Universities create alliance

MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University publicly announced an alliance Tuesday called the University Research Corridor. As part of the alliance, the three universities will work to enhance research capabilities within the state of Michigan and boost the unstable economy. "I hope certainly that this will help young people when they are looking for jobs," U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said in a conference call Tuesday. Within the last five years, the three universities combined have averaged one new patent per day, and these advancements have led to 500 new agreements for further research or private company usage. Officials from the universities said they hope the collaboration will bring competition to Michigan during this time when globalization is key, MSU President Lou Anna K.

Warm weather inspires free hugs

Free hugs were given away by Lisa Eddy and Kate Dimitry on the corner of Farm and Shaw lanes Tuesday. Why?

Forum to show aftermath of drunken driving

The student organization Spartans Against Drunk Driving, or SADD, will host an open forum at 7 p.m. Sunday, in the Wonders Hall Kiva to give students and community members the opportunity to share their drunken driving-related experiences with others. Amy Gnotek, president and founder of the organization, described the event as "an open-mic night for anyone to come and share a story about how drunken driving has affected them." She said anyone who has lost someone because of a drunken driver or who was arrested for drunken driving will be able to speak. "We want the community to hear about the consequences of drunken driving," Gnotek said.

Mich. bill to OK marijuana use will likely stall

Michigan lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday for a medicinal marijuana bill that isn't likely to pass before the end of the year. The 2005 bill states a patient with a "debilitating medical condition" — such as cancer or glaucoma — will not be subject to arrest or prosecution for using appropriate dosages of marijuana in Michigan to relieve pain.

Drum class brings African culture to Lansing area

Lansing — Tom Machowicz's blue eyes opened wide with passion every time he spoke of the West African Malinké people during breaks from playing djembe at Magdalena's Tea House in Lansing. "Guinea is the poorest nation in the world, but it's probably the richest in drum music," he said. Machowicz spent a month in Guinea two years ago while studying traditional West African drum music. On Monday night, Machowicz taught the last of three $15 monthly classes to about 11 beginning drum players. Most of the participants played the djembe, a West African hand drum made of a tree trunk, metal rings, rope and goat skin.

Centennial commission searching for photos

Historic photographs and objects that represent East Lansing are being sought by the East Lansing Centennial Commission.

Police briefs 11/28/06

Officials: Web site porn is coincidental

Visitors to the Lansing City Council's Web site are in for a surprise if they click on the headline to view the council's newsletter. When visitors access the Web site at http://council.cityoflansingmi.com/cnews.html, the Lansing City Council's newsletter page appears.

Renovated dorms to offer a variety of dining choices

Students will have seven different food stations to choose from next fall in the new marketplace style cafeteria in the renovated Snyder and Phillips halls. "Students will have a multiplicity of choices to pick from with this marketplace setup," said Bruce Haskell, associate director of university housing dining services.

Council to discuss possible ordinance banning homeless from parking structures

A potential ordinance for homeless people residing in parking garages and a downtown redevelopment project are among the items being discussed by the East Lansing City Council at its meeting tonight. The council members are looking to create an ordinance, which would deal with homeless people who take residence in some of the city's parking structures. "The purpose of the council meeting is to find out what the council would like to do about it," Assistant City Attorney Tom Yeadon said.

Student shot with airsoft gun in dorm

A 19-year-old Butterfield Hall resident suffered a pea-sized wound in his head when he was shot with an airsoft gun. The incident occurred at about 11:45 p.m.

Tails wag for technology

For about a year, animals recovering from injuries or surgeries have used the MSU Advanced Rehabilitation Center for Animals as their springboard to recovery. Whether it's through a therapeutic ultrasound, an electrical stimulation, a balance beam or the innovative underwater treadmill, animal owners have called on the center's modern technology to get their pets back on their paws. "We get about five or six patients a day," said Patrick LeBlanc, director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which houses the rehabilitation center.

Single Business Tax to be debated Wednesday

Michigan's Senate Finance Committee will hear testimony on tax replacements for the Single Business Tax on Wednesday afternoon. Michigan lawmakers have about two more weeks in this session to find a replacement for the hotly debated Single Business Tax, which is set to expire in 2007. Gov.

CDC: Get flu shot now to avoid sickness during winter season

This month is the time to get a flu shot before the influenza season hits in full force later this winter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 77 million doses of the flu vaccine already have been distributed across the country, and East Lansing residents can get theirs at Olin Health Center. The vaccine has a subsidized price of $15 for MSU students. "I've always thought the really old and the really young were the ones who needed it," said Lisa McDonald, who is studying to be a doctor. The premedical sophomore said she has no intention of getting a flu shot.

Open forum to heighten drunken driving awareness

After an increase in the area's drunken driving-related offenses, a group of MSU students said, it's time to raise awareness about how drinking and driving affects the community To promote awareness about drunken driving, Amy Gnotek, president and founder of Spartans Against Drunken Driving, or SADD, has helped organize a survivor forum giving students and community members the opportunity to share their drunken driving-related experiences with others. "It's basically an open-mic night for anyone to come and share a story about how drunken driving has affected them," Gnotek said.

December graduation speakers announced

December graduates will hear commencement speeches from Kay Koplovitz, Deborah L. Wince-Smith and Andrea Van de Kamp. Koplovitz will speak at the 10 a.m.

Film festival to honor E.L.'s 100th birthday

In honor of East Lansing's 100th birthday in 2007, the East Lansing Children's Film Festival is seeking submissions for its spring event. It's looking for live action or documentary films to be 30 seconds in length, suitable for all ages and submitted by Michigan residents.

Playboy model sneaks into city's Web site

When Lansing City Council Web site visitors view the council's newsletter, they ordinarily find information about how the council is amending its rules. But one click on the council's headlining link, and visitors will be sent to a pornographic Web site with a picture of a naked woman on the page. The Lansing City Council's Newsletter Web site at http://council.cityoflansingmi.com/cnews.html takes visitors to a photo of Feather Frazier baring it all in a 2002 photo for Playboy magazine.

Students win 1st place in national business competition

Three MSU students took top honors at the first ever Fisher Biz Quiz National Challenge. Sponsored by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. and The Wall Street Journal, the competition focused on how well these students knew business-related current events. The group took first place and brought home a $3,000 check in the process. Helen Dashney, director of Eli Broad College of Business' financial market institute and the group's adviser, said she saw the students come out of their shells. "Once they started working together, they took on a real competitive spirit and were really able to play off each other's strengths," she said.

MSU researchers turn secret police code into chemistry lab

Two MSU researchers took pages from a history book, unlocked East Germany's secret police code inscribed on them and turned the entire operation into an interactive chemistry lab — all the while making history. The pair, Lyman Briggs School science historian Kristie Macrakis and assistant professor of chemistry Ryan Sweeder, spent the last two years analyzing archives uncovered from the Stasi, the former East German secret police during the Cold War. The Stasi used a technique of printing hidden text on carbon paper infused with the chemical cerium oxalate, which was only visible after being activated by a separate chemical agent, Macrakis said. Macrakis received the declassified Stasi documents while she was studying in Germany before and after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. "It's not just your magic pen; it's a lot more sophisticated," she said.