Bending down to examine an ant at a barbecue Wednesday, 3-year-old Charlie Waller now is “pretty much exactly how he used to be,” his father John Waller said. Charlie, the son of MSU employees John and Abigail Waller, was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, April 1. The cancer spreads like sand in Charlie’s brain stem, making it inoperable.
Despite previously declining to enter the race, former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, has decided to run for a seat representing Michigan in the U.S.
One conflict between the city of East Lansing and an MSU fraternity could determine the future face of a neighborhood near the heart of campus. The FarmHouse Fraternity was stalled in its efforts to construct another wing on its house, 151 Bogue St., because of a lingering city ordinance put into effect for the now-dormant East Village development project, which sought to incorporate high-rise, mixed-use retail and living establishments in the Bogue Street area. The ordinance states every new building in the East Village area must reserve 50 percent of its first floor space as retail space, such as a clothing store — a requirement not meant for a fraternity house but still required in FarmHouse’s development plans, said Isaac Sheppard, the chairman of the FarmHouse Fraternity’s building commission. “We don’t see a way to have a retail store as part of FarmHouse Fraternity,” Sheppard said. Representatives from the FarmHouse Fraternity are scheduled to address the East Lansing Planning Commission — who hold the power to approve or deny the project — concerning the issue this Wednesday. The future of the entire area could hinge on how the conflict is resolved, as it could solidify zoning rules that would determine the type of buildings that can be built in the area, East Lansing City Councilmember Kevin Beard said.
Middle school and high school students from across the state are getting a hands-on crash course in three different types of media technology through summer camps held this July by MSU’s Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media. The first of three weeks of camps kicked off July 11, with high school students taking a course of their choice, geared toward either television production, music recording or video game design.
Two boys from Midland, Mich., reported more than $850 worth of items stolen from them between about 9 a.m.
A new rule proposed by the Obama administration to promote greater vehicle fuel efficiency has created substantial debate among consumers, politicians and businesses. The new vehicle fuel economy rule would begin in 2025 and require vehicles to get at least 56 miles per gallon, a requirement state Sen.
The civil service success of MSU alumnus Richard Cordray, who recently was nominated to the position of director of a federal agency, could inspire current MSU students looking to serve the public. On Monday, President Barack Obama announced his nomination of Cordray as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB.
The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Veterinary Medicine went head-to-head Wednesday during their second annual Red Cross Blood Challenge. The challenge is organized by the Red Cross in order to get more people to donate during the summer when their blood supply is at its lowest.
In support of a local arts program, Jackson National Life Insurance Company recently provided All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre (AECT) with a $5,000 grant to help sustain the organization’s Guild Program.
When MSU prepares to go to battle for its fourth-consecutive win against Michigan in October, the Spartans will do so in Nike Pro Combat style.
According to Scout.com, Vanderbilt defensive end James Kittredge is expected to transfer to MSU, where he is expected to play defensive tackle when he’s eligible in 2012.
It might seem impossible, but it just got tougher to be unemployed in Michigan. A bill passed through the state Senate last Wednesday that would reduce welfare from 60 months (five years) to 48 months (four years).
The medical marijuana laws in Michigan are about to get a lot less hazy. In June, a package of eight bills was introduced into the state House to address unclear issues within the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. The act, as written, is vague and confusing to law enforcement officials as well as medical marijuana patients, so state legislators have been looking at a way to clarify the act through further legislation.
With the heat index staying above 100 the past few days, professional writing junior Kelsey Clark has been left searching for answers. Clark is one of many students on campus currently living in an apartment without air conditioning, making the past few days unbearable, she said. With several days of scorching temperatures still to come, specific buildings have been designated as cooling centers throughout Greater Lansing. According to Mark Sekelsky, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, Greater Lansing currently is under an excessive heat warning, meaning four consecutive days where the heat index is between 100 and 105. The normal high temperature for this time of year is 83, and Sekelsky said it appears temperatures will return to normal next week, with the excessive heat warning set to expire Friday evening. One cooling center open to students is the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, where students can relax in the café for free or use the fitness center, pool or gymnasium for a $4 daily rate, assistant director of parks and recreation Wendy Longpre said. “I think it’s a benefit for students to know about all the different resources in their community,” Longpre said.**
Michigan Flyer customers potentially will have twice as many opportunities to catch a bus in East Lansing come fall. Michigan Flyer, an airport shuttle service providing shuttle trips between East Lansing and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, plans to add a new route to its schedule this fall.
East Lansing officials are planning to start integrating hybrid vehicles into the city’s car fleet in an attempt to further follow through on plans to reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Officials are seeking to begin a green shift they hope will snowball in coming years, beginning with exploring the possibility of purchasing three hybrid vehicles this year to take over for vehicles that are up for replacement, Public Service Administrator Angela Mabin said. The efforts follow a vehicle cost comparison submitted to the East Lansing City Council at the end of June, which measured the total cost of purchasing and operating hybrid vehicles compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles.
Sandwiched between MSU alumnus Nate Bliton and the Michigan-based Arabic fusion band, Wisaal, The Anatomy of Frank was three band members short, but Kyle Woolard and Jimmy Bullis combined to play at least seven instruments seemingly with ease, making up for the rest of the band Monday at (SCENE) Metrospace.
For the past three weeks, almost 80 high school students from Detroit and Chicago have gotten a taste of MSU campus life through the seventh year of the MSU College of Education’s Summer High School Scholars Program. About 78 students — ranging from incoming high school freshmen to seniors — have taken college preparation courses and stayed in MSU living facilities as part of the monthlong program, said James Neeley, the outreach and recruitment coordinator in the College of Education.
A 21-year-old female student was transported to Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital after she was injured by a cow at about 2:15 p.m.
Having seen many of his friends put education on the back burner to pursue professional football, former MSU linebacker and current director of player development for the Miami Dolphins Kaleb Thornhill wants to help a younger generation keep from making the same mistake. With the help of various sponsors, Thornhill is hosting a week of football and life skills in a branch of the 4th and 1 Football Camp — a free football camp for at-risk high school athletes — on MSU’s campus and at Lansing Catholic Central High School, in Lansing.