Beaner's to open new shops in E.L., 3 southeast states

A local coffee shop chain is expanding into other parts of the state and country, opening in three southeastern states after operating in the Midwest for nearly a decade. Beaner's Gourmet Coffee, founded in East Lansing in 1995, is opening three locations in Mobile, Ala., Charleston, S.C., and Dacula, Ga., near Atlanta, said Michael McFall, president of the company. "The markets we're going into, like Mobile, Alabama, and Charleston, are really underserviced from the gourmet coffee perspective," McFall said.

Hall gives thanks, lip balm to soldiers

Beanie Babies, breath mints and lip balm will soon be making their way to military troops overseas. The items are included on a list of possible donations from Emmons Hall residents who are participating in Operation Gratitude, a national organization that has sent more than 36,800 care packages to soldiers stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Kosovo and the Korean peninsula. Meggan Willersdorf, the assistant director for Emmons Hall, said she found the program on a Web site and thought it was a great idea. "It gives residents an opportunity to volunteer - to give their time and effort," she said.

Groups debate use of extra student tax money

ASMSU relies on student tax dollars, and in turn provides services such as free legal advice and cheap photocopies to those students.

Mich. seat belt usage increases

Michigan had the nation's fourth-largest increase in seat belt usage during the last year, according to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released Tuesday. Statewide seat belt usage increased 5.7 percent between 2003 and 2004, jumping from 84.8 to 90.5 percent.

Police briefs 11/24/04

Weekend snow could create chores for 'U'

East Lansing officials are reminding residents that all sidewalks adjacent to their property must remain clear of snow and ice. The city will no longer issue warnings, but will immediately issue a ticket for failures to clear snow and ice. Owners or occupants of East Lansing residences must remove the snow and ice within 24 hours of snowfall and must use salt or another abrasive material on icy sidewalks within 12 hours of ice forming. East Lansing employees will open highly traveled main sidewalks so it is easier for residents to plow or shovel.

E.L. officials discuss rental redistricting

The East Lansing City Council will attempt to work out the kinks in another rental restriction district during its meeting at 7 p.m.

Debate continues over RU-486 abortion pill

A debate has rekindled about the safety of mifepristone, an abortion pill also known as RU-486, and whether it should remain on the market. In January, a young woman who had taken mifepristone died and anti-abortion activists say her death is linked to the pill.

Game illustrates real-life scenario

Using macaroni, beans and paper clips, the fate of an imaginary third-world country was decided Monday afternoon by a group of gaming enthusiasts.

ASMSU proposes student-only tailgate area

The 'Drinko' boards are now stowed away safely for winter and the despondency surrounding tailgating restrictions are lessening. But ASMSU is still working to keep tailgating excitement that was lost earlier this football season. MSU's undergraduate student government's Student Assembly passed a bill on Thursday to propose a student-only tailgate area at the Wilson tennis courts. Only tailgaters with an MSU student ID would be allowed to enter.

Officials give advice on holiday safety

Unlocked doors, flaming turkey fryers and icy overpasses aren't usually topics of conversation when students talk about heading home for the long Thanksgiving weekend. That's why local officials are working to get out the word on lesser-known holiday dangers. "Put in big, bold print: 'LOCK YOUR DOORS,'" East Lansing police Capt.

Lansing-area officials look to attract high-tech jobs

Officials from East Lansing and Lansing are moving forward with a program to attract technology-based jobs to the capital region. The Lansing Regional SmartZone will join 10 other Michigan SmartZones, which are geographic locations designed to attract technology-based companies by combining resources to create more high-technology jobs. The Lansing and East Lansing city councils both scheduled public hearings for December to determine the district's borders and create a Local Development Finance Authority, which will fund programs in the SmartZone.

'U' wins MSU-Penn State Blood Challenge

Although the Spartans lost to the Nittany Lions on the football field on Saturday, they were victorious in the annual MSU-Penn State Blood Challenge. This is the first time since the 2000-01 school year MSU has won the blood challenge. The 11th year for the blood drive ended Friday, with MSU pulling in 1,785 pints of blood and Penn State trailing with 1,750. The goal for each school was 2,000 pints.

Committees to present report on liberal arts college

The liberal arts committees have completed their work, but MSU's Academic Governance system is not yet comfortable voting on the options. The Executive Committee of Academic Council met Monday to discuss whether the Committee on College Reorganization and the New Residential College Program Planning Committee reports will be ready for today's Academic Council meeting. Jon Sticklen, chairman of the executive committee, said the group wants to wait to address the new liberal arts college.

Police briefs 11/23/04

Tree-lighting, fireworks highlight of holiday event

Lansing - Even a cement mixer can be part of the holiday season. Decorated with hundreds of strands of colored lights, the large vehicle rotated strands of colored lights in Lansing's Electric Light Parade on Friday night. Also in the parade route, local high school bands played holiday music, a Capital Area Transportation Authority bus was costumed as a bug and area groups rode on decorated Christmas-themed floats.

Police briefs 11/22/04

Police briefs 11/22/04

Transgender students, allies observe Day of Remembrance

Walls covered with pictures of those murdered due to transgender prejudice surrounded about 15 students last week in Bessey Hall as they discussed violence against the transgender community. The discussion was in honor of the 6th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance on Saturday.

Sports facilities seek funding from ASMSU

Here's the request before ASMSU: $50,000 from its budget to expand IM Sports-West. MSU's undergraduate student government is still considering funding part of the $5.6 million renovation of weight-lifting and exercise facilities at the IM building.