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Soaring gas prices prime East Lansing for commuting alternatives

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In recent weeks, Americans have felt the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other dynamics at the fuel pump. According to AAA gas price data, Lansing residents can expect to pay an average of $3.81 per gallon of regular unleaded fuel, down from last month’s average of $4.14 but far above last year’s average of $2.82. 

THE PROBLEM WITH GAS

A lack of commute options forces many into costly alternatives. When gas prices go up, it ultimately reduces how much workers are taking home. Trent Delongchamp, a Chandler Crossings resident and Michigan State University sophomore, says he now pays $85 per tank of gas to fill his 2011 Ford Expedition. 

“I drive from my apartment to campus three days a week there and back, and also work Mondays and Fridays,” said Delongchamp, “I feel like I don’t make as much profit from my work anymore because I have to budget more for the insane gas prices in Lansing.”  

Scott Stewart, an East Lansing DoorDash driver has been forced to adjust to higher gas prices. 

“I have to be a lot more picky with the orders I take, making sure that the pay per mile is high [enough] so I can actually make money on it,” Stewart said. “So I end up taking fewer orders, making less money per day.

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Director of Prime Time Seniors Program keeps people moving

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As director of the Prime Time Seniors Program, Kelly Arndt helps seniors’ physical, intellectual and emotional well-being. The program’s main goal is to provide support for the senior citizens in the East Lansing/Lansing community. Arndt oversees all the events this program has for seniors and seeks out other community members to participate. She goes into detail in this video about her background and aspirations, some current events going on within the program, the newsletter and an overall highlight of all of the projects.

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New boba tea shop in Lansing: Feng Cha MSU

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Tho Phan, owner of Feng Cha in the brand new store

Calling all boba tea lovers! There is a new hot spot in town. Feng Cha MSU at 3214 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, will have a soft opening on Wednesday, March 23. The products you can find here include boba tea, regular tea, cheese foam, dirty boba, coffee, fruit drinks and slushies. 

Owner Tho Phan said he opened this store because he likes boba tea and wanted to bring his very own store to Lansing , as it is so close to his home. “I was searching for a long time for the right spot,” said Phan, “and this place eventually popped up and I liked it because it is brand new with a good space.”

Cami AndersonFeng Cha MSU can be found at 3214 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing.

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The City of East Lansing prepares for St. Patrick’s Day

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Cami AndersonEast Lansing Police Department patrol car parked at the station

It’s that time of the year when Michigan State University Spartans are feeling lucky. St. Patrick’s Day is a highly celebrated holiday among students, no matter what day of the week it falls on. The extravagant plans and celebrations all day ensure a great time for students, but also raise safety concerns. This is where the East Lansing Police Department comes in.

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Business & Economy

Spark your curiosity with Curious Book Shop

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Cami AndersonRay Walsh, owner of Curious Book Shop in downtown East Lansing. Since 1973, Curious Book Shop has been one of the most iconic spots in downtown East Lansing. Ray Walsh, owner of the 18-foot-wide shop, started collecting and selling books out of his garage in 1969 to help pay for his education at Michigan State University. His side hobby and passion for books led him to start this used bookstore business. 

“We have always wanted to find books people are looking for because this business is all about quality as opposed to quantity,” Walsh said. “We sell a lot of books, but they are good books, some rare, some unusual.” 

MSU graduate and Curious Book Shop employee Abigail Rhoades said she went for this casual bookseller job in August.

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Students boarding bus

CATA reduces campus services because of driver shortages

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MSU students board the bus at the CATA Transportation Center. The Capital Area Transportation Authority is experiencing a bus driver shortage which has led to schedule delays and frustrations for some Michigan State University students. The CATA buses that run through campus are a very popular mode of transportation for students to get to class. The campus bus routes that have been reduced to running every 30 minutes include: 30, 31, 32, 33, 38 and 39. 

Chief Marketing and Public Information Officer Laurie Robison said CATA continues to monitor key boarding points to ensure no student is left behind while comparing passenger to the fall semester. “CATA’s daily weekday passenger trip counts have fluctuated between 2,200 and 5,500 each day since in-class instruction resumed,” Robison said.