WEB ONLY: Coffeelovers get a taste of "Spartan Spirit"

The residents of small farming villages in countries such as Nicaragua are benefiting from the work of Sparty's Cafes and MSU's Real Food Group, which works to improve the global food system. Earlier this month Sparty's Cafes and Coffeehouses started serving "Spartan Spirit," a Fair Trade certified coffee blend that is bought from the farmers at a higher wage to raise standards of living.

'U' to partner with Homeland Security in food research

As a partner in a new agricultural security center, MSU will use a portion of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant to develop methods of identifying contaminated foods and preventing terrorist tampering while food is in transit.

Professor honored as Sloan Research Fellow

An MSU chemistry professor has joined a group of 116 young scientists and economists who were honored as Sloan Research Fellows. Assistant Professor Aaron Odom will use the $40,000 grant for the two-year period to continue research in forming carbon nitrogen bonds. Odom, who has been at MSU for five years, leads a research group of undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students. "Nationwide, certainly there's a lot of people and I'm very honored to be on the list," Odom said. Odom said he's also excited for the options the extra money can provide. Department of Chemistry chairman John McCracken said the highly competitive research fellowship speaks well for the university. "These awards are given to the best young faculty and chemistry throughout the country," he said. The Sloan Research Fellowship Program awarded $4.64 million in its 49th year.

Forestry bill might fund local fire departments

Lawmakers in the state House have proposed a method for funding local fire departments that is starkly different than an earlier proposal to raise the state liquor tax. Republican leaders in the House instead are advocating that local governments and certain school districts sell forest lands that the state claims when the property owners don't pay taxes. Under the proposal, half of the revenue would go to the local government unit and the other would go to the state. Keith Ledbetter, spokesman for Speaker of the House Rick Johnson, R-Leroy, said that the plan would produce about $28 million in revenue in its first year. According to Ledbetter, $12 million of that revenue would go to fully funding fire grants that the state provides to local fire departments for the protection of state-owned buildings.

Campaign seeks to mediate file sharing

The Get Real Campaign, which started about two months ago, is looking to get college students and the Recording Industry Association of America to discuss alternatives to illegal file sharing. Campaign director Ethan Clay said the group is looking to get information out to college campuses after a second round of lawsuits were announced Wednesday.

Q & A with President McPherson

MSU President M. Peter McPherson sat down with several State News staff members, who asked him questions about recent university events. SN: Why the move to Grand Rapids? MPM: We have a very good medical school, but I think it's also true that with support, resources and help, we could have, academically, an extremely strong medical school.

Last Oldsmobile rolls off line

Lansing -The last Oldsmobile ever to roll off the assembly line was welcomed Thursday in a private ceremony at the Lansing Car Assembly plant.

A second home

It's mid-afternoon on Monday when the call comes in. The tone goes off - one single beep, followed by a deep male voice over a loudspeaker.

Police briefs 04/30/04

WEB ONLY: RHA to redesign four committees, dissolve two

At its last meeting of the semester, the Residence Halls Association decided to undertake a rather large issue - the General Assembly voted on restructuring all four standing committees. The bill, which passed the assembly, 17-0-2, Wednesday, will take effect in the fall.

Students honor 2 professors

Byron Brown has been in the Honors College for decades. A current economics professor, he's been an undergraduate adviser in economics for the Honors College and has sat on committees that have decided nominees for different academic awards. For all he's given, he's received some, too. Brown is a recipient of the 2004 Honors College Award for Distinguished Contributions to Honors Students, an annual award given based on nominations from current and former students.

WEB ONLY: E.L. school board seeks candidates to fill empty spots

Get 'em while they're hot - seats on the East Lansing Public School Board are open for a limited time to anyone willing to sign their name on the dotted line.

Custodian uses illness to teach sun's danger

Helen Mindiola was quiet as she went about her work, changing the paper towel roll in the first-floor Main Library bathrooms.

'U' lab tests Nikes, Asics, others for Runner's World

In a Fee Hall lab sits a pile of running shoes. Nike, Reebok, Asics and Adidas pile as far as the eye can see as technicians run two shoe design and testing research labs. The Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratories were developed to test different types of shoes.

WEB ONLY: Mechanical engineering students use talents for therapy

For mechanical engineering senior Sumedh Mokashi, the smiles he sees on the faces of three children eagerly trying out their new therapy cycle puts his major into perspective. "Look at him, he's so happy," Mokashi said.

Suspects arraigned for fraternity fight

East Lansing police have arrested and arraigned three men in connection with an April 4 assault on Grand River Avenue. In that assault, which police said started near the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, 1148 E.

Police briefs 04/29/04

Complex continues services with expansion

Nick Archer's involvement in East Lansing soccer dates back more than 30 years to his days on the MSU national championship teams. As the head coach for both the boys and girls varsity soccer teams at East Lansing High School, Archer said the East Lansing Soccer Complex, 3001 Abbott Road, is an important part of continuing the soccer tradition of the area. "This is the East Lansing soccer hub now," Archer said.

Wal-Mart, Sam's Club to join local shopping center

Two national retailers will open stores near Eastwood Towne Center in midsummer, adding to the slew of merchants already doing business in and around the Lansing Township shopping mall. A Wal-Mart store is set to open there in July, according to mall officials.

Leaders honored for contributions

A cornucopia of club leaders, academic achievers, sorority and fraternity members and community volunteers came together in the dimly lit Union Ballroom on Tuesday night for the third annual Student Life Leadership Awards. "It's a token of how we feel about the good work they do during the academic year," said Fred Watson, assistant director for the Department of Student Life. More than 100 people attended the event, which included a dessert reception.