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MICHIGAN

Increased gas prices prompt new inspections

It used to take Jaclyn Peraino $20 to fill up her 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier with unleaded gas. Then gas prices started to rise more than $2.50 a gallon and now the biochemistry junior is paying more than $30 for a full tank. Peraino said the higher prices are making her take a closer look at just how much gas she gets when she pays at the pump. "If you're paying $20 to $40 a week, the amount you're paying for and getting is definitely a concern," Peraino said. Statewide, an increased number of complaints about gas stations shortchanging consumers at the pump on fuel quality and quantity has prompted the Michigan Department of Agriculture to double the amount of full-time gas station inspectors, said Dominic Perrone, Department of Agriculture public information officer.

MSU

Unveiling ceremony for new Sparty held ahead of schedule

Bob Darrow
August 29, 2005

For incoming freshmen, Welcome Week was their first as MSU students, but three new faces on campus have already become a part of university history. Criminal justice freshman Kerrie Schultz, no-preference freshman Kristen Brady and no-preference engineering freshman Michelle Raetz helped MSU President Lou Anna K.

NEWS

MIDDAY UPDATE: Demolition makes way for retail and apartment space

Piles of brick and a construction excavator mark the site of a new four-story apartment and retail building slated for the intersection at Bailey Street and Grand River Avenue. The former home of Sidestreets Deli, Murasaki Restaurant and most recently Peking Express, currently at 611 E.

MICHIGAN

DTN sues city over attempt to build apartment complex

Kristi Jourdan
August 29, 2005

Although many students have moved into apartment buildings for the school year, they arrived in the middle of a legal battle about where apartments can be built in East Lansing. DTN Management Co. filed a lawsuit on June 16 against the city of East Lansing concerning property DTN originally bought for an apartment plan in the 700 block of Burcham Drive. DTN planned to build a complex that would have housed 90 occupants and 75 vehicles on three pieces of property it owns along Burcham Drive.

SPORTS

Spartans excited about new coach

Yvette Lanier
August 29, 2005

In practice, which the MSU volleyball team has been doing twice a day for almost three weeks, new MSU head coach Cathy George is showing sophomore outside hitter Katie Johnson that she needs to keep her hands up and be ready to attack.

NEWS

Teague dismissed of charge

Margaret Harding
August 29, 2005

The misdemeanor assault charge against MSU senior running back Jason Teague was dismissed two weeks ago, and the woman who filed the report said she's "quite satisfied" with the result. "I have moved on since then and I assume my assailant has too," Julie Burtch, the alleged victim and an MSU alumna, said.

MICHIGAN

Giveaways differ between sexes

Jennifer Toland
August 29, 2005

During Welcome Week every year, students gather in front of the Student Book Store, 421 E. Grand River Ave., to receive their campus trial paks with free samples inside - one for guys and one for girls.

NEWS

Student tailgate system created

Melissa Domsic
August 29, 2005

Before Saturday's football game, ASMSU and other organizations will kickoff a new student-only tailgate with a DJ, reduced-cost concessions and IM sports activities. "This is a chance for students to have their own identity in the tailgate," said Andrew Bell, ASMSU's Student Assembly vice chairperson for external affairs. Drinking games were banned and tailgating hours were restricted last season after November's Notre Dame football game celebrations, during which 85 people were arrested.

MSU

ASMSU discusses goals, programs for upcoming year

Melissa Domsic
August 29, 2005

Coordinating a new tailgating program, adding academic minors and revoking an honorary MSU law degree from a foreign president are a few of the things on the student government's to-do list for the school year. ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, met last week to discuss their goals and get ready for the new semester. "I'm looking forward to an active, ambitious and exciting year, which will make our constituents aware of what progress we are able to achieve when we all work together to resolve students' issues," said Roger Ludy, Student Assembly's vice chairperson for internal affairs.

FOOTBALL

Summer daze

Matt Bishop  and  Eric Fish
August 29, 2005

MSU head coach John L. Smith has experienced his most turbulent off-season going into his third year on the Spartan sidelines.

MSU

Students face crowding

Tom Cooke
August 29, 2005

Most incoming freshmen have settled into their dorm rooms, but overcrowding might keep some students stuck for days or weeks. On Friday, 220 two-occupant rooms in the residence halls were filled by three instead, said Director of University Housing Angela Brown.

FEATURES

'Titus' goes out for blood

Jacqueline Wayneguite
August 29, 2005

Complete with a gallon of fake blood, Sunsets with Shakespeare has adapted one of Shakespeare's most violent tragedies, "Titus Andronicus," into a modern parody called "The Titus Andronicus Experience." Set in the Rome Estates trailer park, the action opens as Titus Andronicus returns from battle against the Goths, or with this updated version, the Gothic Manor trailer park.

COMMENTARY

Voices unheard

The Sunni minority was seemingly dismissed when negotiators decided to put the Iraqi draft constitution to a public vote.

FOOTBALL

New system for football tickets has fans worried

Tom Keller
August 29, 2005

Football season tickets have sold out, but not all students are sold on the new policy for redeeming them. The MSU Athletics Department announced Saturday that sales of both public and student season ticket packages have been suspended after exceeding 60,000 for just the fourth time in school history. More than 12,000 student packages have been sold, up almost 1,500 from last season. But many students are still looking for answers to the new ticket policy that was announced late last month. Under the new system, tickets will be attached to student IDs, replacing printed vouchers.

COMMENTARY

Hope still exists for good relationship between city, students

Students of Michigan State University, citizens of East Lansing, I'm sorry. When I left in the spring, I wrongly raised a white flag over the future of your relationship. "With all possibilities exhausted and the likelihood of this problem [April 2-3 disturbances] being glossed over imminent, where do we go from here?...I am at a loss," I wrote in my April 21 column.

COMMENTARY

State News ignores local entertainment

I'm writing in response to Bob Darrow's editorial "No excuse for music, concert scene to be less than excellent" (SN 8/24). Although I did enjoy reading a few of his satirical scenarios, the article is one low-blow to many, especially for groups like ASMSU, Resident Hall Association, University Activities Board and Pop Entertainment. Throughout my two years working with these organizations, I have been a part of more than 30 musical performances, featuring more than 75 national acts and have seen more than 50,000 students and East Lansing citizens enjoy quality entertainment from their student tax dollars. The State News continuously whines that there are no options for minors to enjoy music in East Lansing, when our student organizations are bringing dozens of quality national acts every semester. Venues such as the Union Ballroom and Erickson Hall Kiva, as well as all of the venues operated by the Wharton Center (Great Hall, Pasant Theatre, Auditorium, Fairchild Theatre) are constantly booked with musical and theatrical performances to choose from. Another thing that I find rather ridiculous is that The State News has published a multi-section "Welcome Weekend" edition of the paper, and failed to feature any news on our show with Dashboard Confessional last Saturday, despite press releases from our organizations and conversations over the phone.

MSU

Ramp construction garners positive, negative feedback

Bob Darrow
August 29, 2005

Progress on a new on-campus parking ramp located north of Morrill Hall is proceeding on schedule and on budget, university officials said. The construction of Ramp 6 broke ground in May after the completion of the spring semester, but isn't scheduled to be completed until summer 2007. When finished, the $19.5-million structure will rise about five stories tall and offer 730 parking spaces, primarily for faculty and staff members. "It won't be too long before you'll start to see the building take shape above ground," said university engineer Bob Nestle, who is supervising the project. The ramp's external structure will begin to go up in the next two to three months, he said.

SPORTS

Hopes are high for Spartans sports

As the new school year begins at MSU, so does a new year of Spartans athletics. And with that comes high expectations, especially after the success that last year brought. Unfortunately, the Spartans were unable to capture any national championships, but they found quite a few teams in contention to capture one of those elusive titles. Both the men's and women's basketball teams found their way to the Final Four.