MSU law clinic to expand services with grant

When Lansing resident Mike Salim needed help with contracts for his small business he sought the advice of the MSU Small Business & Nonprofit Law Clinic. Salim, the owner of three stores, has sought legal advice from the clinic regarding contracts and claims for his businesses on three occasions. "They have wonderful services and have always guided me to the right directions," said Salim, who owns Gold Touch, 5330 W.

Current stalemate

Something fishy is going on around MSU lately, and it's not just the salmon the MSU Board of Trustees enjoyed Wednesday night. Last week the board shut out the public from its dinner inside Cowles House — again. This is happening despite the fact that some First Amendment lawyers have questioned the board's reasoning for closing its meetings. And the official incident report of a February assault in Hubbard Hall is apparently not a matter for the public either.

Non-Christians feel left out during holidays

As a kid, I remember having to spit out a piece of bread I absentmindedly sampled at the grocery store.

Council wants student input on noise policy

East Lansing's City Council will seek student input on proposed changes to the city's noise ordinance during a public hearing Tuesday on campus. The revised ordinance would eliminate jail time as a penalty for loud parties. The proposal would add drinking games to a list of indicators police use to write party noise tickets. Tuesday's council meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

Work in progress

One of the team's sore spots last season — at place-kicker — has a positive outlook after Saturday's 115-play scrimmage at Spartan Stadium. Sophomore Todd Boleski missed his first 38-yard field-goal attempt but didn't disappoint after, nailing two field goals at 32 yards, and then at 40, 47 and 55 yards. The defense also showed signs of improvement, which senior defensive tackle Clifton Ryan said is "more athletic and (can) run the ball better than we did a year ago." The first-team defense faced a first-team offense undergoing changes with three new starters on the line. After the game, head coach John L.

Fresh style hits town

Protégé Academy, East Lansing's newest cosmetology school, opens for business today at 16800 S.

Residence Halls Association seeks PR director

The Residence Halls Association, or RHA, is looking for a Director of Public Relations and Advertising. Duties include, but aren't limited to, serving as RHA's spokesperson publicizing all RHA meetings, hall government events and caucus events as well as preparing press releases, talking with the media and designing advertisements.

Group to announce initiative to help create Mich. jobs

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will join Gov. Jennifer Granholm and others today to announce a new federally-funded, $15-million plan to create more jobs in Michigan. Simon and the governor will be joined by former Lansing Mayor David Hollister and Emily Stover DeRocco, U.S.

New bills give state control of cable TV

Imagine cable TV that can screen phone calls, connect to photo albums stored on the Internet or be programmed from a cell phone. With the help of state legislation, a next-generation fiber-optic network that bundles Internet, video and phone service could be making its way to Michigan soon. But that doesn't mean the service will be provided to East Lansing's student neighborhoods. Cable franchise agreements are currently negotiated at the local level, ensuring cable service is virtually a public utility in many cities — available to just about anyone who wants it. The proposed legislation, which is currently working its way through both the state House of Representatives and Senate, would shift cable franchising to a state system, eliminating local control. Local governments across the state have cried foul, arguing the change would affect revenues they use for programs such as public access, and to allow cable providers to pick and choose where they offer service. "You're changing the rules of the game," said East Lansing City Councilmember Kevin Beard. The East Lansing City Council is scheduled to approve a resolution on Tuesday voicing support for keeping the franchise process local. The city is expecting to bring in $320,000 in the next year from its existing franchise agreement with Comcast.

Area residents celebrate religions through Easter, Passover holidays

Scores of kids scampered across the Capitol lawn scouring for thousands of plastic eggs this weekend, as many students left campus to spend time with their families and area residents congregated at local churches or synagogues to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover and the Christian holiday of Easter.

Noise violations at whim of E.L. police

Basically, I just wanted to write in commenting on East Lansing's noise ordinance policy. Is there really any point to the city of East Lansing taking this thing to such extremes? It would be nice to have them remove the possibility of going to jail, but to be able to get a ticket on the spot for playing "flip cup" in your yard?

Shhh it's a secret

Secrecy in the United States government has always been a problem. From The Pentagon Papers — documents former President Richard Nixon tried to stop The New York Times from publishing — to domestic wiretapping under President George W.

Zoning delays East Village rebuilding

East Lansing officials are pushing for redevelopment in the East Village area, but for the time being, they're going to have to put a stop to the very activity they want to promote. The city's planning commission is in the midst of reviewing a new zoning code for the East Village, located south of Grand River Avenue between Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road, and would provide for taller buildings and a mix of retail and residential space not permitted by the existing law. Officials hoped that work on the code, detailing exactly what can and cannot be built in the 35-acre area, would be completed by the time a City Council-imposed construction freeze is lifted. But since the planning commission is still engaged in the review process, it will be almost impossible for the City Council to approve the new code before the moratorium on building in East Village expires May 6.

Protesters protected; just don't show up

I love Nazis because they make the rest of political discourse sound normal. In fact, Nazis make the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or MCRI, sound like child's play.

Dwan's career back on track after injury

John Dwan didn't see it coming. Three years ago, he was a rising pitching prospect, a powerful left-hander from Illinois who had compiled a 25-5 record at Libertyville High School and broken the school record for strikeouts. He committed to MSU and turned heads during fall practice with a nasty fastball and baffling changeup.

Player's sentencing postponed until May

MSU football player Cole Corey's sentencing for pleading guilty to a single count of possession of a controlled substance has been adjourned until May 18. The sentencing was supposed to come down Thursday morning in the Lenawee County Circuit Court, but was adjourned to allow Corey and his attorney to argue some factors that could affect his sentence. "We're challenging some of the allegations in the presentencing report," said David Goldstein, Corey's attorney.

Save your energy

Even as everyday technologies get more complex and demand more power, boosting energy conservation can be easy. Ah, the olden days.

Youthful look

The college careers of wide receivers Kyle Brown and Aaron Alexander are over. Now it's time for seniors Matt Trannon, Jerramy Scott, Kerry Reed and junior Terry Love to help the offense live up to the expectations as one of the Big Ten's best. In 2005, the passing game was the deadliest attack for the Spartans.

Police briefs 04/14/06

Mixed-race conference planned

When international relations senior Jaime Chao applied to MSU, she had to choose the race with which she identified, she said.