Plan could transfer renters by Brody

Working about 40 hours a week to meet the costs of attending MSU and living off campus, Rory Medina said he can't afford a rent increase. The advertising senior, financially independent of his parents, pays about $400 a month to live in a rental home on West Grand River Avenue. "I like to live in a house — there is more freedom," he said. But, if the East Lansing City Council approves a plan to eliminate all rental housing in the Chesterfield Hills Neighborhood, near Brody Complex, and replace it with apartments on Michigan Avenue, renters such as Medina might face paying a steeper price to live west of campus. Campus Village Communities, the company that manages Campus Village Apartments, 1151 Michigan Ave., is spearheading the project, which also calls for the construction of a 3 1/2 story apartment building next to its complex.

Olin provides excellent service to sick student

We've all heard the occasional (or not so occasional) complaint about the service at Olin Health Center.

Police briefs 05/16/06

U.S. has nothing to lose in talking to Iran

There's been a lot of talk lately about whether or not the United States should be speaking directly to Iran. The issue heated up after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a highly unusual 18-page letter to President Bush last week.

Dioxins, PCBs to be studied

The Center for Integrative Toxicology received a $16-million grant from the federal government's Superfund Basic Research Program to study a group of chemicals linked with cancer and birth defects. The program, which is administered by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, will fund the research for the next five years.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Bernero promises veto of council's budget

By Jeffrey Joe Pe-Aguirre The State News The Lansing City Council approved a $111.2 million city budget Monday night by a vote of 7-1, but Mayor Virg Bernero already vowed to veto it. Councilmember Kathie Dunbar was the lone objection to the budget, arguing that she didn't want the city to draw from its stabilization fund. The budget stabilization fund, also known as the "rainy day fund," is money saved by the city during previous years.

Free speech excuse is lame, prof abuses power

Professor Indrek Wichman obviously does not get it. In his letter "Prof explains reasons for offensive e-mail," (SN 4/28), he seeks to portray his infamous e-mail as a free speech matter.

Lucas-Perry to try our for U.S. National Team

Victoria Lucas-Perry was invited to try out for the USA Under-20 Women's National Basketball Team.

Ride to commemorate cyclists on Wednesday

The Ride of Silence, an event that commemorates those who have died or have been injured while cycling, will begin at 7 p.m.

E.L. City Council set to vote on budget tonight

The East Lansing City Council will vote on the 2006-2007 budget at 7:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall, 410 Abbott Road. Because the process went smoothly, Mayor Sam Singh will present council members and finance staff with cigars and chocolate. Highlights from the budget include a pay increase of 2 percent for employees, keeping the cost of health insurance low, restoring 1 percent of the general fund for expenditures for social service agencies and more money for sidewalks. The budget didn't call for any layoffs, cuts to city services or dipping into financial reserves.

Izzo headed to Kuwait with Operation Hardwood

MSU head basketball coach Tom Izzo will return to Kuwait this month to coach troops and foster morale as part of Operation Hardwood II. Izzo first visited the Middle East last August and coached the military team Camp Arifjan to a championship in the eight-team tournament. "My first trip was eye-opening in many different ways and cemented the tremendous respect I have for the men and women of the United States armed forces," Izzo said in a statement.

Get over it, professor's e-mail overrated issue

I am writing this letter in regard to the never-ending public ferment associated with the infamous Professor Wichman e-mail. The only reason this issue is still causing an enormous public outcry is because nobody has the sense to drop it.

Issue drives E.L. discussion

Members of MSU activist groups and area residents are paying close attention to who has their eyes on the U.S.-Mexico border. In a speech Monday night, President Bush said up to an additional 6,000 members of the National Guard will be stationed at the border by 2008. Bush also spoke about immigration reform within the United States. Manuel Chavez, associate director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and an assistant professor of journalism, said both liberals and conservatives agree that policing the nation's border is a problem. "Where the disagreement exists is how you're going to be able to control it," he said.

Potter Park Zoo's Rhino Walk to be held June 17

Potter Park Zoo in Lansing will hold its annual 5K Rhino Walk/Run and 1K Kid's Race on June 17. The run, sponsored by the Potter Park Zoological Society, will raise money for the zoo.

Spartans backup quarterback plans to transfer

Reserve quarterback Domenic Natale announced earlier this month that he would not return to MSU next season. The redshirt freshman had been battling sophomore Brian Hoyer for the backup spot to senior quarterback Drew Stanton but was placed third on the team's depth chart after spring practices. MSU has released Natale from his athletic scholarship to transfer to either Rutgers or Cincinnati, according to MSU Sports Information officials. Natale didn't have any recorded pass attempts in 2005, but he did appear in games.

700-ton bomb bad for U.S.

We eat organic food. We do yoga. We drive hybrid cars. We blow up massive bombs stirring up radioactive material into the atmosphere. Which one doesn't belong? If all goes as planned, this June, a 700-ton explosive will be detonated 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nev.

Celebrating Sparty

Prancing around MSU sports games, spending quality time with the community or just hanging out at the library, Sparty is everywhere. And the Mascot Hall of Fame may be the next place he'll be hanging out.

'Badge of survival' brings new outlook

Julielyn Gibbons rolled up her sleeve, revealing a 2-inch scar from a surgery to remove an entire vein from her right arm. It had to be taken out after a line pumping medicine into her body caused the vein to become infected.

Newest Chili Peppers album refreshing

The Red Hot Chili Peppers is the last universal band. Your mother likes them, your brother likes them, and the hermit you shared your freshman dorm room with owns several of the group's albums. The band can excite the better part of a generation by simply returning.

(SCENE) Metrospace looking for angry art

(SCENE) Metrospace is going to get a little angry in coming months. East Lansing's alternative art space is looking for artists to participate in an upcoming exhibit exploring the many sides of anger. "Anger is a common emotion that we all deal with, and we are seeking constructive artistic solutions to this difficult theme," a news release from the gallery said.