Churches unite for Katrina relief

Lansing - A local relief center already has one tractor-trailer full of personal care items and other supplies ready to dispatch to the South. After operating for only three days, the Katrina Response Relief Distribution Center is working on filling more trucks to help with the relief for Hurricane Katrina victims. The Central United Methodist Church of Lansing, the Lansing-area Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and International Family Care Services of Charlotte have joined together in creating the distribution center, which is located at BigFoot Trucking warehouse, 6301 Lansing Road in Lansing.

MSU women's golf team looking for new players

The MSU women's golf team will be holding an open tryout for any students that are interested. The tryouts will be held at 1:10 p.m.

Current generation cares about Hurricane

There are some reasons why I might agree with Paul Wilk ("Resident angered by tragedy response," SN 9/9) that my generation is heavily populated with self-absorbed, privileged brats.

Housing could be saved by its history

There might be hope for greek housing in the East Village area after the East Lansing City Council passed a recommendation Tuesday evening that could stop developers from destroying the houses. "These are basically East Lansing mansions," said Richard Wright, registered architect and consultant for Wright Associates.

Alumnus thoughts on drinking unsettling

A letter from Scott Hirko "MSU drops the ball on drink policy" (SN 9/9) said that alcohol should be allowed in the new part of Spartan Stadium, and goes on to blame students for the ban.

Respect for the dead important in coverage

I was disappointed to read the editorial "1,000 words" (SN 9/9). While I fully believe in the right of journalists to report the truth, there are powerful reasons to prevent the publication of photos of the dead in the aftermath of the hurricane. Respect for the dead?

Police briefs 09/14/05

Five favorites

The State News presents five things going on in the world of pop culture that just might make your life a little bit better. 1.

Bice critic wrong to denounce column

In response to Gabriel Cropsey's criticism of John Bice's "Columnist's writing promotes hatred" (SN 9/2), I found it ironic that half of the entire writing was quoted directly from the Bible.

Officials to resume med school discussions

The future of MSU's College of Human Medicine will be discussed today more than 70 miles from its East Lansing campus, as officials involved in its proposed expansion meet for the first time since June 1. Acting Dean of Human Medicine Marsha Rappley will head to the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids this morning with MSU President Lou Anna K.

Giving a little is not giving enough for rich

I find it sad that catharsis and a sticker can now be bought for $1 at any grocery store. Isn't it noble when a person buys a $30,000 car and, on the way home, donates a $1 for the Hurricane Katrina relief fund. Isn't it noble when that person drives home, parks his or her car outside his or her $300,000 home and sits on their massage chair, watching the news, knowing that he or she has done their part to help the people dying down south. Isn't it noble that 10 minutes away, people are just as desperate, just as in dire need and are dying? The stories of those 10 minutes down the road, the poor and disadvantaged, are mostly the same.

Magazine gives minorities a voice

During his free time this summer, Cyrus McNeal didn't thumb through magazines. He created one geared toward MSU minorities. "I sat down and thought about the ups and downs and what it would take," McNeal said.

Spartans will begin new season ranked in top 20

After finishing 20th in March's NCAA Championships, the MSU wrestling team will enter the upcoming season ranked No.

Behind the groove

The music business is cutthroat. It's difficult to get started and even harder to make it big.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Officials to discuss possible medical school expansion

The future of MSU's College of Human Medicine will be discussed Wednesday at a meeting in Grand Rapids. Human Medicine Dean Marsha Rappley will head to the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids Wednesday morning with MSU President Lou Anna K.

MSU earns weekend split

The MSU men's soccer team split a pair of weekend games at the Michigan Invitational in Ann Arbor, defeating Long Island 2-1 on Friday before losing 1-0 to Louisville on Sunday. Sophomore forward Kenzo Webster scored off an assist from senior midfielder John Kaczmarek in the sixth minute on Friday to give MSU an early lead. Freshman forward Doug DeMartin then scored the eventual game winner less than six minutes later off a corner kick from senior midfielder Ryan McMahen. Long Island scored in the 86th minute, but couldn't get the equalizer. On Sunday, MSU outshot Louisville 14-6, but couldn't find the back of the net with either of the two shots that were on target. McMahen paced the Spartans with five total shots and had the only two shots on net. Louisville's goal was scored by back Frank Jonke in the 59th minute of play.

Surviving for change

Raymund Narag sipped an iced coffee at a table in Espresso Royale Caffe Wednesday evening. The Fulbright Scholar and MSU criminal justice graduate student talked and laughed with a friend and flipped through a PowerPoint presentation on his laptop computer.

F.R.A.G. plans remodeling of popular gaming center

Business: F.R.A.G. Center, 543 E. Grand River Ave. Name: Scott Reschke, owner Age: 30 Years with store: two Education: attended Western Michigan University Background: He was running a Gateway store where he got the idea to create a place where people could get their computers fixed or come in and play games.

State could increase MSU funds 0.4 percent

Under a new spending agreement reached in the state Legislature, MSU is expected to receive a 0.4 percent increase in state funding for the upcoming fiscal year. The agreement eliminates the former possibility of budget cuts to state universities, but it might not be significant enough for MSU students to see a tuition refund, said MSU Board of Trustees member Donald Nugent. The agreement comes as a compromise between Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature and includes the approval of a new funding formula for individual universities based on enrollment, research and graduation rates, expected to take effect in 2006. The agreement will now go into conference committees at the state level, said Steve Webster, MSU's vice president for governmental affairs. Nugent and Trustee Melanie Foster said they were disappointed that the new formula would not be applied to this year's appropriation. "What's happened in this compromise (is) the money's been distributed to who's not performing," Nugent said.

Stellastarr* disc next in long line of '80s dance-rock renaissance

Stellastarr* is a band out of New York City that is often overlooked. Maybe the band will get more attention with today's release of its sophomore album called "Harmonies for the Haunted." Their 2003 self-titled album had plenty of memorable hits like "Jenny," "My Coco" and "Pulp Song." Their new album has just as much potential, if not more.