Catch Up With ELi's Reporting From this Week
It was a busy week for the ELi team.
It’s Saturday!
Kick off your weekend by catching up with ELi’s reporting from this week.
A large company purchased a historic East Lansing rental community. Longtime residents were quickly priced out.
In late 2023, Hillcrest Village residents were informed their apartment buildings had been sold to Peak Management, a large company based out of Ferndale. Hillcrest residents told ELi that their rents almost immediately increased drastically, and many of their longtime neighbors moved out as a result. Read Managing Editor Luke Day’s story about what happened at Hillcrest Village here.
East Lansing council race kicks into high gear with absentee ballots out this week.
Even though Election Day isn’t until November, recent changes to state law allow for early voting. This week, absentee ballots were officially sent out for the East Lansing City Council race. Deputy Editor Anna Liz Nichols spoke with candidates about how they are campaigning, as votes are officially starting to come in.
A local girl’s memory continues to strengthen East Lansing schools.
After 10-year-old Sarah Tarpoff tragically died in a horseback riding accident in 1984, her family and the East Lansing community created a lasting tribute by founding an educational foundation. The organization has grown into the East Lansing Educational Foundation, which now provides grants, teacher support and annual awards. Read more about ELEF and find out how to nominate someone for one of its awards in City Government Reporter Ayah Imran’s story.
Council delays vote on amendments to police oversight commission; Table resolution to create social district.
At this week’s City Council meeting, council opted to delay voting on amendments to the ordinance governing the city’s police oversight commission. The amendments, which limit the oversight commission’s powers, were created because city attorneys have said they are mandated by a new contract the city reached with a police union. Members of the oversight commission, however, say the amendments go beyond what the contract requires. Read about council’s decision to delay the vote, the possibility of a social district downtown and City Manager Robert Belleman’s new contract in Ayah and Anna’s reporting.
Two East Lansing churches welcome new parish leaders.
Both the Edgewood United Church of Christ and All Saints Episcopal Church welcomed new parish leaders this year. Pastor Greg Briggs and Rev. Andrew Armond will each lead important sectors of the East Lansing faith community, each took winding paths to their positions in church leadership. Find out more in Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty’s story.
East Lansing explores new tools to spur downtown development.
After a prominent downtown business owner said that a city policy is blocking housing diversity, the East Lansing Planning Commission began looking at ways to help usher in certain types of developments. At last week’s City Council meeting, Principal Planner Landon Bartley talked to council about tax incentives, housing funds and much more. Read about Bartley’s presentation and why one council member thinks the downtown should be expanded in Luke’s story.
The East Lansing Insider podcast is back! Hear ELi editors discuss the upcoming election.
After a three-year hiatus, the East Lansing Insider podcast has returned. This week, Anna and Luke discussed the upcoming election slate in East Lansing. Listen to the podcast on streaming service or on our website.
There are four city meetings next week.
There’s some action in city government to open up October next week. Wednesday (Oct. 1), the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals each meet. Then on Thursday (Oct. 2), the Downtown Management Board and Housing Commission will each gather. When meeting agendas are posted, they can be found here.
“Read For Your Rights” event scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3.
The City of East Lansing, East Lansing Public Library and (SCENE) Metrospace are teaming up to hold an event ahead of Freedom to Read Week. Friday, Oct. 3 from 6-8 p.m., community members are invited to the (SCENE) Metrospace building in downtown East Lansing. The evening will feature a live read-out from banned books, art exhibits and more. More information about the “Read For Your Rights” event can be found on the library’s website.
East Lansing Insider to broadcast Sunday at 9 a.m.
The next episode of East Lansing Insider will be broadcast Sunday at 9 a.m. on 88.9 FM Impact Radio. This week Anna and Ayah will discuss proposed amendments to the city’s police oversight commission and concerns about safety in downtown East Lansing. Early next week, the episode will be available on streaming services and ELi’s website.
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