Briefly stated

The Greater Lansing Taxi Authority was approved by the Lansing City Council 7-0 Monday bringing joint regulation of taxi service for the first time in the region.

The authority will also regulate ride-share services like Uber.

The authority consolidates regulations and licensing for cabs and ride shares in both cities. Officials say the effort will improve service quality and ensure the safety of riders.

The rules require annual vehicle inspections, background checks and minimum insurance requirements. Cab companies would be required to have at least three vehicles and meters on all vehicles (which could be actual or a smart phone app). Ride share services would be required to send electronic receipts and only take rides booked through a digital platform.

Under the current system, a car that operates in Lansing and East Lansing must be licensed in both jurisdictions. The new authority will allow taxi companies to pay one fee to license a car within both municipalities.

Taxis must have their cars licensed and drivers must pass a drug test. Uber drivers will have an inspection but don’t have to license their vehicles as cabs and they company they work for has to have a zerotolerance drug policy.

New regulations won´t go into effect until 2015.

~ Belinda Thurston

REACH expansion takes shape

A new look for the southern gateway to REO Town is within reach.

The expansion of the REACH Studio Art Center is taking shape, renovating and transforming five dilapidated structures on South Washington Avenue into an innovative arts facility for youth.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. is pairing with REACH to hold a crowdfunding campaign using Patronicity to raise $48,000 for the project. (https://www. patronicity.com/project/expanding_our_ reach). If the goal is met, MEDC will match the amount.

"We will have just until Oct. 16 to reach our goal, but I am confident that if everybody who has liked REACH or loves Lansing, pitches in, we can make this happen," said Alice Brinkman, executive director of REACH.

Reach purchased the five buildings in 2013, which it is renovating to create a media lab, studio classrooms, a community arts center, performance hall, youth art gallery and a courtyard.

"REACH is a great asset to the Lansing area, and we are excited to partner with them to extend their range of services and multiply the positive impact they have on the community, " said MEDC and CEO Michael A. Finney.

~ Krista Wilson

Chutes and tackles

Spartan fans got a surprise from the sky at Saturday’s football game against Eastern Michigan.

Eight figures dove to the field in creative and daring formations ending with a giant American flag.

The Misty Blues all-women sky diving team landed on the Spartan Stadium field to start off the game against rival, Eastern Michigan University.

The jump was part of Junior Spartan Day an annual tailgate for Junior Spartan members, a special fan club for kids.

The jump was intended to raise awareness about healthy living to young people through the #MIKidsCan initiative.

“You have to maintain good physical shape to skydive. Being healthy and agile will help prevent injury in the case of a landing not going quite as planned,” said Amanda Scheffler, co-founder and director of the Misty Blues.

#MIKidsCan is a Blue Cross Blue Shield program that stresses the importance of eating healthy and being active starting at a young age.

The Misty Blues signed autographs at halftime.

~ Anne Abendroth