Boudro defense cites photos in testimony

The victim of an August assault in East Wilson Hall said Friday he has lost 90 percent of his hearing in his left ear, has decreased cognitive abilities and is recovering from a skull fracture. William Suits' testimony was part of a preliminary examination in East Lansing's 54-B District Court in the case against Paul Boudro, a Richmond resident who is charged with one felony count of assault in connection with the incident, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The alleged assault occurred at about 3 a.m.

Kids celebrate historical Halloween

By James Andersen Special to The State News Lansing — Dressed as Detroit Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson, complete with fake facial hair and a baseball glove, 8-year-old Noah Kitson of Lansing smiled as he described his favorite part of the 1931 movie "Frankenstein." "I like the part where Igor drops the normal brain and picks up the other one," he said.

Shopping center to offer trick-or-treating

Children can trick-or-treat for free tonight at the 5th annual Halloween at Eastwood Towne Center from 4-6 p.m.

Group does community service to honor Gandhi

Some members of the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students would have painted homes Saturday if it had not rained.

Halloween walk draws families to city

Peeking out from under the wide brim and tall crown of his hat, cowboy Dillon Blair strolled into BTB, 403 E.

Levin: Bring troops home

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., surveyed the crowd of more than 60 people in Case Hall on Thursday with a look of concern.

Student helps start SADD chapter at MSU

Years after Amy Gnotek lost her aunt, uncle and two high school classmates in separate drunken driving incidents, she now has a way to raise awareness about the problem. The interdisciplinary studies in social science senior helped form MSU's first chapter of Spartans Against Drunk Driving, or SADD, which will raise awareness about drunken driving, supports victims of the crime and prevents underage drinking. The group will hold its first meeting at 7 p.m.

Simon's emergency powers unspecific

The MSU Board of Trustees passed an ordinance last week clarifying President Lou Anna K. Simon's power to declare a campuswide emergency, but it doesn't define what is considered an emergency or what exact powers the president is given. The ordinance is more of a show of power than a real change in university policy, said Kristine Zayko, MSU's associate general counsel. "When a president declares a campus emergency, the president is then given power to use whatever means necessary to protect the interests of this university," Zayko said. MSU police Chief Jim Dunlap said the ordinance makes law enforcement easier. "This plan helps law enforcement get together an emergency management plan," Dunlap said.

New campus group plans aid for Africa

Students in Jeanne Gazel's ISS 315 class last spring began to think about creating an organization to help Africa when they had to do a presentation for the class. Now they're on their way to making those thoughts a reality. A new student group called Family of Strength Organization, or FOSO, is working to help orphans and children who have been affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa.

ASMSU members vote on student's resignation

James Madison students gathered today in Case Hall's lounge to vote out ASMSU representative Kyle Bristow.

Hookah venue continues trend in downtown East Lansing

A new hookah lounge opening in downtown East Lansing in November will test whether the industry has enough steam to survive. The Blue Midnight Hookah Lounge, which is under construction at Subway's vacated Albert Avenue location, doesn't plan on getting a liquor license or selling main courses. However, the lounge might need additional offerings — like alcohol or food — to make a profit because of high rent and overhead costs, said Matt Rouhan, the store manager of Silver Streak and Krazy Katz, a retail store that sells hookahs and flavored tobacco. "Keep in mind — this is tobacco," Rouhan said.

Students grill to raise money for troops

Spartans Supporting the Troops, a student organization devoted to serving members of the military, grilled up some meals on Wednesday at BD's Mongolian Barbecue in Okemos to help fund care packages for troops overseas. "We want to let the soldiers … know that younger people do care about them and care that they are gone," said Jessica Fischman, the group's president.

University demolishes original apartment complex, to replace with new buildings

Students can now apply to live in the new University Village Apartments, which reopen in August 2007. After 53 years, the original MSU apartments were demolished in May and will be replaced by the new three-story buildings. Apartments in the complex will be available to upper-division undergraduates who are in good standing with the university, said Angela Brown, University Housing director. Prospective leasers can tour the apartments, which are located on Kalamazoo Street, from 10 a.m.

Police briefs 10/26/06

Walk held for children to trick-or-treat safely

All area goblins and ghouls are welcome to participate in the Great Pumpkin Walk in downtown East Lansing tonight from 5-7 p.m. Free trick-or-treat bags for the annual event can be picked up at Green River Cafe, 211 M.A.C.

Construction of Campus Village apartments begins, to open additions next fall

A project to build the second phase of the Campus Village apartments has broken ground and should be completed by next fall. Students are already leasing apartments for the building, which will be constructed at 1231 Michigan Ave., formerly the site of Capital Honda. "There is a big hole in the ground right now; we hope to have it completed a year from now for the start of school," said Ernest Schaefer, president of Rochester Hills-based Campus Village Communities.

Groups rally at Club X-Cel for election issues

Lansing — Election volunteers and special interest group members took a serious tone on Tuesday under the spotlights and disco ball at Lansing's Club X-Cel. At a "Get Out the Vote Rally," speakers from Michigan Equality, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Organization for Women talked to a crowd of 45 people about Proposal 2, HIV-AIDS and some Michigan politicians' inaction on legislation for equality. Despite some somber topics, there were positive rallying and cheers on Tuesday night. Penny Gardner, an MSU women, gender and social justice professor, was invited to speak at the rally about second parent adoption. "Voters need to be informed and also perked-up in a rally," she said.

University Africa-related programs show growth

Throughout the last 20 years, MSU has seen an increasing interest in researching and learning in Africa, and MSU's Office of Study Abroad reported a significant rise in students who want to study in Africa. Cindy Chalou, the assistant director of the study abroad program, said since she has been involved with the program, students, staff and faculty have participated even more. "Quite honestly, I don't know why the interest has grown so much," said Chalou. "Right now, Ghana is receiving the most attention and already has a waiting list put out for it, which is usually held by the ones in England." The program in Ghana offers students the opportunity to travel and study health care and mass media. Jeanne Gazel, a consultant in the student affairs and services branch, said she participates in a study abroad in South Africa focused on race relations and said this year's interest in the class is a big surprise. "There are way more applicants than I have seats," Gazel said.

Vigil spreads awareness of domestic abuse

In remembrance of domestic violence victims, words of empowerment, survival and forgiveness were spoken as flames flickered before people's eyes during a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night. The event featured Amy Krause, Lansing District Court judge, and a group of three domestic violence survivors, called Surviving and Thriving, who recited poetry about their experiences. "Raising community awareness helps people think about domestic violence," Krause said She added that many people are not targets of it but still encouraged people to help. The candlelight vigil was held this month because it is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Speaker to discuss sustainable development

Susan Davis, chairperson for the Board of the Grameen Foundation USA, will be speaking at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct.