This scheduled post is a test to see if an error happens WITHOUT Largo active. It ought to go up at 7:00 AM.
“I’m from the working class, and when you grow up with working class people, they never think of retiring,” said Richard Liscombe, owner of Footgear. But then came the pandemic.
Join your neighbors in filling up our buckets so we can fill up our whole water tower and know we can keep ELi coming in 2021!
It’s time to give up on the idea of the perfect gift and buy the gift that will save your local economy. Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott explain why ELi is launching its new series “SPEND LOCALLY”!
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.
How does ELi cover taxes and finances in East Lansing? Publisher Alice Dreger explains.
A long-planned project will improve sewer infrastructure and change the amount of parking in the area, leaving some displeased. Alice Dreger reports.
The cost of living in and running a business in East Lansing has indeed been going up. Alice Dreger reviews some of the changes.
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?
TechSmith is considering building its new headquarters at Spartan Village and is calling on Council for a personal property tax exemption. Alice Dreger explains what this means.
Tuesday night’s Council meeting confirmed a lot of what ELi has been reporting about the Center City District bonds. What did we learn?
A stacked City Council agenda, another meeting of the Police Oversight Study Committee, School Board, and more. Alice Dreger reports.
Voting today means avoiding any mischief and helping to reduced crowding tomorrow. You have until 4 pm.
Make a donation in support of ELi today and see your tax-deductible gift DOUBLED!
A winter farmers’ market in a parking garage? That and many other East Lansing ideas are coming to government boards this week. We give you a rundown.
Alice has made a short video directed at people who are doing pretty okay financially and who understand the value of ELi. Now is the time.
A new and scorching message from Mark Meadows and a response from Miller Canfield to his claims: the latest in the Center City District bond scene.
The City will host a closed-to-the-public meeting this week to teach members of the City’s boards and commissions about the public’s right to open government.
A new review by ELi of prior meetings on the subject finds yet more evidence that this matter won’t be simple to sort out. See the key video clips now.
What’s going on with the Evergreen Ave. properties? ELi’s Alice Dreger brings you an update.
Alice Dreger takes you through the news and notes from a (very) brief City Council meeting on Tuesday night.
Check out our interactive map of downtown commercial properties in downtown East Lansing, and read our analysis of the information provided by City staff.
Experts are describing the Center City District bonds as “hairy” and having “sharp edges.” What’s so weird about them? Alice Dreger unpacks it for you.
This page tracks materials related to the involvement of TSB Capital Advisors in East Lansing’s Center City District deal. TSB Capital Advisors took credit for having “consulted on construction financing” for this deal, indicating, “This transaction continued the firm’s successful relationship with Harbor Bay Real Estate Advisors.” The following letter from Timothy S. Bradley of…
How come the School Board meeting was cancelled, but the City Manger held an East Lansing government meeting last night? ELi’s Alice Dreger explains what’s been happening.
ELi’s Alice Dreger gives you a fast rundown of what’s coming in public meetings in East Lansing this week. Check it out.
Ever felt frustrated by some error, injustice, or silliness in East Lansing’s Code of Ordinances? Now’s a good time to act! And ELi offers you an easy way to do it.
“What local news does is unite and empower the people who believe that democracy is a moral act.” ELi’s Alice Dreger remembers John Kloswick, her Council-watching partner.
Why is East Lansing’s government poised to take on as much as $4.4M in debt when it doesn’t have to? The execution of the Center City District deal continues to baffle even experts.
What are they building just south of the Aquatic Center? When will Coolidge Road lose a car lane and gain two bike lanes? And what about Harbor Bay and the federal law? All in this week’s Ask ELi grab bag!
Now debates over the Center City Bond are heating up, as staff say the BRA is in danger of default, and Mark Meadows says it’s the developers who owe the shortfall, not the public.
ELPD will have a new police chief, Kim Johnson, starting October 5. Find out more about Johnson and last night’s discussion at Council on policing in East Lansing.
Enthusiasm for the project is high, even as Council members expressed concerns about some elements of the design and about what more construction could mean for downtown businesses.
What happened to the motorcycle parking on Albert Ave.? Is Breugger’s Bagels reopening? And what’s action that on Trowbridge Road? You ask. We answer.
Contract through 2024 for the City Manager? Pave over more of Sharp Park for bike parking? Reduce car lanes further on Abbot? ELi’s Alice Dreger tells you what’s up this week and how you can weigh in.
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ELi brings you the list of houses now quarantined. We also explain what some critics have to say about the local approaches being used.
The project has generated excitement, but a long-time Planning Commissioner tells ELi, “I’m tremendously disappointed that my Credit Union is taking shortcuts on this project, rather than going for a truly first-class presence downtown.” What are his concerns?
A total of 256 people took our survey about ELi posting at Facebook. We bring you the results.
Facebook filters what you see based on Facebook’s interests. If your OWN interest is in making sure you see every news report from ELi shortly after it is published at our website, follow these instructions to make sure ELi pushes to your news feed. If you’re accessing Facebook through a computer, scan down this page…
A public hearing on the matter will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15. ELi brings you details on that.
East Lansing has got young people desiring freedom, police who have been told generally to back-off enforcement, public health experts who are wary of using sticks instead of carrots, a relatively new university administration, and a very new City Council. And numbers that are rising. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
“They need to abide by the terms of this agreement,” twenty-two tenants tell City Council about the Center City developers. Popular opinion appears aligned with the tenants.
While many Michigan cities and schools are slashing budgets in response to the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, East Lansing’s City Manager tells Council he has “actually some pretty good news.”
East Lansing businesses with low-income employees can now apply to receive up to $10,000 in grant assistance.
It’s true: if you park in the old Biggby’s lot without permission, you may not find your car there when you come back.
“We will continue to operate under the conviction that extraordinary actors in our city require extraordinary scrutiny. Especially when they are seeking the taxpayers’ money.”
East Lansing will soon engage a new City Attorney. What are Council members hoping for?
Council will meet Thursday night to decide which of the eight applicants will get an interview and what questions they will be asked.
ELi undergoes a transition (which may temporarily impact our news production) and asks you to consider taking a couple of steps to help us stay connected to you.
Those who knew David Krause remember him not only for his many significant three-dimensional contributions, but also for his constant work boosting East Lansing and its town-gown connections.
The Abbot has received clearance to open, and move-in will start tomorrow.
Want to send a happy message about a person or institution at the top of our daily mailer? You now can!
City Council’s meeting for tonight is being rescheduled for next Monday due to technical difficulties.
MSU announced late Tuesday afternoon that it is suspending in-person learning for undergraduate courses for the fall semester. The impact on East Lansing will be significant.
Outdoor parties will be limited to 25 people under a new County Health rule applied to part of East Lansing. How will this work in practice?
East Lansing’s Council took up many issues of equity and racism at last week’s five-hour meeting, including passing an anti-bias law and authorizing the use of $153K for anti-racism training.
Following unanimous votes by the new Council, adults 21 and up will be able to buy marijuana for non-medical use at three East Lansing locations. What happened with “social equity”?
School Board Member Chris Martin is looking at other districts’ plans and thinks that ELPS is too far behind. ELi asked the rest of the School Board and the Superintendent to respond.
“We are hearing over and over about how tight the site is,” Planning Commissioner Chris Wolf said before voting against the proposal. “What I’m getting from that is that the building is too large for the site.” The rest of the commission supported it.
City Council is putting off possibly asking voters whether to add 2 seats to the Council, bringing the total seats from 5 to 7.
Wearing matching t-shirts saying “good trouble,” the new City Council met for the first time last night. We give you a rundown of what happened during those five hours.
Planning Commission will likely vote on a recommendation for the MSUFCU proposal tonight. ELi brings you the details with images and maps.
With Harper’s still closed after the COVID-19 outbreak, the owners are now defending themselves against recent accusations of unsafe conditions and failure to fully compensate workers.
ELi readers are excited to hear our work mentioned on Fresh Air this week. Want to know the backstory?
Council will likely soon name new members of the Planning Commission, DDA, BRA, and Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission.
City Manager George Lahanas’s contract is worth over $200,000 per year. Mayor Aaron Stephens wants to extend it now, without a performance review.
River Caddis Development has put together a draft agreement that would shift yet more of The CITADEL project costs onto the public ledger. For now, East Lansing’s DDA has agreed to more talks.
The City Council is seeking a new city attorney, and the DDA and BRA are looking for an attorney and a financial advisor. What’s up?
Harper’s owner Pat Riley warned today that COVID-19 is “a silent invisible thief” who steals your business’s reputation. He made his case to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for reopening Harper’s.
The plan will create a new branch within ELPD to respond to things like mental health crises, neighbor conflict resolution, and quality of life complaints.
East Lansing’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority learned a lot more this week about the $25M existing bond and voted to get a financial advisor before committing to a refinancing proposal.
A special meeting of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has been called to deal with major questions about what the City really owes the developer in taxes on the Center City District deal.
Instead of the Jackson County prosecutor – a Republican – functioning as the Special Prosecutor – now the case will be reviewed by the Washtenaw County prosecutor – a Democrat. Stephenson’s lawyer is concerned “that a fix is in.”
Is East Lansing’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) about to accidentally issue over $2 million in essentially worthless bonds?
It appears possible that there is now a City Council majority willing to revise or even end the City Attorney’s contract. But Tuesday’s agenda doesn’t tell us much.
The developer came well armed with representatives, but the City went in with no financial advisor to this deal. Its usual advisor is actually being paid with public money to represent the developers.
Jackson County prosecutor Jerard Jarzynka will act as the special prosecutor to review a Black man’s complaint of alleged excessive use of force by ELPD Officer Andrew Stephenson, who is white.
The Bell family of developers is back. What new Center City District public financing deal will be made with them this time? ELi’s Alice Dreger reports what we know.
Council member Lisa Babcock strongly objected to handing over to the Mayor wide and unspecified powers during declared States of Emergency.
ELi’s Alice Dreger explains how Big Marijuana came to dominate East Lansing’s business scene and why some think it’s high time to pursue “Social Equity.”
ELi’s Alice Dreger and Chris Root tell you what stands out in the submitted plans and what comes next in the review process.
The new order will reduce capacity in 19 East Lansing establishments. We tell you which and bring reactions from City Council members and one restaurant owner.
What’s closed, what’s opening, what’s happening along East Lansing’s main strip? The latest from ELi.
East Lansing made national headlines thanks to the outbreak at Harper’s. Now businesses downtown are trying to manage the problem.
Cases of the coronavirus tied to people who visited Harper’s are now up to 76. None of those people have been hospitalized.
Officer Andrew Stephenson’s defense attorney has strongly criticized Mayor Ruth Beier’s remarks about his client. Citizens came forward this week to join him in his criticisms.
This page archives the annual reports of the East Lansing Police Department.
This decision has been a long time coming. It’s made in the service of our core mission: bringing accurate and timely news of East Lansing.
Free parking ends June 30. Georgio’s has asked the City for rent forgiveness, but the parking system can’t afford it. The finances look bad.
According to Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail, the 22 cases include one employee. What can government officials do to compel masks and other interventions?
Consumers Energy is on the scene working to fix the problem. Roads and the picnic area are expected to be closed the rest of the day.
As Harper’s closes for cleaning, ELi hears from the owners about what they say the City has done wrong. What’s going to happen here come fall?
“There was one arrest made,” ELPD Captain Chad Connelly tells ELi.
News on The Abbot, The Graduate, affordable housing, Coleman Road, the new elementary schools, MSUFCU’s downtown project, and marijuana sales locations. We also tell you where in East Lansing the state’s wetland protection agency plans a new office building that would disturb a wetland.
Here come requests to sell recreational marijuana, the superintendent’s (closed door) review, teacher and police retirements, and so much more. ELi keeps you informed before the decisions are made.
This week, a majority of Council okayed new vests in spite of concerns they might appear too militaristic. What was the reasoning, and why are ELPD officers firing guns when they do?
Attorney Mike Nichols says Mayor Ruth Beier is out of line with her comments about his client, ELPD Officer Andrew Stephenson. He explains for ELi what he sees on the tapes.
Is big new office space viable? What tax incentives will the developers want? And what does the new “stakeholders” team think of it all?
Slotkin said she favors police reform, not defunding police, and that she hopes to see MSU and East Lansing’s leaders work together on the COVID-19 public health emergency.
What delights can you expect to find at the market on this beautiful day in East Lansing?
Tables will be available 11 am to 10 pm for people who want to sit and enjoy food and drink purchased from restaurants within a 3-block radius.
Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon has informed ELi that she is taking a major step in the ongoing investigation into the actions of ELPD Officer Andrew Stephenson, accused by two African American men of brutality.
Until now, East Lansing’s DDA has relied on City Attorney Tom Yeadon. Now it is moving to hire independent counsel.
Why did everything about the investigation into the two excessive force complaints against Stephenson stop in early May and suddenly restart in early June?
Beier declared herself “fully woke,” Stephens wants social workers in the police department, Meadows defended his claim “good cops don’t protect bad cops,” Babcock was largely silent, and Gregg wants to look at defunding the police.
A day after ELi’s Patty Bonito reported it’d be a long time before playgrounds and the dog park would reopen, the Parks & Rec Director changed his mind.
The stunning reversal is said to be the result of the City and County Prosecutor realizing there had been a communication mishap, due partly to the State Police.
ELi’s Alice Dreger reports on what video from Sunday seems to show and how East Lansing Interim Police Chief Steve Gonzalez is seeing the protests.
Expect fresh eggs, bread, herbs, spring onions, rhubarb, honey, syrup, greens, cheeses and meat, mushrooms, jams, fermentations, and more.
For years, citizen watchdogs warned the City of East Lansing not to continue partnering with Chappelle. If convicted on the bank fraud charge, he faces up to 30 years in prison.
ELi has been made aware of at least three cases of this, and East Lansing Police detectives are now seeking more information from community members.
The filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy by HopCat’s parent company speaks to the level of distress in the bar and restaurant industry. The City of East Lansing is trying to help out.
A reader wondered why one ELPD car was left in the middle of the parking lot as protestors approached on Sunday.
Protestors called for the firing of an ELPD officer and dropping of charges against a black man who that officer injured and then held down with his knee.
As protestors prepare to gather again at ELPD at noon, East Lansing Mayor Ruth Beier tells ELi that she wants big changes in policing here.
About a thousand people came to protest at East Lansing Police headquarters today as part of nationwide protests against racist police brutality. In a tense stand-off, a police vehicle’s windows were smashed.
As we have another round of “free” yard-waste pick-up coming, we answer a reader’s question about what this is costing.
ELi brings you the latest news on this project, including about the design, timing, and environmental contamination at the site.
Just about the only people not eligible to serve on the study committee are those who are active-duty police officers.
“It’s going to be scarier for the city than I think it is for campus,” Beier said about MSU’s decision to reopen in the fall.
The vote happened in the shadow of the police killing of George Floyd and amidst more calls for firing ELPD Officer Andrew Stephenson.
A rep for Barrio’s says that restaurant will reopen if Albert Ave. is closed off for outside take-out dining. But Jolly Pumpkin won’t open before Labor Day.
East Lansing’s City Government is getting busy. What’s up?
Chris Martin wants open conversations about what to do with regard to the start of the next school year. The entire School Board will talk about the superintendent’s evaluation on Tuesday.
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.
Representatives of the police unions say “the City Council shows an obvious disdain for our law enforcement officers” as talks continue on policing in East Lansing.
The Red Cedar River is up over its banks. ELi’s Gary Caldwell brings us photos.
Parking revenues have taken a steep dive. Fees and fines are way down. The shortfall in the Parks & Rec budget looks to be $300,000. And with MSU shuttered, the income tax can’t save us now.
Following release of police body cam video, citizens and at least one Human Relations Commissioner are demanding more action by ELPD, the East Lansing City Manager, and City Council.
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.
Who will work with the developers to try to hammer out a deal this time? And why did the vote split 5-4?
New developments in the shake-up at ELPD: videos from December are released, and changes are in the works.
We bring news on construction at all six elementary schools, including what we know so far about the finances.
Did a City worker really roll a recycling truck? Is the hybrid truck too expensive to fix? We asked.
What’s fair to charge bars and restaurants in East Lansing? And should liquor licenses be more heavily regulated here?
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.
Thank you, ELi readers, for your generous donations and wonderfully supportive words!
We tell you what we know so far about what will be discussed at City Council, School Board, and the DDA.
City Council will pursue a Citizen Oversight Panel for complaints, and ELPD will look anew at “head stabilization” in light of injuries to two black men.
What’s happening with Newman Lofts, police oversight, big downtown construction, and more? ELi brings you up to speed.
It’s a good thing the East Lansing Public Schools district has saved millions of dollars to prepare for economic declines.
Gotcha says scooters can be helpful during a pandemic. The City replies, “Wash your hands!”
ELi brings you information about agendas and tells you how you can attend.
The DDA will meet Thursday to decide on criteria for $250K in grants to local businesses. We explain what’s been decided so far.
ELi is working to help you figure out when important local government meetings are happening.
We have now lined up $6,300 in match commitments from local donors, and so far we’ve brought in $1,356 in additional donations.
The mayor doesn’t want to be led with an offer of an office building and told later the developers want to construct towering student housing.
The credit union is going ahead. But the City’s Planning Director says they’ve put the housing study on hold. Why?
With the only active proposal for the DDA’s properties, River Caddis Development wants an exclusive agreement. But do they have a viable concept?
Mayor Ruth Beier says virtual meetings are not a good way to conduct the public’s business. The other four members of Council say the show must go on.
Internal emails give a glimpse into what led up to the Continuity of Learning plan that begins Week 1 today for East Lansing Public Schools.
Can you help us stimulate local reporting and local jobs with some of your stimulus check?
East Lansing’s Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are willing to consider converting the senior housing to some other uses.
Many predicted this would happen, but few expected it so soon. What now?
With work halted under the governor’s orders, it’s unclear what East Lansing’s elementary schools’ populations will be facing next year.
Find out how to find more!
Which City of East Lansing government meetings are starting up again, and which have yet to resume?
A wave of layoffs speaks to the massive financial challenges faced by the government and businesses of East Lansing.
Haslett Public Schools have geared back up. But East Lansing’s still haven’t. The School Board meets tonight.
Our publisher pauses to answer the question, “How is ELi doing?”
Tenants for The Abbot signed leases expecting a summer move-in. The developer thinks work should be allowed to continue.
East Lansing Info (ELi) isn’t just about producing meaningful news for the people of the East Lansing area. It’s also about engaging our community in the process of public-service journalism so that we increase media literacy and appreciation for high-quality journalism. We believe it is our job to help the people of our community learn…
ELi’s Publisher explains why the ELi team decided to create a whole new website for our readers.
What African Americans have been saying for years has now been shown conclusively: stops made by East Lansing Police Department officers evidence a cumulative racial bias.
Data are showing conclusively that coronavirus has been spreading in Ingham County. Local experts say the real numbers are definitely above the official counts.
The crane is no longer moving at The Abbot. But there’s some good news from the project. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
What’s it like reporting during a pandemic? ELi reporter Emily Joan Elliott and photographer Gary Caldwell share their experiences.
The East Lansing schools-based system for emergency food distribution is changing starting now, and meals will be available for seniors on Wednesday.
East Lansing Mayor Ruth Beier is angry that the federal, state, and county governments did not act much sooner on COVID-19. ELi spoke with her just after the Governor’s stay-at-home order.
People who owe the City of East Lansing an income tax return for 2019 now have until July 31 to file. But what’s the outlook for the City’s finances now?
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer isn’t the only East Lansing Public Schools parent who wishes kids could keep learning for credit during the public health emergency. What’s going on?
East Lansing’s emergency services providers are now taking special measures to reduce the odds that they will be exposed to COVID-19. ELi spoke with the police and fire chiefs to learn more.
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.
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.
Many businesses are offering by-appointment help but make sure to call ahead. There are college students willing to help, if you need it. ELi’s Alice Dreger helps by filing this rundown.
Friday morning 3/20/20 at 10 a.m., East Lansing’s City Council will meet partly electronically to vote whether to extend our local State of Emergency.
The Census Bureau is saying students who normally attend school here should be counted as living here for the census. But will they be?
With one developer pulling out, leaving only one left, this isn’t what East Lansing’s DDA had in mind when it sent out a call to developers about the Evergreen properties.
Mayor Ruth Beier has declared a state of emergency in East Lansing. We tell you in practical terms what that means.
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.
East Lansing City leaders are working steadily to try to figure out a way to reduce or eliminate bar crowds in East Lansing to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
The East Lansing Public Schools administration has announced plans for feeding children during the public health emergency now ongoing. Here are the details.
“Social distancing even one day sooner will save lives,” says the dean of Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. What does that look like for people in East Lansing?
East Lansing Public Schools’ superintendent told district families this afternoon, “We are in the process of making plans for if/when we are directed to close.” ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
Superintendent Dori Leyko explains the latest delay in the completion of building projects at both Donley and Glencairn elementary schools.
East Lansing Info (ELi) provides nonpartisan, nonprofit, meaningful local news and information about East Lansing, Michigan. We take donations from the community and engage a team of paid and volunteer citizen reporters in the process of bringing high-quality, accurate, relevant reports of life in East Lansing. Today we bring you a report of our activities…
East Lansing Info (ELi) serves as this community’s dedicated independent local news organization. We are a public service news organization, operating in 2018 entirely on funds donated by readers, using local citizens as reporters. Our work is nonpartisan, noneditorial, and nonprofit. Today we bring you this report on our activities in 2018, including details on…