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NEWS

What happens when public progress runs into private property?

Kris Turner
October 10, 2006

Voters will decide if they want to further restrict the government's power to take away private property this November, leaving cities, land owners and experts to ponder the possible consequences. Eminent domain, which grants government agencies the power to take away private property for public use — such as roads or developments — could be significantly altered in two ways.

MSU

College to offer organic farming

Fredricka Paul
October 10, 2006

People now have a chance to get their hands dirty while earning a certificate in organic farming at MSU. The yearlong Organic Farming Certificate Program begins in January and will include a lot of hands-on experience, such as an internship, said Eunice Foster, associate dean for undergraduate and certificate programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. "The program has been in development for a couple of years," Foster said.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans split weekend matches

Tara Thoel
October 9, 2006

After sweeping Illinois on Friday, the MSU volleyball team ended on a sour note by losing to Northwestern in five sets Saturday at Jenison Field House. After starting the season 10-1, MSU (11-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) has dropped four of its last six matches. Behind a spirited home crowd, the Spartans won the first and third games Saturday, but lost the second, fourth and fifth games to drop their third five-game match of the season. MSU head coach Cathy George and the Spartans were visibly upset when they emerged from the locker room following the loss.

FEATURES

New earth-shaking therapy debated

By Cecilia Oleck Detroit Free Press Detroit (MCT) — Dayna Schultz looks as if there is an earthquake going on under her feet. She stands ramrod-straight, teeth clenched, gripping a gray walker for support as her body shakes like a jackhammer, the walker every so often slipping off the side of the large metal plate she is on. Yet for all the motion, Schultz, 19, of Morris, Minn., is calm.

NEWS

Medical expansion on schedule for 2008

Justin Kroll
October 9, 2006

University officials are continuing plans to move the College of Human Medicine to Grand Rapids to expand MSU's medical program. Aron Sousa, the associate dean of academic affairs at the College of Human Medicine, said the project is on schedule, and next year's recruits could be using the facility by 2008. "The way things are going, 50 of next year's recruits would be attending those facilities and would continue to go there through their third and fourth years," he said.

FOOTBALL

Maize flags leave MSU feeling blue

Ethan Conley
October 9, 2006

Michigan didn't need any extra help in its near-perfect 31-13 win against MSU on Saturday, but the Spartans gave them plenty. Penalties were a problem for the Green and White throughout the day, from early in the first quarter to the end of the game.

COMMENTARY

Cheney speech is stale, predictable

About 150 GOP supporters are each out $250 after attending a Republican fundraiser on Thursday in Bath Township. The guest of honor and speaker, Vice President Dick Cheney, warned guests that the safety of America is in danger because of the approaching November midterm elections. As crumbling Republicans struggle to keep afloat, Cheney's remarks are nothing new.

FOOTBALL

MSU QB recruit has near-perfect Homecoming

Eric Fish
October 9, 2006

Quarterback Keith Nichol, an MSU commitment from the class of 2007, went 12-of-13 passing for 262 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-13 Homecoming win for Lowell High School on Friday, The Grand Rapids Press reported. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Nichol also scored two touchdowns on runs of 6 and 10 yards. "We're not surprised by Nichol's performance," Lowell head coach Noel Dean told the Press.

NEWS

Proposal 5 could shift $565M to education

Lindsey Poisson
October 9, 2006

Michigan legislators might need to make more budget cuts than expected come November. Although the state budget for this fiscal year started in October, it might have a big hole after midterm elections — to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. It all depends on whether or not voters pass Proposal 5, which would increase public education funding by about $565 million and require Michigan to provide funding increases that are equal to the rate of inflation for public schools, community colleges and universities. Ken MacGregor, spokesman for the K-16 Coalition for Michigan's Future, a group that supports the proposal, said it would take pressure off universities to increase tuition. MSU's tuition increased by 5.9 percent for in-state undergraduates and 6.9 percent for out-of-state students this fall. "There's no better way to secure our economy's future," he said.

MICHIGAN

Appreciating Autumn

Laura Leebove
October 9, 2006

Dressed in jeans, a button-down shirt and red suspenders, Cliff Welsch grabbed two heaping handfuls of apples, which would be pressed into fresh cider Saturday at the Student Organic Farm Harvest Fest. Welsch guided people through the cider-making process using a wooden press he and his wife, Margaret, bought 30 years ago.

SOCCER

MSU scores 1st, but ends with 1-1 tie against U-M

Laura Collins
October 9, 2006

Ann Arbor — It was all guts and no glory for the MSU men's soccer team (6-4-2 overall, 0-2-2 Big Ten) on Sunday, as the Spartans walked away from their game against Michigan with a 1-1 tie. The high stakes of the intrastate rivalry motivated players on both teams through an extra 20 minutes of play, but neither team was able to net the game winner. "I was afraid the minutes were going to haunt us and maybe they'd sneak one with fresher legs," MSU head coach Joe Baum said.

FEATURES

Experts debate vaccinating young women against cancer-causing virus

By Amy Wilson McClatchy Newspapers What's a woman to do? Bombarded by commercials that urge her and everyone around her to "tell someone," she pays attention to the news that a vaccine has been engineered — and approved — that will protect women against the human papillomavirus, which causes 75 percent of all cervical cancer. Furthermore, studies have found the vaccine to be almost 100 percent effective in preventing precancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina and genital warts. But should she vaccinate her daughters? The virus, also known as HPV, can be fatal.

MSU

Committees created to include faculty input

Fredricka Paul
October 9, 2006

Five committees were created to help resolve major issues after MSU faculty members said they wanted more input on decisions made within the university. The committees, called the Faculty Voice Task Forces, were created in September 2005 and worked throughout the spring.

FOOTBALL

Monday musings

Tom Keller
October 9, 2006

Ricky Williams suffered a gash on his left heel last week when a locker room door slammed shut behind him. Team doctors said Williams is in stable condition but strangely is still asking for medicinal marijuana. NBA commissioner David Stern received a proposal last week to expand the league to Europe in the near future. The sticking point: How would Dwyane Wade's 30 free throws a game translate into euros? The Miami Dolphins started former Detroit Lion Joey Harrington at quarterback Sunday in place of the struggling Daunte Culpepper. Not to be outdone, the Lions pulled their starting quarterback and replaced him with Scott Mitchell. New Hampshire wide receiver David Ball caught his 51st career touchdown pass Saturday, breaking Jerry Rice's NCAA Division I-AA record. Still safe: Marcus Vick's NCAA career arrests record. The Detroit Tigers wrapped up an American League Divisional Series victory on Saturday — their first playoff series win since 1984. In a touching tribute, Tigers closer Todd Jones was wearing the same pair of underwear he had on the last time Detroit won a playoff series. After that loss, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner wants manager Joe Torre fired, according to media reports. The leading candidate for Steinbrenner to replace Torre with: A big bag of money.