Vampires, comics, Black Panthers shape professor's views

Professor Kathleen Rout can be found busily reading Anne Rice vampire novels, coordinating volunteering among students or looking up facts about Black Panther Party leaders for her next book. Rout's understanding of vampires and radical groups and her proactive dedication to share her knowledge with students and her community contrasts the way Rout was cut off from her own interests as a child.

Police briefs 03/02/04

Inside BioPort

Lansing - The production line at BioPort Corp. moves swiftly these days, operating around the clock to manufacture the nation's entire supply of anthrax vaccine. The Lansing-based company, which produces the nation's only federally licensed anthrax vaccine, won a $245 million contract earlier this year to continue making its product for the Department of Defense. Each day, BioPort employees step inside the barbed-wire perimeter of the 5-year-old company's plant on Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Glitz & Glamour

The low-lit room brought back memories of a scene at a high-school prom. Twinkling lights and the spinning disco ball set the mood.

ASMSU passes bill to add more accessible signs to doorways

In an effort to make their offices more professional and accessible, ASMSU members recently voted to add large print and Braille signs to office doors. MSU's undergraduate student government approved spending $464 on new signage, which would be an addition to a staff directory in the main ASMSU lobby. "Sometimes, people don't look at the (staff directory) and just start wandering around," Academic Assembly Chairperson Jared English said. Laura Sorensen, ASMSU Director of Racial, Ethnic and Progressive Student Affairs, said the signs are a good step in making the third floor of Student Services more accessible.

Cristo Rey gathers for Ash Wednesday

When Felicitas Moreno walks into Cristo Rey Church, all material signs of celebration are absent. To the left, a picture of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, hangs on the wall with leafless twigs placed around it.

E.L. restaurants await liquor-license approval

The fate of a downtown East Lansing liquor license now rests in the hands of the state after the city council voted unanimously to approve the license's transfer into the city last week. Harry Saites, owner of the adjoining restaurants Lou & Harry's Five Star Deli and LH Grille Room, purchased the license for $50,000 from North Side Eatery Ltd.

Women celebrated

When keynote speaker Ana Rizo stepped behind the lectern at the Dia de la Mujer Conference, she slowly began clapping.

Olsen trial postponed

Trials have been adjourned for an East Lansing woman accused of embezzling money from an MSU sorority. Nancy Olsen, 53, was to appear in the 54-B District Court, 101 Linden St., last week for pretrial hearings on embezzlement charges.

Show stars talk sex in the 'Real World'

By Mara Wolke and Sarah Al-Ramadhan Special for The State News The lineup changed, but no one seemed to mind as riotous laughter rang through the International Center on Friday during the fifth annual "Sex in the Real World" program. The program, sponsored by the University Activities Board, originally had scheduled Ace and Mallory from "The Real World: Paris" to talk with students about sex and their experiences on the show. But when Ace's plane was canceled, Theo from "Road Rules Maximum Velocity Tour" took his place, said Jimmy Donnellon, education and multicultural officer for the board. The MTV stars sat on a panel that included sex and relationship experts Tim Levine and Dennis Martell from Olin Health Center.

'Prisoners' raise $2,500

At 11 a.m. Friday morning, a loud knock came at the door of the Delta Upsilon fraternity house.

Police briefs 03/01/04

WEB ONLY: Chicano Unity Dinner speaker stresses overcoming racism

Andrew Hickner Special for The State News About 50 community members gathered at the first Chicano Unity Dinner and created a sense of family in the Union on Friday. The event was sponsored by the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan. The dinner featured keynote speaker Dr. Jose Angel Gutierrez, a longtime Chicano activist and co-founder of the La Raza Unida political party. Gutierrez stressed his ties to the Lansing community, greeting several old family friends present at the dinner.

2nd MIP could mean jail time

Some state officials say it's time to get tough on underage drinking. State lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow the courts to sentence repeat offenders of minor in possession for up to 30 days in jail. "There are minors who know that there is no jail time for a second offender, so they continue to break the law," said Sen.

Activities Board to host cast from MTV

The University Activities Board will be putting on two events this weekend as a part of the MTV Reality Weekend. "Sex in the Real World," featuring Ace and Mallory from the Paris season, is at 7:30 p.m.

Store aims to login

While selling merchandise through existing vendors works for some, the MSU Surplus Store is looking to expand its business and find its own selling home on the Web. The store, located at 1344 S.

Clinic offers tax services

Late last fall, East Lansing resident Chris Galey was doing yardwork when he was approached by someone interested in purchasing his house. Galey knew he had some tax trouble, but he didn't know how bad it was. That day, Galey found his house was in foreclosure and his financial situation in dire need of help, which he couldn't afford.

RHA passes bills, internal VP resigns

Wednesday night was a busy one in the basement of Wilson Hall. The Residence Halls Association's General Assembly passed four bills, nominated members for positions on next year's Executive Board and heard major announcements from two current executives. The first was a resignation from Internal Vice President Tom Edwards.

Police briefs 02/27/04

Web site receives orders, posts E.L. restaurant menus

One late night two years ago, a hungry Jonathan Dodge and a friend mulled over the inconvenience of calling a restaurant and inquiring about prices and specials - all while the Internet's speedy connections languished nearby. "We discovered an idea - how convenient it would be to browse menus and order online," the advertising senior said. Dodge gazed at his computer screen and devised a simple business plan: An online ordering service for hungry Web surfers. On Monday, Dodge and business partner Chris McAleenan launched www.simpledine.com, a Web site offering online food-ordering services for the MSU community. With a click of a mouse, ravenous computer users can skim through the Web site's selection of close to 20 East Lansing restaurants and place an electronic order. MSU's burgeoning Web surfing population made the area the "perfect market" for such a business venture, Dodge said. "The Internet is the quickest way to do things," he said.