MSU unchanged by expected rise in natural gas prices

MSU will remain largely unaffected by a projected jump in natural gas prices, an official with the MSU Physical Plant said. State utility regulators predicted the monthly bill of a natural gas user in Michigan to rise from an average of $59 to nearly $190 this winter. MSU uses coal as the primary fuel to heat campus buildings, with natural gas at between 5 percent and 7 percent of fuel use, said Ron Flinn, assistant vice president for the MSU Physical Plant. "The amount of natural gas we use is relatively small," Flinn said. Boilers in the Physical Plant are ignited by natural gas, but coal is used to run them, Flinn said.

MSU gets no goals, satisfaction from scoreless draw with Irish

It's the same old story for the MSU men's soccer team. The Spartans exited Tuesday's affair against Notre Dame at Old College Field with a 0-0 tie — their fifth tie in 12 games this season. "I'm getting tired of these," MSU head coach Joe Baum said.

Police briefs 10/12/05

MSU anniversary events receive mixed turnout

Turnout at last weekend's sesquicentennial events was mixed, and might have been limited by cold weather, organizers said. The weekend's events — which included the revival of former campus tradition Water Carnival, the sesquicentennial parade and a show by comedian Jay Leno — were held to commemorate MSU's 150th anniversary, which is beginning to wind down, sesquicentennial committee Chairwoman Sue Carter said. The weekend's celebration marked the last major push planned by the committee, Carter said. Organizers estimated about 3,500 people watched Water Carnival, which was held for the first time in 36 years.

Council considers yard sign changes

With the East Lansing City Council election only weeks away, city officials might change an ordinance restricting the number of political yard signs. The existing ordinance allows residents to have signs advertising politicians at a maximum of five per lawn. In July, the council adopted an ordinance which increased the number of signs per yard from three to five and increased the size limit of signs from six to 24 square feet.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Granholm hosts lunch meeting to discuss plan for job growth

Lansing—Gov. Jennifer Granholm met with a group of MSU students and Michigan residents Wednesday to discuss her economic plan to stimulate job growth throughout the state. Granholm, who spoke at Nic's Family Eatery, 3812 S.

Volunteers depict Mich. history

By Amy Oprean Special to The State News Lansing resident Adrian Oudbier, 78, looked as if he'd woke up thinking it was the 1830s. Dressed in full costume on Tuesday as Michigan's first governor, Stevens T.

Parity flip-flops standings

The days of looking at the Big Ten Conference schedule and knowing which games will be won and lost are over.

Blind date escapades a turn-off

I will not be going on another blind date for a very long time. After my experience with this strange dating ritual, I refuse to subject myself to the large amount of awkwardness I experienced ever again. It all started several weeks ago when I got a call from a friend who wanted to set me up on a blind date.

Banana farmer stresses importance of fair trade

For 50 more cents, shoppers can purchase fair trade bananas, ensuring that the banana farmer who supplied the fruit was justly paid. A pound of regular bananas costs 49 cents at an East Lansing Kroger supermarket, located at 1550 W.

Sympathy not shown for victims of assault

To say I was appalled by The State News article by Juli Liebler "One drunken weekend in E.L.

Martha Graham pays a visit to Wharton

One of the United States' oldest and most prestigious dance companies will bring a series of modern dances to the Wharton Center tonight. Founded in 1926, the Martha Graham Dance Company will present many of its works, including "Appalachian Spring." During Martha Graham's lifetime, she studied movement and the expression of emotions to help shape a new dance form — modern.

Fire in Bryan Hall helped put possible hazards into perspective

Few things can wake you up as effectively as a fire alarm. Some thoughts hit your mind at once: "Geez, another fire drill?" "What idiot pulled the alarm?" "Where's my jacket?" "What a pain in the -." When you get outside and see police cars and vans pulling in, fire trucks arriving and a lot of nervous students chattering in the cold, the reality still doesn't quite hit you. Walking around, my thoughts were still focused on my preconceptions of what a fire was supposed to look like.

4-goal weekend earns Harris Player of Week

MSU senior forward Emma Harris was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after scoring four goals in a weekend sweep of Wisconsin and Northwestern. Harris leads the women's soccer team in points with 21 (10 goals and one assist). She has scored a goal in four of the past six games, and in that span, the Spartans are 4-1-1. MSU (8-3-3 overall, 4-1-0 Big Ten) heads to Iowa to take on the Hawkeyes on Friday and then travels to Illinois on Sunday to face the Fighting Illini.

MSU prepares for defensive battle

After getting shutout by the Fighting Irish in their past two meetings, the MSU men's soccer team will be looking for revenge at 4 p.m.

Alliance embraces coming out day

Although other floats in the Sesquicentennial Parade on Saturday chose simplicity in decoration, the PT Cruiser used by the Alliance of Lesbian, Bi, Gay, Transgender and Straight Ally Students donned flame decals, rainbow colored balloons and banners as a girl standing in the sunroof held a sign that read "Cheer for Queers." As Lauren Beach, microbiology and social relations senior and chairwoman of the Alliance, walked beside the car, she saw the unconventional approach was working. "People were cheering and we'd cheer back," she said.

Goss still in as kicker, but several new faces nipping at his heels

After a week off, MSU's kicking game remains where it was before - on the foot of junior John Goss. But the competition is far from over, according to head coach John L.

Expert: Men need to step up to help fight sexual violence

Dear Dr. D., Some of the women I've dated have been sexually assaulted, including by date rape and from abuse in past relationships.

Running store sponsors nearly 40 races each year

Business: Playmakers Athletic Footwear & Apparel, 2299 W. Grand River Ave., in Okemos Name: Curt Munson, owner Time with business: 24 years.

Down Under psychedelic rock scores

The first track from the morning after girls' first U.S. release sounds like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club with its fuzzy guitar rock and smooth, blended-in vocals.