VOTERS GUIDE: Gretchen Whitmer, 69th District state House (D); 2-year term

Name: Gretchen Whitmer (I) Age: 30 Hometown: East Lansing Occupation: State representative, lawyer Family: Married to Gary Shrewsbury; one daughter Political background: State representative, 2001-present, serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education Web site: None Stance on the issues Overcoming the state’s budget difficulties: Stop “plugging holes” in the budget and address more comprehensive issues; trim government; consider a single business tax cut pause. Higher education affordability: Make education No.

Icers stockpile in net as goalie commits

The Spartan hockey team will have a logjam in the crease a few years from now, thanks to the recent verbal commitment of goaltender Dominic Vicari.Vicari, a 5-foot-10, 170-pounder from Clinton Township, told MSU coaches several weeks ago that he intends to join the Spartans in fall 2003.

Level playing field

The debate over the Michigan’s high school girls’ athletics seasons returns to court Thursday as a federal judge plans to rule on a blueprint to end discrimination in interscholastic sports.

U in top 20 for donations

For the first time in its 147-year history, MSU is among the top 20 colleges and universities based on donations and gifts. The university received $202 million in donations in the 2000-01 fiscal year - the most in MSU’s history.

Fair brings family fun despite weather

The 148th annual Ingham County Fair opened Friday with carnival rides, petting zoos, rodeos and promises of a familyoriented event. The slogan for the this year’s fair is “Bring ‘Em To Ingham, The Family Fun Fair.” Terry Brail, the fair’s executive director, boasts a clean fairgrounds with a goal to please people of all ages - without a beer tent. “We’ve never had a beer tent, and we never will,” Brail said. Alcohol is considered by the fair’s organizers as a substance that isn’t family-oriented and shouldn’t be allowed on the grounds. But families might not be piling into their cars in droves for the fair just yet. Brail said poor weather conditions since the fair opened put a damper on it, forcing people to shy away from eating cotton candy and visiting the critters and creatures farmers bring. “The weather scared a few people off, but I’m very confident that the weather will break toward the end of the week and the people who were scared off today will be back,” Brail said. The 74-acre site brings in more than 100,000 people annually and Brail said he has no doubt the number will be reached again this year, despite the weather.

Martin helps out young netters

Kelly Hamelin has always loved tennis. The 12-year-old middle school student’s adoration of the sport put her in contact with a tennis champ Thursday.That’s when the U.S.

U-M, OSU, U top Big Ten

Chicago - Although record-breaking wide receivers - instead of smash-mouth running backs - are receiving most of the preseason hype, the media seems to think the conference will return to the “Big Two, Little Eight” days of the Big Ten. The league’s preseason poll, released at the 31st annual Big Ten Conference Kickoff Luncheon last week, tabbed Michigan and Ohio State to finish first and second, respectively, in the Big Ten football standings.

Historic Sparty falling apart

Sparty stood naked on campus while Curt LaCross took a break from restoring the campus landmark Friday.“If rival schools came and vandalized him right now, he’d be real hard to clean,” said LaCross, an MSU alumnus and ceramics instructor as he pointed out various cracks he was going to fill.“These aren’t surface cracks.

Wetlands face uncertain future

Meridian Township residents Judith and Harry Hurst have lived next to the wetlands at Lake Lansing and Abbott roads for 20 years. Now the future of the land surrounding their property is up in the air. Both believe the wetlands, near their modest tan and blue ranch-style home, could be endangered by future developments as a result of a land-share deal struck with East Lansing on Friday. Since 1998, the city has swallowed more than 2,300 acres of land from adjacent townships with deals such as the one with Meridian Township.

Lifeguards back on beach at Lake Lansing

Lifeguards have been back to work at Lake Lansing Park South since Saturday, although beach hours have been reduced. Hours have also been cut down at Hawk Island County Park in Lansing and Burchfield Park in Holt.

New season promising for U football

Chicago - One thing is becoming more clear as MSU’s Aug. 31 kickoff approaches - the Spartans are a fixture on everyone’s radar screen. At this weekend’s annual Big Ten football Kickoff Luncheon, media members picked MSU to finish third in the conference and named junior wide receiver Charles Rogers the preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

Obesity not the fault of the food chain, everybody knows burgers arent health food

America is fat. It’s not just my opinion - it’s a saturated fact, and Michigan is ranked as the third highest state with overweight people. The expanding waist problem has emerged into the media’s hungry eyes, thanks to New York resident Caesar Barber, 56, who is suing McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC and Wendy’s for making him obese.

Police briefs 07/29/02

Power Play

Lame-duck Gov. John Engler is using what’s left of his political weight in Lansing to grasp onto control of the state government - and trample the rights of the state’s residents in the process. On Thursday, Engler vetoed more than $850 million in state payments to local governments for the 2003 fiscal year, threatening to nearly bankrupt local governments if three November ballot initiatives are approved.

Spartan qualifies for U.S. Amateur

MSU senior Eric Jorgensen earned medalist honors at Friday’s U.S. Amateur Open sectional qualifier Friday with a 36-hole score of 137.

Books in the summertime? Some students dig it

Many people have grabbed a book, curled up in a favorite spot and escaped reality just for a moment this summer. Whether it’s chasing down “The Bachelor” with Carly Phillips or preparing for the end of the world with the “Left Behind” series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, there have been several good reads keeping people occupied this summer. “‘The New York Times Best Seller Lists’ always sell well,” said Dan Chenoweth, store clerk at Schuler Books & Music in Okemos’ Meridian Mall.

Pipeline vote on agenda

Lansing - Lansing City Council will vote next week on a pipeline company’s request to build a gasoline line within city limits. The council members voted 5-2 Thursday to add two items to the Aug.

Race celebrates girls life, earns 15K

Threats of inclement weather couldn’t hold back more than 750 people from sprinting and walking for a good cause.The ninth annual Ellen’s Race 5K Run and Walk took off Sunday morning from Pinecrest Elementary School, 1811 Pinecrest Drive.

E.L.: Veto risks fire safety

East Lansing officials are deeming Gov. John Engler’s veto of state revenue-sharing money to local governments a “dangerous” decision for MSU. City leaders said the move, which could cost the city $4.6 million, could force the closure of East Lansing’s campus fire station on Shaw Lane.

Auction attracts eager bidders

Lansing - Antiques, oddities and the everyday were unveiled for onlookers to put their money where their mouth is. It was all part of the Michigan Department of Management and Budget’s auction Wednesday at the former State Surplus Property, 3353 N.