Offense questioned after tough loss to U-M

Despite a 4-1 record, the second guessing of the MSU football team's coaching staff has begun after some failed plays in its 34-31 overtime loss to Michigan last week. Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin has taken a bulk of the heat, but said if given the chance to recall any plays of the game, he would decline. The general feeling among Spartans fans is that the play calling has been a bit conservative, especially during the second half of MSU's win over Notre Dame and the second half of the U-M game. "To say we were conservative is ludicrous," Baldwin said.

Police briefs 10/07/05

Commission to hold melee review meeting

The independent commission reviewing the April 2-3 disturbances is scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. Friday in the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.

Suburb's lack of diversity, trends make it uncool

Wait, they're making a movie about someone from Midland? My dinky little hometown? Are you kidding me? The basic premise of "Two for the Money" is that this guy went on to seek much fortune - notably, outside of Midland. He has realized the dream of many a Midland teen, which is successfully getting the heck out of that town to somewhere far, far away.

Linemen size continues to grow despite added health problems

When Thomas Herrion, a 23-year-old NFL offensive lineman, collapsed and died after a preseason game several weeks ago, Stefon Wheeler's phone started ringing. Wheeler, MSU's starting left tackle, wears the same uniform number - 72 - that Herrion did. "People at home were calling - 'Stef, how you doing?' It was kind of weird," Wheeler said. Four days later, an offensive lineman at Illinois Wesleyan University died from multiple organ failure.

Residents care about students, their safety

I truly hope every student at MSU read East Lansing police Capt. Juli Liebler's column "One drunken weekend in E.L.

ONLINE UPDATE: Unattended candle starts fire in Bryan Hall room; damage could be $10K

Fire alarms resonated throughout Bryan Hall at 12:15 p.m. Friday - but this time, it wasn't a drill. It wasn't until the students were out on the lawn and saw the dark smoke emanating from a third-floor window that they knew the fire was real. The fire was caused by a candle left unattended, MSU police Sgt.

Shoulder injury didn't slow down transfer from WMU

Ashley Schatzle first felt that something was wrong with her shoulder in her later high school years. But after having surgery last winter, this outside hitter for the MSU volleyball team said her game has improved. "I had a fray in my rotator cuff," said Schatzle, a nursing sophomore, describing her shoulder injury.

Hockey is back with authority

To put it lightly, I was excited. My anticipation level was soaring as I pulled my car into the Joe Louis Arena parking garage.

Former MSU professor to be honored during memorial on Sunday

A memorial service will be held in honor of Arthur Athanason at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive in Lansing. Athanason was a professor of English and theater at MSU for 35 years.

Rally on Capitol steps to support rights for Mich. women in prison

The Michigan Battered Women's Clemency Project is holding a rally at noon today on the front steps of the Capitol in Lansing. The rally is to raise awareness for female prisoners who have not received fair trials, according to the group, which supports clemency and human rights for women in prison.

Law tougher on dealers after buyers overdose, die

Drug dealers whose customers overdose and die could face life in prison, after Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed new legislation on Thursday. The law mandates tougher sentences for people who sell drugs to users who overdose on them. The bill was signed on the fourth anniversary of the overdose of a college student - the event that prompted the legislation.

Column lacks truth, claims unfounded

At the request of some of my friends, I read an opinion piece written by Kristen Daum about alcohol ("Alcohol poisoning is not 'cool'; why must students brag about booze?" SN 9/27). They thought the column would be of interest to the group because Daum lives down the hall from us and it appears that she wrote about some of my other floor mates.

Luxurious lockers

In 1991, Greg Bria was sitting in Munn Ice Arena watching the MSU hockey team practice when then-head coach Ron Mason skated to him. At that time, Bria was just a fan but had spent a lot of time around the team and had developed a reputation around the program as a handyman. "Hey, we need some new lockers for the locker room," Mason said.

Noodle shop aims to stir up E.L. clientele

Students will have another restaurant to go to for noodle dishes when Noodles & Co. opens its newest Michigan location on Grand River Avenue on Saturday afternoon. Darlene Murphy, a spokesperson for Pasta Per Trio L.L.C., Noodles & Co.'s franchise operator in western Michigan, said the restaurant's location is key to attracting the type of customers it targets. "University communities have active, healthy lifestyles," she said.

Fish and Bish working during MSU bye week

No. 6 Ohio State at No. 16 Penn State Fish: This game has potential to be quite a low-scoring affair. The Buckeyes have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, and after last week's throttling of Minnesota, Penn State comes into the game with a little more swagger. People have been writing Penn State off the last few years, but these Nittany Lions could spoil Ohio State's chances of winning the Big Ten. I see this game coming down to who has the better offense, and although both teams have made steps in the right direction in this area, Ohio State's offensive tandem is more proven. Look for a late Teddy Ginn Jr.

Totally Takeout should offer more selection, higher-quality food

Pickles. Concede to that and I will be satisfied. But apparently, getting them in my to-go sandwiches is more complicated. After a couple weeks of school, I realized my schedule didn't allow much time to relax.

Access to black box questioned

Police might not be able to use information recorded by a "black box" installed on most new cars if the state Senate deems the device the property of its owner. Sen.

Senate resolution to chop benefits

Homosexual public employees might no longer receive domestic partner benefits after the state Senate approved two resolutions Thursday, in an effort to encourage the Michigan Supreme Court to ban benefits. These include state government and public university employees. The Senate voted 22-16 to pass the resolutions that prevent money from being spent on same-sex benefits, before the Supreme Court can more clearly define a proposal that passed last year. "I think the Supreme Court will find that the voters of Michigan said that marriage is between a man and a woman, and I think the people were very clear when they voted on it," Sen.

Researchers use grant to examine plant mechanisms

MSU researchers believe if they can unlock the secret behind how simple plant mechanisms work, they can engineer almost anything for people - from vitamins to new bio-fuels. Last month, 10 MSU faculty members received a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study how plant genes make nutrients, said Rob Last, a biochemistry and plant biology professor.