Soybeans join tour as farmers set to marvel latest hybrids
The MSU Corn & Soybean Research Tour and Barbecue, set for 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, will allow participants to view new corn and soybean hybrid crops produced by MSU researchers and have the chance to win more than $800 in prizes. In its fifth year, the tour will be introducing some changes. “This is the first year that soybeans have been included in the program for corn hybrid trails,” said Mark Hansen, the agricultural extension agent for Ingham County’s MSU Extension.
Farm economics lead to cheese, pizza price hikes
The power of cheese is commanding a higher price.Maynard Hogberg, Chairman of the Animal Science Department, said part of the hike in cheese prices is because of a shortage of milk.The shortage is from summer drought conditions, which produced poor feed for cattle, he said.
Posthumus intends to run in 2002
Lansing - Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus will run for governor in 2002, he told a group of supporters at a Capital-area picnic. But Posthumus’ announcement Tuesday was not a formal declaration of candidacy. “It’s the first step in a long journey,” he said.
Price is Right fan fulfills lifelong dream on showcase showdown
DeAaron Easley didn’t have to pay the price to see a childhood dream come true - he guessed it.After sitting through two tapings of the “Price is Right” game show, Easley was finally selected to come on down as a contestant the third time.“Last year I didn’t get picked to be on the show, and in May I went and applied for more tickets,” Easley, a telecommunication junior, said.
ASMSU calls for Tax Credit repeal; hopes for student rebate
ASMSU Academic Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that could help give students at MSU and other Michigan public universities some money back.The bill supports the repeal of the Tuition Tax Credit, which would move money associated with it to the higher education budget.
MDOT taking input on transportation
With more money available last year, the Michigan Department of Transportation started looking at ways to help locals navigate the state.In 1995, MDOT implemented a long-term state transportation blueprint that included busing, airports, roadways and train infrastructure planning.
LBGT reception welcomes students back; provides opportunities for involvement
Members of the MSU lesbian-bi-gay-transgendered community will kick off the school year with the eighth annual LBGT reception and resource fair from 6 p.m.
E.L. City Council wants to talk trash
The city of East Lansing wants to change the way the city takes out the trash. But the issue of whether to add an automated waste collection system will have to wait three weeks for the next council meeting before a decision can be made. The East Lansing City Council voted unanimously to defer a vote on an ordinance to add the system to its current garbage collection system.
U students not properly insured
After a flood damaged Jessica Schulte’s belongings, she came out financially without a scratch - but other students may not be as fortunate.More than 80 percent of college students who rent do not have insurance for their personal belongings, said a recent survey conducted by the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents.Schulte, a communication senior, said she was insured through her parents with extra rental insurance.“We had our computers down there, and we got (money) back with no questions asked,” she said.Schulte said college life leaves plenty of opportunities for personal property to be stolen.“If you live in the dorm, you don’t always know your suitemates and their friends,” she said.
Housing remains stable despite Shaw Hall closing
Despite the closing of Shaw Hall this year, finding housing has not put anyone out in the cold.The number of students living on campus has not changed, said Angela Brown, director of University Housing.“Our house count has been consistent over the past years,” she said.Brown said the decision to close Shaw Hall was planned ahead of time so as not to leave students uncomfortable or homeless.She said the number of over-assigned halls is less than 20 and there are plans accommodate the students in them as soon as possible.“This is very similar to the work done in (Mason and Abbott halls) when they were closed a few years ago,” she said.But landlord Fred Bauries said he still had trouble finding students to rent to for the fall.“We found we had more difficulty this year than any year I can remember,” he said.Bauries said while he found leasers for all three of his homes, he blames the lack of interest on the recent economic slowdown and the construction of new apartments.“I think the appeal up there is the new construction, and (Capstone Commons) is something I would consider a 21st century dorm,” he said.Bauries said the developers have looked at the current market and have found success in the form of profits.But while more students might be living in apartments, Annette Irwin, operations administrator for the Code Enforcement and Neighborhood Conservation Department of East Lansing, said students are still leasing homes in the city.“That is the question that some of us are wondering, are they willing to give up the proximity to campus for items that are catering right to their needs such as Internet access and the clubhouse environment,” she said.Other types of incentives such as lawn care and parking might also be playing a factor in a student’s decision to live off campus, she said.But Irwin said this is not a problem for renters.“I suspect there will always be a part of the student body that wants to live in a home,” she said.Terri Clifton, vice president of property management for Crossing Place Student Apartments, 3636 E.
Man-made damage to environment plays role in tree disease
Ash trees in the Midwest and Northeast are in danger of dying from unknown causes.Frank Sapio, forest health program manager of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said a disease affecting the species is widespread throughout southern Michigan.“It is worse in urban environments,” he said.Sapio said a combination of other outside factors has been playing a role in some instances.“That doesn’t explain what is going on in the woods,” he said.The decline of the trees could be attributed to a disease known as ash yellow.“It is a very elusive agent, we don’t know what is exactly going on,” Sapio said.
Commission aims to improve life for terminally ill
The Michigan Commission on End of Life Care presented Gov. John Engler with a report Thursday to improve treatment for terminally ill patients and prepare physicians for end of life issues.
Web site aims to help students quit smoking
Olin Health Center is determined to get the word out about the dangers of smoking.The health center is kicking off a campaign to help students quit smoking through a new Web site geared toward college students.
Fraternity fights to regain house
The Sigma Chi house stands empty and broken windows dot the building.The house at 729 E. Grand River Ave.
Vending machine snack prices rise 10 cents on campus
Four months ago, students began paying an extra 25 cents for sodas from on-campus vending machines.
Online bookstores give U more back to school options
Students can’t walk to a bookstore in their underwear, but they can certainly surf there.Online bookstores have become an alternative way for students to shop for books.
Skate park construction underway
Lansing - After enduring a three-year struggle to bring skating to Lansing’s Ranney Park, construction on the city’s 20,382-square foot skate park begins today. But the fight to bring a world class skating facility to the community will continue for at least another three months, said Pete Bosheff, president of the Lansing Area Skate, Bike and Recreation Foundation. The $713,000 project is still in need of about $100,000, which led Bosheff and other area skaters to launch a three-month fund-raising blitz, “Project Skate: Help Us Build It.” “Just because we have an account to cover the costs doesn’t mean we don’t have to pay it back,” Bosheff said.