General News
ELi Moves Forward Towards Relaunch
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ELi is looking to restart reporting on East Lansing in early September. Read about the plan and how YOU can help make it happen.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: Taxes, Sewers, Social Workers, Parking Tickets
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In this edition of Ask ELi, we bring you answers on tax assessments, the sewer system, ELPD social workers, and unpaid parking tickets.
Arts & Cultures
East Lansing Art Festival Poster Showcases Symbolic Beaver as Unsung Ecosystem Hero
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The upcoming East Lansing Art Festival features local artwork and artists. Sarah Spohn spoke with artist Sara Pulver to learn more about her work for the festival.
Government
Oversight Commission Requests ELPD Release Meijer Shooting Footage Within a Week
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The Independent Police Oversight Commission passed a motion to advise ELPD Chief Kim Johnson to release police video footage of the officer-involved shooting at the Lake Lansing Meijer. Heather Brothers reports on last night’s meeting.
Arts & Cultures
East Lansing Reveals Mental Health Murals Years in the Making
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New artwork in downtown East Lansing aims to prioritize mental health awareness. Sarah Spohn reports.
Schools
School Board Approves Curriculum Changes, Contract With Teachers
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The School Board unanimously approved a new curriculum for teaching about HIV and AIDS, a high school-led trip to Germany, and a new contract with the teachers’ union. Al Hargrave Jackson reports.
Government
Two ELPD Officers Involved in Shooting at Lake Lansing Meijer on Monday Evening [UPDATED]
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It’s unclear from a City press release if one or both officers fired shots at the individual, who was transported to a local hospital. The two officers involved are currently on paid administrative leave as the Michigan State Police investigate.
Government
What Can We Learn From ELPD Use Of Force Reports?
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Andrew Graham is joined by Heather Brothers to discuss use of force reports and the Police Oversight Commission. Give a listen!
City Council
Council Votes 3-2 To Let Developers Walk Away From Promised Affordable Housing Near Valley Court
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A caveat in the original development deal seemingly left Council with two options that it saw as less than ideal. The bottom line remains that affordable housing development in Valley Court is now on ice. Andrew Graham reports.
Government
After Having BWL Franchise Fees Struck Down In Court, Council Adopts New Legal Strategy
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The City’s specific legal strategy is under wraps due to attorney-client privilege, but ELi’s Andrew Graham explains the franchise fee, the lawsuit, and the recent ruling.
General News
‘Prime Time,’ A Staple Among EL Seniors, Turns 50 This Year
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The seniors program, which started as a joint venture between the City and East Lansing Public Schools, offers a bevy of services and programs for local seniors. Emily Joan Elliott reports as the program turns 50.
Development
Parking Meter Rates Set to Increase in July. Violation Fines May See Hike Too.
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Prices for parking at meters and City-owned ramps and lots may increase this summer. City staff is also calling for Council to consider a hike in fines for parking meter violations. Clay Oppenhuizen and Emily Joan Elliott explain why.
City Council
East Lansing Insider: Why Did City Council Discuss A Moratorium On New Greek Houses?
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Andrew is joined by Emily Joan Elliott to talk about the discussion at City Council about potentially putting a hold on issuing new SUPs and site plans for Greek houses. Give it a listen!
Schools
Two Years After Pledging to Increase DEI Efforts, Here’s Where ELPS Stands
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Following the murder of George Floyd, ELPS administrators vowed to undertake new efforts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Where does the district stand on meeting those goals?
Development
East Lansing Insider: An East Lansing Development Roundup with Alice Dreger
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Andrew is joined by ELi’s Founder, Alice Dreger, for a discussion about various projects going on downtown and around town, plus what can be done to boost a downtown. Check it out!
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: How Does East Lansing’s Geography Affect Home Maintenance?
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In the latest Ask ELi to Investigate, Emily Joan Elliott explores how the marshy environment of East Lansing can affect local homes.
City Attorney
East Lansing Insider: A Review of the City Attorney Hiring Process
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After a more than six-month-long process, the City of East Lansing finally has new City Attorneys. Some of the ELi team recaps the process in this episode of the pod and discusses the changes in how the City will be represented.
City Attorney
Tie Vote At Council Nixes Application To Establish A Fraternity on Ann Street
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Council member Brookover’s arguments against approving a Special Use Permit to establish a fraternity at 532 Ann St. resulted in a 2-2 split vote, meaning the SUP was not approved, as many non-student residents expressed concern about the impact of student housing, especially, fraternities and sororities, on their communities.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: A Fence on Campus, Basketball Hoops Unlocked, and Construction On Burcham Drive [UPDATED]
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ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott brings a few pieces of news and a noteworthy PSA about construction on Burcham Drive.
General News
How Can You Apply for an East Lansing Board or Commission?
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Find out how you can be more involved in the City of East Lansing by applying to a board or commission. Clay Oppenhuizen reports.
General News
More Women Among City’s Highest Paid Employees Due to Promotions, Retirements of Men
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A series of Freedom of Information Act requests from ELi show how some changes in the City’s workforce mean women are more represented as the highest earners. Emily Joan Elliott reports.
Community Disparities
Spark in the Dark Group Encourages People to Help Others
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Nonprofit Spark in the Dark is a network that connects people in need to neighbors that can help. Sarah Spohn spoke to Executive Director and Founder Abagail McKiernan to learn more.
Development
East Lansing Insider: What’s All This Discussion About The Northern Tier?
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In this episode of The Insider, Andrew and Emily go in-depth on the recent discussions at City Council and Planning Commission regarding the Northern Tier. It’s a discussion ranging from land use to town-gown relations, so give it a listen!
ARPA
Council Discusses Changes to ARPA Funds, Anticipates Vote to Allocate Millions Next Week
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During a presentation, the City Manager proposed using ARPA funds for three new projects. Council may vote next week to allocate more than $4 million of its ARPA funds. What will the money be spent on?
General News
Council Approves Contract for City Prosecutor in 4-1 Vote As The Mayor Called Out A Bungled Process
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The contract approval comes after a months-long search for new legal representation for the City of East Lansing. Emily Joan Elliott reports.
Schools
School Board Approves Policy Changes About Recess, Suicide Prevention, And More
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The School Board unanimously voted to adopt five new policies on Monday as it reviews and revises its new policy manual. Al Hargrave reports on the policy changes.
General News
Discussion of Complaints and Use of Force Pushed Again as Police Oversight Commission Focuses on Data Collection, Administrative Tasks
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The Commission decided to delve into complaints and use of force reports beginning in April. Heather Brothers reports for ELi.
East Lansing Schools
ELHS Students Recognized for Representing Ukraine at Model UN Conference
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Several ELHS students recently attended the Mid-American Model UN Conference in Kalamazoo. How did they do?
Government
How MSU Plans To Keep Tabs And Hold Accountable Those Exempted From Its Sophomores-On Rule
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As MSU prepares for requiring sophomores to live on campus this upcoming academic year, University officials consider how they might exercise greater control over the behavior of registered student organizations and associated individual students. What might this process, including collaboration with City authorities, look like?
Development
East Lansing Insider: A Discussion with Dan Bollman about Zoning, Housing and Affordability
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Andrew is joined by Dan Bollman to discuss the state of housing in East Lansing and delve into some of the various ways the City could alter zoning or other laws to, potentially, make housing more affordable and accessible in East Lansing. Listen in!
Housing
Planning Commission Ponders Forming Committee To Explore Housing In The Northern Tier
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In the latest discussions about what to do with the Northern Tier regarding planning and housing, East Lansing’s Planning Commission discussed forming a specific committee to study the area and consider what could be done. What might the next steps entail?
General News
Small Number of East Lansing Residents Have Special Election Coming in May
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The election applies to the small number of East Lansing residents who live within the boundaries of the Lansing School District. Emily Joan Elliott reports on that and the bond proposal they’ll be voting on.
City Council
Council Approves “Streamlined” Policy For Outdoor Restaurant Seating, Settlement in FOIA Lawsuit
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Council re-upped a policy that streamlines the process for restaurants to apply for expanded outdoor seating, but the big news about the City’s settlement in a FOIA lawsuit was buried in the consent agenda. Andrew Graham reports.
Arts & Cultures
Slew of New Exhibits Coming to MSU This Spring
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A whole host of upcoming local exhibits are coming to East Lansing this spring. Sarah Spohn gives you the info on what’s out there!
Arts & Cultures
What Artspace’s Feasibility Report Tells Us About Downtown East Lansing
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One of the proposed locations for a development of affordable housing geared toward creatives is Valley Court Park. Emily Joan Elliott digs in to what else is in the feasibility report and what we can learn.
Development
East Lansing Insider: Talking Town-Gown Relations As MSU Moves Ahead with the Sophomores-On Rule
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Andrew is joined by ELi’s Alice Dreger to talk about where things stand regarding MSU’s sophomores-on-campus housing rule and other related issues. Listen in!
Arts & Cultures
Multimedia Production Studio Hopes to Be a Starting Point for Community Creativity
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Alicia and Joshua Southern, owners of Risky Studios, share what motivated them to open a creative, co-working, multimedia production studio, featuring 775-square-feet of equipment rentals for all types of dreamers, doers, and thinkers.
finances and taxes
A Refresher On East Lansing’s Income Tax As Returns Are Due in May
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Returns are due on or before May 2, 2022. If you worked in the City of East Lansing in 2021, you’ll likely be required to file. Find out how and more from reporter Clay Oppenhuizen.
General News
Located: East Lansing Teen Missing [UPDATED]
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Seventeen-year-old Aireona Alexis Smith has been located.
COVID-19
Why Did the School Board Hold a Vote on a Policy That Was Already in Place?
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Superintendent Dori Leyko announced an almost identical policy nearly two weeks ago, but the Board held an official vote due to language in the recently approved policy handbook. What did the four trustees present have to say about the policy?
City Council
Council Approves Evaluation Form In Preliminary Step To Assess the City Manager’s Job Performance
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The evaluation is supposed to occur prior to May 31, 2022, according to the contract. Al Hargrave reports on the first steps in City Manager George Lahanas’ coming evaluation.
Arts & Cultures
DDA Approves Around $150K For EL Fresco, Nixes Lease With Tenants In Bat-Infested Property
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The DDA approved a budget amendment to support the Albert EL Fresco, but some DDA members had questions about the large figure. Andrew Graham reports on that and the bat infestation at a DDA-owned property.
General News
East Lansing Insider: Where Do We Stand As The Omicron Variant Recedes?
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Andrew is joined by Emily Joan Elliott to talk about the current stages of the pandemic, how different things are now from early 2020, and where things might be headed next. Listen in!
East Lansing Schools
Concerning Social Media Post Results in Police Presence at ELHS Today
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A letter sent to East Lansing High School families, staff, and students from the administration notified families that local law enforcement would be present at the school this morning, Feb. 25, following a concerning social media post made last evening.
Development
Planning Commission Talks Northern Tier, Handles 3 Frat Applications and A Marijuana Approval in First Meeting of 2022
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At its first meeting of 2022, the Commission dealt with three frats, an application for a Special Use Permit for a dispensary to sell recreational marijuana, and discussed plans for a City lot on the Northern Tier and the near-term housing action plan.
Government
Council Approves Contract For Municipal City Attorney, Defers Hiring Prosecutor
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Council approved a contract for the Giamarco, Mullins and Horton law firm to serve as municipal legal counsel but deferred approving a contract for the prosecutorial position due to confusion over the proposed hourly rates.
Arts & Cultures
First-of-its-kind Autism Museum Opens in Okemos
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The Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation unveiled the Meridian Mall Autism Museum this month, making it the first museum of its kind. Sarah Spohn reports.
General News
Parks & Rec Advisory Commission Talks New Trails, More Food Trucks, and a Grant For Placemaking
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As it was the first meeting of 2022 for the Commission, they elected a new chair and vice chair. Al Hargrave reports.
Community Disparities
The City’s Workforce Shrunk In the Last 2 Years, With Notable Attrition of Black Employees
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The City currently has 64 fewer employees than it did on Dec. 31, 2019 — and the departures have been most prevalent among Black employees. What else did ELi find out about changes in the City’s workforce?
east lansing police
East Lansing Insider: After Covid Pause, City of East Lansing Gets Back To Meetings
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The City of East Lansing resumed public meetings this week after pausing meetings outside of City Council during the omicron surge. On this episode of the Insider, the ELi team digs into what some of the boards and commissions have been up to as the City gets back to action.
Arts & Cultures
Local East Lansing Band Releases Full-Length Album
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A local alternative rock band made up of ELHS students recently released a full-length album. Sarah Spohn reports.
City Council
Council Weighs In On What To Do With City-Owned Property In Northern Tier and City’s Financial Future
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Council discussed plans for marketing and development of a City-owned property in the northern tier. What might we expect to see there?
COVID-19
School Board Discusses Removing Masks, Standardized Testing
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ELPS will continue to require masks through at least mid-April. The Board also discussed a new Black American history course, standardized testing, and more.
Environment
What Did ELi Learn from Its Snow Removal Survey?
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Following the winter storm on Feb. 2, 2022, ELi created a survey to gauge how well streets had been cleared after several reader questions. What did we find out?
City Attorney
What Does the Attorney General’s Opinion On the Open Meetings Act Mean for East Lansing’s Public Bodies? [UPDATED]
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The ELPS School Board weighed the benefits and setbacks of increasing options for public comment at its Feb. 14 meeting.
east lansing police
Police Oversight Commission Moves To Ensure Public Access To Police Oversight Information
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The commission unanimously approved a motion that directs City Staff and the police to ensure information that the Oversight Commission will be working with is available to the public. Heather Brothers reports.
COVID-19
Ask ELi: How are local daycares implementing Covid protocols?
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Why is there so much variation in how daycares are implementing Covid-19 protocols and handling exposures? Clay Oppenhuizen reports for ELi.
General News
Andrew Wells, East Lansing High School Principal and Longtime Educator set to Retire After 33 Years
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Wells started working in the district as a lunchroom monitor and paraprofessional, serving in a multitude of roles before eventually being named the principal at ELHS. Al Hargrave reports.
General News
East Lansing Insider: A Closer Look At EL’s Responsible Hospitality Council
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How do a group of downtown East Lansing liquor license holders work to promote safe, responsible fun? Andrew talks to two EL bar and restaurant owners about the RHC and what it does. Listen in!
General News
More Than 1,000 East Lansing BWL Customers Without Power, Including Two Elementary Schools
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Robert L. Green and Glencairn Elementary schools are without power and heat, and parents have been asked to call and release their children from school early. Andrew Graham reports on the outage.
City Attorney
Council Enters Contract Negotiations With Two Firms for Municipal Counsel and Prosecutor Roles, Respectively
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Council delegated the negotiating duties to City Manager George Lahanas, who will come back to Council for final approval on the respective contracts after negotiations. Andrew Graham reports.
General News
Has Your Street Been Plowed?
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After the record snowfall last week, some East Lansing residents are still waiting for their streets to be plowed. Take ELi’s survey on the progress of the snow removal and learn more!
MSU
MSU’s Sophomores-Live-On Policy Creates New Leverage Over Greek Houses
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MSU has seriously changed the game for housing sophomores at fraternities and sororities in East Lansing. ELi’s Andrew Graham connects the dots to bring this special report.
Deer
East Lansing Insider: MSU’s Dr. Alexa Warwick Goes In-Depth On East Lansing’s Deer Cull
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Andrew is joined by Dr. Warwick, from MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr. Warwick has worked with the City on the deer culls — specifically working with the community and learning their tolerances for deer. Listen about that and more!
Elections
Council Member and School Board VP Running for City’s 54B District Court Judgeship
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How did ELi find out both were intending to run? What else do we know about the 54B District Court elections? Emily Joan Elliott reports.
public safety
No Street Parking Until Friday, ELPS Closed Again on Thursday: Winter Storm Updates
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ELPS will remain closed on Thursday. ELPL will not open until 12 p.m. tomorrow.
COVID-19
Unions Renew Push For ARPA Hazard Pay To City Employees Who Risked Covid Exposure [UPDATED]
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Despite City Council approving “retention bonuses” for employees, some unions are pushing for employees who endured more Covid risks to get bonuses for that work. Al Hargrave reports.
Deer
City Says Cull Complete, 79 Deer Removed
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The City of East Lansing’s deer cull has come to an end, resulting in the removal of 79 deer over the course of four evenings in January, according to a press release from the City.
General News
East Lansing Insider: Recapping the East Lansing City Attorney Search To Date
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Andrew and Al Hargrave talk through what has happened in the search for a new City Attorney, to date, and get into what the Council might be looking for in their new counsel. Take a listen!
General News
ELPS Bus Driver on Administrative Leave Following Incident Yesterday
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A 911 call was placed yesterday concerning the behavior of a school bus driver. Here is what ELi found out from ELPS, ELPD, and Dean Transportation.
City Council
East Lansing Government Won’t Say Who Keeps Canceling All These Public Meetings
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While other local municipalities continue with business as normal, East Lansing’s own government is nearly halted, supposedly over Covid concerns. But who made that decision? ELi’s Alice Dreger reports that we don’t know, still.
City Council
Anti-Nepotism Law to Be Considered by East Lansing’s Council Would Allow for Exceptions (UPDATED)
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What will count as prohibited forms of nepotism in the City of East Lansing, and why is the law just coming into effect now?
COVID-19
Outdoor Facilities Upgrades Coming to ELPS in 2022
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The athletic field and tennis courts at ELHS will undergo significant renovations this summer, and remaining bond money will be used to create outdoor learning spaces at the elementary schools. Al Hargrave provides a School Board round up.
COVID-19
Federal Medical Team to Help Sparrow with Covid Staffing
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The team of up to 25 medical staff will arrive on Feb. 7, making Sparrow the sixth Michigan hospital to receive such assistance. The news comes as Ingham County reports some if its highest daily case counts, over 200 people hospitalized, and 18 deaths last week.
Center City District
East Lansing Insider: Ali Haider Discusses the Ins and Outs of Running 7-Elevens in East Lansing
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When one thinks local business, 7-Eleven doesn’t readily come to mind. This week, ELi’s Andrew Graham hopes to change that thinking with an interview with Ali Haider, who has owned and operated the downtown 7-Eleven for more than five years. Listen in!
City Council
What Have East Lansing’s Hired Lobbyists Been Up To?
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At Tuesday’s Council meeting, a representative from McAlvey, Merchant & Associates updated Council on the firm’s successes advocating on behalf of the City at the State Capitol, but at least two Council members called for clearer communication between the lobbyists and Council.
Government
Interviews Are Done But Council Defers Winnowing Down City Attorney Applicant Pool
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After conducting the final interview for the open City Attorney position, City Council decided to postpone a discussion on selecting top candidates until its Jan. 25 meeting. The decision was made in part due to Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg’s absence after she contracted Covid-19 last week.
City Council
Seeking Support on Evergreen Redevelopment Concept, Developer Instead Gets an Argument at Council
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As the debate heated up, Jessy Gregg called George Brookover and Lisa Babcock “a bummer,” suggesting they don’t believe in East Lansing’s economic recovery. Andrew Graham reports for ELi.
Podcast
East Lansing Insider: Digging Into The Covid Realities At East Lansing High School
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ELi’s Andrew Graham interviews a teacher and two students from East Lansing High School about their in-the-halls experiences with Covid-19. Listen in.
finance and taxes
City Staff Set to Get Covid Bonuses From ARPA Money After Pushback
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Full-time employees working for the City of East Lansing on Feb. 6, 2022, will receive a $2,000 bonus, and part-time workers will receive a $1,000 bonus, with a total of about $675,000 in tax dollars to be used. The intent is to reward and retain current employees.
Schools
EL School Board Addresses Covid Challenges With New President
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The ELPS School Board unanimously voted to make Kate Powers president in 2022, as the district faces high numbers of absenteeism at ELHS and challenges from the more transmissible Omicron variant.
City Council
‘First Come, First Served’ Check Valve Reimbursements Approved: Sign Up ASAP (UPDATED)
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East Lansing’s City Council approved the use of $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to reimburse property owners for the cost of installing check valves. More information on how to obtain the reimbursement has now been issued by the City.
COVID-19
New Year Sees a New View of the Coronavirus by Ingham County Health
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Ingham County has hit its highest caseload for one week, but rates of vaccination remain static. The Health Department will pivot at some point to approach Covid-19 more like the flu. But right now, 28 people here are on ventilators because of the coronavirus.
Development
What’s the State of Marijuana Retail In East Lansing?
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What’s been the result of marijuana retail sale regulation in the City of East Lansing? ELi’s Andrew Graham reviews the scene and tells you what’s coming.
COVID-19
East Lansing Insider: Taking Stock As The Covid-19 Pandemic Hits Year 3
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On this episode, Andrew and Chuck are joined by Emily Joan Elliott to delve into the current state of the pandemic. Give a listen!
COVID-19
As Pandemic Drags Out, ELPS Grapples with Balancing Student Emotional Wellbeing and Physical Health
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With the arrival of Omicron, how will the district balance protecting students from both Omicron and the detrimental effects of social isolation, just as students were adjusting to in-person learning?
City Council
How The City of East Lansing Turns Device Giveaways and Private Contractors into Ways to Deny Records to the Public
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What’s going on when ELi seeks a public record a source has told us exists yet the City of East Lansing claims there are “no records found”?
COVID-19
With Covid Surging, Huge Absentee Rate at ELHS, and the City of East Lansing Is Taking Emergency Actions
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Hundreds of students are reported absent at East Lansing High School, while the City cancels meetings and restricts access to the public library. Meanwhile, the City Manager defends the absence of a vaccine mandate for City workers, including police officers and ELFD paramedics.
City Attorney
East Lansing’s City Attorney Search Poised To Run Through End of January
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Council will interview the candidates for City Attorney on Jan. 13, but the entire process may run through the end of the month. The City might also hire 2 attorneys: one to act as prosecutor for the District 54B Court and one to act as legal counsel for the City.
Investigative Reporting
How Well Funded Is East Lansing’s Pension System? It Depends on the Numbers You Pull
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Why is Council being told the City’s pension system is 56% funded when the State believes it’s at 51%? We go beyond the graphs presented by the City’s auditors to explain this and a whole lot more.
Podcast
East Lansing Insider: Taking A Look At What’s To Come in 2022
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Andrew and Chuck are joined by Emily Joan Elliott and Alice Dreger to talk about the stories that the ELi reporting team expects to follow in 2022. Give it a listen!
City Council
Nichols v. City of East Lansing: A Lawsuit to Watch
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What counts as a “public record” when it comes to the cell phones, tablets, and computers used by East Lansing City Council members in the course of their work as elected officials? That’s the central question in an ongoing lawsuit here.
Caring for Each Other
Two EL Churches Trying to Provide Faith-Based Reparations to Greater Lansing Black Community
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Two East Lansing churches are looking at providing faith-based reparations to the Black community in the Greater Lansing area. The idea has recently come for discussion to East Lansing’s Human Rights Commission.
General News
Yet-To-Be-Installed Security Cameras Provide a Glimpse into East Lansing’s Politics and Policy
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The DDA recently approved spending up to $40,000 of public money to install security cameras downtown. But even before installation, these cameras offer a look into the current state of East Lansing politics and policy on a number of issues. Alice Dreger reports.
East Lansing Public Library
Library Workers Sign Contract, as Building Repair Costs Hit $1.4 Million (and Counting?)
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Recently-unionized East Lansing Public Library workers and the administration have signed a contract. Meanwhile, repair costs at the library continue to skyrocket, now reaching twice the originally-accepted bid. What’s going on?
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: Mail Thieves and Comcast Refunds
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What can residents do to prevent their mail from being stolen? And what can residents affected by the Comcast outage do to get a refund for loss of service? We bring the answers in this Ask ELi Grab Bag.
finance and taxes
Despite Calls For Covid-Related Bonuses To City Staff, East Lansing’s Draft ARPA Plan Leaves Them Out
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UPDATE: At last night’s meeting, Council supported a motion by Council member George Brookover asking the City Manager to look into using ARPA funds for extra pay for “all unelected part time and full time City employees.”
Development
DDA Votes to Evict the Bats and Stay the Course on Office Dream for Evergreen Properties
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Yet again, the publicly-owned Evergreen Properties and their possible redevelopment formed the main topic of discussion at the latest meeting of East Lansing’s Downtown Development Authority. What happened? Only ELi brings this news.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: A Stolen Statue, Two Development Questions, and Problems with Verizon Cell Coverage
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Are those Verizon towers in Bailey functioning? What happened to a little statue at the softball complex? And, of course, we bring you a couple of development updates in this Ask ELi Grab Bag!
General News
Ding, Ding, Ding! We Have Hit TWO-THIRDS of Our Goal!
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We are SUPER excited to bring you this fundraising update and to thank the 24 new donors who stepped up this week to unlock a $1,000 bonus for ELi!
Schools
School Board Discusses Oxford Shooting, Student Safety, Other Issues
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At its first meeting since the school shooting in Oxford, Michigan, the ELPS School Board discussed student safety and a host of other issues, including finances, a new policy handbook, and curriculum changes. Al Hargrave delivers your School Board round up.
Policing
ELPD Promises Robust Cooperation, Commission Wrangles with Logistics
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East Lansing’s Independent Police Oversight Commission has still not examined the police department’s use-of-force reports from October or November despite meeting twice already. But the group did press ELPD officers on issues of racial bias, transparency, and cooperation at the Commission’s second meeting on Monday.
Government
Interview Date for the 7 City Attorney Applicants is Set by Council
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City Council member George Brookover, a finalist for the City Attorney position in the last go-around, shared his opinions of how to manage the selection differently this time as the City Council looks to replace Foster Swift.
Development
Greek Night: Planning Commission Deals With Bevy of Fraternity Matters
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East Lansing’s staff has decided to require special approval for new or newly-occupied frat and sorority houses, but “will not be applying the requirement retroactively.”
Your ELi
Chappelle Is Filing an Appeal – And Our Team Will Keep Working for You
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We bring you an update and tell you about our Weekend Warrior campaign to keep ELi going throughout 2022!
General News
East Lansing Insider: The Uphill Climb For Transparency In East Lansing
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Andrew and Chuck are joined by ELi’s Executive Director and Publisher Alice Dreger to delve into the overall issues of transparency in the City of East Lansing. Listen in!
City Council
Ask ELi: What’s Going On With The City Attorney Search?
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It’s been over three months since East Lansing’s City Council decided to look for a new City Attorney, and five law firms have submitted proposals to take on the role. What’s going on with all this?
public safety
MSU Police Say Divers Continue to Search for Brendan Santo’s Body
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The search continues for the missing 18-year-old Grand Valley State student, contrary to circulating rumors today of a body being found. Police divers are searching the Red Cedar River near Sparty.
Development
Redevelopment of the City Land Sold on eBay Appears Back On Track for Marijuana Dispensary Plan
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City Council approved a new letter agreement with the would-be developers of 2040 Merritt Rd., the former DPW headquarters property that the City quietly sold via eBay in 2019. What will be built there now?
Government
The City of East Lansing Keeps Withholding Public Information: When Will Things Change?
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ELi faces a persistent lack of transparency and thus an unnecessary uphill climb in our efforts to report on what your local government is doing — including with your money. ELi City Desk reporter Andrew Graham brings the story.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: What Does the Grand-Jury Indictment of Developer Scott Chappelle Allege?
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The federal Grand Jury returned a 21-page indictment in June 2020, including eight criminal counts, with some involving East Lansing businesses and real estate here and elsewhere. ELi explains.
Environment
East Lansing Insider: What’s Next For East Lansing’s Water Infrastructure?
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After multiple presentations to the public from the City about water infrastructure, Chuck Grigsby and Andrew Graham talk about the ongoing sanitary and storm sewer debate in the City of East Lansing. Give a listen!
Government
Lahanas Hits the Gas on Stinky Sewers in Chesterfield Hills
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On Monday, ELi reported on the stench that residents say they’ve suffered for decades. On Tuesday night, the City Manager announced that now the City is taking immediate action.
Government
DDA Approves More Surveillance Downtown, While Chair Cautions Against ‘Big Brother Culture’
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The DDA voted in favor of funding more cameras to be used by ELPD, but not before a lively discussion about privacy and how to welcome people downtown.
COVID-19
Covid Is Surging, Flu Is Spreading, and Alarmed Sparrow Hospital Nurses Are Voting on a Possible Strike (UPDATED)
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The local healthcare infrastructure is showing signs of extraordinary stress, as Covid numbers here are surging upward, the flu is spreading, and Sparrow Hospital healthcare professionals –exhausted by the pandemic experience – are seeking better working conditions. Emily Joan Elliott reports.
infrastructure
South Chesterfield Hills Residents Are Fed Up With The Smell of Poop
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“For the amount of money we pay in taxes each year, in comparison to similar houses in other cities, this situation is unacceptable,” wrote one couple to the City of East Lansing, echoing the feelings of their Chesterfield Hills neighbors.
public safety
Alcohol Suspected of Contributing to MSU Student Death This Morning
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ELPD and ELFD responded to a call to a house this morning where four people were unconscious. One died at the scene, and the three others were taken to Sparrow Hospital.
City Council
East Lansing Insider: Welcoming Chuck Grigsby As A Regular On The Pod With A Police Transparency Discussion
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Grigsby recently ran for City Council and helped form the Police Oversight Commission. He joins the Insider as a regular voice this week, along with Andrew Graham. Listen in!
Policing
East Lansing Insider: Discussing The Police Oversight Commission, Student Perspective On Couch Burnings
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ELi reporters Andrew Graham, Heather Brothers, and Jack Timothy Harrison dive in to some recent ELi reporting on couch burnings and policing. Give it a listen!
Policing
Mayor Bacon Joins Gregg’s Push for Culture Change on MSU “Celebrations”
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Alcohol cases at Sparrow’s ER surged, as officers faced a “more destructive” than usual crowd. Newly installed Mayor Ron Bacon is backing Jessy Gregg’s call, saying what’s needed is “a united front against destructive, malicious and dangerous actions.”
Community Disparities
East Lansing Football Team Subjected to Obscenities, Racial Slurs at South Lyon, According to Parents and Players
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ELi’s Andrew Graham spoke with ELHS players, parents, and the district’s athletic director about what happened, what they felt, and where it all goes from here.
Schools
School Board Discusses Covid, Student Conduct
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ELPS continues to grapple with issues related to returning to school during a pandemic, including vaccinating students, addressing mental health stressors, and messaging good student conduct. Here’s the School Board meeting round up.
Policing
Police Oversight Commission Debates Relationship with ELPD, Use of Force Reports at First Meeting
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Should ELPD administrators attend the Independent Police Oversight Commission meetings? What information should be included in use of force reports? Here’s what the commissioners had to say at their first meeting.
Policing
Man Seen with Gun and Gunshot Noise Leads to Emergency Alerts In East Lansing
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Alerts sent out by MSU tonight indicated a man with a gun in the area of Woodmere and Grand River Avenues downtown. ELi brings you the latest and reviews the recent spate of violence in East Lansing.
Government
What Has East Lansing’s “Percent for Art” Law Cost and Brought to the City?
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East Lansing’s ordinance compelling some real estate developers to contribute art has not been without controversy. Seven years in, what effects has it had?
General News
East Lansing Insider: Attorney Brian Wassom Discusses The Now-Dismissed Lawsuit Against ELi
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ELi’s Andrew Graham is joined by attorney Brian Wassom, who successfully defended ELi in a recent defamation case. The duo discuss why the claims against ELi fell short of being capable of defamation and touch on how an anti-SLAPP law could’ve protected ELi from such a suit.
Policing
ELPD Investigates Separate Weekend Shootings That Left 2 Dead And Another in the Hospital
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Officers found two people dead from apparent gunshot wounds after responding to a call on Saturday evening, according to ELPD Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez. Later that evening, a shooting near the downtown CVS left someone hospitalized.
MSU
Students, MSU Officials Weigh in on Couch Burnings, Property Destruction in East Lansing
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While ELPD and MSU officials promise repercussions for burning couches and vandalism, MSU students tell ELi’s Jack Timothy Harrison how they view Saturday’s postgame events. The gap is clear.
Elections
Dana Watson, George Brookover, and Ron Bacon Elected to City Council
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With all 17 precincts in the City of East Lansing fully reporting, Dana Watson, George Brookover and Ron Bacon have been elected to City Council, according to unofficial Ingham County results.
Elections
Here Comes a New City Council, East Lansing
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It’s Election Day in East Lansing! Sitting around wondering what to do with yourself until you know who will get those three seats? We have ideas. Want to know more than the candidates’ own PR? We have facts.
Policing
Young People in Spartan Garb Set Fires, Commit Destruction after MSU Beats UM
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Young people mostly in Spartan garb set fires in EL neighborhoods after MSU beat UM in football. Police and fire officers were well outnumbered. ELi brings you video.
City Council
East Lansing Insider: A Final Discussion About the City Council Election
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Just ahead of the Nov. 2 general election, ELi’s Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger take to the pod and look back at the 2021 City Council race to date. Give it a listen!
Development
Case Dismissed: Judge Throws Out Chappelle’s Lawsuit Against ELi
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Ingham County Judge Joyce Draganchuk agreed with ELi’s attorney Brian Wassom that real estate developer Scott Chappelle had no case for defamation against ELi or its publisher Alice Dreger.
General News
Candidate Financial Reports Show Big Differences in Raising, Spending Money
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ELi looked through 118 pages of financial reports from candidates for the East Lansing City Council so you don’t have to. What do they reveal?
General News
ELPD Searching for Missing Woman (UPDATE: Located)
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Ashana Lamise Smith was last seen on Oct. 17 on the 100 block of North Harrison Road. She was wearing a red jacket, blue jeans, and blue Tommy Hilfiger sandals.
Community Disparities
Tensions Between Workers and Management Visible in East Lansing
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The controversy surrounding MSU’s request for faculty and staff to volunteer their personal time to work in dining halls is only the tip of the iceberg locally in terms of tensions between employees and management. What else is happening around town?
Policing
Debate Over Command Officers’ Contract Splits Council in 4-1 Vote
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Council approved the Settlement Agreement between the City and ELPD’s command officers in a 4-1 vote. Why did a Council member ask for discussion on the contract and ultimately vote against it?
Community Disparities
Hair-Based Discrimination, Raises for Council Taken Up at Last Council Meeting Before Election
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The City of East Lansing now prohibits hair-based discrimination, and the next City Council will see a slight increase in their pay. Lisa Babcock also reminded the community about her flooding town hall on Thursday. Find out about all this, the City’s litigation update, and more!
Community Disparities
ELPS Grapples with Student Misconduct, Masking
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According to teachers’, administrators’, and families’ anecdotal reports, aggressive behavior among students has been on the rise. What has caused this uptick? How is it being handled?
Environment
City Already Received $6M in Covid Relief. How Will It Spend the Funds?
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The City received the first payment of funds in May but has time before funds must be allocated and used. City Manager George Lahanas provided some ideas on how to use the money during a presentation to Council last week. What did he recommend? What did Council think of the draft plan?
Elections
Analysis: Voter Poll Brings the East Lansing City Council Race Into Clearer Focus
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With the City Council election just a few weeks away, ELi brings you the results of a poll conducted by Practical Political Consulting for East Lansing Info.
General News
As Chappelle’s Lawsuit Against ELi Proceeds, Judge Issues Two Rulings in ELi’s Favor
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Judge Joyce Draganchuk told real estate developer Scott Chappelle’s attorneys that their actions “smack of judge shopping.” She’s keeping the case in her court.
finance and taxes
Council Considers Using Federal Covid Relief To Aid Homeowners With Flood Prevention
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The City Manager recommended some Covid relief money be used to help some owners pay for backflow prevention measures. City Council also heard a presentation about the heavy rains on Aug. 12 and subsequent flooding. What did they find out?
Policing
Council Appoints Police Oversight Commission. Who Are the 11 Members?
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After reviewing 39 applications and conducting 37 interviews, representatives for the City of East Lansing selected 11 commissioners, and Council gave its approval. Who are the new commissioners?
Ask ELi to Investigate
Your ELPS Questions Answered
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Are the kindergarten classrooms at Marble smaller or the class sizes bigger? What’s going on with bus routes, bond money, and Burcham Drive? We answer your questions about East Lansing Public Schools in this Ask ELi Grab Bag.
Government
All the East Lansing News We Don’t Know Where to Put
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City Council candidate forums, the possibility of a new City Attorney, an issue of representation at the Arts Commission, and parliamentary procedure. Alice Dreger brings updates on all that and more!
Government
Council Member Pushes for ‘Second Opinion’ On Sewer Construction and Flooding in Glencairn
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Council member Ron Bacon said he wants an analysis from “someone who isn’t so closely tied to the project.” ELi’s Andrew Graham reports on the tense exchange at last night’s City Council meeting.
Development
Controversial Intersection Redesign Debated at Joint EL-Meridian Meeting
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The Transportation Commissions of East Lansing and Meridian Township met together to discuss the proposed reconstruction of the intersection of Lake Lansing Road and Towar Avenue. What might the new intersection look like? How much will it cost? What concerns were voiced?
Ask ELi to Investigate
Caught Between Local Governments, Flooded Homeowners Struggle for Answers
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On the eastern edge of East Lansing, five homeowners have spent weeks trying to figure out why the Aug. 12 rains flooded their basements with sewage. Weeks later, like most residents, they still haven’t gotten satisfying answers. Andrew Graham reports.
DDA
East Lansing Insider: East Lansing’s Evergreen Development Problem
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The Downtown Development Authority purchased the properties in 2009, hoping to sell them for downtown development projects, but over a decade later, the DDA still owns the properties. Alice Dreger shares the long history with Emily Joan Elliott.
Elections
City Council Election Forums Now Show Voters Differences in Candidates’ Views
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The Lansing Area League of Women Voters used ELi readers’ questions for their Council candidate forums, and now you can see the responses. Also: find out more about the live candidate debates coming up, hosted by ASMSU.
Ask ELi to Investigate
As Voters Seek to Discern Council Candidates’ Differences, ELi Asks Some Follow-Up Questions
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With the election a little more than a month away, ELi is bringing you information designed to help you see the differences between candidates.
Community Disparities
Twenty Covid Cases at Glencairn, Outdoor Learning Spaces, Financial Audit All Discussed at School Board
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The relatively high Covid numbers at Glencairn Elementary dominated discussions, but the School Board trustees also discussed how to use remaining bond money, a financial audit, and more. We bring you a round up.
finance and taxes
Commission Recommends Council Members Earn at Least As Much as Cafeteria Workers
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Several members of the special commission were concerned that, if the salaries of Council members are not increased, only people with relatively high economic privilege can afford to serve. ELi’s Amalia Medina reports.
Policing
Downtown East Lansing Stabbing Victim Suffers “Significant” Injuries; Suspect in Custody
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Another violent crime hit the Ann Street Plaza-area of East Lansing’s downtown this weekend after a fight broke out early Sunday morning. Here is what ELi has learned about the incident.
Arts & Cultures
Construction Continues at ELPL Amid Concerns About Increasing Costs
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The cost of library renovations could reach $1.5 million by the time the work is complete. The Library Board of Trustees is looking to Council for financial support.
Development
Scott Chappelle’s Federal Criminal Trial Pushed to May 2022
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“This is going to proceed and come to a conclusion,” the presiding judge told the court yesterday. ELi’s Andrew Graham reports on the latest in the Department of Justice’s case against a local real estate developer.
City Council
Under Foster Swift, the City Attorneys’ Advice Has Become Ever More Hidden from View
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Under the current City Council and City Attorney, it’s gotten even harder for citizens to see the City Attorneys’ opinions. ELi’s Andrew Graham explains the struggle for transparency.
City Council
Only East Lansing’s Mayor and Williamstown’s Supervisor Refused to Join Sheriff’s Rebuke of Prosecutor
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Elected Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth declined to tell ELi earlier this week who was with him and who against him on a controversial firearms issue. Now we know. ELi’s Heather Brothers reports.
Government
What Decisions Were Made at Tuesday’s “Discussion-Only” City Council Meeting?
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A lawsuit settlement, hair discrimination, food trucks in neighborhoods, controversially-confidential legal opinions, and more at this week’s East Lansing City Council. Catch up with ELi!
General News
Local Events to Help Refugees from Afghanistan and Elsewhere
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Local faith leaders, artists, and charitable organizations are offering many ways area residents can help refugees from Afghanistan.
City Council
City Council Says ‘No’ To Signing Off On Sheriff’s Rebuke of Prosecutor
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Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth has been canvassing municipalities in an attempt to get local leaders to sign onto his statement opposing County Prosecutor Carol Siemon’s reforms. Heather Brothers reports on his failure to convince East Lansing City Council to sign.
City Council
Big Changes Ahead for Valley Court Park Area
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A new apartment building and other big changes coming soon to the Valley Court Park area? Learn the latest from ELi’s Alice Dreger.
Policing
ELPD Participating in Training Focused on Intervention and Accountability
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ELPD was selected to participate in Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) training, after Police Chief Kim Johnson submitted a request for ELPD’s inclusion in the program. When will the training take place? What will it entail?
Development
Two Inches of Rain Fell Today, Flooding Northlawn Avenue With Misery Again
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“We’re wondering what’s going on, and why this is happening,” said one thirty-year resident of Northlawn Avenue today after the street was hit with extraordinary flooding again.
Your ELi
Your ELi: An Update on the Lawsuit Against ELi
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ELi’s Executive Director and Publisher brings you an update on the alleged-defamation lawsuit launched against ELi and her by real estate developer Scott Chappelle.
Development
Sewer Construction On Northlawn Avenue Didn’t Factor Into Localized Flooding, Says the City
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ELi’s Andrew Graham investigates what happened on Aug. 12 along Northlawn Avenue, and brings information about what you can do to help protect your home and belongings.
Development
East Lansing Insider: What We’ve Learned about The Big Flood of Aug. 11-12
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On this episode, Alice Dreger and Andrew Graham discuss the aftermath of the heavy rains on Aug. 11-12, and resulting floods. How are the residents who were hardest hit doing? What else did the duo discuss?
General News
Video: City of East Lansing Welcomes Back MSU Students With ‘Moonlight ExtravaGRANDza’
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The placemaking event brought droves of students to downtown East Lansing and included a mobile vaccine clinic from the Ingham County Health Department. Andrew Graham brings more.
Development
Developer Scott Chappelle Headed to Federal Criminal Trial, With New Lawyers
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Chappelle will be back in court on Sept. 22, when Judge Hala Y. Jarbou will set a trial date. Andrew Graham reports from federal court in Lansing.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: Mid-Century House Converted to “Recreational Building” in Whitehills?
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A reader asked about an unusual listing for a house in the Whitehills neighborhood of East Lansing with an asking price of almost $1.4 million. As a result, ELi brings you the story of how a house became an “accessory structure.”
DDA
MSU Students Targeted in City’s Welcome-Back Marketing
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On Monday night (Aug. 30), East Lansing’s downtown will transform into a “Moonlight ExtravaGRANDza” with music, games, and deals directed at MSU students. What’s up?
Policing
Who applied to be on the Independent Police Oversight Commission?
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The applications are in, and applicants are varied in background, area of expertise, and reasons for applying. What do we know about the applicant pool?
COVID-19
Covid Update: Linda Vail Lauds Local Schools and MSU Amid Rising Hospitalizations
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At a media briefing on Tuesday, Vail praised ELPS and MSU for Covid mitigation efforts and provided a general update on Covid in Ingham County, including increased hospitalizations.
Parks & Rec
It’ll Be Lights Out at the Patriarche Park Pickleball Courts, For the Time Being
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The power supply to the lights at the pickleball court was cut. Why? And why won’t there be repairs anytime soon?
Community Disparities
Debate over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at School Board on Eve of New School Year
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While the meeting largely focused on excitement about returning to school on the heels of the district’s unusually intensive summer offerings, a debate emerged during public comment about the district’s work related to equity and social justice. We bring you a round up of the Aug. 23 School Board meeting
finance and taxes
As East Lansing’s Unfunded Pension Debt Hits $100 Million, Meadows Calls for Making Income Tax Permanent
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New figures show that, despite the income tax, East Lansing’s unfunded pension liability is continuing to get bigger every year. But City Manager George Lahanas called the latest report “a very positive move in the right direction.” Why? Alice Dreger reports.
City Council
After Just Eleven Months With Foster Swift, East Lansing Is Looking For A New City Attorney
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Negotiations on a new contract hit a snag, according to Mayor Jessy Gregg. The search for the next City Attorney(s) will add even more shaking-up to East Lansing’s already-well-shaken City Hall. Andrew Graham reports.
MSU
Ordinance Changing East Lansing’s Rental Timeline Is Now Gone (Without Ever Taking Effect)
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A City ordinance that would have significantly altered the annual housing rental timeline here has been “deemed rescinded.” Andrew Graham reports on why and what it means.
Environment
Massive EL Rain Caused Sewer Backups Especially in Glencairn, Bailey, Shaw Estates
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Following the record-setting rain on the night of August 11-12, ELi surveyed readers to try to get a sense of where problems might have been grouped. What did we learn? Alice Dreger and Nathan Andrus report.
Arts & Cultures
PeaceQuest 2021 Set for September
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PeaceQuest Greater Lansing, the Lansing-area’s annual celebration of peace and justice, will take place this September. What will the month-long celebration entail?
News by the Numbers
The 2020 Census Shows East Lansing’s Population Fell – and That’s Bad News for the City
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2020 U.S. Census data shows that the City’s population fell by about 1.7 percent since the 2010 census, dropping from 48,579 down to 47,741. What does that mean for East Lansing?
finance and taxes
Don’t Like the BWL Franchise Fee? The City of East Lansing Argues You Can Just Stop Using The Grid
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In court on Thursday, the City of East Lansing’s attorney argued that the BWL franchise fee is not a tax and customers could opt out of using BWL’s service. Judge Wanda Stokes had questions about that.
Environment
With Flooding Widespread, City of East Lansing Offers Free Trash Pick-Up (with Stickers)
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ELi is receiving widespread reports of damage by the flooding caused by over 8 inches of rain in just a few hours. Here’s some important information about trash, electrical hazards, and more.
Development
A Tale of Two Houses: Adjacent and With Similar Violations, Though Facing Different Consequences
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Two student-rental houses faced similar citations — for noise, litter, and public health violations — but the outcomes turned out differently. Why? Andrew Graham reports from East Lansing’s Housing Commission.
Government
News Analysis: Are You On or Off East Lansing’s Political Power Grid?
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At the Council of Neighborhood Presidents’ meetings, your neighborhood could have the ear of locally powerful people. But are you represented there?
Elections
What questions do you have for East Lansing’s City Council candidates?
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What issues are guiding who you will vote for in the November 2021 East Lansing City Council race? We would love to hear from you as we develop questions to be used in our election reporting and in public candidate forums.
Development
The Housing Study, Plasticware (Redux) at The Graduate Bar, and Another New Hotel: Report from EL Planning Commission
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At the July 28 meeting, East Lansing’s Planning Commission discussed concerns regarding glassware usage at the Rock Bar, what to do with the Housing Study, and a proposal for another four-story hotel on the northwest side. Jack Timothy Harrison reports.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Could East Lansing Join the Capital Area District Libraries? Your ELPL Questions Answered
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In today’s Ask ELi to Investigate, ELi Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott digs into questions we’ve received about the East Lansing Public Library since her report on Monday regarding the library labor dispute.
Government
Transportation Commission Meets In Person to Discuss Abandoned Bikes, Community Outreach
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The East Lansing Transportation Commission met in person on Monday — marking the start of the return to regular in-person City meetings this month. How did they decide to handle abandoned bikes? What other transportation issues did they tackle?
Policing
An Update on the Shooting Downtown on Saturday
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Following a shooting in the early hours of Saturday morning in downtown East Lansing near Pinball Pete’s, ELi followed up with ELPD to ask about that incident and another shooting that occurred in May.
Community Disparities
East Lansing Public Library Workers Reject Contract, Continue Call for Better Conditions
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Employees in non-supervisory roles at the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) rejected a contract offered by the City because it did not include stipulations that the workers are fighting for. What are the workers hoping to receive? What happens next?
Community Disparities
City Council and ELPD Reticent on Newly Announced Prosecutorial Changes
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Several Ingham County police chiefs objected to Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon’s changes to traffic stop protocol. ELPD has not made clear how the changes will affect East Lansing.
General News
Debates Over Renaming Pinecrest and Covid Policies at School Board
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The ELPS Board of Education held a public hearing about changing the name of Pinecrest Elementary to honor Dr. Robert L. Green, a local civil rights leader. Others called in to voice concerns over possible Covid-19 protocols. We bring you the meeting roundup.
finance and taxes
Your ELi: The Country Mill Lawsuit
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The lawsuit that Country Mill filed against the City of East Lansing for allegedly targeting the owner’s religious beliefs is now being tried in federal court. We explain how we will be covering it and recap the story as it has evolved thus far.
Government
Molly E. Hennessey Greenwalt Appointed by Whitmer to 54B District Court Bench
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Hennessey Greenwalt, an East Lansing resident who serves as a commissioner with the Michigan Supreme Court, will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Andrea Larkin.
Elections
Local Association Invites Candidates to Host Events in Community
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The Southeast Marble Community Association (SEMCA) is inviting registered City Council candidates to host “meet-and-greet” community events at Hidden River Park. Why is the group holding the events? What can attendees expect?
DDA
River Caddis Gets 180-Day Extension As DDA Meets Following Jim Croom’s Resignation
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The DDA now has a new slate of officers: Chair Mike Krueger, Vice Chair Luke Hackney, and Treasurer Kristin Clark. Andrew Graham reports on that and more.
Environment
Has EL’s Tree Canopy Shrunk? We Might Find Out This Year
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“Tree planting in East Lansing is not keeping up with the tree cutting,” wrote one ELi reader. Is that true? Brooklyn Peppo reports for ELi.
DDA
The DDA’s Evergreen Properties: River Caddis Still Wants An Exclusive, But Now Artspace Is In the Mix
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River Caddis Development has had an exclusive agreement on the DDA’s Evergreen Properties for 15 months, with no significant movement forward. They want more time. But another potential developer is now on the scene.
Policing
East Lansing Insider: Overseeing Policing in East Lansing
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ELi’s Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger and reporter Heather Brothers speak with Dr. Cedrick Heraux, who served on the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission, about policing in East Lansing. Give a listen!
Policing
City of East Lansing Accepting Applications for Independent Police Oversight Commission
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The application is available online now through Aug. 1. Council intends for the Commission to represent the diversity of the community and plans to appoint 2 non-residents and 2 social workers or psychologists to the 11-person Commission.
FOIA
Judge Throws Out ELi’s FOIA Case Against City of East Lansing
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The Honorable Wanda M. Stokes sided with the City Attorney’s argument that the request was too broad but encouraged ELi to file a new request with more specific language. What else did Stokes have to say about the case?
Government
Council Approves Independent ELPD Oversight Commission, “Fair and Impartial Policing” Contract
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Council unanimously voted in favor of establishing an independent police oversight commission but engaged in a heated debate over other policing issues before approving a “fair and impartial policing” contract. What were the points of contention?
City Council
Council Will Negotiate New Contract with Foster Swift for City Attorney
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The discussion revealed points of satisfaction and dissatisfaction and involved talk of splitting the City Attorney contract into two parts. Why might Council go that route at some point?
Government
East Lansing Mayor Aaron Stephens Is Resigning; Jessy Gregg to Become Mayor
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Stephens announced at City Council tonight that he is leaving for graduate school. Gregg will rise to become Mayor, and Council will appoint another member, leaving only two elected representatives on the body of five.
City Council
East Lansing City Council Will Tackle Action-Packed Agenda This Week
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Big policing issues, parking for the Graduate Hotel, lawsuits involving the City of East Lansing, a new outdoor design for Harper’s – all this and MUCH more coming to Council this week. ELi tells you what’s on the agenda…and what’s missing.
Community Disparities
What ever happened following that open letter from the ELHS newspaper? And will Pinecrest be renamed?
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The staff of the ELHS newspaper called for a more inclusive and equitable district, but the town hall they called for didn’t happen. So what did? How might renaming Pinecrest Elementary honor local civil rights history?
Community Disparities
Approaching 50th Anniversary of East Lansing’s First-in-the-Nation Gay Rights’ Protection, Here’s What the City’s Records Do and Don’t Tell Us
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Almost 50 years ago, East Lansing’s City Council became the first elected body in the nation to protect gay men and lesbians from discrimination. But the landmark resolution is missing from City records. What do we know about East Lansing’s history of protections for LGBTQ+ people?
Community Disparities
East Lansing Moves to Remove Restrictions on Parking and Fireworks and Give Workers a Paid Holiday for Juneteenth
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After an ELi reader pointed out that ELPD was ticketing cars on Juneteenth when holiday parking rules should have been in effect, Mayor Aaron Stephens explained at last week’s Council meeting how those affected can appeal. How might the City honor Juneteenth in future years?
Development
Judge Moves Developer Scott Chappelle’s Lawsuit Against ELi to Ingham County Courts
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Chappelle’s civil case against ELi will continue now in Ingham County courts, while in Chappelle’s criminal fraud case, a federal judge has ordered that a doctor determine whether Chappelle is competent to stand trial. Andrew Graham reports for ELi.
Environment
East Lansing Looking Towards a New “Green Building” Policy
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The Commission on the Environment will meet this evening to discuss revisions to the City’s Green Building Policy and concerns expressed by some DDA members, particularly regarding tax incentives, cost, and economic impact. Brooklyn Peppo reports for ELi.
Caring for Each Other
EL School Board Round Up: Reflecting on the Year Past and the Year Ahead
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Will Pinecrest get a new name? Will school be in-person or virtual in the fall? When will food distribution happen? Is the track open to the public? Find the answers to these questions – and more – in the School Board round up.
City Council
Confidential Information? Subpoena Power? City Council Plans for Police Oversight
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East Lansing’s City Council is moving quickly to adopt a plan for citizen oversight of ELPD that will largely reflect what the Study Committee has recommended. What is expected? ELi’s Heather Brothers reports.
Policing
Neighborhood Resource Specialists Assist ELPD in Resolving Civil and Long-Term Issues
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Since December 2020, ELPD has had a Community Engagement Team that consists of three neighborhood resource specialists and two social workers. Ann Kammerer speaks to Tonya Williams, the lead Neighborhood Resource Specialist for ELPD, to find out more about the work the specialists are doing in East Lansing.
Investigative Reporting
Emails Reveal Prosecutors and Police Struggled With Technology and Schedules as Now-Exonerated Man Sat in Jail
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East Lansing Council member Lisa Babcock says she obtained the same set of emails via FOIA and “found them deeply disturbing.” What do they show? ELi’s Andrew Graham reports.
Policing
Study Committee on Police Oversight Present Report and Recommendations to City Council
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Representatives from the committee, including the chair and vice chair, presented the nearly 250-page document that includes a report and recommendations for an ordinance to establish a permanent oversight commission. The presentation also included information on the overrepresentation of Black people in interactions with the police, issues of trust, and more.
Arts & Cultures
The Coffeehouse at All Saints Concert Series Returns to In-Person Shows
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After hosting many virtual live streams during the pandemic, The Coffeehouse at All Saints is back in-person. ELi’s Christopher A. Wardell speaks to Steve Findley, curator of the performances, about the upcoming event on Friday, June 11.
City Council
Slim Council Majority Votes Through New Leasing Regulation – But It’s Contingent on Lansing and Meridian Following Suit
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In an unusual and somewhat tense split vote, Aaron Stephens, Jessy Gregg, and Dana Watson voted in favor, while Lisa Babcock and Ron Bacon voted against. Why? ELi’s Andrew Graham reports.
Policing
Formal Recommendations for Police Oversight Commission Will be Presented to Council Today
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East Lansing’s Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission will present its findings and recommendations to City Council today. Heather Brothers reports on the Study Committee’s final discussions, which included concerns over transparency and cooperation between a future oversight commission and the City, including ELPD.
Development
MSUFCU Seeks to Demolish and Reconstruct Northside Drive-Thru
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What’s MSUFCU’s latest branch revision plan, and why does it require a Special Use Permit from the City of East Lansing? ELi’s Jack Timothy Harrison reports.
General News
Gas Line Rupture Led to Emergency Evacuations in Oakwood on Thursday
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A contractor was laying cable for Zayo when a gas line was ruptured. The leak was significant, with the scent added to the gas easily detectable a block away. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
Development
Developer Scott Chappelle Sues ELi for Reporting on His Criminal Indictment, Business Practices
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According to ELi’s attorney Brian Wassom, “Plaintiff Chappelle is one more in a long line of disgruntled criminal defendants using state defamation and tort law as a weapon to retaliate against journalists doing their duty to keep the public informed on matters of public concern.” Andrew Graham reports.
Policing
A Deeper Look at the East Lansing Police Department Budget
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City Council expressed interest in the ELPD budget, but then passed what had been presented. What can we discern in that budget about ELPD policing for East Lansing? Nick Sly reports for ELi.
Community Disparities
ELi Hears from Readers about Big Medical Bills – and Investigates Help for Those Suffering
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MSU switched the insurance it provides for its retirees, causing some to face serious billing issues. International students are left to navigate a healthcare system very different from the ones that they are familiar with. What can those in our area do if they are facing large medical bills?
Policing
It’s Official: East Lansing City Council Will Create an Independent Police Oversight Commission
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A press release from the City suggests Council will definitely establish an Independent Police Oversight Commission. But what might that look like? ELi’s Heather Brothers reports.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: Rental Restrictions, Evaluating the City Manager, and the Dairy Store Reopening
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If a proposed state law on rentals becomes law, what could it mean for East Lansing? When will the City Manager’s annual evaluation happen? And, when is the MSU Dairy Store reopening? Find out the answers in the latest Ask ELi Grab Bag!
Community Disparities
A New Department for the City, Closing Albert Ave., and More News from Council
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What decisions were made by East Lansing’s City Council this week? Find out in this recap from ELi, your local independent news source.
Community Disparities
ELPS School Board Meets, Reviews School Year, Finances, and Plans Ahead
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Marking the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, what plans does the district have to continue its work on racial equity and social justice? How might changes made during the pandemic improve future years?
Policing
Additional Victim Comes Forward After Recent Mass Shooting in East Lansing
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ELPD Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez provided ELi with a brief update on how the investigation is going after readers asked ELi for the latest information.
Environment
Where Does East Lansing Parks & Rec Stand, as Search for New Director Begins?
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Who will replace Tim McCaffrey as Director of Parks & Rec? What else is going on in Parks & Rec? Emily Joan Elliott reports.
Community Disparities
“Breach of Research Ethics” in East Lansing Survey on Policing Perspectives
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A recent study of East Lansing residents’ attitudes on policing said it included 51 African American and/or Black respondents, but Dr. Cedrick Heraux discovered discrepancies after looking at the raw data. What did he find in his deep dive into the numbers?
City Council
As Budget Set to Pass, EL Council Members Express Funding Concerns Related to Policing, Marijuana, and More
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City Council’s latest budget discussion revealed some key differences of opinion – including between the City Manager and Council members. Which disagreements grew tense? ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
Elections
Who Is Running for City Council – and Who Knows About It?
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When the City Clerk’s office declined to provide a list of people who pulled applications to run for City Council, ELi filed a FOIA request. What did we find out in addition to who might be running for Council?
Policing
Islamic Center Trustee and Others React to ELi Report, While Deputy Police Chief Promises More Reforms
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Thasin Sardar, an Islamic Center Trustee, and Kelli Ellsworth-Etchison, a member of the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission, responded to ELi’s report, while ELPD Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez promised some reform.
Policing
UPDATED: Missing Woman, Shirley Baughan, Found
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ELPD announced that Shirley Baughan has been located and thanks volunteers for their help with the search.
Investigative Reporting
Council Member Babcock Demanded ELPD Investigate “News Release That Condemned a Resident as a Rapist”
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After prosecutors dropped all the charges, Babcock questioned the “truthfulness” of one police officer’s report, the press release, and whether racial, ethnic, religious, or other biases played a role in this case. ELPD investigation found her complaint to be “sustained.” ELi’s Andrew Graham reports.
Community Disparities
Expert Looking at How to Attract Developers of Non-Student Housing to East Lansing
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In meetings with the Housing and Planning Commissions, questions were raised about housing for seniors and about how a more racially diverse population could be attracted to live in East Lansing. What now?
Policing
Multiple People Injured in Shooting at Abbot Road Apartments
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According to a press release from ELPD, “This act of violence does not appear to be random in nature, and there is no ongoing threat in the area.”
Government
Lots of News Out of City Council This Week
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The police budget, marijuana revenue, Parks & Rec’s money problems, a key employee’s retirement, the Graduate Hotel’s liquor licenses, dog poop, a sod farm, and more. We bring you up to speed on what you missed at City Council this week.
Caring for Each Other
East Lansing Public Schools Tackles Mental Health Needs with New Interventions
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The ELPS Mental Health Advisory Committee partnered with a team at MSU to create a new website that provides mental health information and resources. It is part of a multi-pronged approach to help students.
Schools
ELHS Students Urge Town Hall Over Issues of Equity and Social Justice, While Trustee Fink Questions “Silence”
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The editorial board of Portrait, East Lansing High School’s student newspaper, is calling on the leadership of East Lansing Public Schools to attend to concerns they have identified. Board Trustee Monica Fink read a statement in which she also questioned how the district leadership is managing issues of racism and equity. Here is what happened last evening.
Community Disparities
Investigation into Slavery Assignment Completed, Teacher Returns to Classroom
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Matthew Christians, the MMS teacher who had been put on non-disciplinary administrative leave, returned to the classroom today. Superintendent Dori Leyko provided families with other updates from the district’s investigation on how slavery had been taught.
Caring for Each Other
Islamic Center of East Lansing Holding Vaccine Clinic for Community on Friday
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The clinic is open to everyone in the community, age 18 and older, at no cost to recipients. Stop by with your photo ID, consent form, and insurance card (if applicable.)
Development
Construction of Student Apartments Is Far Outpacing Enrollment at MSU. What Comes Next?
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The expert hired to examine East Lansing’s housing situation brought her findings this week to City Council. So, what did we learn? ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
Community Disparities
ELHS Students Eager to Get Vaccinated, Face Age Restrictions
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Some students at ELHS have already received a vaccine, and more plan on it. What is preventing some from receiving a vaccine? ELi’s Adan Tomas Quan reports.
Caring for Each Other
Opioid Deaths Increasing During Pandemic With Isolation Playing a Role
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Human interaction and community are key components of recovery from opioid addiction, but social distancing has complicated that. What’s happening with East Lansing’s specialty drug court? Claire Chapin reports for ELi.
Arts & Cultures
Close a Lane for Only Three Restaurants? Other Biz Owners Say “No, Thanks.”
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An idea being floated would close a lane to benefit the three restaurants of the Center City District project. Why are long-time downtown restaurant owners against this latest placemaking idea?
Environment
Two Congregations Partner to Go Green
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The Islamic Center of East Lansing and University Lutheran Church partnered to install solar panels. What motivated them to do so? How did they mark the occasion?
Development
“Twisted Explanations from the 800-Pound Gorilla”? MSUFCU Begs to Differ.
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Asked to reply to Dublin Square owner Paul Vlahakis’ complaints about how MSUFCU has treated him, the head of the credit union dropped something of a bombshell revelation. And now the building will be shrunk by 3 feet. ELI’s Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger report.
General News
ELPS Administrators Call Assignment on Slavery a “Collective Failure”
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The assignment asked students to imagine themselves as enslaved persons. How did ELPS teachers come to this assignment? What is the district doing to address the issue?
Policing
“It’s Wrong”: Emails Show Why City Council Nixed ELPD Awards Ceremony
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Council members were mainly opposed to ELPD honoring Officer Andrew Stephenson, the central figure in two alleged incidents of excessive use of force. Andrew Graham reports.
finance and taxes
The City of East Lansing’s Financial Situation Now? It’s Complicated.
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Here’s a rundown of what we learned last week in the City’s first budget work session of the year. Join ELi Monday night to talk about how the City can save money and increase revenues to try to improve its financial position.
Policing
Tensions Rise Over City Manager’s Office Withholding Results of Survey on East Lansing Policing
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“The posture that is being taken tonight from the City Manager, to me, seems indicative of what’s to come for an oversight commission in how difficult things might be in this transparency quest,” said Study Committee member Kelli Ellsworth-Etchison. What’s going on?
Government
Lots of Unanimous Decisions by Council in 90 Minutes
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Utility bill distress, environmental pollutants, bike lanes, the Michigan Flyer, rent and mortgage support, new ownership for the Landshark, Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. All this and more came up in a dense City Council meeting this week. Find out from ELi what happened.
Policing
ELPD Seeking Information To Identify SUV in Vehicle-Bicycle Hit-and-Run
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ELPD is requesting that any witnesses of the accident, or anyone with information about the SUV or its driver, contact the police. The ELPD main desk phone number is 517-319-6897.
COVID-19
ELPS Considers Lifting Pause on Sports, as Area Sees Covid Situation Worsen
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Our area is a national Covid-19 hotspot. How are schools and local government responding? How is the vaccine rollout going?
Development
Public Land Finally Sells to MSUFCU; Buildings to Be Demolished
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Which publicly-owned buildings will be demolished to create a construction staging area for the credit union’s new downtown office building? And what’s the anticipated construction timeline?
Environment
“Lessons Learned” from City’s Botched Handling of 55-Gallon Oil Spill on Private Property
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Why did it take a month for the City of East Lansing to investigate a spill of at least 55 gallons of hydraulic oil, an unknown quantity of which went into a private storm drain? And what now?
Community Disparities
East Lansing Council Responds to Survey Showing African American Residents Have Relatively Lower Trust of ELPD
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Despite paying nearly $20,000 for the survey conducted by a private firm, the City did not receive the raw data collected. Council expressed concern over the way survey results were analyzed and presented. What were the issues? How might the results be used moving forward?
Environment
East Lansing Recycling Center Survey Shows Interest in Composting Option
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Jessica Crawford, an MSU grad student who serves on the Commission on the Environment, organized the survey. What else did the survey say? What changes might residents expect?
Elections
Here’s How to Run for East Lansing City Council
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What do you need to do? What are the deadlines? We bring you the details.
DDA
DDA Votes 9-2 to Demolish Publicly-Owned Buildings to Help MSUFCU Project
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The debate was intense, with many questions raised. And after the vote, Paul Vlahakis showed up and threw doubt on whether this deal will really solve the issues. ELi tells you who voted what way, and why.
Center City District
Harbor Bay Officially Receives Permission for Illegal Rentals at Newman Lofts
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If the City had wanted to prosecute the rental violations under East Lansing’s zoning code, the fines would have come to about $100,000 per year. What did developer Mark Bell say about Newman Lofts in 2018?
Development
Planning Commission Tackles Sorority Dumpster, Frat Conversion, Plasticware at The Graduate, and That Ugly Spot
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Will that unsightly Consumers Energy project near Marble School stay that way? Will the Graduate Hotel rooftop bar use plastic cups? What about that sorority in Chesterfield Hills and that frat in Bailey? Find out in our report from Wednesday’s meeting.
Sports
‘Best Defender’ Corkie Jones Stands Out As Trojans Advance to District Finals, Beat DeWitt 50-28
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In a basketball game where the score resembled that of a football game for most of the night, the best unit on the court was East Lansing’s defense. What happened at the game, and how can you see more great photos?
Policing
You Are Invited to Public Discussion on Police Oversight in East Lansing
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As the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission prepares to present its report and recommendations to the City Council this June, the group wants to hear from more members of the public. How can you participate?
General News
Town Hall and Vigil at MSU to Respond to Anti-Asian Acts
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Anti-Asian violence has been on the rise in some of the nation’s largest cities, but Asian and Asian-American students at MSU reported an uptick in anti-Asian sentiment in February 2020, associated with the spread of Covid-19. A town hall and vigil on Thursday will provide space for discussion and support.
COVID-19
News from ELPS: Covid Management, Return-to-Schools, and Marble Construction
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How is the district identifying and handling the few positive Covid cases that have emerged? How many students will return after Spring Break? How’s the new Marble looking? We bring the answers.
Development
DDA May Demolish Publicly-Owned Buildings to Help MSUFCU Construct Offices
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Why do City staff and the head of MSUFCU think this is a good plan? And what don’t we know? ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
Policing
ELPD Investigating Shots Fired on St. Patrick’s Day
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The incident occurred on Abbot Road between Lake Lansing Road and Saginaw Street. Andrew Graham reports.
Sports
Marcus Wourman and Brevin Jackson Lead Trojans To 57-48 Comeback Win Over Okemos
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ELi reporter Andrew Graham and photographer Gary Caldwell take you to yesterday’s exciting game. We also give you a link to all of Gary’s photos from the event.
Arts & Cultures
City Council Considers Feasibility Study of Affordable Housing for Artists
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Should the East Lansing government spend $30,000 on a feasibility study for an affordable-housing project aimed at “creatives”? Some are enthused, others hesitant. Find out why.
COVID-19
Retrospective: A Year of Covid in East Lansing
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Covid-19 has been present in East Lansing for over a year. How has it changed our community? Where does our community stand now in terms of the virus?
finance and taxes
East Lansing Could Obtain $12.5 Million from Fed Stimulus, But Uncertainty Remains
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What would the City of East Lansing be allowed to use the money for, assuming it comes through as expected? ELi’s Andrew Graham reports.
COVID-19
Sparrow Opens Vaccine Registration to All 16 and Older; U.K Variant Now on Campus
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You can make appointments through the MySparrow portal now. Read on for more information about that and the arrival of the U.K. variant on campus.
COVID-19
MSU Is Working to Make On-Campus Housing More Attractive
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After announcing that second-year students will be required to live on-campus, MSU is upgrading its infrastructure and making other changes. What will this entail?
Ask ELi to Investigate
Electronics Are a Waste Management Issue. Here’s What You Can Do.
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Improperly disposing of electronics can have negative impacts on the environment for several reasons. So how can you properly dispose of these items?
Development
Why Is the Planning Commission Debating the Regulation of Dinnerware? Meet East Lansing’s Special Use Permits.
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Is this a case of overreach of East Lansing government into private business? Or is it a case of Planning Commission and City Council carrying out their fiduciary responsibilities?
Parking
Mopeds May Be Charged for Parking Downtown
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The Parking Department is floating the idea of charging moped users to park downtown. What’s behind the idea? Alice Dreger reports.
Center City District
Council Takes Another 4-1 Vote Approving Center City District Agreement
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Lisa Babcock was again the only objector, calling this a “sweetheart deal” for the developers and questioning why the City would give up the right to enforce its own ordinance. But Mayor Aaron Stephens said this contract amendment was the right move.
Elections
Close Look at East Lansing Shows About 20% of Registered Voters Are No Longer Here
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Statewide, about 3.2% of listings on qualified voter rolls are erroneous. So why is East Lansing’s number possibly closer to 20%?
City Council
Council Increases Down-Payment Assistance Program for City Employees
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Who has been benefiting from this program? A Freedom of Information Act request brings the answer.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi Grab Bag: Deer, Playgrounds, and Parking
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Did the deer cull result in meat being delivered to local food banks? What’s up with parking at Bailey Park? What will happen with the Biggby lot on Grand River Ave? We bring some updates.
finance and taxes
What’s Going on With the City of East Lansing’s Finances?
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While the City Manager has said he sees “great news” in the big financial picture, a close look at the numbers suggests there is a great deal of uncertainty ahead. The City’s Finance Director says the income tax gives her heartburn in terms of unpredictability.
Policing
Why is An ELPD Officer Asking City Council to Hand Over Their Emails?
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The extraordinary request by ELPD Sergeant Jeff Thomas seeks to find out what Council members, the City Manager, and the Police Chief were saying as a police awards ceremony was cancelled. Concerns related to who was going to be honored at the event.
General News
As ELPS Approaches a Return to School, What Are People Thinking About It?
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The plan for bringing students back changed in January. Some look forward to the return, particularly as students feel the effects of isolation. But some families feel frustrated with communication and fear increased community spread. Emily Joan Elliott takes a look at what various stakeholders have to say.
Center City District
Newman Lofts Settlement Upended and Delayed by Concerns at DDA
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A deal that looked closed has been opened back up after DDA Vice Chair Jim Croom, an attorney, questioned the wording Council approved in a 4-1 vote on Tuesday.
City Council
Thousands of East Lansing Residents Included in Lawsuit Against the City Over BWL Bills
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If the City loses this class action suit, the implications for its finances could be huge. And East Lansing BWL customers could be refunded the franchise fees they’ve paid since 2017.
Center City District
Despite ‘Lack of Trust’ in Developers, Council Votes 4-1 to Settle the Newman Lofts Dispute
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“I am personally dismayed and appalled at the behavior of this developer,” senior advocate Nell Kuhnmuench told the Council. She was not alone in expressing those sentiments.
COVID-19
ELPS Gears Up for Return to In-Person Learning, Discusses Racial Equity Training
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Some ELPS students will return to in-person learning on Mar. 1. The Board provides some details on safety protocols, and Curriculum Director Glenn Mitcham reviewed the district’s professional development focused on social and racial justice.
Center City District
Center City Contract May Be Amended to Allow Illegal Rentals at Newman Lofts. What Then?
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The idea of changing the Center City District agreements in the way proposed has some roiled. But not everyone thinks it’s a bad idea. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
Arts & Cultures
Library to Reopen on First of March With Covid-19 Protocols in Place
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The East Lansing Public Library will allow building entry for up to one hour to patrons starting Mar. 1. Library Director Kristin Shelley hopes the reopening will help those who rely on the library to file taxes and apply for benefits.
Environment
Oil Spill from Garbage Truck Turns into a $34,000+ Problem
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The New Year’s Eve spill turns out to have involved about 55 gallons of hydraulic oil. On Tuesday, Council approved two contracts for the clean-up.
COVID-19
ELPS Return to In-Person Learning Pushed Back; Now Mar. 1 for All Students
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Elementary school children were set to return on Feb. 22 and middle and high school students on Mar. 1. Vaccine distribution delays due to snow have reset the start date to Mar. 1 for all students returning to school.
Development
Council Discusses How to Use $300,000 for Rental Conversions in Chesterfield Hills
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East Lansing’s City Council on Tuesday discussed approaches that could be used to convert a handful of older houses with rental licenses to owner-occupied houses. Andrew Graham reports for ELi.
COVID-19
ICHD to Reschedule Canceled Vaccine Appointments Due to Snow
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The Ingham County Health Department canceled vaccination appointments today due to the snowstorm overnight. Those with appointments on Feb. 16 will be contacted by either phone or email to reschedule over the next three days.
Arts & Cultures
Ask ELi: Why Are More Costly Library Renovations Coming?
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The library is expecting to spend about $800,000 to do some “desperately needed” maintenance on various facilities. Why is this happening just a few years after $1.5M in renovations?
Policing
ELPD Investigates Bomb Threat Directed at St. Thomas Aquinas School
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The building was searched by K9s from ELPD, the Michigan State University Police Department, and the Michigan State Police Department. A bomb was not found, Andrew Graham reports.
Caring for Each Other
“Like Hollering Down the Well”: Local Seniors Frustrated While Trying to Get Vaccines
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Checking for appointments and waiting for emails has begun to feel like a full-time job, filled with anxiety and confusion. Emily Joan Elliott reports on what seniors have to say what has caused some of the confusion.
Arts & Cultures
UPDATED: Ideas for Celebrating Love During the Pandemic
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Looking to celebrate this weekend? ELi’s Sarah Spohn brings you a variety of ideas from delicious takeout meals to sweet treats to painting to yoga.
Development
Council Waffles Over What to Do About Newman Lofts
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The five members of East Lansing’s City Council don’t all agree on what should be done five months after the illegal rentals at Newman Lofts came to light.
Policing
School Board Member Calls East Lansing “A Sundown Town” as New Data Shows High Use of Force by Police Against Blacks
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In the last four years, ELPD has used force against more Black people than white people, while whites in the population well outnumber Blacks. The City Manager’s call for expert analysis was met with harsh criticism Monday night.
Policing
ELPD Provides Info on 15 External and Internal Complaints Against Police Department Employees
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The 15 complaints include instances of employees cheating on time cards, an off-duty officer driving drunk, an officer with uncontrolled rage, an officer joking around with pepper spray, and a case of excessive use of force that involved an officer tasing a suspect, leaving the suspect with a broken collarbone and broken rib. Police investigators found some other complaints unfounded.
COVID-19
As Parking System Revenues Plummet, Lease with Georgio’s Pizza Amended (Again)
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The City’s parking system and some of the businesses that rent retail space from the City have been hit hard by pandemic-related shut-downs. A Freedom of Information Act response gives a window to some of the numbers.
finance and taxes
How is the City of East Lansing Spending Money?
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East Lansing Info is making publicly available the register of all payments made by the City of East Lansing in fiscal years 2019 ad 2020. Tell us what you would like us to examine further.
Policing
East Lansing’s Black Residents Are Three Times As Likely to Be Stopped by ELPD as White Residents
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ELPD Chief Kim Johnson calls the situation “unacceptable” and says he is determined to “take all necessary corrective actions within our agency” if further review of the data bears out the apparent pattern.
East Lansing Public Library
Reopening, Repairing, and Restructuring the ELPL
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The library has tentative plans to reopen on Mar. 1. In the meantime, staff are implementing public health protocols and conducting a cultural diversity audit on the library’s collections. Heather Brothers reports.
General News
Lake Lansing Road-Towar Avenue Intersection to be Redone This Summer
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The changes come as part of improvements to White Park and the Northern Tier Trail and have pedestrian safety in mind. Andrew Graham provides the details.
Policing
Complaints Against ELPD Officers to Be Reviewed, While Policing Transparency Remains Spotty
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The HRC’s discussion on Wednesday evening will likely involve ongoing concerns about police use of force, ELPD policies, racial bias in policing, and policing transparency. ELi’s Alice Dreger explains the context.
Ask ELi to Investigate
No, A Dead Poet Did Not Vote In East Lansing’s Most Recent Election
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Did Charlotte Brontë vote in the November 2020 election in East Lansing while residing at the Dublin Square pub? ELi’s Andrew Graham brings the answer and explains what it tells us about how Michigan’s voting system works.
Policing
Moving Toward Recommendation, Study Committee Learns Limitations of Prosecutorial Power in Ingham County
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Ingham County’s top two prosecutors spoke with East Lansing’s Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission about what they’re trying to achieve when they review complaints made against police officers. The discussion involved how an oversight commission could advance transparency and policy-making.
COVID-19
Seeing Rapid Positivity Increase, MSU Orders Students to Stay in Their Dorm Rooms
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Starting at midnight, on-campus MSU students will be required to stay in their dorm rooms with few exceptions for at least two weeks. What’s the context for the new decision?
Development
The Latest on Redevelopment Projects in East Lansing
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Affordable housing for artists, the latest on the eBay-auctioned land, Dunkin Donuts’ and Walgreens’ openings, and lots more news in ELi’s latest East Lansing redevelopment update.
Development
Evergreen Properties Talks Extended, as Developer Reveals Anchor Tenant Backed Out
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The anchor tenant backed out. The developers want MSU as a partner. And it’s City staff, not the developers, that’s been holding up the sale agreement. Here’s what we learned at today’s DDA meeting, where the vote went 8-2 to extend the exclusive talks another 6 months.
COVID-19
Council Goofed on Covid-Related Law – But Now They’ve Reinstated a $500 Party Fine
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Ordinance 1496, which makes violations of public health orders punishable by a fine from the City of East Lansing, expired on Dec. 31, 2020, and Council forgot to renew it. They met today to fix that.
COVID-19
Health Officer Linda Vail Speaks on ELi’s Podcast
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Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott sits down with Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail, discussing the pandemic and more. Listen on.
General News
ICHD Will Begin Vaccinating Seniors Age 65-69
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Those eligible may soon receive links to register for appointments in February, but vaccine supply is still low. ELi provides details on the process.
COVID-19
East Lansing School Board Certifies Return to In-Person Learning in 6 to 1 Vote
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The new plan has several key differences from the one improved in December. Emily Joan Elliott reports on the changes, the safety measures being put in place, and various input provided by the public and the Board during the meeting.
Arts & Cultures
Walking Tightropes in Hopes of Survival, Local Restaurateurs Appeal to Governor
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Area restaurant owners and managers are appealing to Gov. Whitmer, who is from East Lansing, to consider how to better mitigate the spread of Covid-19 without putting restaurants in dire financial straits.
COVID-19
The Latest on East Lansing’s Income Tax – Including How to Prove You Don’t Owe It
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We bring answers to lots of questions about East Lansing’s income tax, including how working from home may change what you owe.
East Lansing Public Library
Rundown of Meetings from This Past Week
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The City and school district held several important meetings this week. The ELi team brings you the updates.
General News
UPDATED: The Latest on East Lansing’s Deer Cull – It’s Been Completed
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The City announced that the cull has been completed, resulting in the removal of 65 deer over the course of two evenings.
Development
City Leaders Less Than Thrilled with Redevelopment Deal’s Progress
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ELi’s Alice Dreger brings you the latest in the redevelopment deal on the DDA’s debt-ridden Evergreen properties. What’s up with “The CITADEL” now?
Caring for Each Other
Sparrow Begins Vaccinating Phase 1B
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We bring information on how you can register and what the vaccination process through Sparrow will look like.
Policing
Your ELi: It’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in East Lansing
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The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan will host an event on television this evening. This morning, ELi reflects on covering news related to racial equity and justice.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: What’s happening at that spot in East Lansing?
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We explain what’s happening at two spots on Burcham Drive and two spots on Grand River Avenue in East Lansing in our latest “Ask ELi to Investigate” column.
General News
In Letters to City Council, Some Pinecrest Residents Ask Deer Cull Be Halted In Henry Fine Park
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City Council members discussed the issue at their Tuesday meeting. They didn’t take any action on the cull, but asked City Manager George Lahanas to push out information to address questions and concerns.
Caring for Each Other
Vaccine Supply a Problem, Not Staffing or Organization, Says Ingham County Health Officer
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Ingham County Health Department is vaccinating 2,000 people a week and could increase this number if it were to receive more vaccines. Emily Joan Elliott reports on the initial rollout of vaccinating Phase 1B and what to expect next.
Government
A Lot Happened at City Council Last Night
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The library faces financial trouble, calls for ambulances are way down, the mayor asks that mug shots be withheld from press releases, and Council members say what’s on their minds. Read all about it.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: Why is there a giant cross downtown?
|
We get this question every now and then, so here’s the answer with the investigative backstory.
Policing
Police Action in Area of Loree Drive Explained (and Updated)
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What’s been going on with police activity on Loree Drive? ELPD has provided some information and more is expected soon.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: What’s Happening Near Frandor?
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Find out from ELi’s Andrew Graham what’s happening in Ranney Park, next to Marshall Music, and see drone photography from ELi’s Gary Caldwell.
Environment
Nighttime Deer Culls Set to Start, with Park Closures Running through Early March (More Info)
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From January 11 to March 1, people should lookout for barricades and notices at park entrances giving altered hours as contracted sharpshooters do their work. ELi’s Andrew Graham has the story from City Council.
Development
What’s Happening in East Lansing? MSUFCU’s Downtown Project Is Still Stalled.
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ELi gives you a two-minute rundown on what to expect in terms of East Lansing government decisions this week.
General News
What Will Be the Big East Lansing Stories of 2021?
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Our staff compiles the top stories we expect to cover in 2021. But we can never know all that will happen — like, a pandemic — and that’s why we need your financial support.
Arts & Cultures
The Top Ten East Lansing Stories of 2020
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What were the biggest stories in East Lansing for 2020? ELi’s Publisher and Managing Editor bring you the top 10 list.
Development
UPDATED: Unusual Public Hearing Tonight Centers on Lower-Income Housing Funds’ Usage
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The City’s use of CDBG funds has been controversial, which might explain holding a public hearing disassociated with any regular body’s meeting and sandwiched between Christmas and New Year’s.
Your ELi
The Ten Stories That Meant the Most to Your ELi Reporters in 2020
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From ELHS closing due to Covid-19, to volunteers sewing masks to donate, to the Harbor Bay dealings, our reporters highlight stories they enjoyed bringing you in 2020. At this page, you can click on “play” buttons to hear individual recordings of the articles read by their own reporters!
Development
Architect Daniel Bollman Talks Form-Based Code on The ‘Insider’
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Bollman, the Chair of East Lansing’s Planning Commission, goes deep with Alice Dreger on the ‘Shaping the Avenue’ plan and what form-based code could mean. Listen on.
Development
A Lot of East Lansing City News You Might Want to Know
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Quick hits on the various stories Alice Dreger has been keeping tabs on, from the Center City District bonds to a mysterious public hearing. Read on.
Development
Catch Up on What’s Going On With the Latest ‘East Lansing Insider’
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Andrew Graham and Emily Joan Elliott are joined by ELi reporter Heather Brothers to discuss the work of the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission.
Policing
‘Police Policing the Police’: Study Committee Frets Over Limits of Oversight
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Committee members were concerned about the ultimate powers the Oversight Commission might hold and if the community would view it as independent. Heather Brothers reports.
Development
City Council Unanimously Gives TechSmith Requested Tax Abatement
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The abatement will cost a little more than $200,000 over the course of 10 years — the maximum allowed period. Andrew Graham reports.
COVID-19
School Board Majority Approves Some In-Person Learning This Winter; Teachers’ Union President Resigns Following Controversy
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The School Board voted 5-2 to approve a plan that will permit elementary school kids to return in February and middle and high school students in March. But space may be limited. Emily Joan Elliott explains.
Development
Planning Commission is Reviewing New ‘Shaping the Avenue’ Draft, a Plan with Potentially Huge Implications
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Planning Commission is currently reviewing the latest draft of a plan that would create a new zoning district, with a form-based code, called the Avenue Form District. Andrew Graham explains.
Arts & Cultures
School Board to Vote on Reopening Plan, and Council on Corporate Tax Exemptions
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Along with School Board and City Council, there are meetings of Planning Commission, Arts Commission, Downtown Development Authority and Police Study Committee. Andrew Graham unpacks it.
Environment
East Lansing Historic District Commission Approves Residential Solar Panels
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The Commission also denied two separate applications seeking replace exterior wood with vinyl. Andrew Graham reports.
COVID-19
Ingham Hits 10,000 Covid-19 Cases; 48823 Now Leads Case and Death Counts
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Ingham County now has more than 10,000 recorded cases of Covid-19. How is the pandemic playing out in East Lansing? What might we expect in the upcoming weeks?
Center City District
Episode 8 and A Special Edition of The ‘East Lansing Insider’ Are Now Live
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The team at ELi brings you the regular weekly pod and a special edition from Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott on the refinancing of the Center City District bonds. Listen on.
Center City District
Who Really Benefited from the Center City Bonds’ Refinancing?
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Spoiler alert: the developers benefited. And now, with yet another of the deal’s financial protections for the City seeming to fall away, former mayor Mark Meadows is saying that “injunctive relief should be sought.”
Policing
Presentations to Police Study Committee Outline ELPD Complaints, ‘Uphill Struggle’ for Transparency
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Presentations from Deputy Police Chief Steve Gonzalez and Human Rights Commissioner Liz Miller helped the Study Committee get a better grasp on the challenges ahead. Heather Brothers reports.
COVID-19
ELPS Parents See Remote Learning as Hard, Have Various Hopes for January
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The clear consensus is that remote learning is difficult, and 60 percent of families would like to return in January if it is safe to do so. Several parents share their hopes for both virtual and in-person learning come January.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: When, Exactly, is the Deer Cull?
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Following questions from readers about when the deer cull begins, if it hasn’t already, Andrew Graham got back in touch with the City to find out the precise dates.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: Will a Cell Tower Be Built Near Kedzie Street?
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An ELi reader shared a legal notice indicating that a cell tower is proposed to be built on the south end of the Bailey Neighborhood. So what would be going where, exactly? Andrew Graham finds out.
General News
MSU Says Student Housing Policy Change Will Mean 2,000 More Living On Campus
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MSU Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies Mark Largent tells ELi that the move will help students “persist” in college and not drop out. Andrew Graham brings an update.
Development
Episode 7 of the ‘Insider’ is Live
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Andrew Graham, Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott talk shop and decompress while discussing a whirlwind few days in East Lansing.
COVID-19
ELPD and ELFD Discuss Providing Essential Services During Pandemic
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Social distancing has been a key component of keeping safe during the pandemic, but ELPD and ELFD personnel often work in groups and interact with the public. What precautions have they been taking?
Policing
Council Frees the Nipple While Amending the Disorderly Conduct Code
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Council member Dana Watson successfully removed sexist language from part of the proposed ordinance. Andrew Graham reports on that and the rest from Council.
finance and taxes
Why Are East Lansing’s Water and Sewer Rates Higher Than Meridian Township’s?
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Several factors contribute to the difference in costs, but one main factor is the differing ages of infrastructure. Andrew Graham explains further.
Development
MSU Will Require Sophomores to Live On-Campus Starting in 2022
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The move, motivated by academic and financial concerns, is likely to have a major impact on the economy of East Lansing.
Center City District
East Lansing BRA Advised to Refinance Bonds to Avoid “Considerable Headline and Reputational Risk”
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Who is the investor for the refinancing bonds? Mark Bell’s father. Again. And any chance of saving that $6 million in taxes appears to be evaporating.
COVID-19
MSU Students Searching for Off-Campus Work After Furloughs
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In October, Residential and Hospitality Services at MSU furloughed student employees, who then looked across Grand River Ave. for employment. Jack Timothy Harrison reports for ELi.
Development
The Bond Mystery Continues. What DO We Know Is Happening This Week in City Government?
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Expect public discussions and decisions on pensions, policing, a radically new zoning code, and Georgio’s Pizza’s lease — but probably not on those controversial bonds.
COVID-19
Episode 6 of the ‘East Lansing Insider’ is Available Now
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The usual trio of Andrew Graham, Emily Joan Elliott and Alice Dreger break down the latest news from East Lansing and bring an interview from an ELi donor.
General News
UPDATE: Council Unanimously Passes Resolution Declaring Racism as a Public Health Crisis
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After hearing about the resolution from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Administrator Elaine Hardy, Council voted to approve the resolution. Emily Joan Elliott reports.
Policing
Police Oversight Study Committee Reaches Consensus on Report Outline, Discusses Use of Force
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The Study Committee was given a presentation by Deputy Police Chief Steve Gonzalez on use of force with ELPD, and dealt with several other matters. Andrew Graham reports.
Policing
ELPD Looking for 5 Suspects in Cell Phone Store Robbery
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The robbery took place at the 1000 block of Trowbridge Avenue just before 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. Andrew Graham reports.
Center City District
We Still Don’t Know What’s Happening With The Center City Bonds
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One week away from a $2.4 million shortfall for the payment due to the bondholder, many questions remain unanswered. Not least, the $6 million question. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
finance and taxes
Going Green or Going to Lunch? The City’s Green Fleet Resolution in Action
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The City told ELi that its efforts to “go green” involved the use of GPS for route optimization. Documents received through the Freedom of Information Act suggest the GPS units were also used to monitor worker performance. Emily Joan Elliott reports.
Policing
What’s on the Docket in East Lansing Next Week?
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Despite Thanksgiving being on Thursday, there’s a slew of meetings over the first half of the week. Andrew Graham breaks down what’s to come.
General News
More on the Cost of Living Rising in East Lansing
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How does ELi cover taxes and finances in East Lansing? Publisher Alice Dreger explains.
COVID-19
Listen to ‘East Lansing Insider’ Featuring City Council Member Dana Watson
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Watson joins the podcast for an interview with Andrew Graham, where they discuss a number of pressing topics in East Lansing. Listen for more.
COVID-19
Ingham County Braces to Handle the Ongoing Covid-19 Surge
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Covid-19 cases are surging locally. What does this mean for hospital capacity, testing, and contact tracing? Who is most vulnerable? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott reports.
Policing
East Lansing Says It Is an “Open Government.” The Reality Is More Challenging.
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ELi has frequently encountered issues with Freedom of Information requests, finding that requests are often incomplete and are answered at the last possible moment. Andrew Graham explains.
Development
Big Infrastructure Project Will Change Park District Area – and Peoples Church Isn’t Pleased
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A long-planned project will improve sewer infrastructure and change the amount of parking in the area, leaving some displeased. Alice Dreger reports.
Development
TechSmith Tax Exemption Request Heard, While Parking System Is Bleeding Money
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During a discussion-only meeting, Council members seemed open to the idea of a tax exemption for TechSmith and briefly workshopped parking solutions, among other things. Andrew Graham reports.
COVID-19
New Statewide Orders Issued as Covid-19 Pandemic Worsens
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New restrictions go into effect on Wednesday to curb the spread of Covid-19. Andrew Graham and Emily Joan Elliott explain what this means for East Lansing.
Arts & Cultures
Racism and Public Health, Falling Revenues, and More Coming to City Meetings This Week
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Want to weigh in on cultural arts grants, a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, money problems in Parks & Rec and in the parking system, and traffic on Highland Ave.? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott tells you which East Lansing City meetings will cover what this week.
Development
UPDATE: Wrench Thrown Into MSUFCU’s Downtown Office Building Plan
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The Dublin Square property owners are warning MSUFCU to stay off their property during construction that involves building all the way to the property line. What could this mean for the future of the proposed office building?