Governor calls for forest certification

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is proposing a plan that would seek to certify all state forest land by the Department of Natural Resources. Certification could ensure that forest land is managed, preserve habitats and protect water quality. According to Matt Johnson, director of Granholm's northern Michigan office, the forest certification would aid in retaining Michigan jobs in the timber industry because many wood and paper consumers now are demanding that wood producers be certified. "The governor wants to send a clear message to wood-product consumers that the products they purchase are produced in an environmentally friendly and sustainable process," Johnson said in a statement. Granholm said her proposal would make Michigan a leader in forest-certification practices. "Through the certification efforts I am asking the DNR to undertake, Michigan would have the largest amount of certified forest land in the nation by the end of 2005," she said in a statement. Michigan currently owns about 4 million acres of forest land.

Electronics trends shift

In recent months, Judy Murphy has noticed a surprising trend spreading to several of her female friends and acquaintances. "I know a lot of girls into digital cameras," the biochemistry sophomore said.

Workers step it up

Gretchen Morr wears a pedometer around campus so she can monitor her daily steps. In an average day, she takes about 12,000 of them. "I wear it on top of my pants; it's black and it just blends in - it looks like a pager," she said. The interdisciplinary studies in social science senior works part-time for state Sen.

State alters tags to prevent identity theft

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land recently modified the amount of information on disability-parking placards in order to protect motorists from identity theft. The placards, which formerly displayed the complete driver's license number of the driver, will now include only the first letter and the last three digits of the number.

Panelists focus on contributions of Malcolm X

In celebration of Black History month, the Black History Committee with African American and African Studies presents a Malcolm X Symposium from 1 to 7 p.m.

Police briefs 02/16/04

Assembly to debate state's tuition deal

On Tuesday, ASMSU's Academic Assembly will debate its position on MSU's tuition agreement that promises to keep tuition at the rate of inflation in exchange for less funding cuts from the state. A set of two bills, one supporting the action and the other condemning it, originally were presented at the Feb.

RHA seeks to raise semester tax by $1

Members of the Residence Halls Association's General Assembly voted Wednesday to increase the organization's tax on dorm residents from $21 to $22. Assembly members voted 23-3-1 on the bill, which must gain approval from students in a March vote to take effect.

U-M, 'U' battle for blood

When it comes to competing with University of Michigan, Spartans bleed green. And throughout February, it's time to give blood. The Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross is organizing the second annual Cold Blood Battle between the universities, asking community members to donate as much blood as possible.

Sweatshop-made apparel criticized in student show

It didn't have music, supermodels or a catwalk, but that didn't stop human biology senior Dave Mitchell from strutting his stuff in a "fashion show" Thursday afternoon in the Union.

Police briefs 02/13/04

Singing telegrams delivered to 'U'

Nothing says love like "Basket Case" by Green Day. Or, for the more traditional wooers, maybe a selection by Nat King Cole.

E.L. Commission votes against rezoning spot

After listening to nearly two and a half hours of testimony from the developers and the public, the East Lansing Planning Commission voted 4-1 against approving a recommendation to rezone a local abandoned property. The commission also voted 3-2 to approve a recommendation to grant Strathmore Development Company a special-use permit to redevelop the property as general office space. The recommendations are given to the city council, who will officially vote on the future of the property, located at 1427 W.

ASMSU might plan new fall events

Discussions on sponsoring a welcome week concert this fall at Breslin Center has spurned MSU's undergraduate student government to expand fall welcome activities. ASMSU members will work with the Department of Student Life to add music, sports and other activities to the five-day stretch between freshman move-in and the first day of classes. Some of the ideas under consideration are a Taste Fest in East Lansing with area businesses, intermural sports activities, a Battle of the Bands and an event for dorm residents to meet their neighbors. "We're trying to come up with a whole set of things to do," said Kevin Glandon, external vice chairperson for ASMSU's Student Assembly.

Police briefs 02/12/04

Professor: Children adversely affected by First Amendment

MSU-DCL College of Law Professor Kevin Saunders was set to travel to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to testify before a U.S.

Police: Weather, ordinance keep E.L. streets quieter

Cold weather and tougher penalties are the cause for a quiet city, East Lansing officials say, but all are expecting noise to increase again with the onset of warmer temperatures. But more than six months following the passage of amendments to East Lansing's noise ordinance, officials and students remain conflicted on the subject.

'U' finds energy source

Computers powered by fire might seem like science fiction dreams, but with chemistry Professor Mercouri Kanatzidis' work, these dreams aren't far off. Kanatzidis discovered a thermoelectric material that takes energy waste from objects such as engines and turns it into useable electricity.

Citizens voice land concerns

From her house's rear window, Alice Schehr's view is dominated by the hulking shell of the former Albert Pic Motel. The structure, which was converted to office use in 1983, closed its doors in 2000 and has sat vacant ever since. But Schehr said her problem isn't with the two-story eyesore, it's with the development proposed to replace it. Strathmore Development Company is petitioning the East Lansing Planning Commission to rezone the area to include retail sales.

Diagnostic Center won't open on time

Construction scheduled to have been completed today on The Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health has been delayed. The center, located at the southwest corner of Beaumont and Forest roads, is now undergoing finishing touches by the Lansing-based Granger Construction Co. Ownership will be transferred from the state of Michigan to MSU after completion, which should be sometime before the start of the fall semester. "It has been an incredible construction cycle and Granger has done an excellent job in developing a great project," said Ann Beaujean, director of state relations in MSU's Office of the Vice President for Governmental Affairs.