Center to hold winter events

The Woldumar Nature Center has several programs approaching geared toward family education.“Winterfest” will be held from 10 a.m.

Mail-order contact lens companies combat eye care legislation

Angela Brabant isn’t asking for much. She just wants the most convenient, fastest way to get a refill on her contact lens prescription.She turns to 1-800-CONTACTS and gets a refill within two to three days.“It doesn’t cost a lot less, but it’s a lot more convenient,” the family and child ecology junior said.

Passport requests increase for break

Jodie Simons, a study abroad veteran, got her passport in time to leave for the United Kingdom.A decision that not only made her mass media trip to London easier, but also pleased her mother.“I held off probably until March,” the journalism junior said.

Corrections director resigns, accepts CEO position

Gov. John Engler accepted the resignation of Michigan Department of Corrections Director Bill Martin on Wednesday.“Over the many years I’ve known him, Bill Martin has served the citizens of Michigan ably,” Engler said in a written statement.

Subscription scam raises student awareness on consumer rights

Elizabeth Jenks got less than she bargained for when she subscribed to Cosmopolitan magazine through a charitable fund.In July 2001, the electrical engineering junior signed up for a two-year subscription to the fashion magazine.

ASMSU to vote on tax increase

A proposed $2-per-semester student tax increase likely will be voted on tonight at ASMSU’s joint Student Assembly and Academic Assembly meeting.All students can attend the undergraduate student government meeting to voice concerns at 6:30 p.m.

Fair offers information on studying overseas

Barb Dunlap returned from an MSU study abroad program 28 years ago, but she’s reliving the experience as her daughter prepares for her own.The East Lansing resident graduated from MSU in 1975, a year after studying abroad in England.“I absolutely loved the program,” she said.

Sparty clean, but in need of protective coat of paint

Grounds Maintenance crews continued the cleanup process of Sparty Wednesday.Sparty, which is believed to be the world’s tallest free-standing ceramic statue, was painted blue and yellow Tuesday morning in what crews say was the worst attack on the statue in years.The University of Michigan played MSU’s men’s basketball team Wednesday.

Restaurant challenges sign ordinance

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows remembers when store and restaurant signs were pretty rampant around East Lansing. “Many years ago there was no regulation, so you could have signs of any shape or form,” he said. Now, an East Lansing sign ordinance is being challenged by Cosi, a coffeehouse and restaurant chain set to open a store in the downtown this spring. Cosi wants to hang a sign that would protrude off the corner of their building, 301 E.

Amtrak upgrades to high-speed rail system

In the first of what is hoped to be many upgrades in railroad tracks, Amtrak announced that 45 miles of its track in southwest Michigan was converted to a new high-speed rail system.The new track, laid between Kalamazoo and New Buffalo, runs along Amtrack’s Detroit to Chicago corridor.The upgrade, developed by Harmon Industries Inc. of Blue Springs, Mo., allows trains to surpass the previous limit of 79 mph set by the Federal Railroad Administration and reach 90 mph, said Jeff Baker, product manager for the system.“It combines an onboard computer on each one of the locomotives with information from the wayside signaling system,” he said.

Professors, residents to discuss methods to rejuvenate economy

A day after a group of MSU professors and state representatives met to discuss urban issues in Michigan, a group of MSU professors and East Lansing residents will broaden the issue and ask how to turn around the U.S.

Michigan attorney general campaigns at U

Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm spoke to a packed room of students Tuesday night as she made her first campaign appearance on MSU’s campus.Granholm, a candidate for Michigan’s 2002 gubernatorial election, was invited to speak to the MSU Democrats at its regular weekly meeting.“It is college students and young people who have played enormous roles in changing our country’s history with respect to presidential elections,” Granholm said.

Study says fish-eating men more apt to father boys

A recent MSU study found that the food people eat affects their children’s gender.Males who have higher levels of PCBs in their systems were more likely to father boys, the study found.Epidemiology Professor Wilfried Karmaus, who led the study, said the study was an effort to dispute the effect of chemicals on human reproduction.“We tested both the maternal and paternal influence to see which parent was responsible for the reproduction of boys,” Karmaus said.PCB, or polychlorinated biphenyl, is an industrial chemical used in compactors for insulation, cutting oils and hydraulic fluids.

Discussion to address legal issues of war on terrorism

A panel of experts from around the country will discuss on campus tonight the legality of how the U.S.

Contest captures unique aspects of E.L.

For some residents, East Lansing might mean their home, family or a favorite moment spent with friends.Since May, residents could snap a picture of what they thought was unique about East Lansing for the City Scenes Photo Contest.The contestants were divided into three categories: children, youth and adults.

State Police director heads to homeland administration

Gov. John Engler accepted the resignation of Michigan State Police director Col. Michael Robinson on Tuesday. Robinson, a Grand Rapids native, joined the State Police in 1968 and has been the department’s director for 11 years. Robinson is the thirteenth director for th state police. “It will be a great loss to the community and to the State Police,” East Lansing police Capt.

U institute to release survey results about cities

After growing up in Detroit, Kelly DeGrandchamp found Greater Lansing a whole different type of area.“(Lansing’s) a lot more friendly and a lot greener,” the zoology junior said.But like many students, DeGrandchamp sees room for improvement in Lansing.“I think there’s a major issue with a lot of housing and property values,” she said.DeGrandchamp represents a majority of Michigan residents, according to a survey put together by MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.A group of state representatives and MSU professors will meet to discuss the survey results at 11:30 a.m.

Police briefs 01/30/02

School board decides to grant field trips on case-by-case basis

Students looking to end the East Lansing School District’s ban on travel received a promising sign.But the green light could still turn red depending on Superintendent Tom Giblin’s decision.“We are still going to ban trips out of the United States, but the other trips are going to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis,” Giblin said.The reversal came during Monday night’s school board work session, and in response to East Lansing High School students’ concerns.

State figures gather to raise consciousness

In an effort to raise awareness about education, health care, civil rights and the state of the economy in the black community, a group of Michigan’s most notable figures gathered Monday night during two panel discussions.The 2nd Dialogue for Action, titled the “State of Black Americans in Michigan” was held at Lansing’s Bethlehem Temple Church, 1500 S.