Trash greets cleanup crews

MSU students have found a new place to park bikes and store household items - the Red Cedar River.This is what more than 65 students and volunteers discovered Saturday while cleaning up the river, campus and area parks as part of the Residence Halls Association recycling program’s Trash Bash and River Splash.This was the first year the campus cleanup extended to the Red Cedar River in cooperation with Adopt-A-River and Friends of the Red Cedar River.

Capitol rally to increase awareness of care system

“The Michigan Health Care Rally - Eliminating Health Care Disparities: A Prescription for the 21st Century” will take place Tuesday to educate people about today’s health care system and increase awareness of various health disparities. The rally will be held 1-4 p.m.

Gubernatorial candidates consider ideas for college affordability

Making it easier for families to send their children to college is a platform for each gubernatorial candidate.

U plans higher security for convocation

Security will be stepped up for May 3’s Student Convocation at Breslin Center.MSU officials said higher security measures will be taken as a result of the Sept.

Trustees discuss fate of education programs

The possible closing of MSU’s visual impairment education programs was a subject of discussion at Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting. MSU officials are considering closing the program due to low enrollment.

Festival highlights art form of anime

On Saturday, nearly 80 anime enthusiasts showed up at the East Lansing Public Library for the second four-hour festival.The air rang with a mixture of Japanese voices and children’s laughter.“The films here are in Japanese with subtitles,” MSU anime club president Melanie Schoen said.

Contest offers to fly in graduation guest

Brent Biebuyck desperately wants his girlfriend Laura to see him graduate this May. But like many college couples, lack of money and limited transportation could prevent the communication senior’s girlfriend from making the journey from her home in Ottawa, Canada to East Lansing. But WDBM (88.9 FM) may have a solution to his travel woes - the first “Bring Your Granny to Graduation” contest.

$93 million science building opens

Wolfgang Bauer has been a busy man this week.The chairman of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, along with countless other faculty and staff, have been preparing for today’s opening of the new Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building.Workers were in the $93 million facility Thursday making final preparations for the dedication ceremony, to be held at 3:30 p.m.

Council may fill vacant seat with election

Lansing City Council will fill a vacant council seat, left by Lou Adado, by May 13.Adado announced his resignation Monday because of the distraction from recent sexual harassment allegations.Three bids have been filed with the city clerk since his decision.Two city employees have accused Adado of the charges.Heather Eman and an unnamed woman have said Adado touched them inappropriately.The council has 30 days after Monday, when they vote to accept Adado’s resignation, to find a replacement.Under the city’s charter, the council must accept any resignation in a formal meeting.“We have been elected to do a job and sometimes that job is not easy,” Councilmember Geneva Smith said.City officials will begin interviewing applicants May 6 for the open position.

Residents opt to live in downtown City Center

East Lansing resident Bill Hartwig can’t decide whether he wants to move into the City Center condominiums.“I just admire the people who have made the decision,” he said.

RHA sponsors river, trash cleanup

Nearly 125 volunteers will be scattered across campus Saturday picking up trash. The Residence Halls Association recycling program is sponsoring Trash Bash and River Splash as a precursor to Earth Day, celebrated April 22. This is the first year the campus cleanup will extend to the Red Cedar River in cooperation with Adopt-A-River and Red Cedar Friends. RHA Recycling Director Jennifer Chandonnet said she hopes the activity will attract a larger number of volunteers. “It gives them the opportunity to volunteer and celebrate Earth Day and just do some campus beautification,” she said. “We’re hoping that when we combine the two, we will be able to combine forces and have a greater turnout and expand the program.” She said the Mid-Michigan Environmental Council’s Adopt-A-River program is donating cleanup supplies to RHA Recycling. Chandonnet said RHA will provide food and free T-shirts to volunteers.

Funding for program decreased

MSU’s Campus Connections Program will receive $30,000 from the Michigan Department of Community Health this year - $9,000 less than last year. This program provides nondrinking social opportunities for students at MSU and at other public universities statewide.

Students, teams get diversity awards

MSU students, faculty and staff were recognized Thursday for their efforts to promote and achieve diversity on and off campus. The annual Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards Program gave psychology sophomore Natalie Furrow, kinesiology graduate student Matthew Gerhardt, and telecommunication graduate student Mark Shapleyin the “Excellence in Diversity” award.

Oil spills in Detroit, Rouge rivers contaminate U.S. border waters

Detroit - More than 500 gallons of oil have spilled into the Detroit River and its Rouge River tributary, the U.S.

RHA approves additional executive board members

After Residence Halls Association President Tim Liss, External Vice President Emily Edick and Internal Vice President John Sturk officially took office Wednesday, seven more executive board members were approved by the general assembly. Failing to meet quorum delayed the general assembly from dealing with new business, but all seven eventually were approved. Human Resources Director Melissa Kessler, who was responsible for making the initial applicant recommendations, said most positions were approved Wednesday. “I am really excited they approved all of my candidates,” she said.

Student-sponsored play returns, promotes Filipino culture

The Philippine American Student Society is sponsoring Saturday “Halo Halo 2002,” a play about a Filipino American visiting the Philippines to learn more about their culture. “Halo halo” is the name of a Filipino dessert, and translates into “mix mix.” The show, which is being held for the second time, features singing, dancing, music and spoken word.

Police briefs 04/12/02

COGS president passes torch to incoming leader

Sam Howerton is not like many MSU students - he enjoys Michigan’s winters.“I grew up with no snow,” said Howerton, outgoing president of MSU’s Council of Graduate Students.

Fountain Square construction nears end

Dasha Loskutova passes Fountain Square three or four times a day on her way to class.The East Lansing High School student, who also is enrolled at MSU, can’t wait to see it when the construction is finished.“They had an old fountain here before,” she said.

Options open to file taxes

With the tax deadline on Monday, Juanita Russell and Joshua Dickerson still haven’t sent their taxes.Russell, a sociology sophomore, just hasn’t gotten around to it.“I’m just a procrastinator,” the computer science senior said.And Dickerson said he didn’t work over the last year.“I always (got my taxes in early) when I had a job - around mid-January,” he said.The two aren’t alone - millions across the United States wait until the last minute to file their taxes.The Internal Revenue Service expects 132 million returns this year, but as of April 5, the agency only had received 79.7 million.Michigan was on pace with 2.8 million returns filed out of 4.6 million expected.IRS spokeswoman Sarah Wreford said even if you wait until Monday, there are ways to avoid being audited.Wreford said a majority of the mistakes on returns involve putting down the wrong social security number and math errors.But both types of errors can be avoided if filers take a second to relax, Wreford said.“Put it aside then go back and double-check your math,” she said.