Partnership helps educate South African students

It all started with a visit from two Zulu artists.And now, Sally McClintock and other mid-Michigan teachers are launching a project that could send many children in an impoverished region of South Africa to school.McClintock, a retired East Lansing Public Schools teacher and administrator, is the founder and director of Linking All Types of Teachers to International Cross-cultural Education, or LATTICE, a partnership that allows mid-Michigan teachers to collaborate with international students in the MSU College of Education.The organization is selling baskets made by women in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, and using the proceeds to send the artists’ children to school.“Public schools are not free in South Africa,” McClintock explained.

Telecommunication class creates Virtual Commerce Mall on Internet

While new technology is making a world of virtual businesses available on the Internet, some MSU students have been learning more about it through a simulation of their own.Charles Steinfield’s Telecommunication 891, Advanced Electronic Commerce, has constructed the Virtual Commerce Mall - a Web site with nine virtual stores created by students.Steinfield, a professor of telecommunication, said it’s important students understand how business and technology combine.“Part of the problem that we’ve had with all the dot com failures is a whole lot of people started creating Web businesses without really knowing enough about what makes a good business,” he said.

Residents rush to file taxes

Despite a late start to file her tax forms, Blanka Chrominska said she will mail them before today’s midnight deadline.

Panda habitat examined

Some MSU wildlife experts are looking to have an impact on the protection of giant pandas and endangered species around the world. Jianguo Liu, an associate professor of fisheries and wildlife, is the lead author of the paper “Ecological Degradation in Protected Areas: The Case of Wolong Nature Reserve for Giant Pandas,” which was published April 6 in Science magazine. “I, like many people, love pandas and I wanted to do something to help save them,” Liu said.

Holocaust commemoration honors victims and survivors

In commemoration of the Holocaust and the death of millions of Jewish people, members of the MSU community will gather at 8 p.m.

State teachers receive new laptop computers

Several East Lansing teachers gathered Thursday afternoon for something that resembled Christmas coming early - just a little more high-tech than the Christian holiday.As part of a new state program, Michigan teachers are able to sign up to receive new laptops from the state for use in their classrooms and homes.Several East Lansing elementary teachers received their new computers Thursday, along with a training session on how to use them.The teachers all opened their bags at the same time, littering the desk with plastic bags and cardboard.

Schools grade policy may change

A failing grade can make many students wish they had never taken a course. For students at the University of Alabama, this dream has been a reality through its academic forgiveness policy - a chance for students to drop up to three completed classes from their grade-point averages. Thinking of transferring?

Police tie flexcuffs to murder

MASON - After nearly 15 years, a mother’s persistence may have paid off.Muriel Kirby sat with a box of tissues on her lap Thursday while investigators announced they had arrested the man they believe killed her daughter in 1986.David Phillip Draheim was arraigned in 55th District Court on Thursday for the murder of Jeanette Kirby.Kirby, a 36-year-old state employee from Lansing, was found dead in Riverbend Park in Holt on June 12, 1986.

Lawmakers announce plans for bill to help cover Michigans uninsured

State lawmakers announced a plan to assist Michigan residents without health insurance this week.In 1999, 13.5 percent of Michigan’s nonelderly population had no health insurance despite nearly 57 percent holding a full-time job.

Students break down ego barriers at seminar

Bill Lansing told a crowd of 120 high school students attending a leadership seminar Thursday at the Union to accept one another - in all circumstances.“Look on the optimistic side,” said Lansing, a sophomore at Lansing Eastern High School, 220 N.

Concealed weapons law opens discussion

New online information concerning Michigan’s concealed weapons law, which goes into effect July 1, has area students and groups debating how the law will impact the state.The law establishes statewide requirements for people who carry concealed weapons.

James Madison students present professor with award

When James Madison College Professor Michael Schechter attended the Honors College Awards Convocation last spring, he said it struck a chord in him.“I saw how impressive and wonderful it was for the person who was getting the award,” Schechter said.

Tax cut incites protest

Students and community leaders met on Wednesday in Lansing to protest President Bush’s proposed tax cuts.Five community leaders, including Michigan State AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney and Flint-based United Auto Workers regional director Cal Rapson, urged the crowd of more than 200 people in Lansing’s Reutter Park to write Congress and to stand together against Bush’s proposal.“Bush’s tax scheme will make millionaires richer, but offer little relief to working families,” Gaffney said.

Researchers seek new methods of identification

MSU computer scientists are looking to create technology that works for you - and only you.Anil Jain, a professor of computer science and engineering, has been studying various methods of personal identification for the past 10 years.“One of the areas I have been involved in is how to identify individuals based on physiological characteristics,” Jain said.

Events educate U about STDs

While Olin Health Center educators say people should be conscious every day about sexually transmitted diseases and the dangers surrounding them, the health center will be sponsoring events throughout April for Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month.“Every day is awareness day for us,” Olin Health Educator Dennis Martell said.

Police briefs 04/12/01

Bug expo allows area students to discover beauty of insects

MSU’s Department of Entomology has been taking time to share its knowledge about little creatures with little people.Elementary students from Lansing and East Lansing school districts made a trip to campus Wednesday for the second annual insect expo at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.The event united students who participated in this year’s “Get Bugged” Mentor Program - which pairs entomology graduate students with local classrooms on a weekly basis to share insect-related projects.“It’s a way to showcase MSU primarily, and secondly, a way to interest people in insects and science,” said Barb Stinnett, outreach coordinator for the Department of Entomology.

Senator to join governors race

It looks like there will be another name on the ballot for the governor’s race in 2002. State Sen.

State broadens tourism industry with promotional campaign

LANSING - With the slogan “Michigan. Great Lakes. Great Times. Not a great distance,” state tourism officials hope to expand Michigan’s $10 billion annual tourism business. The new campaign, launched this week by Travel Michigan - a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation - is intended to draw more travelers from surrounding states. “It’s a great ad campaign,” said Nancy Cain, a spokesperson for AAA. “And the timing of it is good, because with higher gas prices, people in the Midwest are going to stay in the Midwest.” The campaign features television, newspaper, radio and Internet advertisements that will be shown in Green Bay, Wis., Indianapolis, Chicago and Cleveland.

New Oasis to open on Grand River

The smell of baked kibbee will be wafting through the air this summer in East Lansing’s downtown.Kibbee, a ground meat spiced with salt, pepper, onions, pine nuts, cinnamon and allspice is one of the items that will be on the menu of Chuck Raad’s newest restaurant, Woody’s Oasis, located at 211 E.