Michigan ballot issues forum in East Lansing

A nonpartisan community forum to discuss the six statewide ballot proposals for the Nov. 7 general election will be held at 7 p.m.

Sorority fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer's

On Sept. 17, MSU's Sigma Kappa sorority will walk a 5K to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association has been raising money to fight the disease since 1989, using the Memory Walk as one of its largest fundraisers.

Trustees to vote on Brody, Mayo upgrades

Correction: The article should say the MSU Board of Trustees would vote on the planning and commencement of nine projects. More than $44 million in additional construction and renovation projects could be in store for MSU. The MSU Board of Trustees will vote on the planning of nine projects today at its first meeting of the semester. Some of the projects on the agenda include: • Renovations to Mayo and Brody halls. • Reconstruction of the traffic circle at Red Cedar and Wilson roads to form a four-way intersection with traffic lights. • Construction of a comprehensive campus recycling center near Service Road and Harrison Avenue, a $3.5 million project, where the current recycling center is located. Both Mayo and Brody halls could have floors and ceilings replaced and their roofs and exteriors renovated.

Robert Nelson, retired MSU professor, dies at 78

Retired MSU culinary professor Robert H. Nelson died Monday evening in his home at the age of 78. Nelson's funeral services will be held at noon today at Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel, located at 520 E.

E.L. creates 'technology incubator'

East Lansing isn't just a Cool City — now it's a smart one, too. In a joint meeting between business, city and university officials Thursday, the city received its first designation as a SmartZone from the state. A SmartZone is an area in a city meant to house businesses with a focus on technology, East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton said. "One of the obvious reasons to create (a SmartZone) is to have jobs for our residents, but more importantly, to create jobs for the people graduating from Michigan State," he said.

Study abroad information available at fair

MSU's Study Abroad Fair will be at the MSU Union from 12-6 p.m. on Sept. 21. Students will be able to talk with professors and former Study Abroad participants and see photos and artifacts from other trips.

Facing Michigan's future

A new book by MSU professor Charles Ballard outlines a path for Michigan's economic success. "Michigan's Economic Future" was written by the Stanford graduate in an attempt to identify the problems facing Michigan, specifically its heavy reliance on the manufacturing sector. Ballard also worked on "Michigan at the Millennium," a book that he said was too tough for most people to read. "It had a lot of good stuff in it," he said.

Speaker uses Bible for lecture series

By Andrea Humanic For The State News A man who grew up surrounded by suffering in Ghana and thought he could fix the problems through science is now speaking to students about addressing those issues using the Bible. Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, director of public campus ministries for the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, is speaking in a series called "Living Without Fear," hosted by the Adventist Student Fellowship, or ASF, a Seventh-day Adventist student group at MSU. The lecture series began Sunday and takes place at 7 p.m.

Research pays off

Gov. Jennifer Granholm visited campus Wednesday to congratulate faculty who were awarded more than $13 million for their research in expanding industries. On Sept.

Police teach lesson on substance abuse

Riding a bike while intoxicated isn't illegal. Do the same on a riding lawn mower, and it's a whole different story. The myths and mysteries of alcohol and drug abuse were answered Wednesday by an MSU police officer in CEP 261, a substance abuse class. "You can put up all the informational posters you want, but you need to get the community involved," said Officer Anne Stahl.

Online banking usage rises

Piles of bank receipts aren't stacked in Brittany Fila's apartment. Instead of holding on to them and waiting for the end-of-the-month statement, the social work senior turns to online banking to keep track of her finances.

More tailgating parking passes available

ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, increased the number of tailgate passes available to students, registered student organizations and greek organizations to increase tailgate turnout before football games. There were 100 seasonal passes put away for students to purchase at $90 during the beginning of the football season. That number increased to 350 passes available for each game, 175 of which were available for all registered students to purchase for the season. Ninety passes are available for individual games and 85 passes are for registered student and greek organizations. Students can sign up for passes through www.tailgate.asmsu.msu.edu or contact ASMSU for more information.

Customers fuel up as prices drop at gas station pumps

Some mid-Michigan businesses and consumers can momentarily breath a sigh of relief as gas prices stay below $2.50 per gallon for the first time in six months. But even as Michigan gas prices dropped to the lowest point in the last five weeks — at about $2.45 per gallon — some companies still struggle with fuel costs. With one moving truck en route to Colorado on Saturday, Lansing-based Top Flight Moving & Storage racked up a $1,200 fuel bill. "There isn't a lot you can do; you have to fuel up your trucks," said manager Cory Williams. Each month, the moving company spends between $1,500 to $4,000 to fuel three trucks — a figure that is up from $900 a month five years ago, Williams said. "The cost rolls back to the customer," he said.

Police briefs 09/14/06

On-campus bike repair shop opens

What began as the MSU Bike Project has grown into a business. Now located on the Red Cedar River behind Bessey Hall, the MSU Bikes Service Center opened Sept.

Research program offers scholarship

An open house geared toward MSU juniors and seniors will be held from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 26 in 311 Bessey Hall to inform students of opportunities in their preparation for graduate studies. The Ronald E.

Innovations: Plant biology

Names: Sheng Yang He, professor of plant biology; Maeli Melotto, post-doctoral student; and Bill Underwood, graduate student Department: Plant Research Laboratory, Natural Science Type of research: Plant biology Date of research: He has been working with plants at MSU for 11 years. Basics of the project: This particular study focuses on the stomata, microscopic pores on the leaves of almost all plants, which have been known to save plants, He said. "People thought these were passports for bacteria," He said.

Groups aim to expand wine industry

MSU researchers could be responsible for increasing wine-grape production, as well as tourism in state vineyards. About 1,500 acres of land are devoted to Michigan's wine industry in the northwest, and it is estimated that Michigan's wine sales grow at an average of 9 percent each year. "The industry is small; there are only 47 wineries in Michigan.

Police briefs 09/13/06

State News designer wins national award

Carrie Hoover, a journalism senior and State News graphic designer, recently received the "The Intern" award at the Society for News Design annual workshop in Orlando, Fla. Hoover said she was very excited and humbled to win the award against what she called "such strong competition." Hoover had to answer design questions to win the award. "I was very surprised I won the award because any one of us could of won it if the right question had been asked, she said.