Commissioner to run for council

Kevin Beard says he’s ready to move on to the East Lansing City Council after seven years on the city’s planning commission.Beard, 45, has been an East Lansing resident for 17 years and has been chairman of the planning commission for the past five years.He said with the experience he has gained on the commission as well as six years on his neighborhood association board, he is more than ready to be a city council member.“I really think I am prepared and qualified to tackle the big challenges the city has before it,” he said.

FBI investigates possible robbery link

Though local authorities say it’s too early to draw a connection between a recent bank robbery and a previous one at the same location, an FBI agent stationed in Lansing believes the East Lansing bank that was robbed Thursday could possibly be connected to a November robbery. The Thursday incident marked the third time in six months the Michigan National Bank, 1390 W.

E.L. tries to Stamp out Hunger

Letter carriers in the East Lansing area collected an unusual amount of outgoing mail Saturday - an estimated 10,000 pounds worth. But it wasn’t a standard load of letters that filled mail trucks at the end of the day; rather it was a collection of nonperishable food items donated by residents who took part in the U.S.

Officials say Lansing could retry for bond

After the Lansing school bond failed May 1, Lansing officials are now trying to decide how and when to have another school bond proposal.The $338.5 million proposal, based on an eight-year construction schedule, would have been used to renovate 39 Lansing schools.

New law regulates statute of limitations

A law signed May 2 by Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus eliminated the state’s statute of limitations in cases of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Alumnus to donate tree; add beauty, shade to campus grounds

When 1962 MSU alumnus Peter Secchia read an article last year about students donating a tree to the university, it made him reminisce about his days on campus. Secchia, a financial contributor to the Student Academic Center and the new addition to Breslin Students Event Center, thought it would be fitting to donate a tree on Arbor Day. Secchia, chairman of Universal Forest Products Inc. in Grand Rapids, and others will be planting a 20-foot autumn blaze maple tree at 10:30 a.m.

Police briefs 04/27/01

Faculty children shadow parents for a day

Mary Blakely wants to be an astronomer.The 11-year-old student at E.E. Knight Elementary in Elsie, Mich., was one of 180 students participating in MSU’s third annual Take Your Child to Work Day.“I’m gonna do my best to get into MSU,” she said.

Michigan celebrates Arbor Day

Kate Bernard, and 48 other local elementary teachers, are bringing their students to the zoo today, to help them learn about trees.More than 1,000 second- and third-grade students from the Lansing area will meet today at Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S.

Relations Coalition adds new members

The Community Relations Coalition family is growing - pending approval from the East Lansing City Council.The group of students, residents, city officials, landlords, business owners and MSU faculty work together to create bonds between student residents and permanent residents in city neighborhoods with the help of three new student neighborhood resource coordinators, which brings the total to six.“Our plan is to expand,” coalition member Pat Enos said.

Byrum to address voting reforms

LANSING - State Sen. Dianne Byrum will visit MSU’s campus next week to discuss concerns voters faced in last year’s troubled election. The Onondaga Democrat serves as chairwoman on the 19-person Michigan Task Force on Voting Reform.

Speaker to talk of happy lifestyles

Joe Reynolds said he thinks more people need to stop and smell the roses.International motivational speaker Matthew Kelly will be speaking about just that topic at 7 p.m.

Greeks awarded for efforts

A pair of marketing seniors earned the titles of “Greek Man” and “Greek Woman” for 2001. Jennifer Dirksen, former president of Sigma Kappa sorority, was awarded by the Panhellenic Council for her efforts in her organization.

Beaners steps into food court

It may soon be easier for MSU students to get their early morning coffee fix.Beaner’s Gourmet Coffee will be the next addition to One Union Square.

Center to offer new shopping selections

LANSING TWP. - Krystal Teamer shops at Meridian Mall, 1982 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos, because it is the closest one to MSU’s campus. The criminal justice senior has no car and said Meridian can be easily reached by bus. But next summer, Teamer and other students can enjoy shopping at the Lansing area’s newest shopping center, at the northwest corner of Lake Lansing Road and U.S.

Cameras catch motorists running red lights

Red lights, camera, preventative action.A study completed in Oxnard, Calif. by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety this week reported that cameras installed at intersections to catch red-light runners are decreasing the number of collisions and injuries.The institute estimates that more than 800 people are killed and 200,000 injured every year in red - light crashes in the United States.The city of Oxnard placed cameras at 11 of its 125 intersections in 1997.

Student hopes to educate mentors, others about sedative drugs

Health Advocates at Olin Health Center said there has been an increased number of people asking to be tested for sedative drugs like GHB, known as liquid ecstasy, and Rohypnol, known as roofies.But most tests have come back negative.“This shows there is great concern and even panic when it comes to these drugs,” said Damilola Walker, a human biology and microbiology senior and an Olin Health Advocate.In response to the increased awareness and concern, but also to the misconceptions about the drugs, Walker has started a project to distribute information allowing students to be more educated about the effects of the drugs.Walker will be distributing posters to mentors when students come back in the fall.

Computer malfunction causes traffic backup

The left lane of South Shaw Lane served as an extension to parking Lot 39 - the pay lot between the International Center and the Engineering Building - on Thursday for more than an hour as cars waited for the lot’s entrance gates to open.An offline computer system resulted in malfunctioning gates and missed appointments.Parking Facilities Supervisor Katherine Mateer said the gates wouldn’t open because of a computer malfunction.

LCC inaugurates fourth president

LANSING - More than 300 people attended the inauguration of Lansing Community College’s fourth president, Paula Cunningham, on Thursday at the Lansing Center, 333 East Michigan Ave. “As most of you know, being a community college president was not my plan,” Cunningham said during her inaugural speech.

Students plan finals strategies

If sunny skies and high temperatures are calling you from your stuffy seat in the library during finals week, maybe you should listen. Health Educator Jonathan Kermiet said students should allow themselves short periods of time during study sessions to relax and regroup mentally. “Give yourself liberty and license to take short breaks,” said Kermiet, who recommends that students take walks, practice breathing exercises or listen to music to relieve stress. “Cramming is not useful - especially if you’re just sitting there for hours.” Students should try to get a full night of sleep before taking tests.