Friends shocked by death of student

Philip Calvin Vails was active in youth outreach, loved God and wanted to manage his own music career someday. The 19-year-old general management sophomore died Sunday after passing out during a game of basketball. His legal guardian, Southfield resident, Paul Cooper, said Vails' cause of death hasn't been determined, and was told by a medical examiner it will take 6-8 weeks to find out what happened. "It shocked and surprised all of us," Cooper said. Friends, family and colleagues of Vails remember him as a funny, caring man who loved working with people and writing music. "He was very easygoing, funny and had a low-key, wonderful sense of humor," Cooper said.

Vaccine doesn't promote promiscuity

So it's no surprise that with the introduction of the first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV, comes waves of protest. On Thursday the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approved Merck & Co., Inc.'s vaccine for use in children and women ages 9 to 26. The vaccine, however, makes proponents of abstinence from sex until marriage wonder what effect the medical contribution will have on sexuality. But preventing the infection of more women is far more important than any obligation to moral standards. It seems those against issuing the vaccine value abstinence so much that the idea of preventing the incidence of this type of cancer is null. Much like the debates surrounding contraception, those against issuing the vaccine think that it will influence young women to become more sexually active because of the belief that they won't be at risk for acquiring forms of HPV. But if young women are given proper sexual education, they should understand that HPV is only one of many risks that come hand-in-hand with sexual intercourse.

Pooch playground

The fastest growing single-purpose park in the nation is — for dogs? Lansing will join the nationwide trend this fall by adding Ingham County's first dog park to the east side of Scott Woods. The 17.5 acre fenced area of Hawk Island County Park features fields, a wooded area and a pond — all designed for dogs and their owners to exercise, socialize and enjoy the outdoors. "The idea is that (dogs and owners) will be able to walk and run without being right next to other people," said Ellen Sullivan, president of Friends of Greater Lansing Dog Parks, or FGLDP, the volunteer group that helped bring the park to Lansing.

76K bond set in E.L. sexual assault case

A $76,000 bond is set for a Lansing resident who was charged Friday in connection with an attempted sexual assault reported Thursday in East Lansing. At about 3 a.m.

Pride in heritage shouldn't equate to hate

Once, not so long ago, a close friend of mine who is a professor at MSU (and is black) and I were talking.

Keeping cool

It seemed they had found the perfect weather conditions. Planting themselves under a blue mushroom-shaped waterfall, two young girls found shelter from the sweltering sun on June 5, while keeping their hovering mother at a distance. It was a typical scene for the shallow end of the pool at the Family Aquatic Center, 6400 Abbott Road — parents followed their excited children through the sparkling blue water, friends applied sunscreen to friends, and lifeguards looked bored but happy to be outside. The center, in its sixth year, is one of the handful of destinations available for East Lansing residents seeking relief from the menacing summer heat.

Non-English speakers still valuable to society

I am writing in regards to Jeff Wiggins' letter "English should be official language for United States" (SN 6/12). Before Wiggins berates someone like Dennis Blankenship and calls his argument uneducated, maybe Wiggins should consider how ignorant his own argument sounds. His example is the person using a translator to help fill out a job application at a restaurant.

Police briefs 06/13/06

Grant to help fund Nicaraguan farmers

A $4.1 million grant to an MSU program will soon extend aid to small and medium scale farmers in Nicaragua.

Trippers Hot, U.S. Not

Lansing — The smell of burgers and sighs of disappointment filled the air as fans of the U.S.

Elected officials meant to make decisions for us

In response to "Marriage isn't simple equation," (SN 6/8), I would say that the editorial board has missed the point.

Bush uses inappropriate argument to back up marriage amendment

In his recent support of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, President Bush stated that the reason we need to preserve marriage as a bond between a man and a woman is that it is the "most fundamental institution of civilization." While I appreciate a good political discussion, I expected the president of the United States and his speech writers to come up with a better argument than that. Aside from discussing what characteristics are used to define "civilization," and which institution might be the most important to it, cross-cultural evidence shows that marriage between one man and one woman is not universal — nor fundamental — to society. Since the U.S.

Students urged to participate in politics

Political activism is something many people associate with college campuses. Students typically are moving away from home for the first time and can begin to get involved in their new communities. There are many ways for students to become engaged politically. It is important for students to become active in their communities, said Stephen Purchase, president of the MSU College Democrats. "(Students) are now, for the first time, representative of a community of peers with similar interests," Purchase said.

Get to know your East Lansing City Council members

East Lansing's City Council is the city's chief governing body, and is responsible for making policy decisions on community matters.

English should be official language for United States

I would like to address Dennis Blankenship's letter "English as official U.S.

Police briefs 06/12/06

Housing projects attract families

Students are not the only ones flocking to live north of East Lansing's downtown. Although dominated by the Chandler Crossings apartment complexes, which house about 3,300 student renters, the area is also inhabited by families with young children, said Tim Dempsey, the city's economic development administrator. "A lot of those people did not live in East Lansing previously," he said.

10 spots you have to visit to be a true Spartan

Since you're new to MSU, it's likely you've heard there's some great stuff on our very own campus but you don't know where to go first.

Who's the boss? Council, manager lead E.L.

City Manager Ted Staton is behind some of the biggest decisions that have been made in East Lansing. Although he does not have the power to make official decisions about the city, he provides vital information about how City Council should handle everything from ordinances to its annual budget. The city uses a council-manager form of government, where the mayor is a member of East Lansing City Council and fulfills ceremonial duties while the executive power is held by a professional manager, who is hired to serve at the pleasure of the council. Councilmember Mark Meadows said this government was adopted shortly after East Lansing became a city almost 100 years ago. "It was a more modern way of doing things," he said.

Grand River offers cheap alternatives to dorms

Finding inexpensive food within walking distance of the dorms is possible. Whether you're in the mood for Mexican, Chinese or just some good ol' pizza, The State News has you covered.