Activist sentenced to community service

The 1997 MSU graduate accused of assaulting a Philadelphia police lieutenant will not be serving any jail time.Steve Swart was given a misdemeanor and sentenced to community service Monday, said Catyie Abookire, spokeswoman for the Philadelphia district attorney.“During jury selection, the defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 23 months in jail and immediately paroled with a $146.50 fine,” she said.

Concert series going strong

The Common Ground Music Festival has kicked off its second year, and features more stages and a more diverse lineup.

Forum introduces candidates to E.L.

Students and residents will have a chance to listen to all of the candidates vying for East Lansing City Council in one place tonight. The Greater Lansing Area League of Women Voters will host a forum for the eight city council candidates at 7 p.m.

U examines graduation race gap

Tamiko Jones, a 2001 MSU graduate, considered dropping out when her financial aid fell through.Because of her son, though, she claimed herself as an independent and finished her degree.But Jones said many black students are set up to fail.“It’s not fair for students who start 10 steps back or don’t have the money to afford school,” said Jones, who is black.

Police briefs 07/18/01

Bright idea

More than 3 million Mexicans now live in the United States illegally. This is a problem, but it doesn’t have to be under President Bush’s new plan. The president’s plan involves giving permanent legal residency to those Mexican immigrants currently residing in the country. Most likely, immigrants would be considered for legal residency based upon family ties and the amount of time they have lived in the United States. The plan will have to face Congress before taking effect and influential Republicans in the House and Senate aren’t thrilled about the idea.

Institute urges responsibility

One hundred years ago, Petoskey, Mich., was home to a cement plant and limestone quarry a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan. Today, the 1,200-acre “brownfield” area is known as Bay Harbor, and is home to restaurants, hotels, shops and an extravagant golf course - still just a stone’s throw from the Great Lake. While the development - or redevelopment - wasn’t cheap or easy, it’s exactly the type of development Phil Davis likes to see. As the director of MSU Extension’s Victor Institute for Responsible Land Development and Use, Davis said Bay Harbor serves as a shining example of the institute’s mission: Increasing redevelopment of previously developed but currently abandoned areas - brownfields - while still preserving areas that haven’t been developed - greenfields. “We’re looking at doing best practices in Michigan that are research-based,” said Davis, an MSU alumnus.

Fast pace of life doesnt mesh with politeness

“Move it - move it! Damn you, can’t you get that piece of junk moving?” “*%’ you!

Council votes to build skate park near Frandor

LANSING - The council chambers at City Hall were packed with young teens wearing shorts and T-shirts awaiting word Monday night.Clutching skateboards and inline skates, they were there in support of the skate park, which the council voted unanimously to build near the Frandor Shopping Center at Ranney Park in Lansing.“I told the rest of the committee last night I needed to go home and pinch myself,” George Leichtweis, finance chairman for the Lansing Area Skate, Bike & Recreation Foundation, said Tuesday.Leichtweis, who also owns Modern Skate and Surf, 1393 E.

Hockey to play 11 of first 13 at home

It’s mid-July, but area hockey fans can already start planning out their winter months.The Spartan hockey team’s 2001-02 season schedule was released Monday and is highlighted by the team’s Oct.

Council to give Troppo decision

The East Lansing City Council will discuss Tuesday whether to give Troppo a permit to build a second-story addition. The restaurant, 213 Ann St., is asking for a permit to build a second-story addition to the existing restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. At its last meeting June 26, the council decided to wait until this meeting before making a decision, allowing council members to speak with community members and Troppo owner Kris Elliott. The decision came after some council members and community members said they were unsure of whether Troppo was a fine-dining restaurant or a bar. Residents raised concerns that if Troppo was a bar, the increased consumption of alcohol, especially on a rooftop, would be a disturbance to those in surrounding businesses and neighborhoods. Councilmember Beverly Baten is still uncertain of what she or the council will do about the special-use permit application. “I’m definitely listening to the concerns from the community,” she said.

Schools should be taken to task

The bill to lift the cap on charter schools will soon come up in the state House for a vote. I oppose lifting the cap on charter schools.

Undeserving

The Olympic Games are supposed to support competition and cooperation. Now though, the Olympics are influenced by commercialism and politics, skewing the intended spirit of the games. This is made evident by the International Olympic Committee’s choice of Beijing as the host of the 2008 Summer Olympics. The decision was made Thursday; Beijing won in a landslide vote.

Magic Johnson shaking and baking in pro league

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Magic Johnson had a triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists Saturday in a Summer Pro League game. Johnson and his traveling all-stars will play an exhibition game against MSU on Nov.

Loss of guarantee could be beneficial

During the past few days, I have been quietly listening to many of my fellow students’ complaints regarding MSU’s recent decision to increase tuition rates by 8.9 percent.

Book brings attention to islands past

SOUTH FOX ISLAND, Mich. - Until 1983, this island northwest of the Leelanau Peninsula was known by occasional lines in books.

Good actors dont score good film

“The Score” is another example of competent moviemaking gone awry. The movie sounds as though a gourmet recipe has been followed: Take four great actors, one simple, exciting plot and mix for two hours.

Police briefs 07/16/01

Locals fear deal will ruin rich splendor of island

SOUTH FOX ISLAND, Mich. - The Manitou Isle ferry departed from Leland on a June day perfect for a lengthy boat ride to an isolated haven. Fifty-eight passengers boarded the dinghy early that morning, more than willing to take the risk of sunburn, insect bites and sore hiking legs. Instead of taking its regular course toward Lake Michigan’s Manitou Islands, the ferry veered north toward South Fox Island, a smaller island with less human contact and no guided tours. The boaters say the island’s miles of sand dunes, unique wildlife, historic buildings and blue waters combine for the most dazzling view in the state. But the wild island’s charm could be in jeopardy. Home to endangered birds like the piping plover and rare plants, the birthplace and final resting place of indigenous people and the setting for what some visitors call the most beautiful sunsets in Michigan, the beaches of South Fox Island could soon be closed to the public. Along with endangered species, the island also is one of the many homes of developer and MSU alumnus David Johnson, who wants to consolidate his portion of the land for private use. A proposed land trade between the Southfield-based developer and the island’s other owner, the State of Michigan, could leave some travelers out of the loop and off the island. “It’s just too nice to be restricted,” said island-goer Ramon Westbrook, a former Michigan Department of Natural Resources employee.

Student should have thought before dressing

Every once in awhile a news story comes along that really baffles me. Somewhere along the way in America, our intentions became more important than our actions.