Government
Ask ELi: What’s the Jurisdiction of MSU Police?
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A reader asked: What’s the jurisdiction of ELPD versus MSUPD?
Sports
Leading by Supporting, Kelsey Mongoven Is ELi’s Trojan of the Week
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“We tried to create an environment that worked for everyone,” Kelsey Mongoven explains. A junior at MSU, Mongoven has taken on the responsibility of head coach for the Trojans’ varsity gymnastics team.
Highlight Right
MacDonald Middle School Hero Mr. Watson Retires After 47 Years of Service
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Vincent Watson has been a true hero through his 47 years of service in East Lansing Public Schools, positively influencing the lives of thousands of children and young adults.
Arts & Cultures
Little Local Joys: The Puzzle Exchange
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“We didn’t realize how much puzzles were in demand until we needed more.”
Schools
MSU Will Bring Students Back in September
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The reopening of MSU has major implications for East Lansing in terms of the economy, public health, business survival, housing, neighborhood cultures, policing, and more.
Arts & Cultures
Foster Coffee Reopens on East Lansing’s Albert Ave.
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ELi’s Sarah Spohn talks with Foster Coffee co-owner Nicholas Pidek about how that company is managing reopening.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Don’t Go Hungry: Food Banks Are Here to Help
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Various local organizations are stepping up to help people who need no-cost food to live without hunger.
General News
ELi Is Awarded Two National Grants for COVID-19 Reporting
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The public health emergency has caused ELi’s reporting rate to surge 60 percent over the same period last year. Fortunately, we’ve secured extra funding to meet the increased costs.
Sports
Ed Outslay, Trojan of the Week, Remains in the Hearts of Those Who Knew Him
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This week, ELi’s Mark Meyer brings a remembrance of baseball coach Ed Outslay, who passed away a year ago doing what he loved.
COVID-19
East Lansing’s Housing Study Never Did Start, and Now the Plan Is On Hold
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Housing Administrator Annette Irwin told a city commission last night that all bets are off in terms of when we might see that long-awaited housing study.
Arts & Cultures
Little Local Joys: Modern Meets Medieval in Basement Build
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In our continuing series on small joys during the stay-at-home orders, we bring you the story of one teenager’s basement quest to build a pipe organ from scratch.
Environment
Area Composters Share the Dirt on Their Dirt
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Want to reduce your household carbon footprint? Here’s an easy way.
Environment
The Red Cedar River Is Flooding
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The Red Cedar River is up over its banks. ELi’s Gary Caldwell brings us photos.
Arts & Cultures
Get Ready for More Outdoor Dining, East Lansing
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City staff are looking into ways to enable people to enjoy food and drink (including beer and wine) from local restaurants outside, in public spaces set up with picnic tables.
Highlight Right
Trojan of the Week Andrel Anthony Jr. Has Risen to the Head of His Class
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Plenty of big-time college football coaches are eager to add Trojan of the Week Andrel Anthony Jr. to their lineups.
General News
Hey, 517! Playmakers Has a Run/Walk for Just for Us
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Marcy Gillespie Kinzer of the Playmakers team updates us on the store’s “fit at home” and virtual injury clinic help. And this Sunday, you can move to share the 517 love.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: What’s With the Rented Garbage Trucks?
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Did a City worker really roll a recycling truck? Is the hybrid truck too expensive to fix? We asked.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: Can We Get More Curbside Recycling Pick-Ups?
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East Lansing’s Environmental Services Administrator Cathy DeShambo has some suggestions about what to do while your house is overflowing with recyclables.
Ask ELi to Investigate
Ask ELi: How’s the Mask-Sewing Crew Doing?
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We bring news on how the Peppermint Creek fundraiser did for the local volunteer sewing army and also provide a general update on the homemade production of masks.
Schools
Epitome of a Team Player, Zoe Morse is Our Trojan of the Week
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Former Trojan Zoe Morse has elevated her soccer-playing career to the professional level. Mark Meyer speaks with her as she prepares to join the Chicago Red Stars.
Ann About Town
Ann About Town: Campbell’s for Groceries
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“It is really the grocery store in East Lansing that many of us have wanted for years. The owners are local, the service is excellent.”
General News
ELi Obtains Support Through a New Spartan-Invented Donation System
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ELi Publisher Natalie Rose explains why we have been using Omella to fundraise for East Lansing Info during our Stimulate ELi’s Reporting campaign.
COVID-19
Where to Get Help for Stress, Depression, and Anxiety in the East Lansing Area
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Stressed out in the midst of all this? Lonely? Feeling down? Here is what you need to know about people who can help in our area.
General News
Kelli Ellsworth Etchison Recognized as Community Service Leader
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East Lansing resident Kelli Ellsworth Etchison centers her life on helping people feel that they belong. She has some advice for those who want to provide community service.
General News
Natalie Rose Named New Publisher and Executive Director of ELi
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Natalie Rose is taking over the role ELi founder Alice Dreger has played until now. The changes come with unanimous support of ELi’s Board.
Sports
Life in the Fast Lane: Trojan of the Week Andrew Lane Knows No Other Way
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Andrew Lane trains as hard as he competes (if that’s possible). He also leaves a large footprint as one of the top distance runners in ELHS history.
Government
DPW Gears Up for Bulk Pickup, Next Round of No-Fee Yard Waste Collection
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An advance request and payment is still required to get large items hauled away. But that’s available, too.
Little Joys
Little Local Joys: Silly Walks Zone
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Kit Carlson describes herself as “a total Monty Python fan” and someone in need of a little fun. Who isn’t?
COVID-19
Amid Pandemic Challenges, MSU Safe Place Is Still Addressing Relationship Abuse
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Advocacy coordinator Erica Schmittdiel tells ELi what’s happening amid the Stay-at-Home orders for relationship abuse and sexual assault survivors.
Arts & Cultures
Van Atta’s Nursery and Hammond Farms Reopen with Precautions
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Customers can come back to Van Atta’s starting today, and can call Hammond Farms for delivery. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.
COVID-19
Long-Time Owner of Curious Book Shop Is Hoping the Community Will Help
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Ray Walsh has owned and operated Curious Book Shop for fifty years. He’s hoping the community will help his employees.
Sports
ELi’s Trojan of the Week, Nikki Norris, Has Devoted Her Career to Athletics
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Nikki Norris believes lessons learned on the field can bring a lifetime of value. She’s lived that ideal in her career.
Arts & Cultures
Bar and Restaurant Owners Group Helps School District Solve Lunch Debt
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When the Responsible Hospitality Council learned of the ELPS need, its members quickly took action.
Environment
Ask ELi: How Is East Lansing Handling Recyclable Material Now?
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A reader asked if East Lansing’s recycling is being treated as trash during the pandemic. We bring the answer.
Arts & Cultures
East Lansing Jazz Festival Is Cancelled, and Art Festival Will Provide Virtual Fare
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East Lansing’s Summer Solstice Jazz Festival has been added to list of coronavirus casualties.
Ann About Town
Ann About Town: Harvest Boxes and Family Meals from Red Haven
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In her latest column, Ann Nichols explores the cooking options enabled by one farm-to-table restaurant’s inventive approach.
Arts & Cultures
East Lansing Library Teen Programming Continues in Online Format
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East Lansing Library Teen Services Specialist Beth Scanlon is not letting the pandemic get in the way of her work supporting area youth.
Arts & Cultures
High Caliber Karting Expansion Inspires Community Art Contest
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Love working with paint, carving, vinyl decal, wood burning, stain, or some other application? Apply now to participate in an art contest being held by High Caliber Karting.
COVID-19
Racist Slurs Thrown at East Lansing Public Library Board by Zoombombers
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The City of East Lansing is working on how to hold public meetings without allowing disruptions that are seen as inappropriate.
Highlight Right
ELi’s Trojan of the Week: Swimmer Matias Jimenez
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Senior swimmer Matias Jimenez, ELi’s Trojan of the Week, was set to join his teammates for one last lap. Then reality set in.
Arts & Cultures
Sundance Jewelers’ Attempt to Reach Customers Is Blocked at Worst Time
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Bad time to have a communication to loyal customers go to spam! But Audrey Yonkus shares beautiful photos with ELi.
General News
Here Comes the Free Yard-Waste Pick-Up
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Yard waste pick-up counts as “essential.” It also stops the storm drains from getting clogged.
General News
One Pint is Worth Three Lives
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Blood is needed to help people facing emergency surgeries and birthing mothers. Find out how you can help.
Development
Harrison Road Project Reducing Four Car Lanes to Three, Adding Bike Lanes
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The City can undertake the work in spite of the lockdown because it has designated it “essential.” What’s involved?
General News
Little Local Joys: The Migrating Birds
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“We’re just stepping back and listening, and hearing the sounds of spring.”
COVID-19
City of East Lansing Is Resuming Meetings
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Which City of East Lansing government meetings are starting up again, and which have yet to resume?
Highlight Right
ELi’s Trojan of the Week: Senior Standout Aaliyah Nye
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In the first of a new series celebrating Trojan athletes, ELi’s Mark Meyer features the skills and record of senior Aaliyah Nye.
Arts & Cultures
Little Local Joys: The Ephemerals in Bloom
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“All that’s been perfected over a billion years is right in your own backyard,” says Peter Carrington, the curator of Beal Garden.
General News
Eleven Thousand Masks Later, the Requests Haven’t Stopped
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The need and the challenges are high, but this ever-growing community of sewists keeps making masks, headbands, gowns, and more.
COVID-19
Trail Etiquette During a Pandemic: Some Reminders to Us All
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Trail usage is way up as people get out for mental and physical health. So what should we be remembering as we (and our dogs) travel along?
COVID-19
Playmakers Hosting a Space Race This Saturday
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This Saturday, Playmakers’ race participants will spread out to run, walk, and roll worldwide at three different distances.
Arts & Cultures
Drop-In on Blue Owl’s Mic Drop Tonight – Digitally!
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Good news: you can continue to enjoy the work of local artists who gather around Blue Owl Coffee’s open mic night. And if you are an artist, you can join in.
Arts & Cultures
East Lansing’s Library Has Treasure Trove Online, Open to All
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The East Lansing Public Library’s doors are closed but its online treasure chest is open! Find out what’s available and how things are going financially.
COVID-19
City of East Lansing Looking to Help Prevent Homelessness
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In an effort to prevent homelessness, the Cities of East Lansing and Lansing are making extraordinary contributions to Haven House and other charities.
General News
ELi Has a New Website!
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ELi’s Publisher explains why the ELi team decided to create a whole new website for our readers.
COVID-19
Trojan Coaching Staff Laments Shutdown of Seasons, Expresses Concern for Student Athletes
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When word of the season cancellations became known, athletic director Nikki Norris was thankful to be able to immediately connect with her staff. ELi’s Mark Meyer files this report.
Little Joys
Little Local Joys: Look Through Any Window
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The latest in the Little Local Joys series – stories shared by ELi readers and contributors about little things and positive moments that bring us joy and hope during the coronavirus outbreak.
COVID-19
East Lansing High Students Taking Varied Paths During School Closure
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ELi reporter and ELHS student Alex Hosey reports on what East Lansing High students have been experiencing in the last few weeks. What have been our teens’ activities and concerns?
Little Joys
Little Local Joys: Uniting with Light
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For our continuing “Little Local Joys” series, ELi’s Ann Kammerer spoke with East Lansing resident Nancy Cuddeback about the movement to honor medical professionals with candles tonight.
Arts & Cultures
ELHS Black Student Union Promotes Fellowship
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ELi’s Anaiis Rios-Kasoga reports on what the Black Student Union at East Lansing High School has been doing to promote self-love, insight, and community.
Arts & Cultures
A Little Joy from Afar: A Note from the Family of Charlie Kang
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Last week’s “Ann About Town” column on Charlie Kang’s brought a heartwarming letter from Mr. Kang’s daughter, Yuni Yi. We share her note with you.
Arts & Cultures
Threat of Coronavirus Forces Peace Corps Volunteer to Leave Dominican Republic
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Caitlin Hegg is concerned about the community she left behind two weeks ago when Peace Corps officials told her she had to return to the U.S. Amalia Medina files this report for ELi.
Arts & Cultures
East Lansing Couple Share View of Pandemic from Taiwan
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Smitty Smith, known to folks in East Lansing from the Pump House Concert series, shares a view of the pandemic from Taiwan, where he currently resides with his wife.
General News
Like to Write and Need Money for College? Here’s a Chance to Earn $2,500
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Lansing Area Fedral Credit Union (LAFCU) will award two high school seniors $2,500 each for their essays on the impact that technology has on their lives. ELi’s Noa Kuszai provides the details.
Little Joys
Little Local Joys: My Aunt’s 100th Birthday
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A milestone in life amid emergency conditions: a time to celebrate, albeit a bit more quietly.
General News
Local Citizens Unite to 3D Print Face Masks – And You Can Help
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A tech-savvy team is running a 3-D printing operation out of East Lansing High School to supply emergency face masks. Marie Adele Grosso reports for ELi on how you can help.
Development
The Slow Movement Toward Marijuana Sales in East Lansing
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What will the Skymint operation on Coolidge Road be like, and what is more generally the status of retail marijuana sales in East Lansing? ELi’s Chris Gray reports.
Ann About Town
Ann (Not) About Town: Charlie Kang’s, ‘A Truly Local Old Standby’
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When sheltering in place and staying safe, one must rely on the tried-and-true. For ELi’s Ann Nichols, that means a hearty helping of Korean and Chinese cuisine delivered from Charlie Kang’s.
General News
Playgrounds Close, but Recreation Opportunities Await at Area Parks
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There are plenty of outdoor paths and exercise opportunities to explore in East Lansing, Meridian Township and throughout the tri-county area — while still practicing social distancing. ELi’s Chris Gray brings us this tour.
Little Joys
Stories of Joy. Tales of Hope. We Want Yours.
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What’s keeping you positive during the pandemic? We want your little stories of joy, hope, and kindness.
Little Joys
Little Local Joys: My Milk Door
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A milk door in the Bailey neighborhood brings a resident joy — and now candles from Massage and Wellness, too!
COVID-19
Downtown, Campbell’s Adjusts Daily During Extraordinary Time for Grocers
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In downtown East Lansing, Campbell’s Market Basket is keeping its shelves stocked with groceries. ELi’s Noa Kuszai files this report.
Development
Burcham Solar Park Blooming Soon
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The second phase of the renewable energy project involves planting native perennial grasses and flowers. This should reduce maintenance and benefit pollinators. ELi’s Patty Bonito provides an update.
Arts & Cultures
Break Out the Chalk, Take a Walk and Reconnect (at a Safe Distance, Of Course)
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A virtual group effort is creating a community healing event for the whole family. Amalia Medina files this report for ELi.
General News
East Lansing City Council Meets Under New Rules to Extend State of Emergency
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City Council met today to extend East Lansing’s State of Emergency. ELi’s Alice Dreger donned a mask to attend and report for you what happened.
COVID-19
Senior Citizens Facing Unique Set of Circumstances, Especially in Nursing Homes
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At Burcham Hills, elimination of communal activities is one of the protections in place during the coronavirus emergency. ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott spoke to residents about their concerns.
Sports
One Week Later: Trojan Sports Family Regroups, Waits Patiently for Games to Return
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When will the high school athletic seasons — winter and spring — resume, and in what format? ELi’s Mark Meyer files this report.
COVID-19
MSU Epidemiologist Urges More Awareness: ‘This is an under-reaction.’
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An MSU epidemiologist and resident of East Lansing tells ELi he has never seen such a public health threat in his life. And he’s worked in public health for over 40 years. Read why Dr. Nigel Paneth is alarmed.
Arts & Cultures
East Lansing Neighbors Are Crowdsourcing Take-Out/Delivery Info to Help Restaurants
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There’s a new resource to help people in East Lansing figure out which restaurants are doing take-out and delivery. ELi’s Natalie Rose reports.
General News
Everything is up in the air’: ELHS Students React to School Closure
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ELHS students were caught off guard with all the uncertainties facing them as Michigan schools were closed. Amalia Medina brings ELi the story.
Development
East Lansing Bar and Restaurant Owners Now Making Tough Choices
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Even before Ingham County Health issued a new order, some East Lansing bars and restaurants were moving to help “flatten the curve.” All face grave economic uncertainty.
General News
Your ELi: Covering COVID-19 for East Lansing
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An update from ELi leadership on how we plan to cover all facets of East Lansing news during this unprecedented public health crisis.
Ann About Town
Ann About Town: Woven Art
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Eli’s Ann Nichols has a yarn for you about a fiber arts store in East Lansing, and what makes it a community-within-a-community.