 feet in height. The top portion of each column, starting at nine feet up, will be lighted. See details of the plans here.
“They will be sturdy, above eye-level and relatively-vandal proof,” Apostle told the commission. “The light will be [visible from] 360 [degrees] and the first application of this type of light in the area.”
He noted the color of the lights can also be changed if the city wants more festive options.
The city continues to consider lighting installations for Grove Street between Albert Avenue and Linden Street.
Reported by Dustin DuFort Petty (Friday, Sept. 29, 2023)
This week it is ELHS’s turn for Homecoming. The parade is Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m.
East Lansing High School (ELHS) is celebrating Homecoming on Friday (Sept. 29) with a parade and invites the community of East Lansing to join.
The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will follow a 1.7-mile route through the city. The route is:
- South on Old Hickory Lane
- West on Burcham Drive
- South of MAC Avenue
- East on Albert Avenue
- North on Bailey Street
- West on Burcham Drive
- North on Old Hickory Lane
These streets will be closed beginning at 4:45 p.m. and reopen at approximately 6:30 p.m. The East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) will be on site to ensure a safe celebration. See a map of the route here.
Following the parade, the ELHS Varsity Football Team takes on Everett High School beginning at 7 p.m. in Lynn C. Adams Stadium.
Reported by Mya Gregory (Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023)
Police are asking community members for information on a suspected road rage incident.
The East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) is investigating a possible road rage incident from this past weekend in which one individual was shot. The department announced Tuesday (Sept. 26) it is seeking information from the community that may lead to the assailant.
The shooting incident occurred at 11:50 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 23). ELPD was notified of a shooting 14 minutes later at 12:04 a.m. on Sunday (Sept. 24). The original information received by ELPD was that the incident occurred at M.A.C. and Grand River avenues.
Upon further investigation, ELPD determined the shooting occurred on Coolidge Road north of Saginaw Street where the victim was receiving medical treatment at the scene. The individual was transferred to Sparrow Hospital and released with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect is a white male, in his mid- to late-20s, with long, blond hair worn in a bun with a mustache and medium-length blond beard. The suspect’s vehicle was a silver, four-door sedan, possibly Toyota, with an unknown Michigan license plate number.
ELPD is asking community members who may have witnessed this crime or have additional information to contact ELPD Detective Jason Cotton at (517) 319-6842.
Although there is no suspect at this time, ELPD believes there is no immediate threat to the public.
Reported by Julie Seraphinoff (Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023)
ELPD Responds to Man Reportedly Carrying Long Gun.
The East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) responded to a man who had reportedly been carrying a long gun and was experiencing a mental health crisis, as reported by WILX on Monday (Sept. 25).
Officers responded to the man at the 1700 block of Haslett Road and found he no longer had the gun, according to WILX. While the man was not pointing the weapon at anyone or making threats, he was arrested for his own safety and the safety of officers. No injuries were reported.
Responding to an email from ELi, ELPD Captain Chad Pride said officers responded at 12:47 p.m. and confirmed the man was taken to receive mental health treatment. Pride said the man was transported to Sparrow Hospital and that ELPD social workers will be reaching out to him to provide resources.
Reported by Lucas Day (Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023)
October is a busy month at ELPL.
Throughout the month of October, the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) is offering a variety of weekly programs.
- Mondays: 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Maker Mondays (kids and families).
- Tuesdays: 10:30-11:15 a.m. – ToddlerTime (kids); 4-4:30 p.m. – Kids Crafternoon (kids); 4:30 – 5:30pm: Animation Club (kids and teens ages 8+).
- Wednesdays: 5 -6 p.m. – Read to a Dog (ages 6-14); 5-6 p.m. – Community Writing Center (all ages).
- Thursdays: 10:30-11:15 a.m. – BabyTime (kids); 4:30-5:30 p.m. – LEGO Thursdays (kids and families).
- Fridays: 10:30-11:15 a.m. – Preschool StoryTime (kids); 3-4:30 p.m. – Super Smash bros League (teens).
In addition to these weekly programs, ELPL is hosting a myriad of other events for adults, teens and children.
For adults, the library is holding a Books on Tap event from 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 10 where adults can join the team at Reno’s East to drink and discuss “The Boat People” by Sharon Bala.
ELPL is holding a variety of other book clubs for adults, including reading and discussion of “Carmilla” by Sheridan LeGanu, “Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Sciences”by Jessica Hernandez and “Carry Me Like Water” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.
For teens interested in library events, ELPL has many options throughout the month of October. Some of these include Chill, Chat and Craft, where students can make slime, and a Witchy Watch Party, featuring the movie “Hocus Pocus.”
For more information on other events, visit the East Lansing Public Library website.
Reported by Mya Gregory (Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023)
Register by Tuesday for Shaarey Zedek Introduction to Judaism class
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing is offering an introductory course this fall for any community members who want to learn about the faith.
“It’s for a variety of people,” Rabbi Amy Bigman said. “People interested in converting to Judaism, ministers of other faiths who want to learn more; we even had a group of people who had taken a trip to Jerusalem and wanted to learn more once they return.”
Participants will learn about Jewish holidays, theology, and more. The eight-week series will be taught by Bigman and will cost $36 for non-synagogue members. To register before the Tuesday (Sept. 26) deadline or for more information, email rabbibigman@shaareyzedek.com.
“City of East Lansing” Spam?
One of our readers received an email, purporting to be from the City of East Lansing, asking him to verify his email address.
Spam? Or a phishing scam attempting to trick East Lansing residents?
It’s actually on the up-and-up.
ELi reached out to East Lansing’s Communications Director Carrie Sampson to determine the message’s authenticity.
“It actually is an email from the city,” Sampson said, “asking people who use the city’s website for various reasons to register their email address. We had calls from several people who had received the message.”
From the East Lansing Insider Saturday Mailer: What’s Going on in East Lansing?
The ELHS track is definitely still open to the public.
An ELi reader reached out to ask if the track at East Lansing High School (ELHS) is still open, seeing that several “no trespassing” signs had been hung in the area. ELi reached out to Laura Scott, the ELHS Secretary of Athletics to learn more.
“The track is still open for community use,” Scott said. “However, we’ve had instances of people jumping the gate when the track is closed, which is why the “no trespassing” signs went up.
The track is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Another busy week has come and gone, with Michigan State University celebrating homecoming and several major developments in city government.
ELi published Investigative Reporter Alice Dreger’s story on why so many employees have left the city ranks. The wide-reaching investigation took months to complete and shines a light on internal communications from city hall. The full story can be read here.
This special investigative report was made possible by donors to the ELi Investigative News Fund. Join them today!
There were a couple major developments at City Council this week.
Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty broke down why Council denied Hagan Realty’s request to rezone seven properties on Grove Street. Once again, several residents from the area spoke out against the project before Council eventually passed on the rezoning request.
Additionally, the meeting marked the start of a new era in the city, as Robert Belleman’s contract to become the next city manager was approved. Council members welcomed Belleman to the city ranks, and he encouraged East Lansing residents to get to know him before making judgements after he was removed from his last position as Saginaw County controller.
In the schools, City Desk Editor Luke Day brought a story about the East Lansing Parent Advocacy Team (ELPAT). The group consists of adults who hope to assist the district in moving past last year’s troubles and into a brighter future. ELPAT contributors can frequently be heard from at Board of Education meetings if there is an important vote.
Four city meetings and the ELIPOC workshop are on the calendar for next week.
Looking ahead, there will be four city meetings next week. There is a planning commission meeting scheduled Wednesday (Sept. 27). The next day (Sept. 28), there are three meetings on the docket, as the Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Building Board of appeals will all gather. When meeting agendas are released, they can be found here.
Besides the regular city meetings, next Saturday (Sept. 30) the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Committee will be hosting a “Best Practices for Use of Force in Policing” community workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at the Hannah Community Center and is open to anyone who lives in or visits East Lansing.
For live news updates from this past week including previews of some upcoming events, check out the ELi Now column on the East Lansing Info website. East Lansing Insider members get these updates directly to their emails before they hit the ELi website.
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