Fathers Day gift: picnic or power tool?

When Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea to honor her father, William Jackson Smart, she kept in mind how special her father was to her.

Athletic league, police to sponsor bike rodeo

Sondra Hamilton, like many other MSU students, doesn’t wear a helmet when she is riding her bike. “I don’t think I am going a far distance, so it isn’t really an issue,” the human biology sophomore said while riding her bike in downtown East Lansing. But some bike safety advocates say wearing a helmet is important no matter where you go.

Workshop improves science fiction writing

Distant lands, scientific gadgets and fantastic creatures are at MSU this June.The 34th annual Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop began at Van Hoosen Hall on June 3 and will run through July 14.The workshop accepts writers from all over the country to teach them the different techniques involved in science fiction and fantasy writing.“It is the best workshop in the country,” said Pheodora Goff, a student at the workshop.To participate in the workshop, writers must submit two short stories.

Five applicants fill Lansing clerk pool

It’s going to be a tight race as five Lansing residents vie to fill the one city position that most interests them.“They all seem to have experience and most, at least, seem to be pro-voter,” said Mark Grebner, who works for East Lansing-based Practical Political Consulting, 220 Albert Ave.The field of five will be narrowed to two during the city’s Aug.

Open house hopes to make visitors go batty

What are big, brown, 12 inches long and make people scream? Bats, of course. And there’s no better place to learn about these peculiar nocturnal creatures than at the Organization for Bat Conservation.

U.S. representative pushes bill to ban imported waste

If it were up to U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, Canadian garbage would be kept out of Michigan’s dump sites.

Police briefs 06/13/01

Bill urges U to get vaccinations

Michigan lawmakers could choose this week to pass legislation that would urge college-bound teens to receive meningitis vaccinations before moving onto state campuses.If the measure is passed before Thursday, it would come less than a week after Ohio health officials began innoculating thousands of high school students in an effort to contain a meningitis-related outbreak that killed two teen-agers in May and put a third in the hospital June 2.

Students place at ad competition

Five MSU students were selected as finalists to present their work to DaimlerChrysler AG and its advertising agencies at the 2001 American Advertising Conference in Cleveland.At the conference, which took place Sunday through Tuesday, teams were responsible for putting together a full advertising campaign, including TV advertisements, print advertisements and public relations, for DaimlerChrysler.

State answers area code exhaustion

By now, most people have cell phones, pagers, computer modems and multiple phone lines in their homes to make life a little easier.

Stretch of I-69 may commemorate Pearl Harbor attack

John Sterling is always looking for a good excuse to take his older brother’s Monterey blue, 1941 Buick out for a joyride.And he’s hoping the state Legislature will soon give him one.The state House is considering a bill that would name the stretch of Interstate 69 between Perry and Flint to honor Americans who lost their lives in the Dec.

Privacy issues prompt program revision

More than 4,000 freshmen will enter the residence halls at MSU this fall with their required Internet-ready computers.While computers will provide new students with easy means of communication and learning, some University of Michigan students also are discovering the easy means of annoyance computers provide.U-M technical personnel recently deactivated the “fingering” protocol on campus following some stalking complaints.But an outcry from students and faculty who use the program regularly led to the return of the program - with some alterations.“There was a great demand for ‘finger’ to stay on,” said Seth Meyer, systems engineer at U-M.

Society alerts U to stay out of sun

While there will be a lot of fun in the sun during the next few months, the American Cancer Society warns that people should be conscious of protecting their skin this summer.

Officials say restaurants license may not be taken

Although Coscarelli’s Restaurant & Lounge is in jeopardy of having its liquor license revoked by the Lansing City Council, officials at the Lansing Police Department said Tuesday they’re “optimistic” it won’t be revoked.Revoking prevents the restaurant from regaining permits.

Alumni enjoy 50-year reunion

When Edward Koryzno graduated from Michigan State College, campus barely extended south of the Red Cedar River.There were no McDonald’s restaurants.

CATA, residents prepare for cuts

Students and residents riding the bus may have to find alternate forms of transportation after Capital Area Transportation Authority eliminates some of its stops and routes in August. CATA will be holding public hearings today and Tuesday to let the community help decide which routes can be cut, said Brad Funkhouser, director of service development for CATA. Funkhouser said CATA is cutting routes because the cost to maintain and operate the buses has risen, while revenue has decreased.

E.L. to look for diversified housing

The East Lansing City Council will meet Tuesday to discuss ways to spread out rental properties in the city. Jean Golden, deputy city manager and chief of operations for East Lansing, said the city wants to begin working more with MSU, neighborhoods in the city and the school district. “We want to have a real diversity of housing for families and individuals at all income levels,” she said.

Byrum testifies for task force on election reform

State Sen. Dianne Byrum on Tuesday provided written testimony to the national commission on election reform, urging it to seek federal funding to modernize and improve poll machinery. “I find the election issue interesting and challenging,” said the Onondaga Democrat whose district includes MSU.

Police briefs 06/11/01

Bills ask to ban racial profiling; collect data

The state House is preparing to examine the issue of racial profiling as a new package of bills makes its way to the Legislature.Racial profiling is a practice in which police take action based on race, ethnicity or national origin rather than illegal or suspicious activities.“For more than 15 years, the use of racial profiling has grown,” said state Rep.