Assassin game alarms police

Student groups on campus are playing a game that is causing others to call the police.The game is called a variety of names, including “Assassins” and “game of elimination.”About five MSU police officers approached Criminal justice freshman Michael Klopp and two friends were after they were seen walking into Akers Hall with what was thought to be a handgun last week.A Capitol Area Transportation Authority bus driver reported the situation.

Children have safety concerns on Halloween

On a night filled with witches, ghosts and devils, children had a lot to be scared of this Halloween.

Police briefs 11/05/02

Basketball to raise money for hospital

A 3-on-3 basketball tournament will take place at 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at IM Sports-Circle to raise money benefiting St.

Fraternity kicks off service week

After weeks of writing letters to local and state politicians, Amber Johnson reached her goal Monday night. A trio of students from MSU’s service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, received a proclamation from Lansing Mayor David Hollister declaring this week as Alpha Phi Omega National Service Week in Lansing. “It’s great when a high-ranking politician cares about things on a more intimate level,” said Johnson, an environmental biology senior and vice president of service for the fraternity. The MSU chapter is part of a national service fraternity that created National Service Week, which runs from Nov.

E.L. mayor to sing Wolverine fight song

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows will hail the victors at the City Council meeting Wednesday night, after losing a wager with Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje. As a result of the loss to the University of Michigan, Meadows agreed to wear maize and blue and sing the Wolverine fight song at the 7:30 p.m.

U.S., China seek to develop Web-based language learning

Imagine playing video games for hours, and as a result, gaining the ability to speak Chinese fluently.An MSU professor says the idea is in development.Yong Zhao, associate professor of educational psychology, is leading the design on a new platform that will incorporate teaching Chinese in the United States.

Penn State, U battle in blood drive

Plates full of cookies and jugs of juice were placed on a table in the Bailey Hall lounge Monday. Red and blue lawn chairs were strategically placed around the rest of the room as American Red Cross workers in white lab coats patiently waited for students to come in and donate blood. The ninth annual MSU-Penn State Blood Challenge began Monday and will run until Nov.

Candidate pursues donation tax credit

A proposal by state Rep. Paul DeWeese could bring enough funds to MSU to help the school reach its $1.2 billion fund-raising goal, but critics say the proposal is untimely with next year’s budget woes. DeWeese’s proposal would add a new section to the Michigan tax code to provide a tax credit to individuals and corporations contributing to the endowment funds of state institutions of higher learning. The Williamston Republican is running against state Rep.

Family Funk

She’s already a racial ethnic student aide at Hubbard Hall, working an outside job and taking 15 credits toward her criminal justice degree. Now add to sophomore Faye Higgs’ schedule: four hours of practice, five nights a week. “I have 300 black students to be there for, 20 meetings a month and an outside job,” she said. But Higgs said it’s worth it to be a dancer in the 12th annual Fake the Funk at the Breslin Center, where more than 9,000 cheering attendants checked out her moves Saturday evening. “It’s time-consuming,” she said.

ASMSU, RHA work together to improve strained relationship

MSU’s two largest student governments - who have not always been on the best of terms - have taken steps to improve their working relationship this year. “Quite a few years ago, RHA and ASMSU did have some major communication problems,” ASMSU Student Assembly Chairperson Matt Weingarden said.

Granholm, Posthumus make final bid near U

In the final day before elections, gubernatorial candidates Republican Dick Posthumus and Democrat Jennifer Granholm plan to campaign in the Lansing area today.

Police briefs 11/04/02

Holiday sales to remain subpar

Michigan retailers are expecting subpar sales this holiday season, in line with national trends and retailer forecasts. The Michigan Retail Index reported that while 57 percent of state retailers are expecting higher holiday spending compared to a year ago, the projected revenue growth is only 3.7 percent.

Recordamos los muertos

Small white crosses lined the grass around the rock on Farm Lane. On each of the crosses, which stood no more than a foot off the ground, students wrote the name of a loved one who passed away. A little altar has been built near the crosses, with offerings of bread to the spirits of ancestors.

Students fail to find time for election

With the countdown to Election Day now reaching the final hours, political candidates have upped their campaign efforts.

Powwow shows traditional dance

Lansing - The strands of Jessica Kota’s white shawl laid still as she stood attentively, ready to dance.Dressed in her pink, purple and white regalia - traditional Native American clothing- Kota, a Central Michigan University student, quickly moved into intricate dance steps.Kota was the lead female dancer for the 10th annual Great Lakes Anishnaabek Traditional Pow Wow at Lansing Community College, but this was not the first time she has participated in the event.“My family has always been very involved in our culture,” she said.

Police briefs 11/04/02

ACLU challenges use of Breathalyzer test

Before underage pedestrians are forced to submit to Breathalyzer tests, the American Civil Liberties Union is challenging police to first obtain a search warrant.Last week the ACLU filed a federal lawsuit against the Bay City police, saying they forced a 19-year-old woman to take a Breathalyzer test while she was in-line skating through a Bay City park in August 2001.The woman had not been drinking alcohol, but was forced to take the test or pay a $100 fine, said Michael Steinberg, ACLU of Michigan’s Legal Director.“That’s unconstitutional,” Steinberg said.If the federal court rules the police practice unconstitutional, it could open the doors to similar challenges statewide, Steinberg said.According to the ACLU, forcing pedestrians under 21 years old to take the tests whether they have been drinking or not violates their Fourth Amendment rights.

Students, administrator disagree on diversity of dormitory populations

Whenever psychology freshman Laura Mitus walks around Snyder Hall, she sees the same girls every day.