Options open to file taxes

With the tax deadline on Monday, Juanita Russell and Joshua Dickerson still haven’t sent their taxes.Russell, a sociology sophomore, just hasn’t gotten around to it.“I’m just a procrastinator,” the computer science senior said.And Dickerson said he didn’t work over the last year.“I always (got my taxes in early) when I had a job - around mid-January,” he said.The two aren’t alone - millions across the United States wait until the last minute to file their taxes.The Internal Revenue Service expects 132 million returns this year, but as of April 5, the agency only had received 79.7 million.Michigan was on pace with 2.8 million returns filed out of 4.6 million expected.IRS spokeswoman Sarah Wreford said even if you wait until Monday, there are ways to avoid being audited.Wreford said a majority of the mistakes on returns involve putting down the wrong social security number and math errors.But both types of errors can be avoided if filers take a second to relax, Wreford said.“Put it aside then go back and double-check your math,” she said.

Council to review applications for vacant seat

Lansing City Council will begin reviewing applications today for a city council seat left vacant after Lou Adado resigned Monday night.The former city council member gave his resignation following accusations of sexual harassment by two former city employees.The council will meet at 1:30 p.m.

Police briefs 04/11/02

Administration considers establishing environmental measures

A meeting between students and administrators is causing MSU to examine its impact on the environment.MSU President M.

Students celebrate higher temperatures

At a time when students’ heads should be in the books, many have them in the clouds. Three weeks before final exams, students are celebrating the return of higher temperatures in sunglasses and tank tops while playing recreational sports outside.To commemorate Wednesday’s 58-degree weather, Krysten McCully, a pre-vet junior, was just one of the guys.

Counts dropped in plea agreement for drinking case

Two counts of supplying alcohol to a minor were dropped Wednesday in the case of an MSU student charged in connection with the death of Eric Blair.Blair, an 18-year-old Bay City resident and Delta College student, drowned in the Red Cedar River in October.Police said Blair began drinking Oct.

U works to lead in preventing alcohol abuse

In response to a study showing 1,400 college students are killed each year in alcohol-related accidents, university officials say MSU is ahead of the game in using strategies to combat alcohol abuse.“I think we’re ahead with the recommendations and programs we’re currently doing,” Olin Health Educator Jasmine Greenamyer said.

ASMSU denies support for unions wage, benefit plan

ASMSU’s Academic Assembly voted Tuesday not to support the Graduate Employees Union’s request for increased wages and benefits.Thirteen out of 15 undergraduate student government members voted against supporting the union, which is seeking higher wages to cover the cost of living and health care benefits.

Police briefs 04/10/02

Professors obscenity suit thrown out

Although a Macomb Community College professor’s lawsuit was thrown out by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 29 after he was suspended for using obscenities in class, some say it won’t have much impact on classroom conduct around the state. John Bonnell, a professor of Western literature and English composition at the community college, was suspended in November 1998 after a female student complained she felt sexually harassed by language he used in class. “It’s a dark day,” Bonnell said.

Economics professors to discuss importing

The MSU’s Department of Economics will present a roundtable discussion today to discuss the steel import restrictions. The event will take place at 8 p.m.

Data show lower minority graduate enrollment

Despite attempts to recruit minority students to MSU’s Graduate School, minorities are enrolling in graduate school at lower rates than last year, the Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring reported this week. The data included information about faculty and staff statistics, retention and undergraduate applications, admissions and enrollment. MSU Provost Lou Anna Simon said there are many factors that contribute to the decrease in enrollment for minority students. “Last year’s decline was after a significant increase in the previous years,” she said.

Artist, filmmaker to speak in Brody today

Sistahs is presenting its 2002 Conference, “Nappy: Black Women and the Politics of Hair,” at 5:30 p.m.

Sexual harassment charges prompt resignation

Despite a Lansing City Council member’s unexpected resignation Monday, a city employee is still considering a sexual harassment lawsuit against the city.Councilmember Lou Adado announced his resignation at Monday night’s city council meeting, citing negative attention on the city due to two women’s charges that he sexually harassed them.

Construction to continue despite residents protests

Construction will continue as planned for the Governors Collection development in Meridian Township.A lawsuit filed by residents trying to stop a land-sharing agreement between Lansing and Meridian Township was dismissed Monday.

Oscar Mayer hotdoggers hit the road in wiener

Jessica De Los Reyes pictured herself doing a lot of things after college.Driving a 27-foot-long hot dog wasn’t one of them.But the dietetics senior and 11 other soon-to-be college graduates have been selected as “hotdoggers,” each fulfilling a yearlong tour driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.“I’m so excited,” she said.

Post office faces decline in mailings

As Doug Belles filled out the address on his letters by the post office in the Union, a few people trickled through, dropping off various pieces of mail.But the numbers are lower than the U.S.

Student Employee of the Year awarded

Nicole Plott has been named MSU’s Student Employee of the Year for 2002. She will be recognized with more than 100 other students at an awards reception from 4-5 p.m.

Food rules protect Muslim practices

At Bassam Mahmoud’s restaurant, the meat is prepared according to Muslim dietary law - and a new state law will prevent other restaurants that don’t follow the dietary law from claiming they do.Some Muslims are allowed to eat foods considered halal, which is slaughtered in a certain way.

Study controls lamprey

MSU researchers may have found a way to control the number of fish killed by parasitic sea lamprey.Weiming Li, an associate professor of fisheries and wildlife, has been working on isolating the pheromones of sea lamprey.