Homecoming parade one of MSU's largest

Three-year-old Ellie Yonker, of Lansing, watched the parade procession from the arms of her father, Jeff Yonker, as he pointed out this year's grand marshal riding past on Friday evening. Ellie and her family were a few of many who came out to see Kermit the Frog Friday in the MSU Homecoming parade. MSU alumni, students and East Lansing-area residents gathered downtown and on campus to watch the famous frog in what was called one of MSU's largest Homecoming parades. The parade began at the Hannah Community Center and ended on campus at IM Sports-Circle.

Walking for awareness

Patrick Lombardi says the fight against AIDS is long from over. "We're here today to raise money to support programs and services that are designed for people living with AIDS," Lombardi said Sunday to about 500 people who gathered at Valley Court Park to participate in the Lansing Area AIDS Network's 15th annual AIDS Walk.

Police briefs 10/02/06

MSU students help children grow food

Lansing — It was a giant one-sided game of tug-of-war. Their little hands held tightly to the rope Thursday morning. An instant later, the Lansing elementary students jerked the rope to make a plastic tarp cover the framework — they just made their own unheated greenhouse. The greenhouse, located behind Gunnisonville Elementary School in Lansing, is a collaboration between MSU students and the Lansing School District to grow food for low-income families. A small group of MSU students from the Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment, or RISE, helped the energized youngsters make the greenhouse. In upcoming weeks, MSU students will help the children plant their own garden, which in part will be used to supply the Greater Lansing Food Bank's Garden Project with fresh produce. Last year, about 20 community gardens in Mid-Michigan fed about 500 Lansing-area low-income families, said food bank director Sharon Krinock.

MSU students' assault hearing delayed

The preliminary examination scheduled for Wiley Graham, one of two MSU students charged in connection with an Aug.

Army offers possibility of free tuition

Medical and dental students have the opportunity to attend college tuition-free because of a new scholarship provided by the U.S.

Student group protests Coca-Cola corporation on campus

Students marched with drums in hand to the Administration Building Thursday because MSU administrators refused to cut ties with the Coca-Cola corporation. The Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ, organized the event and said about 30 people participated as they marched on the fourth floor of the building and recited chants about Coca-Cola. The group is campaigning against the soft drink company because of allegations of abusing workers' rights and murdering workers.

Politics of 'religious right'

America's youth aren't apathetic, they just need help changing the social fabric of the country, said a leading Christian commentator. Preaching social justice, Christian leader and best-selling author of "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It" Jim Wallis spoke Thursday night to about 1,100 people who packed the pews at The Peoples Church, 200 W.

DeVos would ban perks from lobbyists

Legislators might have to bid farewell to perks from lobbyists come Nov. 7. Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos said Tuesday he would stop legislators from getting their travel and entertainment expenses paid for by special interest groups if elected. "Special tickets and trips lavished upon state officials and lawmakers will not be tolerated in a DeVos administration," DeVos said in a statement Tuesday.

MSU names new university relations spokeswoman

University spokesman Terry Denbow confirmed Tuesday there is a new assistant vice president for university relations at MSU. "We were very pleased with the amount of interest we had in the search for this position," Denbow said.

Police briefs 09/28/06

Bubble tea business to open in E.L.

A new Malaysian restaurant will soon fill the vacated space on Grand River Avenue left by The Parlour on Campus. Ria Malaysian Restaurant will open in mid-October, owner Shirley Boucha said.

Cab service now delivers late-night Taco Bell fix to students

The midnight walk for munchies is a thing of the past now that Taco Bell food is available for delivery. Earlier this month, Holt-based Cab Cuisine became the new middleman for Taco Bell and MSU students.

Organic farm sells produce harvest weekly

The aroma of fresh produce can be smelled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday in front of the MSU Auditorium on Farm Lane. The scent comes courtesy of the Student Organic Farm stand, which is put on weekly by the Ecological Food and Farm Stewardship. The stand offers organic fruits and vegetables grown locally at the Student Organic Farm, which is located 3 miles south of campus.

Vocal group to sing this weekend

The MSU Accafellas will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Fairchild Theater. The concert will be held in celebration of the organization's 10th anniversary, member Matt Tanski said. The MSU Accafellas is one of MSU's premier all-male a capella groups.

Toronto to buy own landfill for use after contract ends

Canadians might have an alternative to dumping trash in Michigan landfills in just four years. After about three months of shopping around for a non-Michigan landfill, the City of Toronto announced last week its intent to purchase the Green Lane Landfill in southwestern Ontario, Canada. But the city will continue to dispose of its solid municipal waste in Michigan until its contract ends in 2010 with Wayne County-based Carleton Farms Landfill — the only state landfill where Toronto exports its trash. Stuart Green, spokesman for Toronto Mayor David Miller, said the Toronto City Council approved a "letter of intent," which means city officials will have about 90 days to approve the agreement. "It's sort of one step shy from an actual purchase," Green said.

Michigan Botanical Club to host open house

The Michigan Botanical Club will host a field trip to view plants native to Michigan on Saturday. Five acres filled with a variety of shrubs and plant life will be available to explore.

RHA hosts concerts through fall

The Residence Halls Association is bringing a series of concerts to MSU's campus. Up-and-coming indie-rock band Hit the Lights will perform Oct.

Dinosaur Dash to be held Sunday morning

The MSU Federal Credit Union Dinosaur Dash will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday at the MSU Museum. Proceeds from the 5K race will benefit education programs at the MSU Museum, which houses the area's only full-mounted stegosaurus and allosaurus casts. The event will also include the Museum Mile, for children ages 12 and younger, and the Mini-Dash, a 200-yard race for children 6 and younger. The MSU Federal Credit Union has helped raise more than $200,000 since the company began sponsoring the event more than 20 years ago.

Searching for work

Bachelor's degree — check. And now, Amanda Cochrane is on her way to landing a job — or so she hopes. The 28-year-old, who graduated from Davenport University in August, is instead facing a stagnant Michigan economy with an unemployment rate at 7.1 percent, as of last month. "That puts us tied for the worst (in the nation)," said Jim Rhein, an economic analyst for Lansing-based Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Cochrane, an Eaton Rapids resident, doubts her chances for finding work in Michigan, but she spent Tuesday afternoon with 2,000 other job-seekers at the Michigan Works!