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MICHIGAN

Program turns empty tanks into cash for grillers

Shaun Byron  and  Cavan Moon
July 5, 2001

Gas grills around the state were fired up on Wednesday for the Fourth of July, but where do users go to refill their propane tanks once they’re empty? If the tank doesn’t have an overfill prevention device, or OPD, it may be difficult to find anyone to refill it. New regulations in Michigan will prohibit tanks that lack the prevention device from being filled, beginning April 1, 2002.

NEWS

Holiday events keep all ages happy and busy

Shaun Byron
July 5, 2001

LANSING - The sidewalks were decorated Wednesday with children’s drawings of the American flag for the capital city’s parade and celebration of the country’s birth. Ten-year-old Lansing resident Bethany Billips drew fireworks with the words “Fourth of July” etched next to them.

NEWS

Sigma Chis future in limbo

Shannon Murphy
July 5, 2001

Members of Sigma Chi are out of a house for at least six months, and the fraternity’s affiliation with the university is in severe jeopardy. The fraternity, which has a house located at 729 E.

FEATURES

Pets spy war brings laughs

By BILL WARD For The State News If Austin Powers were a dog, then Dr. Evil would be a cat in the family-friendly comedy “Cats & Dogs.” The film provides enough silly action and high-tech espionage to feel more like a James Bond flick than a Dr. Dolittle.

MICHIGAN

BATmobile travels across Michigan roadways

Shaun Byron
July 5, 2001

Michigan police departments are using the BATmobile to catch a few jokers on the roads.The Breath Alcohol Testing van, or BATmobile, is a vehicle used in processing drunken drivers by having blood alcohol level testing available on the scene.The van is part of the high-tech equipment police are using in part of the Drive Michigan Safely Task Force campaign, “You Drink & Drive.

MSU

Penn and ink earn book award

Jamie Gumbrecht
July 5, 2001

William Penn called home from California in May expecting a full report of the day’s activities from his wife and children.He wasn’t expecting to hear that he’d won the American Book Award.“I said, ‘Uh, yeah right,’” the MSU English professor said.

FEATURES

Movie isnt very crazy or beautiful

By BILL WARD For The State News “Crazy/beautiful” has more depth and heart than most teen flicks, but just scratches the surface of the more substantial issues it hints at during the film.

FEATURES

Pootie doesnt translate to film

Drew Harmon
July 5, 2001

Sketch comedy rarely transfers over to the big screen very well. But, on occasion, a popular TV character makes it to the movies and entertains. Pootie Tang is not one of those. Based on a character from Chris Rock’s HBO talk show, “Pootie Tang” in film form is a waste of time, money and talent.

SPORTS

Championship in training

Paul Day
July 5, 2001

Big Ten football survival involves a lot of hard work - hard work that usually goes unnoticed by the fans that wake up early on fall Saturdays to tailgate and cheer for their favorite team. While these fans spend their summers at the cottage barbecuing and chatting with their peers about the upcoming season - and making their predictions for what will happen - college players around the country are sweating their summer days away to give fans the show they expect to see come fall. MSU is one of the big-time football programs that puts their players through a hard summer regimen.

NEWS

McPherson leads African hunger plan

Jamie Gumbrecht
July 5, 2001

Although more than 35,000 meals are served on MSU’s campus daily, President M. Peter McPherson worries about food production an ocean away.To ease the concern, the university’s chief executive met with leaders from the United States and Africa in Washington, D.C., last week to unveil a 15-year plan to cut hunger in Africa.“There are many institutions that were there and interested,” McPherson said.

NEWS

South Fox Island under fire

Jamie Gumbrecht
June 29, 2001

SOUTH FOX ISLAND - An MSU alum who founded and funded MSU’s Victor Institute for Responsible Land Development and Use has come under fire for being what some say is less than responsible with a Lake Michigan Island.David Johnson, a Bay Harbor developer and founder of development firm Victor International, requested a consolidation of the land he owns on South Fox Island, which would leave him with 625 southern acres of the island and a historic lighthouse.The state would receive 665 acres including a Native American cemetery currently on Johnson’s property.Although the island is less popular among tourists than North and South Manitou Islands, nearly 60 conservationists, Native Americans, historians and concerned citizens set out on a charter boat Thursday to see the island property in jeopardy.“This is too beautiful and awesome of an island that it should only be allowed to be enjoyed by so few people,” said Ramon Westbrook, a former Department of Natural Resources employee who feels the land trade should be postponed until more issues are decided.

COMMENTARY

First steps

The Red Cedar River is about to get a face-lift and it’s a good thing too, because it’s been getting pretty ugly lately. Last fall, researchers found unusually high levels of E.

SPORTS

Pistons needed colors revival

Paul Day
June 28, 2001

It’s the sort of nostalgia that any avid sports fan - like me - needs.Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars announced Monday that the burgundy and teal uniforms the Pistons have sported for the last five seasons will be replaced with the comforting red, white and blue of Piston championships past.

NEWS

States Golden Boy

Justin A. Rice
June 28, 2001

NEW YORK - Following the selections of three high school players and a Spanish national, former MSU guard Jason Richardson was the first collegiate player to be drafted in the NBA Draft on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Richardson was picked No.

MICHIGAN

Police to watch for drunken drivers

Shaun Byron
June 28, 2001

The Michigan State Police are putting the brakes on drunken drivers during the Fourth of July holiday.“Our troopers are being instructed not to work on investigations that are not essential, but to concentrate on patrolling,” said Sgt.