Police stop students' shirt display

Two MSU students who are selling T-shirts with a statement about the East Lansing Police Department's actions in the April 2-3 disturbances had a police encounter of their own on Tuesday. Evan Dashe, an accounting junior, and Anthony Saladino, a general management freshman, were wearing the shirts and holding up a sign advertising them on Tuesday afternoon by Beaumont Tower but were not selling them, they said. The T-shirts have the slogan, "Tear gas is not designed to extinguish fires" printed on the front and a derogatory message for the East Lansing Police Department on back.

Mixing music, making history

On first inspection, Glenn Brown's East Lansing recording studio looks fairly typical, as recording studios go.

Lawyers prepare for melee pretrials

As some of the 43 people arrested during the April 2-3 disturbances face pretrial conferences this week, lawyers are doing their homework and looking at the event to prepare for their cases. The charges range from disorderly assembly for riot, preparation to burn and obstructing a police officer in the cases stemming from the disturbances after the men's basketball team's loss to North Carolina in the Final Four. During a pretrial, both sides meet to discuss if the case will go to trial or if there will be a guilty plea. Evidence at the trials will be presented in the form of video and testimony from police officers who can describe the conduct of the crowd, said Tom Yeadon, assistant city attorney. Yeadon said the city is viewing the cases as a way to prevent future incidences.

Speech to focus on MSU experience

After cramming for one last final, stealing one last apple from the cafeteria and listening to the Beaumont Tower's Carillon one more time, Shannon Houghton will share her MSU experiences with the senior class of 2005 at the undergraduate commencement ceremony. The Senior Class Council selected Houghton in mid-April to be this year's spring speaker.

Field to improve through $4 million fund-raiser

MSU's oldest athletic facility might get a $4 million facelift. Old College Field, the field that hosts baseball, softball and soccer games, is expected to be renovated using funds from drives co-chaired by former MSU baseball stars Kirk Gibson and Mark Mulder in a campaign dubbed "New Life for Old College Field." Originally bought for about $1,137 in 1900, Old College Field first served the MSU football team from 1902-22. More than a century later, Gibson and Mulder hope to help raise at least $4 million for improvements to the field including new stands, lighting, covered hitting facilities, outfield fencing and an enhanced entranceway. "There's great tradition at Old College Field, and these improvements have been on the back burner for some time," MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason said in a statement.

Americans look to severely punish the wrong criminals too often

OK, I know. Martha Stewart was sent to prison a long time ago; actually, she only served five months.

Possible change in GEU benefits concerns TAs

When 8-month-old Robbie Reiheld grins, he only has four teeth, but that doesn't stop his mom from worrying about his dental care. "I pay for my dental out of pocket," Lyman Briggs School teaching assistant Alison Reiheld said.

Laimbeer does not deserve Haynie

So, now Bill Laimbeer thinks he could make a better "home" for our freshly drafted Kristin Haynie than Sacramento can ("Haynie drafted to WNBA" SN 4/18)? This shocks me because of the fact that when I attended a coach's clinic a couple of weeks ago at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Mr. Laimbeer commented that our women's basketball team was "slow" and that they were only winning because of the wonderful coaching skills of head coach Joanne P.

SEJ behavior was entirely justified

We feel that the Women in Business Students' Association leadership reacted inappropriately to the moral questions raised by Students for Economic Justice on April 6.

Police review disturbances during closed discussions

The eight police agencies working during the April 2-3 disturbances met together for the first time on Monday but did not address public criticism, police officials said. The agencies met at 1:30 p.m.

Walker, Day given Big Ten honors of week

MSU sophomore catcher/first baseman Sean Walker was named the Big Ten's co-Player of the Week after leading the Spartans to a 3-1 series win over Ohio State this past weekend. Walker hit three home runs, drove in eight runs and had five runs. Junior pitcher Tim Day was named the Big Ten's Pitcher of the Week after throwing a complete game shutout in the series opener against the Buckeyes. He allowed eight hits and only one walk with five strikeouts, as he moved into sixth place in MSU history with 18 wins.

Stanton using experience to guide younger counterparts

MSU junior quarterback Drew Stanton has spent a lot of time this spring watching, not playing. But it is all part of the plan, and he knows it.

1st day of conclave ends without decision

Black smoke rose from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel on Monday, signifying that the new leader of the Catholic Church still is up in the air. After cardinals in Rome began the first day of conclave cloaked in seclusion and secrecy to elect a successor to the late Pope John Paul II, the black smoke signaled that the cardinals will continue to meet until they come to a decision. But even though the election process has begun, local Catholics said it's still too premature to predict the leading candidate.

E.L. officials offer reward for stolen duck statue

A fowl mystery has surfaced in downtown East Lansing - and not a feather was left behind. A bronze duck statue was removed from East Lansing's Fountain Square Park near the Marriott Hotel at University Place, 300 M.A.C.

Baten 'speaks her mind' on council

Editor's note: This is the second in a five-part series to reintroduce the people who run East Lansing.

Think globally

We are a generation that has grown up with infomercial images of poverty-stricken children who need our help.

Bush funeral visit for publicity only

I am writing in response to President Bush's visit to the pope's funeral. This was his opportunity to court the Catholic vote and pay his respects to a man who he claims to have held a great and long-lasting respect for.

Fostering a family

Haslett - After coaching four children through college graduation, parents Dick and Mary Haan are looking forward to their next challenge - the first grade. The couple, 61 and 60 years old respectively, opted out of cushy retirements in favor of packing lunches and picking up toys. The Haans adopted Mariah, 4, and Lonnie, 5, in November 2002, after raising Lonnie as a foster child on and off since 2001.

Police briefs 04/19/05

Trustees' secretary to resign on July 1

The MSU official responsible for enforcing exceptions to the open-alcohol ban and leading the discussion to change tailgating on campus will leave her administrative post this summer to pursue a more spiritual direction. Sue Carter will step down as secretary of the MSU Board of Trustees and as executive assistant to MSU President Lou Anna K.