News - The Eastern Echo

14 American soldiers die in 2 helicopter crashes

By Hal Bernton · Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

KABUL— Fourteen Americans died Monday in helicopter crashes in southern and western Afghanistan, one of the deadliest days for the United States in the Afghanistan war. Ten died when a helicopter went down in western Afghanistan, and four were killed in a mid-air collision between two helicopters in southern Afghanistan, according to NATO officials in Kabul.

Palin to get at least $1.25 million for book, forms, show

By Erika Bolstad · Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

WASHINGTON— Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was paid at least $1.25 million for her upcoming memoir, a book that’s one of the top pre-orders on online bestseller lists even before its release next month. Palin reported she had received what she described as a “retainer” as part of a required financial disclosure to the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

Strong Hall next up for renovations

By Robyn Hoffenblum · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Eastern Michigan University is making the Strong Hall science complex a top priority for the fiscal year 2010-2011.

Cascades could hide large magma pool

By Les Blumenthal · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

WASHINGTON- A vast pool of molten rock in the continental crust that underlies southwestern Washington state could supply magma to three active volcanoes in the Cascade Mountains, Mount St.

Coal-fired power plants face curbs

By Renee Schoof · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

WASHINGTON- The Environmental Protection Agency will put controls on the emissions of hazardous pollutants such as mercury from coal-fired power plants for the first time by November 2011, according to an agreement announced Friday to settle a lawsuit against the agency. Many other polluters were forced to reduce emissions of toxic material such as mercury, arsenic and lead after the Clean Air Act was strengthened in 1990.

Some Democrats in Senate hold fate of health care bill

By David Lightman · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

WASHINGTON – A handful of moderate Senate Democrats will determine the fate of this year’s health care overhaul, and they’re sending strong signals that while they are willing to compromise, they’re wary of a strong public option. “I’ve ruled out a government-funded and a government-operated plan,” said Sen.

Burglary in Phelps Hall; DPS is investigating case

By Alyssa Eckles · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

A burglary occurred in Phelps Hall last Thursday afternoon between 1:30 and 2 p.m., resulting in a stolen laptop. Police Chief Greg O’Dell said the Department of Public Safety has had no new developments in the case. The case will remain an open investigation due to no suspects.

City's state lobbyist paints dismal picture about budget

By Christine Laughren · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Kirk Profit, with Government Consulting Services Inc., told city council Tuesday not to expect lost state-shared revenue to be restored any time soon, if ever, as the state grapples with its own budgetary quagmire.

Vote will come on bee-keeping

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

City Council voted to postpone a decision on an ordinance that would allow bee-keeping in Ypsilanti Tuesday night. In a 6-1 decision, with Councilmember Brian Robb, D-Ward 3, voting against, the measure was postponed while changes are made to the ordinance.

Supreme Court will hear detainees' appeal

By David G. Savage · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

WASHINGTON -The Supreme Court set the stage Tuesday for another clash with the president, this time, with Barack Obama instead of George W. Bush, over the prisoners held in the war on terror and whether a judge can order the immediate release of a detainee who was wrongly held as an enemy combatant.

Afghan president, challenger OK runoff on Nov. 7

By Hal Bernton · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

KABUL – Now comes the hard part. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, under heavy pressure from the Obama administration, its allies and the United Nations, accepted Tuesday a final election tally that stripped him of hundreds of thousands of questionable votes in Afghanistan’s Aug. 20 election and agreed to a Nov. 7 runoff with the second-place finisher, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.

Adoption treaty produces double standard

By David Shaffer · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS – Last year, an adoption agency in Florida was denied permission to find children for American families in 77 foreign countries that have agreed to operate under the rules of an international treaty aimed at cleaning up abuses in international adoption.

Police Blotter

By Jordan Dekker · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

10/15 An arson incident occurred between 4 and 10 p.m. in Phelps Hall. Staff reported paper attached to a residence hall room door was found burned.

Eastern honors faculty for teaching excellence

By Katie Milewski · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

The Eastern Michigan University Alumni Association is holding their teaching excellence awards on Saturday. These awards will honor eight faculty members from four different colleges for going the extra mile in instruction.

Regents to increase financial aid, veterans' grants

By Alyssa Eckles · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

The Regents voted to increase financial aid to more than $30 million for students in 2010-2011 on Tuesday. This is an increase of $4.8 million more than Eastern Michigan University’s current financial aid budget.

EMU student's claim of sexual assault false

By Alyssa Eckles · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

A report by an Eastern Michigan University student of sexual assault near campus Monday was found to be false, according to the Ypsilanti Police Department.

Lincoln schools see savings from energy-efficient plan

By Christine Laughren · Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

Lincoln Consolidated School District reported it has saved more than $380,000 in energy expenses this year. That’s nearly 30 percent according to Bob Grosshans, the district’s energy education specialist.

Pakastani troops move to risky area to make new strikes

By Alex Rodriguez · Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The move by Pakistan’s military into the Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold of South Waziristan on Saturday launched a risky offensive widely seen as the key to crushing a militancy that has destabilized the nuclear-armed nation. The challenges are daunting: The military will face unforgiving terrain along the Afghan border that has long been viewed as a possible hide-out for Osama bin Laden, as well as a battle-hardened enemy likely to respond by stepping up bloody attacks across the country.

Japanese government has tough budget choices to face

By Tadashi Isozumi and Takeo Azuma · Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

TOKYO – Now all the budgetary requests by government entities have been made, the Cabinet will face two choices: either turn a blind eye to the nation’s huge debt and place priority on realizing the ruling bloc’s campaign pledges, or avoid further issuance of government bonds and give up on certain campaign pledges. The government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama effectively bloated the total amount of budgetary requests to realize campaign pledges made for the Aug.

EMU offers autism education and services

By Alyssa Eckles · Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

The Autism Collaborative Center, a place for individuals and families struggling with autism, is opening its doors on Eastern Michigan University’s campus this fall with an open house on Wednesday. The center will offer services to the community as well as interdisciplinary learning for students at EMU.