Business & Economy
Illustrated $100 dollar bills

How 10 proposals in Ingham County affect taxpayers

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Ingham County residents voted on 10 proposals on Nov. 5, seven of which passed. Topics ranged from housing to the sale of marijuana, and funds for the initiatives that passed will come from property taxes. 

Many of these proposals are known as millage proposals. A millage is a tax on property, which can be approved by conducting a popular vote. The amount per $1,000 of taxable property is represented in mills. 

For example, a 1 mill tax rate on a home valued at $100,000 would generate $100 in taxes annually from that single property.

East Lansing

Multi-jurisdictional Waterway Project Will Make The Red Cedar River Accessible for Recreation Again

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The Red Cedar River has long been a defining feature of Michigan State University’s campus, but many local residents have overlooked its full recreational potential due to neglect. With the Red Cedar Multi-jurisdictional Waterway Project, that is set to change. The impact could be significant for the entire mid-Michigan community. Currently hampered by log jams, debris, and overgrown vegetation, the river is difficult to navigate, restricting once-common activities like kayaking and fishing. Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Wisinski is leading a multi-agency project to restore 18 miles of the river, making it accessible for recreation again.“East Lansing, MSU, Meridian Township, Williamstown Township, and Williamston have been working together to keep the Red Cedar in an ecologically healthy way.

Diversity Issues

GAAY Sports cultivates community through athletics

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April 6 marked the final day for GAAY, which stands for GLBTQIA+, Athletes, Allies and You. The non-profit hosts many sports, including dodgeball, kickball and bowling across Lansing, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. For Lansing’s final dodgeball game of the season, it didn’t take long for the group of almost 60 players to mingle, make new friendsn and let the anxiety of gym class fade away.

Education

Vision to Learn expands, helps Lansing students see success

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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.

Greater Lansing Community News

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

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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.