LCC includes same-sex in benefits plan

Lansing - Same-sex partners of Lansing Community College employees are now eligible for health-care benefits after a heated trustee meeting Monday. The health-care benefits were only available to married couples before five of the seven members of the LCC Board of Trustees voted in favor of changing the policy to include same-sex partners. Eligibility requirements now fall into the hands of the college’s three health-care providers, who have all submitted tentative definitions of “domestic partnerships” that include duration of the relationship and combination of assets. The meeting began with a public comment period where individuals voiced their opposing views on the policy. “I’m opposed to the institution extending benefits to partners of homosexuals,” Alaiedon Township resident Trevor Wagenmaker told the group, adding that his reasons were both moral and financial.

Posthumus announces plan for college loans

In his pursuit to become the state’s next governor, Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus on Monday unveiled a loan plan aimed at reducing the financial burden of paying for college. The program rewards students who obtain loans through the Michigan Higher Education Student Loan Authority by offering zero interest after 48 months of on-time payments.

Online enrollment for LCC courses begins

Online registration for courses at Lansing Community College begins today. Students who want to sign up for spring classes can log on at www.lcc.edu/banner. The site will be active 24 hours a day, seven days a week. About 75 percent of LCC students use the Web registration site because it often expedites the sign-up process. The site allows students to quickly add and drop courses and view open and closed courses. Also beginning today, students may register for classes with the touch-tone telephone registration at (517)483-9310, available seven days a week from 6 a.m.

Mayor speaks to students on change

Social relations senior Luisa Schumacher left Friday’s speech by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at Kellogg Center a changed woman.“When I graduated, I always said I was going to go to Washington, D.C.,” Schumacher said after the event, sponsored by the James Madison Founders Circle.

Candidates sound off on issues

In the battle to become Michigan’s attorney general, voters will choose between two young but experienced contenders. Mike Cox, who is running on the Republican ticket, has 13 years of experience as a prosecuting attorney. State Sen.

U professors perform concert for Spartan Spectacular event

It was exactly the way the Spartan Marching Band wanted to end a busy Homecoming weekend as they joined the School of Music and a surprise guest conductor Saturday for the 2002 Spartan Spectacular.

Parade provides fun despite cold weather

“Guys, we’re gonna get candy!” Lyman Briggs freshman Shelby Newman shouted to her friends as they patiently waited at their spot on Grand River Avenue for the Homecoming parade to start Friday night.Newman and her friends are freshmen, and they know all the words to the MSU’s fight song - and they made sure other spectators knew that by proudly belting it out and clapping as they waited to hear the Spartan Marching Band’s version.With more than just a hint of fall in the air, families, alumni, students and MSU fans lined the streets as the more than 120 units supporting everything from political candidates to role playing groups marched along the parade route.There also was an appearance from the green-skirted mascot, Sparty.

Group takes action for cafe

After passing out hundreds of fliers and organizing a protest, the Wang family says they have finally gotten the attention of their landlord. On Saturday, the owners of Blue Note Coffee Café, 623 E.

LCC board to vote on domestic-partner benefits for workers

The Lansing Community College Board of Trustees is expecting to approve domestic-partner benefits for its faculty and staff members today. The benefit package for couples in same-sex relationships is included in contracts set to be voted on for all LCC bargaining units. Current LCC provisions entitle the spouse of a full-time employee to apply for benefits from three different carriers that offer health, dental and vision care.

Like butter

Lansing - Brad Fast and two children bundled in coats, hats and gloves slowly pulled a long wooden spoon through a charred kettle of boiling brown butter on Sunday afternoon. The trio revolved around the copper pot, avoiding the white apple-scented smoke emerging from the fire. “That’s it, now stir around the edges,” Fast, a general management senior and defenseman on the MSU hockey team, said to his boiling buddies.

Students rally for Posthumus

It was a cool 23 degrees outside when Northern Michigan University students Ben Weimert and Mark Slykhouse began the 390-mile trek to East Lansing on Sunday morning.“We left at 5 a.m.,” Weimert said.

ASMSU forms program to combat citys noise problem

MSU’s undergraduate student government hopes to solve the noise problem in East Lansing.ASMSU passed a bill at its weekly meeting Thursday, creating a program to address the pressing issues and possible solutions to the high-decibel noise attributed to MSU students in East Lansing.The program will outline and develop a set of guidelines for students living off campus.

Police briefs 10/21/02

Lansing City Council to address local finance authority

Tonight’s Lansing City Council meeting will address a resolution from the Ingham County Board of Commissioners to adopt the Lansing Regional SmartZone Plan, zoning issues and park development strategies. The board sent a resolution to the council to consider the creation of a local finance authority called the Lansing Regional SmartZone.

Cox wants to be top lawyer

Besides the fact that Mike Cox went to the University of Michigan, he does have some things going for him, his wife says. “Obviously, he’s really smart,” MSU alumnus Laura Cox said about her husband, who is running as the Republican candidate for attorney general.

Police briefs 10/18/02

Candidate emphasizes quality in legislation

Sometimes more isn’t always better. At least that’s the stance of state Senate hopeful Virg Bernero.Bernero, who represents the 68th District in the state House, trails his competitor, Rep.

Group to speak out on closure of Blue Note

Lansing activist group Direct Action plans to hold a protest in support of locally owned Blue Note Coffee Cafe and against “multinational corporate chains” at 10 a.m.

Bakery, students try to beat treat record

Snap, crackle and pop were the sounds resonating from the MSU bakery as students attempted to beat Iowa State University’s Guinness record of the world’s largest Rice Krispie Treat.“We used to work with Pillsbury on the world’s largest brownie,” bakery manager Gerald Stoecker said.

Library showcases local comic artist

It’s not your father’s library anymore.This week, the East Lansing Public Library played host to “Teen Read Week”, aimed at middle- and high-school teens in the Lansing area.