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MSU

Students compete in Junkyard Wars challenge

Caleb Nordgren
February 26, 2012

As soon as mechanical engineering senior Adam Sajdak finished addressing about 40 people who had assembled at the IM Sports-West tennis courts on Friday afternoon, the engineers launched into action with gusto, and this year’s Junkyard Wars competition officially began. Each of the seven competing teams was given a 4-by-4 sheet of plywood and an 8-foot length of 2-by-4 to start, along with a drill, four wheels, as many screws or nails as needed and a shared circular saw. The objective was to build a cart to hold two 70-pound sandbags in about an hour and a half. The cart then was pushed through a slalom course in a relay race, and a head-to-head tournament decided the winner.

MICHIGAN

Gas prices continue to rise in Michigan, other states

Andrew Krietz
February 26, 2012

When Olivia Martin’s family drives back home to Oxford, Mich., after spending time in sunny Florida next week, the relaxation of spring break quickly might turn to sticker shock. The U.S. national average for a gallon of gasoline currently hovers around $3.64, according to GasBuddy.com — up about 30 cents from one year ago — and might increase further, analysts predict. In Michigan, prices average about 4 cents higher.

MICHIGAN

Nonprofit encourages ‘passing it forward’

Ian Kullgren
February 26, 2012

Megan Brophy was home for the summer when it first happened one morning, waiting in line at a McDonald’s drive-thru. When she pulled up to the window, the cashier said her breakfast had been paid for by the woman in the car ahead. The woman had also left a special message: “Pass it forward.”

MICHIGAN

Alleged murderer David Marion Jr.'s pretrial continues

Lauren Gibbons
February 26, 2012

A pretrial to determine whether a police interrogation of alleged murderer David Marion Jr. could be counted as evidence continued Friday in Lansing’s 30th Circuit Court with testimony from a Michigan State Police officer. Marion has been charged with conspiring to kill Lansing resident Owen Goodenow in the process of stealing a safe containing money and marijuana inside the home, as well as killing Goodenow’s roommate, MSU student Darren Brown.

MSU

MSU Underwater Hockey Team hosts tournament Sunday

Lauren Gibbons
February 26, 2012

With fins flapping and water splashing, underwater hockey players from 10 different colleges and cities competed for fun and glory this weekend in MSU’s 12th annual Tournament of Love, held at IM Sports-West. In underwater hockey, players drop a 3-pound puck to the bottom of a pool and use small sticks to push the puck into the opposing team’s goal.

FEATURES

Bands battle to benefit charity

Britteny Dee
February 26, 2012

When lead singer and guitarist Michael Motherwell took the stage Sunday afternoon to perform with his band, Something Utopic, he was playing with more of a sense of purpose than usual.

SPORTS

Spartans defeat Ball State during 'outstanding' meet

Jesse O'Brien
February 26, 2012

With the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Regionals approaching, the MSU gymnastics team badly needed another high score on Friday at Jenison Field House against Ball State. The Spartans got their wish, when they posted a team score above 195 for the second straight week, toppling the Cardinals 195.025-193.300.

COMMENTARY

School bond fiscally irresponsible

Back when I first started paying property taxes in my adopted hometown in 1974 or so, a neighborhood old-timer told me one time, “A school board will spend as much as you let them.” He cautioned me to look at the details, not to be bound by my natural pro-education instincts as the father of a two-year-old.

COMMENTARY

Drug use on campus shouldn’t be ignored

Many students believe college is a time to explore new possibilities and try new things before entering the real world of adulthood. Some might discover a passion that leads to an unexpected major or make new friends who will open their eyes to a different culture.