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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 1997)
•livK'*. Debriefing Tuesday • Aprils, State Nation Volunteers search for missing girl FRIENDSWOOD, Texas (AP) — About 150 volunteers were combing rural areas of Harris and Galveston counties today for a 12-year-old girl who disappeared five days ago. “We’re just finding leads, running them out and exhausting them,” said Michael E. Barker, one of the search leaders. Laura Kate Smither was last seen by family members last Thursday when she left her home fora quarter-mile jog. An aerial search was expanded over the weekend to include a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter with heat sensing capability. More than 300 volunteers searched remote areas both north and south of Friendswood on Sunday. Today’s hunt was farther west, Barker said this morning. Barker urged residents within 10 miles of Friendswood to check any unattended outbuildings. Since searchers did not know whether foul play was involved in the girl’s disap pearance, Barker urged precautions. “Take someone with you; don’t just send the kids out to look,” he said. A $50,000 reward has been of fered for information about the girl’s whereabouts. Barker said the money came from donations. ► This day in history Today is Tuesday, April 8, the 98th day of 1997. There are 267 days left in the year. On this date: In 1513, explorer Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Flori da for Spain. In 1935, the Works Progress Administration was ap proved by Congress. In 1946, the League of Nations assembled in Gene va for the last time. In 1952, President Truman seized the steel indus try to avert a nationwide strike. In 1970, the Senate rejected President Nixon’s nom ination of G. Harold Carswell to the Supreme Court. In 1973, artist Pablo Picasso died at his home near Mougins, France, at age 91. In 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hit his 715th career home run in a game against the Los An geles Dodgers, breaking Babe Ruth’s record. Spine-injuries don't end orgasm ability NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ. (AP) — Two researchers believe they have isolated a chemical that produces or gasms in women even if they have suffered spinal cord injuries. The finding could lead one day to a pill that would give the same sensation as an orgasm and also might have use in treating pain, said Barry R. Komisaruk, a professor at Rutgers University. His partner in the research was Rutgers professor Beverly Whipple, who in 1982 wrote the book “The G- Spot and Other Recent Discoveries About Human Sexualities.” Through experiments with lab rats, the researchers determined that the brain can receive signals of sexual response through a pathway other than the spinal cord. Komisaruk found an alternate path way through the vagus nerve, which goes directly from the cervix, through the abdomen and chest cavity, into the neck and to the brain stem. The professors then studied 16 women paralyzed by spinal cord in juries, and found that three of them were able to have orgasms through sexual stimulation. “Contrary to what people may think, we discovered that women in the study who were paralyzed and had no feeling below the breast area were, in fact, capable of having or gasm,” Komisaruk said. Those experiments helped lead to the isolation of the vasoactive intestinal peptide, which he believes is the neu rotransmitter, or nervous system chem ical messenger, in the body that causes the orgasm sensation in the brain. That same chemical may also have strong pain-suppressing quali ties rivaling morphine that one day may make it a natural source of pain relief, Komisaruk said. O'Brien conquers doubts of talent NEW YORK (AP) — Questions about whether Conan O’Brien would last as a light-night TV host have been answered with a five-year contract ex tension announced Monday by NBC. “Early on, they were timing my con tract with an egg timer," said O’Brien, who was an unknown comedy writer chosen to replace former Late Night host David Letterman in 1993 after better-known stars demurred. The former Saturday Night Live' writer started Late Night With Conan O’Brien with a 13-week commitment. But the show and the one it follows, Jay Leno’s Tonight Show, have been on a ratings roll, giving NBC the top- rated lineup for their time period. Terms of the contract weren’t dis closed. O’Brien said he considered it a validation of his work. People in the News Taylor In 1975, Frank Robinson, major-league baseball’s first black manager, got off to a winning start as his team, the Cleveland Indians, defeated the New York Yankees, 5-3. In 1990, Ryan White, the teen-age AIDS patient whose battle for acceptance gained national attention, died in Indianapolis at age 18. In 1994, Kurt Cobain, singer-musician for the grunge band Nirvana, was found dead in Seattle of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound; he was 27. ► Today's birthdays Former first lady Betty Ford is 79. Lyricist Fred Ebb is 64. Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh is 60. Basketball Hall- of-Famer John Havticek is 57. Singer Peggy Lennon (The Lennon Sisters) is 56. Actor John Schneider is 43. All-Star catcher Gary Carter is 43. Rock musician Izzy Stradlin is 35. Singer Julian Lennon is 34. Rapper Biz Markie is 33. Ac tress Patricia Arquette is 29. Taylor calls it quits with hubby No.7 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Elizabeth Taylor is free to marry again. She’s of ficially divorced from Larry Fortensky, husband No. 7. “It’s done,” the actress’ attorney, Arlene Colman- Schwimmer, said Monday. The lawyer de scribed the set tlement as ami cable and refused to reveal financial details. She said reports that Fortensky was getting $1.5 million were false. “That’s too high,” she said. The Oscar-winning star of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Butter field 8 met Fortensky in 1988 when both were at the Betty Ford Clinic. They married Oct. 6, 1991, during a ceremony at Michael Jackson's Nev- erland Ranch. Miss Taylor filed for divorce in February 1996, citing irreconcilable differences. The 65-year-old actress is plan ning a trip overseas in May, two months after brain surgery to remove a benign tumor. ► Weather Today Martin off air, star to focus on films NEW YORK (AP) — After a troubled year for star Martin Lawrence, the tele vision show Martin is calling it quits. Lawrence said Monday he wanted to concentrate on movies. His situa tion comedy will end with a one-hour special on Fox on Thursday, May 1. “After five years with the series, I feel it’s time to move on,” said Lawrence, who starred in the movies You So Crazy and Bad Boys. Lawrence has been in the news for more than his acting recently. He was arrested in March after alleged ly punching a man in a Los Angeles restaurant and was arrested last summer after a loaded gun was found in his suitcase. In December, former costar Tisha Campbell sued Lawrence, claiming he sexually harassed and sexually bat tered her, and left the show for a time. Oasis singer weds in civil ceremony LONDON (AP) — Paparazzi were not a problem when Oasis singer Liam Gallagher and actress Patsy Kensit got married Monday in a se cret civil ceremony with just the reg istrar watching. The wedding — his first and her Tonight Tomorrow Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Southeast winds at 10 to 15 mph. Cloudy with a 5D percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. South east winds 5 to 10 mph. Cloudy with a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. South east winds 10 to 15 mph. third — came two monthsa couple canceled plannednisi because the media was “obsJ and intrusive.” ^ Jackson 3-D moil leaves Disneylanl ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)-Cc| Eo has made his lastjoume). Disneyland’s three-dimer: musical space adventure, star ring a younger Michael Jack- son, was shown for the last time Sunday night. It will be re placed by Honey I Shrunk the Audi ence, another 3-D movie debuting Jacksoi next spring. Jackson played the title rc Captain Eo, leading a spec- and companions Fuzzba 1 Greek and Hooter in bringing song and dance to a gloomyplHel led by Anjelica Huston. Knl The 17-minute film had knai playing at the Tomorrowlandtli*T| since 1986. Dozens of thettBrrl park’s season-pass h coi;,j streamed through the attradiU pay their final respects. bthc‘| ■u IM Highs & Low:jts, i| VoiVaVs htpetMmlj j 70°F lion 60°F 1 Tomorrow’s &q)K' SOl|| | High 69°F ;Asv!| in'n] Tomorrow ty s J Expected Lon : (] 58°F ^l Information courtesy of TAt\ 1 Student Counseling V ip£t nCrtrtmrtrn •fire you a good listener? Do you like to help others? fire you a responsible and committed person? (DVolunteers Needed® to begin service in the Summer '97 or Fail '97 Semester. •••INTERVIEWING NOW*** Summer training will be May 26-31. Fall training will be August 25-30. Application DEADLINE for Summer Training is May 9. ALL MAJORS are weicome to apply. Applications available in Room 104 Henderson Hall. For further information call Susan Vavra at 845-4427 ext. 133. Our Smoothies are made with the freshest ingredients and can be a: Meal * Energizer ★ Dessert mm -j mm u mum W/COUPON EXPIRES 4/30/97 26 Smoothies Hawaiian 20 Espresso & Kona Flavored Speciality French Coffee Teas Drinks Sorbet Kolaches & Muffins 601 University (next to Subway) OPEN 7:30am - 11:00pm r $13.25/ROLL CHEW $1.19/PACK $12.99/CARTON $11.67/CARTON LIGHTS 120s $11.67/CARTON Winston $15.28/CARTON LIGHTS $15.28/CARTON Lights $14.28/CARTON OTHER STORE SPECIALS Hours: M-F 9:00-7:00pm Sat. 9:00 - 5:00pm 1623 Texas Ave. Culpepper Plaza (409) 695-1256 Quitlioj Smokies (ow Greatl Lone Star Overnight A PART-TIME COURIER Lone Star Overnight is a premium quality, overnight air express ship ping company serving the 25 largest metropolitan areas in Texas. LSO needs highly motivated, courteous, dependable, prompt and professional women and men with great communications skills who desire a long term career opportunity. This part-time courier posi tion offers approximately 15-20 hours per week with a flexible schedule. You must be available to begin work on April 28th. LSO offers starting pay of $8.20 per hour, medical coverage, paid vaca tion, profit sharing, and 401k retirement benefits to full-time employees. A LSO courier's primary duty is courteous, efficient and professional pick-up and delivery of high priority packages driving a company owned vehicle while adhering to strict safety procedures. Essential job requirements include the ability to operate a standard delivery van, to life and maneuver 75 pounds without assistance and maneuver 150 pounds with appropriate equipment. You must be able to communicate well in English, both verbal and written. In order to meet vehicle insurance requirements, you must be at least 25 years old and a clear motor vehicle report for the last three years is highly preferred. LSO is committed to a drug-free workplace and requires a pre-employment drug screen. A background check and physical examination may be required. If you have the energy and desire to contribute your talents to this fast growing and successful company, please come to the Pavilion, Rm 21 9 or the Career Center located on campus April 8-10 to fill out ^in application. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. EOE. ^ JOB OPENINGS IN AGGIELAND Graduation ... Time for celebration, Time for reflection, and Time to LOOK FOR A JOB! The career you are looking for may be doser than you think. Universal Computer Systems, Inc., is among the industry leaders it comes to providing quality computer systems to automobile dealers! We have a long-standing tradition to our commitment to excellence and seek to hire the best potential employees possible In addition to available positions located at our headquarters in Housti we are offering the opportunity to work in a professional capacity in oui newly expanded College Station facility. And our commitment to Aggieland is growing with the announcement of our newest 215,000 facility scheduled to open in College Station in 1998! If you are among the many Aggies who want to remain close to their second home after graduation and want to develop a career with an innovative, conservative and growing company, give us a call or sendiii your resume. All majors are welcome to apply! Universal Computer Systems, inc. 6700 Hollister, Houston, TX. 77040 800-718-1400 713-718-1400 www. ucs-systems. com UCS...A Tradition in Quality, A Commitment to Aggieland. The Battalion Rachel Barry, Editor in Chief Tiffany Moore, Managing Editor Kristina Buffin, Sports Editor Wesley Poston, City Editor Stew Milne, Visual Arts Editor Alex Walters, Opinion Editor John LeBas, Aggielife Editor Chris Stevens, Web Editor Jody Holley, Night News Editor Tim Moog, Photo Editor Helen Clancy, Night News Editor Brad Graeber, Cartoon Ed®* Staff Members City Desk - Assistant Editor: Melissa Nunnery; Reporters: Rebecca Torrellas, Brandon Hausenfluck, LauraOliveiraT 5 Roy, Graham Harvey, Jackie Vratil, Benjamin Cheng, Shikonya Cureton, Joey Schlueter, Kathleen Strickland,Ma® Alanis& Shea Wiggins Aggielife Desk - Assistant Editor: April Towery; Feature Wroers: Aaron Meier, Shea Wiggins, Michael Schaub, Daptis Phillips, Brandon Truitt, Missy Price, & Karen Janes; Page Designers: Artie Alvarado & Daphne Phillips Sports Desk - Assistant Editor: Paul Mitchell; Writers: Jamie Burch, Sara Duesing, Jeremy Furtick, Matt Mitchell,Ctt' ! Lyons, Dennis Ramirez, Chris Ferrell, Lara Zuehlke & Nicole Smith; Page Designer: Eric Proctor Opinion Desk - Assistant Editor: James Francis; Columnists: Jon Apgar, David Boldt, Mason Jackson, Stephen UanoJS' Hill, Steve May, Donny Ferguson, Kate Shropshire, Dave Johnston, Glenn Janik, General Franklin, Robby RayCc-T' Phillips, John Lemmons, Brandon Hausenfluck, Travis Chow & Jeremy Valdez Night News - Page Designers: Jennifer Bishop, Angie Rodgers, Joshua Miller, Lisa Wells & Michele Chancellor Copy Editors - Elisa Douglass, Missy Davila, Shea Wiggins, Gina Panzica & Matt Weber Visual Arts Desk - Assistant Photo Editor: Dave House; Photographers: Rony Angkriwan, Patrick James, Derek Deiw* Robert McKay, Ryan Rogers & Amy Dunlap; Graphic Artists: Jennifer Maki, James Palmer & James Vineyard; CiT'’ ists: Michael Depot, Chad Mallam, David Hoffman, John Lemons, Ed Goodwin & Quatro Oakley Webmasters - Dusty Moer, Sara Candy, David Friesenhahn & Daniel Holwerda News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Student^ cations, a unit of the Department of Journalism. 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