Todays special elections to fill three open seats

The empty spots in the state Legislature will be filled today by a special election. And although predictions are low for voter turnout, the candidates for the 26th state Senate district have been trying to get their messages out in the hopes of getting people to the polls.“The campaign looks like it did from the beginning - in question,” said Rosemary Reed, a Democratic candidate from Perry, Mich.

Minority aides to assist Indias earthquake sufferers

Four teams of minority aides will travel throughout South Complex dorms Wednesday to help provide relief to earthquake victims in India. “We’ll be going through all of the dorms, collecting clothing items and pop cans,” said Michael Oden, the complex coordinator for minority aides in South Complex dorms. The students will gather items from 7 p.m.

Interstate 496 closes in April

Lansing resident Cory Jones will have to take another route to campus when construction begins on Interstate 496 at 6 p.m.

Assistant prosecutor dies suddenly

Ingham County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kathaleen Rae Price died Sunday. She was 48.Price managed a staff of 30 attorneys and specialized in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and drug gang cases in her three years as the county’s No.

ASMSU hopes to draw voters

While ASMSU officials said they are confident the undergraduate student government’s election - which begins today and ends Thursday - will run without a hitch, one concern still remains. “Elections should run smoothly, but voter turnout is the bigger question,” said Nimri Niemchak, ASMSU chief of staff. Students must be undergraduates who have not received a refund on the $13 ASMSU tax to vote in the student government election.

Police briefs 03/20/01

U student plans to run for city council

David Jirikovic thinks he has a great relationship with his East Lansing neighbors - he plowed their driveways in the winter, and they baked him cookies. It was the urgings of those neighbors that convinced the urban planning senior to run for one of two East Lansing City Council seats that will open up this year. “One of my main concerns is student-resident relations - it’s a mess right now,” he said.

Engler announces plans to give funding to Michigan airports

Gov. John Engler released plans Thursday to add an additional $12.7 million to the state’s plans for aeronautical improvements. “These important investments in our airport system will yield $10 billion in economic benefits to Michigan businesses and to our state,” Engler said in a written statement. The Michigan Aeronautics Commission already has approved federal and state funds for 19 projects, such as runway and taxiway rehabilitation, land acquisitions, lighting, terminal construction and design engineering.

Cold doesnt stop shamrock racers

Despite early morning temperatures of less than 30 degrees Saturday, more than 200 people gathered at Beaumont Tower to participate in the Shamrock 5K.The run, sponsored by the MSU Tower Guard, Powerhouse Gym, Student Book Store and the Pita Pit, was to benefit the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.Tower Guard social chairwoman Kristi Thomassaid because of the large turnout, Tower Guard ran out of numbers and T-shirts toward the end of registration.“We’re so excited, this was such a success,” said Thomas, a zoology sophomore.Amidst the chiming of the carillon and Sparty dancing to motivate the crowd, participants jumped up and down and ran short laps while trying to keep warm before the race began.

Event highlights global feminist opinions

More than 100 participants celebrated Women’s History Month at “Globalizing Women’s Studies: Feminist Perspectives” on Friday and Saturday at MSU.The conference, sponsored by the Women’s Studies and The Women and International Development programs, served as a kickoff to the new Women and Gender graduate specialization and the graduate specialization in Gender and the Environment.Marjorie Agosin, a professor at Wellesley College, spoke Friday night at the Kellogg Center Auditorium.

LCC to look at dance internship

Lansing Community College’s Board of Trustees may vote to eliminate the college’s dance program today in an effort to save money, but dance officials say they developed a solution to keep students pirouetting. Program officials want the college to offer professional dance internships with local companies, which school officials say could be possible. “I’m very positive they will see significant merit in the planning that has gone into this internship,” said Dianne Newman, director of Happendance School & Co., 3448 Hagadorn Road in Okemos.

Study drums for healthier living

MSU graduate student Carolyn Koebel is using drums to study good health for her master’s thesis. Her wellness study, titled “The Effects of Group Drumming on Selected Neuroendocrine Levels and Self-Reported Mood, Stress, Socialization and Journeying Experiences,” kicks off from 7 p.m.

U searches to uncover animals healing power

Animals can make a person’s face light up with joy, but they may also have the power to send blood pressure and stress levels down.Some MSU faculty and community members believe there’s more to learn about the human-animal link and they have joined to form the Human Animal Bond Initiative - an effort to uncover the hidden healing powers of animals.“The overall goal is to scientifically validate the importance of animals in the health and well-being of people and families,” said Lana Kaiser, a professor of nursing who is leading the project.

U researches Alzheimers

Some of MSU’s best scientists are working to gain some insight into why Alzheimer’s disease affects so many Americans.Dr. Daniel Murman, an assistant professor of neurology and opthamology, is involved with two projects on campus looking at different factors which contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.“Alzheimer’s is a very common degenerative disease of the brain where certain groups of nerve cells die,” Murman said.

E.L. pizzeria continues talks with state to reopen

The owner of Good Times Pizza is negotiating with the Michigan Department of Treasury to reopen the popular East Lansing pizzeria after the department seized the business last week, citing over due taxes. Robert Foss, owner of the pizzeria located at 615 E.

Police briefs 03/19/01

Speaker discusses politics at heritage month kickoff

To Mike Kueh, hearing Shamina Singh speak was an amazing opportunity.Singh, former executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, addressed an informal group of about 30 students, including Kueh, on Saturday night in McDonel Hall at the kickoff for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.Kueh, a telecommunication senior, said Singh’s address was a good way to get insight on how politics play a role in his community.“I think it just makes us better aware of where Asian Americans stand in the United States,” he said.Representation, unity and solidarity were all among issues addressed at the event, which was sponsored by the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students, the Asian and Pacific American Student Organization and the Residence Halls Association.Established by an executive order of former President Clinton in 1999, the initiative Singh worked in aimed to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through increased participation in federal programs where they could be underserved, such as health, human services, education and labor.Singh said to her, the initiative was a promise against hate crimes and discrimination, and for due process and prosperity in the United States.“The signing of this executive order opened a door for our community,” she said.Throughout her speech Singh stressed giving Asian Americans a louder voice.“I think it’s time that we stand up,” she said.

Global gender issues focus of conference

As part of Women’s History Month, three speakers will be on campus this weekend to discuss international gender issues.The conference, “Globalizing Women’s Studies: Feminist Perspectives,” kicks off today at 7 p.m.

Weekend dance brings fun for diverse crowd

Julie Levy-Weston describes contra dancing as “one of the few dance forms that thrusts a person of the opposite sex into your arms every 30 seconds.”Levy-Weston, the events planner for the MSU Museum, is coordinating the contra dance with the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association, an area organization dedicated to bringing arts back to Lansing.

Child enjoys fame on side of pop bottle

David and Becki Beaudoin have a new keepsake to remember their son’s childhood - that is, if he doesn’t drink it first. The couple recently received 12 bottles of Jones Cream Soda in the mail, complete with their 2-year-old son, Austin’s, pictures on the labels. The photograph helped them win a contest through Jones Soda Co., which is known for its wacky photo labels. They entered the contest last October at Union Central, a convenience store in the Union.