Vision to Learn expands, helps Lansing students see success

At a recent  Lansing school board meeting the nationwide nonprofit organization called, Vision to Learn was introduced. Dr. Sue Wheeler presented a health and wellness update and gave a presentation on how Vision to Learn will be participating in the Lansing school district. “This year we are expanding our partnership with Vision to Learn… a nonprofit organization that provides onsite vision screening, vision exams and glasses for students who need them,” Wheeler said. “All are at no cost to our families.

Pinecrest elementary school to be renamed in tribute to civil rights activist Dr. Robert L. Green

The East Lansing School Board unanimously voted to re-name Pinecrest Elementary School to honor Dr. Robert L. Green, the first Black homeowner in East Lansing and civil rights activist. Emotions ran high as the board room began to clap following the final approval of the name change. 

Gabrielle MortonFormerly known Pinecrest Elementary School is in the same neighborhood that Robert L. Green raised his own kids. The Robert L. Green Commission, which was formed earlier this year, was created in an effort to commemorate Green and his efforts to improve the East Lansing community for people of color in the 1960s. Ron Bacon, a member of the commission as well as a city councilman, said that this change brings light to a missing part of East Lansing’s history. 

“There is a long history of Dr. Green that I wanted to know,” said Bacon. “His story being told makes all of our communities’ history make a lot more sense.”   

In 1962, President Kennedy signed Executive Order 11063.

Ingham County health officer receives Inspirational Woman of the Year Award

Every year, the Michigan State University Center for Gender in Global Context honors staff, faculty, and student women on campus and Ingham County with the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award. The Inspiration Awards highlight women’s abilities in several categories. Linda Vail, health officer of the Ingham County Health Department, was awarded the Community Engagement award. 

Linda Vail

Women who receive the Community Engagement award demonstrate a commitment to engaging and advancing communities and organizations at MSU and in the greater Lansing community through service and leadership, per the MSU GenCen website. Vail is CEO of the Ingham County Health Department where she oversees the operations and leads the entire department, which includes public health services, federally qualified health centers and correctional health. Vail also holds a small responsibility related to the medical examiner’s office. Vail received her Bachelor of Science in microbiology from The University of Georgia in 1982 when she was 20.

WATCH: Man escapes from jail, plane crash, and more

This week on the Spartan News Update: A man by the name of Michael Simon escapes jail from the eleventh floor. Additionally, a plane in Indonesia crashed and 189 people were killed. Experts say this could have been prevented. In more positive news, the Potter Park zoo held a Christmas event which turned into a magical world of lights for the city and residents of Lansing Mi. Please watch for more info.

Recreational marijuana could potentially become legal in Michigan

Voters in Michigan will get the choice to vote and make it recreation marijuana legal in the upcoming election. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol has officially gotten the approval to get proposal one on the ballot for the November election. The initiative was approved by the State in May of 2017. Between May and November last year the campaign collected more than three hundred and sixty thousand signatures which exceed the minimal amount of two hundred and fifty two thousand, five hundred and twenty three signatures. “Up to two and a half ounces on your possession, and up to 10 ounces stored in a locked container at home,” Joshua Honey, the Coalition Communicative director, said.