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MSU

Invention identifies plants, inspires learning

Jason Worthy
June 2, 2005

An invention used by the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden is making learning more exciting with the new Personal Science Assistant, or PSA, a device used to study plants and flowers. Similar to a handheld device, the PSA reads plant labels through a radio frequency and shows pictures and information about each plant. When using the device, kids can easily see what a certain plant looks like now, but also what it will look like in the summer, fall and winter. Also by the click of a button, the PSA can show how each plant will function in nature. Aparna Ramchandran, the MSU graduate student who invented the machine, said she wanted to create something different for her master's thesis. "My adviser came up with an idea about the PSA," she said.

MICHIGAN

E.L. sees decline in summer revenue

Darrell Hughes
June 2, 2005

Several businesses along Grand River Avenue, from clothing shops to restaurants, say they have noticed deep declines in sales compared to last year, and the economy isn't to blame. Some store managers said area businesses are too dependent on students, which causes a dramatic shift in profits when students leave in the spring. "Our biggest customers are students," said Dustin Bosscher, manager of Moosejaw Mountaineering, 555 E.

MICHIGAN

Family Aquatic Center offers families cool fun

Darrell Hughes
June 2, 2005

East Lansing residents who want to chill out on warm days can do so at the Family Aquatic Center starting Friday, despite rumors of its closing. The summer water park, located at 6400 Abbott Road, offers various water slides, such as the drop, tube and youth frog slides.

MICHIGAN

Advocates rally for mental health at Capitol

Lindsey Poisson
May 31, 2005

Lansing - The "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" rally was held Thursday at the Capitol to show legislators and the public issues of funding for mental-health programs and stigmas against the mentally ill in Michigan. A crowd of mental-health advocates and people with mental disabilities gathered on the front lawn and steps of the Capitol chanting "walk a mile in my shoes." The event featured representatives from all 83 counties speaking about the state of mental-health programs in their respective county.

MICHIGAN

John Paul II on way to sainthood

Former Pope John Paul II could soon be a saint since Pope Benedict XVI began the process leading to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church for his predecessor. The pope's choice to beatify, or make "blessed," John Paul II, who died April 2, waives the standard five-year period before the process begins.

MSU

Quit Tobacco class offered

Nick Pelton
May 31, 2005

Kicking the smoking habit is not easy, but Healthy U and Olin Health Center have teamed up to offer a free, monthly Quit Tobacco Workshop for the MSU community to help smokers take the first step to quitting. "It's a very user-friendly workshop," said Rebecca Allen, a spokeswoman for Olin Health Center. It's not only for people who have their heart set on quitting.

MICHIGAN

Michigan homemade

Nick Pelton
May 31, 2005

Lansing- The first quilt Linda Plyler made was for her sister's doll when she was 9. Now more than 40 years later, Plyler is the proud creator of a quilt depicting every city in Michigan with a ZIP code starting with "488." Each of the 80 cities has a square with a photograph, drawing or design . The quilt was on display at the Michigan Historical Center on Friday. "All the photographs I took myself with the exception of Lake Odessa and Cedar Village," said Plyler, who is a Mason resident. East Lansing's square has a picture of Beaumont Tower. Plyler, who is the postmaster in Shaftsburg, Mich.

MSU

Former dean of MSU dies

Amy Davis
May 31, 2005

Richard Sullivan, former MSU historian and administration member, who is remembered by friends and co-workers for his sense of humor and dedication to the university, died on Thursday.

MICHIGAN

House approves bill on abortion

The Michigan House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday that could make it mandatory for clinics to offer to perform ultrasounds on women contemplating abortion. However, the bill doesn't require women to view the active ultrasound screen or any images taken. The bill was created in hopes that the women contemplating abortion would be fully educated before the procedure and possibly choose to keep the child, said state Rep.

MICHIGAN

Rally of 600 protests for affirmative action

Mara Deutch
May 26, 2005

Lansing - More than 600 people from all over Michigan, chanted "They say Jim Crow, we say hell no" as they marched toward the Capitol on Wednesday protesting against the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or MCRI. Included in the protesters were students such as 15-year-old Anthony Bluford, from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, who said the initiative that might affect affirmative action could take away their future opportunities. "Because of affirmative action, that's going to determine my future because I want to go to college someday," Bluford said. The proposal aims to put a choice on the November 2006 state ballot to prevent public colleges and universities, as well as state government, from hiring or accepting students based on characteristics such as race, sex or ethnicity.

MICHIGAN

Income tax for residents only rumor

Darrell Hughes
May 26, 2005

The East Lansing officials' decision to spend $50,000 for a financial analyst led some to assume that East Lansing's transient residents - such as students - would soon pay city income taxes, but city officials said it's just speculation. East Lansing's City Council agreed to have a third party analyze the way officials handle money and to see if other sources of income are available for the city.

MICHIGAN

Court offers rehab option for offenders

Alex Abate
May 26, 2005

Last summer, 36-year-old Steve Wooten was on his way home from an ordinary trip to the store when he was picked up by the police for driving under the influence of marijuana. Instead of sending him to jail or revoking his license, Michigan's 55th District Court in Mason decided to put him into a drug rehabilitation program. "I thought they set me up.

MICHIGAN

Residents honor GM history, influence

Jason Worthy
May 26, 2005

Even though the General Motors Corp.'s Lansing Car Assembly plant recently closed, local residents gathered at the "Lansing Loves GM" rally at the Capitol on Tuesday night. Events coordinator Anita Epolito said the purpose of the rally is to recognize everything GM has done for the city. "Instead of kicking them while they might be down, we are saying thanks for contributing to the Lansing economy," Epolito said. State Sen.

MICHIGAN

Fair provides resources for veterans

Daniel Thai
May 26, 2005

Homeless army veteran Paul Mullins came to the Stand Down for Homeless Veterans program to try and rectify his life. Mullins kept stroking his beard and running his fingers through his newly cut hair, which had not been groomed in two months. "It feels good," he said, smiling. Stand Down, a resource fair to recognize the problem of homeless veterans and help them overcome life on the streets, provides services such as haircuts and dental care and food.

MSU

Funding may face changes

Amy Davis
May 26, 2005

Michigan House Republicans laid out a proposed formula for funding higher education on Wednesday that would reward universities for their contributions to the state's economy. The plan aims to invest in the state's future workforce by providing financial incentives for universities based on enrollment, the number and types of degrees and the amount of research at each institution. But local lawmakers worry MSU won't benefit as much as other schools because of the way the funds are divided. Under the new proposal for university operations, the schools combined could receive $1.65 billion - nearly $12 million more than under Gov.