Community policing brings officers into neighborhood

More police departments are getting officers out of their squad cars and into the neighborhoods they patrol, according to a U.S.

Rogers opens local office, plans more

LANSING - U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers opened his doors Monday to the constituents he speaks for on Capitol Hill.The Brighton Republican opened his new central district office, at 1327 E.

Police briefs 02/27/01

ASMSU allocates money to build ropes course

MSU’s undergraduate student government is betting money that students will want to improve their teamwork skills - $50,000 to be exact.

College photographers earn awards at state competition

Jennifer Jankowski walked into a Lansing Holiday Inn hotel last weekend believing she was not an experienced enough photographer to win a statewide award.But Jankowski, a State News photographer, ending up taking second place in three categories at the annual Michigan Press Photographers Association Picture of the Year Awards.

Construction management team brings home honors

Six MSU construction management students brought home third place honors in the National Association of Home Builders student competition in Atlanta during the weekend.The MSU group competed against 20 universities.

Orchid show takes root at U

The icy weather outside during the weekend didn’t keep the flowers from blooming inside.More than 600 rare orchids took root at the MSU Plant and Soil Sciences Building for the Annual Orchid Show and Sale hosted by the Greater Lansing Orchid Society.“I am surprised we’ve had a really good turnout considering the weather,” society member Gus Kienitz said.But the 18th annual event brought many orchid growers and enthusiasts to see elaborate flower displays, purchase their own plants or learn more about orchids.The show, which has been held at MSU for the past 10 years, is one of the largest in the midwest.“There’s a lot of people who just come because it’s beautiful,” said Theresa Henderson, another society member.

State passes bill to deter repeat prostitution offenders

A bill intended to prevent repeat prostitution offenders from continued convictions was passed unanimously Thursday by the state Senate.

Rising costs concern greenhouse owners

Frigid temperatures and a looming gas price increase may be a concern for greenhouse owners, but MSU officials say rising costs are not going to leave them out in the cold.“We don’t have a problem with heating our greenhouses because we don’t pay for it,” said Dave Freville, MSU greenhouse manager.

Fair provides healthy information, treats

LANSING - The music was soulful and the information was taken straight to the heart Saturday at the Gier Community Center. Participants at the Heart of Our Heritage Health Fair - an event that inform blacks of the risks faced by their community - were entertained by live performers at the community center, 2400 Hall St.

Conference focuses on protest strategies

About seventy people, including MSU students, participated in the three-day MSU Global Justice 2001 conference this weekend.

ASMSU calls on Olin to make RU-486 more accessible

After a detailed presentation, numerous public comments and five hours of debate Thursday evening, ASMSU has decided the abortion drug RU-486 should be more accessible to students.ASMSU’s Student Assembly approved the bill that calls on the university to make RU-486, also known as mifepristone, attainable through Olin Health Center.With the measure’s approval, supporters now hope to discuss the matter more extensively with Olin and MSU officials.“This is not an issue that can be corrected overnight,” Women’s Council representative Melanie Olmsted said.Meanwhile, ASMSU representative Mike Ehlers, who introduced the bill with Olmsted earlier this month, said he was pleased with the amount of deliberation the measure has already inspired.“That was our intention,” said Ehlers, a College of Social Science representative for the assembly.

Polls indicate support for Blanchard

Former Gov. James Blanchard is the preliminary favorite to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for Michigan’s 2002 gubernatorial election, according to a new poll.Blanchard led Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and U.S.

Black History Month closes with Gospel Night event

LANSING - Clifton Jackson clapped his hands above his head and swayed with the music on Saturday during Lansing Community College’s Gospel Night. Jackson, 26, and more than 200 others attended the Black History Month event in the Arts and Science Building, 419 N.

GVSU considers former U official

A former MSU vice president is among three finalists running to become Grand Valley State University’s next president.One of the candidates, State Treasurer Mark Murray, served as MSU vice president of finance from September 1998 until January 1999 before taking his current position in 1999.

Vagina Monologues address womens issues in humorous manner

“Vagina. I said it. Vagina. There, I said it again.” These were the words that began “The Vagina Monologues” at the Auditorium on Sunday afternoon. The show, an adaptation of the original by Eve Ensler put on by MSU students as part of Vagina Week, was declared “an extraordinary accomplishment” by international studies junior and co-director Melanie Olmsted. “The Vagina Monologues” showcase different aspects of being a woman, such as domestic violence, childbirth and sexuality.

Police briefs 02/26/01

Lansing looks to improve parks

LANSING - Angie Smith’s golden retriever, Neuman, could run freely in Lansing if a proposed dog park is included in the Parks and Recreation Department’s five-year master plan.“A park specifically for dogs would be great,” the 27-year-old Lansing resident said.

Speaker brings culture

Culture of Greece and the Mediterranean will be coming a little closer to campus, when a professor and Greek native comes to Lansing on Sunday. The Cypriot and Greek Associationof MSU will be hosting a guest speaker at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1701 East Saginaw St.

Referendum process may be made easier

In an effort to encourage student activism on campus, the university’s undergraduate student government is looking to be held more responsible for its actions.ASMSU’s Student and Academic assemblies will be considering a joint resolution next week that makes the referendum process more accessible to MSU students.