New council members look to revitalize city with youth

Lansing's student population could increase if the new Lansing council members have anything to do with it. Newly elected members Tim Kaltenbach and Kathie Dunbar both said they want Lansing to be more attractive to younger people and want to give the city a night life. "I'd like to see our downtown open at night, with galleries and shopping and restaurants and coffee houses that are open," Dunbar said.

Word on the street: What do you think the East Lansing mayor does?

"I definitely can't tell you what his name is here. But I think a mayor's job is to be a visionary, to have a focus or vision for his time in office.

Assault program honored

Twenty-five years ago, MSU formed one of the first on-campus sexual assault programs in the country. The program was started by students wanting to respond to sexual assault on campus, said Carmen Lane, the advocacy coordinator for the Sexual Assault Crisis & Safety Education Program. A room full of about 40 volunteers, university, local officials, and past and present coordinators celebrated the 25th anniversary of the program on Tuesday. Although the program has grown in many ways, such as having more full-time staff positions, the core values of the program have remained the same, Lane said. "Student volunteers are the core of who we are," she said.

Apartments to replace destroyed home

A three-story apartment complex with space for 12 occupants will be constructed on Evergreen Avenue where the hollowed remains from a June house fire still stand. Each four-person apartment will include four bedrooms, a kitchen and living space, said the property's owner Matt Hagan, an agent with Hagan Reality Inc. A parking lot for at least 12 cars will be located behind the complex, he said. Hagan owned the house at 404 Evergreen Ave., north of campus near the Valley Court Park, when a June fire caused an estimated $175,000 in damages. Hagan decided to submit plans for a small apartment building because the house would be too costly to repair, and the property's proximity to campus would be attractive to students.

China will be focus of Broad business forum

The third annual Greater China Supply Chain Forum will be held from 8:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday at the Kellogg Center.

Organization seeks funds to benefit children's hospital

A group of MSU students addressed envelopes to potential donors Monday in order to raise money for children's medical research. Up 'til Dawn, an organization that raises money for St.

Groups protest SN editorial cartoon, support U.S. military troops

About 25 people gathered outside of The State News, 435 E. Grand River Ave., on Monday in response to Friday's editorial cartoon. From about 1 to 3 p.m., protesters occupied both sides of the street in front of the building chanting, passing out information about the cartoon and carrying signs and an American flag. The cartoon, by State News cartoonist Mike Ramsey, featured a World War II veteran saying "I liberated a torture camp back in '45" to a modern-day soldier. The soldier, shown holding a bloody baseball bat with a nail at the end, responds by saying "I work in one." International relations junior Dave Coogan participated in the protest and said the cartoon's release on Veterans Day was distasteful. "I was really disappointed in The State News," Coogan said.

Panel of experts promote healthy images

Problems with body image might be more common than people think. With images of celebrities everywhere, from magazine racks in supermarkets to advertisements on billboards, most people deal with body image issues at some point in their lives and eating disorders are becoming more prevalent, said Dave Novicki, a professor and counselor at the MSU Counseling Center. The problems with body image are not going away anytime soon and prompted a panel discussion on Monday night held by the campus group Respecting and Understanding Body Image, or RUBI. The group works to promote positive body images and increase eating disorder awareness. "We have a lot of people that are not 'eating disordered,'" he said.

Police briefs 11/15/05

Charitable MSU alum fuses GM and university

Gerald Elson said he fell in love with MSU for the first time while touring the cattle barns with his local chapter of the former Future Farmers of America in the 1950s. Even though he was surrounded by Michigan's farmland in Merrill while growing up, encouragement from Elson's high school teachers got him thinking more about the world of machines. "When I graduated from my school, everyone said, 'You should be an engineer,'" Elson said.

Safety, crisis program celebrates 25 years

The MSU Counseling Center's Sexual Assault Crisis and Safety Education Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary, with a reception at 4:30 p.m.

Bill could revise gun laws

While deer hunters across the state gather their guns for opening day, legislation in the state House could make it easier for people to transport firearms in their vehicles. According to Michigan law, it is illegal to transport a firearm unless the owner has a hunting license, is traveling to or from a firing range or has a concealed weapons permit. The legislation would amend the state law to allow people who own firearms to transport them in the trunk of a vehicle, while unloaded, without a hunting license or a concealed weapons permit.

Lansing parade salutes veterans

By Tara Thoel Special to The State News The contributions that veterans have made to the United States should be celebrated every day, said Capt.

Changes proposed for condom labels

In an effort to better educate consumers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants condom labels to warn that they are not effective in preventing all types of STDs — especially those transferred by skin-on-skin contact. If the aim of this change is to provide better information for condom users, rather than scare people, Olin Health Center Health Coordinator Dennis Martell said he thinks it is a good idea. "Any time you can give knowledge to anyone using contraceptives, it helps them make better decisions," he said.

Global cultures showcased at festival

Lan Truong was on a mission Sunday at Global Festival 2005 in the Union. The supply chain management junior was so busy having her "passport" signed by representatives from the more than 25 campus international groups that she had to get a second one.

MSU honors distinguished alumni

As a graduate student at MSU, Linda Nelson lived in the Paolucci Building for six weeks at a time. Nelson studied home management, a program that is extinct today, and lived in the building as an instructor with other female students as part of the program. "It was really lots of fun," she said.

Police briefs 11/14/05

Online survey hacked into, must be redone

Students had the option of completing the annual dining halls survey last week, but now Food Services Coordinator Bruce Haskell is asking them to redo it because of the possibility that someone tampered with the results. The survey — used for feedback about residence dining halls — was initially sent to students through e-mail by Housing and Food Services on Nov.

Senate votes to protect private land

Michigan senators approved legislation this week to keep governments from seizing landowners' private property for public use. A constitutional amendment passed 35-3 which would change the state constitution to keep governments from forcing private landowners to sell their land to be used by governments for economic development or increased tax revenues.

Proposal would give voice students longer lessons

Kyle Harwood has a 60-minute, one-on-one lesson with his voice professor each week, but he said he could always use more time. To keep up with competitive programs at other universities, such as the University of Michigan, the MSU School of Music is looking to increase the amount of practice time available for undergraduates as part of a proposed curriculum update. "Making voice lessons longer for a performance major can only make it better," said Harwood, a vocal music performance sophomore.