St. Louis Street: Area near North Boulevard closed until Nov., p. 5
Buffalo Wild Wings: Why are there people sleeping outside?, p. 3
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
Woman visiting ECA dies Sunday
Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 • Volume 115, Issue 93
Canine Carnival Pets, owners participate in the Mystic Krewe de Mutts
LSUPD: No foul play suspected Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
A 28-year-old female unaffiliated with the University died Sunday morning after receiving emergency medical care at East Campus Apartments, according to the LSU Police Department. LSUPD Det. Jason Bettencourtt said police responded to a 911 call from the apartment at approximately 3:30 a.m. reporting an unresponsive female. The female was identified as Kristine Ritter of Walker, La. Bettencourtt said Ritter was staying at the apartment with a University student, whose name has not been disclosed. The student administered CPR to Ritter until EMS arrived on the scene to provide further aid. Bettencourtt said Ritter was transported to Baton Rouge General Mid City Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The cause of death has not yet been determined. Bettencourtt said the incident is currently under investigation by LSU Police, and no foul play is suspected. Contact Sydni Dunn at sdunn@lsureveille.com
Baseball: LSU trounces Wake Forest in opening series, p. 9
CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille
Catherine Threlkeld Contributing Writer
Baton Rouge kicked off its Mardi Gras celebration Sunday with the 12th annual “Mystic Krewe de Mutts” parade downtown. Pet lovers, dogs of every shape and size, vendors and animal-rescue organizations gathered on North Boulevard between 4th and 5th streets to celebrate the event, hosted by the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society. Dozens of just about every breed imaginable mingled at the parade — from Great Danes to dachshunds. They begged for hot dogs and wore throws from the parade. The theme of this year’s Krewe de Mutts was “Hooray for Howl-ywood,” and owners decked their floats with themes like “Scarlett O’Hair-a” from “Gone with the Wind,” the cast of “Wizard of Oz” and “Jaws.” Pups in the costume contest were dressed as Elvis, characters from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and Minnie Mouse. A goat even snuck into the dog contest dressed as Paris Hilton. The parade’s grand marshal was Cane II, the furry face of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. “CAAWS royalty,” honored dogs of the parade, are always dogs rescued by CAAWS who have been adopted into loving homes. This year’s royalty were King Fred and Buttercup. Cane II’s owners, Todd and Gwen Graves, are CAAWS’ biggest sponsors and great supporters, said Frank Parks, CAAWS director. Animal rescue organization volunteers followed Cane II with MUTTS, see page 8
FEAST YOUR EYES
BUDGET CUTS
Ag college: Programs will survive Sydni Dunn Staff Writer
Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of stories looking at 34 University programs under scrutiny. The Board of Regents, the body that oversees the state’s higher education system, labeled those programs “under-performing” Jan. 26. The College of Agriculture is confident its graduate programs under review will survive, according to Agriculture Dean Kenneth Koonce.
Eight of the University’s 34 programs identified by the Regents as “low completers” are agriculturerelated. They were recognized for low enrollment and graduation rates in the master’s and doctoral programs in January. The Regents’ new evaluation standards state that Ph.D. programs must graduate two students each year, and master’s programs must graduate five. Koonce said the majority of the programs have regained enrollment or have restructured. “We will be able to maintain them because they do have
expectations of additional graduates,” he said. Koonce said the University’s agriculture programs are the only ones in Louisiana, significantly aiding the state’s economy. “Terminating the programs would be detrimental to the state’s agricultural production,” Koonce said. “They are instrumental in providing students to the workforce.” Koonce also said the programs are not a financial burden on the University because they are funded by the LSU AgCenter. AGCENTER, see page 8
ADAM VACCARELLA / The Daily Reveille
Becky Andrews displays sushi for participants of the Nearly Naked Sushi fundraiser Sunday at the Highland Road location of Hello Sushi. The Baton Rouge Arts Council held the event in partnership with Hello Sushi as a way to raise support for the art society.