Region

Activist comes down from tree

Tracy "Dolphin" McNeely is headed west. Not long ago, McNeely pledged to remain atop a red oak in Stoney Springs as long as it took to protect the privately-owned forest area, which will soon be razed to make way for an apartment complex. Then last Saturday, she descended from her perch -- a four-by-eight-foot platform suspended 50 feet in the air -- after 88 days. It has since been manned in shifts by fellow environmentalists who decry the planned Canterbury Apartments as a reckless development.

GLBT supporters speak out

This weekend, the "Sexual Minority Youth in the Heartland," a conference sponsored by the IU Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Support Services, offered insight to the lives of GLBT youth as they struggle with gender identity and sexual orientation in an environment that sometimes shuns their very existence. In order to educate others and eliminate the stigma associated with these issues, the conference sought action from those both within and without of the GLBT community.

Movin' to the movies

Evidence of IU Sing spirit lined the path to the IU Auditorium Friday and Saturday nights. Posters from sororities and fraternities were posted to light posts, stairwells and trees.

Kidman shines as mail-order bride

Respectability for IU a long way coming

DURHAM, N.C. -- If this was supposed to be a fairy tale, it ended too soon without enough tears. Eleven days after capturing an improbable Big Ten tournament title, the women's basketball team seemed to play with a just-happy-to-be-here attitude Friday in the East Region's first round against Texas Christian.

Band offers unique style

IU student-based bands provide numerous entertainment and nightlife options. However, these bands tend to remain notably similar in content and style. Laborius Clef, an up and coming local band, challenges this commonality with a diverse sound and variety of instruments and influences.

U.S. plane crashes in Pakistan

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. military plane carrying at least seven Marines crashed into a mountain in Pakistan Wednesday night. There were no initial signs of survivors. At the Pentagon, officials said there were no initial indications that anyone survived, but they could not rule it out. They also said there were no signs that the plane was brought down by hostile action. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said he understood the plane was carrying passengers in addition to the crew, but he had no further details. Other military officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the plane was carrying a crew of six and one passenger -- all Marines. Witnesses reported seeing flames shooting from the plane before it slammed into the mountain.

Suicide attack in Tel Aviv kills 3

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Two suicide bombers blew themselves up seconds apart in downtown Tel Aviv Wednesday night, killing three civilians and wounding more than 40, police and witnesses said. The attack took place between a cafe and a theater in a rundown neighborhood where many foreign workers live, and Israel Radio said most of the casualties were workers from abroad.

Super films from beyond the mainstream be the mainstream

Director Wes Anderson and co-writer Owen Wilson have become masters at creating awkward situations for their characters and their audiences. Their movies are filled with moments that would be funny if only we were sure they were a joke. But we're not sure, and that makes the moment funny and sad at the same time.

Around The Region

Ten Commandments display prohibited in Goshen classrooms GOSHEN, Ind. -- The Goshen Board of Education has rejected a proposed policy change that would have allowed the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms. Board member David Coyne said before Monday's vote that he opposed the proposed change because he believes it is unconstitutional and misleading.

Suspect denies connection to SUV vandalism

The suspect arrested in connection with the rash of SUV vandalism over the weekend denies any involvement. Police linked the suspect to only one case of vandalism out of the 40 committed in the city and on campus Friday and Saturday. He said he was jumped by two men while walking home from a bar and has been mistakenly accused. The Bloomington Police Department has had more than 60 reports of vandalism to sport utility vehicles and other high-end cars such as BMWs since the beginning of September. Bloomington Police Capt. Joe Qualters said the apparently related cases involve slashed tires and defacement with spray paint.

Goodbye, Ox

I didn't know John Entwistle had died until a friend e-mailed me the morning after it happened. "I guess this means there's not going to be a tour this summer," Steve's e-mail read, followed by several of those e-mail frowny faces.

Anthrax traces found in 5 more Senate offices

Trace amounts of anthrax have been discovered in five more Senate offices in the same building where a letter containing the bacteria was opened Oct. 15. Capitol Police Lt. Dan Nichols said the latest findings were not unexpected.

Coach shuffles swimmers, still finds success

Heading into their team's dual meet against Ohio State, IU women's swimming head coach Dorsey Tierney was looking for depth within her squad. In order to establish depth, Tierney changed the lineup of events in which many of the swimmers competed.

Team seeks recovery from slump

After Michigan handed the softball team a 15-3 pounding in Ann Arbor Sunday, the Hoosiers were thrust into a three-game tailspin that has left them trying to regroup.

Haston to announce NBA draft decision

Ever since senior forward/center Kirk Haston announced his intentions to make himself eligible for June's NBA draft, but not hire an agent, speculation has been circling IU's leading scorer about whether or not he would return to school.

E-mails spark conflict

The Synergy ticket will file a complaint against the Kirkwood ticket for allegedly sending out mass e-mails to more than 25,000 students early Tuesday morning, possibly jeopardizing Kirkwood's position in the IU Student Association election, which concludes tonight at 11:59 p.m.

'Van Wilder' funny, but no 'Vacation' or 'Animal House'

'American Outlaws' a misfire

American Outlaws - PG-13 Starring: Colin Farrell, Scott Caan, Ali Larter Directed by: Les Mayfield Showing: Showplace East 11

Come forward with the truth

Last May 31, Bloomington resident and student Jill Behrman disappeared while on a morning bike ride, and she has still not been found. Despite endless hours of searching and investigation by officials, there have been no promising leads to finding out what happened to her. It's time that the silence concerning her disappearance ends.