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NEWS

MSU student loses in Jeopardy! College Championship semifinals

The year 1215 will be forever ingrained in Tara Franey’s mind. After missing a daily double question, Franey, a biosystems engineering senior, lost in the semifinals of the “2008 Jeopardy! College Championship” during an episode that aired May 12. “I had a daily double and it was on the Magna Carta,” Franey said.

MICHIGAN

City expects large turnout for City Center II work session

East Lansing City Council members will discuss the $117 million City Center II project for the first time formally since April during a work session Tuesday. The work session is set for 7 p.m. at 54-B District Court, Courtroom 2, 101 Linden St. East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton said the council will discuss slight modifications made to the project, like moving the townhouses away from Valley Court Park. Staton said the session was moved to a larger room in anticipation of public turnout due to the issue’s controversial nature among East Lansing residents. The mixed-use project, which includes a 10-story building, would span from Abbot Road to Valley Court Park along Grand River Avenue, and would combine apartments and townhouses with office and retail space.

NEWS

Police Brief 05/13/08

About $600 worth of damage was done to a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab Tuesday in the Abbot Hall parking loop, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said. The victim, a 35-year-old male with no university affiliation, reported the damage between 10:30 a.m.

NEWS

Aiming high

Fly balls weren’t the only thing that had attendees of the Lansing Lugnuts game looking up Friday night. Neil Sauter dazzled the crowd with a performance on stilts, meant for more than entertainment.

MICHIGAN

Scooter popularity ups with gas costs

MSU students aren’t the only ones zipping around East Lansing on their scooters as temperatures and gas prices in East Lansing climb – there also has been an increase in scooter sales as middle-aged residents begin trading in their four wheels for two. Bruce Uhal, an MSU physiology professor, said he recently purchased a scooter from Campus Scooter, 412 Albert Ave., because of the money he saves on gasoline, not to mention the free and easy parking on campus. “It really makes the most sense right now,” Uhal said.

MICHIGAN

Mich. residents lose financial optimism

Personal finances are a source of concern for adults across the state, according to MSU’s quarterly State of the State Survey. The random telephone survey, which is conducted about four times each year by MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, was established in 1994.

MSU

CATA announces summer bus routes

With the end of the spring semester came the conclusion of the Capital Area Transportation Authority’s Spartan Service until August 18. Summer service changes were outlined in a CATA news release, including fewer frequent routes, detours and in some instances, discontinued campus operation entirely. Route 1 no longer operates Friday and Saturday Late Night Service after 11:15 p.m.

NEWS

Chandler, Abbot roads traffic to be detoured

Drivers traveling south on Chandler Road toward campus will not be able to turn left onto Lake Lansing Road beginning Tuesday because of construction, according to the Department of Public Works. Drivers will be able to turn left again beginning May 27.

NEWS

Hike in gas prices forces drivers to rethink habits

Okemos resident B.J. Rycus has been shutting his car off at drive-thrus, consolidating car trips and spending less time on the road, he said. With Lansing-area gas prices approaching $4, Rycus said he is getting more pessimistic at the pump because of the amount of driving his work requires. Gas companies will continue increasing prices until people make changes in the way they consume gas, he said. AAA Michigan spokesperson Jim Rink said Sunday’s gas average in Lansing was $3.82 per gallon.

NEWS

ELPD still searching for Cedar Fest information

Matthew Kirvan won’t give up his Cedar Fest video footage to the police for any price. Kirvan, a marketing junior and co-creator of the YouTube.com video “Cedar Fest 2008: Michigan State 101,” said he was e-mailed by a detective inquiring about the video but is avoiding contact with the police. “Everybody has a right to videotape any type of public gathering,” Kirvan said.

NEWS

Benefits banned

Although Penny Gardner has been with her partner for 11 years, they still don’t depend on each other when it comes to their health. As a visiting professor in Women, Gender and Social Justice, Gardner isn’t enrolled for health benefits due to her fixed term on campus.

NEWS

MSU student advances to 'Jeopardy!' semifinals

After her win in the quarterfinals of the “2008 Jeopardy! College Championship” on Friday, Tara Franey, a biosystems engineering senior, is now one step closer to the $100,000 grand prize as she moves on to the semifinals. Nine students will compete in three episodes for a place in the two-game final match this week, according to the Jeopardy!

MICHIGAN

Mother's Day activities draw crowds despite rain

Though Mother’s Day came in the midst of dreary weather and an even drearier economy, local business owners and event organizers said the holiday was still a success. Despite the rain, an outdoor Mother’s Day event hosted by Woldumar Nature Center and the Mid Michigan Photography Club drew 300 to 400 people. “We had a splendid turnout, I couldn’t believe how many people came,” said Lori McSweeny, executive director for Woldumar. The event, Wildflower Weekend, was held Saturday and Sunday at Woldumar Nature Center, 5739 Old Lansing Road in Lansing and featured an art show and pancake breakfast.