Inspectors continue to search for cause of Mormon church fire

After three days of sifting through rubble, fire officials are still searching for the cause of a blaze that destroyed an East Lansing Mormon church only hours before services were to begin. Officials have not ruled out arson, but inspectors Tuesday did rule out electrical problems as the cause of the fire that burned down the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 431 E.

Nonprofit organizations suffer shortage of summer help

Area nonprofit organizations have to deal with program cuts every summer when MSU student volunteers leave campus. But some groups who rely on volunteers say this year is worse. John Tucker, executive director of Lansing-based Youth Development Corp., said the group had two volunteers working 40 hours a week last summer, but this year there are none. “We use MSU students as mentors for kids, but (summer) reduces our program a good 75 percent,” he said.

Paper too liberal, pledge needs God

I’m sorry that the State News feels the way about the Pledge of Allegiance as stated in the editorial “Ill Allegiances” (SN 7/1). Despite the fact that our nation’s government is secular, our country was founded on the principle of religious belief.

Tough dealings

The recent deal to share 1,056 acres in Bath Township with East Lansing was not as much of a voluntary agreement as it was an unwilling submission.

Walk around campus at your own risk, pedestrians need alternate plans to make it work

I’ve been an innocent, Catholic, law-abiding citizen for 20 years; no underage drinking, no pot smoking and no jaywalking - until now.

Tuition continues to rise for U students

For the second year in a row, MSU students will witness their tuition jump higher than usual. For the fourth year in a row, faculty members will witness an salary increase as part of the 2002-03 MSU budget approved by the MSU Board of Trustees on Friday. The increased tuition fees may also return next year might, MSU officials say. “It’s going to be a rugged year,” Provost Lou Anna Simon said.

Bath Twp. agrees to share disputed land

The battle between Bath Township and East Lansing for more than 1,000 acres came to an end Friday afternoon, but it may just be the beginning of the war. East Lansing City Council unanimously approved a land-sharing deal, know as a 425 land-transfer agreement, with the township Thursday night.

Area crowd enjoys skate parks grand opening

Lansing - Team Pain’s new skate park brought the opposite feeling to hundreds of skateboarders and in-line skaters Saturday when city officials and organizers finally opened Ranney Park’s newest addition near Frandor.Jonathan Fox said the park is “awesome,” and he plans to compete there July 14.“It’s really smooth,” the 11-year-old skateboarder said.

Alleged shooter to face hearing

A 24-year-old man arrested in connection with the shooting of a 22-year-old Lansing resident while in East Lansing awaits his preliminary hearing at the Ingham County Jail. A hearing will be held at 54-B District Court, 101 Linden St., to determine if there is enough evidence to take Levar Darnell Shannon, the alleged shooter, to trial. “There will be enough in this case,” East Lansing police Sgt.

Expanding space

Buffalo Wild Wings may face some unexpected opposition to its seemingly innocent proposal to expand its Albert Avenue location. In recent months, the East Lansing City Council has pushed an effort to reduce the number of seats in downtown available at businesses serving alcohol.

E.L. officials divided over voucher ruling

Public school money can now be used to help fund private schools after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that is stirring up controversy in East Lansing. The 5-4 ruling Thursday comes two years after the Kids First!

Fire ruins church

Fire officials are wondering why a blaze broke out at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 431 E.

Ezra returns with a bang

For those of you who don’t remember Better Than Ezra, search back in your music memory bank to 1995 when all you wanted to do was belt out “Aha, it was good” in the shower.

Freedom to choose vitally important

I am writing in regards to Craig Gunn’s column, “Freedom comes with accepting responsibility,” (SN 6/26). It is interesting that the first word of the title was “freedom.” The way I think of freedom is the right to choose.

Lugnuts take weekend series 3-1

The Lansing Lugnuts continued its strong start to the second half by taking three of four from the West Michigan Whitecaps in a four-game, home-and-home series.The Lugnuts (7-4 second half, 44-37 overall) won the first three games of the series before losing 6-5 in a 15-inning marathon Sunday at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park.

Supreme Court rules high school drug testing legal

High school and middle school students across the nation involved in extracurricular activities are now eligible for drug testing, the U.S.

Ill allegiances

The federal appeals court ruling declaring the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional is, despite popular opinion, one of the most responsible decisions made in recent history.

Police briefs 07/01/02

Middle East crisis requires thought

I recently read Shawn Dhar’s letter to the editor, “Palestinian peace may be impossible,” (SN 6/24) and I was a little taken aback by the author’s attitude.

Pagel shines on Foreign Tour

Everywhere she went, Julie Pagel received a hero’s welcome. Despite language barriers, the MSU junior forward and the rest of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Foreign Tour team were well-received as they traveled across Europe on June 14-24 to play against teams from Belgium and Holland.