Read Our Reporting From this Week
Catch up on our reporting from the school's, city hall and more!
Well, it’s still winter.
Once you finish shoveling the snow from this week’s storms, grab a cup of coffee and catch up with ELi’s reporting from the week.
ELPS to push school start times back?
With the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and the district's teacher union negotiating a new contract, one topic of discussion will be the possibility of starting the school day later. Currently, at the district elementary schools students begin their days at 8:45 a.m. and conclude full days at 3:37 p.m. MacDonald Middle School runs from 8:05 a.m. to 2:53 p.m. while the high school starts at 7:45 a.m. and dismisses at 2:35 p.m. For the full story, check out Dustin DuFort Petty’s reporting.
City Council receives progress report on goals set last year.
City Manager Robert Belleman is kept up at night by the constant threat of losing employees to Michigan State University and the state, he said when presenting a progress report on goals set by City Council last year. The report was developed by Belleman and city staff and provides insight to where staff believes they stand in carrying out council’s priorities. Read Managing Editor Luke Day’s coverage of the progress report here.
East Lansing couple shares love story.
In 1956, Bob and Sylvia Stevens met as students at Ohio Wesleyan University, kicking off a nearly 70-year love story that continues to add chapters. On Valentine’s Day, Dustin brought a story chronicling the East Lansing couple’s journey together.
MSU provides resources, holds events on two-year anniversary of mass shooting.
Thursday, Jan. 13 marked the two-year anniversary of the shooting on the Michigan State University campus that killed three and critically injured five others. To help members of the community who continue to grieve the tragedy, MSU offered community spaces and lit some of its buildings green. Read Luke’s story on what the university did on the anniversary of the tragedy.
There are seven city meetings scheduled next week.
East Lansing city government will remain active next week, with several meetings scheduled during the week. Tuesday (Feb. 18), City Council and the University Student Commission each have meetings. Wednesday (Feb. 19), the Library Board of Trustees and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission each convene. Then Thursday (Feb. 20), the Arts Commission, Age Friendly Communities and the Charter Review Committee each gather.
When meeting agendas are posted, they can be found here.
Peter Pan, A Ballet For Everyone! To be performed at Hannah Community Center.
The Studio Performing Arts Center is putting on a performance of "Peter Pan, A Ballet For Everyone" Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23 at Albert White Theatre in the Hannah Community Center. The production will begin at 2 p.m. each day, with tickets selling for $15. A description of the show from The Studio Performing Arts Center reads as follows:
“Fly into a new adventure with the beloved story of Peter Pan, A Ballet For Everyone! Told through a dynamic combination of physical theatre, dance, music and narration, the timeless story of Peter Pan comes to life in this all-original premiere production! Rock along with comical Pirates, float with tiny fairies and root for sides in silly duels! A fun, humor-filled, fast-paced adventure for all ages! Get your tickets for this delightful show now!”
Tickets can be purchased at this site.
East Lansing name origins: Towar.
Dustin’s newsletter-exclusive column detailing the history behind some of East Lansing’s most important namesakes is back!
Across from where Whitehills Elementary School stands, the Towar family built their home north of the city limits. George Morris Towar and his wife Elvira farmed 600 acres in the area. George had come from New York State, arriving in 1849. The couple had three children, including Dr. James DeLoss Towar.
James became the moderator of the first East Lansing School Board in 1900 and saw to the opening of a new schoolhouse where the Hannah Community Center now sits. He would go on to become a professor at the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and held similar positions in Wyoming and Australia. George, Elvira, James and many more members of the Towar family are buried in Riverside Cemetery in Okemos.
East Lansing’s Towar Avenue, the Towar Garden neighborhood and the Towar Community Garden are all named for the family.
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