Liebler new ELPD deputy chief

East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert's approach to naming a new deputy chief Friday night was less than conventional. He surprised Capt.

Gas prices at 5-month low, could drop further

Another cause for celebration this Labor Day weekend could come from an unlikely place — the gas station. After this weekend, gas prices should begin to drop, said AAA Michigan spokeswoman Nancy Cain. "We don't think we've seen the lowest price yet," she said. Already, the gradual drop at the pumps can be seen as the summer slowly dwindles to an end. The price of regular gasoline is down 35 cents per gallon over the past three weeks, and the statewide average reached a five-month low of $2.77, AAA Michigan announced Monday. Still, compared to this time in August 2005, prices are up 9.5 cents per gallon.

Art is frequent focus in new Evening College courses

The Evening College, a program provided by MSU's Alumni Association, is offering 25 new classes, three of which will teach participants about art. New courses also include an international speaker series, the history of the cello, tai chi, the French Revolution, cooking and more.

Sparty denied spotlight

MSU's favorite tough guy met a rare defeat this summer. Sparty, the MSU mascot, was denied induction in the Mascot Hall of Fame's inaugural collegiate election this year. The Sparty Mascot Program, a section of the MSU Student Alumni Foundation, or SAF, was responsible for nominating Sparty.

Police briefs 08/29/06

Alumnus honored by dairy science group

The American Dairy Science Association honored MSU alumnus Kevin Harvatine with the 2006 Alltech, Inc., Graduate Student Paper Publication Award. Harvatine received the award for his article "The Effects of Fatty Acid Supplements on Milk Yield and Energy Balance of Lactating Dairy Cows," which was published in the Journal of Dairy Science. Harvatine is currently studying milk-fat depression in dairy cattle at a molecular level as a doctoral student at Cornell University.

Web site offers students book store alternative

As students rush around purchasing back-to-school items, a free online market, which allows students to exchange everything from textbooks to cars, is vying for students' shopping attention. Chegg.com, a national college classified online market, opened to MSU students about two weeks ago. "We created the Web site because, at the time, we felt we were being screwed by textbook companies," said Chegg.com co-founder Osman Rashid. Rashid, along with Aayush Phumbhra, created Chegg.com in 2003 at Iowa State University.

$27K donated to benefit program

When Steven Alexander, president of National City Bank of central Michigan, handed over a check to the College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP, he knew he was helping to fulfill the dreams of more than 70 MSU students. CAMP is a program that assists migrant farm worker students during their first year of college.

Right hurr

It isn't often that a top Billboard artist chooses to perform for free at a college campus after midnight, but rap artist Chingy did just that Friday night.

Police briefs 08/28/06

'Glass Castle' author visits E.L.

A woman who grew up almost constantly on the move with her eccentric family discussed how her life has changed since sharing her memoir with the world Wednesday night at the Hannah Community Center. Jeannette Walls, whose book "The Glass Castle" was chosen for the "One Book, One Community" program, charmed an audience of about 750 guests with stories of people she has met since her book was published, as well as the reaction of those who knew her but didn't know her past struggles. The "One Book, One Community" program was created in the fall of 2002 and is designed to strengthen the relationship between the university and the community of East Lansing by giving students and residents a common bond. "The Glass Castle" covers Walls' unconventional childhood, her relationship with her parents who were careless and unkind at times and her own coming-of-age despite her difficult roots.

Two men in competition to join MSU administration

Correction: "Two men in competition to join MSU administration" should read "Two people in competition to join MSU administration." Former MSU football head coach George Perles and East Lansing resident Faylene Owen will vie for the chance to weigh in on university issues after being nominated to run for the MSU Board of Trustees on Sunday. Perles and Owen were chosen at the Democratic state convention in Detroit and will face Republican incumbents Dee Cook and David Porteous, and Libertarian candidates David Raaflaub and J.P.

State jobless rate tied for 2nd overall

Years from now, if Sarah Tomek peeks out from behind a curtain and sees empty seats in a theater, she will be crushed.

Pluto's planetary status revoked

The Earth lost part of its solar system crew last week when Pluto was demoted to a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union, or IAU, at a meeting in Prague.

Northern Tier land could be sold to E.L.; votes could decide area's fate

Correction: "Northern Tier land could be sold to E.L.; votes could decide area's fate" should read "Northern Tier land could be annexed to E.L.; votes could decide area's fate." About 200 acres of land in the Northern Tier area could be obtained by East Lansing if voters decide to expand the city's boundaries. Gilbert White, a local real estate developer, sent two petitions in late July to the Ingham County Clerk's office asking for parts of Meridian Township to be annexed to East Lansing. The Northern Tier is located north of Lake Lansing Road and includes The Landings and The Village at Chandler Crossings apartment complexes. "It would be a substantial loss to the community," Meridian Township supervisor Susan McGillicuddy said.

$1.2M to go to airport for runway extension

Lansing's Capital City Airport will receive more than $1.2 million for a runway extension project as the second installment of a $3 million appropriation for the airport. The funds provided by the U.S.

Teens charged in playground arson

Two East Lansing 17-year-olds were charged with felony arson for their involvement in the July destruction of a Harrison Meadows Park playground structure. Alex Charles Ellis and Jace Wickman were arraigned Tuesday and charged with two counts of arson of real property and one count of conspiracy to commit arson. Each offense is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and, in this case, a possible restitution payment of more than $42,000. Wickman allegedly contacted East Lansing Police Department Detective Jeff Walsh in August with information about possible suspects in the case and said Ellis was with him when the fire occurred. Walsh interviewed the defendants separately and said he discovered differences in each defendant's sequence of events.

Swapping in style

Standing in long lines and paying higher prices at book stores is a thing of the past for students who choose to buy their books online. More companies are allowing students to purchase books online at discounted prices, some even for free. According to the National Association of College Stores, on average, students paid anywhere from $801 to $904 for books and supplies during the '05-'06 school year. Sites such as SwapSimple.com, iChapters.com and allMSU.com help students purchase or trade books at a lower cost than going to a local bookstore.

Parks and Rec tutoring program receives grant

The East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts has received a $1,170 grant for East Lansing middle and high school students who need after-school tutoring. The scholarships are designated for those students who attend tutoring sessions filled primarily with volunteers from the MSU Service-Learning Program. The grant allows for 10 students to attend the one-on-one tutoring sessions. To apply for one of the student scholarships, fill out an application available at www.cityofeastlansing.com.

Expanding into nature

Walkers, joggers and bikers will have a little more to enjoy as the city begins construction to extend the Northern Tier Trail. The trail has been a prominent feature in the city for about seven years, and runs north to south along the west side of Abbott Road for four miles.