Encouraging abilities

When power lifter Mary Stack isn't bench pressing 260 pounds, she's pushing her motorized wheelchair. While 4-foot-9 Stack is able to walk, she uses a wheelchair because of a disorder that affects her balance. Stack is an athlete, coach and volunteer for the 32nd Michigan Victory Games, which are being held on campus this weekend. The Michigan Disability Sports Alliance, or MiDSA, hosts the games, which provide recreational and competitive sports opportunities for athletes with disabilities. A 2001 inductee into the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, Stack said she never would have been in sports if she hadn't started as an athlete in the games at 16. While Stack, 33, wants to continue to compete, she also enjoys watching from the sidelines as a coach and volunteer. "To see the expressions on the kids' faces when they complete a course, beat somebody in track or do something they didn't think they could do - it's really cool." About 80 athletes ranging from ages 7 to 70 will compete this year, said Stella Husch, director of the games. "A lot of times, individuals with disabilities don't have the opportunities to prove themselves or to negate stereotypes.

Columnist's views on limbo repeal incorrect

In "No longer in limbo" (SN 5 /16) John Bice, once again, gets on his soapbox in a tirade against organized religion - this time focusing on the Roman Catholic Church.

Police briefs 05/18/07

Falwell practiced hate, should not be mourned

Rabidly anti-gay crusader the Rev. Jerry Falwell has died. As a gay man, I'm torn. On the one hand, I want to take the moral high ground and remain the better person.

Act could give more students chance at studying overseas

The United States is failing to take full advantage of a valuable tool that should be used to enhance our standing in the world and improve our national security — college-level study abroad programs that open doors to all. Only a small percentage of U.S.

Holmes sentenced to at least 27 years

Wednesday ended an emotional battle for Donald Holmes as he was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison in Lansing's 30th Judicial Circuit Court for murdering his wife. Holmes was charged with first- and second-degree murder, felony firearm and income tax evasion. He accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, felony firearm and income tax evasion.

Bee loss affects Mich. crops

A quarter of the nation's 2.4 million honeybee colonies have been wiped out, and researchers are baffled in trying to figure out why they are vanishing. One MSU researcher said the availability of food could be jeopardized if the honeybee population continues to mysteriously decrease throughout the nation. Bee expert Zachary Huang received a $64,000 grant to begin researching why honeybees are disappearing, but nothing can be done until the weather warms up. "We cannot do anything unless we know what causes it," he said.

Fish virus threatens lakes

It is only a matter of time before a virus that may have caused fish to internally bleed to death in parts of Lake Erie and Lake Huron spreads to Lake Michigan. Officials at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, are currently working to stop viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS. Although the virus does not affect people, if it remains untreated, there could be significant consequences for the environment and the economy, said Kelley Smith, chief of the state's DNR Fisheries Division. "The testing does take time and it does cost money," Smith said.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Michigan Disability Sports Alliance to host games

When power lifter Mary Stack isn't bench pressing 260 pounds, she's pushing her motorized wheelchair. While the 4-foot 9-inch Stack is able to walk, she uses a wheelchair because of a disorder which affects her balance. Stack is an athlete, coach and volunteer for the 32nd Michigan Victory Games, which are being held on campus this weekend. The Michigan Disability Sports Alliance hosts the games, which provide recreational and competitive sports opportunities for athletes with disabilities. Close to 80 athletes ranging from ages 7 to 70 will compete this year, first-year director Stella Husch said. For more on this story, please see Friday's edition of The State News.

Art season blooms downtown

A breeze drifts through (SCENE) Metrospace art gallery, stirring the leafy pieces of a glass skeleton — suspended from black-painted exposed ducts above its dappled, concrete floor — to life.

MSU racing team in gear to compete

Members of the MSU Formula Racing Team meticulously search for any small glitch in the car, carefully weighing and balancing the frame and tuning the suspension. Everything must be perfect for the next trial run. Brandon Goad patiently waits in the driver's seat as a swarm of his team members crowd Racecar 9 with tools in hand. The mechanical engineering senior's green and white helmet gleams in the bright sun, while he anxiously sits, waiting to take another spin through the makeshift track of orange cones located in a section of the Commuter Lot. Goad, one of the lead racers selected to drive for the team, and the other 21 student members traveled Wednesday to the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers' international competition held in Romeo. The team aims to top last year's finish of ninth place. "I don't think we have a good chance, I know we are going to win," said Nathan Crosty, a computer science senior and data acquisition team leader. There will be 130 teams representing colleges from all corners of the world vying for the No.

Orange everywhere

Those big orange construction signs all around campus — they're not lying. But, for one reason or another, most people want to test the waters for themselves, ignoring the bold lettering and bright colors of the massive signs, University Engineer Bob Nestle said. "They'll drive right past them, go down to the barricade and have to turn right back around," he said.

City to purchase parking facility from Stonehouse III

When Stonehouse Village III is completed, the city of East Lansing will purchase the parking structure below it for $2.7 million.

MIDDAY UPDATE: MSU student to travel around the world in 74 days

If you speak with Nick Micinski, you'll notice he's a soft-spoken guy. But he'll be the first one to tell you the world isn't as perfect as it could be. "I knew I couldn't ignore the problems of the world after seeing it firsthand," said the political theory and constitutional democracy and international relations senior, referring to a study abroad trip he took to Egypt last fall. Micinski, a political theory and constitutional democracy and international relations senior, won a foundation grant from the Michigan chapter of the Circumnavigators Club for $8,500. He will embark on a 74-day journey around the world making stops in Brazil, Iceland, Russia and India, among other countries.

WEB EXTRA: Merchant adds 4 to women's hoops staff

Four more women's basketball positions were filled Tuesday, when head coach Suzy Merchant announced her latest hirings for MSU.

Third parties needed

In recent years, third-party presidential candidates have received an undeserved bad rap in the United States of America.

Group files complaint against judge for improper courtroom conduct

The State of Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission filed a formal complaint and petition for an interim suspension against Ingham County Circuit Judge Beverly Nettles-Nickerson on Wednesday. The petition asks the state Supreme Court to immediately suspend Nettles-Nickerson.

New coach could be good fit for MSU

New women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant, who took the position April 30, now has some big shoes to fill. Former coach Joanne P.

Local artists kick off summer at E.L. Art Festival

The forecast for the weekend is sunny with partly cloudy skies, which means the 44th annual East Lansing Art Festival should go off without a hitch. The biggest determinant of success is the weather, said Sharon Radtke, East Lansing's arts coordinator. "The biggest attraction will be good weather," she said.

King's daughter dies, emblem for equality

Andrea King Collier, a Lansing resident and author, was one of the last people to interview Yolanda King, daughter of civil rights leader Rev.