Silent auction raises funds

Lansing — The late afternoon sun shone through the windows of the historic Potter House in Friday as individuals filed in to support the Women's Center of Greater Lansing. Dream, Girl!, the name of the Women's Center's first major fundraiser, ushered in about 200 guests to the 1926-built home located at 1348 Cambridge Road, with the goal of raising $25,000. The fundraiser created a "solid financial foundation" for the Center, said Cindie Alwood, the center's co-director and co-founder. Alwood is currently the only regular staff member who works Monday through Friday at the Center.

Capitol battles pipeline construction in court

The battle over the Wolverine Pipeline Co.'s gasoline pipeline that would run through the south side of Lansing will be settled in the Michigan Supreme Court. On May 9, the Michigan Court of Appeals rejected Lansing's attempt to stop the construction of the pipeline.

Police briefs 05/18/07

Encouraging abilities

When power lifter Mary Stack isn't bench pressing 260 pounds, she's pushing her motorized wheelchair. While 4-foot-9 Stack is able to walk, she uses a wheelchair because of a disorder that affects her balance. Stack is an athlete, coach and volunteer for the 32nd Michigan Victory Games, which are being held on campus this weekend. The Michigan Disability Sports Alliance, or MiDSA, hosts the games, which provide recreational and competitive sports opportunities for athletes with disabilities. A 2001 inductee into the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, Stack said she never would have been in sports if she hadn't started as an athlete in the games at 16. While Stack, 33, wants to continue to compete, she also enjoys watching from the sidelines as a coach and volunteer. "To see the expressions on the kids' faces when they complete a course, beat somebody in track or do something they didn't think they could do - it's really cool." About 80 athletes ranging from ages 7 to 70 will compete this year, said Stella Husch, director of the games. "A lot of times, individuals with disabilities don't have the opportunities to prove themselves or to negate stereotypes.

State budget crisis affects school funds

When all is said and done after today's revenue estimate conference, Michigan will face a $700 million deficit for the 2007 fiscal year, said Liz Boyd, Gov.

Museums observe "heritage"

From Hong Kong to New Zealand and all the way back to East Lansing, museums spanning the globe will celebrate the 30th annual International Museum Day, or IMD, today. "(IMD is) one of those things that I think can call attention to museums in general and some of those gems in the community that help us learn about ourselves, our neighbors and our global community," said Lora Helou, communications manager for MSU Museum. The International Council of Museums encourages its 23,000 individual and institutional members from 145 countries to hold special events commemorating the day, according to their Web site. This year's theme, "Museums and Universal Heritage," strives to raise awareness of museums' role to encourage responsibility for global heritage. The MSU and Kresge Art museums will host a joint reception honoring more than 1,000 volunteers from 4-6 p.m.

Salim convicted of 1973 Brown murder

After 34 years of freedom, the convicted murderer of an MSU student now will face prison time for the "senseless" act. Kumbi Salim, also known as Stanley A.

MSU student awarded funds to study culture worldwide

If you speak with Nick Micinski, you'll notice he's a soft-spoken guy. But he'll be the first one to tell you the world isn't as perfect as it could be. "I knew I couldn't ignore the problems of the world after seeing it firsthand," said the political theory and constitutional democracy and international relations senior, referring to a study abroad trip he took to Egypt last fall. Micinski will have an opportunity to make an impact around the world when he embarks on a 74-day globe-trotting journey. Thanks to a strong interview in front of the selection committee of the Michigan chapter of the Circumnavigators Club, Micinski became the recipient of its foundation grant - an award given to a student who will travel the world and, after the culmination of trip, report his or her findings back to the club. He was awarded $8,500 to fund the trip and was chosen as the sole winner among 25 applicants that included students from MSU, Wayne State University and University of Michigan.

Researchers design improved Cyclotron magnet prototype

To non-nuclear physics majors, what happens in the MSU's National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory is about as mysterious as nuclear physics itself. "Mostly, what we do here is basic science, how the universe works and how things are put together," said Geoffrey Koch, lab communications manager at the Cyclotron. Researchers at the Cyclotron recently designed a superconducting magnet prototype that can withstand high radiation environments, which will ultimately propel rare isotope science into the future. "It's important because it allows this next generation accelerator to move forward, and having been a part of that is really exciting," said Jonathan Delauter, a Cyclotron research and development physicist. Delauter worked on the magnet for his master's thesis - Radiation Resistant Superferric Magnets for Fragment Separators.

MSU joins state to aid economy

MSU unveiled another attempt to revitalize Michigan's economy with the creation of MSU Technologies on Wednesday. The vision for MSU Technologies is to translate research results from universities into a common marketplace, said Lisa Kuuttila, the CEO. "MSU Technologies will be playing an important role in the transformation in Michigan's economy," she said. Kuuttila said MSU-Tech will aim to help the economy in three ways: • There will be technology from the university that could increase the value for established companies already in the state. "New materials will be useful to existing companies looking to become more efficient, reduce costs or improve manufacturing," she said. • MSU-Tech could lead to the development of new companies. "Some may grow and stand alone or be acquired by an existing company," she said.

Orange everywhere

Those big orange construction signs all around campus — they're not lying. But, for one reason or another, most people want to test the waters for themselves, ignoring the bold lettering and bright colors of the massive signs, University Engineer Bob Nestle said. "They'll drive right past them, go down to the barricade and have to turn right back around," he said.

MSU racing team in gear to compete

Members of the MSU Formula Racing Team meticulously search for any small glitch in the car, carefully weighing and balancing the frame and tuning the suspension. Everything must be perfect for the next trial run. Brandon Goad patiently waits in the driver's seat as a swarm of his team members crowd Racecar 9 with tools in hand. The mechanical engineering senior's green and white helmet gleams in the bright sun, while he anxiously sits, waiting to take another spin through the makeshift track of orange cones located in a section of the Commuter Lot. Goad, one of the lead racers selected to drive for the team, and the other 21 student members traveled Wednesday to the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers' international competition held in Romeo. The team aims to top last year's finish of ninth place. "I don't think we have a good chance, I know we are going to win," said Nathan Crosty, a computer science senior and data acquisition team leader. There will be 130 teams representing colleges from all corners of the world vying for the No.

Fish virus threatens lakes

It is only a matter of time before a virus that may have caused fish to internally bleed to death in parts of Lake Erie and Lake Huron spreads to Lake Michigan. Officials at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, are currently working to stop viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS. Although the virus does not affect people, if it remains untreated, there could be significant consequences for the environment and the economy, said Kelley Smith, chief of the state's DNR Fisheries Division. "The testing does take time and it does cost money," Smith said.

Bee loss affects Mich. crops

A quarter of the nation's 2.4 million honeybee colonies have been wiped out, and researchers are baffled in trying to figure out why they are vanishing. One MSU researcher said the availability of food could be jeopardized if the honeybee population continues to mysteriously decrease throughout the nation. Bee expert Zachary Huang received a $64,000 grant to begin researching why honeybees are disappearing, but nothing can be done until the weather warms up. "We cannot do anything unless we know what causes it," he said.

Response team plans for natural disasters

A tornado has just ripped through Ingham County, damaging two dairy farms and a veterinary clinic. Several hundred animals are loose.

Local 4-H team to compete in nationals

Ingham County 4-H Horse Judging Team ended their season with high marks at the state competition, allowing them to represent Michigan in the national competition.

Habitat breaks new ground

Lansing — Habitat for Humanity Lansing officials celebrated their new home Tuesday — happy they are no longer renting a cramped space to hold its operation. In 2005, Habitat purchased a building at 1941 Benjamin Drive, which, at the time, was only a shell and now, two years and almost 50,000 volunteer hours later, the organization has a place to call home. "Our goal is to build decent, affordable housing and now we finally have our own home that's up to those standards," said Heather LaFave, the organization's family-support manager. Volunteers and staff conducted tours of the new facility. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and Rep.

Budget crisis stalls funding

End Violent Encounters of Lansing is feeling the effects of the state's budget crisis and may not be able to maintain its services. The organization relies on state and federal grants to keep its services for domestic violence victims up and running, said Susan Shoultz, executive director of the Lansing-based organization.

Professor is 1st female honored

Pamela Fraker is the first female professor from MSU to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences, or NAS.

Professor known for animal research

To Ronald Nelson, work was more than a job — it was the importance of family. Nelson, 88, died Friday from what his daughter said could have been a heart failure. "He ran the department in a rather unique manner," said John Shelle, Nelson's colleague in the animal science department.