Soda struggle

Two-liter bottles of Faygo and Vernors were among a clutter of paper cups on a foldout table in front of the rock on Farm Lane on Monday afternoon. "Get a drink of justice," a member of Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ, called out to passing students. The group organized a Michigan pop taste fest to promote the use of local beverages and play down the use of Coca-Cola Co. products. English senior and SEJ member Rachel Fealk said the group believes managers at the Coca-Cola bottling facilities in Colombia hired paramilitary groups to kill eight union leaders and harass other employees and their families.

Tutoring project to aid New Orleans

In the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, garbage still lined the streets and hugged the edges of damaged houses one month ago. Chain-linked fences remained collapsed from the weight of uprooted trees.

Cell phone collection event rescheduled

Liberty Tax Service offices in the Lansing area canceled last Saturday's event to collect old cell phones due to bad weather conditions. The company will trade in the donated cell phones for cash, which will pay for 60-minute calling cards for soldiers in Iraq.

Bandit arrested, linked to 6 Mich. robberies

Local police and FBI agents are investigating to see if the man who robbed an Okemos bank Friday is the "Michael Moore bandit." An armed man drove away in a gray 1990s BMW after robbing National City Bank, 2260 Jolly Oak Road, at about 1 p.m.

Police briefs 01/24/06

Book helps bridge languages

Two different languages from opposite ends of the world share something in common. Dr. H.C. Tien decoded the Chinese and English language and discovered a link between them — that there are similar pen motions to form the letters in the two languages. Tien said that there are only 10 strokes that a person makes with a pen to write the letters in both languages. Tien's alphabet simplifies the Chinese language in his book, "Little Dot," so it is easier to teach children how to write Chinese characters.

Board adjusts auditing policies

For the first time, MSU's external auditors will be able to reapply to retain their positions after their six-year renewable contracts expire. Plante & Moran, an external auditing firm based in the Midwest with an office in East Lansing, was selected as the auditor for the next fiscal year on Jan.

Police briefs 01/23/06

Presidential planner

Each week, The State News will bring you a glimpse of some of the public events MSU President Lou Anna K.

Suspect in armed robbery at large

An armed man robbed an Okemos National City Bank at about 1 p.m. Friday, Meridian Township police Sgt.

Today is last day to recycle holiday trees

Today is the last day to put holiday trees at the curb to be picked up for recycling. The City of East Lansing will turn the old trees into mulch for use in various parks. Trees should be free of decorations and tree stands and out of bags.

Collecting for a common cause

By Katie Luscombe Special for The State News Volunteers stood at the doors of the MSU men's basketball game Saturday, hoping to collect spare change or canned food donations. While some diverted their eyes from the collection-bucket holders, there were many fans in the crowd who gave to the MSU Student Food Bank's fundraiser. Kristin Moretto, director of the MSU Student Food Bank, watched this happen over and over at Saturday's fundraiser held at Breslin Center during the MSU vs.

Word on the street: What do you think of East Lansing's downtown student rental situation?

"(I live in Lansing) because I had to take what I could get. There's not enough options if you wait until the middle of August to start looking." Ed Morrison Economics senior Lansing resident "There are a lot of options.

Work consultants available to students

The Youth Development Corporation is offering employment counseling to people between 16 and 21 years old who are looking for a job.

Council approves office park site plan

New office buildings are planned to join the explosion of recent developments in East Lansing's Northern Tier. A roughly 140-acre plot of marshy land covered by leaning oaks, the overgrown remnants of a pine tree farm and plowed earth could make way for a new road as soon as early summer. The site is located west of Coolidge Road, near the Chandler Crossings apartment complexes, and south of East Lansing's Department of Public Works, 1800 E.

New rentals at risk in 2 E.L. neighborhoods

Sara Liberacki likes where she lives. The neighborhood is quiet, it's close to campus and her immediate neighbors also are students. The kinesiology senior and three of her friends rent a house on the corner of Linden Street and Hagadorn Road — on the edge of an area that could soon be unwelcoming to such properties. In response to a petition signed by residents of the Southeast Marble Neighborhood, the city is considering blocking any new rental properties in the area bounded by Burcham Drive to the north and Hagadorn Road to the west. A similar proposal for the Walnut Heights neighborhood, directly to the north, is heading to the East Lansing Planning Commission. The East Lansing City Council is seeking public input at its Feb.

Gift of Life challenges MSU

By Caitlyn Kienitz Special for The State News Frank Ferro, 47, plays volleyball four nights a week. The game had been his hobby for years, but the games put on hold two years ago when he received a kidney transplant. The Lansing resident received the kidney from his brother Patrick Ferro on January 19, 2004. "Our family's really close," said Ferro, a state of Michigan employee.

Court-ordered ballot language to be set today

The Michigan Board of Canvassers will meet today to certify the ballot language of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative and place the proposal on the ballot for the November election. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m.

WEB EXTRA: RHA president insists tax increase needed to continue services

The Residence Halls Association needs an increase in its annual student tax to absorb the mounting costs of operation, RHA officials said Wednesday. RHA President Kevin Newman said during his State of the Organization address that all of the students' tax dollars have been well spent, but more money might be needed. "The costs of doing business are constantly rising, and RHA's desire to provide the best possible services to our residents will not ever decrease," Newman said during his address.

Feedback wanted for new county controller

Ingham County is beginning a search for a new County Controller. The Ingham County Board of Commissioners has invited public feedback in its search, and will hold a public meeting today from 5:30-7:30 p.m.