State broadens tourism industry with promotional campaign

LANSING - With the slogan “Michigan. Great Lakes. Great Times. Not a great distance,” state tourism officials hope to expand Michigan’s $10 billion annual tourism business. The new campaign, launched this week by Travel Michigan - a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation - is intended to draw more travelers from surrounding states. “It’s a great ad campaign,” said Nancy Cain, a spokesperson for AAA. “And the timing of it is good, because with higher gas prices, people in the Midwest are going to stay in the Midwest.” The campaign features television, newspaper, radio and Internet advertisements that will be shown in Green Bay, Wis., Indianapolis, Chicago and Cleveland.

Hockey team left some great memories

Well, things didn’t work out. The Spartans looked like they might do it. They looked like they might be able to win MSU’s first national championship since 1986. But then it came to a crashing halt in Albany, N.Y., with a 2-0 loss to North Dakota. And Spartan fans have another long summer in front of them waiting for next fall’s Green and White game, which officially gets the hockey season under way. Before you close the book on this year’s team, here’s a look back at the highlights and lowlights of 2000-01, the year that almost was. Best moment Clearly have to give it to standout sophomore goaltender Ryan Miller for breaking the 70-year-old NCAA career shutouts record Feb.

Senator to join governors race

It looks like there will be another name on the ballot for the governor’s race in 2002. State Sen.

McCoy ready to give up offense to play defense

Ivory McCoy is familiar with doing more than his share. Last season, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior split his time on MSU’s football team playing his primary position at tight end and spotlighted as a pass rush specialist for the defense.

Bug expo allows area students to discover beauty of insects

MSU’s Department of Entomology has been taking time to share its knowledge about little creatures with little people.Elementary students from Lansing and East Lansing school districts made a trip to campus Wednesday for the second annual insect expo at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.The event united students who participated in this year’s “Get Bugged” Mentor Program - which pairs entomology graduate students with local classrooms on a weekly basis to share insect-related projects.“It’s a way to showcase MSU primarily, and secondly, a way to interest people in insects and science,” said Barb Stinnett, outreach coordinator for the Department of Entomology.

Your actions can be tracked with technology

Are they all watching you?If you are one of those paranoid types - who thinks that if people are laughing when you enter a room, it is you who is the brunt of their joke - then stop reading.Put down the paper and crawl back under the rock you use for shelter from the spooky world.We, as independent college students, are particularly cautious when giving out personal information, but the simple fact is if someone was determined enough to gather information on us, they probably could do it relatively easily.Credit card receipts can track anything purchased with the plastic.

Police briefs 04/12/01

Coaches wait for recruits, Anzalone returns to LSSU

The MSU hockey program didn’t receive any National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, but assistant coach Tom Newton said there was “no problem” with MSU’s recruiting class expected to sign this week.Left wings Kevin Estrada and Mike Lalonde and center Ash Goldie are still expected to sign with MSU this week, bringing the Spartans’ recruiting class for the 2001-02 season to seven players.NCAA rules prohibit MSU officials from speaking about players until the school has received National Letters of Intent.MSU head coach Ron Mason is out of town and Newton said he hadn’t heard of any letters that have arrived at the Office of Compliance Services yet.

Events educate U about STDs

While Olin Health Center educators say people should be conscious every day about sexually transmitted diseases and the dangers surrounding them, the health center will be sponsoring events throughout April for Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month.“Every day is awareness day for us,” Olin Health Educator Dennis Martell said.

Faculty call use of officer breach of rights

A group of 59 faculty members has sent a letter to MSU President M. Peter McPherson urging him to denounce the use of an undercover campus police officer to infiltrate a student group.The letter, sent via e-mail to McPherson on Tuesday, is signed by faculty from 21 university departments or programs, including several department chairpersons and a University Distinguished Professor.“As faculty, we were appalled to learn that the MSU police sent an undercover officer to infiltrate a student organization,” the letter says.

Researchers seek new methods of identification

MSU computer scientists are looking to create technology that works for you - and only you.Anil Jain, a professor of computer science and engineering, has been studying various methods of personal identification for the past 10 years.“One of the areas I have been involved in is how to identify individuals based on physiological characteristics,” Jain said.

Tax cut incites protest

Students and community leaders met on Wednesday in Lansing to protest President Bush’s proposed tax cuts.Five community leaders, including Michigan State AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney and Flint-based United Auto Workers regional director Cal Rapson, urged the crowd of more than 200 people in Lansing’s Reutter Park to write Congress and to stand together against Bush’s proposal.“Bush’s tax scheme will make millionaires richer, but offer little relief to working families,” Gaffney said.

Rock n roll enters E.L. locale via Black Lungs

When Ian Sugiers was offered the opportunity to play in a local band a while back, he wanted to make sure it was something different. “A lot of groups do the same old polished punk think and I wanted something raw,” the history junior said. “After the first practice, I knew we were going to be something great.” The Black Lungs will perform its gritty brand of classic Michigan rock ‘n’ roll tonight at Mac’s Bar, 2700 E Michigan Ave in Lansing. Sugiers, the drummer in the outfit, said it tries to keep away from a groove-metal drive, but still get people dancing and having a good time. “We want to establish Lansing’s rock and roll scene and get a good rock and roll vibe going,” he said.

Students should vote in primary

As an East Lansing City Council candidate for the upcoming August primary and a MSU student, I want to let everyone know your vote does count and it is very important.

E.L. looks to trim budget

East Lansing city officials are seeking $325,000 hiding somewhere in the city’s $50 million budget.The East Lansing City Council held the first of three scheduled work sessions Tuesday to help determine how it can stop the 2001-2002 budget from dipping into the city’s $2.8 million savings.“This is the first budget I’ve seen on council where we’ve drawn upon reserves,” Mayor Mark Meadows said.

NBA draft lures Izzos finest

SAGINAW - Three-time National Coach of the Year and ace recruiter Tom Izzo fell victim to his own success Tuesday, watching leading scorer Jason Richardson announce his plans to forego his junior and senior seasons and declare for the NBA Draft. “I really think that I’m ready,” Richardson said of his future to a crowd of mostly media and family here at Victorious Believers Ministries.

Hockey team lands three recruits

Replenishing its graduation-depleted roster, the Spartan hockey team expects to add three more players to its recruiting class today, bringing the class total to seven. Left wings Kevin Estrada and Mike Lalonde and center Ash Goldie have given verbal commitments to sign National Letters of Intent with head coach Ron Mason’s program today. Mason is out of town and NCAA rules prohibit him from talking about recruits until they have signed National Letters of Intent. Estrada, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound left wing, plays for the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League - the same team that produced former MSU center Jeremy Jackson, who was dismissed from the Spartan squad in February. Estrada led the Chiefs with 118 points (34 goals, 84 assists) in 59 games this season. Lalonde, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound left wing, plays for the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCJHL.

Eminem sentenced to probation for weapons

By LAURA POTTSThe Associated PressMOUNT CLEMENS - Rap star Eminem, vilified for his violent lyrics about homosexuals and women, was sentenced to two years probation Tuesday on a weapons charge by a judge he thanked for treating him with compassion.“The judge treated me fair, like any other human being,” Eminem said after the hearing.

City resident to run for council seat

Vic Loomis has done his hometown homework.After attending elementary school, middle school, high school and college in East Lansing as well as spending several years in community organizations, Loomis says he’s learned enough about the city to run for a seat on the East Lansing City Council.“It’s a community full of diversities and a community that’s a great place to live, raise a family, go to school, own a business, work and visit,” he said.“I want to be part of the team that continues the momentum that this community has going in all of those areas.”Loomis, 54, who has lived in East Lansing since 1949, is in his eighth year as chairman of the Downtown Development Authority.

Blacks CD shows new side

Frank Black and the Catholics Dog In the Sand What Are Records? Frank Black is the man - there’s no doubt about that. And on his latest album with the Catholics, he once again proves he’s a living legend of the craft. From his glamorous days with The Pixies, his music hints at his past, with strangely-placed guitar noise and his signature wailing voice. The album has a bit of a western-country-ish feel to it as a slide guitar and honky-tonk piano run alongside the slippery album, which is somewhat hard to recognize.