East Lansing puts brakes on taxi licenses

More than a third of the way into a three-month moratorium on new licenses for taxi cabs in East Lansing, city officials and area taxi cab companies are trying to come to an agreement on the future of the taxi cab business in the city.

“There was an issue of the congestion and because of the congestion there are safety issues,” East Lansing city clerk Nicole Evans said. “Because we have patrons who cross in the middle of the street to try to get a taxi cab, we have taxi cabs that will pull into the middle of the street to get the fare.”
Those concerns led the East Lansing City Council to vote on Aug. 25 to place a 90-day moratorium on the issuance of any new licenses for taxi cabs due to the congestion downtown.

The move was made after a report commissioned city public safety officials raised concerns of taxi cab traffic, particularly in the area on Albert Avenue between Abbott Road and M.A.C. Avenue.

The owners of taxi cab companies operating more than 40 of the vehicles licensed for East Lansing have formed a coalition to work with the city council on alleviating the problem.

“There are a lot of cabs out here, and there aren’t enough spots,” said Chris Fuller, a taxi cab driver for DD’s Downtown Taxi.

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Fuller questioned whether the moratorium may have been related to lost revenue related to East Lansing police making fewer drunk driving arrests as a result of the prevalence of cabs in the city.

The East Lansing Police Department reported 464 arrests for drunk driving in 2007, a 17-year high. The numbers from 2007 are the most recent made available by the department.

City officials say they’re concerned with the potential traffic hazard a proliferation of taxi cabs may cause, as well as potential conflicts between cab drivers competing for coveted spots on Albert Avenue.

“We just want to be mindful of the fact that even though they offer this service, that we’re also protecting the safety of those patrons” who use taxi cabs, ” Evans said.

Evans said the East Lansing City Council has approved 110 licenses for taxi cabs, 96 of which are in operation.

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For more on this story:

Coverage by The State News

Coverage by the Lansing State Journal

East Lansing taxi cab listings

East Lansing crime statistics report

City of East Lansing guidelines for alcohol and parties

From The State News (2008): Survey finds drunk driving at 8-year low among MSU students

Watch an East Lansing police DUI stop

• Part 1
• Part 2

Mothers Against Drunk Driving statistics

Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Michigan

By Craig Trudell, Brandie Hansen and Michelle Grossman

MSU Administration Cracks Down On Tailgating and Profanity

Spartan's share their thoughts about the recent banning of the MSU "Hockey Cheer" in this SoundSlide

MSU Alumni from the 1990s and earlier find a much different gameday atmosphere at their alma mater now than they did during their heydays.

In recent years, the Powers That Be at Michigan State have cracked down on alcohol-related activities at tailgates on football Saturdays.

Perhaps the most famous (or infamous) of all MSU tailgating locales, Munn Field, is now a tranquil, less chaotic shell of its former self.

Here are some tailgating tips from the university.

In addition to stricter tailgating codes, MSU revamped its Welcome Week in an effort to reduce alcohol-related crimes among minors. The traditional five-day model was scrapped in favor of a two-day one, drastically limiting the time for early partying.

MSU Fans Tailgating at the Tennis Courts

Here is an interactive map featuring some of MSU’s most prominent tailgating locations.

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Grant Provides Renovations for Arthropod Research Program at MSU

The MSU Department of Entomology (or the study of arthropods) received a $187, 000 stimulus grant from the National Science Foundation. The money will be used to update the A.J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection in MSU’s Natural Sciences building, as it has been worn down over time and invading pests have damaged specimens.

The Natural Sciences building also holds other bug-related marvels including “The Bug House,” an arm of the Department of Entomology aimed to reach out to the public with the hopes of teaching them that arthropods serve a purpose other than dinner on Fear Factor.

Anthony Cognato and Bernice Demarco show off some of the highlights of the MSU Bug House, which provides the public with firsthand experience with arthropods.

Explore the Professor Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection Photo Gallery

The arthropod research facility contains specimens dating back to the 1860’s. They come from all over the world, but there is a special emphasis on arthropods native to Michigan. There are approximately 874,000 species of unique arthropods currently known. There’s no way to tell how many have not yet been identified.

About $134,000 of the grant money will be dedicated to updating the storage facilities used to preserve the extensive collection.

Arthropod Research Facilities in the United States

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By: Tracy Key, Dan Opsommer, Zahkia Smith

NHL 2010 – A Success at MSU

A new version of EA Sports NHL 2010 was released Sept. 9, 2009. The game was created for both Playstation 3 and Xbox video game systems. The anticipated game of the year has upgraded considerably since NHL 2009. There is all new board play and new first-person fighting; a Stanley Cup option has allowed the game a more realistic feel.

When the game was set out, many fans of hockey and video games in general, rushed to their local Best Buy to make the purchase. On Michigan State’s campus many had to wait a week before stores were restocked. All in all the new game has become a success.

MSU Community Music School Rocks Out

No, it’s not another Jack Black movie. But the Michigan State University Community Music School had a similar idea in mind when founding their School of Rock: to reach out to middle and high schoolers in the Lansing area who have an interest in forming a band.

Students in the School of Rock class at CMS are mentored by The Outer Vibe, a veteran band on the Michigan music scene, who train the students on their instruments and educate them on the music business.

Finals at the CMS School of Rock consist of playing their very own show (with The Outer Vibe) at The Small Planet in East Lansing, October 23 at 6 p.m.. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased through the Community Music School.

Moratorium Placed on Michigan State Music Therapy Department

Michigan State College of Music Cuts Music Therapy Department from Budget

Due to the economic times Michigan State University has had to request that each department within the university make budget certain budget cuts. As a result the MSU College of Music has placed a moratorium on the Music Therapy Department, which means the department as of 2009-2010 academic year will accept no more applicants and the remaining students will be allowed to complete their degrees over the course of the next two years.

History of the Music Therapy Department

The MSU Music Therapy Department was established in 1944 and was the first in the nation. Prior to the cut MSU offered bachelor’s, master’s, and PHD’s in Music Therapy and with the current policy all of these degrees will no longer be offered

Student and Faculty Response

Students and faculty within the department are extremely disappointed with the cut, because MSU in one of only nine schools in the country that offer a Bachelors Degree in Music Therapy and many feel that this cut could lead other schools to follow in similar fashion.

MSU Music Therapy students, Josh Chapin and Kaylee Grettenberger expressed their concerns were with the families who attended their free music therapy clinic and would no longer have access to music therapy, because many of them simply cannot afford it.

MSU Helping Students Explore the World at Study Abroad Fair

The 2009 MSU Study Abroad Fair gave students information about places they can study all around the world!

Demmer Center for Shooting and Archery opens at MSU

Michigan State will unveil the new Shooting Sports Education and Training Center at an open house on Friday, Oct. 2, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. The public will be allowed to tour the building.

Michael Galella and John Demmer share insights on facilities and and history of the brand new center.

"I think Michigan State can be proud of it," Demmer said at the open house for his namesake archery and shooting range center.

The center is dedicated to MSU alumnus John Demmer and his late wife Marnie Demmer, also an MSU graduate.

The outdoor shooting range features lifelike statues.

The $3.5 million, 24,000-square-foot facility features two indoor and three outdoor archery ranges along with an indoor firearm shooting range among various other amenities.

“It’s been a pleasure for my family to be able to support Michigan State University,” Demmer said with a smile during preparation for the open house.

The Demmer Center is located at 3365 E. Jolly Road just south of campus between College and Hagadorn Road. The center officially opens Oct. 5 to all MSU faculty, staff, students and the general public.

Search the NRAs database for shooting ranges in Michigan.

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By Dan Opsommer, Tracy Key and Zahkia Smith

Behind the Scenes of an MSU Gameday

A lot goes into preparing for a home football game at Michigan State.

It’s not as simple as just cutting the grass in the stadium and opening the gates Saturday morning. The preparation for every game – but especially games like the upcoming one against the University of Michigan - is actually quite meticulous. From grounds-keeping to concessions, a lot has to come together for the people behind the scenes of an MSU gameday.

Here is an interactive map of several sites to see on the MSU campus on a football Saturday.


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Capital Area Humane Society Keeps Crawling in Down Economy

The recession isn’t taking a bite out of the Capital Area Humane Society.

Pet adoption rates remain high for the non-profit, charitable animal welfare organization, even as more owners surrender cats, dogs and other animals they can no longer afford to care for.

“Our adoptions are up despite the economy,” said Julia Palmer, president and CEO of the Capital Area Humane Society on 7095 W. Grand River Ave. in Lansing. “We’re having really good success with adoptions, so that’s kind of a positive note to all the economic worries we’re having.”

The humane society, which is private and does not receive tax dollars or government funding to support its efforts, is dependent on individuals donating money and volunteer time, and other third-party efforts and contributions.

Individual gifts account for roughly three-quarters of the organization’s $1.6 million budget, Palmer said.

The humane society collected more than $70,000 in donations last week from its annual Run & Walk for the Animals at Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge.

More than 6,000 animals receive food, safe shelter and medical care from the humane society every year. The organization also provides education and outreach programs to teach humane values, responsible pet ownership and to end animal abuse and neglect.

For more about the humane society:

• Watch the humane society’s internal promotional video
• Mark your calendar with upcoming humane society events
• Find out how you can contribute to the humane society
• Learn about education and outreach programs
• Map out a trip to a humane society near you:

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Sharing the harvest- MSU Student Organic Farm

Kale, edamame, grapes and watermelons are not usually among the first objects that come to mind when thinking of a busy day in the heart of Michigan State University’s campus, but for a group of student farmers, Thursday means Student Organic Farm Stand day.

Although the harvest season is reaching a close, the MSU Student Organic Farm will continue selling its produce on farm lane until late October.

Women’s Center of Greater Lansing Decorate Bras for a Cause

It’s time to dig through the underwear drawer.

The Women’s Center of Greater Lansing is putting on “In Her Cups: Bras as Art,” a fundraiser to benefit the non-profit group based in Lansing.

The private, non-profit organization has provided employment services and a range of other resources to women in the Lansing area since 2005. Services include resume preparation, tech training, a professional clothes closet, individual counseling, support groups and workshops.

“Our primary service is employment,” said Cindie Alwood, co-director at the Women’s Center.

“Our goal is for any woman who comes in here looking for some sort of work, that we’re able to find her a position or a career that’s economically self-sustaining for her and/or her family, and has benefits, and that’s very hard to find anymore.”

Alwood said it takes an average of six months to find employment for a woman who comes to the Women’s Center looking for work. It used to take just three months, but more people are competing for the few positions available due to the depressed economy, she said.

Staff at the Women’s Center include volunteer undergraduate and graduate students from MSU and other area universities.

we work individually with every woman who comes through our door

“We work individually with every woman who comes through our door,” Alwood said.

Entry forms for the “In Her Cups” fundraiser are due Friday, October 16, and can be turned in at the Women’s Center offices at 1710-1712 E. Michigan Avenue in Lansing.

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Getting Involved in MSU’s University Activities Board

The University Activities Board (UAB) at Michigan State University is responsible for many of the events seen around campus.  UAB is made up of MSU students who are interested in planning activities for the student body. Most of UAB’s activities are free to students and require only a valid MSU ID. Each year UAB plans a historical hayride, concerts, dive in movies, as well as countless concerts and craft nights. Any MSU student can get involved in UAB, all they have to do is come to one of the general board meetings on Monday nights at the MSU Union.

Pokémon Trading Card Game season begins

Pokémon trainers from near and far gathered in Rochester Hills on Sept. 19 to compete in the first tournament of the new season for the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Battle Road tournaments are the first step in a long line of competitions held throughout the year.

Sparty Watch: An Obscure Tradition

Ever wondered what exactly is going on around the Spartan statue that one week every fall?

Why are all those crazy band kids huddled around our sacred icon, partying? And what does Johnny Spirit have to do with all of this?

The event is called “Sparty Watch.” It occurs throughout the week preceding the annual MSU/U-M football game. The band takes it upon themselves to protect Sparty from any sort of desecration from our friends down the road.