by Wes Thorp on July 27, 2010
What’s it like to lose a loved one to murder? Does the pain ever stop? Do the questions ever get answered?
Lansing City Council-member Carol Wood lost her mom to murder three years ago. Her mother, Ruth Hallman was a woman of compassion and a love for people. She was driven by a desire to help neighbors and others through the problems of life. It was her passion and she was regarded as a world-changer for many people.
In her blog, Carol writes about where she’s at in processing such a huge loss one that happened at an intersection with her birthday. This story is worth reading and sharing with others.
As our city and our culture sees an increasing propensity to settle frustration and anger with guns, it shows the trauma that’s left behind and that lingers for a life time. Click on this link to read Carol’s thoughts on a very personal subject.

by Wes Thorp on July 27, 2010
One of the weapons used in the murder of a 19-year-old south Lansing woman on Friday night was an AK-47 assault
rifle, according to the Lansing State Journal today. Its story says:
According to the felony complaint read aloud Monday in court, three guns were used during the incident – two handguns and an AK-47 assault rifle. The men went to the house to steal money and/or a controlled substance, according to the complaint.
The story raises the question about how many times automatic weapons such as the AK-47 assault rifle are used inside the city. Have they been used before and what does their use indicate about the availability of such weapons to the criminal element.
by Wes Thorp on July 26, 2010
Are you wondering what events are happening at the Lansing Center in our downtown during the month of August? Click here for the official schedule of events as published by the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority.

by Wes Thorp on July 26, 2010
The Lansing School District is looking towards the Nov. 3 election to have voters give their approval to a 1.5 mill increase in their property taxes. The 5-year extra millage would produce $20 million and would be used to pay for maintenance projects on district buildings.
And, according to the Lansing State Journal, a majority of voters would approve it if placed on the ballot.
Voters interest and approval for the millage was discovered through a $20,000 poll the school district paid for to measure voter sentiment.
How do you feel about the increase? Do you have any questions of school leaders? Would you vote yes or no or are you undecided?