CATA affected by rising gas prices

As gasoline prices around East Lansing shift upwards to $3.39 a gallon for regular unleaded, public transportation authorities might both detest and delight at the pump. The Capital Area Transportation Authority has seen significant increases in ridership in the past year, although the figures can't be directly linked to increasing gasoline costs, said CATA Assistant Executive Director Debbie Alexander.

Local fuel prices reach $3.39 a gallon

Gas prices reached up to $3.39 per gallon in the Lansing area Thursday evening, marking the second significant increase of prices in four days. In Michigan, AAA reported average prices were about $2.67 per gallon on Monday.

Police briefs 09/02/05

Okemos Douglas J salon receives bomb threat

At about 12:15 on Tuesday afternoon, Marie Lee's biggest concern was figuring out where she would eat lunch.

Experts reflect on intensity of hurricanes

A recent study claims global warming is to blame for a growing intensity of tropical storms, but it remains unclear whether warming was to blame for the severity of Hurricane Katrina, scientists say. In August, Massachusetts Institute of Technology climatologist Kerry Emanuel reported in the journal "Nature" that major storms spinning in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans have increased in duration and intensity by about 50 percent since the 1970s. During that period, global average temperatures have risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit along with increases in the level of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping pollutants from industry smokestacks, traffic exhaust and other sources. It makes sense that Hurricane Katrina was such an intense storm because the Gulf of Mexico's temperature was above average before it hit, said David Hyndman, associate professor in the MSU Department of Geological Sciences. "When you warm sea-surface temperature, you are getting stronger storms," Hyndman said. Global warming spurred by human activity has everything to do with the growing strength of tropical storms, Hyndman said.

Academic Assembly votes to induct international student group

ASMSU's Academic Assembly voted unanimously to recognize the International Students Association, or ISA, as part of MSU's undergraduate student government at its meeting Tuesday. The vote was a step toward ISA's actual membership in ASMSU.

Webworms invading E.L. trees

As fall approaches and leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow, they could become an "all you can eat" buffet for insects. The fall webworm, a small hairy caterpillar that feeds on 230 species of trees including oak, black walnut, apple, maple and elm have found their way into East Lansing backyards. The worm can be found all across Michigan and its population even extends into Canada and Mexico. "They look worse than they actually are," said Gary Heilig, Ingham County MSU Extension horticulture educator.

E.L. event safety plan submitted

The independent commission investigating the April 2-3 disturbances presented a four-step plan Wednesday to help increase safety throughout the East Lansing community during celebratory events. The plan, built around prevention, planning, implementation and recovery, is still being revised with input from commission members. The commission members have been meeting throughout the summer to discuss the actions that police took against students and allegations of excessive force.

Police briefs 09/01/05

MSU officials introduce new pre-game lecture series

John Hannah won't stop inspiring new ideas at MSU. This Saturday, the public will have the opportunity to hear the first in a series of lectures to be held on campus on home football Saturdays - a series that officials began considering last fall after a lecture surrounding the dedication of a statue of Hannah, MSU's 12th president. "That's really where the germ of the idea began," said Sue Carter, chairwoman of the sesquicentennial events committee and an organizer of the series. The series is part of a yearlong celebration of MSU's sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary. The lectures will be held three hours prior to kickoff in the Kellogg Center Auditorium.

Rep. Whitmer might run to fill possible Senate vacancy

State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, said she would run to fill a vacancy in the Senate if Sen.

Revamped sushi joint offers unique menu

The late night pizza and hamburger binges in East Lansing need to stop, says James Hong. And after seeing his sushi restaurant double its business since last September, he might be getting what he wants. "Food fashion is behind in this town," the partner of Q Sushi, 553 E.

RHA officials move to new Holden office

Officers with MSU's Residence Halls Association are preparing for this upcoming school year in a new, larger office near their old location. Kevin Newman, RHA president, said he is excited about the new space, G-7 in the basement of Holden Hall.

Project offers fixed-up bikes to students, staff

Inspecting the green fixed-up bike she'd leased from the MSU Bike Project on Tuesday night, Ute Rossler was thankful to have received a bike at all.

MSU asked to shut off power over weekend

Physical Plant officials are asking on-campus students, faculty and staff to turn off any unnecessary electrical devices during the upcoming holiday weekend. Plant employees will be connecting a new high-pressure steam line this weekend as part of a continuing expansion.

DTN begins free Napster service for its residents

DTN Management Co. is offering free Napster music subscription services to residents who subscribe to its Spartan-NET Internet service after nearly a year of planning. Between 3,000 and 4,000 residents in 1,500 of DTN's apartment units are expected to be offered the free music download service in August and September, said Richard Laing, director of DTN broadband services. A Napster subscription usually costs $9.95 per month. After receiving complaints from the Recording Industry Association of America and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act concerning DTN residents illegally downloading music and movies, Laing said the rental property firm collaborated with Napster to rectify the complaints. "We know what our residents do &30133; they are a lot of college kids and they download a lot of music and movies which is technically illegal to do," he said.

ASMSU looks to improve freshman council activism

About 600 freshmen have expressed interest in joining ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, following increased recruiting efforts from the group's staff, officials said. For the first time, the Associated Students of Michigan State University has presented information about the organization and a subgroup, Freshman Class Council, at each Academic Orientation Program this summer as a way to foster interest early in the students' academic careers, said Jessica Kunnath, ASMSU's director of constituent activism. The council didn't do much last year - not enough students joined, some dropped out and they did few visible things for their class, Kunnath said. With unusually high turnout from recruiting at AOP sessions, ASMSU hopes to organize a more active group of freshmen. "The last council for Freshman Class Council kind of just diminished over the year - they weren't putting on any programs, weren't really helping the freshmen," Kunnath said.

Council meeting emphasizes faculty involvement

An early meeting of the Faculty Council was held Tuesday to inform faculty representatives of the latest news with Academic Governance and to stress the need for maximizing the faculty's voice in the university. New task force proposals included a review process for administrators, a review process for academic programs, communication and transparency and a fixed-term faculty role in governance.

Donations bring 'new hope' to historical homeless shelter

A Lansing homeless shelter can keep its doors open through September, despite losing its major source of funding.

A sobering experience

Brianna Garrett right, of Lansing, is supported by her family members during the 55th District Court Sobriety Court graduation ceremony.