Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 3

TT Attentate Section To) lib Michigan News State Government Wednesday, August 23, 1978, Lansing, Michigan Cause of fire still a mystery KJflttF WKAR may resume full service in six to ten weeks WKAR-AM broadcasts from a separate facility on College Road and was not affected by the blaze which gutted the FM and televi-son transmitters Monday. The WKAR-FM subchannel operation, which serves the blind and handicapped, is off the air along with the main FM frequency. INSURANCE ADJUSTERS viewed the scene of the fire Tuesday morning and electronics specialists have been called in for a more detailed evaluation of what, if anything, can be salvaged. "The opinion of the manufacturer is that it's difficult to salvage a part of a complex Page said officials at RCA, which supplied the transmitter destroyed Monday, said a new one could be sent in about two months if an order can be placed immediately. The university and its insurance carrier must decide jointly on whether or not to go through a lengthier competitive bidding process.

WKAR-RADIO GENERAL Manager Steve Meuche said the station staff began to search for transmitter and a temporary structure to house it Tuesday. "We could be back on the air pretty quickly," he said, but he declined to say when that might be. particular piece of equipment" which is still suspect. WKAR-TV RESUMED service to about 30,000 cable subscribers in the area Tuesday afternoon by directly feeding their programming to the Lansing and East Lansing cable stations. Normally, the station's signal is sent over the air to the two cable operations which rebroadcast it on Channel 13.

Robert Page, director of Institutional and Public TV for Michigan State University, gave an optimistic estimate of six to ten weeks to resume full service. system like that," said Page, who compared it to the prospect of rebuilding a car from a few parts. The solution may be to buy a new car. Damage estimates are still incomplete, but MSU Vice President for Business and Finance Roger Wilkinson said replacement costs may be less than the $1.5 million estimated on Monday. WILKINSON SAID the university will have to pay a $100,000 deductible on the replacement costs with the balance handled by the university's property insurance carrier.

By W. KIM HERON Staff Writer WKAR-TV and WKAR-FM may be back in operation sooner than was originally anticipated following the fire which devastated their transmitter facility on Dobie Road Monday afternoon, according to officials from the two stations. The cause of the fire, however, is still a mystery although arson has definitely been ruled out, Meridian Township Fire Marshal Dave Sherman said that an electronics specialist will review the remains today of "one Animal control workers fired 1 ceipts were issued for the selling of six dogs which were also listed as "dead and cremated." Other findings: -AN EXAMINATION of 313 cash receipts revealed 173 were written for less than the required amount, resulting in under charges of $748. Cash receipt and license books were in use at two separate locations and there were different charges for pickup and boarding fees at these locations (the shelter itself on Packard Highway and the office in the old courthouse in downtown Charlotte). The fees charged were not in conformity with provisions of the Animal Control Ordinance as approved by the Board of Commissioners.

THERE IS no control over cats brought into the pound and their ultimate disposition, but funds received from selling them "have been kept in the cat fund. In the period of our examination, 20 cats were sold and revenue properly deposited with the county treasurer. "In addition, 44 other cats were given to an outside agency for which the county received no revenue. We recommend that logs be kept for all cats and disposition properly recorded. Rochester and Brown are scheduled for a preliminary examination Aug.

29. BY HELEN CLEGG Staff Writer CHARLOTTE-Citing "irregularities in the operation of the Animal Control Department," the Eaton Board of Commissioners has fired the office's director, Robert Rochester, and a kennel worker, Fred Brown. The action followed a report by the local audit division of the Michigan Department of Treasury, made known to commissioners lastweek. ON JULY 19, the board had suspended the two with pay after their indictment in which each was charged with selling a dog, accepting the money and not turning it in to the county treasurer's office. Rochester and Brown were freed on $1,000 bond following their ment.

The Eaton board turned control of the animal pond over to the Sheriff's Department. IN THEIR report, state auditors said they examined records only from Jan. 1, 1978, through July 1, 1978, and limited their study "to all money received by the Animal Control Department and such other matters which came to our attention during the course of the examination." One of their findings was that re 4 A -till! t-' Shotgun blast kills Ionia tot StoH PhotO by DAVE WEBB Watch out below! THE CHILD'S mother, Yvonne, said the shooting occurred at their home but gave police no other details: Police said they recovered the weapon, a 20 gauge shotgun, which they said fired a shell which hit the youngster in the upper chest when it discharged. Mrs. Burns told police she did not see the shooting, but was too distraught to discuss it with police.

She took her son to the hospital. IONIA The fatal shooting of a 2 '2-yearold Ionia boy may have been accidental but Ionia police are awaiting autopsy results and completion of the funeral Friday before continuing their investigation. Lt. Dennis Wickerink said Derek Burns was dead on arrival Monday at Ionia Memorial Hospital. But officers were not informed of the shooting until someone at the hospital called them.

dropped in. It's all part of the organization's program of giving the little brothers interesting experiences. Chuck Grundstrum is coordinator of the project. Charlotte Big Brothers and Little Brothers formed a target near the Charlotte Airport Tuesday and welcomed a professional parachutist from the Skyhawk Parachute Team who Democrats bringing politics, $500,000 this weekend "We're finding there is a business out there for summer conventions and we're now promoting it." Carroll said the only thing the city lacks for convention business is a headquarters-type, convention-sized hotel. "WE'RE IN a good central location for Michigan conventions," he added.

"If some delegates want to commute instead of spend the night they may be able to do that easier here than if the convention was on one side of the state." No conventions of a similar size are slated for the rest of 1978 in Lansing, Carroll said, but several scheduled for 1979 including the Michigan Jaycees and the Michigan Lion's Clubs are expected to draw between 2,000 and 3,00 people. THE DEMOCRATS have a total of 2,925 convention delegates with an equal number of alternates. Ms. Bethany predicted about 3,500 would actually come to the meeting. She said she expects some restaurants may stay open later than usual for the convention-goers.

And, she added, many have said they're putting on extra staff to handle the crowd. Since some delegates are expected to bring their children along for the weekend, she added, tours of the Capitol are planned. CARROLL, NOTING Lansing's convention business used to drop in the summer months, said he believes installation of air conditioning in the Civic Center is encouraging summer conventions here. at Michigan State University in case they're needed. "More than 1,600 rooms are filled now, and approximately 150 rooms are still vacant," said Carroll.

"But most of the major hotels and motels are nearing capacity." CARROLL SAID a conservative estimate of conventioneers spending $40 per day for two days on lodging, meals and other goods would net Lansing businesses at least $320,000. "Having this convention here is a sign that we could become more attractive for these larger groups," said Carroll, adding, "We would hope that the party looks at the Capitol City as adequate for its needs." Mary Bethany, convention coordinator for the Democrats, said it's the first time since 1964 the party has held its annual assemblage in Lansing. By SUE BURZYNSKI Staff Writer Democrats are expected to spend nearly $500,000 here this weekend when the state party comes to town for its annual convention. Local convention officials say it's expected to be one of the city's largest gatherings ever, drawing between 3,000 and 5,000 people. SLATED FOR Saturday and Sunday with most of the major meetings at the Civic Center, Democrats have booked hotels and motels in the greater Lansing area to near capacity, said Dick Carroll, executive director of the Greater Lansing Convention Bureau.

Carroll noted some rooms are still available to convention-goers including 1,500 dormitory rooms reserved i a nnnan nr pounds of pennies. Say, how many pennies in a pound, anyway? I've heard of waterproof matches, but 16-year-old Paul Miller of Westphalia says he's found an underwater lighter. Well actually it's an under-cola lighter (not to be confused with the Uncola). I guess I better let him tell it "As I was sipping my Coke one fine day, I had an urge to "Flick my Bic." Upon flicking it, the lighter accidentally slipped from my finger tips and plunged ever downward into my glass of cola. All I could do was gaze wearily as it slowly descended to the bottom of my glass.

"After watching for signs of life (for what seemed like an hour), I reluctantly slipped my hand down and retrieved my Bic. Anxiously, I struck the flint and to my utter amazement a flame had risen from the lighter." Paul ended his comments with those immortal lines from Jim Hough: "Zowie! Shazam! Wow!" To which I add this: There's not much exciting going on in Westphalia these days, is there, Paul? By MARK NIXON (For vacationing Jim Hough) "We've been saving pennies for eight years," 12-year-old Marie Cervantes told the Onlooker on the phone recently. "You know how much we got? Well, we don't know either yet. But they weigh 65 pounds." Sixty-five pounds! Good grief, that's a hec-kuva paper weight. "Well, actually it's in a pig," said Marie.

"The pig is about three feet tall, and every time we come back from the store or something, we drop our pennies in there." Everyone at the Cervantes' home was involved in the penny-pinching project, Marie said. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cervantes, Marie, 11-year-old brother Francisco, 5-year-old sister Mary Ann, and 16-year-old brother Suarez. Sometime soon, the Cervantes plan on taking their copper horde to the bank for something a little less bulky to carry.

Then they plan on leaving their home at 3018 W. Michigan, travel to Florida and visit Disney World. The trip will be paid for in part by a green pig stuffed with 65 first half of 1978 averaged 72 a month. Complainants alleged they were unable to obtain vacations or gift cartons or both. Some who did receive gift cartons alleged their value was not as represented.

Meanwhile the Federal Trade Commission has prepared a case against the company involving 30 alleged violations of trade practices. BBBChicago adds: "Most of the recent complaints we have referred to the company have not been answered. Therefore, we have discontinued processing them and suggest complainants write: Stephen Benowitz, Federal Trade Commission, 118 St. Clair Ave. Suite 500, Cleveland, Ohio 44114.

QI received a package from Alden's with the boots and coat I ordered. The boots were all right but the coat was much too large so I sent it back for exchange. They acknowledged receipt and asked me to allow ample time for a replacement coat to be shipped. I've allowed a month and need HELP in getting it or my money back. H.B.Howell.

A A refund has been mailed. The company was unable to ship the coat because you did not mention the catalog number of your selection. "The next time order," a spokesman says, "prompt service can be assured." Need Help? Write to HELP, The State Journal, 120 E. Lenawee, Lansing 48919. Please include phone number.

QLast summer we received literature from Columbia Research Corp. promising a fabulous vacation plus a $40 gift carton of products for only $15.95. Although skeptical, we figured the products alone would be at least equal to the $15.95, so we sent our check. We received nothing and two inquiries failed to draw a response. Does HELP have any information on this corporation? R.C., Holt.

A If it's any consolation, you may have saved $3 by being an early recipient of the firm's literature. Last week another reader asked us for an opinion of literature she had received from Columbia Research, and the price of the vacation-gift carton package is now $18.95. The Better Business Bureau says the corporation has an unsatisfactory business performance record and does not meet BBB standards for advertising and selling practices. The last complaint HELP forwarded to the company in July of 1977 did not draw a response. At that time, BBBChicago was receiving an average of.

60 complaints a month about the firm. In an updated report, the BBB says complaints in the.