City resident to run for council seat

Vic Loomis has done his hometown homework.After attending elementary school, middle school, high school and college in East Lansing as well as spending several years in community organizations, Loomis says he’s learned enough about the city to run for a seat on the East Lansing City Council.“It’s a community full of diversities and a community that’s a great place to live, raise a family, go to school, own a business, work and visit,” he said.“I want to be part of the team that continues the momentum that this community has going in all of those areas.”Loomis, 54, who has lived in East Lansing since 1949, is in his eighth year as chairman of the Downtown Development Authority.

E.L. looks to trim budget

East Lansing city officials are seeking $325,000 hiding somewhere in the city’s $50 million budget.The East Lansing City Council held the first of three scheduled work sessions Tuesday to help determine how it can stop the 2001-2002 budget from dipping into the city’s $2.8 million savings.“This is the first budget I’ve seen on council where we’ve drawn upon reserves,” Mayor Mark Meadows said.

Police briefs 04/10/01

RHA, Red Cross urge students to give donations for final campus blood drive

If you do one thing before the end of the year, the Residence Halls Association asks this - save three lives. The last RHA-sponsored blood drive of the year is taking place from 1 p.m.

Candidates for LCC trustee positions face no competition

Three of the seven Board of Trustee positions at Lansing Community College were up for grabs until 4 p.m.

Legislators bill asks to sample all felons DNA

MASON - State legislators and Ingham County law officials revealed a new bill Monday that would require DNA samples from all future convicted felons in Michigan.The bill, written by state Rep.

Candidate problems result in new election

While newly elected ASMSU representatives took their respective seats last week, Charles Beachnau did not have a spot reserved.That is because Beachnau, who won his bid for a Student Assembly College of Agriculture and Natural Resources representative seat last month, is awaiting the results of an ASMSU special election, which is scheduled to end Wednesday.

GEU members, officials discuss campaign

University officials met with members of the Graduate Employees Union on Monday to address concerns about an anti-union campaign. “In the course of our discussion, the union raised some particularistic concerns about material (circulated by the graduate school),” said Bob Banks, assistant vice provost for Academic Human Resources.

E.L. officials to address unbalanced budget

High health care costs and low census numbers are just two of the factors leaving East Lansing’s proposed 2001-02 budget unbalanced. The budget includes a plan to use $325,000 in savings to help cover gaps left by those factors and the scale-tipping costs of new recreational facilities. Gary Murphy, East Lansing’s director of finance, said the city council will have to resort to reducing costs or raising revenue if it wants to avoid dipping into savings. “Neither are easy,” he said.

Union mural to display distinguished, influential faculty

MSU faculty, students and visitors walking into the Union Station Cafeteria will be greeted by 13 faculty members who have been part of the university since 1855.While the people will not be able to shake the visitors’ hands, they will be present in a 55-foot mural on the north wall of the cafeteria.“These 13 individuals are some of the most influential faculty members since the beginning of the university,” said James Sheppard, director of the Union.

Locals take advantage of warm weather

The sun shined at times on Monday on MSU’s campus - reminiscent of last weekend’s weather, when warmer temperatures and sunny skies brought people outdoors.Some people barbecued, others warmed up for upcoming exams by reading in the sun, and a few even tried for a summer tan.But within 24 hours of the 70-degree temperatures and clear skies, the reality of April showers set in.

Activists criticize new domestic abuse law

A new law aimed at decreasing domestic violence has some activist groups saying it will have a negative impact on those who are abused.The law allows doctors to provide police the names of abusers of domestic violence without consequence.

U hosts Model United Nations conference

Nick Kowalczyk wants Soviet troops to pull out of Afghanistan.The senior at Novi High School was one of more than 80 students participating in MSU’s first-ever Model United Nations conference, which puts high school students in the roles of U.N.

Assembly leaders to be elected

As MSU’s undergraduate student government continues efforts to fill its representative seats, the time has come for the election of new leaders as well. During business meetings Tuesday and Thursday, ASMSU representatives will elect chairpersons and vice chairpersons for both the Academic and Student assemblies’ new sessions.

Residents enjoy moonlight stroll

OKEMOS - Before they camped out in a tent in the living room for the night, six-year-olds Renee Bieler and Marissa Cash came to Harris Nature Center to see the moon and maybe some deer. But what they really wanted Friday were moon deer. The best friends agreed the fictional creature they imagined is all white with a “moon nose” - certainly a different breed than the white-tailed deer normally found snacking around the nature center. The two girls and other nature enthusiasts gathered at Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, for the first Moonlight Stroll of the season.

Dinner displays students gourmet talents

Students in the School of Hospitality Business were able to showcase their talents Saturday evening with the 50th anniversary of Les Gourmets.Les Gourmets, an annual student-run event, offers guests a fine dining experience put on by students and graduates.

Womens basketball team helps fight child abuse

LANSING - Gray skies and rainy weather didn’t stop the MSU women’s basketball team from completing the 11th annual 5K walk/run Saturday to help combat child abuse in Lansing. “I haven’t put one of these on since track season last year,” said 6-foot-1 freshman forward Julie Pagel, while pinning her race identification number on her shirt.

Police briefs 04/09/01

CMU approves same-sex partner benefits

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University is extending same-sex partner benefits to its administrators and other nonunion employees.

Mural exhibits baseball, cars

LANSING - It was a night of firsts for Lansing Lugnuts fan Jim Manley, who attended the team’s home opener against the West Michigan Whitecaps on Thursday at Oldsmobile Park. It was the first time the former Oldsmobile employee and the 6,500 fans in attendance saw the minor league baseball team play this season and the first time they could view a colorful “Hall of History” mural on the south wall of the stadium, which is dedicated to Lansing’s automobile and baseball heritage. Two things Manley knows well. “It shows how much cars are a part of American culture - just like baseball,” he said.