Council wants plan prepared before vote

After six months of discussion, the East Lansing City Council isn't ready to vote on a proposed ordinance to ban homeless people from the city's parking facilities. It's not the ordinance that's causing the delay — it's how the city would end up implementing it that is the problem, council members said Tuesday. Instead of punishing, city officials want the proposal to benefit the homeless by providing them with proper shelter and resources to improve their well-being. "How do we take that theory and put it into practice?

State could give iPods to K-12 students

Michigan's Speaker of the House wants to see every K-12 student with an iPod, not just so they can listen to music, but so they can learn in new ways. Rep.

Road delays expected

Drivers should anticipate delays today and Thursday when traveling along Harrison Avenue between East Grand River and Michigan avenues.

Residents comb E.L. for bottles

East Lansing residents have a chance to give back to their community while getting to know their neighbors during a can-and-bottle drive scheduled for April 21. The drive will benefit the Bailey Community Association, which lies in the region bounded by Saginaw Street, East Grand River Avenue, and Hagadorn and Abbott roads. From 2-4 p.m.

Free film series addresses rape culture

The Rape Culture Film Series will continue at 8 p.m. tonight at Wells Hall with "Rape Is …" The 30-minute movie discusses the consequences of rape and its status as the most underreported crime in the U.S. A second feature will be shown at 9 p.m.

Mich. colleges cover blogging

The process of using Web logs, or blogs, started out as a way for people to express themselves to as wide an audience as would read them. Now it's hard to go to a major news or sports Web site without being able to easily access one of the writer's personal blogs. They're everywhere. A few colleges across Michigan incorporated blogging into their journalism programs, but professors at these schools realize the potential exists for a number of flaws to creep into any blogger's post. "Blogging offers an immediacy that print newspapers can't keep up with," MSU Editor in Residence Garry Gilbert said.

5K race to benefit MSU Safe Place

MSU Safe Place will hold its 5K "Race for the Place" later this month to benefit its shelter for victims of relationship violence. The race begins at 1 p.m.

Awards set for April 19

The 20th annual East Lansing Crystal Awards will be held at 6 p.m. April 19 in the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.

Video shows E.L. life

"Rental World: MSU" is available for viewing online at www.offcampusliving.msu.edu. The scripted spin-off of MTV's "The Real World" follows five MSU students as they experience off-campus life.

TV becomes interactive

Txt me @ the CW 2nite. Translation, please? Text me at The CW tonight. Two MSU students are making a splash in the broadcast world as hosts of The CW channel's "Text Me TV" program, which allows viewers to text message the show's hosts live. Viewers in the Lansing area can see the program nightly from 1:30-6 a.m.

Police briefs 04/10/07

Dog wash to aid charities, club

Members of the MSU Pre-Veterinary Medical Association will be rolling up their sleeves and getting down and dirty with local dogs. The club will hold a dog-wash fundraiser from 9 a.m.

Aerial acrobatic group to perform

New York City's only aerial performance company, AntiGravity, travels to Wharton Center at 7:30 p.m.

Store's event shut down for dancing

Students and customers of a local underground hip-hop community are upset with the East Lansing Police Department for shutting down a weekly freestyle hip-hop event. The music store, Code of the Cutz, 317 M.A.C.

Cutting from education

Scott Hirko tries not to get involved with political games, but when it comes to his future, he's not messing around. Hirko, a second-year graduate student in MSU's higher, adult and lifelong education program, responded to the Republican-controlled state Senate's initiative to cut funding from Michigan's educational system by launching a Web site, www.geocities.com/michiganforknowledge/. Cutting funds from K-12 schooling and higher education would cripple the state, Hirko said. "Those that are already underprivileged, that have less resources and money to get to college, are going to be less likely to get to college," Hirko said.

Bookworms to reap rewards

To some, spending more than $100 per month on books is a college obligation. But for classical studies senior Matt Chaldekas, it's an obsession. And Chaldekas used his book collection to pocket cash — $250 of it — at the 2006 MSU Student Book Collection Competition.

Police agencies to share data

Local police agencies are going to gain the ability to snoop through each other's police files and records. The East Lansing Police Department has teamed up with Williamston, Mason, Meridian Township, MSU, Ingham County and Lansing Township to use a software system enabling them to share information. The data-sharing system, which is being installed by the North Carolina-based VisionAIR, will give the municipalities the opportunity to view files on arrests, 911 calls and criminal investigations. "It's almost like all the clouds are blowing into place and we're taking advantage of a lightening strike," said East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert at the March 28 contract signing. Sharing information between departments isn't a new practice — the departments have been doing it for years, East Lansing police Capt.

Clinton favored by state Democrats

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republicans John McCain and Rudy Giuliani are the presidential favorites in Michigan, according to a poll released March 23 by www.newsmax.com. Of 454 Democrats polled, 45 percent said they would vote for New York Sen.

MSU, N-Viro fund eco-fuel

The T.B. Simon Power Plant on campus recently conducted an experiment using biosolid waste to generate electricity as an alternative to burning coal. The experiment was conducted by MSU and N-Viro International Corp., a company that works with recycling and alternative fuels. The power plant burned a mixture of biomass and coal in a standard boiler, generating enough electricity to power campus for two days. Burning the biomass and coal mixture yielded a similar energy output as burning coal.

Benefit to feature free movie night

The MSU Student Alumni Foundation will hold an outdoor movie night at 7 p.m. Friday at field next to the Auditorium to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. Two movies will be shown: "Happy Feet" at 8:30 p.m.