Small group of Lansing residents protest council

Lansing - John Pollard said he thinks Lansing City Council is in desperate need of a change."This is by far the worst city council in the past 30 years, or maybe in Lansing's history," said the Lansing resident, who has been attending meetings for about 20 years.Pollard is organizing a recall to remove city Councilmembers Geneva Smith and Larry Meyer - and he's gathered about five dedicated supporters.Pollard said the recallers are not happy with the entire city council, but are targeting Smith and Meyer because they're the only two council members who are able to be recalled at this time."I don't have anything personally against them," he said.

Police briefs 02/20/03

$9 million funding to help improve public transportation

Congress is backing Michigan's efforts to improve and revitalize the state's public transportation systems with more than $9 million in federal funding, officials announced Wednesday. U.S.

Japanese eatery to open in downtown

A new taste of Japanese cuisine opens soon in downtown East Lansing. Omi Japanese Restaurant will move in next to Cold Stone Creamery, 200 M.A.C.

Safety task force set up after hall robbery

Members of ASMSU have decided to team-up with the Residence Halls Association after MSU's undergraduate student government discussed safety issues Thursday. A task force was created by ASMSU after a Case Hall residents was held at knifepoint during an attempted robbery Jan.

Karaoke night to help children

MRULE, the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, will host a karaoke night at 8 p.m. Friday in the Wonders Hall Kiva to raise donations, like books, toys and clothing for children they interact with in orphanages in South Africa.

Department might get new name

The Department of Telecommunication could be renamed the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media if approved in the Academic Governance system.

Speaker tells of Holocaust survival

It was more than 60 years ago, but Eva Schloss can still remember the day she realized her normal life as a Jewish girl would never be the same."I was 9 years old at the time and I went to a friend's house - she was a Christian," Schloss said to a small group of MSU students and faculty Wednesday afternoon.

Applications due for ASMSU spots

Applications are now available for students interested in being a member of ASMSU. The MSU undergraduate student government's information packet can be picked up at 307 Student Services.

Anti-discrimination clause goes to council

The proposal to add a footnote about gender identity to MSU's Anti-Discrimination Policy has been moved on to the Academic Council - the final step before it reaches the MSU Board of Trustees, who will ultimately decide if it will become policy. "This is something that is really important and deserves as much discussion as we can get it," said Jon Sticklen, engineering professor and member of the committee who developed the report. The Academic Council is scheduled to meet at 3:15 p.m.

Police briefs 02/19/03

DCL dean tries to 'make a difference'

Terence Blackburn always knew he was going to be a lawyer.But he didn't always know he was going to be an educator.While studying law at Columbia University, the MSU-Detroit College of Law dean met a breed of teachers that he never wanted to emulate."The model of teaching there was one that I absolutely detested," Blackburn said.

Holocaust survivor to share memories, past

Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss will speak on campus today. Schloss was friends with Anne Frank, a Holocaust victim whose diaries were turned into an award-winning novel and play. Schloss will speak from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Sorority leaves house for smaller quarters

Members of Sigma Delta Tau are preparing to move out of their current location, 120 Spartan Ave., and into another house this summer. "The lease expires this summer," said Ann Brawly, executive director of the sorority's national headquarters.

Case Hall returns to regular closing hours

Case Hall returned to closing at midnight, rather than 9 p.m., housing officials said Tuesday. The change, made on Friday, resulted from a negative reaction to the 9 p.m.

Families get help with taxes

Lansing - A new tax assistance program announced on Tuesday will help low-income Lansing area residents file tax returns. Low-Income Tax Assistance Program volunteers, mostly MSU finance students, will spend time with area residents to make sure their taxes are filed correctly and they receive the proper refund.

Study reports women, men use drugs for unlike reasons

Although the number of men and women smoking, drinking and using other drugs is about equal, each gender has different reasons for abusing substances, according to a study released earlier this month.The study is based on a nationwide survey of females age 8 to 22 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.Researchers found while boys experiment with alcohol, cigarettes and drugs because of the thrill or social status, girls participate due to stress or depression."Girls are more likely than boys to be depressed, have eating disorders and to be physically or sexually abused," said Emma Berndt, spokeswoman for the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse.

Meeting will address racism, discrimination

Students and MSU officials will gather at 8 p.m. today in the Brody Auditorium to address recent racially motivated events on campus. The forum will address a sexually charged flier posted in Shaw Hall and two women in Emmons Hall who were called derogatory names. Rodney Patterson, director of the Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs, Nikki O'Brien, coordinator for African American Student Affairs, and history Professor Pero Dagbovie are among the officials expected to attend. "We want to address the situations which took place within the last month, specifically the one in Emmons," said Terrance Wilbert, an Emmons Hall racial ethnic student aide.

ASMSU tax increase proposed on ballot

An extra 75 cents might be added to student's tuition bills if ASMSU can convince the students to open up their pocketbooks.A bill to increase the MSU undergraduate student government's per semester tax from $10 to $10.75 was passed by the Student Assembly on Thursday, and will be placed on the March 19 student ballot.All student taxes are refundable.This is the second tax ASMSU is sponsoring in next month's election.

Corporation uses funding for developing environmental cleanup

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers announced Tuesday he has secured more than $1 million in funding for a Lansing-area environmental corporation.Rogers, R-Brighton, gained $628,000 from the U.S.