2 suspects charged in Sunday killing

Charges were handed down Tuesday to the men involved in Sunday's shootings at an East Lansing 7-Eleven that left one man dead and another wounded. Eric Charles Gordy, age 35, and 29-year-old Hatarie Deamont McCorkle, both from Detroit, were charged with the murder of Joseph Lavon Parker, a 34-year-old Lansing resident. The two also were charged with assault with intent to commit the murder of 32-year-old George Edward Whitfield, also of Lansing. Judge Richard Ball of 54-B District Court said both offenses are felonies and carry a sentence of up to life in prison. The third man involved in the shooting, 34-year-old Detroit resident Jamil Artez Spiller, appeared in court later on Tuesday.

E.L. woman's body found in car

An East Lansing woman was found dead in her car parked near a freeway in Webberville on Monday night. The body of Christine Damerow, 38, was discovered around 8 p.m. by Ingham County Deputy Cheryl Gabalis in a commuter lot at M-52 and Interstate 96.

Badgered

MSU's chance at a Big Ten championship will have to wait - whether for a couple of days or another season is the question. The Spartans had a chance to recapture the conference crown and raise another banner at Breslin Center after a two-year hiatus, but MSU lost a 68-64 thrilling overtime game to No.

New virus hits 'U' e-mail boxes

A new computer virus has hit e-mail inboxes, tricking users into downloading zip files and entering password information. The virus, called variations of Beagle or Bagle by different virus-protection companies, changes domain and password information, making it next to impossible for virus-scan companies to protect against. "What's really going on is, unfortunately, the folks drafting these things are getting more sophisticated," said Richard Wiggins, MSU Computer Center's senior information technologist. The current form entering MSU inboxes appears to be written from MSU admission or e-mail staff. The first version congratulates the person for being accepted to MSU and directs him or her to download an MSU instant messaging service.

Sorority hosts Fash Bash as fundraiser for child abuse

Members of the greek community gathered Tuesday night in a feast for eyes and ears. Kappa Delta Sorority hosted its first Fash Bash, a combination of a fashion show and battle of the bands.

GEU representation not needed for all

Each month, we're robbed by the Graduate Employees Union. Yep, the very organization that claims to represent all graduate student teaching assistants robs us of approximately $25 each month.

MIDDAY UPDATE: 50 people attend McPherson discussion about work in Iraq

MSU President M. Peter McPherson led a public discussion Wednesday about his six-month stint in Iraq as the financial coordinator for the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance.More than 50 people crowded - standing room only - in a conference room in the Student Services Building for the discussion, "Reflections of Iraq Experience."The discussion was part of the Noontime Conversation Series, sponsored by the Department of Student Life."The purpose of these is to really have an informal setting where people can talk candidly about issues," said Lee June, vice president for student affairs and services.Several members of Students for Economic Justice also attended the meeting to hear what McPherson would say, and many said they disagreed with his position to go to Iraq.

Softball team takes Florida tourney title

The MSU softball team took the Florida International Tournament title after defeating Florida International, 3-2, on Sunday.

Wrong rally

For a group of more than 1,000 strong, MSU's Graduate Employees Union is quick to respond to a call to arms.

Up to speed

In an ideal world, everyone goes the speed limit and is a kind and courteous driver. In the real world, however, people don't go the speed limit if it's too slow, and it's pretty hard to find anyone who actually goes 35 mph on westbound Saginaw Street from Hagadorn Road to Coolidge Road.

Police briefs 03/03/04

Women's track team 6th at tournament

The MSU women's track and field team finished the Big Ten Indoor Championship on Sunday in sixth place overall. The Spartans finished with 65 total points for the competition, held at Iowa. Senior Jamie Krzyminski won the indoor event title in the 5,000-meter run for the third year in a row, while freshman sprinter Cynetheia Rooks qualified for the NCAA Tournament in both the 400-meter dash and the 200-meter dash, placing second and third, respectively.

'Club' a mix between horror, asinine comedy

The previews for "Broken Lizard's Club Dread" showed very little of the film, opting instead to show part of the opening sequence to the comedy troupe's "Super Troopers." Perhaps the material in "Club Dread" was too risqué for advertisements.

Get naked at Wharton

It has been years since Steve DeBruyne sat down for a show at Wharton Center. The actor, who now lives in the hustling, bustling state of New York, used to frequently visit the entertainment venue with his family when he was younger. "I grew up seeing shows at the Wharton Center," DeBruyne said.

Council discusses speed limit increase

At an East Lansing City Council meeting that many hoped would be finished quickly Tuesday evening, speeding was, ironically, the topic that slowed conversation. Residents and council members voiced safety and traffic concerns to representatives from the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan State Police after the two organizations planned to increase speed limits by 10 mph on two East Lansing streets.

New employees promote ASMSU activity

David Whitehurst and Joe Obringer haven't had a lot of time to sit around since arriving at ASMSU two weeks ago. After months of delays, ASMSU's Web site soon will be updated.

Baseball team loses series finale at UNLV

The MSU men's baseball team dropped its series finale at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas on Sunday with a 20-8 loss, ending its three-game series at 1-3.

Men's track team 9th in indoor competition

The MSU men's track and field team finished the Big Ten Indoor Championship competition in ninth place overall at Michigan on Saturday. MSU finished the competition, which was held Saturday and Sunday, with a total of 27 points - more than double its 11 total points from last season's Big Ten Championship.

Flight deck may double as court

The MSU men's basketball team might get a chance next year to take its game to a whole new level - aboard an aircraft carrier. University officials are engaged in talks about the plan, which would pit MSU against the Navy while the Air Force would take on North Carolina in a season-opening doubleheader.

Faculty voice concern over arts proposal

The College of Arts & Letters College Advisory Council held an informal meeting Tuesday evening to hear departmental and individual faculty responses to Provost Lou Anna Simon's proposal for the reconstruction of liberal arts at MSU. The two-hour meeting had College of Arts & Letters departments presenting a three-minute synthesis during the first hour followed by individual faculty responses. About 80 faculty and staff members attended the meeting. The meeting, however, proved disjointed between the two methods of conversation, College Advisory Council Chairman Grover Hudson said.