Skater's paradise

Matt Wein stands tall in a land of giants. The curly-haired 12-year-old stretches to almost five feet next to his older skatepark friends, but he warns that his skateboard skills are separate from his height. On a recent late afternoon, he waited among the silhouetted crowd for another chance to frontside boardslide the angled rail posing in front of them. Wein skates almost every day with his friends at the Ranney Skate Park, 300 Frandor Ave.

Accused murderer of prof set to begin trial

The man accused of the November killing of an MSU professor will stand trial today, when a judge is expected to decide if he is not guilty by reason of insanity. Bramlett Hamilton, 36, is accused of killing his mother and MSU professor Ruth Simms Hamilton.

Police briefs 04/20/04

Diversity among faculty increases

The total number of faculty members at MSU has decreased, but women and ethnic minorities make up a larger percentage of the group, according to a 2002-03 university report released last week.

Prof reflects on past ties to eco-underworld

Rik Scarce still refuses to reveal exactly what he knew about the militant environmentalists suspected of raiding and destroying animal research centers in the early 1990s. More than 10 years ago, a grand jury investigating a raid at Washington State University demanded the former MSU professor divulge information he obtained while researching radical activist groups. Scarce, then a doctoral student at Washington State, said he'd rather go to jail than betray the trust of his research subjects, who were suspected in attacks at MSU and elsewhere.

ASMSU members to elect new officials

Members of ASMSU will hold elections for Academic Assembly chair positions at 6:30 p.m. today on the third floor of Student Services. Assembly representatives and the public will question and debate the new assembly chairperson, internal vice chair and external vice chair for MSU's undergraduate student government.

Bill might ban 'tempting treats' in schools

Michigan's public school students might have to say goodbye to junk food and pop if one local lawmaker can gain support for his bill.

Engineers prepare for off-road tourney

The MSU Mini-Baja Team will compete at the Society of Automotive Engineers Mini-Baja West Competition from Thursday through Saturday in Portland, Ore.

E.L. City Council meeting to be held on campus

Interested residents and students will have the opportunity to attend the East Lansing City Council meeting tonight in the Union as part of a public hearing to discuss the city's budget. The council is scheduled to discuss next year's budget, which estimates a 2-percent decrease from the last fiscal year, among other topics on the agenda.

'U' student groups plan change of concert venue

A concert series planned for the fall welcome week might change venues to become a music festival at Munn Field. Members of ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, are moving forward in plans to program new events for the days before classes begin.

Strong spring winds hit city

Wind gusts barreled through East Lansing on Sunday night at speeds greater than 40 mph, tearing down tree branches and damaging some residents' belongings. Scott Kramer said he was watching television a little after 9 p.m.

Officials: Revisions for bylaws needed

On average, the Residence Halls Association passes about six bills per weekly meeting. Generally, at least one of those bills proposes a change to the constitution or bylaws, but officials in the organization say they are unconcerned with the revisions. So far this semester, RHA's General Assembly has passed 11 bills amending the organization's bylaws.

Dancers celebrate tradition in E.L.

With elaborate costumes in brilliant shades of purple, red and gold flowing around them, women of the Habibi Dancers swirled and shimmied across the stage. Their movements told the story of "The Resurrection of Osiris," the lover of the goddess Isis.

Honors & Rewards

It took only one semester for Daniel Bouk to choose associate history Professor David Bailey as his mentor. "I'd follow him back to his office like a lost puppy," said Bouk, a 2002 graduate. So when Bouk received one of the 2004 Andrew W.

Earth Day fest, forum set for Capitol lawn

A festival celebrating Earth Day will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday on the Capitol lawn in Lansing. More than 25 local environmental and farmland protection groups are expected to attend the event.

Classes ready for child development

The Department of Family and Child Ecology is accepting applications for a number of programs taking place at its Child Development Laboratory in the summer and fall.

WEB ONLY: Students learn to use field equipment at Plow Day

More than 30 horses stood patiently in their trailers Saturday morning, licking from pools of rain water and waiting to help out with MSU's Plow Day. The second Plow Day was held for members of MSU's draft horse class to learn how to use a field plow. "The students have been driving small carts and wagons since the third week of class, but this was the first time they plowed," said Cara O'Connor, a research assistant who teaches the class. The MSU Draft Horse program began in 1999 after two Belgian draft horses were donated to the school.

Fraternity 'totters' for McDonald house

The rock on Farm Lane, which changes colors about as often as a chameleon, was painted black on Friday afternoon.

Med students to host health care rally at Capitol for better patient care

"Eliminating Health Care Disparities: A prescription for the 21st Century," a health care rally sponsored by the MSU College of Human Medicine's American Medical Student Association, will take place from 1 p.m.

Volunteers cut hair to benefit Locks of Love

Tim Thatcher hasn't cut his hair in seven years, but on Sunday, he decided it was time for a change. The human biology junior had about 10 inches cut, and all of it went to the Locks of Love program. "I had been debating it and thinking about getting it cut," he said, adding that when he heard a Locks of Love event was taking place Sunday, he couldn't resist. All hair donated through the Locks of Love program benefits children under 18 years old with cancer or a medical condition that doesn't allow them to grow hair, and who can't afford a wig.