Heat is on with downtown chili cook-off

Some like it hot and some like it really, really hot.Hundreds of chili enthusiasts gathered along the Riverwalk for The Greater Lansing Down-by-the-River Chili Cook-off near the Lansing Center Friday evening, sampling a quarter mile worth of chili from local establishments.Participants got all the hot and spicy their stomachs could handle for only $5.History senior Kate Butcko said she and her friends were excited about the event."We did 18 booths in half an hour," Butcko said.

Strip system to ease license renewal lines

Customers seeking driver's license renewals might be spending less time at the Secretary of State.With the help of a new computer system and keyboards that are equipped with magnetic strip readers, driver's licenses with bar codes on them will automatically enter a person's license number, date of birth and expiration date into a computer instead of a worker manually typing in the same information.

Ramp closed at Trowbridge

The U.S. 127 northbound ramp at Trowbridge Road will be closed for construction until early August.In a joint effort with the city of East Lansing and the Michigan Department of Transportation, the road will be closed for traffic control while construction take places on the ramp and medians.

Workouts change with seasons

Severe weather conditions in the winter and fall are major obstacles preventing Michigan residents from exercising during those seasons, a MSU professor says.Jim Pivarnik, professor of kinesiology and physical medicine and rehabilitation, analyzed a statewide study called the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, or BRFSS, a 1996 survey of more than 5,000 Michigan residents.The survey focused on what Michiganians were doing to maintain their physical fitness.Pivarnik's findings were published in the June issue of the journal Medicine & Sciences in Sports & Exercises."Most people are fair weather exercisers," Pivarnik said.

Local union upset, high school picks new construction team

Large white picket signs lined the sidewalk in front of the entrance to a construction site at East Lansing High School, 509 Burcham Drive, a mark of protest over work being done on the school.Members of the Ironworkers Local Union No.

Police briefs 06/05/03

'U' apartments offer activities, social gatherings for residents

University Apartment residents looking for summer entertainment don't have to go far. The 2003 apartment summer program schedule has already begun, but several activities kick off June 9.Summer programs include:• Kids World allows children ages 5-12 to dabble in arts and crafts, science experiments and games from 1:30-3 p.m.

Police briefs 06/04/03

Manure compost to be demonstrated at expo

A manure composting demonstration is scheduled for July 22-24 as part of the Ag Expo. Farmers and other guests will be able to learn how to compost manure of various sizes and by different methods such as static, windrow and in-vessel.

Tony's trading spaces while Lou & Harry's opens third location

Restaurant goers in downtown East Lansing will soon have two new and improved restaurants to choose from. Tony's Restaurant, 235 Ann St., closed Friday to make way for the LH Grill Room, a new restaurant serving Greek and Italian cuisine.

New technologies keep 'U' police ahead

A 100-pound cylinder of chlorine gas, a substance that destroys the respiratory system if spilled on campus, could spread miles across MSU within hours.Depending on how the wind blows, getting out alive wouldn't be as simple as getting away from the contamination.

Board to discuss tuition, construction concerns

Plans for construction additions to the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Engineering Research Complex will be up for debate during the MSU Board of Trustees meeting when the 2003-04 budget and tuition increase will be decided Thursday.The College of Veterinary Medicine plans to add an Oncology Center and Isolation Facility.

Lower interest rates help save student dollars

Although interest rates have reached historic lows, university officials say MSU students will be seeing greater savings for the next academic year.On July 1, federal student loan interest rates are expected to drop from 4.06 to 3.42 percent.

Police briefs 06/02/03

E.L. residents' trash become recycling treasures during event

Thelma Hoggard's bright smile from underneath her soaking wet poncho greeted East Lansing residents as they began their trek to get rid of their trash.Hoggard, an East Lansing resident, was one of the volunteers who braved cold and rainy weather Saturday at the ninth annual Project Pride.

Expo hosts myriad of green thumb events

The Master Gardener demonstration is scheduled for July 22-24 at the Ag Expo.The demonstration will focus on learning how to start and support container gardens, small-scale vegetable gardening and growing plants which fight pests when planted next to each other, also known as companion plants.A tent also will be a part of the demonstration, where guests can ask gardening questions to Master Gardener staff members.The demonstration will run from 9 a.m.

Carnival marks end

Six-year-old Stefan Lindahl wishes he had the help of a giant robot to save Spartan Village Elementary School from closing."We could make a big giant robot and have the robot pick up Spartan Village and move it, and put up a sign that says 'destroyed' to trick the guy who wants to close it," he said."We could move to where no one could find it."After nearly 50 years of elementary education on MSU's campus, the international school, 1460 Middlevale Road, is set to close its doors next week.

Students await trial after disturbances

Ingham County Circuit Court will hear the cases of two more MSU students charged for the March 28-30 disturbances.Tony Warren waived his right to a district court preliminary examination Friday in the East Lansing 54-B District Court, 101 Linden St., before Judge Richard Ball.Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor Marie Wolfe said Timothy Ricker, also being charged, would be waiving his right to a preliminary examination later this week.Both Warren and Ricker are being charged with unlawful assembly and preparing to burn less than $200 in property.The disturbances followed MSU's men's basketball team March loss in the NCAA tournament.

E.L. water park to open Saturday

The East Lansing Family Aquatic Center will open its doors on Saturday, weather permitting. In past summers about 800 to 900 residents and guests have splashed around in the 375,000-gallon pool each day, East Lansing recreation coordinator Ken Elwert said. The Aquatic Center, 6400 Abbott Road, is open 11 a.m.

Project Pride to help clear out E.L. homes

East Lansing is joining up with residents to help clean up the city. The city's recycling program, Project Pride, annually helps residents clear out their homes, garages and yards by setting up drop-off points for donated household items and recyclables. One hundred volunteers will help collect recyclables from 8 a.m.