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MICHIGAN

Photo marks city's anniversary

Almost 700 people took to East Lansing's streets Wednesday afternoon — but it wasn't to cause trouble. An army of about 180 residents adorned with Spartan-green raincoats stood stationed on M.A.C.

MSU

From class to computer

In Fennville, Mich., three teenagers are learning a language not many high schools offer — Mandarin Chinese. So far, Sam Robinson, Michael Martin and Nicholas VanTil can introduce themselves and their families, and describe their bedrooms in the dialect. Though their traditional high school is in a small city just south of Holland, they take an online course taught by professors from the MSU Confucius Institute through Michigan Virtual High School. The course is designed to be studied five days a week, with four days of self study.

MSU

Restored roar

The Old English D took over Breslin Center on Wednesday afternoon, as Tigers fans young and old came to catch a glimpse of their favorite team. While the crowd anxiously waited to hear from the players, MSU President Lou Anna K.

MICHIGAN

Drivers race to pumps after price drop

This time last year, gas prices averaged $2.20 a gallon. Now, motorists are gleefully rushing to the pump, in awe of some of the lowest gas prices they've seen in a year. "I like (the prices). It helps my bank account," said Andrew Vaneenenaam, a human biology senior, who filled up at the Marathon gas station on Michigan Avenue in East Lansing on Tuesday. Gas prices dropped under $2 a gallon Monday.

MSU

MSU geological sciences professor researches samples from planet Mars

A self-described "'60s geek school kid," Michael Velbel has been interested in the space program since he was young. So much so, that in 1972, his father took him to the launch of the Apollo 17 spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center. At the time, Velbel — now an MSU geological sciences professor — was unaware of his future in geology.

MICHIGAN

Partnership to draw businesses to Lansing area

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and other key community members announced Tuesday the creation of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, an organization to foster business growth. "It is hoped that this organization will build avenues for economic development," said Joe Reid, chairman of Capitol Bancorp Ltd.

MICHIGAN

Former trustee files against LCC board

A former Lansing Community College trustee filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the LCC Board of Trustees. Todd Heywood claims that during a 2006 meeting, the board violated Michigan's Open Meetings Act, which requires publicly elected boards to open meetings to the public. According to the lawsuit, trustees asked two LCC employees who were attending the meeting to leave, turning the meeting into a closed session. "When elected officials are willing to violate that sacred trust, it raises all kinds of questions of what the fundamental core of democracy is," Heywood said.

MSU

Boyogueno, MSU graduate student, dies after stroke

Fourth-year MSU doctoral student and Spanish department teaching assistant Simplice Boyogueno died Thursday after suffering from a stroke in December. Boyogueno, a native of Cameroon, was working on a dissertation about Africans and Afro-Caribbeans in Spain through literature and film.

MICHIGAN

Whitmer appointed to Senate groups

State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, was named lead Democrat on the Education and Judiciary committees in Michigan's Senate earlier this month, and she also will serve on the Agriculture and Finance committees. Whitmer will be responsible for developing policies related to her respective fields.

MSU

Resolutions create fitness craze

One day makes a difference. Ask the owner of any local fitness gym. After Jan. 1, New Year's resolutions begin, and memberships and attendance at gyms peak significantly. Randy Gregg, owner of Atlas Gym in East Lansing, said that in the first 10 days of the month, about 400 new members joined the facility.

MICHIGAN

New housing draws student interest

Several MSU students will call West Village "home" next year, since their parents reserved property in the new residential development. "A lot of parents are interested in buying for their children, so those will be owned by the family, not licensed for rental," West Village spokeswoman Lisa Spaugh said. More than half the properties in the village already have been reserved, and construction begun on the complex.