General News
ELi Moves Forward Towards Relaunch
|
ELi is looking to restart reporting on East Lansing in early September. Read about the plan and how YOU can help make it happen.
East Lansing Info (https://eastlansinginfo.news/post-type/highlight-left/)
ELi is looking to restart reporting on East Lansing in early September. Read about the plan and how YOU can help make it happen.
In this edition of Ask ELi, we bring you answers on tax assessments, the sewer system, ELPD social workers, and unpaid parking tickets.
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.
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.
New artwork in downtown East Lansing aims to prioritize mental health awareness. Sarah Spohn reports.
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.
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.
Andrew Graham is joined by Heather Brothers to discuss use of force reports and the Police Oversight Commission. Give a listen!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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!
In the latest Ask ELi to Investigate, Emily Joan Elliott explores how the marshy environment of East Lansing can affect local homes.
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.
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.
ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott brings a few pieces of news and a noteworthy PSA about construction on Burcham Drive.
Find out how you can be more involved in the City of East Lansing by applying to a board or commission. Clay Oppenhuizen reports.
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.
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.
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!
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?
The contract approval comes after a months-long search for new legal representation for the City of East Lansing. Emily Joan Elliott reports.
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.
The Commission decided to delve into complaints and use of force reports beginning in April. Heather Brothers reports for ELi.
Several ELHS students recently attended the Mid-American Model UN Conference in Kalamazoo. How did they do?
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?
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!
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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
Seventeen-year-old Aireona Alexis Smith has been located.
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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
The Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation unveiled the Meridian Mall Autism Museum this month, making it the first museum of its kind. Sarah Spohn reports.
As it was the first meeting of 2022 for the Commission, they elected a new chair and vice chair. Al Hargrave reports.
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?
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.
A local alternative rock band made up of ELHS students recently released a full-length album. Sarah Spohn reports.
Council discussed plans for marketing and development of a City-owned property in the northern tier. What might we expect to see there?
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.
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?
The ELPS School Board weighed the benefits and setbacks of increasing options for public comment at its Feb. 14 meeting.
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.
Why is there so much variation in how daycares are implementing Covid-19 protocols and handling exposures? Clay Oppenhuizen reports for ELi.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
ELPS will remain closed on Thursday. ELPL will not open until 12 p.m. tomorrow.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
What will count as prohibited forms of nepotism in the City of East Lansing, and why is the law just coming into effect now?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On this episode, Andrew and Chuck are joined by Emily Joan Elliott to delve into the current state of the pandemic. Give a listen!
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?
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”?
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.”
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.”
We bring you an update and tell you about our Weekend Warrior campaign to keep ELi going throughout 2022!
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!
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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!
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!
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
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!
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?
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?
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
With the election a little more than a month away, ELi is bringing you information designed to help you see the differences between candidates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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!
Local faith leaders, artists, and charitable organizations are offering many ways area residents can help refugees from Afghanistan.
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.
A new apartment building and other big changes coming soon to the Valley Court Park area? Learn the latest from ELi’s Alice Dreger.
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?
“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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.”
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?
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?
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.
The power supply to the lights at the pickleball court was cut. Why? And why won’t there be repairs anytime soon?
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
At the Council of Neighborhood Presidents’ meetings, your neighborhood could have the ear of locally powerful people. But are you represented there?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
“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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
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?
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?
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
What decisions were made by East Lansing’s City Council this week? Find out in this recap from ELi, your local independent news source.
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?
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.
Who will replace Tim McCaffrey as Director of Parks & Rec? What else is going on in Parks & Rec? Emily Joan Elliott reports.
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’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.
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?
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.
ELPD announced that Shirley Baughan has been located and thanks volunteers for their help with the search.
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.
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?
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
“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?
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.
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.
Our area is a national Covid-19 hotspot. How are schools and local government responding? How is the vaccine rollout going?
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?
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?
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?
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?
What do you need to do? What are the deadlines? We bring you the details.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
The incident occurred on Abbot Road between Lake Lansing Road and Saginaw Street. Andrew Graham reports.
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.
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 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?
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.
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.
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?
Improperly disposing of electronics can have negative impacts on the environment for several reasons. So how can you properly dispose of these items?
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?
The Parking Department is floating the idea of charging moped users to park downtown. What’s behind the idea? Alice Dreger reports.
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.
Statewide, about 3.2% of listings on qualified voter rolls are erroneous. So why is East Lansing’s number possibly closer to 20%?
Who has been benefiting from this program? A Freedom of Information Act request brings the answer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott sits down with Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail, discussing the pandemic and more. Listen on.
Those eligible may soon receive links to register for appointments in February, but vaccine supply is still low. ELi provides details on the process.
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.
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.
We bring answers to lots of questions about East Lansing’s income tax, including how working from home may change what you owe.
The City and school district held several important meetings this week. The ELi team brings you the updates.
The City announced that the cull has been completed, resulting in the removal of 65 deer over the course of two evenings.
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?
We bring information on how you can register and what the vaccination process through Sparrow will look like.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We get this question every now and then, so here’s the answer with the investigative backstory.
What’s been going on with police activity on Loree Drive? ELPD has provided some information and more is expected soon.
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.
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.
ELi gives you a two-minute rundown on what to expect in terms of East Lansing government decisions this week.
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.
What were the biggest stories in East Lansing for 2020? ELi’s Publisher and Managing Editor bring you the top 10 list.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
The abatement will cost a little more than $200,000 over the course of 10 years — the maximum allowed period. Andrew Graham reports.
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.
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.
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.
The Commission also denied two separate applications seeking replace exterior wood with vinyl. Andrew Graham reports.
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?
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Andrew Graham, Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott talk shop and decompress while discussing a whirlwind few days in East Lansing.
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?
Council member Dana Watson successfully removed sexist language from part of the proposed ordinance. Andrew Graham reports on that and the rest from Council.
Several factors contribute to the difference in costs, but one main factor is the differing ages of infrastructure. Andrew Graham explains further.
The move, motivated by academic and financial concerns, is likely to have a major impact on the economy of East Lansing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After hearing about the resolution from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Administrator Elaine Hardy, Council voted to approve the resolution. Emily Joan Elliott reports.
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.
The robbery took place at the 1000 block of Trowbridge Avenue just before 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. Andrew Graham reports.
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.
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.
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.
How does ELi cover taxes and finances in East Lansing? Publisher Alice Dreger explains.
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 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.
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.
A long-planned project will improve sewer infrastructure and change the amount of parking in the area, leaving some displeased. Alice Dreger reports.
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.
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.
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.
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?