Our Coverage From this Week

Election Day is almost here! If you didn’t vote early, make a plan to head to the polls on Nov. 5 to make sure your voice is heard. 

This past week, ELi brought some stories covering the looming election, along with some other community news. 

Know the candidates: Patrick Lindemann and Brian Bruce Beauchine are running for drain commissioner. 

Patrick Lindemann was first elected to serve as Ingham County drain commissioner in 1992, making him the longest serving elected county official. This year, he will be challenged by Brian Beauchine, who has a professional history in IT and consulting. Read Dustin DuFort Petty’s story about this year’s race and the responsibilities the drain commissioner takes on. 

Know the candidates: Derrick Quinney is challenged by Karla Skoczylas in register of deeds race. 

Also on the ballot, Ingham County residents will decide whether to reelect Derrick Quinney, or to vote in Republican challenger Karla Skoczylas. The register of deeds keeps vital real estate documents, making the position very important. Read Dustin’s story here. 

Planning moves forward for Great Lakes Folk Festival revival.

The Great Lakes Folk Festival was last held in East Lansing in 2017, ending a 15-year run. Now, the city has formed a new committee to explore bringing the popular event back, hopefully next summer. City Councilmember Mark Meadows, who has led the effort, is optimistic about the possibility, largely due to the strong community interest. Read Reporter Nico Bradford’s story on the effort here. 

Ask ELi: Are dogs allowed on restaurant patios?

Recently, a reader told us their dog was turned away from the Peanut Barrel patio after being allowed for years. Dustin did some digging and found out that recent enforcement of an existing state law has led to restaurants not allowing dogs. However, Peanut Barrel owner Mike Krueger and Sen. Sam Singh have advocated for legislation that would allow businesses to decide whether or not to allow dogs. Read Dustin’s story here. 

“Tunnel of Terror” open on Halloween once again.

For decades, East Lansing resident Chris Compton has held a Halloween attraction at his East Lansing residence, working to improve the decorations each year. Compton’s paper mache monsters that he creates himself make the spooky setup unique. Read Reporter Ayah Imran’s story about Compton’s “Tunnel of Terror” here. 

Seven city meetings are scheduled for next week. 

Even with Tuesday’s election, next week is a busy one for city meetings. Monday (Nov. 4), the Seniors’ Commission and Transportation Commission meet. Wednesday (Nov. 6), the Zoning Board of Appeals and Police Oversight Commission each convene. Then on Thursday (Nov. 7), the Parking Taskforce, Charter Review Committee and Housing Commission each gather. When meeting agendas are posted, they can be found here. 

Tuesday is Election Day!

Election Day is almost here, so make a plan to vote if you haven’t already. Tuesday, Nov. 5 the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Use this link to find your voting precinct. Notably, due to construction, precinct 6, normally held at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, is being temporarily relocated to the Hannah Community Center. 

For those who would like to vote early, Early Voting Centers will be open today (Nov. 2) and tomorrow (Nov. 3). There is an Early Voting Center at the Hannah Community Center that will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and at the WKAR studio in the Communication Arts and Sciences building on MSU’s campus from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The City Clerk’s office will be open today, Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for residents who still need to register to vote, or would like to drop off an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots should be dropped off at a clerk’s office or at a drop box, not mailed, this close to the election. Drop boxes can be found at:

• East Lansing City Hall (north lot), 410 Abbot Road
• East Lansing Department of Public Works, 1800 E. State Road
• MSU-CATA Transportation Center, 592 N. Shaw Lane
• East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road 

Anyone who would still like to register on the day of the election can do so at the city clerk’s office or the Election Day Voting Center at the WKAR studio. Unregistered residents who would like to vote should remember that registration cannot be done at regular voting precincts.

For more information, visit the city’s election information page here. 

Vice President Kamala Harris to visit East Lansing tomorrow.

Current Vice President and Democratic nominee for President Kamala Harris will speak in East Lansing Sunday, Nov. 3 just days before the election. Harris is expected to speak around 6:30 p.m. on the Michigan State University campus, the Lansing State Journal reported.

Those interested in attending use this link to RSVP. Importantly, those who RSVP are not guaranteed admission to the event.

Women in the Arts Festival is next week. 

The 39th annual Women in the Arts Festival is being held at Edgewood United Church Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9. The festival will gather several talented musical groups on each day. Additionally, there will be an artist’s market and food from the Sistrum Cafe. For more information, visit the festival’s web page. 

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