Savoring freedom

As Americans begin to celebrate their country’s first birthday since the events of Sept.

Okemos provides free Shakespeare

Pack the lawn chairs and blankets to celebrate the Fourth of July outside with the fourth annual production of Sunsets with Shakespeare at Nancy L.

Recount shows Donohue wins by 3 votes

A recount Monday agreed with what chance had decided in the race for a seat on the East Lansing school board.After recounting the ballots cast in the East Lansing school district election, William Donohue defeated Randy Bell by three votes for a seat on the board of education.

Organizations ask for blood

Associations across the nation are joining voices in a call for blood as supplies have reached a critically low point.Alicia Mitchell, spokeswoman for the American Hospital Association, said she believed a possible explanation for low donations may be misinformation about who can donate and statistics say she’s right.

Spartans, Cavaliers set for rematch in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Neither team walked away victorious the last time the MSU men’s basketball team and Virginia took the court.

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.

Nothing wrong with game, fun to play

The editorial “Ridiculous riots” (SN 6/27), criticizing Raphael Adley’s entertaining simulation of campus rioting was ridiculous.

Mason brings coachs touch

The waters have been calmed, the ship has been righted and now there’s a new captain. MSU athletics director Ron Mason has taken over the controls of MSU sports, and said he doesn’t expect a lot of change. Mason officially took over duties of the department Monday, after former athletics director Clarence Underwood ended his 23 years of work with MSU and more than three years at the helm of MSU sports. Despite some tumultuous times, Mason and others credit Underwood with bringing unity and direction to the athletics department. “I’m not coming in here with any grand plan,” Mason 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.

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.

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.

Police briefs 07/03/02

Murder Inc. falls short with The Inc.

With Ja Rule and Ashanti ruling R & B and hip-hop charts, it was only logical for the producer behind their hits, Irv Gotti, to capitalize from the success.

Pledge decision correct to eliminate religion, being American not about God

The Fourth of July has always been a happy time for me and my family - a time when we gather to celebrate our country and put up and wear an awful lot of stars and stripes.

Voter registration deadline Monday

Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 6 primary election. Michigan residents can register to vote at their city or township clerk office, any Secretary of State branch office or by mail with a voter registration form.

Police to increase patrols for holiday

Police and fire officials nationwide will be campaigning for safety while Americans are lighting fireworks and enjoying barbecues this holiday weekend. MSU’s Department of Police and Public Safety will participate in a nationwide campaign to enforce drunken driving laws during the holiday weekend. “People are always getting together over the holidays and having a few drinks,” Sgt.

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.