Open house highlights education options for migrant students

The High School Equivalency Program and College Assistant Migrant Program will host an open house today from 3-6 p.m.

City worker steps down

When Peter Eberz thinks of East Lansing, he says green and white comes to mind just as often as city landmarks and developments."It's a composite of the whole community," he said.

Activists to escort war mural to Washington, D.C.

Lansing - The plaster masks represent the people of Iraq while the newsprint covering them symbolize what someone would call the faceless status in American culture. The images on the mural are special to the 31 members of the Greater Lansing Youth for Peace and Justice, who created the project as part of their involvement in the anti-war in Iraq movement.

Residents worried about sex offenders

Information on 1,313 registered sex offenders residing in Michigan has been lost by Michigan State Police, leaving some Michigan residents worried about their safety. "I'm scared," marketing freshman Meredith Fenton said.

Proposal could divide language programs in half

MSU's Department of Romance and Classical Languages could break into two smaller departments if a proposal is accepted by the Executive Committee of the Academic Council on Tuesday. The proposal, which has been in the works since last semester, calls for the department to divide into two programs.

Police briefs 01/17/03

Trustee to file police report over bowl rings found on eBay

MSU Trustee Joel Ferguson said his attorney will file a police report on two of his missing MSU bowl rings, which have wound up on an online auction house."We've got some criminals to chase," Ferguson said, adding he didn't remember how they left his possession.Ferguson received the 1990 John Hancock Bowl and 1993 Liberty Bowl rings for being an MSU trustee when the Spartans played in the two games.Angelo DiMeo, owner of two jewelry stores in Lansing, is selling the rings for $1,400 each on eBay.

Police briefs 01/16/03

Service offers online portfolios

MSU's Career Services and Placement is now offering a way for students to go online and retrieve portfolios of their work."It was kind of an archaic system," said Linda Gross, assistant director of Career Services and Placement.

Cars need protection against cold weather

As the new year is brewing a frigid winter season, experts are suggesting motorists winterize their cars. AAA Michigan spokesperson Jim Rink said motorists should have car items checked out - ideally before the winter driving season. "During the week when you have close to single digits and various wind chills, it drastically reduces the starting power of the battery," he said.

U-M bans smoking in dormitories

The University of Michigan announced Tuesday that starting next fall, smoking will be banned in all university residence halls. Officials say the reason for the ban is to enhance overall public health and to prevent students from beginning to smoke after arriving on campus. U-M is one of several Big Ten universities who ban smoking in dorms and Lansing Community College banned smoking on its campus last year.

Public schools will face cuts

Lansing - In a swift reaction to the budget deficit, Gov. Jennifer Granholm notified state public school districts Wednesday that funding will be cut as soon as March. "This is painful to any parent, whether you're a Republican or a Democrat," Granholm said. Despite the regret Granholm expressed, she said the budget had to be dealt with as soon as possible. "We have to bring the budget into line," she said.

Bus way to be discussed at open meeting

A public information meeting tonight will allow students and city residents to comment on the proposal of a new dedicated bus way between Harrison Avenue and Farm Lane. Representatives from the Capitol Area Transportation Authority and MSU will be present at the forum, which takes place from 5 p.m.

Class to help save retired greyhounds

Josey, a racing greyhound, broke one of her toes when she was a little more than 2 years old.Instead of taking her to a veterinarian, her owner decided the dog wouldn't be able to race anymore - or bring in any money - and wanted to have her put down.Josey would have joined the thousands of racing greyhounds killed each year through mistreatment or euthanasia, according to the Greyhound Protection League, had it not been for REGAP - Retired Greyhounds as Pets.Now, the 57-pound reddish animal has a new owner, her own backyard and a striped carpet bed the family calls "Tiger.""She's not so timid anymore," owner Patti Myers said.Myers adopted the dog through the program in June."Before, when you'd give her something to play with, she'd grab it and look at you," the Swartz Creek resident said.

Landlords say occupancy codes difficult to enforce

Tenants beware - many area landlords are going the extra step to ensure occupancy codes are followed. With East Lansing officials pressing the over-crowding issue for the past couple years, landlords say students can sometimes be elusive. Fred Bauries, an East Lansing landlord, says he keeps a close look on the houses around him - mostly because he rents out the three houses right next door. "My most creative way would be that I live next door," he said.

Federal bank board takes on Porteous

MSU Trustee David Porteous was appointed to the board of directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank this week. "The opportunity to serve on a board like the Federal Home Loan Bank is a wonderful opportunity for me as well as the people of Michigan," Porteous said. The Indianapolis-based bank works with smaller banks and specializes in promoting home ownership. Porteous said a portion of the bank's earnings go toward grants for communities that want to increase housing through programs such as Habitat for Humanity. The Reed City Republican, who is chairman of the MSU Board of Trustees, also is chairman of the Michigan Strategic Fund, vice-chairman of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority and sits on the board of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Porteous is an attorney and president of Porteous Law Office PC, in Reed City. Melissa Sanchez

Kids booking it over to E.L. library for storytelling

Four-year-old Livia Belman was among about 20 children trying to wiggle out of their winter clothing as quickly as possible Monday evening. Livia was anxious to begin her first StoryTime at the East Lansing Public Library.

Gender report moves on

A report urging the university to include a gender-identity footnote in its anti-discrimination policy is closer to reality. The Academic Council's executive committee voted Tuesday to send the issue to the full Academic Council after hearing the recommendations of five smaller groups representing students, faculty and administrators. The report has been in the works since it was brought to Academic Council by ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, more than a year ago. A special committee was assigned to develop the argument in favor of the proposal which has been in the hands of the five smaller groups since November. Although three of the five committees said they had some uncertainties about the report, they voted to pass it to the full Academic Council anyway. "I am very happy that it was essentially accepted as we presented it, because we worked extremely hard on it," said Matt Weingarden, ASMSU student assembly chairperson. Weingarden served on the committee which oversaw the report. "There's got to be a push from the student body," he said.

Police continue hunt for Linden attacker

East Lansing police haven't received any new leads since Monday afternoon in the Friday assault of an MSU student, Lt.

AOP changes tours, activities

The freshman Academic Orientation Program at MSU will undergo some changes this summer following input from students who participated in the overnight program.One of the major changes in the orientation will be the tour, which gave the participating freshmen a look at the university's campus, said Megan Bracket, assistant director of AOP."Surveys showed that the students thought a walking tour would be better than a bus tour," the journalism senior said.AOP, which takes place during the summer months, is required for all incoming students.