'Need for Speed' lacks originality, but still fun to play

How many "Need for Speed" titles will EA Games release before it finally retires the series?

Hanukkah celebration begins with traditional food, games

Five men sat around a square table in the basement of the MSU Hillel Jewish Student Center, 360 Charles St., betting chocolate coins wrapped in gold tin foil. "I'm a seasoned veteran of dreidel," said Aaron Ellias, a James Madison sophomore.

Columnist's writing style is appreciated

Although I'm sure the outraged masses are sick of beating a dead horse over Bryan Dahl's column about injecting choice into schools ("Teachers' unions are to blame for lax improvement in public schools" SN 12/1), I'd like to voice my support of the author. I'm certain Dahl had his facts straight - it's not like he said anything extremely off-the-wall.

Clubbing males lack originality in dress styles

There was a herd of them. They were all walking down Grand River Avenue with cell phones in hand and a mist of cologne floating around them. Those five college boys heading into The Landshark, 101 E.

Cold cases revisited

Muriel Kirby wanted her daughter's killer found. Jeannette Kirby's body was discovered bound and stabbed near a trail she frequently walked in Delhi Township in June 1986.

Insecurity tax

The way it stands now, no matter what happens with Social Security, our generation will bear the brunt of the burden. Right now there are major problems with Social Security that can't be ignored, so it's good that President Bush is on top of it - even if his plan might leave something to be desired. It stands to reason that a system the government devised to take care of a changing demographic doesn't seem to cut it, but having something in place to debate and work from will instigate the first crucial step to reform. Bush's new plan splits the taxes, funneling some into regular Social Security and the rest into a personal account for people to invest or save.

Icers not living up to preseason expectations

It's been a trying first half of the season for the MSU hockey team, as inconsistency plagued the Spartans to this point. MSU was tabbed by both the media and the coaches to finish second in the league in their preseason polls. But the Spartans are just 7-8-1 overall record and a 4-6-0 mark in the CCHA.

Council gives approval for 'U' residential unit in 2007

Members of the Academic Council endorsed the concept of a new residential unit on Tuesday, moving the measure on to the provost for further review. The unit, which could be a college, school or program, would be housed in renovated Snyder and Philips halls.

'U' updates snow-clearing plan

This winter, a newly designed snow-removal plan is aiming to help students with disabilities effectively make their way around campus. The plan includes adding two new MSU grounds maintenance staff members and earlier snow-removal shifts.

Spartans need more 'best efforts'

Honolulu - Standing in the tunnel leading to the visitors' locker room at Aloha Stadium after his team blew a 21-point lead in a loss to Hawaii, sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton was searching for answers.

Revamped Social Security not useful

In Tuesday's online poll, you ask whether I think President Bush's plan for Social Security would work.

Wrestling team takes on Central Mich. today

The No. 17 MSU wrestling team will compete with Central Michigan at 7 p.m. today in Jenison Field House.

Local hip-hop act to bring unique sound to Temple Club

Diamonds in the Rough must have known they were worthy of their name before they brought it to the masses, because the tracks the group of nine lay out on "Vision Quest" are stellar.

Debt prompts officials to rethink parking plans

The newly built City Center parking ramp and a more efficient bus system have caused an increased debt in the city's parking system, officials said. Although parking revenues increased from $2.8 million to $3 million between 2003 and 2004, the expenses are more than the city's parking income, said Joe Heffernan of Plante & Moran. East Lansing Assistant Finance Director Connie Larkin said the debt has increased over the last four years because there are more operating expenses for additional parking, including paying for maintenance and staffing the parking lots. "Service costs are the biggest problem," Larkin said. The city overbuilt the newer structures because it was cheaper than building more in the future, but it now owes several million dollars on the lot, she said. "In the past, we were always short parking when we were doing development and we certainly didn't want to end up with that problem," Larkin said. She also said less people are driving downtown due to a more efficient Capital Area Transportation Authority system. The addition of shopping at Eastwood Towne Center in Lansing Township and a lack of downtown business diversity slowed parking usage as well, she said. The parking system also loses money when the city collects for parking tickets because it goes to the courts instead, a system which Larkin said the city is working to change. East Lansing City Councilember Vic Loomis, who is on the city's parking task force, said a substantial expansion of parking on MSU's campus is another reason for a drop in cars downtown, but that all the factors have an impact. "All of them taken into consideration put real pressure onto the revenues of the parking system," Loomis said. Dan O'Connor, East Lansing parking administrator, said his department is looking at different technologies that could attract more downtown parking patrons. O'Connor said central pay stations that accept credit cards and cash are options for replacing meters. "We're trying to accommodate the customers," he said. Larkin said although the credit card system will be an added cost, it is a good service to provide customers and hopefully keep them downtown. Since money is tight, Larkin said the city is also considering privatizing the parking program. "We're going to work as hard as we possibly can to solve these problems and try to not create more," she said. O'Connor said the parking department is hopeful that the improvements will help bring drivers back. "Right now, we're holding our own," he said.

New council to foster Mich. economy, job development

The Michigan economy and the number of residents with a college degree will each gain some needed attention through the formation of a council on Tuesday by Gov.

Police briefs 12/08/04

International students win essay contest

Judith Njogu smiles at strangers since her arrival to the United States from Nairobi, Kenya. In Kenya, people are friendly and hospitable only after having their initial introduction, said Njogu, a medical technology and premedical senior.

Doetzel wins cross country championship

With a time of 17:21, freshman Danette Doetzel won the Canadian Cross Country Championships on Saturday in Toronto.

Penalties add up to Thelen's benching

Oh, those silly skates. Head coach Rick Comley said skates have been the source of sophomore defenseman A.J.

Business owners: Winter break will not hurt sales

Despite the fact that thousands of students will leave East Lansing for Christmas vacation in the next week, area business owners say they are not anticipating any change in sales. Instead, other residents can make up for the departure of students, said some owners. "Certainly our customer base shifts," said Dick Rosemont, co-owner of Flat Black & Circular, 541 E.