Increased gas prices prompt new inspections
It used to take Jaclyn Peraino $20 to fill up her 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier with unleaded gas. Then gas prices started to rise more than $2.50 a gallon and now the biochemistry junior is paying more than $30 for a full tank. Peraino said the higher prices are making her take a closer look at just how much gas she gets when she pays at the pump. "If you're paying $20 to $40 a week, the amount you're paying for and getting is definitely a concern," Peraino said. Statewide, an increased number of complaints about gas stations shortchanging consumers at the pump on fuel quality and quantity has prompted the Michigan Department of Agriculture to double the amount of full-time gas station inspectors, said Dominic Perrone, Department of Agriculture public information officer.
Unveiling ceremony for new Sparty held ahead of schedule
For incoming freshmen, Welcome Week was their first as MSU students, but three new faces on campus have already become a part of university history. Criminal justice freshman Kerrie Schultz, no-preference freshman Kristen Brady and no-preference engineering freshman Michelle Raetz helped MSU President Lou Anna K.
DTN sues city over attempt to build apartment complex
Although many students have moved into apartment buildings for the school year, they arrived in the middle of a legal battle about where apartments can be built in East Lansing. DTN Management Co. filed a lawsuit on June 16 against the city of East Lansing concerning property DTN originally bought for an apartment plan in the 700 block of Burcham Drive. DTN planned to build a complex that would have housed 90 occupants and 75 vehicles on three pieces of property it owns along Burcham Drive.
Giveaways differ between sexes
During Welcome Week every year, students gather in front of the Student Book Store, 421 E. Grand River Ave., to receive their campus trial paks with free samples inside - one for guys and one for girls.
ASMSU discusses goals, programs for upcoming year
Coordinating a new tailgating program, adding academic minors and revoking an honorary MSU law degree from a foreign president are a few of the things on the student government's to-do list for the school year. ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, met last week to discuss their goals and get ready for the new semester. "I'm looking forward to an active, ambitious and exciting year, which will make our constituents aware of what progress we are able to achieve when we all work together to resolve students' issues," said Roger Ludy, Student Assembly's vice chairperson for internal affairs.
Students, staff reflect on recent Gaza Strip pullout
While studying abroad in the Middle East this summer, Danny Rosenberg discussed current events with the locals - but the topic of conversation on everybody's lips involved history in the making. The communication junior was in Israel one week before Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the withdrawal of Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip to begin Aug.
Officials say man may have had heart attack
An 84-year-old man with a history of medical problems was pulled from Lake Lansing after dying in the water, law enforcement officials said at the scene Friday.
Health officials: Students should be immunized
When coming back to school, there are many things students need to think about, including buying books and getting settled, but one thing health officials say students must do before coming to school is to get immunized. With August chosen as National Immunization Awareness Month, it is a reminder of the importance of keeping immunizations up to date, said Pat Vranesich section manager of education and outreach for the division of immunization in the Michigan Department of Community Health. "It is a back to school time and also a time where we want older adults to think about their immunization status," Vranesich said. According to Dr. Randolph L.
Rally greets students
Thousands of new and returning MSU students sang the fight song and posed for a class photograph while ringing in the MSU athletic season Thursday at Spartan Spirit. A Welcome Week pep rally, Spartan Spirit was held inside the newly remodeled Spartan Stadium.
Commercials against smoking earn Emmy's
The Michigan Department of Community Health has received two Emmy Awards from the Michigan chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for anti-smoking campaign commercials. As a part of the campaign, the Michigan Department of Community Health has created "Quit Kits" to aid smokers in the process of quitting smoking.
LCC starts year with Caribbean festival
Music, dancing and ethnic foods helped mark the beginning of school for Lansing Community College students at at the 11th Annual Student Life and Leadership Caribbean Festival on Saturday The festival, which was held at the North Washington Square Mall in Lansing, began in 1994 as a one-day affair with one band as "something different to have for students," said Denise Harris, director of Student Life and Leadership at LCC. Now, 10 years later, the festival has grown into a 12-hour event, featuring bands, vendors and food. "It's an event that the community looks forward to," Harris said. This year, the Zulu Connection stilt dancing troupe from New Orleans, performed at the festival, along with drums and music.
Union eateries open on time
Two new restaurants in the International Center's Crossroads Food Court did not open as planned Monday, but new additions to the Union's One Union Square Food Court opened on schedule. All four eateries installed in on-campus food courts this summer should be operational by the end of the week, said Associate Union Manager Mark Simmons. Grill 155 and La Vincita, offering American and Italian menus, respectively, replace the Little Caesars and Wendy's formerly located in the Union. Subway has been absorbing much of the lunchtime traffic at the International Center after Taco Bell and Wendy's closed this spring, but the food court will now offer East Lansing's fourth Woody's Oasis location and the New Jersey-based chain Villa Pizza. Woody's is expected to open today at 10 a.m., and Simmons said he hopes to have Villa Pizza up and running by the end of the day as well.
Same-sex partner rights debated today in court
A hearing to determine whether public employers can offer benefits to domestic partners is scheduled for today at the Ingham County 30th Circuit Court and proponents will hold a rally before the hearing. Triangle Foundation Director of Policy Sean Kosofsky said the benefits should remain legal. "I don't want to comment on possible decisions from the hearing, but we are expecting a positive outcome because the intent behind Proposal 2 was not to restrict domestic benefits," he said. In 2004, Proposal 2 was put on the ballot and was ratified as a Michigan Constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. The American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, is representing 22 same-sex couples who filed a lawsuit in March after Attorney General Mike Cox interpreted the amendment as barring the city of Kalamazoo from providing domestic-partner benefits in future contracts. Messages left at the attorney general's office were not returned. The court hearing, which would have been last month, was postponed in order for Gov.
UAB to entertain with student talent
On Aug. 27, the International Center will hold singing, dancing, magic and improvisational comedy in the University Activities Board's "Spartan All-Stars" show. The event is free to the MSU community and everyone featured is from the university, advertising junior and UAB spokesperson Tiffany Weber said. "It's called the 'All-Stars' because it features the talents of Spartans," she said.
Sparty's offers fair trade espresso
Sparty's Convenience Stores' coffee is now fair - to the last drop. Campus and local coffee shops now provide fair trade coffee due to consumer demand. Fair trade is an agreement between producer and purchaser that at least a minimum price per pound will be paid for certain goods.
State grant extends Northern Tier Trail
The city of East Lansing has received a grant to help fund an extension of the Northern Tier Trail. The $92,400 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will help the city extend the trail about a mile farther north.
Judge considers torture charge in death of Calif. fraternity pledge
Oroville, Calif. - A California judge raised the possibility that four fraternity members could be charged with torture in the death of a 21-year-old pledge, comparing the alleged hazing death to the torture of Iraqi prisoners by U.S.