Voters to place billions in tobacco money

A state court will allow an initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot that would let voters decide if billions of dollars should be shifted from educational programs to health-care programs.Judges from the Michigan Court of Appeals voted 2-1 Friday to allow the Healthy Michigan Initiative onto the ballot and let Michigan voters decide what will happen with the money.In 1998, Michigan was awarded about $8 billion in a nationwide lawsuit from tobacco companies.

Trustees seek labor contract cap increase

In the early to mid 1980s, a candy bar cost at most 33 cents.Now, students are lucky to find one for 65 cents.On a larger scale, buildings cost a lot more to repair and construct nowadays.Some trustees have taken note of the inflation rate and it will seek an increase from the current $100,000 cap that can be spent on construction contracts and maintenance repairs without the board’s consent at Friday’s meeting.“What happens is, when you go 20 years, things that cost $100,000 in 1982 cost a lot more today,” said Fred Poston, vice president for finance and operations.Poston said the board is seeking to increase the maximum amount to $500,000 and the new limit could help expedite construction projects.

Adopt-A-Floor program blends E.L. community, U

Ted Staton invited a floor of Shaw Hall residents to his home for a Thanksgiving feast last year, and he’s willing to do it again.Staton, East Lansing city manager, is participating in the third year of the Adopt-A-Floor program, which matches East Lansing families with students on residence hall floors to encourage community unity.The Adopt-A-Floor kickoff orientation and picnic brought Staton and other program participants together for the first time Sunday.“Clearly associating names and lives with the student body as opposed to just a conglomerate of 43,000 people is a value,” Staton said.

Road work to cause weekday lane closures

A $1.8 million pavement patching and grinding project to take place on US-23 was announced Thursday by the Michigan Department of Transportation. The highway improvement venture, scheduled to begin next week, will be focused in the Brighton area south of I-96 to Silver Lake Road. Both northbound and southbound US-23 will be subject to continuous single-lane closures until mid-October and transportation officials recommend motorists seek an alternate route. In an effort to stave off any added congestion during weekend traffic, road work will not take place after 3 p.m.

State study shows rise in smog

A Michigan environmental group released data that shows smog levels in the state have worsened over the past two years.Megan Owens, spokeswoman for the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan, said there is a proposal to change a portion of the Clean Air Act - but not for the better.“Changing a section of the Clean Air Act would make it easier to pollute,” Owens said.

Police briefs 09/06/02

Alcohol awareness course required for group

All freshmen, sophomores and juniors at Kappa Alpha Theta, 303 Oakhill Drive, will now have to take a mandatory online alcohol awareness course, known as AlcoholEdu.

Officers honored for bravery, courage

About 30 police officers, employees and citizens were honored Thursday for their bravery and dedication to East Lansing.The city’s police department held its annual awards ceremony in the Albert A.

Web sites help students to better plan for college

When Tyler Boris was in high school, he wanted someone other than his school counselor to help him narrow down his choices for prospective colleges. “I hated my high school counselor,” the psychology sophomore said.

Campus briefs

Planetarium to hold public observing The MSU Physics and Astronomy Department, Capital Area Astronomy Club and Abrams Planetarium will sponsor a public observing night from 9-11, Sept.

Subway heads to City Center

With hopes of gaining customers and a fresh look, Subway is closing the doors at its West Grand River Avenue location to relocate to the City Center Condominiums building in downtown East Lansing.The restaurant has outgrown the west-end location at 124 W.

Defensive driving course may help reduce ticket fines

Lansing - A little-known defensive driving course might be an alternative to paying ticket fines and gaining driver’s license points. The course, offered by the Lansing Area Safety Council, lasts four hours and costs $35.

Youth team members to voice city opinion

Teenagers from East Lansing will have a voice in city functions and government by organizing youth oriented activities and reviewing council decisions.East Lansing’s Department of Parks and Recreation appointed 10 officers from East Lansing High School and MacDonald Middle School to the Teen Advisory Council for the Youth Action Team last week.The team provides input on local planning, policies and ordinances affecting youth in the city to improve communication between youth and adults, while planning activities for families in the community.They also oversee teen programming for the Hot Spot Teen Club in the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.The team was formed by city officials, school administrators and community members in 1998.“This is a group of very bright and community-minded young adults,” said Kathleen Miller, coordinator for the Youth Action Team.

Izzo stresses saving cash for college

Tom Izzo is no stranger to being ranked in the Top 20. But Wednesday, the MSU men’s basketball head coach wasn’t talking about hoops.

Families to adopt-a-hall

East Lansing families will once again adopt 40 to 60 MSU students this school year. The kick-off for the Adopt-A-Floor program, sponsored by the Community Relations Coalition and MSU’s Department of Residence Life, is from 4:30-6 p.m.

Student voted onto committee

For the first time in several years, a student will take the position of co-chairperson of a standing Academic Council committee - a position usually held by MSU faculty members.The University Committee on Academic Governance, made up of MSU faculty, students and administrators, elected Kristen Daddow to fill the co-chairperson seat Tuesday.

LBGTA hosts resource fair

The MSU Alliance of Lesbian-Bi-Gay-Transgendered and Straight Ally Students-sponsored welcome reception and resource fair will be at 5:30 p.m.

Fraternities to recruit new members

New additions to MSU’s greek system will be selected throughout this month. Annual recruitment for MSU fraternities and sororities begins with the Men’s Recruitment Open House from 5-8 p.m.

Campus briefs

DCL sponsors free lecture about terrorism future eventsThe MSU-Detroit College of Law Journal of International Law is sponsoring “The War on Terrorism: A Year in Review and an Eye Toward the Future” from 6-9 p.m.

Police briefs 09/05/02