Channing Returns Home!
18 year old, Rachel Channing returns home after lawsuit against parents. Channing stated that she was forced out of home, and she had to support herself financially. Lawsuit asked that her parents paid for her senior year at private high school, pay current living, transportation, pay college tuition, and reimburse her friend’s parents legal fees. Although Channing parents claim she left home because she refused to follow rules.
Even though the charges are not fully dropped and soon to be cases in April, Rachel Channing parents let her come home with welcoming arms.
~Aja R. Edwards
Even though the charges are not fully dropped and soon to be cases in April, Rachel Channing parents let her come home with welcoming arms.
~Aja R. Edwards
A South African Peace Keeper
Nelson Mandela was a former South African president. Nelson Mandela accomplished many things in his lifetime, he led the ANC (African National Congress).
Nelson Mandela also stopped apartheid and got involved in racism. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island.
Before he his imprisonment he studied law. His civil protest against the apartheid system is what landed him in jail.
We have lost this amazing leader on the 5th of December. Nelson Mandela’s legacy will stay with us forever. Many people favored Nelson Mandela and what he has done for our african nation. He will be a big part of history and will always be remembered.
Written by Olivia Logan
Nelson Mandela also stopped apartheid and got involved in racism. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island.
Before he his imprisonment he studied law. His civil protest against the apartheid system is what landed him in jail.
We have lost this amazing leader on the 5th of December. Nelson Mandela’s legacy will stay with us forever. Many people favored Nelson Mandela and what he has done for our african nation. He will be a big part of history and will always be remembered.
Written by Olivia Logan
Will Texas kill a man for being black?
The jurors of Texas, in the case of Duane Buck were told that Buck was more likely to commit another crime because he is black. Yes, Duane Buck is guilty of murder. In 1995, he shot and killed his girlfriend and her other male companion in her apartment. Over time he has become one of the most racially explosive cases over the past decades revealing racial discrimination in Texas’ criminal justice system.
During the penalty phase of Bucks trial, Harris County prosecutors benefitted from the testimony of psychologist Walter Quijano. Asked in court if “The race factor, black” increased Buck’s risk of committing another crime, Quijano answered “Yes.” He also said that being either African American or Latino “Increases the future dangerousness for various complicated reasons.”
On Wednesday, Buck’s attorney filed a habeas petition to reverse his execution sentence. “Mr.Buck is looking for a sentencing hearing that does not invoke his race.” He knows he’s looking at life in prison, and is fine with that.’’
-Kaitlyn Davis
Takepart.com
During the penalty phase of Bucks trial, Harris County prosecutors benefitted from the testimony of psychologist Walter Quijano. Asked in court if “The race factor, black” increased Buck’s risk of committing another crime, Quijano answered “Yes.” He also said that being either African American or Latino “Increases the future dangerousness for various complicated reasons.”
On Wednesday, Buck’s attorney filed a habeas petition to reverse his execution sentence. “Mr.Buck is looking for a sentencing hearing that does not invoke his race.” He knows he’s looking at life in prison, and is fine with that.’’
-Kaitlyn Davis
Takepart.com
CYCLONE CLEOPATRA FLOODS SARDINIA,INDIA
“We’ve found a dead child.” Mayor Gianni Giovannelli said. November 18, 2013 Cyclone Cleopatra dropped 450mm of rain in a hour and a half, making rivers overflow and flood the surrounding areas with the help of rain, Bridges were swept away along with houses. Hundreds are now left homeless and at least 17 people were killed by the floods. Mayor Gianni Giovannelli said “Houses across the area have been half -submerged by the floods and rescuers are still searching for possible victims.”
The government announced a state of emergency after the Cyclone. Flooding and landslides are very common in Italy, even though most of their land covered with mountains. It is said more than 6 million people in Italy face potential risk of flooding, also its been made worse by reckless and poor building, mostly in coastal areas.
The Red Cross said over a hundred people have been told to get out of there homes and into shelters set up in halls and centers. The governor of their region Ugo Cappellacci told SkyTG24 television”The situation is tragic, the hotels in Olbia are full of people who have had to escape, but there are thousands who have damage to their homes.
Written by Kaitlyn Davis
Worldnews.nbcnews.com
foxnews.com
The government announced a state of emergency after the Cyclone. Flooding and landslides are very common in Italy, even though most of their land covered with mountains. It is said more than 6 million people in Italy face potential risk of flooding, also its been made worse by reckless and poor building, mostly in coastal areas.
The Red Cross said over a hundred people have been told to get out of there homes and into shelters set up in halls and centers. The governor of their region Ugo Cappellacci told SkyTG24 television”The situation is tragic, the hotels in Olbia are full of people who have had to escape, but there are thousands who have damage to their homes.
Written by Kaitlyn Davis
Worldnews.nbcnews.com
foxnews.com
87 Year Old Sky Dives!!!
87 year old Clarence Turner skydived from an airplane to raise money for his 11 month old grandchild, Julian Couch. The boy has a rare protein deficiency, underwent a lung transplant which took place on Mother’s Day, and has been in the hospital since he was first born. However, the medical bills have gotten pretty high. The bills have gotten up to over $1 million dollars. On June 2, 2013, a fundraiser was held. Mr. Turner took this as an opportunity to help his grandchild, and the baby’s parents who have been struggling since the boys’ birth. During the time spent in the hospital with young Julian, their house has gotten broken into, and their car was stolen. With this being known, Grandpa Turner knew it was a MUST to make this miracle happen. He took a risk. But he was determined. He thought ‘whatever it takes,’ just for the ones he loved.
Written by Saryah Winchester
Written by Saryah Winchester
Gold Trees
Scientist in Australia have discovered gold deposits in eucalyptus trees. According to CNN, trees such as eucalyptus and acacia trees have deep and extensive root systems. In times of drought, their roots dig deep into the Earth in search of water. So deep, in fact, that some trees have literally struck gold. This is an amazing discovery for the scientific world!
Before this discovery, scientist knew that some trees absorbed minerals such as gold. Although, they have not been able to prove that the minerals came from underground and not from surface soil deposits.
Written by Summer Boxley
Before this discovery, scientist knew that some trees absorbed minerals such as gold. Although, they have not been able to prove that the minerals came from underground and not from surface soil deposits.
Written by Summer Boxley
12 Year Old Death in Florida
Two girls, 12 and 14, were recently arrested for the death of 12 year-old Rebecca Sedwick. Rebecca committed suicide after being constantly bullied by a group of girls via Facebook. The tragedy hit hard on Rebecca’s mother because the situation could have been avoided.
Although the two suspect’s parents were notified about the situation, they did not cooperate with the police and allowed the suspects to continue to use their social media account. The police moved in fast and made the arrest because it was clear that the parents would not take control and the suspects will find a new victim.
Rebecca was ganged up on by more than 15 girls at a time and picked on through message boards and texts. After the arrest of both girls, Sedwick’s mom released pictures and names of the two alleged suspects. Rebecca’s mom removed her from the school because of the constant bullying in 2012, but the bullying continued on social media.
On September 9, Rebecca climbed to the top of an abandoned tower, and jumped to her death. After the death of poor Rebecca Sedwick, authorities searched her computer and found search queries such as “how to get blades out of razors” and “how many over-the-counter drugs do you take to die”. Also a screensaver on her computer showed her laying her head on a railroad track.
Both girls were charged as juveniles and aggravated stalking. It’s not clear how much time, if any at all, the girls would be in juvenile detention because they do not have any previous felonies.
Written by Destiny Roberston
Although the two suspect’s parents were notified about the situation, they did not cooperate with the police and allowed the suspects to continue to use their social media account. The police moved in fast and made the arrest because it was clear that the parents would not take control and the suspects will find a new victim.
Rebecca was ganged up on by more than 15 girls at a time and picked on through message boards and texts. After the arrest of both girls, Sedwick’s mom released pictures and names of the two alleged suspects. Rebecca’s mom removed her from the school because of the constant bullying in 2012, but the bullying continued on social media.
On September 9, Rebecca climbed to the top of an abandoned tower, and jumped to her death. After the death of poor Rebecca Sedwick, authorities searched her computer and found search queries such as “how to get blades out of razors” and “how many over-the-counter drugs do you take to die”. Also a screensaver on her computer showed her laying her head on a railroad track.
Both girls were charged as juveniles and aggravated stalking. It’s not clear how much time, if any at all, the girls would be in juvenile detention because they do not have any previous felonies.
Written by Destiny Roberston
Kenya Mall Attack Survivor Played Dead To Live
Twenty-six year old Elaine Dang survived last month’s terror attack at the Nairobi’s Westgate mall located in Kenya. She was inside of the mall at the children’s cooking competition. Elaine says she and all the others heard lots of screaming and chaos. Not too long after she saw people running, she heard bombs from the rooftop, where she was at. One of the presenters from the competition quickly informed Elaine that there was a bombing, and for everyone to begin walking toward the parking lot. She did as told.
As she was following everyone, she heard even more shooting, screaming, and bombs. “ I had a feeling whatever this was, was not a simple bomb” said Elaine. She says her instincts told her not to follow the crowd, but to isolate herself from them. When she walked away from the crowd, she made her way back into the mall where the competition was and hid behind one of the counters. Because there was so many other people rushing and panicking, she ended up falling onto a woman, and several others fell on top of her. They struggled to get up. Elaine heard gunshots, and when she looked down at the woman, blood was everywhere. The woman screamed “I’ve been shot! I’ve been shot!”. Elaine already knew that if she didn’t start to think very fast, her life may have come to an end.
She was very nervous, shaky, and frightened. She had no time to cry. She had no time to worry. She needed to figure out something to do. “This cannot be it.” Elaine said to herself. When she saw a friend of hers stand up and raise his hands, she readied herself to do the same. Just when she was going to stand up, another woman beat her to it and was shot immediately. She then knew that the smartest thing for her to do was to stay down. So that’s what she did. A woman near her asked “Are we going to die?” Elaine responded, “I think we are going to”.
She began to think of all her loved ones; her brother, sister, and mother. She was as quiet and still as possible and pretended to be dead. After a few minutes, a man walked up to her and told her that people were going downstairs. “I don’t hear gunshots so I’m thinking this is safe. So I start going” Dang said. When they reached the entrance of the building, Elaine walked out with her phone up to her ear and in a daze with blood all over her face. "I talk about it, like, sometimes like I'm very removed from the situation, but when I see the photograph and other photos of victims or people that I knew, that's when I realize I was there," Her voice began to crack as she spoke. Elaine still considers Kenya her second home, and hopes to go back very soon. "If anything it's increased the love that I have for the country," she said.
Written by Saryah Winchester
As she was following everyone, she heard even more shooting, screaming, and bombs. “ I had a feeling whatever this was, was not a simple bomb” said Elaine. She says her instincts told her not to follow the crowd, but to isolate herself from them. When she walked away from the crowd, she made her way back into the mall where the competition was and hid behind one of the counters. Because there was so many other people rushing and panicking, she ended up falling onto a woman, and several others fell on top of her. They struggled to get up. Elaine heard gunshots, and when she looked down at the woman, blood was everywhere. The woman screamed “I’ve been shot! I’ve been shot!”. Elaine already knew that if she didn’t start to think very fast, her life may have come to an end.
She was very nervous, shaky, and frightened. She had no time to cry. She had no time to worry. She needed to figure out something to do. “This cannot be it.” Elaine said to herself. When she saw a friend of hers stand up and raise his hands, she readied herself to do the same. Just when she was going to stand up, another woman beat her to it and was shot immediately. She then knew that the smartest thing for her to do was to stay down. So that’s what she did. A woman near her asked “Are we going to die?” Elaine responded, “I think we are going to”.
She began to think of all her loved ones; her brother, sister, and mother. She was as quiet and still as possible and pretended to be dead. After a few minutes, a man walked up to her and told her that people were going downstairs. “I don’t hear gunshots so I’m thinking this is safe. So I start going” Dang said. When they reached the entrance of the building, Elaine walked out with her phone up to her ear and in a daze with blood all over her face. "I talk about it, like, sometimes like I'm very removed from the situation, but when I see the photograph and other photos of victims or people that I knew, that's when I realize I was there," Her voice began to crack as she spoke. Elaine still considers Kenya her second home, and hopes to go back very soon. "If anything it's increased the love that I have for the country," she said.
Written by Saryah Winchester
Missing Baby Case Finally Solved
On October 12, 2013, the case of “Baby Hope” was finally solved. Baby Hope’s body was found on July 23, 1991. Her body was decomposed and there was evidence of sexual molestation. Police were searching for suspects and clues for years. After, Baby Hope was buried in a donated plot and the police department provided a tomb stone.
The month of October was an incredible series of events for the case. The detectives caught the suspect. An anonymous tip called after the anniversary in July which helped crack the case. The call led to Baby Hope’s sister. From there, they identified the baby’s mother. The D.N.A. from the mother helped identify Baby Hope’s identity. Anjelica Castillo is who Baby Hope really is.
The detectives found and questioned Conrado Juarez, 52. He confessed and was charged with murder. Justice has been served!
Written by Summer Boxley, Destiny Robertson & Saryah Winchester
The month of October was an incredible series of events for the case. The detectives caught the suspect. An anonymous tip called after the anniversary in July which helped crack the case. The call led to Baby Hope’s sister. From there, they identified the baby’s mother. The D.N.A. from the mother helped identify Baby Hope’s identity. Anjelica Castillo is who Baby Hope really is.
The detectives found and questioned Conrado Juarez, 52. He confessed and was charged with murder. Justice has been served!
Written by Summer Boxley, Destiny Robertson & Saryah Winchester
Deaf Boy Hears for First Time
Erin Vanward, from Grand Rapids, Michigan met 7 year old Henry Rivera on a mission to Guatemala. She says she noticed he would not respond to things she said. His family then informed her that he was deaf. Erin says this broke her heart and from then on Erin’s next mission was to give Henry the gift of hearing!
When Erin and her team returned to America, they began to plan Henry’s life changing operation. Erin received help to get the process started from Ray of Hope Medical Missions, a non-profit organization in Fort Wayne. $40,000 dollars was donated to the mission for equipment. The procedure was performed by Dr. Disher at Lutheran Hospital. The procedure was a success! Henry’s family was overjoyed with the exciting news.
Henry has several more months in America as he works on his speech and learns to understand what he hears.
"I had a flashback to the first time I met him, when he couldn't hear me, and he could this time. So, everything we've done in the past three years came flooding back. It was all worth it," said Van Oordt.
Written by Saryah Winchester, Destiny Robertson & Summer Boxley
When Erin and her team returned to America, they began to plan Henry’s life changing operation. Erin received help to get the process started from Ray of Hope Medical Missions, a non-profit organization in Fort Wayne. $40,000 dollars was donated to the mission for equipment. The procedure was performed by Dr. Disher at Lutheran Hospital. The procedure was a success! Henry’s family was overjoyed with the exciting news.
Henry has several more months in America as he works on his speech and learns to understand what he hears.
"I had a flashback to the first time I met him, when he couldn't hear me, and he could this time. So, everything we've done in the past three years came flooding back. It was all worth it," said Van Oordt.
Written by Saryah Winchester, Destiny Robertson & Summer Boxley
Woman Pushed in Front of Train
On September 25, 2013, Maya Leggat, 21 years-old English major, was standing alone on the platform in White Plains, New York awaiting a train to the college in Manhattan. She was looking over her coursework on her Kindle e-book reader, when she spotted a man nearby glance at her then look away to see if a train was arriving. They never said a word to each other, and then she stopped looking.
Minutes later, he stepped behind her, took hold of her waist and threw her into the path of the oncoming train. She landed about 30 feet beneath the platform. She laid there with both legs broken, and her left ring finger severely injured. Although there were many witnesses, no one knew where she landed underneath the platform.
“There were a series of miracles” said Robert Leggat, a 65 year-old business strategy. One miracle was that she was not run over by the oncoming train. Another was that there were extra police on site to manage larger crowds because the New Haven Line was closed and commuters were being redirected to White Plains to take the Harlem Line.
Two MTA officers jumped down from the platform and were able to find her instantly because she was yelling for help. She remained alert as they applied a tourniquet to her to her mangled leg. Her left leg had a torn femoral vein that was gushing blood. "Their skill and ability to locate her and then get a tourniquet onto her leg as fast as they did was another miracle," Leggat said. "She would have bled to death."
"She won't be able to walk for a few months," the father said. "Both her legs are broken. She has rods and plates and screws in her left leg, and her right leg is fractured in three places. You can't tell till further down the road whether everything will be fine, but I have no doubt that she's going to walk again. The orthopedic surgeon said it looks good."
Written by Destiny Robertson, Sarayah Winchester & Summer Boxely
Minutes later, he stepped behind her, took hold of her waist and threw her into the path of the oncoming train. She landed about 30 feet beneath the platform. She laid there with both legs broken, and her left ring finger severely injured. Although there were many witnesses, no one knew where she landed underneath the platform.
“There were a series of miracles” said Robert Leggat, a 65 year-old business strategy. One miracle was that she was not run over by the oncoming train. Another was that there were extra police on site to manage larger crowds because the New Haven Line was closed and commuters were being redirected to White Plains to take the Harlem Line.
Two MTA officers jumped down from the platform and were able to find her instantly because she was yelling for help. She remained alert as they applied a tourniquet to her to her mangled leg. Her left leg had a torn femoral vein that was gushing blood. "Their skill and ability to locate her and then get a tourniquet onto her leg as fast as they did was another miracle," Leggat said. "She would have bled to death."
"She won't be able to walk for a few months," the father said. "Both her legs are broken. She has rods and plates and screws in her left leg, and her right leg is fractured in three places. You can't tell till further down the road whether everything will be fine, but I have no doubt that she's going to walk again. The orthopedic surgeon said it looks good."
Written by Destiny Robertson, Sarayah Winchester & Summer Boxely