EDUCATION Students learn that recycling pays off...

EDUCATION

Students learn that recycling pays off

Newport Elementary School sixth-grader Samantha Smith started a

movement on campus last semester to collect and recycle plastic water

bottles and glass juice bottles. So far, the student council has

raised about $400 and given 15,000 bottles a new lease on life.

* Researchers at UCI received a $3-million grant to develop a

vaccine for highly infectious bacteria that could be used in

bioterrorism. The bacteria, which causes tularemia, was used for

biological warfare in World War I, said Luis Villarreal, director of

the Center for Virus Research. Those infected can get pneumonia and

other respiratory problems.

* Trustees for the Coast Community College District will stand by

their decision to sell public broadcasting channel KOCE-TV to the

station’s fundraising wing -- at least for now. In a closed session

at Wednesday night’s board of trustees meeting, the district decided

to give the KOCE-TV Foundation until March 10 to meet the terms of

the agreement. The attorney for the district, Milford Dahl, said he

has notified spurned bidder Daystar Television Network, which has

threatened to sue the district unless it allows them to buy the

station.

* Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades at THINK Together at

Shalimar’s after-school program spent their recent week vacation

learning what it takes to become president.

Many of the students at the center were born in another country or

have parents that immigrated, center director Lindsy Pike said.

Learning about the democratic process at an early age, she said,

should make them more interested in getting involved and voting for

real -- when they’re old enough.

Lorena Vega, 11, was elected president.

-- Marisa O’Neil