Testing the waters

As tourists and residents venture out to swim in one of the many Lansing-area lakes this summer, they won't have to worry about contaminants that might be swimming with them. In an effort to keep beachgoers informed of the water quality in area lakes and watersheds, samples of water from various locations are collected each week by the Ingham County Health Department to be tested for harmful contaminants. "It makes sense for it to be clean; it is a matter of health," said Meghan Burns, sanitarian for the department and an MSU alumna.

Word on the street

"There are less parties; in order to do things you have to travel because there are less things going on on campus.

Summer study held for 6th-8th graders

The East Lansing Hannah Community Center will provide a Summer Study program for students in sixth through eighth grades to help with their study habits.

State to lower flags in honor of Mich. soldier

On Wednesday, all U.S. flags in the state should be lowered to half-staff to honor Eric T. Burri, an Army Specialist from Wyoming.

Job prospects might rise for college grads

Chemical engineering senior Greg Gawura, who graduated in May and is finishing up some classes this summer, is having a tough time securing a job to start his career.

Summer amusements

Evian Myrick, 12, of Haslett, flips on the Power Jump at the Play World Amusements carnival Thursday night.

Fungi study might benefit farms

An MSU scientist is finding out the plants he studies rely on organisms too small for the naked eye to see. In the June 9 issue of the scientific journal "Nature," an MSU professor and other researchers explain how the interaction between microscopic fungi and many land plants could play a vital role in some of nature's most basic chemical processes. "We need to understand how these fungi function in helping the plants," said Plant Biology Associate Professor Yair Shachar-Hill, who did the study with researchers at New Mexico State University and the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. That knowledge could help improve overall environmental quality by encouraging the growth of certain fungi, which would reduce the need for harmful fertilizers, he said. The microscopic organisms - called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, or AM fungi - are asexual and rely on a mutual relationship, or symbiosis, with plants to survive.

E.L. acquires new fire truck

The East Lansing Fire Department recently purchased a $380,000 fire truck and department leaders say students, city residents and firefighters will all benefit from the investment. Most of the money used to purchase the new truck came from a $270,000 federal grant awarded last year to East Lansing by the Department of Homeland Security. The city paid more than $100,000, a deal that was part of the original grant proposal, Deputy Fire Chief Terry Lapinski said. The fire department, located at 1700 Abbott Road, applied for the grant in 2003 to buy the updated engine and it received the truck about a week ago.

Mich. Senate to review state revenue sharing

The Michigan Senate will be reviewing the proposed state budget changes, which include about a $4 million increase in revenue sharing, after it was approved Thursday by the House of Representatives. The House Republicans proposed a budget in a bill that combined 15 different budget ideas into one.

MSU apple field day to help local growers

The MSU Field Day will present an organic apple field day to provide information for apple growers from 1 p.m.

'Capital area' cats

Right, packaging senior Alison Jacobs scratches a cat's head in the new cat room at the Capital Area Humane Society.

Area kitchen to host concert for charity

The Southside Community Kitchen will hold a music fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the University United Methodist Church, 1120 S.

Beating the heat

With temperatures expected to approach the 90s, people are looking to escape the sweltering heat and overbearing rays of the sun.

City to install stop signs at deadly intersection

City Council members decided Tuesday to OK the installation of a four-way stop sign at a neighborhood intersection where a young boy was hit and killed by a car about a year ago. But some say the stop signs aren't enough and want further review of the intersection once the signs are put in. During the council meeting, several residents complained that the intersection at Forest and Fern streets, which is a part of the Glencairn Neighborhood Association, has a steep hill that attracts young children to the area. Nicole Ellefson, president of the neighborhood group, said that the first-grader who was killed, John Ropp, was playing on the hill, and the accident was not due to an irresponsible or speeding driver.

Bike group to hold annual T-shirt ride

The Tri-County Bicycle Association will hold the 26th annual 100,000 Metre T-Shirt Ride on Saturday, starting in Laingsburg. Cyclists can ride any combination of 17-, 34- or 62-mile loops.

Invasive organisms plague Great Lakes

Every summer, Michigan boaters getting ready to cruise the lakes in and around the state find unwanted aquatic species attached to or inside their boats from previous years. As part of Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, June 4-12, boaters are encouraged to prevent unwanted species of aquatic life that harm Michigan waters. "In the beginning of the year, when homeowners bring out their boats, they find zebra mussels," said Andy Minshall, civil engineering senior and boat-launch tenant at Lake Lansing. Recent legislation signed by Gov.

Student to be on TLC show

When the popular home redecoration show "Trading Spaces" arrived to shoot in Traverse City, Mich., this week, all the trademark ingredients were present: two designers, two teams of two homeowners, a carpenter and a tight budget. But unique to the mix was an MSU student: construction management senior Adriano Vozza. Vozza and his brother, Julio, participated as a team in the show against their childhood friends, Jennifer Buell and Dan Brady.

Center to feature magnifying exhibit

The Impression 5 Science Center will hold a Super Saturday magnifying exhibit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Club to search for local fungi species

The Michigan Botanical Club will search for fungi that inhabit local natural areas Saturday. Those interested should meet at 10 a.m.

Police briefs 06/07/05