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2,016	cuindependent.com	Mac Miller’s 'The Divine Feminine'	Mac Miller's fourth studio album The Divine Feminine centers around his anecdotes and emotions around love and relationships. Although the title might suggest that he is discussing the the sanctity of the female, the stories he tells are really about his ever-continuing quest for "pussy," as he says in over half of the songs. Miller features a few notable artists, including Anderson .Paak, Cee-Lo Green, Ariana Grande and (King) Kendrick Lamar. These voices, along with Miller's own monotone-slow rap, go perfectly with the jazzy-sounding backing music to create a groovy vibe. To me, this vibe is the best part of the album; Miller utilizes strings, horns, saxophones, guitar and bass with minimal electronic sounds. The beats sound genuine and, in each song, unique. Since Miller's style of rapping is slow, the music is a major part of all of his tracks, as they heighten the mood his lyrics aim to produce. The instruments are played in a way in which they seamlessly weave in and out of Miller's speaking without overloading the listener's senses with distracting sounds that would detract from his lyrics. To further his variety of sound, each of the features brings something different to the track, whether it's .Paak's melodic jazz, Grande's falsetto or K. Dot's classic outlandish voice. Even when there aren't features, Mac finds a way to bring something new and unexpected to the track. For example, in "Stay," the chorus is bombarded by a church choir. Although he excels in these aspects, the biggest vocal problem on this album is that his execution of his lyrics is mediocre at best. Miller does not enunciate at all and that makes him sound lethargic, like he's not interested in what he's recording. His flow is also pretty much the same throughout all of the songs. By "flow," I mean his lack of flow; seldom does he change how he speaks nor does he make rhythms with his voice. It sounds like Miller is just talking. That is just his style, and it takes away from his musicality and his message of divinity. Speaking of divinity, what Miller is trying to portray is not the feminine divinity in a spiritual and pure sense, but rather the essential connection that can only be found with a female (in heterosexual males). He means no disrespect to women as he talks about how he loves them and how he loves having sex with them. The whole point is that we as humans depend on love to cope with the world around us. The Divine Feminine as a title does not inspire this theme, as Mac is not worshiping female entities, but is simply telling us his experiences with being in love and in relationships with females. The production for the 10 tracks was stupendous with only one significant hiccup. In the song "Dang," there is a part that sounds like two recordings had been put together, but with a connection that isn't smooth. There is an extra bit of a beat in the song which is really sloppy on the production's part. Other than that, the instruments and vocals were mixed fantastically with no "why did they do that" moments. As soon as I saw that Lamar was being featured, I was pumped. "God is Fair, Sexy Nasty" was the strongest track on this album, and not only because of K. Dot's appearance. Miller's verses are as intricate as ever in this song, and with Lamar there to add his own genius to the mix, the track is great. The variety of music and vocals is incredible, and they work with Miller's voice to enhance his message of the importance of love. Unfortunately, his lyricism and obsession with talking about female genitalia dragged him down a bit. The Divine Feminine receives a six and a half out of 10. If you're a fan, I expect that you'll like this album, but if you've come across the album wondering if you would enjoy Miller, at the very least I would recommend that you play "God is Fair, Sexy Nasty" and decide for yourself if Mac Miller is your kind of rap.
2,016	cuindependent.com	Bears bulking up for hibernation poses possible problems for Boulder Campus	Last Thursday, a male bear was spotted on the CU Campus near Varsity Lake. Colorado Parks and Wildlife did not have to tranquilize the bear, therefore it was not tagged or relocated. The sighting sparked some concern for local groups like the Boulder Bear Coalition, who strive to reduce circumstances that attract bears. Brenda Lee, founder of the Boulder Bear Coalition investigated the area to determine what caused the bear to come so close to campus. "I actually saw the bear and I definitely had some concerns about how he got on campus," Lee said. "They said he had come up from the creek area, and I followed the path from where he came from. There are some fruit trees down there, and if he had hunkered down there, he wouldn't have much incentive to leave." The City of Boulder adopted an ordinance in 2014 requiring all trash and compost to be secured in order to minimize frequent visits from bears in search of food. Fruit trees remain a problem, especially since bears often return to an area where they find food. "Years ago, a bear was relocated to the Wyoming border under anesthesia, and came back to the very spot in Boulder, weeks later, where he had been originally tagged," Lee said. "If a bear feels as though they have claimed the spot as territory, it is likely that they will come back." CPW continues to encourage communities to always utilize the mandatory trash security precautions and make sure fruit is harvested from fruit trees properly. University Hill has been a problem in the past due to large amounts of unsecured trash from college students. Recently, officers have been enforcing this ordinance by giving out tickets for unsecured trash instead of just warnings. "No law is effective unless you have good enforcements," Lee said. She is hoping that the Hill will continue to improve with proper implementation of the ordinance.
2,016	cuindependent.com	Colorado prepares for No. 4 Michigan	Contact CU Independent Copy Editor Jake Mauff at jacob.mauff@colorado.edu. The Colorado Buffaloes (2-0) are gearing up to travel to the Big House and play the No. 4 ranked Michigan Wolverines (2-0). In what is easily the toughest matchup the Buffs have faced to date, a team effort will be needed to defeat the national title contenders. Here's a comparison between the two squads. Offense: Colorado has been fairly efficient on offense this year. Their new offensive tempo may have played into this. Consistency in the running game has also been vital to the Buffs' success. Although it is still early in the season, every runner has his clearly defined roles. Junior tailback Phillip Lindsay has earned the bell cow role and has mostly produced as such. Sophomore running back Kyle Evans has earned more carries the longer the game has gone on. Most of his carries have come in with the score clearly tipped in Colorado's favor. If he can continue to produce like he did in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, where Evans ran for over five yards a carry and scored a touchdown, more scores should come his way. This should play into Colorado's favor, as a healthy run game stymied Michigan last week. Central Florida came with a smash mouth game plan. The result: 46 carries for 275 yards and two scores. The Knights were able to gain six yards a carry against Michigan. That's no small feat. Defense: The Wolverines' quarterback dilemma has sorted itself out. Junior quarterback Wilton Speight has played solidly thus far this season. Michigan now has to sort out the running game. In two games, the Wolverines had very different results when they handed off the ball. Against Hawaii in the first week, Michigan had 306 yards. They only had 39 carries. The next week, against the Knights, the Wolverines only had 119 yards. That's not an awful performance, until you hear that there were 41 carries involved. Speight has played well enough to help the run game in both situations. However, Michigan hasn't played a defense like Colorado's yet. The Buffs are, statistically, the best defense in the country going into week three. This is likely to change this week, but Colorado has been doing well enough against the run and the pass. Colorado hasn't faced a team like Michigan yet, so being effective against both will be more important. The team is allowing four yards per rush, so it seems a performance akin to Hawaii seems more likely than a UCF outing. If Colorado can keep the running game in check, Speight will have to take a bigger role in the offense. That could spell trouble for Michigan. Mental: Perhaps, the biggest factor about this game doesn't come on the field. Colorado has only played in the state of Colorado so far. One of the team's games was in Denver in what was considered neutral grounds, but there were still many Buffs fans in attendance. Sports Authority Field is certainly a big venue. Nothing can prepare a team for the Big House itself. Boisterous opposing crowds will drown out any sound Colorado has to make at the line of scrimmage. How the offense adjusts will be important to the Buffs' success. This is especially true considering the offense no-huddle approach. If there needs to be a change, it'll be a lot harder, if not impossible, to implement.
2,016	cuindependent.com	The Buffs and MacIntyre gear up for Michigan	In recent weeks, the University of Colorado Buffaloes football team — players and coaches alike — have repeatedly stated that the only task at hand is the opponent of that given week. But come on — how could every player and coach on that roster not be thinking of their week three matchup in Ann Arbor against the Michigan Wolverines? Is everyone truly keeping a cool head in regards to this opponent? Well, yes, but at the same time things appear to be more complicated than that. "Any time that you're playing a major program that's at the top of its height right now, doing really well, and you're playing on the road, there's always a little more excitement," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "[CU players] understand that it's how we prepare. If you're not prepared, it doesn't matter who you're playing, how hyped up you get or how excited you get — it's all about the preparation." "In any week, it's easy to lose focus because sometimes the weeks leading up [to a game] in preparation can be very long," senior quarterback Sefo Liufau said last week after the win over Idaho State. Focus and taking things one week at a time is definitely key to any program. But with that being said, it's impossible to overlook the fact that the Wolverines are ranked No. 4 in the nation, the exact same position they were in when the Buffaloes pulled of the Miracle at Michigan. The game ended with Colorado defeating the Wolverines in the final seconds on a seemingly hopeless Hail Mary pass in 1994. The Buffs might be on the road and playing an intimidating opponent, but fate could very well be on their side. With all coincidences of the past and current hype put aside, Saturday's matchup is more than just a game for the Buffaloes. It will likely serve as a makeshift program performance review. Fans might justify a blowout loss in Ann Arbor, as the Wolverines are a heck of a team. But with the Buffs' dominating performances in weeks one and two, and given that in both weeks the team has received votes (albeit three total) to be in the AP Top 25, more is expected from this team in 2016. "You measure yourself after every game and you look at how you play to see if you keep improving," MacIntyre said. "[The Wolverines are] big and athletic and have a lot of depth … They're very experienced all over the field and they've got a lot of freshmen that they're throwing in there that are very athletic." Saturday's matchup features two experienced football teams, both of which are hungry for victory. A win for the Buffs on the road against a ranked team would send shock waves through the college football world. So will the Buffs execute a 2016 Miracle at Michigan? Stay tuned. Only time will tell.
2,016	www.proagri.co.za	ETG and Zambian Fertilizers make soil science simple	Understanding plant nutrients ensures better fertilisation of your crops for better yields and more profits. Plant nutrition is an extremely important aspect of crop production and it is also a highly complex science, but fortunately we have Zambian Fertilizer to teach us just what we need to know. Plants produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis. This process is simply an ongoing reaction between sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to produce energy and oxygen. It takes place mainly in the leaves and it is here were the plant obtains what it needs to grow and produce what farmers require from it in terms of yield. Now, for a plant to reach the stage where it can independently photosynthesise, it needs other chemical elements from its surrounding environment.We call these elements nutrients. Sixteen chemical elements are known to be important to a plant's growth and survival. The sixteen chemical elements are divided into two main groups: nonmineral and mineral. Let us focus more on the mineral elements that plants need, which are mainly made available to them through fertilisation. The thirteen mineral nutrients coming from the soil are dissolved in water and absorbed through a plant's roots. Sometimes, there are not sufficient quantities of these nutrients in the soil to promote healthy plant growth. This is why many farmers and gardeners use fertilisers to add the lacking nutrients to the soil. The mineral nutrients are divided into two groups, namely macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients can be divided into two more groups, primary and secondary nutrients. The primary nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These major nutrients usually are depleted from the soil first because plants use large amounts for their growth and survival. The secondary nutrients are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulphur (S). At Zambian Fertilizers we understand all the nutritional needs of field crops, vegetable crops, ornamentals and soil conditioners. Different crops need these nutrients in different quantities and utilise them at different stages. With this information known to us, we are able to blend different kinds of fertilisers to meet the different nutritional needs that each plant needs as we blend for crop specific needs. We blend to meet the plant needs and at the same time increase the plant yield through correct fertiliser type and application.
2,016	milawyersweekly.com	Fershtman tops WITL field	Five years after being sworn in as the State Bar of Michigan's fifth female president, Julie I. Fershtman has another title: Michigan Lawyers Weekly's 2016 Woman of the Year. Fershtman received the award at MiLW's annual Women in the Law event Sept. 15 at the Detroit Marriott Troy. She was selected by a vote of the 30 members of the Women in the Law 2016, all of whom are featured in a special section in this edition. Fershtman is a shareholder at Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC in Southfield. She practices insurance defense and commercial litigation, and is one of the nation's leading equine law practitioners. As 2011-12 president, she advanced the bar's Strategic Plan while achieving her goal of improving the bar's services to solo and small-firm practitioners — as well as women lawyers. She co-chairs the State Bar's 21st Century Practice Task Force, which aims to reshape the profession in Michigan. Besides making pleas of support to access-to-justice and legal aid initiatives, Fershtman took the opportunity in her acceptance speech to ask her co-honorees to continue their efforts for women in the profession. "Every woman who received this beautiful vase will have it in their offices for the rest of their careers," she said. "You'll look at it as a point of pride. But I hope you will use this award as a reminder to you to bring others forward, to advance others in their career."
2,016	milawyersweekly.com	Obituary: Frank M. Polasky, 89	Frank M. Polasky, a Saginaw attorney, died Sept. 18, 2016. He was 89. Mr. Polasky was born in Detroit and moved to Saginaw in 1936 when his father was offered a job with John Hancock Insurance. His family was active in resettlement of Jewish refugees from Europe. After graduating from Saginaw High School in 1944, Mr. Polasky enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Program, spending nine months at Michigan State University in the reserve program, after which he entered U.S. Air Force Cadet Training. When World War II ended, he earned his B.A. in economics and accounting from University of Michigan and his J.D. from Detroit College of Law. Mr. Polasky worked for the Internal Revenue Service until 1952, when he returned to Saginaw to enter private law practice, specializing in taxation, corporate, estate planning and real estate. He also was a licensed real estate broker and through his lifetime was involved in the development, ownership and management of several commercial real estate ventures in Saginaw, Traverse City and Chicago. Mr. Polasky was a member of the Saginaw County Bar Association, Federal Bar Association and the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists. He received the Saginaw Bar's 1997 SCBA Community Service Award. A longtime member of Saginaw Rotary, in recognition of his community involvement, Mr. Polasky was named a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. His support of Saginaw included serving on the Boards of First State Bank, Second National Bank (Saginaw) and Tri-Star Trust Bank; helping start the Saginaw Gears; and serving as president of the Saginaw General Hospital Foundation board, followed by time as a board member of Covenant Healthcare Foundation. An active member of the Jewish community, Mr. Polasky was a member of the original United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet and served as president of the Jewish Welfare Federation of Saginaw. He was a member of the American Legion Post 22 and a lifetime member of Jewish War Veterans of America. He is survived by wife Frumeth; daughter Diane; son William; stepson Jonathan; sisters Marianne and Linda; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by first wife Betty; daughter Wendy; and grandson Zachary.
2,016	milawyersweekly.com	Islamic school, township settle lawsuit for $1.7 million	DETROIT (AP) An Islamic academy will get $1.7 million and be allowed to build a new school after it settled a federal lawsuit against a Michigan township that initially denied its zoning request. The Michigan Islamic Academy will move ahead with plans to build the school and housing on land in Pittsfield Township, near Ann Arbor, after township officials approved the settlement Wednesday. The academy sued after the township rejected its request to build in 2011. The academy — which has classes in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade — says its current Ann Arbor location is insufficient to meet its religious and secular needs. The lawsuit claimed the township violated the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which protects individuals, houses of worship and other religious institutions from discrimination in zoning laws. "This has been in litigation for 4 ½ years," said Lena Masri, legal director for the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "They've had to make do with the overcrowded classrooms, and the students have had to compromise their education." Construction of the new school is expected to start in the spring, Masri said. The Muslim civil rights organization filed the lawsuit in 2012 in federal court in Detroit on behalf of the academy. Township officials also settled a Justice Department lawsuit that was filed in 2015. That lawsuit was in response to a federal investigation launched after the Michigan Islamic Academy sued Pittsfield Township. "Federal law protects the religious beliefs, freedoms and practices of all communities, including the right to build religious institutions free from unlawful and unfair barriers," said Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "This agreement will allow the Michigan Islamic Academy to build the facility it needs to serve its members and contribute to the community of Pittsfield." Even with the settlement, the township denies any wrongdoing, discrimination or law violations, Pittsfield Supervisor Mandy Grewal said in an email Thursday to The Associated Press. "The original proposal that was rejected by the township, called for high-volume, multi-use facilities with little to no buffering," Grewal said. "The township's position from the beginning was and continues to be about protecting existing residents in this region from land uses that were not originally envisioned when they purchased their homes. Traffic safety and congestion in the heart of a single-family residential subdivision were our foremost concerns, which have been addressed in the settlement." The settlement requires significant landscape buffering between adjacent residential lots, she added. The $1.7 million will be paid by the township's insurer, which recommended the settlement, Grewal said.
2,016	www.whetstone.wesley.edu	With Hope Church Gone, Bennett Chapel Still Without Chaplain	With Hope Church Gone, Bennett Chapel Still Without Chaplain by Brittany Wilson, Co-Editor-in-Chief, The Whetstone Wesley College Senior Teledalase Ogundipe said she was heartbroken to find out Hope United Methodist Church (UMC) would no longer be meeting at the Wesley College's Bennett Chapel on Sunday mornings. "Two weeks before finals last semester, [Pastor Steve] told us about it," she said. "He had a meeting with President [Clark] and the president told him it was time for Hope Church to move on." Hope's congregation merged with a church in Magnolia on the first Sunday in June. Now, four months later, classrooms, parking lots and dorm rooms are all full, but the Wesley College Chapel and the campus chaplaincy remain vacant. Ogundipe said she is upset the college did not have a replacement for the church or the chaplaincy in time for the new semester. "If you're going to take away something, the least you can do is replace it," she said. "People need an outlet to cope with life because there are so many things [they] don't understand. We don't have a church or a chaplain right now, so who are we supposed to go to?" Wesley College President Bob Clark said Hope Church left on their own accord. "Steve LaMotte is the minister of Hope, he also had a congregation and a chapel in Magnolia," he said. "Steve and the church were looking at a point where they would consolidate in Magnolia, and it just so happened that this summer is when this confluence happened. So I looked at it as an opportunity— we have an open chapel, now we can get a full-time minister in." Clark said the move was Hope Church's idea. He merely encouraged it. "It wasn't a cause and effect where I walked in and said, 'I want my chapel back,'" Clark said. "They were thinking of consolidating and I was like, 'Oh, really? I'm thinking of full-time ministry, maybe this can work out.'" LaMotte said he and former President William Johnston had drafted a document to extend Hope's relationship with Wesley College for five more years, soon before Clark was hired as Johnston's replacement. "I met with President Clark to introduce myself and share about how Hope and the Wesley College campus have been in partnership for over a decade," he said. "During that meeting, President Clark shared that he had a different vision for campus ministry at Wesley, which included the chaplain running services on Sunday morning. This meant that we would need to find a new place to worship as a church." Clark said LaMotte's agreement with Johnston did not apply to his vision. "That was before my time," he said. "(LaMotte) brought a memorandum of agreement and that's when the discussion came up. (Lamotte said) 'Hey, I've got another congregation, but I'm doing something here. At some point we will consolidate.' I said, 'Well if you're going to consolidate, do we really need to do this memorandum of agreement? I have a vision to go full-time.' It was more of a point of discussion, not a 'move out now.'" Associate Director of Admissions Christopher Jester, a member of Hope Church, said there was no timeline for exit, so the church had plenty of time to explore its options for a new home. "There was always a thought that this was not going to be Hope's forever home," he said. "When it was announced that we were beginning to plan for a formal exit, we were sad to be leaving [but] we knew that we would find a new space soon enough." LaMotte said he was not entirely surprised by Clark's vision. "New leadership often brings a new vision and changes," he said. "At first, it was upsetting to deal with change, [but] we were able to work with Magnolia UMC—which is about eight miles south of Wesley College—to share space and to merge our two churches into one. While I was frustrated about losing our home at Wesley, I believe that this partnership with Magnolia Church will be for the best." Although she still attends Hope at its new location, Ogundipe said she is frustrated they had to move. "That was a whole community that was removed," she said. "Families were going there, people from Dover were going there. The church would have their own community outreach, but you took them away from there." Ogundipe said the college should hire a chaplain as soon as possible. "(We should) use that space, have worship nights, have discussion nights, have Sunday services," she said. "Give people somewhere to go, somewhere [they] can just be themselves. We have freshmen on campus, they're new to the environment. We need more toward that area of spirituality." Clark said administration is in the process of interviewing potential candidates for the chaplaincy, which he plans to make a full-time position. "I really, really want to get to where we have an on-campus minister who is here during the week, but also on the weekends," he said. "As you can imagine, it opens up a wide range of opportunities for students—community service, Bible study, and all sorts of things that chapels and congregations provide, that we as a campus have not been able to do for decades." LaMotte said Hope Church was already offering these sorts of opportunities to students. "Hope Church provided the Wesley Community with 54 worship services a year, Bible Studies, community service, outreach and mission opportunities, spiritual guidance and counseling, and the opportunity to share musical gifts for the great price of (zero dollars) because of the partnership between the college and the church," he said. "This was in addition to what the role of the chaplain is." LaMotte said the success of the college's ministry will be directly dependent on the college itself. "Will this benefit students? That depends on the college's commitment to providing spiritual growth opportunities like having a chaplain on staff and hosting regular worship services," he said. "The benefit to the students will directly depend on the college's commitment to provide regular spiritual growth and worship opportunities." In the meantime, Clark said that students in need of spiritual guidance should go to Student Affairs for a listing of local churches and pastoral contacts.
2,016	www.whetstone.wesley.edu	Cartoon Receives Harsh Criticism and Illogical Solutions	Cartoon Receives Harsh Criticism and Illogical Solutions By Kristen Griffith, Co-Editor-in-Chief, The Whetstone My stomach was empty and full of anxiety on the first day of finals week. But my final exams were the last thing on my mind. Later that evening, I faced a hostile crowd, highly offended by the satirical cartoons featured in the Opinion section of The Whetstone. Their criticism of the cartoons is not what made my stomach turn – it was their ideas for a solution. I assumed if I offered them the opportunity to submit Letters to the Editor, where their complaints can be featured in the next issue of The Whetstone as well as online, it would calm them down. I was wrong. They believed that since the cartoonist's opinion differed from theirs, he lost the right to express it. I suddenly wished Wesley offered a mandatory course on the Constitution. One by one, students voiced their concerns. Some were supportive, some were critical and most were aggressively demanding. But none of them submitted Letters to the Editors. Instead, they were satisfied with yelling illogical solutions into the microphone. One person said I should be fired. Another said they should be able to vote on which articles should be in The Whetstone. One student shouted that the Whetstone's fees should be eliminated. Ironically, the last student to approach the mic commented about a story featured in that same issue about the departing chaplain – a story that couldn't have been done if we lost control of our budget. Halfway through the two-hour forum, I noticed that it stopped being about the cartoons and became a contest of who can rile up the crowd the loudest. A student approached the microphone twice to let everyone know that I should be convicted for hate speech and that he no longer supports The Whetstone. This was the same student who emailed me prior to the forum, telling me he had "no personal ill feelings toward The Whetstone." Similarly, after a professor emailed me her concerns, she told me she respected my reasoning for publishing the cartoons. Yet she yelled at the cartoonist and me, calling us irresponsible for submitting it. I ended up reliving that moment later on that night since she posted a video of her lecture on Facebook. The Whetstone is for all students – not only for those who are pro-choice, and not just for those who promote Black Lives Matter. We cater to all opinions about any relevant subject. We have a right to freedom of speech just like everyone else.
2,016	altustimes.com	Enjoy the fruits of your labor	Labor Day is a holiday not often thought about for more than a nice day off cooking out with the family. Honestly, that is as it should be. It should be a day of rest spent enjoying the fruits of labor without the stresses of the job which you may hold. This Labor Day is exceptional to me, though. I've now officially been with the newspaper a full year, and it is my first Labor Day following that mark. With that being said, I'd like to take a moment to publicly thank the staff of The Altus Times for all of the hard work that they do. I work in a building with people who have been with the paper longer than I've even been alive, and I'm proud of that. I work in a building with people who have seen more change in the past 10 years than most industries will see in the next 20, and they have persevered and stayed the course. I'm proud of that. I work with people who have never done anything more than read a newspaper before they came to work here, and they've jumped in with both feet. I'm proud of that, too. These are people who come to work every day knowing that every bit of work they produce — from advertising to editorial and press to delivery — will be subject to the scrutiny of the community, and that is just fine. Not only is it fine, it is welcomed and what keeps us going and on our toes. Through the late nights and early mornings and through the freezing winter and summer heat, most of our readers will never know the things that have to be done to produce and deliver this thing we call a daily newspaper. That's OK, because we're here to serve our readers and help keep you informed. It is a labor of love, and I could not be more thankful for the staff that pitches in no matter what the situation might be. In closing dear readers, please have a safe and happy Labor Day. I wish you all the best.
2,016	altustimes.com	Improving local literacyshould be a concern forcity, county residents	Literacy affects families and communities and is an essential skill in the development of children and adults in the United States and around the world. September is National Literacy Month and Sept. 8 is International Literacy Day. Illiteracy is not only a problem in other countries, but also in this country and in Oklahoma. By one survey, 14 percent of Oklahoma adults function at the below basic prose literacy level and can only perform very simple tasks such as signing a form. Another 29 percent have only basic reading skills in English and can perform simple everyday literacy activities, but cannot identify a specific location on a map. The Southern Prairie Library System created a nonprofit literacy organization in 1985 to identify the needs in Jackson and Harmon counties. The Great Plains Literacy Council was formed from that initiative and literacy services were developed through the years. "Many of us take literacy for granted. For the past years, the Great Plains Literacy Council has built a network of volunteer tutors who provide free instruction to adults who want to learn to read, write, or speak English," said Bruce Davis, council president. "I am so proud that the volunteers are willing to reach out into the community." Organizers believe that literacy is not just about being able to read, but about encouraging adults to understand and apply language. In doing this, adult learners are not only enriching themselves, but strengthening their families and communities. Consider taking time during the month of September to celebrate literacy by reading to children and going to the library. For more information call 580-477-2890.
2,016	altustimes.com	Lawton 2016 International Festival slated	The 2016 International Festival is scheduled for Sept. 23-25 in Lawton. The multicultural, family orientated, three-day event was established in 1979 to promote the diverse heritage of the Lawton area. Festivities are slated 5-10 p.m. Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 24 and noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Elmer Thomas Park, Third Street and NW Ferris Avenue in Lawton. Admission and parking are free and there are games and activities planned for children that include Chinese masks, USA mats, Mexican paper flowers, Tahitian headdresses, hula-hoops, giant bubbles and the hopping bouncy balls. There are plans for a parade, musical acts on two stages, local group and club booths, as well as more than 70 food and display vendors at the event. Organizers scheduled a free park and ride shuttle from and back to McMahon Memorial Auditorium, 801 NW Ferris Avenue in Lawton during the festival.
2,016	altustimes.com	Locals to offer state feedback	Members of the Jackson County Community Health Action Team or JCCHAT met Wednesday for their monthly meeting at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital. The JCCHAT is an umbrella organization that oversees the work of six or more volunteer teams, each with its own unique approach to improve local quality of life. Each organization presented the progress it has made in the month of August. October's meeting will present a different schedule. In lieu of the usual meeting, the committee is scheduled to host the 2016 State of the State Listening Session. Altus is only one of five communities in the state selected to host this session. Members of JCCHAT and professionals from around the city will be asked to participate in a 90-minute session designed to assist the State of Oklahoma through feedback to make a more user-friendly program that can be used throughout Oklahoma's many communities that reach out to educate the public through organizations like JCCHAT. Members hope to invite business owners, medical providers, faith-based leaders and military members, just to name a few, to represent their diverse circles. The criteria used to chose session participants is a noticeable change in activity within a community's service organizations such as the JCCHAT and its committees or sister organizations. The session is slated for 11:30 a.m. Oct. 12, when the next JCCHAT meeting was originally scheduled to take place. In the future, committee members plan to educate the public about the different types of insurance, underage drinking and driving, and establish responsible beverage service training for those serving alcohol. For more information, contact JCCHAT Chair Debbie New at 580-482-7308. By Katrina Goforth kgoforth@civitasmedia.com Reach Katrina Goforth at 580-481-1221, ext. 2077. Reach Katrina Goforth at 580-481-1221, ext. 2077.
2,016	altustimes.com	Finding my family heritage	What is your heritage? This seems to be a frequent question that comes up in conversation lately. I think most of it is fueled by the new ads that I and many other people have seen on television. These are the ads where they say you can send in a DNA sample to trace back what ethnicities you have in your bloodline. Many people have a proud heritage and culture, and many people are enthralled by finding out where they came from. My maternal grandmother is and always has been one of the latter group. Myself? I don't know anything about where I came from. Honestly, I didn't have any idea on where to start looking until recently. This weekend I discovered what makes me who I am. My family and I visited my parents this weekend, and we picked up my grandmother on the way. We went up on Saturday morning and returned on Labor Day. While we were there we jaunted around town going out to eat and visiting new parks for the kids to play at. We went to the movies and cooked out on Sunday. That night my mother, wife, grandmother and I were winding down on the back porch when we got to reminiscing about the trips we had gone on in our lifetime. Of course, this conversation led to talking about the musicians and songs we would listen to along the way. At some point, someone pulled up YouTube on their phone, and we started listening to all of those old songs. We picked out some of my grandmother's favorites to throw in the mix as well. We listened to everything from Kris Kristopherson to Bruce Springsteen and Ernest Tubb to The Eagles, and we loved every minute of it. I never knew we had such a generational love for all of the same music. My grandmother told us about how, in their youthful days, she and my grandfather would gather at people's houses to listen to country records like "Walkin' the Floor" by Ernest Tubb and dance. "And this was back when country music wasn't a very popular thing," she said, referencing the state of music in the late 1950s. This was a pretty surprising fact coming from someone who grew up in a very proper Vermont town. Even more surprising was discovering that my grandmother and I shared a love for the very same country artist without ever knowing it. That entire evening got me thinking about how I could tie so many things about who I am back to music. My father cranking up "Born to Run" on an old stereo. Listening to "Bobby McGee" while exploring the Lewis and Clark trail with my grandmother. My mother driving my brother and me to little league practice playing the Counting Crows on repeat. My brother and I creating a new song of our own. That's when I found it. Music is the universal, ageless language. Music is my heritage. It is the building block of who I am, and music is what runs through my bloodline. My heritage is Bruce Springsteen, Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash, George Jones and the list goes on. For every song I know, I've got a memory of someone I love. It may not be much. It may be pretty unusual. But you know what? It works for me.
2,016	www.thesmithsophian.com	Smith Holds Its Annual Convocation Ceremony	Luke '17 also touched upon the issues surrounding the election at the conclusion of her speech. She said, "As we get ready for the 2016 presidential elections, the outcome of which will directly affect the world that all of us graduate into, I ask: what will you do, where will you be, and what will you say? Let your fervent voices now transcend these Smith borders, so that they may transcend hatred and bigotry at the polls, as well." Each year, the Smith College Glee Club also performs a popular song during the ceremony. For this Convocation, they invited students to join them as they sang "We're All In This Together" from the 2006 Disney Channel original movie High School Musical. After the Convocation ceremony, there was a carnival on Chapin Lawn, which provided free food, shirts, music and a bounce machine for the students to enjoy. This component of the ceremony, which was added four years ago, is fairly new, but is already very popular. This ceremony has changed dramatically since the early years of Smith when students would dress formally. Now, it is a chance for students to express themselves in various ways that promote body positivity, pride for their houses and lots of glitter.
2,016	www.thestate.com	Bottoms Up: TLC, The Loose Cockaboose	Launched in 1973, the Lexington Medical Center Governor's Cup Road Race is one of the oldest, continuously conducted road race events in the Southeast. Join us on May 14, 2016 for our 44th annual event. A NEW date, a NEW course, and a NEW era. The 2016 event is also privileged to be a RRCA Regional Championship event.
2,016	www.thestate.com	VC Summer Nuclear Generating Station tour of the new reactors being built	Eight months ago, Michael Marsha made a critical decision about his future and the Forest Drive fabric shop he and his family built up over 50 years that was ravaged by the flood: should they stay, or should they go. The renovation is nearing completion the plan is to be open by the first week in September.
2,016	www.thestate.com	Win vs. ECU half of crucial two-step for Gamecocks	1:02 Game Balls: Top USC performances vs. ECU Pause 0:49 South Carolina vs. East Carolina: 3 things we learned 1:51 Muschamp: McIlwain, running ability what USC's offense needs 1:43 Muschamp credits Gamecocks for 'outstanding defensive performance' 0:34 There is no other feeling like gameday in Williams-Brice Stadium 2:06 A Gamecock tradition: The Black Dress and Boots 1:59 Game preview: USC defense, offense eye fast start in home opener 0:36 Will Muschamp: 'Majority of our guys prepare the right way' 0:59 Reaction: South Carolina's 2017 football schedule 1:48 USC making adjustments to improve run game, adds 'different looks'
2,016	www.thestate.com	Flood victim Shafeka Carter receives inspirational gift	Under Secretary of the Army Patrick J. Murphy joined soldiers in their second week of training for PT during his visit to Fort Jackson Thursday. Murphy came to get a first-hand look at various aspects of Basic Combat Training. This will be Murphy's first visit to Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army's largest and busiest training center, since he was appointed as the 32nd Under Secretary of the Army and Chief Management Officer (CMO) by President Obama on Jan. 4, 2016.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Fort Langley's Sarah Pucek wins slugfest, captures Commonwealth title	Montreal's Lucia Larcinese and Langley's Sarah Pucek traded punches during Friday's Clash at the Cascades 44 pro-am show at the Coast Hotel. Pucek won via 10-round split decision. Late Friday night at the Coast ballroom in Langley, Sarah Pucek stood in the middle of the ring, bloodied, a little battered, but definitely not beaten. Blood painted Pucek's orange and white trunks with speckles of red, a reminder of the 10-round war she had with Montreal's Lucia Larcinese. Victory helped ease whatever fatigue and pain she was feeling. In her hometown, Pucek stood with belts slung over both shoulders, after winning a closely contested split decision in a much-anticipated rematch between the two featherweight fighters. The main event of Clash at the Cascades 44 met all the hype and boxing history was made, said Pucek's longtime trainer and manager Dave Allison. The Canadian featherweight champion, Pucek of Fort Langley edged out Larcinese to not only keep her Canadian title but also the vacant Commonwealth championship. The bout started with Pucek dominating the early rounds, in Allison's opinion. "In fact, after five rounds, Larcinese was cut and looked beat," he added. In the sixth round, Larcinese showed she is one of the toughest competitors in women's boxing. She staged a comeback that turned what was a one-sided affair into a competitive fight. Rounds six through 10 went back and forth. "Pucek controlled the fight but Larcinese made it tough," Allison said. Larcinese was warned for head butting and as a result of a head butt, Pucek was cut in the seventh round, Allison noted. After 10 rounds two of the judges' scores were 99-91 and 96-94 for Pucek. The third judge had it 95-95. The bout went in the books as a split decision for Pucek "I think the first seven rounds went really well for me," Pucek said. "I boxed well, moved well, and I was patient. The last three rounds, as I got tired, I chased her cut too much. The last three rounds were a little sloppier but the crowd liked it. She definitely brought it." Pucek said the two bonded after the bout while they were in the dressing room, getting their faces stitched up. "We were cracking jokes at each other," Pucek chuckled. "She had to get more stitches, so I win." Pucek now owns both the Canadian and Commonwealth championships – and the distinction of being the first woman to hold the oldest title in boxing. "For Larcinese it may be retirement after a solid career," Allison said. "For Pucek it is a couple of weeks off then a planned fight for November." (Read more below) Pucek felt equal parts relief and satisfaction after a fine performance. "Partially, you are kind of scared going into it because your ego is on the line, and the place was packed," she said. "It's easier going out of town where nobody knows you. I'm going to enjoy the victory and get back to training normally for a while." Allison says he was happy with his fighter's performance. "She was off for three-plus years and this is only her second fight back. She is regaining her timing and confidence. You still have not seen the best of her yet." Pucek is in line to challenge for a world title in 2017, noted Allison. The current world featherweight champion, Jelena Mrdjenovich, is scheduled to defend her title in France next month. She has stated she will defend twice more then retire. "We expect to her 2017 defence [to be] against Sarah Pucek," Allison said. Pucek may appear back at the Cascades in November, said Allison, "however we are also looking at the Emerald Queen in Tacoma." Pucek started her career at the Emerald Queen and was an attraction at the now famous boxing venue, Allison said. Pucek's record is 7-2-1 and she has never lost a featherweight bout – her two losses and the draw were lightweight fights, two weight divisions above her natural weight. One cracker of an undercard Although the attention of Clash at the Cascades 44 was the pro main event, the amateur undercard was a sizzler. The main event of the amateur side of the card was a B.C. welterweight title match between former champion Josh Wright of Ocean City Boxing and City champion Randy Hollett of Sunshine Coast Boxing Club. The bout was very close, although in Allison's opinion, "there was no doubt of the winner." "Hollett showed very well and showed he deserves to challenge elite level fighters such as Wright," said Allison, who promoted and organized the event. The semi main on the amateur card was a clash involving undefeated middleweight Cole Hamel – who holds the City title at 160 pounds. Hamel was awarded the Walters award as the outstanding fighter of 2015 and trains at White Rock's Ocean City. He was stepping up to challenge City super middleweight champion Brendon Kim of Surrey's Port Kells Boxing Club. It was a very tough and close match that saw Kim prevail with a split decision. In a much anticipated rematch, Carlson Gracie boxer Tyson Gemby of Maple Ridge took on Surrey's Cody Robertson of WKX. It was a very competitive match with a split decision favouring Robertson. The opening bout was a lightweight contest between Jacob George of North Burnaby Boxing and Elroy Fruto of Richmond's POWD Boxing Club. The nod went to Fruto via unanimous decision. Allison said the show "was a step up due to the quality of the fights and the fact there was a pro main event." All the seats were full and the next Clash event will take place Nov. 4.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Langley bottle drive helps teens build Mexican orphanage	The parking lot of the Langley Canadian Reformed Church was transformed into a temporary bottle depot Saturday, as a group of teens fundraise to help build an orphanage in Mexico. A dozen Langley students and seven adults are collecting plastic and metal to help build an orphanage in Mexico. Members of Team Alegria spent Saturday collecting and sorting literally thousands of bottles and cans that will help them make a trip to Queretaro next March to do missionary work. The youth team, made up of students from Langley's Credo Christian High School, are travelling to Mexico from March 11 to 23, where they'll help build the Pan De Vida orphanage, explained team leader Emily Van Beelen. "This orphanage is run through an organization called Children of Hope, based in Abbotsford, which supports several other orphanages in Mexico as well," she said. They need $15,000 to make the trip, and after Saturday's bottle drive, the team is at the $9,000 mark. There's one more "big fundraiser" in the works, Van Beelen said, a Mexican dinner being held Oct. 1. "That should hopefully bring in the last of what we need," she said.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Langley's BBQ Off the Bypass bound to make your mouth water	Angie Quaale is the host and founder of BBQ Off the Bypass. There's barbecue, then there's slow-cooked barbecue – the kind that makes your brain's pleasure centres stand up and say, "Hello!" This, and supporting a local charity, is what the 11th annual BBQ Off the Bypass (BOTB) is all about: introducing foodies to the slow-cooked kind of barbecue that takes loads of patience to prepare, but offers a savoury payoff in the end. Presented by C&D Logistics in partnership with Johnston's and Well Seasoned Gourmet Food Store, BOTB returns to Well Seasoned at 117-20353 64th Ave. BOTB takes place Sunday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more on Barbecue Off the Bypass, click here. Combined with the Great BC Bake-Off, the family-friendly event is free – however donations as well as all proceeds from the sale of pulled pork sandwiches are going to support this year's charitable partner, TinyKittens. BBQ champion, host and founder of BOTB Angie Quaale said the event has always been about bringing the "gospel" of slow-cooked barbecue to the masses. "My motivation is to expose people to southern-style barbecue," Quaale said. "In Canada, we call everything barbecue but really what we're doing is grilling with gas or propane." Quaale said many folks north of the 49th parallel don't know how to cook with charcoal or with wood, and they "certainly don't understand southern-style barbecue." "That was my main objective – to get people to understand that type of food," Quaale said. "You can totally taste the difference." She said this style of barbecue isn't just about cooking. "It's a bit of a process. The pulled pork and the beef brisket, those take between 10 and 15 hours to cook. Southern-style barbecue is a social way to cook and it brings a lot of people together. It's about sharing food, talking about food... that, to me, is most important." Mostly, BOTB is a competition, and an intense one at that. Roughly 25 teams from across B.C. as well as Alberta, Washington State, and Oregon are expected to take part in a contest that usually draws about 5,000 visitors each year. "It's a busy event because it's free," Quaale said. "You can make a donation at the entrance if you like but there's lots of free samples once you are in. You can obviously buy lots of food. It's a really good family event. It's fun." A grand championship of $5,000 worth of prize money along with ribbons and trophies is up for grabs. This year's competing BBQ categories include: chicken, brisket, ribs, pork, and a blackbox category. New this year is an eye-catching feature involving longtime sponsors Johnston's Pork. Whole pigs will be roasted on site, and pulled pork sandwiches are being sold from those pigs. Proceeds from the sale of the sandwiches will go to TinyKittens, a Fort Langley-based cat rescue organization run entirely by volunteers (Click here to visit the TinyKittens website). Last year's BOTB raised $6,809.95 to support TinyKittens. The event also includes live music, displays, and vendors. Logistically, BOTB is "still… a lot of work," Quaale said. And she isn't worried about the weather. "We have good barbecue weather karma," Quaale said. BC Bake-Off The seventh annual Great BC Bake-Off amateur baking contest is open to the public. Enter all three categories or just one. Categories include: • Fruit Pie – any kind of fruit including cherry, peach, apple, and berry. • Open – anything goes within the outlined rules – entries must not require refrigeration. • Butter Tarts. Contestants must be 16 and older. All entries must be made from scratch, and entries will be accepted from 10 a.m. to noon at the designated tent at the BOTB. For more on the bake-off, click here.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Hockey brought into reach for young Langley girls	Rebecca Crowell has long dreamed of being a goalie, but never actually gave hockey a go until Saturday, during the Esso Fun Day – Come Try Hockey for young girls at Sportsplex Arena in Langley. It was a toss up between gymnastics and hockey until six-year-old Rebecca Crowell strapped on a pair of skates and s uited up with all the necessary protective gear, and – with the help of her mother – pulled on her new pink hockey jersey. The Grade 2 student from Richard Bulpitt Elementary has been attending her older brothers hockey practices and games since she was a week old, and just newly released from hospital. So, indirectly, she's been immersed in the hockey world for her entire life. But now, just days before her seventh b irthday, Rebecca found herself debating whether she'd follow her brother Scott in learning the ice sport, or whether she'd rather submerge herself in gymnastics. She starts gymnastics classes Monday, and her mother, Chantal, has said she must pick between one or the other. "I think, after I'm done gymnastics, I'll move into hockey," said the young girl, as she suited up and hit the ice during this weekend's Esso Fun Day – Come Try Hockey. She was one of 18 young girls – between the age of five to eight – who took advantage of the free event at the Sportsplex Arena in Walnut Grove Saturday to give hockey a try. Participants, including Rebecca, spent the first hour in a classroom learning the fundamentals of hockey, then after suiting up, the girls spent another an hour-in-a-half on the ice. Some, like Rebecca, were still not completely comfortable on skates, but all took part – in varying degrees – in exercises and games run by event head coach Simon Tanner, as well was a team of volunteers an d older and experienced members of the girls hockey league. Langley Girls Ice Hockey Association has been hoping to hold an event of this scope for years, said event organizer Hilary Saunders. But pulling together an event of this magnitude has been a task, Saunders said. For instance, the association has spent the past two years collecting protection equipment to help these girls get outfitted and out on the ice to try out the sport. The hope, Saunders said, is that more girls will discover how much fun the sport can be, she added. Thankfully, with Esso and Hockey Canada becoming involved this year – they league received the help they needed to make the event possible. Not only did they come to the table with money to cover the cost of ice rental, but offered various prizes, and donated a white and pink jerseys for each of the young girls participating. "It was a huge success from our perspective, and also a lot of fun," Saunders said. "We showed these girls what female hockey was all about and they seemed to love it. Many of our older players came out to help the new ones on the ice, so it was a team effort," Saunders said, commenting on the contagious enthusiasm that prominent throughout the event. For more information about getting young girls involved in hockey in Langley, people can visit www.lgiha.com. • More photos click here CAPTION: Thumbs up from Rebecca Crowell, six, who gave hockey a try Saturday.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Letter: Sixty minutes at food court	Dear Editor, People passing by with serious faces, some hungry for food, some in serious conversations. Young girls' chit chatting with each other and seniors talking politics. Some sitting alone staring off into the distance. Some intent on just gobbling down their food, while others walking back and fo undecided about what they would like for lunch. Children nagging their Mom's for a new toy and trying to strike a deal to their advantage. Two ladies in their 70s catching up on family news unaware that I was watching them. A table of high school students, iPhone in one hand, and the other hand fueling their mouths with bites of food in between sips of pop. Looking around, some are eating healthy salads and others junk food, while still others doing crossword puzzles as they take mouthfuls of their lunch. Young moms trying to eat lunch while pushing strollers back and forth to keep their babies sleeping so that they themselves can have a peaceful lunch together. Then I saw a business man wolfing down his lunch as if time was of an essence. Sales assistants gobbling down food as their lunch time is ticking away. Young couples looking into each other's eyes, taking leftovers with them probably for a snack later in the day. Runaway children, running along the benches in the food court. I wonder if they do that at home, hmm. One of the student's has now put his I-phone down so that he can empty his food tray into the garbage. Student is puzzled as to what belongs to recyclables, waste only or organics; it seems he doesn't speak English. Still others sit down and take time to download their messages on their phones, in case they have missed something since they stepped inside the mall – a few moments ago. Then I spotted a bookworm who managed to pull out a large book out of a small purse, spectacles on, she has now entered her cave. Ladies share their purchases with each other as if they had found a priceless treasure of long ago. All around there is a ballet performance happening of jaws moving to the mall music as lunch is being devoured. Two young girls sharing their iPhone photos, almost falling of their seats with laughter. Time for the large family to disperse, leaving Grandpa and son for a heart to heart talk. Down the way a very large man finished up his hamburger washed down by an oversized pop – wonder if he's heading to the gym after this. Politics over, the seniors are leaving, I'm sure if I come back tomorrow, it would be same time, same place, perhaps even the same checkered shirts. Crossword puzzle has been folded nicely to the size of postcard and tucked inside the lady's purse, now to wander the mall with coffee in hand; did she cut that crossword out of the newspaper? Hmm. What's with these bushy beards that the young men are touting these days? It makes me wonder what's hibernating inside there or maybe food drippings unbeknown to them. Then there are those people wandering around with trays of food in their hands, indecisive as to where they are going to sit. Meanwhile the fries are getting cold and who wants to eat cold fries anyways? Many lonely people, where do they all come from? An older gentleman has just finished his mile high fries and is carefully inspecting his beard to make sure that there are no "seconds" attached to his "fuzz". Now to read the newspaper while his digestive system gets in gear to process all that fat that came down the pipe. Newspaper is rolled up and put in back pocket of jeans and gentleman makes a move and disappears off to wherever men with rolled up newspapers in back pockets go. Others are so engrossed in the lunch that they don't even look up or seemingly take a breath. The avid bookworm with black spectacles is glued to her book and nothing seems to distract her. That is quite an art you know, especially blocking out the blaring music of the food court. A beanie-clad young man sits at the table next to me, ear buds in, sunglasses hanging off the neck of his t-shirt, and devours his Orange Julius hot dog, right in front of me. I wonder if he will remember eating it, it is going down so fast. Well, it's all gone now, his tummy must be happy. Now time for checking his messages on his iPhone, then leaves to pursue another adventure at the mall. Grandma has finished her hot dog and drink, and has set off to do some serious shopping. Some are so intently focused on their lunch, that you wonder what would happen if you tried to take it away! Better not! Vera Lloyd, Langley
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	KPU and Beijing university ink deal on Traditional Chinese Medicine education	Beijing University of Chinese Medicine president Xu Anlong, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Dr. Alan Davis, the president of Kwantlen Polytechnic University were at the signing on an education agreement between the two schools. Kwantlen Polytechnic University president Dr. Alan Davis is on the trip to China with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and signed a deal with the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. KPU is launching its two-year acupuncture diploma program this September, the first program of its kind at an established public post-secondary institution. On Sept. 1 KPU and BUCM signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week to develop a framework that will allow graduates of the Canadian university's brand new acupuncture diploma program to transfer into year four of BUCM's five-year Traditional Chinese Medicine degree program. Student will achieve both a diploma in acupuncture from KPU and a degree in TCM from China's top university in the field. This will be the first transfer agreement between BUCM and a North American public post-secondary institution. "This moment is so many things for us – it's historical, it's thrilling, and it's a major achievement for the two leadership teams from KPU and BUCM, but most of all it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for graduates of KPU's acupuncture diploma program," Davis said. Upon their return to Canada, KPU students who complete their degree at BUCM will be eligible to seek registration and membership with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of B.C., and start their careers as full TCM practitioners. "The signing of this agreement is very significant for the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. This program is very unique; we teach students not only theory but also practice. This is our university's first venture in North America. We hope the joint effort from both universities will bring the treasure of China to serve the needs of the Canadian people," said BUCM president Xu Anlong. Dr. Salvador Ferreras, KPU's provost and VP academic, and Stuart McIlmoyle, KPU's associate VP of international education, travelled to China in July to finalize various aspects of the MOU. The process began in 2013 after KPU announced it would initiate offerings in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Three years of consultation culminated in the signing of the MOU on Sept. 1 during the official visit to China by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "Extensive research, collaboration and discussions over the past three years have gone into this final MOU," noted Davis. "It was an honour to be able to finalize it during the prime minister's first official visit to China." KPU and BUCM will now work to develop criteria for admission and academic credit transfers in time for KPU's first cohort of acupuncture diploma alumni in 2018. Comprising 86 credits and 460 hours of clinical practice over six semesters, students learn fundamental theory, diagnosis, treatment and clinical practice.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Late summer tradition continues this weekend at Campbell Valley Regional Park	Country Celebration, which marks its 38th year this weekend at Campbell Valley Regional Park, is a late summer tradition in South Langley. A sure sign fall is just around the corner: the Country Celebration returns to South Langley this weekend. This year's celebration, the 38th annual, happens at Campbell Valley Regional Park on Saturday, Sept. 17 and Sunday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. This fall tradition combines nature, heritage, agriculture, and community, and features a bike-powered main stage, circus skills workshops, kite-making, raku pottery workshops, storytelling, cow milking demos, live raptors, and more. People can enjoy food, kids' activities, a farmers market, nature games, local crafts, a giant straw maze, and live music including Juno nominee Ginalina. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children (ages seven to 13). Seniors (65-plus) and children ages six and younger are admitted free, as is anyone dressed in pioneer costume.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	North Langley junior bantam Bears topple Giants to improve to 3-0	North Langley Kodiaks ball carrier Max Joseph shrugged off a Victoria Spartans tackler Saturday at McLeod Stadium. The North Langley Bears junior bantam football team kept its perfect record intact after posting a 41-8 victory over the Chilliwack Giants Red in soggy conditions Saturday at McLeod Stadium. The win improved the Bears' record to 3-0. Turnovers made a big difference in the game: eight of 11 went to the Bears, leading to four touchdowns. Conner Bernardin set the tone early by recovering a mishandled snap on the Giants' third offensive play. Three plays later Kaleb Reemeyer went seven yards up the middle yards for his first of four majors. On the ensuing kickoff, Callum Middleton recovered another Chilliwack fumble. In the second quarter a huge hit from Austin Pattenden forced a fumble that Brandon Folkerts gathered in for the Bears. And near the end of half Seth Mangroo came away with the ball after the Giants ran up the middle. In the second half, Michael Morgenrood recovered two fumbles, Dallas Pattenden gathered one fumble, and Reemeyer picked off a pass. The Bears' ground attack was potent, led by Reemeyer and Dallas Pattenden who rushed for a combined 220 yards. In the second quarter Reemeyer scored from 21 yards out thanks to a key block by Grayson Gehrer, while Pattenden outraced the defence on a 55-yard touchdown run midway through the third stanza. Late in the game Elliott Lee added another major on a seven-yard run. The Bears had a strong passing game as well with Jaxon Stebbings making seven completions for 94 yards. A quick dump pass to Mathieu Gale was good for 20 yards up the sideline, while Stebbings connected with Reemeyer to score from the Chilliwack 41. – Andy Faust Midget Kodiaks The Kodiaks dominated the Victoria Spartans on Saturday, cruising to a 38-7 victory. The defence was led by Thomas Janke, Isaiah Okoli, Timothy Janke. Offensively, quarterback Nicholas Nica along with Darian Pritchard, Max Joseph and Charlie May led the way. May also booted four converts and a field goal. In the first quarter, Daniel Evanow was brought down by the Spartans on their 20 yard line after an impressive catch for major yardage, which, unfortunately for the Kodiaks, resulted in a turnover after the ball was jarred loose. A Thomas Janke touchdown put the Kodiaks up 7-0. After that, Mason Block intercepted the ball and the Kodiaks had possession on the 50 yard line but were unable to capitalize. In the second quarter, facing second and 15, Nica connected with Pritchard for a touchdown. Later, once again looking at second and long, Nica passed the ball to Drey Blair, who took it more than 50 yards for another major score. In the third quarter, Joseph field a punt at about the Kodiak's 15 yard line and took it all the way back for the touchdown. The Spartans then got on the board as a result of an interception return. In the fourth quarter, an interception by Nick Lacroix led to a touchdown by Luke Chalk to cap the game's scoring. Atom Bears The Bears continue to impress, beating Chilliwack Red 40-0 at McLeod Stadium on Saturday. The home team came out blazing in the first half. Chilliwack could not get anything going against the overpowering defence of the Bears led by some big tackles in the back field from Jesse Davison and Dain Onyanabo. The offence started quick with a nice running touchdown by Jackson Brhelle. Later in the first half Lucas Kinch led by key blocks from Gideon Bodill and Connor McGuinness broke free for a 39 yard touchdown run. The Bears finished the first half on a sack from Dain Onyanabo assisted by a big push at the line from Markus McLeod as North Langley took a 28-0 lead into the halftime break. The rain was falling hard for the start of the second half, but that didn't slow down the Bears. Chilliwack's offence couldn't find an answer for the strong defense, with Davison was making his way into the back field to stop Chilliwack for a loss of yards. Grayson Pinchin jumped on a fumble to bring Chilliwack's first drive to a halt. Langley offence added a few more scores in the second, as centre Aedan Ennis had a strong game snapping the ball. Peewee Bears The Bears continued their hot start, posting a 40-0 win over the visiting Chilliwack Red. This marked the Bears third consecutive shutout victory to open the season. The defense yet again held their opponents to minimal yards gained. Kayden Bell had a fumble recovery and many hugs stops for the Bears. Daniel Lambert and Troy Edwards also frustrated the Giants offence, giving them no time or space to move. A balanced attack saw five Bears scoring on the day. Marco Kee opened the scoring on a long run during the Bears' first drive. Three other North Langley players found the end zone during the first half with big blocks from the offensive of Alyson Courtney, Taylor Bear, Ian McRitchie, Noah Look, and Tydus Schroeder. Owen Sieben, Rylan Middleton, and Evan Hoy all reached the end zone, sending the Bears to half time with a commanding 34-0 lead. With the game in hand, Cameron Neal made a great effort, breaking many tackles to put six more on the board. The Bears are back on the road next weekend, taking on rivals Abbotsford.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	CRUISE-IN: Cars have long local history in Langley	Robert Wark, an early Langley mayor and most likely the community's first car owner, at the wheel of his vehicle in 1913. Langley has been a centre of auto enthusiasts for decades. But when did Langley's love affair with the car begin? There are two candidates for the first car owner in Langley, according to local historian Warren Sommer. A man named Patrick Hickey may have had the first vehicle. But most accounts say it was the better known Robert Wark who bought and drove the first car in Langley. Wark, who was reeve (mayor) of Langley during the First World War, was photographed in 1913 at the wheel of his vehicle in front of the Wark-Dumais house, which still stands today near the Kwantlen Polytechnic University campus. Also still in place is the oldest piece of paving in the Langleys – the Wark home's driveway, off Glover Road. Wark had two strips of concrete laid to his house from the road, with gravel between them. This was more than a decade before Old Yale Road would become Langley's first paved street. "The story is that people would have come out to marvel at his folly," said Sommer. "There wasn't a lot of entertainment in those days." The first garages came during or just after the First World War, as car and truck travel became more common. "A lot of them, of course, were blacksmith's shops that adjusted," said Kobi Christian of the Langley Centennial Museum. Reid's Blacksmith Shop in Fort Langley was started around 1910, but spent most of its working life as a garage. The site now hosts the Blacksmith Bakery named in honour of its original purpose. One of the early garages that stuck around was owned and operated by Alf Marr, the brother of Langley's first doctor. Marr's Yale Garage opened in 1926 and operated in Langley Prairie until a New Year's Eve fire in 1935 burned it to the ground. Marr rebuilt and ran the garage until 1940 when he retired. A few years before Marr closed up, the longest running shop in Langley's history opened on Fraser Highway. Barron's Service opened its doors in 1938. It would run on the same spot as a service station and repair shop until 1997, with founder William Barron and then his sons Delroy and Walt running it. Buying cars in Langley didn't begin until the 1940s. In 1941, mechanic Ernie Greenfield opened his own garage, after working in several others in what was then called Langley Prairie. He would later become Langley's first car dealer – not that he actually had cars on the lot. Greenfield's Langley Motors sold British-built Austins, but if you wanted to see one, you had to make an appointment and have one brought out from Vancouver. Fraser Valley Motors followed in 1945, with Ford and Mercury vehicles, and Langley Used Car Sales opened in 1948. That business opened at 200th Street and Fraser Highway. More and more auto dealers followed, and by 1973, advertised themselves as "Langley's Automotive Row." PHOTO: Barron's Service was the longest-serving gas station and garage in the Langleys. (Del Barron photo)
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	'It will destroy the system,' says Crown about B.C. lawsuit's threat to medicare	The B.C. government says a lawsuit challenging the public health-care system risks propelling the country toward a two-tier model that would undermine the Canadian principle of equal medical access for all. Crown lawyer Jonathan Penner told the B.C. Supreme Court Monday that a legal challenge looking to change the laws around private insurance and doctors' billing practices would create incentives that would drain the public system of workers and likely lengthen patient wait times. Penner says medicare is designed to preserve a publicly managed, fiscally sustainable system and that the expansion of privatized elements would destroy that structure. Cambie Surgery Centre, a private surgical clinic in Vancouver, is suing the B.C. government for stopping doctors from providing medically necessary treatments in both the public and private systems, as well as for forbidding private insurance for core medical services. A lawyer for the surgery centre has argued that a public-private system would help B.C. curb skyrocketing health-care costs by releasing the pressure valve off the public system, freeing resources and shortening wait times. The province's opening statement is expected to run until tomorrow, and the entire trial is scheduled to run through to February. The Canadian Press
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Langley’s TWU Spartans snap seven-year skid against Victoria Vikes	It took seven years for them to do it, but the Trinity Western University's men's soccer team finally posted a victory over the Victoria Vikes. The Spartans edged the Vikes 2-1 Saturday at Centennial Stadium in Victoria, marking the first TWU victory over UVic since a 3-0 victory on Sept. 27, 2009. Langley's Elie Gindo scored the game winner in the 76th minute, as the nationally No. 8-ranked Spartans improved to 5-1 on the season. The loss drops the Vikes to 1-3 in Canada West play. In between their victories over the Vikes, the Spartans had gone 0-6 versus Victoria. "We had a great response tonight. The boys came out flying and we were all over them in the first half. And we were a bit unlucky to not be ahead going into the break," TWU head coach Mike Shearon said. "The second half was more even and we had to continue to work for everything. Which is what we talked about before the game. When you have a setback you half to work super hard to get your ground back." The Spartans came out dominant, looking every bit as strong as their number eight ranking in the nation suggested they would. They were able to control the game by pressing high up the field and maintaining possession of the ball. It didn't take the Spartans long to turn that pressure into a goal. Six minutes into the game, TWU's third year midfielder Elijah Adekugbe beat his defender and played a dangerous ball into the box that fifth year defender Taylor Johnson easily directed into the net. For the next 20 minutes the game turned into the Noah Pawlowski show. The fifth-year goalkeeper for the Vikes turned himself into a brick wall, stopping everything that came near his net and ending the first half with nine saves on his way to compiling 13 saves in the game. TWU keeper fifth year keeper Andrew Hicks was solid for the Spartans when challenged and finished the night with five saves to earn the win. The hard work of Pawlowski and his defence paid off when the Vikes were able to find a way to tie up the game in the 26th minute. A rare foray forward for the Vikes resulted in a free kick from a dangerous position. Paulo Dait delivered a perfect ball into the box and a Spartans defender was forced to pull down his man, resulting in a penalty kick for the Vikes. It was Dait that stepped up to the spot to take the kick. His shot to the left was well saved by Hicks in net for the Spartans. Fortunately for the Vikes, the rebound fell right to Dait and he was able to score on the second try, levelling the game at 1-1. The second half was a more evenly played match. The Vikes' best scoring chance of the half came when Michael Baart and Xavier Araujo worked a counter-attack perfectly in the 65th minute, and only a desperation save from Hicks stopped the Vikes from taking the lead. Unfortunately for the Vikes, Pawlowski wasn't able to stop everything. In the 76th minute the Spartans earned themselves a corner kick by Adekugbe. Adekugbe then played the ball to the top of the box to third year midfielder Joel Waterman, who then swung the ball into the box where fourth-year midfielder Elie Gindo headed the ball into the left side of the net to give the Spartans the 2-1 lead. The Vikes continued to battle throughout the last ten minutes, nearly equalizing off of a corner kick of their own in the last minute of play. With the loss the Vikes won one game and lost one game during the first two matches of their current four game home stand. The Spartans finish the weekend road trip 1-1 after falling 4-0 to UBC Friday night in Vancouver. "I'm super proud of the boys tonight," Shearon said. "Everyone worked excellently from the back line and Hicks making a PK save and was unlucky on the rebound all the way to the front where Elie Gindo was beast out there tonight, Elijah and Joel were great. And the two rookies, Low and Johnson were two of the better players on the field, which shows that we have good depth on our team. He added, "The boys are together are excited and we continue to work for everything that we get and it is good to leave the island with three points." FINAL WHISTLE: TWU is 13-15-3 lifetime in CW conference play against Victoria... Spartans are 5-11 when playing in Victoria… After holding a 16-4 edge in shots in the first half, TWU finished the night outshooting Victoria 24-8…the Spartans had nine corner kicks to the Vikes four…
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Fun centres around food and helping Fox	Madame Butterfly is back again this year painting faces at the JD Farms annuala fall festival. The weekend prior to the Terry Fox Run each year, the team at JD Farms turkey store in rural Langley hosts a fall festival and customer appreciate day that funnels thousands of dollars towards cancer research. It's a cause that since the event's inception nine years ago has been dear to the heart of JD founder Jack Froese – and after his wife Debbie fought her own battle with cancer a few years ago it has brought the cause even closer to home. This event has steadily grown through the years – incorporating more food, more demos, more kids fun, more entertainment, and more money raised for the foundation, boasted office manager Janice McWilliams. This will be her seventh year attending the company's fall festival and for McWilliams the highlight for her is the fun family atmosphere. "The young and old getting up and dancing to the music… It's a really fun day for customers and staff alike," she elaborated. The festivities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring pony rides, facepainting, and balloon characters for the kids – all by donation to the Terry Fox Foundation. Aldergrove Rotarians will be back again barbecuing turkey farmers sausage and turkey hotdogs for the kids, again by donation to the Fox Foundation. Likewise, the Langley Rams football players will be there collecting donations in exchange for popcorn and snow cones. "Everything that we do [that day] goes to the Terry Fox Foundation," McWilliams said. Close to 600 people a year attend the JD event, and between the contributions collected throughout the different fundraising initiatives that day and the store donating 10 per cent of all sales from the day, this festival generates close to $5,000 a year for the cause, McWilliams said. Other aspects to the day, that don't directly benefit the cause but give participants more reason to attend are cooking demonstrations. This year House of Q's Brian Misko will be barbecuing, and The Gluten Free Chef group will be on hand along with most of JD's vendors offering samples. And on the live entertainment front, True North Troubadours will be on stage between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. performing folk music of the 1960s.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Grillers gain inspiration at Barbecue Off the Bypass	Roy Tang and Yanni Zhu tried some of the rib samples during Sunday's BBQ Off The Bypass. The eventual winner of Sunday's BBQ Off The Bypass was the Dances With Smoke team from Washington State. But there were other winners, including the hundreds of people who stopped by Well Seasoned on 64th Avenue Sunday. They were there to learn about "delicious" grilling techniques. Visitors tried barbecued rib samples, as well as sausage, chili, corn on the cob, and other foods. Well Seasoned owner Angie Quaale said was a good day. "Last weekend was a bit overcast and cool. This year was definitely perfect barbecue weather," she said. The event benefitted the cat rescue society, Tiny Kittens, and Quaale estimated it raised almost $7,000.
2,016	www.langleyadvance.com	Giants edged by Everett Silvertips	The Vancouver Giants relocated to the Langley Events Centre in early May. The Langley-based Vancouver Giants continue to search for their first win of the Western Hockey League pre-season. The Giants – who play out of the Langley Events Centre – lost their second game in as many days, falling 4-3 to the Everett Silvertips at the XFINITY Arena on Saturday. Vancouver's goals were scored by Matt Barberis, Tyler Benson and Ty Ronning. The G-Men are now 0-2-0-0 in the 2016 WHL pre-season. The Giants' penalty kill unit was put to the test early in the first period after back-to-back minors taken by Dylan Plouffe and Kaleb Bulych, but the G-Men stood strong, keeping the Silvertips off the shot clock during their four minutes on the man advantage. Connor Dewar would find the opening goal for Everett later in the frame, beating Giants goaltender Ryan Kubic after a nice pass from Ian Walker. Then, 57 seconds later, Bryce Kindopp tallied an unassisted marker to give the Silvertips a 2-0 lead. Barberis netted Vancouver's first goal of the game just before the 10 minute mark of the second period, scoring on a one-timer after Jack Flaman found him in the slot. Benson tied the game for the G-Men a few minutes later, tipping a Dylan Plouffe point shot past Mario Petit in the Everett net. However, penalty trouble cost the Giants after Bailey Dhaliwal and Dylan Plouffe both took penalties right after the tying goal, and the Silvertips retook their lead off an Eetu Tuulola power play tally with under two minutes remaining in the middle frame. The G-Men answered back before the end of the period when Ronning scored after being setup by Benson with 22 seconds to go, and the two teams went to their dressing rooms tied at 3-3. Dewar scored the winner for the Silvertips in the third period, adding his second goal of the evening on a power play at 11:17. The Silvertips outshot the Giants 29-28 while Vancouver went 0-for-3 on the power play. Kubic conceded two goals on 12 shots while playing 29:53 in the Giants' net. David Tendeck came in midway through the game and played 29:42, stopping 15 of 17 shots. The Giants will return to action when they visit the Victoria Royals this Saturday, Sept. 10, in the first of three pre-season meetings between the BC Division rivals. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m, at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
2,016	tbrnewsmedia.com	Port Jefferson prepares to unleash the dragons at annual festival	Dragons will roar once again as the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce hosts the 3rd annual Port Jefferson Dragon Boat Race Festival in the village on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The free event, which will be held at the Mayor Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park, 101 E. Broadway and the Port Jefferson Inner harbor, is anticipated each year with great fanfare. The festival is the brainchild of Barbara Ransome, director of operations at the chamber, who attended a dragon boat festival in Cape May, New Jersey, a few years ago. "This year's 'Dragons' has 32 teams, up from last year of 22," said Ransome. "We have brought in new Asian entertainment and have configured the layout of the park differently to accommodate all the new team encampments and the entertainment. The event is rain or shine and will lots of great recreational racing competition, where we will be giving out over 300 medals to our winnning team paddlers!" Opening ceremonies begin at 8:30 a.m. with Erin and Kiera Pipe singing the national anthem and a performance by the Asian Veterans Color Guard. Buddhist Monk Bhante Nanda of the Long Island Buddhist Meditation Center will hold the Blessing of the Dragon and "Eye Dotting" ceremony to kick off the races and there will be a special appearance of the festival mascot Dragon sponsored by the Harbor Ballet Theatre. With the first race scheduled at 9 a.m., boat teams will compete in a 250-meter course in four dragon boats provided by the High Five Dragon Boat Company and will include representatives from local hospitals, civic groups, businesses and cultural organizations. Each team will be made up of 20 "paddlers," one steersman and one drummer. Heats will run all day (all teams will race three times) with a culmination of an awards ceremony at the end of the day. Spectators can easily view the race course from the park's edge and pier. In addition to the races, there will be a day-long festival featuring numerous performances including the famous Lion Dance, martial arts, dancing and singing. New this year is the performance of Bian Lian, the art of Chinese mask changing. In addition there will be a performance of the Erhu (a Chinese two-stringed fiddle). Various Asian delicacies will be offered from food vendors including spring rolls, pot stickers, pork buns, sushi, cold noodles, bubble tea and fried dumplings. There will be many activities for children including the painting of "dragon" eggs, visiting with real dragons, crafts and even a fun photo booth to create a fun memory keepsake! Adults can try their hand at traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy and enjoy massages and Reiki by the Port Jeff Salt Cave along with chair massages by Panacea Massage & Wellness Studio of Port Jeff. Sponsors include the Confucius Institute of Stony Brook, LongIsland.com, People's United Bank, Times Beacon Record Newspapers, News12, ServPro of Port Jefferson, Maggio Environmental Services, New York Community Bank, Stony Brook University, Tritec, Suffolk County National Bank, OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates — Long Island Chapter and Asian-American Cultural Circle of Unity. Free shuttle buses provided by the Port Jeff Jitney will make frequent stops at the Port Jefferson Train Station, CVS parking lot on Barnum Avenue and the corner of Belle Terre Road and Myrtle Avenue to bring eventgoers to the Port Jefferson Village Center until 5:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and come enjoy the festivities. For more information, call 631-473-1414 or visit www.portjeffdragonfest.com. FESTIVAL SCHEDULE: 7:45 a.m. Team captains meeting on the Great Lawn at Harborfront Park 8:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food vendors, crafts, children activities, photo booth pictures, cultural/educational/nonprofit vendor tables 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dragon Boat races in the Port Jefferson Inner Harbor 9 a.m. First races begin 9 a.m. DDKY Korean Traditional Drums 9:30 a.m. Long Island Chinese Dance Group 10 a.m. Sound of Long Island Chorus, Chinese classic, modern singing, dances 10:30 to 11 a.m. Performance by Taiko Tides — Japanese percussion instruments, drumming 11:15 a.m. Performance by the Stony Brook Youth Choir — Peking Opera, Chorus and Chinese Yoyo 11:30 a.m. North Shore Youth Music Ensemble 12 to 1 p.m. Lunch break (no racing) 12 to 12:45 p.m. Parade of the Team T-Shirt Contest and Best Drummer Costume Contest. Location: Show Mobile 12:45 p.m. Authentic Shaolin Kung-Fu Lion Dance, Kung Fu and Tai Chi demonstration 1 p.m. Races continue 2 p.m. Chinese Umbrella Dance performed by Alice and Emily Snyder 2:30 p.m. DDKY Korean Traditional Drums 3 p.m. Bian Lian performance (art of Chinese mask changing) and performance of the Erhu (Chinese two-stringed fiddle) 3:30 p.m. Song Island Performing Art Group 4 p.m. United Martial Arts Center — Japanese Karate and Ninjutsu 4:30 p.m. Performance by Taiko Tides — Japanese percussion instruments, drumming 4:45 p.m. Last Dragon Boat race 5 to 5:30 p.m. Closing ceremonies and awards
2,016	tbrnewsmedia.com	Enjoying an all-night scream fest in Huntington	By Kevin Redding Living corpses, seductive vampires, hungry werewolves, mutant children, body-swapping aliens, a book that unleashes demons and evil spirits, and a whole lot of blood. Projected on the big screen in beautiful 35mm prints, all these things brought great joy and camaraderie to a roomful of strangers last Saturday night, Aug. 27, at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington. A total of 115 eager horror fans packed the theater — fully equipped with pillows, blankets, snacks, and plenty of caffeine — ready to take on the 12th annual Pay To Get Out Horror Movie Marathon that started at 10 p.m. and didn't finish until a little after 8:30 a.m. the next morning. Five movie titles are released to the public, with the sixth kept a secret until you're in. People from all walks of life were huddled together with an instant, unifying bond: a love for all things scary. At 10 p.m., there was a buzz in the air as everybody settled into their seats. Just before the marathon started, Michael and Nina Ciani of Retro Picture Show, co-presenters of the marathon, announced three raffle ticket winners and presented each of them with a vinyl soundtrack for Lucio Fulci's "The House By The Cemetery," one of the better and more intense entries of the night. The movies ranged from schlocky and ridiculous fun with "The Hidden" to a little bit dull 'The Company of Wolves" to downright scary David Cronenberg's "The Brood", and I loved every second of it. When there wasn't laughing and hollering at cheesy acting and unintentionally funny moments, there was cheering when the protagonists escaped their monsters' clutches and gasping at grisly kills. We, as an audience, were treated to a reel of classic trailers that ran before the movies, pertaining to the theme of each one. Before "The Hidden," we got John Carpenter's "They Live;" before "The Brood," we got "Videodrome;" and before "The Company of Wolves," we got Joe Dante's "The Howling." The big question of "what the final mystery film would be?" hung over the theater all night. As we took our seats one last time at around 7:10 a.m., we were all quiet with anticipation. As soon as the black screen filled with fog and a few seconds of musical score blared, the theater erupted, instantly recognizing the Sam Raimi classic "Evil Dead II," perhaps the greatest movie choice to be experienced by this kind of crowd in a theater. Bruce Campbell's demon-induced pratfalls were never more exhilarating. Throughout the marathon, the film prints were scratchy and crackly in the best ways possible, only enhancing the atmosphere. But no print was more fitting than the one of "Evil Dead II," which warped and fizzled out a few different times early on as characters were undergoing the wrath of the Book of the Dead. An audience member put it best when he shouted out, "This film is possessed!" It's a testament to the love and passion for the horror genre that almost everybody in attendance, including myself, stuck it out to the end of the marathon with a healthy dose of energy and excitement intact.
2,016	tbrnewsmedia.com	Your Turn: Bluegrass concert stirs sentimental memories	By Philip Griffith On the soft summer evening of Aug. 31, another friendly audience viewed and listened to the Eastbound Freight Bluegrass band [in Port Jefferson]. It was the final of nine free Sunset Concerts of the 2016 season. Raindrops moved picnic suppers, blankets and chairs into the comfortable confines of the Port Jefferson Village Center overlooking the Harborfront Park and Long Island Sound. Listening to the traditional bluegrass music, I was reminded of my family's visits to Clarksburg, West Virginia. It was there in my grandparent's home that my father and his 12 brothers and sisters grew up. During their childhood and adult years, my father and uncles were coal miners. Like the Welsh coal-mining family in the Academy Award winning 1941 motion picture, "How Green Was My Valley," the miners performed their dangerous work with manly pride and all contributed their meager wages to their mother. The West Virginia heroes were John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers, socialist candidate for U.S. president Eugene Debs and union organizer Mary Harris Jones, a.k.a. Mother Jones. My grandfather and his sons were part of the bitter labor union struggles of coal miners. During the 1930s Depression, my father migrated to New York City to find work, but he always loved his roots in the mountain state. On our family's frequent visits to his childhood homestead, there would always be warm gatherings of families and friends. At those reunions, there would be much food, drink and always the playing of their own brand of Appalachian Mountain country music. This family ritual provided a joyful respite from the rigors of coal mining. It was at those gatherings that I first hear and forever loved old-time country and bluegrass music. The Irish poet and playwright, Oscar Wilde, wrote, "Music is the art which is most near to tears and memory." I do not know what other recollections were engendered among the audience by these pure sounds of American bluegrass, but I'm certain it triggered a toe tapping, hand-clapping response. After both the last tune and an encore, the audience gave Bill Ayasse, Bruce Barry, John Bricotti, Bill De Turk and Dave Thompson standing ovations of appreciation. These annual Sunset Concerts are a valuable artistic contribution to the wonderful life in the Village of Port Jefferson. Thank you to everyone who gives us this musical gift each year since 2009. The author is a resident of Port Jefferson. Editor's note: The Sunset Concert series is sponsored by the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council.
2,016	tbrnewsmedia.com	Ward Melville looking to continue upswing in 2016	By Joseph Wolkin Ward Melville's football team lost four key members during the offseason, each departing for collegiate play at a Division II or Division III school. The Patriots will be without quarterback Matt O'Hea, linebacker Patrick Morelli, defensive end Tom Lorusso and running back Nick Cervone in 2016, leaving major holes in the team's roster. However, for head coach Chris Boltrek, who enters his third year at the helm of the Patriots, improving on last year's 5-3 record is the goal. "Our expectations are pretty high," Boltrek said. "We received the No. 3 seed out of 14 teams in the division. That shows everybody that the coaches in our league see us as being a pretty good team. Our expectations are to live up to those standards." Despite losing four seniors, 22 seniors return to the Patriots this year, making them a title contender after finishing 2015 tied for third in the division with Northport and Connetquot. With O'Hea's departure, Ward Melville looks to replace the young man who threw for 1,933 yards last year, good enough for 11th in New York. "We return a lot of out skill players — key players from last year's team after getting a year of experience under their belt," the coach said. "I think this is a team with a lot of potential." Senior Wesley Manning will receive the majority of playing time at quarterback, with junior Peyton Capizzi beginning to show off his skills in preparation for his senior year. Manning enters this season with six pass attempts on his resume, featuring four completions for 79 yards, including a 19-yard pass for a touchdown against Northport. In addition to a new quarterback, Boltrek is prepared to evaluate the team's surplus of returning players. "Our biggest strength, really, is we're returning real football kids, even though they might play other sports," he said. "They just love football, and when you have that mentality, coupled with their skill and athleticism, that's a real strength and asset." The team's wide receiver core remains largely unchanged for 2016. Senior Eddie Munoz, an All-State honorable mention, is coming off a year that featured eight touchdown catches along with a total of 516 receiving yards. He will also continue to be a safety for the team after intercepting three passes last year in addition to piling up 41 tackles. Fellow senior John Corpac is back as a wideout for the Patriots. After catching seven touchdown passes last year, the first-time All-Division receiver looks to lead the team's offense. As the Patriots look to move from being a solid playoff contender to one that's in the title hunt, Boltrek said he believes there is still work that needs to be done to bring Ward Melville to the next level. "I think the biggest thing is we need our offensive line to gel at the beginning of the season," Boltrek said. "Last year, our offensive line was young. We had a junior playing center and two other linemen who were sophomores. The two other guys were seniors, but they were both first-year starters. This year, we're sort of lucky that we get our center back to have a senior at the middle of the line. Stability and continuity is what we're doing up front. It'll be huge for us during the season."
2,016	www.die-erde.org	Climatic turn in migration studies? Geographical perspectives on the relationship between climate and migration	Climatic turn in migration studies? Geographical perspectives on the relationship between climate and migration Carsten Felgentreff, Andreas Pott Abstract – Full Text: PDF Refbacks There are currently no refbacks. If a manuscript is accepted for publication, you will be asked to pay an Article Publication Fee to cover publications costs. For 2014, 2015 and 2016 die ERDE will charge a page fee of € 12.50 for each published page to cover the production expenses. In justified cases a lower fee or no contribution can be negotiated. For submissions received after 1 July 2017 will be subject to a full page fee of € 25.– This fee includes full open access to contents, no additional fee is necessary to allow everybody to access the PDF of the published paper. This means: you can freely distribute the final PDF, present it on your homepage and make links to the PDF from other web sites. Archive Since 2011 all issues are openly accessible via this link
2,016	www.die-erde.org	Challenging the current climate change - migration nexus: exploring migrants’ perceptions of climate change in the hosting country	Challenging the current climate change – migration nexus: exploring migrants' perceptions of climate change in the hosting country Corinna de Guttry, Martin Döring, Beate Ratter Abstract Along with the growing scientific and political concern on global warming, the relationship of climate and migration is framed as cause and consequence. Alarmist numbers of mass migration and related conflicts currently represent the main scientific narratives merging the issue of migration and climate change. This paper takes a different and explorative perspective: it suggests that scientific discourses on migration and climate change should be reframed by taking into consideration the diverse 'knowledges' offered by migrants. Employing an experimentalist approach, we aim at filling this gap in research and introduce an empirical perspective on climate framings among Italian and Chinese citizens in the local context of the city of Hamburg (Germany). Qualitatively analysing semi-structured interviews, the paper conveys an in-depth analysis of how Italian and Chinese migrants frame climate change and, furthermore, explores philosophical backgrounds informing them. We start with a theoretical and methodological outline on undertaking research with migrants and then turn to an empirical analysis in which we examine and discuss four prevailing categories found in the course of our investigation. The final section summarises the results and reflects upon the methodological and theoretical approach applied which refers to the relevance of migrants as active actors in local adaptation and mitigation processes of the hosting country. Keywords Migration, cultural perception of climate change, mitigation, adaptation Full Text: PDF Refbacks There are currently no refbacks. If a manuscript is accepted for publication, you will be asked to pay an Article Publication Fee to cover publications costs. For 2014, 2015 and 2016 die ERDE will charge a page fee of € 12.50 for each published page to cover the production expenses. In justified cases a lower fee or no contribution can be negotiated. For submissions received after 1 July 2017 will be subject to a full page fee of € 25.– This fee includes full open access to contents, no additional fee is necessary to allow everybody to access the PDF of the published paper. This means: you can freely distribute the final PDF, present it on your homepage and make links to the PDF from other web sites. Archive Since 2011 all issues are openly accessible via this link
2,016	www.die-erde.org	Migration in a changing climate. Towards a translocal social resilience approach	Migration in a changing climate. Towards a translocal social resilience approach Patrick Sakdapolrak, Sopon Naruchaikusol, Kayly Ober, Simon Peth, Luise Porst, Till Rockenbauch, Vera Tolo Abstract Climate change and migration are drawing increasing interest from researchers and policy makers as well as from the general public. While in the beginning a simplistic and geo-deterministic comprehension of the environmental impact on human mobility had dominated the discussion, the framing of the relationship has recently become more differentiated. Vast empirical evidence derived from rural livelihoods research clearly shows that migration is an important strategy of households when dealing with multiple risks, including environmental stress. This has led to the growing acknowledgement of the idea of "migration as adaptation" in migration-environment research. We consider this conceptual development an important step for a better understanding of this nexus. Nonetheless, migration as adaptation has several shortcomings. Firstly, it is narrowly focused on migration as an adaptive response to environmental risks and neglects the significant impact of other forms of migration. Secondly, it does not cover other dimensions of how people, communities and societies deal with environmental change: a blind eye is all too often turned to processes of resilience building. Thirdly, migration as adaptation has been found to be interpreted in a way which justifies migration policies with neo-liberal tendencies. In order to overcome such drawbacks, we propose an approach that integrates translocality and social resilience. In this paper we thus introduce the concept of translocal social resilience and reflect on its conceptual implications. We will thereby show how this approach can improve the understanding of the migration-environment nexus, and how it can also shape the concept of migration as adaptation, allowing for nuanced and critical views on the dynamics in the migration-environment context. Keywords Migration, climate change, social resilience, migration as adaptation, translocality Full Text: PDF Refbacks There are currently no refbacks. If a manuscript is accepted for publication, you will be asked to pay an Article Publication Fee to cover publications costs. For 2014, 2015 and 2016 die ERDE will charge a page fee of € 12.50 for each published page to cover the production expenses. In justified cases a lower fee or no contribution can be negotiated. For submissions received after 1 July 2017 will be subject to a full page fee of € 25.– This fee includes full open access to contents, no additional fee is necessary to allow everybody to access the PDF of the published paper. This means: you can freely distribute the final PDF, present it on your homepage and make links to the PDF from other web sites. Archive Since 2011 all issues are openly accessible via this link
2,016	www.thenav.ca	Clicks out for Harambe: Confessions of a slacktavist	CNN headline: "Harambe memes prompt Cincinnati Zoo to delete Twitter accounts". I couldn't help but laugh. It finally happened. The Harambe meme had officially transcended Internet culture and become mainstream. To be fair, it's impossible to pinpoint the exact moment of transcendence, but there is something hilariously real about the thought of some poor Cincinnati Zoo social media manager finally admitting defeat against the non-stop barrage of Harambe tweets. Harambe polled at five percent in a recent presidential poll, there are over 100,000 supporters of a "Make Harambe a Pokémon" petition , and major media outlets are writing Harambe meme stories by the minute. THEY CALL IT GORILLA GLUE BECAUSE HARAMBE WAS METAPHORICALLY THE GLUE THAT HELD OUR NATION TOGETHER pic.twitter.com/4i61PWGbvD — Fill Werrell (@FillWerrell) August 30, 2016 If you've never scrolled a social media platform and haven't heard of Harambe, he was a 17-year-old Western lowland gorilla who was shot by zookeepers after a three-year-old child entered his enclosure in late May. An observer posted a video on YouTube that showed part of the incident and it prompted a roar of online outrage and criticism. Half the internet (who suddenly became experts on emergency gorilla procedures) criticized the zoo for its decision to use bullets instead of a tranquilizer. The child's mother was publicly shamed while #Justice4Harambe trended, and vigils and protests popped up across the globe. This is where the beauty and effectiveness of all the images and videos that drive the Harambe meme come in. With a mixture of outrageous tributes, ridiculous songs, and of course, the #dicksoutforharambe hashtag, the meme mocks the armchair internet activist culture that the initial hysteria about Harambe's death sprouted from. Remember those Eiffel Tower "Pray for Paris" images that spread rampantly after the Paris attacks in November? Or when seemingly every single person on your Facebook changed their profile picture to a rainbow hue in commemoration of the U.S. legalizing gay marriage? That's the kind of internet activism I'm talking about it, and I've contributed to and been a part of it. I filmed an Ice Bucket Challenge during the craze in 2014 and didn't donate a cent to ALS charities. I've shared Black Lives Matters posts without doing a second of boots-on-the-ground, real activism for the betterment of the movement. I'm guilty. It's not that there is anything inherently wrong with posting a image or changing your profile picture for a cause, but if the action stops there, is it really any help? The Harambe meme, with its over-the-top mourning of the gorilla's death, is the perfect satirical rebuttal to this kind of self aggrandizing, give-yourself-a-pat-on-the-back brand of "activism." One of my favourite Harambe images shows a photoshopped Harambe floating in a sea of clouds with Prince, David Bowie, Mohammad Ali, and Kimbo Slice, with the caption "RIP to the legends #2016 deaths." When each of these celebrities died, there was an onslaught of #RIP status updates and tweets. Harambe was mourned in the same public manner, except no one knew who this gorilla was before he died, and that's what is so funny. Harambe was fiercely defended by many who thought his death was unjust, but of course, it didn't take long for the next trendy cause to steal the spotlight. The droves of people who created the countless Harambe images, videos, tweets, and petitions ended up preserving the memory of this previously anonymous gorilla (albeit ironically). If the armchair activists really cared, shouldn't it have been the other way around? A PETA retweet and a hashtag is nice and cute and all that fluffy stuff, but in the end, its just characters on a computer screen destined to become lost in the endless scroll that is the internet. Yes, it is tragic that Harambe had to die as the result of a three-year-old child making a mistake typical of a three-year-old child, but should the outrage so easily overshadow the demand for serious debate on issues that affect millions of human lives such as the deepening racial tensions in the US, or the refugee crisis in Syria? Well, it did, and the Harambe meme has something to say about it. #RIPHarambe
2,016	www.hastingsstargazette.com	A couple of shotgun experts find out what they've been missing in mourning dove hunting	BRAINERD, Minn.—In this week's Northland Outdoors TV episode, we put a couple of shotgun experts—the Gould Brothers Exhibition Shooting Team—to the test by introducing them to mourning dove hunting in Minnesota. And the crew also visits the Kicking Bear outdoors camp for kids in West Salem. Wis. See it all in this weekend's episode of "Northland Outdoors TV." Northland Outdoors TV debuted on Fox Sports North and many other local ABC affiliates across North Dakota in July. The show is hosted by veteran outdoors radio host Brett Amundson. The 30-minute show airs weekly at 7 a.m. on Fox Sports North, which airs in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and upper Iowa. Addition, the show will air at 10 a.m. Central (9 a.m. Mountain) on Channel 6 WDAY TV in Fargo-Moorhead; Channel 8 WDAZ TV in Grand Forks and Winnipeg; Channel 17 KBMY in Bismarck and Dickinson; and Channel 14 KMCY in Minot, Williston and reaching Fort Peck. Northland Outdoors TV is owned by Forum Communications Co., which is headquartered in Fargo, N.D. A family owned company, FCC owns newspapers, radio and TV stations, commercial printing plants and dozens of other publications in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
2,016	www.hastingsstargazette.com	Letter: In support of Lisa Leifeld	We would like to encourage all voters in Ward 3 to vote for Lisa Siebenaler Leifeld for city council. We have known Lisa for 10 years. Her heart has always been with Hastings and will continue once she is on the city council. As a bank service manager, Lisa is detailed oriented, able to discern facts and figures and determine what is financially best for our community to move forward. As detailed as she is, she has the vision to see what could be, dream large and think outside the box.
2,016	www.hastingsstargazette.com	Raiders boy’s soccer on goal tear, start season 4-1	Raiders boys' soccer went 2-1 in matches to improve to 4-1 on the season this past week. They lost to New Richmond on Tuesday, beat South St. Paul in their first conference match on Thursday and then defeated Red Wing on Saturday. New Richmond The match against the New Richmond Tigers was high scoring and back and forth between the two teams. The Raiders struck quickly with a goal about seven minutes in by Joshua Lewanski, assisted by Jack Carlson. A little later Noah Brenny added a second goal to put Hastings up 2-0. New Richmond scored twice as well before the half ended to tie the game. In the second half, the Tigers scored three straight goals to go up 5-2 before Logan Boogren scored for the Raiders to make it 5-3. Shortly after, however, the Tigers were given a penalty kick which they converted to go ahead 6-3, which would be the final. South St. Paul Head coach Jamie Swanson said he tasked his players with adjusting to the fast-paced play that they saw against New Richmond in preparation for the South St. Paul Packers. "I told the guys they had to learn from New Richmond's fast paced, one-touch style and play faster and more direct against the South St. Paul Packers," Swanson said. "They are a tough opponent every season." The Packers led 1-0 at the end of the first half after grabbing a late goal. "I thought we outplayed South St. Paul in the first half," Swanson said. "We definitely created more quality scoring chances than them." However, in the second half Hastings had a scoring burst, putting four goals in the net. Both Lewanski and Derek Iwasko had two goals each, with Lewanski assisting on both of Iwasko's as well. "The halftime speech was short and sweet," Swanson said. "Shane and I told the guys they needed to play more direct with diagonal balls to backside players, and basically to run their defenders ragged. The guys responded with one of the best halves of attacking soccer I've seen in my short time as varsity coach." The final score remained 4-1 to give Hastings their first conference win. Red Wing Swanson described the Red Wing match as just a continuation of the South St. Paul one, with Hastings once again scoring fast and furious. The Raiders won 5-2 with goals from Brenny, Boogren, Lewanski, Tucker Houska and Danny Williams. The team has scored 28 goals in only five games, which is an average of more than five goals per game. Swanson said that the score versus Red Wing could have been much higher if not for really good goalkeeper play by the Red Wing keeper Peyton Anderson. Lewanski right now is tied for sixth in the state in goals scored with nine and tied for second in assists with seven. Swanson said he is excited with how well Lewanski is playing and hopes others are inspired by his play and also step up. "He is an unbelievably hard worker who really times his runs well," Swanson said. "He also has great ball control and can turn on a dime and shoot very quickly. He is very tough to defend against. I'm looking for the next guy to step up and start scoring goals in bunches like Josh. Word is out that he is on fire, and teams are going to gameplan against him eventually. We are going to need more guys getting into the mix, and if that happens, we are going to really be hard to outscore."
2,016	www.hastingsstargazette.com	Raiders football shutout by South St. Paul Packers	Nathaniel Weise goes up for the catch against a South St. Paul defensive back. PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH WASVICK. Ovie Embu begins to cut back into the hole against the South St. Paul defense. PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH WASVICK. The Hastings Raiders' football team fell to the South St. Paul Packers 26-0 Friday night, in once again rainy and muddy conditions. The Raiders fall to 2-2 on the season and are now in the middle of the pack in the East Metro-Red standings, tied with Tartan, Henry Sibley and St. Thomas Academy. South St. Paul dominated much of the game, racking up 15 first downs to Hastings' eight and doubling the Raiders' total yards. The Raiders struggled to get their offense going for most of the game, running for under 100 yards as a team and unable to rely upon the passing game due to the wet and muddy conditions. The Packers running attack was steady and bruising as they piled up 319 yards on 48 carries, led by quarterback Ryan Duffy, who rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns on 28 attempts. The Raiders had no answer for the South St. Paul option running game that saw Duffy plunge into the middle of the line and elusively pick his way through defenders untouched several yards downfield. One bright spot for the Raiders was the play of running back Clay Harris, who rushed seven times for 43 yards and seemed to really bring a spark at times to the Hastings offense. "Clay Harris ran the ball well on the opportunities he got and he'll continue to get those chances," head coach Dana Strain said. Another Raider who played well was wide receiver Nathaniel Wiese, who grabbed six receptions for 66 yards on a field where players struggled all night to keep their footing. "Nathaniel Wiese had a nice game for us on both sides of the football," Strain said. "He had a couple of nice catches on a tough night to throw." Jake Brown once again was at quarterback for the Raiders and he completed 12 passes on 29 attempts for 116 yards and one interception, which came on the first play from scrimmage for Hastings. Running back Ovie Embu had a tough time getting going against the South St. Paul defense, rushing 15 times for just 36 yards, a 2.4-yard-per-carry average. This was Embu's first game this season without a touchdown. Looking ahead to the second half of the season, Strain said his team will continue to get better and he hopes to finish strong as the season ends. "We'll continue to clean up the little things and that will be the theme this week," Strain said. "Right now we're a .500 football team and we feel like we can be a very competitive team in the second half (of the season)." The Raiders next travel to Mahtomedi where they will face the 4-0 Zephyrs, which Strain said is a talented team that will look as much like an NFL team as any other team they will face this season. "They're a pretty talented football team, especially their tailbacks, who have had a couple big games so far, and our challenge will be to make them earn their points," Strain said.
2,016	www.hastingsstargazette.com	HHS volleyball goes 3-3 in busy week	The Hastings Raiders' volleyball team lost to the Rosemount Irish in straight sets on Tuesday, Sept. 6, in a match that certainly had its ups and downs for the Raiders. On Thursday they defeated Simley in five sets and then went 2-2 over Friday and Saturday in a tournament at Apple Valley. Rosemount The Raiders came out slowly to start the match and were down 11-4 when the first timeout was taken. They were unable to recover from the deficit and lost the first set 14-25. In the second set Hastings turned things around and played much better offensively and were more consistent. The Raiders were up 13-9 midway through the set until the Irish made a small comeback to take the lead 16-15. From there it was back and forth between the two teams until Rosemount was able to close out the set, beating the Raiders 25-23. The entire match could be characterized by inconsistent play by Hastings, which became evident in the third set. As well as they played in the second set is how badly the third set went. The Raiders lost the final set 6-25 to lose the match three sets to none. Head coach Rita Girgen said her team needs to play with a greater degree of consistency. "Overall, there was too great of a degree of variation. We need to cut down on our highs and lows in that big span in between," Girgen said. "Make those little dips instead of valleys, that will help, and that just boils down to experience, getting really comfortable in the rotation and comfortable with each other, building chemistry. I think long term, these things will work themselves out." Despite those peaks and valleys Girgen talked about, she said she's optimistic about how the team will develop over the coming month. "We played well the first two sets," Girgen said. "We have a fairly young lineup that is gaining varsity experience. That experience is going to help the team at the end of the season when wins and losses really matter the most." Marissa Stockman led the team in kills with eight while Lexy Langenfeld had six and Mallory Brake had five. Haley Anderson had 11 digs, followed by Taeler McVicker with nine and Paula Scharfe with seven. McVicker also led with eight serving points. Simley The Raiders came away from Simley with a win, beating the Spartans in five sets (25-23, 27-25,19-25, 23-25,15-7). Girgen said the match was tightly contested all the way through. It was really a good win for the team. Langenfeld led the team with 18 kills and Stockman had seven. Anderson gathered 23 digs and McVicker led with 15 serving points. Apple Valley Tournament Hastings finished seventh out of 16 teams at Apple Valley over a two day period, then went 2-2 with victories over Concordia Academy (9-25, 25-20,15-9) and St. Francis (25-20, 25-16), and losses to Centennial (14-25, 17-25) and Caledonia (14-25, 21-25). Concordia Academy was ranked seventh in the state for class 2A and Girgen said it was a huge win for the Raiders, who really played well. Langenfeld once again led the team in kills at the tournament with 22. Stockman had 16 and Mallory Brake had 11. Anderson compiled 42 digs over the four matches, followed by Tori Brake with 19 and Lexy Gray with 13. McVicker and Stockman both had 18 serving points, while Tori Brake had 14 and Scharfe had 12. Girgen said that she and the team always enjoy playing in the Apple Valley tournament. "It's fun to be in the Apple Valley tournament and to see teams we don't usually see during our non-conference and conference play." The Raiders host Park on Tuesday, Sept. 13, and then Tartan on Sept.15. On Saturday, Sept. 17, the junior varsity plays in a tournament in Burnsville.
2,016	www.scenicrangenewsforum.com	Lynch chosen as ICC Foundation/Alumni Director	The Board of the Itasca Community College Foundation announces that it has hired Susan Lynch as Foundation/Alumni Director. Confirmed on Aug. 17, the appointment officially combines what were previously two separate positions, in alignment with the merging of the ICC Foundation and the ICC Alumni Association boards. A single board will now work with one director, allowing information and processes to flow through a single channel. "Streamlining our operations is an enjoyable challenge," says Lynch. "Having just one board will make us more nimble and effective." Lynch, who was hired as Director of Alumni Relations when Beth Anderson retired in October 2015, had additionally taken on the role of Interim Foundation Director in February 2016 upon the resignation of previous Director Janet Neurauter. Board Chair Cindy Feyder reports that Lynch's familiarity with and success in both roles contributed to her selection for the combined position. "We're so fortunate that she was our Interim Director," she says. "I can't imagine a better fit." Lynch says her connection with alumni will serve the Foundation well. As a graduate of Grand Rapids Senior High, Itasca Community College, and the College of St. Scholastica, Lynch will be able to successfully connect with alumni and local businesses.
2,016	www.scenicrangenewsforum.com	Minnesota Power’s rate change plan gets partial OK	The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) last Thursday approved lower electric rates for 11 mining and forest products companies exposed to intense global competition. The 2015 Minnesota Legislature enacted a law authorizing Minnesota Power to submit discounted rate plans for industrial firms deemed by the state as energy-intensive and trade-exposed (EITE) businesses. The utility proposed that business customers that do not qualify as energy-intensive users and exposed to heavy foreign trade were to pay an average monthly increase of approximately 1.8 percent. Residential customers were to see an average increase of 10 percent, or approximately $8 a month for a customer whose typical monthly bill is $79.44. The MPUC did not make a decision on that plan. Low-income customers were to be exempt. "This Minnesota Power rate plan is one part of the equation that adds up to a more secure economic future for northern Minnesota," Al Hodnik, president, chairman and CEO of ALLETE, Minnesota Power's parent company, said in a prepared statement. "We want to keep the high-paying jobs our large taconite and forest industries customers provide here in northern Minnesota." The plan will not take effect until the MPUC decides how Minnesota Power will recover revenue lost by providing the discount to its largest customers.
2,016	www.scenicrangenewsforum.com	Keep Anzelc working in 5B	Editor: We believe that Tom Anzelc has been an outstanding state representative. How can anyone say that he has been a representative for ten years and has done nothing for his constituents? How can anyone say that "things haven't changed"? Ask steel workers about the long-awaited extension of unemployment benefits and about the assistance he provided on the foreign steel issue. Ask firefighters in Marble-Calumet-Greenway Township, Balsam Township, Bovey-Coleraine, and Taconite about Tom's involvement in securing funds for new, up-to-date, safe buildings and equipment. Ask our rural citizens how much they appreciate the newly acquired broadband Internet access. Ask the Grand Rapids area patrons of the YMCA and the Reif Center how much they enjoy the beautiful renovations to those facilities. Ask locals how many years they have been waiting for safety improvements along Highway 169. Construction begins this fall on a $16 million expansion extending the four-lane east of Bovey past the hazardous Highway 7 intersection. Ask teachers and school administrators about Tom's never-ending plans to help children get the best education possible. Our schools have gained additional funds in the per-pupil formula, as well as for all-day-every-day kindergarten. Construction is currently underway at King Elementary in Deer River providing new space for an innovative collaboration between senior citizens and early childhood education. Funding has been granted for development of an enhanced STEM curriculum as a collaborative project between the Grand Rapids, Nashwauk-Keewatin, and Greenway school districts and Itasca Community College. The list goes on and on, and although Representative Anzelc is only one member of the legislature, he has played a major role in the above-mentioned endeavors. Over the years, he has honed his negotiating skills and his ability to work across the aisle, and we, in rural Minnesota, are the benefactors of his hard work. Representative Anzelc is a son of Northern Minnesota and has devoted his life to improving the quality of life for everyone. He is approachable, authentic, and encourages constituents to contact him with their cares and concerns. Everyone matters to Tom Anzelc. We are so very fortunate to have Tom representing us in the legislature. The best way to thank him for his hard work is to re-elect him in November. Please keep Tom Anzelc working for the people in District 5B. Jeanette Stish Ken and Trika Smith Smuzzy and Holly Guyer Jerry and Mary Drewes Coleraine
2,016	www.scenicrangenewsforum.com	Bovey City Council	At last week's Bovey City Council meeting, the regular meeting was preceded by a Planning and Zoning meeting at 5:30 p.m. Planning and Zoning Chairman Mike Foss made a request to disband the Planning and Zoning commission on the grounds that the commission is obsolete. In an interview, Foss described the Bovey zoning laws as being so weak and there is not much members of the commission can do in terms of enforcement. In addition, the city of Bovey is as big as it will get in terms of square miles and there is no need for a planning commission. Foss has lobbied the city council in the past to adopt the state of Minnesota Statutes for zoning, but this has never been realized. His request was taken on advisement. The regular meeting of the Bovey City Council began at 6 p.m. with a status report from Public Works Supervisor Kevin Odden who reported that he has not been able to find a suitable light truck for plowing and spreading sand. The city's truck has a broken frame at the juncture of the control arm making it unsafe to drive. City Engineer John Mattonen provided documents that indicate a funding award in relation to the old gun club property. This property is considered a brownfield and could possibly be redeveloped. In other business, the council: • Approved paying off a truck. • Approved the sale of a John Deere tractor.
2,016	www.scenicrangenewsforum.com	Edward “Ed” Gordon Chidester 1942 ~ August 26, 2016	Edward "Ed" Gordon Chidester, age 74, of Cohasset, MN died Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 at The Lodge at Grand Village, Grand Rapids, MN. Edward was born in 1942 in Cohasset, MN to Gordon and Mildred Chidester. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy. Following his honorable discharge from the service, he worked for Itasca County Road and Bridge and retired in 1996. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed working on the farm he helped build with his dad, having coffee every morning with the guys, and loved the WWE. Edward was a member of the V.F.W. and the Loyal Order of the Moose. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Mildred Chidester; his nephew, Brian Jones; brother-in-law, Bob Booth; and grandson, Lucas A. Thomas. Edward is survived by his daughters, Lori Chidester of Greeley, CO, Patty Lenoir, Leslie Belgrade and Shelly Thomas all of Belcourt, ND; sisters, Dorothy (Farmer) Jones of Minnepolis, MN, Shirley Booth of Brainerd, MN, and Cecelia "Dude" (Ben) Lewis of Grand Rapids, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The family of Edward Chidester would like to thank Grand Village Staff, Itasca Hospice, Essentia Health-St. Mary's, Duluth, MN, Hibbing Dialysis, and his friends and neighbors at the apartment complex in Cohasset, MN for the special care and attention given to him. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, Cohasset, MN. Fr. Charlie Friebohle will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be presented by Grand Rapids Area Veterans at Wildwood Cemetery, Cohasset, MN. Arrangements by Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN.
2,016	www.scenicrangenewsforum.com	Engineering issues dominate LaPrairie discussion	At last week's LaPrairie City Council meeting, City Engineer Bob Beaver was on hand to deliver a report on his work. Beaver's opening remarks were about the speed radar sign. The data currently being collected by the sign on south-bound LaPrairie Ave. was consistent with data previously gathered in the north-bound lane of LaPrairie Ave. That data from the north-bound lane suggested that motorists who were speeding were doing so on their way to and from work. About 30 percent of the motorists on LaPrairie Ave. were breaking the speed limit at those times. Beaver said the sign would be moved to Fraser St. for approximately two weeks. Beaver said that the bituminous overlay is in place for the Frazier Street Trail. Ditches along the trail have been graded and seeded, and the project is complete. Crack sealing was next on Beaver's agenda. Beaver said that crack sealing would be performed on Hilke Drive, Lorane Drive, Martin Street and Sylvia Avenue this year. Beaver added that the city's crack sealing contractor, Bargen, would be working on those streets later in August. Plans for the 2017 Street Capital Improvement Plan include an overlay for Fuhrman Ave. at a cost of $15,600. Mayor Mike Fall noted that the cost of the project would be split between the city and residents living along the improvement area. "If we don't do something with Fuhrman Avenue pretty soon, it could turn into a reconstruction project," Fall said. Bituminous removal and crack repairs on Fraser St. were estimated at $10,000 and seal cracking for unspecified roads was likely to cost about $5,000, said Beaver. Beaver concluded his remarks with some observations about the retention pond. Recent rains caused the pond to overflow onto LaPrairie Avenue to a depth of four to six inches. Since the road is technically a county road (CSAH 84) he had discussed pumping options with representatives of Itasca County. The county chose to monitor the water level, and Beaver said the water levels seemed to be dropping about a foot per day. Seepage rates are slow and that if the water were to completely drain from the pond, some test holes could be drilled to evaluate the problem. Another option is to build overflow piping to the LaPrairie River, but Beaver indicated that the cost would likely be prohibitive. In other business, the council: • Approved the premium payment to the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust in the amount of $6,363. • Announced the grand opening celebration of the Beacon Hill housing project in Grand Rapids, slated for Aug. 24 starting at 11 a.m. Lunch and beverages will be available. • Announced the Western Mesabi Mine Planning Board's field trip on Sept. 10 beginning at 7:30 a.m. and concluding at 5 p.m. The field trip will include a tour of Hibbing Taconite, stops at the Hill Annex State Park, Coleraine minerals research laboratory and Enbridge pumping station.
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Ads draw ire of Italians	ROME -- One ad pictured a woman holding an hourglass next to the words: "Beauty has no age limit. Fertility does." Another portrayed a pair of baby shoes wrapped in a ribbon of the Italian flag. Yet another showed a man holding a half-burned cigarette: "Don't let your sperm go up in smoke," it read. They were part of a government effort to promote "Fertility Day" on Thursday, a campaign intended to encourage Italians to have more babies. Instead, the ads set off a furor, were denounced as being offensive and within days were withdrawn. What they did succeed in doing, however, was to ignite a deeper and lasting debate about why it is that Italy has one of the lowest birthrates in the world, and what can be done about it. The problem is not a lack of desire to have children, critics of the campaign say, but rather the lack of meaningful support provided by the government and many employers in a country where the family remains the primary source of child care. "I should be a model for their campaign, and I still feel very offended," said Vittoria Iacovella, 37, a journalist and mother of two girls, ages 10 and 8. "The government encourages us to have babies, and then the main welfare system in Italy is still the grandparents." Many working women, without an extended family to care for a child face a dilemma, as private child care is expensive. Some also worry that their job security may be undermined by missing workdays because of child care issues. Many companies do not offer flexible hours for working mothers. Not surprisingly, Italy's long slowdown in childbirth has coincided with its recent economic slump. But Italian families have been shrinking for decades. In 2015, 488,000 babies were born in Italy, the fewest since the country first unified in 1861. It has one of the lowest birthrates in Europe, with 1.37 children per woman, compared with a European average of 1.6, according to Eurostat figures. By contrast, in France, the economy has been flat, too, but a family-oriented system provides a far more generous social safety net that includes day care and subsidies for families to have children. There, women have two children each on average. "On paper, Italian women have equal rights," said Tiziana Bartolini, editor of Noi Donne, one of Italy's most prominent feminist magazines. "But reality tells us a different story. Women are expected to care for children. If they live in regions where services are good, or in small towns, they keep their job. If they live in big, chaotic cities and have no family nearby, they are very prudent about becoming pregnant." "Or they stop working," she added. The Ministry of Health began the fertility campaign on Aug. 31 with a group of online advertisements and a hashtag on Twitter. The goal was to publicize a series of public meetings on Fertility Day and encourage Italians to have more children. Yeah, sure, thought Maria Scioli, 41, a teacher who depends on her family to care for her 15-month-old boy, when she spotted the debate on her Facebook page. "I'd love to have a second child," Scioli said, "but my job situation worries me. And I even feel lucky. I think about all those women my age or younger that couldn't have babies and had to watch that offensive ad." Even Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, whose own health minister started the campaign, distanced himself from the ads in a radio interview, noting ironically that none of his friends "had their kids after seeing an advert." Renzi said that to increase the birthrate, structural issues like day care and services needed to be addressed. Under Renzi, Italy's government has tried to help families with a so-called baby bonus of about $90 to $180 for low- and middle-income households and has approved labor laws giving more flexibility on parental leave. But Italy allocates only 1 percent of its gross domestic product to social protection benefits -- half the European average. One child out of three here is at risk of relative poverty. "Italy has a terrible combination: low birthrate, low women's employment and high risk of child poverty," said Alessandro Rosina, a professor of demography at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. "On this path, Italy can only but have increasing costs for aging people, and increased public debt." "We defend our present, but can't design the future," he said. Figures from Istat, the national statistics agency, show that Italian women with children are far less likely to work than mothers in other European countries, which provide greater social services. In much of northern Europe, where social services are greater, about 70 percent of women work -- and almost all of them continue to work after having children. By comparison, according to Eurostat, Italy has the second-lowest female employment rate in Europe, especially in the south. "So many young women are even asked to pre-sign a resignation letter here, especially in small companies," said Teresa Potenza, a longtime women's advocate in Naples, referring to a practice in which some women are asked to sign a resignation letter in case of pregnancy before they are hired. "Even to all those women, that campaign is a punch to the gut." "Without the 'family welfare,' I would have never been able to have children myself," Potenza said. Iacovella, the journalist, said her child's kindergarten closed two hours before she got off work, and noted that working mothers "are frustrated by the little help that Italy gives to women." She was so offended by the government ads that she vented her anger on Facebook soon after they started appearing, and her comments went viral online. Italy's health minister, Beatrice Lorenzin, responding on Facebook, wrote that the Fertility Day campaign was not a "call to reproduction" but a day to discuss "the fertility issues that 15 percent of Italians deal with." She promptly canceled the campaign. "I am saddened that the launch of the advertising campaign misled many people," Lorenzin said. "I withdrew it to change it." SundayMonday on 09/18/2016
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	MIKE MASTERSON: What you didn’t see	Before I leave the remarkable legacy of Harrison's Brandon Burlsworth and the film of his life called Greater, now showing in nearly 400 theaters across America, I want to share a few back-story notes about the 22-year-old Razorback All-American who died in a tragic traffic accident on April 28, 1999. For instance, the film didn't disclose that, shortly before his death, Brandon had formed a budding relationship with a college co-ed, also from Harrison. Having any girlfriend was something relatively new for Brandon since his focus had been solely on his family, faith, friends, football and earning his master's degree. "He always said there would be time for girls later, but he had things he needed to accomplish first," said his mother, Barbara Burlsworth, a Harrison Realtor. "Brandon was such a humble person who cared about and respected others," she continued. "He'd be completely blown away by all this attention focused on him. He just never sought the limelight. Instead, he did set goals and worked hard to achieve them." Although Brandon became a stickler for staying focused and doing things the right way, he also was a typically sloppy teenager until the 10th grade when Barbara told him if he was serious about going to college, "he'd better get his act together." He was able to focus and achieve his primary goals that included earning a master's degree, making All-American and being drafted by an NFL team. Tommy Tice, Brandon's high school coach at Harrison, said most people couldn't know that Brandon had etched the noseband of his trademark black-rim glasses with the words "All-American." "He literally kept his goal focused right behind his nose through his college career." Another trait that set Brandon apart was his respectful devotion to doing whatever authority figures asked of him. "He listened, then just did it," said Tice. Tice also told of a time when he'd become agitated with another lineman during practice and told the team to watch. "I took the player's helmet and put it on," said Tice. "Then I turned around and the next player I faced was Brandon. When I told him to come at me full force to demonstrate my lesson about blocking, Brandon knocked me flat on my back, leaving me dazed for several seconds." The coach said he managed to get back to his feet, still surrounded by the team. "I remember handing the helmet back to the other player, then shouting: "Well, by gosh, that will be the last time I teach you that lesson!" The team broke into laughter. Tice, now the athletic director for Huntsville, said he's never donned another helmet. The film shows Brandon receiving a scholarship offer from Arkansas Tech University. In reality he also had one from Henderson State University. He declined both, insisting instead on joining the Razorbacks as a walk-on. In the book about Brandon's life, retired businessman Bud Walsh of Harrison is credited with advising Brandon's older brother Marty to contact Razorback Assistant Coach Harold Horton to hopefully become a walk-on. Tice said he also called then-Hog head coach Danny Ford and asked him to take a look at Brandon. He said Ford wasn't enthused and even said Brandon would never earn a scholarship because he wasn't the type of player they were looking for. Yet Ford agreed to let Brandon show up as a "preferred walk-on." The rest became the stuff of legend. Also not included in the film is that Brandon and Marty also have a brother named Grady. I asked Barbara about what her son's faith meant to him. "We attended the First Assembly in Harrison and Brandon was always there, starting at about 10 years old. He became very active in the youth group. He made close friends with Ed Robinson, who was a bit older. Brandon and Ed played football together and became very close friends over the years. In fact, Ed, who works for FedEx in Harrison and has three children, even named his oldest son after Brandon." Tammy and Danny Roth of Harrison were friends of the Burlsworths. After Brandon was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, the caring couple asked Barbara if they might give Brandon some new shirts and a set of luggage for his trip. She agreed, and the night before Brandon's fatal accident, he sat with his mother at the dinner table to send the Roths a thank-you note. '"I told him how much it would mean to them to receive that message from him." The note arrived on the day Brandon died. "I sent one of those shirts to the funeral home and Brandon was buried in it," said Barbara. While the pain of losing Brandon always will be with her and the Burlsworth family, Barbara said she's also come to recognize a larger and mysterious divine plan in all that Brandon's indomitable spirit achieved during his brief lifetime. She smiles when she sees the many thousands of children and others who've benefited enormously from the charitable Brandon Burlsworth Foundation and from his once having lived a blessed and honorable life among us. ------------v------------ Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Email him at mmasterson@arkansasonline.com. Editorial on 09/13/2016
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Russian: Sorting rebels, 'terrorists' vital in Syria	BEIRUT -- Russia said Wednesday that separating Syrian rebels from "terrorists" is a "key task" to ensure that the cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Russia continues to hold in Syria. Russian Lt. Gen. Victor Poznikhir said rebels had violated the truce 60 times since it came into force at sunset Monday. Opposition forces said they had recorded some 28 various violations by government troops on Tuesday. The cease-fire deal was reached over the weekend after marathon negotiations between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Underscoring the complexity of the new arrangement, the deal was not made public in its entirety even as it came into effect. By evening Wednesday, there were no reports of major violations of the agreement, which calls on all parties to hold their fire, allowing only for airstrikes against the Islamic State extremist group and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, the group formerly known as the Nusra Front. One of Syria's most powerful factions, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham's battlefield alliance with other insurgent groups makes it difficult for the United States to target them without the danger of inflicting harm on other opposition groups. The group in July said it severed ties with al-Qaida, a claim rejected by the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday and they agreed that "as a whole, despite sporadic reports of violence, the arrangement is holding and violence is significantly lower," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters. The two diplomats also agreed to extend the current truce by another 48 hours, Toner said. Earlier, Russia's Poznikhir had underlined Moscow's intention to extend the cease-fire by 48 hours. The Syrian government had agreed to maintain the cease-fire until Sunday. The agreement is also to allow for humanitarian aid to reach besieged areas, with the rebel-held part of the northern city of Aleppo as a priority. However, some 20 trucks carrying U.N aid and destined for rebel-held eastern Aleppo remained in the customs area on the border with Turkey on Wednesday "because of lack of de facto assurances of safe passage by all parties," Jens Laerke, deputy spokesman for the U.N. office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said in an email. The trucks are carrying mostly food items and are destined for the estimated 250,000 residents of eastern Aleppo. Details of who is to distribute the aid were still being worked out. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said humanitarian aid to Syrians was being held up by a lack of security arrangements. He said he had been in touch with the Russian government, urging them to exercise influence on the Syrian government to let the trucks in, and with the Americans to get Syrian armed groups to cooperate. Separately, Turkey sent a pair of trucks to the Syrian border town of Jarablus to deliver food and children's toys on the third day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday. Turkish ground forces joined Syrian rebels to expel Islamic State militants from the town last month. In besieged rebel-held Aleppo, Mohammed Khandakani, a 28-year old lawyer, said calm was prevailing in an area that had seen some of the heaviest violence in the days leading up to the cease-fire. "The truce is holding. There is relative relief. It is an unexplainable feeling of safety," he said. "But the anticipation and concern for the future leaves a lump in my throat. We are still living in a prison." Khandakani is a volunteer at a medical center in eastern Aleppo. Medical facilities in rebel-held areas have been frequent targets for government bombings. In the lead-up to the cease-fire, 40 days of fighting in Aleppo killed nearly 700 civilians, including 160 children, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Syrian state media broadcast footage of the tourism and health ministers touring neighborhoods on the southern edge of Aleppo that were recently recaptured by the government from rebel groups. "Here is the line that separates civilization and backwardness, barbarity, the line between darkness and light," said tourism minister Bishr Riyad Yazigi, speaking in the Ramouseh area of the divided city. The Observatory's chief said Wednesday there were no reported civilian casualties in the first 36 hours of the cease-fire. "The violations are negligible. Most importantly, there were no Syrian civilian deaths," Rami Abdurrahman said. Information for this article was contributed by Erin Cunningham, Brian Murphy and Andrew Roth of The Washington Post. A Section on 09/15/2016
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Hey bro, look at me: Austin Allen, a sequel, hits field	FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said he approached quarterback Austin Allen on the sideline after No. 15 TCU scored a touchdown to go ahead 28-20 with 2:05 remaining last Saturday. Discuss this story and interact with our staff of reporters at the football insider board. Bielema wanted to assure Allen, who had already shown significant progress in his second college start, that the upcoming two-minute drill would be just like the ones the Razorbacks run at the end of practice every Tuesday and Wednesday. "I thought I was gonna have to loosen him up," Bielema at his Monday news conference, two days after Arkansas' 41-38 victory in double overtime. "He's standing on the sideline by himself and I said, 'Hey bro, it's Wednesday. You're down by eight. You've got four downs. You have one timeout, you have a minute whatever it was.' And as an added pressure, I said, 'Not only do you have to score, but you've got a two-point conversion to follow it up.' "He just smiled and said, 'I got you coach.' Just that moment, I walked away. He was smiling, I was smiling. I'm like, 'That bro don't have no problems right now.' " Allen, a redshirt junior, did not have a problem leading the Razorbacks to a touchdown in 56 seconds. He completed 4 of 4 passes for 63 yards in the two-minute drill. "It's something we work on a lot ... and I think our guys are confident in it," Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos said. "I thought our offensive line really rose to the occasion. Everybody in the stadium knew we were throwing the football and they were able to protect. "And I thought our receivers and Austin and all did a great job of getting open and finding the guys." Allen hit Drew Morgan twice for 30 yards, completed a throw to Jared Cornelius for 17 yards, then finished the drive with a 16-yard touchdown strike to Keon Hatcher. The two swapped roles seconds later when Hatcher took a reverse at left end and lofted a tying two-point conversion pass to his quarterback. Speaking to Dari Nowkah on the SEC Network on Monday night, Allen said he was mildly concerned he was running too close to the boundary before catching Hatcher's pass. "I tried to throttle it down there about 5 yards in the end zone," Allen said. "The ball he threw, I don't think anyone could have thrown a better ball right there. It just worked out to perfection for us." Allen also scored the game-winning touchdown. He took a Shotgun snap around right end for a 5-yard score, breaking a couple of tackles and refusing to go down on the hard-nosed sweep. "Honestly, I don't think I could have gotten in there without Frank Ragnow helping me float across the goal really," Allen said to Nowkah. "A long time ago a coach told me, 'In critical situations, sometimes it's important to think player, not play,' " Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos said, when asked to explain why he called a run with Allen on third and goal. "Get the ball in a guy's hands that you know is going to give you 100 percent and they're going to do what they can to score." Enos said the quarterback run was different than the two-point conversion Brandon Allen ran last year to beat Ole Miss 53-52 in overtime, but the character of the competitive Allen brothers was similar. "Certainly Brandon in that game and Austin in this game we felt really good that those guys were going to score or die trying," Enos said. "They certainly did that." Allen's late-game heroics and composure under fire led to his selection as SEC offensive player of the week on Monday. Allen, 6-1, 209 pounds, completed 17 of 29 passes for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns in the victory. Allen is 2-0 in his career as a starter in college. His completion rate of 63.8 percent is best among SEC quarterbacks. His cool under fire -- Allen has led four touchdowns drives in the fourth quarter or later on which the Razorbacks had to score or lose -- has earned the respect of his teammates. "Man, he's the leader of this team," running back Rawleigh Williams said. "He fought through a lot of adversity and made plays when we needed them the most. That shows a lot about him as a player and as a person." The winning run in overtime last Saturday is a play that stands out. "He just ducks his head and wants it so bad," said linebacker Brooks Ellis, a former teammate at Fayetteville High. "He doesn't worry about what happened in the past. He's just going to the next play. That was huge for our team." Allen spiked the football a few moments after the winning score. "I honestly couldn't even tell you where that spike came from," Allen said on the SEC Network. "That was a rush of emotion right there and I thought the proper thing to do was spike the ball. I was excited right there." Allen said he heard from Brandon Allen, who is on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster, after the wild finish in Fort Worth. "Brandon texted me ... telling me he's proud of me and everything like that," Allen said. "We're our biggest fans for each other." Sports on 09/13/2016
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Classes educate children who weren't alive on 9/11	ROGERS -- It's hard for Luke Williams to comprehend the magnitude of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. RELATED ARTICLE Obama honors 9/11's fallen "I mean, I wasn't there to witness it, so I didn't really think much about it," said Luke, 13, an eighth-grader at Lingle Middle School in Rogers. The images and videos he saw Thursday in Aerial Guffey's pre-Advanced Placement American history class, however, moved him. "Just seeing what happened is -- it's hard to imagine that," he said. Teachers are working now with a generation of students who either hadn't been born at the time of 9/11 or were too young to remember the coordinated attacks that toppled two World Trade Center towers in New York City and damaged the Pentagon in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The attacks killed 2,996 people. Conveying to the students the significance of 9/11 can be a challenge, Guffey said. "I had a kid last period who said, 'What does it matter? It was 15 years ago,'" she said. "You've got to try to bring it to them from a different perspective to show them how it affects them today." Last week, she asked students in her class to compare 9/11 with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, that prompted the United States to enter World War II. The youths examined pictures, posters, political cartoons, music, memorials and the speeches given by Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and George W. Bush after each horrific event. Guffey told the students that her perspective on Pearl Harbor is similar to how they view 9/11. "I get it," she told the students. When Pearl Harbor "happened, I wasn't there. I can respect it, it's sad, but 9/11 for me meant more because I was there. I saw it with my own eyes, sitting in class, just like you guys are sitting in class now." Guffey was a ninth-grader in North Little Rock 15 years ago. She is not obligated to teach about 9/11 as part of her curriculum, but she feels that 9/11's historical significance is on par with that of Pearl Harbor. Dustin Dean, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Gravette Middle School, said 9/11 is a sensitive subject that grows less so with his students as time passes. "It has come to the point where none of my students were even born when the event occurred, but I find it no less important to discuss the topic, the lives lost, and the people that would step up to help others," Dean said. He tells students what he was doing the day hijackers slammed airplanes into the U.S. targets and how his feelings changed throughout the day. He also shows footage of 9/11. "I listen to their reactions and answer questions to the very best of my ability. I certainly want the students to be inquisitive, but I find that sometimes answers for 9/11 are hard to put into words. My class is 45 minutes, and we generally use all that time with questions and discussions," he said. Dawn Patafie also chooses to discuss 9/11 with her students, who are much younger than kids in Guffey's or Dean's classes. She's a third-grade teacher at Bentonville's Sugar Creek Elementary School. Today's 9/11 anniversary has special meaning to her because she was raised on Long Island, N.Y. She was in college in upstate New York at the time of the attacks. She taught for a while in New York City. Last week, Patafie led her students in making a list of the people they thought were most affected by 9/11. Their list included firefighters, builders and people who were in the buildings that were attacked. On Friday, she read the students Fourteen Cows for America, the story of some Kenyan villagers whose gift to America was meant to help the country heal. "Do you think people not even in our country could be impacted by 9/11?" Patafie asked students. After a brief discussion among themselves, her students decided: Yes. "It affected so many people," Patafie told her students. "It's hard to pinpoint who is impacted the most." Do her students comprehend the full impact of 9/11? Not fully, she said. At least one of her students had absolutely no familiarity with it before her class. And Patafie isn't aware of any other elementary teachers who cover 9/11, at least at her school. Cindy Dewey, principal of Bentonville's Willowbrook Elementary School, said no one at her school teaches about 9/11. "They do honor our vets and police officers in various ways throughout the year, but do not teach about the specifics of 9/11," Dewey wrote in an email. "I believe that may be part of the curriculum for older grade levels." Whitney Shaddock is taking this year off from teaching, but she has taught first grade for 10 years, including nine years in Springdale. She most recently taught at Bentonville's Elm Tree Elementary School. She has developed a lesson plan around 9/11 that starts with what it means to be a good citizen. Her students also make little American flags. She reads to her students The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, the true story about Philippe Petit, who walked a tightrope between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. Shaddock talks about a trip she took to New York City. She shows a slide show of some photographs of the twin towers, before and after the planes hit them. She also shows a photograph of New York City firefighters raising a U.S. flag at ground zero. She emphasizes things like that, the positives that came from 9/11. The kids usually ask a lot of questions. "I try to just tell the truth. There's a way to do that without being gruesome," she said. A student occasionally will see a picture of the smoking towers and say it looks "cool." Shaddock is quick to explain to that student the gravity of what happened. Metro on 09/11/2016
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Hold on to the ball: coaches try to keep players from throwing back TDs	FILE- In this Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, file photo, Clemson wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud drops the football short of the goal line during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Troy in Clemson, S.C. A few college football players took the nonchalant approach to entering the end zone too far in the last couple weekends, casually dropping the ball right before crossing the goal line. With goal-line brain freezes seemingly spreading, some coaches are taking action keep this case of the dropsies from becoming an outbreak. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File) The old saying goes, "When you score a touchdown, act like you've been there before." A few college football players took the nonchalant approach too far when entering the end zone the last couple weekends, casually dropping the ball right before crossing the goal line. It cost Clemson and California touchdowns and should have taken six off the board for Oklahoma, too. With goal-line brain freezes seemingly spreading, some coaches are taking action to keep such case of the dropsies from becoming an outbreak. "It's something that doesn't need to happen, I can tell you that," South Carolina coach Will Muschamp said. "We've had a hard time getting (to the end zone). We dang sure don't want to drop it before." The madness started this season with the Gamecocks' in-state rivals. Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud cost himself a punt return TD two weeks ago against Troy when he dropped the ball a stride short of pay dirt . McCloud got chewed out by coach Dabo Swinney but was allowed to keep playing and has been a productive player since. "After the play, I just told him, first of all, what a great play. What an awesome run. Tremendous," Swinney said. "Now, secondly, you are going to be on SportsCenter for the rest of your life because you didn't hand the ball to the ref. How many times do I have to tell you to hand the ball to the ref?" Not everybody has learned from McCloud's mistake. Oklahoma's Joe Mixon and California's Vic Enwere made similar moves last Saturday. Officials did not catch Mixon's and the long TD stood. Enwere lucked out in that officials ruled that no effort was made by Texas to recover his fumble. The whistle was blown and the Bears retained the ball at the 1 and ran out the clock on a victory. Enwere's gaffe prompted Cal coach Sonny Dykes to implement a new rule when the team met Sunday. Cal players must hand the ball to an official after scoring. "It's really a strange phenomenon," Dykes told USA Today Sports . "I don't understand it. But I can assure you it won't ever happen to us again. We'll get it fixed." Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said it's not just near the goal line that he see players being too quick to discard the football. He still uses a message to players that he took from his former running backs coach, Jemal Singleton. "He said any time a ball carrier has the ball in his hands, it's a fumble unless it's handed to the official," Bielema said. "We had a flare-up in our first game where some guys were dropping the ball on the ground, or they were flipping the ball out. For the most part, you'll see our offensive players, if there's a referee or anybody in sight, hand the ball to the official — especially on scoring plays. It's the easiest way to take away from any type of celebration, anything along that lines." Bielema said a clip of Enwere's drop will likely make its way into Arkansas film study this week to reinforce the point. Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez already has a rule in place about handing the ball back to officials on every play, mostly so the offense can move at a quick pace. "We call it the Kansas City rule," Rodriguez said. "I think 15 years ago, (offensive coordinator Calvin Magee) and I heard about the Chiefs doing it, making it mandatory for all their ball carriers." And what would the punishment be for breaking the Kansas City rule while cruising into the end zone? "Well, the things I would like to do I can't say," Rodriguez said. These goofy goal-line giveaways are not a new phenomenon. Former Cal receiver DeSean Jackson might be patient zero when it comes to toss-back-a-touchdown disease. He's done it twice in the NFL with two teams and also did it in a high school all-star game while front flipping into the end zone. Nobody's flub was more costly than Kaelin Clay's in 2014. Instead of scoring a long touchdown for Utah, an Oregon defensive player alertly picked up the ball before it was ruled dead and returned it 99 yards for a flip-six. A word of caution before branding this apathetic approach to reaching the end zone another example of widespread millennial entitlement: Plenty of college football players are taking a traditional approach when scoring that would make low-key Hall of Famer Barry Sanders proud. "I either run all the way to the end of the end zone and then celebrate, or I just don't do anything at all," Iowa State running back Mike Warren said. "That's just how I am."
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Late kickoff for Arkansas-Texas A&M	Arkansas and Texas A&M play during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman) Arkansas' game against Texas A&M next Saturday is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN. The game is one of three potential top 25 matchups that day in the SEC. The Florida-Tennessee game was selected by CBS, which has first pick, while the Georgia-Ole Miss game will start at noon on ESPN. Arkansas' game against Texas A&M will be preceded by Auburn-LSU on ESPN. That game will begin at 5 p.m. The No. 24 Razorbacks and No. 17 Aggies are both ranked in this week's AP poll. Texas A&M plays at Auburn on Saturday. Arkansas and Texas A&M last played a top 25 matchup in 2011.
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Web glitch sent LR crime tips to Seattle	Thousands of crime tips meant for Little Rock police were sent to an agency across the country in recent years because of an error on the city website. A link to submit anonymous crime tips on www.littlerock.org mistakenly directed the information to Puget Sound Crime Stoppers of Seattle. The agency received about 3,700 crime tips intended for Little Rock police since 2013, according to emails the group sent to Little Rock police. The emails were released under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. The link was removed from the city website in July after an Arkansas Online reporter contacted both agencies about the mistake. "I was like, 'OK, no wonder I got [Little Rock] tips,'" Puget Sound Crime Stoppers regional coordinator Ilona Bodderij said in an interview. Bodderij said she routinely forwarded crime tips to Little Rock police through TipSoft, a computer program both agencies used to manage such information. Passing along the information was "very easy," she wrote in an email to Little Rock police. TipSoft allows users to forward crime tips to each other within the program, or through email or fax. Little Rock police Sgt. Cassandra Davis was the department's Crime Stoppers coordinator when its tips were being forwarded from an agency roughly 1,800 miles away. "I always wondered why I was getting tips from Seattle," she said. Little Rock police said it stopped using the TipSoft program in 2015 and joined Central Arkansas Crime Stoppers, a collaboration among several law enforcement agencies in the region. But emails show that Puget Sound continued to receive tips meant for Little Rock and tried to forward those tips using TipSoft. Little Rock police did not receive those tips until Aug. 17, after Puget Sound Crime Stoppers learned the department was no longer using TipSoft. The information was sent through email. Bodderij said the Seattle-based agency looked up and re-sent about 30 crime tips to Little Rock police. The oldest of the tips had been submitted in May, and the most recent had been filed Aug. 7, she said. Little Rock police spokesman Richard Hilgeman, who took over the department's Crime Stoppers program last year, said it was unclear if the delay had affected any investigations. He said he simply passes along the tips to detectives. Sometimes he receives a dozen tips in a day, Hilgeman said. Sometimes there are none. The tips are exempt from public records requests. It was unclear how the link to Puget Sound Crime Stoppers made it onto Little Rock's website. Internet archives show the link on the website in September 2014, but according to an archived web snapshot, the link was not there June 10, 2014. A spokesman for TipSoft could not be reached for comment. Davis, who now works in the Police Department's internal affairs division, said police had used TipSoft for about a decade. She said there's "not much collaboration" between the city and police when it comes to the municipal website. Little Rock police spokesman Lt. Steve McClanahan, who became the department's public affairs director in June 2015, said he hadn't used the link. McClanahan has instead used social media to encourage the public to submit information to police, telling residents to call (501) 371-4636 to provide anonymous tips. City spokesman Jennifer Godwin said the link to Puget Sound Crime Stoppers was likely an oversight. She said the city did not have a staff member in charge of web content until recently. A new website is on the way, she said, and it will feature more collaboration between police and the city. "Going forward, you will see a much more concerted website effort," Godwin said. An invoice released under a public records request shows Little Rock police paid $1,680 for TipSoft services in the final year it used the program. TipSoft is advertised as the most popular program of its kind in the world. The company states on its website that more than 600 Crime Stoppers programs, law enforcement agencies and schools use the program, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice. The program provides encrypted communication services that allow tipsters to remain anonymous and keep confidential information secure. TipSoft users in Arkansas are the Benton, Pine Bluff, Jonesboro and Conway police departments and the Jefferson County and Saline County sheriff's offices, according to the company website. Bodderij, in an email to Little Rock police, said it was "very common to receive tips that are initially intended for other Crime Stoppers." It also wasn't unusual for Little Rock police to receive tips meant for other agencies, according to Davis. Pulaski County sheriff's office spokesman Capt. Carl Minden, who coordinates the regional Crime Stoppers program, said he regularly receives crime tips intended for other agencies. "We'll get tips that have nothing to do with something around here," he said. Minden said Central Arkansas Crime Stoppers often receives tips meant for the the Pulaski County, Virginia, sheriff's office. It also receives tips intended for the Pulaski County, Missouri, sheriff's office. And sometimes, Minden said, tips meant for the city of Pulaski, Tennessee, end up in his hands. Minden said he forwards the information to the correct agency. "It's routine," he said. Metro on 09/19/2016
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Police: Janitor used floor cleaner to poison boss's soda	TAVARES, Fla. — A Florida high school janitor has been charged with poisoning his boss's drink with a floor wax remover. Lake County sheriff's officials charged Russell Terrence Smith on Friday with poisoning food. Authorities said in a news release that head custodian Jackie Rocket-Smart Hansell told them she and Smith had been at odds over her recent promotion. Hansell left a soda on her desk and walked away. When she returned, she took a big sip and said it burned her throat. Hansell was hospitalized Monday, but her condition wasn't released. Citing an arrest affidavit, the Orlando Sentinel reported that Smith said he thought Hansell poisoned her drink herself. No one responded immediately to a message left with the sheriff's office Friday.
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Payoffs accepted in meal scheme	A former state employee admitted Tuesday that she took bribes for nearly three years to permit two other women to obtain $6 million in federal funds by falsely claiming they fed underprivileged children in after-school and summer nutrition programs. Search mug shots, government salaries, crime maps and more at our Right2Know page. Tonique Hatton, 39, of North Little Rock, flanked by defense attorneys Stuart Vess and Christian Alexander, pleaded guilty in a federal courtroom in Little Rock to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and receipt of a bribe. Both charges centered on Hatton's job at the state Department of Human Services, which served as the administrator for the feeding programs, which were funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jana Harris said Hatton's responsibilities included processing applications from people who applied to be sponsors to feed low-income children and later be reimbursed through the federal government. Her duties included determining the sponsors' eligibility and approving their proposed feeding sites. From January 2012 through August 2014, Hatton and another state worker, Gladys Elise Waits, also known as Gladys Elise King, approved paperwork allowing Jacqueline Mills of Helena-West Helena and Kattie Jordan of Dermott to be sponsors and submit claims, despite knowing that the women planned to commit fraud, Harris said. She said Hatton and Waits also helped Mills and Jordan avoid detection. Mills operated approved feeding sites in cities including Helena-West Helena and Marianna, through which she received more than $2.5 million in federal funds. Jordan operated approved sites in cities including Dermott, Dumas, Eudora and Lake Village, through which she received more than $3.5 million in federal funds. Both Mills and Jordan claimed they fed far more children than they actually did, Harris said. Waits pleaded guilty March 30 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and receipt of a bribe, and is awaiting sentencing. If she and Hatton hadn't pleaded guilty, both would be joining three other people in a jury trial that is to begin Oct. 17 in the Little Rock courtroom of U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. In return for Hatton's guilty pleas, for which she will be sentenced in about 90 days, Moody granted Harris' request to dismiss 26 individual counts of bribery against Hatton. In the courtroom, Harris said Hatton accepted $30,770 in bribe checks made out to her, and another $62,700 in bribe checks made out to a relative of hers. Although an indictment lists 27 checks that it says Hatton received from Mills and Jordan during the nearly three-year period, Hatton pleaded guilty to a single bribery charge, admitting that she accepted a $16,000 check from Mills on May 25, 2013. Still, as part of the plea agreement, Hatton agreed that "every bit" of the allegations against her in the indictment were true. The indictment listed checks to Hatton that ranged from $5,000 to $16,000. The memo lines of the checks were occasionally left blank, but in most cases indicated the checks were used to pay for furniture, supplies, food, mileage, setup fees, travel and building materials. Harris didn't say whether the checks covered some legitimate expenses as well as the fraudulent expenses. However, she told Moody that the amount of restitution that will be due by each of the defendants hasn't yet been agreed upon. If the restitution can't be worked out before sentencing, Harris said, the parties will let the court decide the amounts each defendant owes. Those still awaiting trial in the case are Mills; Dortha Harper, also known as Dorothy Harper, of England; and Waits' estranged husband, Anthony Leon Waits, also of England. The conspiracy charge against Hatton is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, while the bribery charge is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison. Each charge also carries a potential fine of up to $250,000. While federal sentencing guidelines will help determine a recommended penalty range within the statutory requirements, Harris said Hatton's plea agreement includes enhancements for abusing a position of trust, accepting more than one bribe and for the amount of loss involved in the scheme. She said Hatton has agreed to forfeit to the government $17,681 that she has in a bank account, to be put toward her restitution. Hatton wasn't asked in the courtroom to explain her guilt in her own words, and she declined to comment after the hearing when asked what motivated her to commit the crimes. Metro on 09/07/2016
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	VA mix-up upends life of Arkansas vet	World War II veteran Jesse Whitley lived off his monthly pension of about $1,500 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs until that money disappeared without notice several months ago. It was being garnished because of a clerical error, according to records reviewed by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The VA had confused Whitley, 96, of Mabelvale with Jessie Whitley, 68, of Durham, N.C., who the VA said had defaulted on a 20-year-old loan for property in New Jersey. "No notice, no nothing," Whitley, the Arkansan, said. This was a major blow for someone like Whitley, who can no longer work. How would he pay his in-home caretaker? How would he pay to have his grass mowed? How would he buy groceries? Whitley lives in a small house 20 minutes outside of Little Rock that he and his wife built in the late 1970s -- almost a decade before the North Carolina Whitley's loan was signed. The Arkansan walks with a silver cane, and smiles so big that his eyes almost close. A clerical error turned his life upside down, but Whitley thought it could be corrected before he missed another month's check. So he gathered a "mountain" of paperwork that he thought proved, unequivocally, that he had never borrowed the money. He provided the VA with documents showing his Social Security number, date of birth, U.S. Army serial number and the spelling of his first name, which differed from the one listed on the original loan. The only thing he and the original debtor had in common was their last name. But, his efforts didn't work. The pension continued to be withheld. Whitley said money from his out-of-town daughter and son allowed him to get by without his pension for a while. With nowhere else to turn to get his pension restored, Whitley contacted U.S. Rep. French Hill's office. The Republican lawmaker from Little Rock and his staff resolved the matter in short order, and after several months, the VA sent Whitley $5,392 on Aug. 23, documents show. Jessica Jacobsen, a VA spokesman, apologized for the error in a statement. "The VA greatly apologizes for the ordeal Mr. Whitley had to go through to rectify and reinstate his VA pension," she said. "This was clearly an error on our part, an issue where two Veterans shared the same last name. Whenever an error like this occurs, VA attempts to make good on this error and correct immediately. In this particular instance, this was not handled timely and accurately for the Veteran." The loan mix-up should have taken "four seconds" to correct, Hill said. "It's mind-boggling to me the level of incompetence; they didn't even try," he said of the VA. "This should not take involvement from Congress to solve, and it should be an embarrassment to the VA." Although the pension was restored, Whitley received another letter from the VA on Sept. 7, again instructing him to begin paying on the 20-year-old loan that he never took out. "It's just ridiculous," Whitley said. "Nothing is the same except our last name." Whitley is tired of dealing with it. He'll probably just ignore the latest letter, he said. Jacobsen said the VA had contacted Whitley directly and apologized. The letter was sent due to a computer error, she said. "A follow-up letter in an attempt to collect debt should have never been sent once the error was corrected," she said. The Golden Fleece A large case displaying Whitley's numerous combat medals sits in his home. He was a member of the First Special Service Force -- a precursor to modern-day special operations forces in the U.S. and Canada. He served in five different campaigns, including in France, Germany and Norway during World War II. His unit was depicted in the 1968 film The Devil's Brigade, starring William Holden and Cliff Robertson. He speaks about his military service with pride, but he breaks down at one point while describing combat in the European theater of the war. He can still hear the cries of German soldiers. "Oh God, war is hell," he said during a recent interview at his home, burying his face in his frail hands to hide the tears. For Hill, the fact that a decorated veteran such as Whitley faced such struggles with the VA over his pension underscores the broader problems within the agency. In August, Hill bestowed upon the agency the Golden Fleece Award, which spotlights wasteful spending within the federal government. One week before, the VA office of inspector general had reported that an $8 million solar panel project at the central Arkansas VA was four years behind schedule and was expected to exceed its budget by $1.5 million because of mismanagement. Earlier this year, the inspector general released the findings of another investigation that revealed that the central Arkansas VA was entangled in a nationwide patient wait-time manipulation scandal. An Arkansas Democrat-Gazette investigation then showed that the VA had failed to discipline the employees involved until months after it said it had. The hospital said it has since implemented corrective measures. Whitley was very complimentary of the care he has received over the years through the central Arkansas VA. It was the federal agency's Debt Management Center that gave him grief. "I think within these civil government agencies you have work rules with government services unions that make it difficult to discipline poor employees," Hill said. He added that any veterans having problems with the VA should contact his office. The VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016, which Hill supported, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday with bipartisan support. The bill would ease and shorten the discipline process for VA employees. The bill is awaiting consideration in the U.S. Senate, where a similar bill is pending. Arkansas' U.S. Sen. John Boozman, a Republican from Rogers, co-sponsored the Veterans First Act, which would make it easier for the VA secretary to remove employees and address other common problems with veterans benefits. "Our veterans shouldn't face bureaucratic obstacles when they try to get the benefits they earned," Boozman said. "We need to ensure the VA is administering benefits efficiently and correctly while making the care of our veterans the top priority. "And it can be done," he said. "Whether it's legislation aimed at streamlining the appeals process, giving the VA the tools to fire bad actors, or prohibiting bonuses for employees accused of wrongdoing, we must use the legislative process to enhance VA services -- we owe it to our veterans." Metro on 09/18/2016
2,016	www.nwaonline.com	Executions head for 25-year low in U.S.	WASHINGTON -- There have been just two executions since May 1, and the total for 2016 is on track to stay at a 25-year low. Execution-drug shortages, errors in death chambers and legal challenges to sentences imposed by judges have contributed to a steep decline in the number of states that are carrying out executions. Three states, Texas, Georgia and Missouri, are using the death penalty with any regularity, though Texas has not executed anyone since April. Four executions are scheduled in the state before the end of the year. The reduction in executions and in the number of states that are enforcing death sentences led Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to conclude recently, "I think the death penalty is fading away." There is not enough support on the court to abolish capital punishment, but that may not be necessary, Ginsburg said. "Most states don't have any executions. The executions that we have are very heavily concentrated in a few states and even a few counties within those states," she said in an interview in July. Ginsburg joined a lengthy dissenting opinion by Justice Stephen Breyer last year that highlighted problems with the death penalty that led the two justices to conclude that it probably is unconstitutional. States that have had to halt executions, though, are trying to figure out how to resume. Ohio and Oklahoma are among states that intend to restart executions once they have corrected problems in their death chambers. Ohio, which last executed an inmate in January 2014, has set a Jan. 12 execution date for a man convicted of raping and killing a 3-year-old girl in Akron. But it's unclear whether his execution, or more than two dozen others that are scheduled into 2020, will take place because the state lacks execution drugs and has struggled to find a supplier, as have other states. In Ohio's last execution, in January 2014, Dennis McGuire gasped and snorted repeatedly during a 26-minute execution that used a combination of two drugs that had never been tried before in an execution. That protocol has since been eliminated, and those drugs aren't available for executions. Oklahoma's last execution was in January 2015. The state's prison system is expected to adopt new execution procedures soon. Even then, Attorney General Scott Pruitt has said, he will wait at least another five months before asking a court to schedule an execution. Oklahoma imposed a moratorium on the death penalty after two problem-filled executions and a third that was called off when prison officials noticed they received the wrong drug. The top lawyer for Gov. Mary Fallin urged officials to go forward anyway, telling another lawyer to "Google it" to confirm the drug could be used, according to a grand jury investigation. Alabama and Florida haven't put anyone to death since January because of questions about the way death sentences are imposed in those states. Even Texas, which has executed more people since the modern resumption of the death penalty in 1976 than the next six states combined, has experienced a reduction in executions. The state's highest criminal appeals court has stopped four executions in the past month, though each case raised different concerns. Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court will take up two Texas death-row cases in the coming months, also involving separate issues. In Arkansas, plans to execute up to eight inmates before the end of the year have been delayed by the legal challenges and difficulty obtaining drugs that have kept the state from carrying out executions since 2005. In June, the Arkansas Supreme Court upheld a 2015 law that changed the state's method of execution to a three-drug cocktail, while exempting the drug's suppliers from public-disclosure laws. The nine death-row inmates challenging the law announced plan to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Arkansas justices agreed to delay executions while awaiting word from the high court. On Tuesday, Jeff Rosenzweig, a lawyer for the inmates, said he had yet to file a request, due in October, for the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. The Supreme Court does not have to take action on the case until after the next batch of the state's drug supply expires in January. A different supply of one the state's three execution drugs expired at the end of June, but the Department of Correction said in July that it was able to find a new supply. There are 34 prisoners on death row in Arkansas. California has the largest death-row population, 746 inmates as of early August, but hasn't executed anyone in 10 years. oters in the nation's most populous state will consider separate ballot questions in November that would abolish the death penalty on the one hand and speed up the appeals process on the other. There have been 15 executions this year nationwide. At the current pace, there would be 19 executions by the end of 2016, the fewest since 1991, when 14 people were put to death. The most since then was in 1999, when there were 98 executions. Information for this article was contributed by Mark Sherman, Sean Murphy and Andrew Welsh-Huggins of The Associated Press and by John Moritz of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. A Section on 09/09/2016

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YourDatasetName

Summary

This dataset is a 10% English-language random sample derived from Common Crawl, provided for research and reproducibility. This sample was created of this dataset

Data origin & rights

Derived from Common Crawl. Copyright in the underlying content remains with the original authors/publishers. Common Crawl Terms of Use apply. oai_citation:4‡Common Crawl

What's inside

Format: Parquet shards (one file per year)
Columns: year, source_domain, title, text

Stats:

Size: ~23GB
~ 13’399’600 articles

year	number of articles
2016	122'760
2017	1'750'263
2018	1'700'226
2019	2'239'029
2020	3'690'418
2021	3'896'904

Intended use

research / benchmarking / reproducibility

Privacy / PII notice

This dataset may contain personal data and sensitive content as it originates from web crawl data.

Downloads last month: 11

Size of downloaded dataset files:

23.4 GB

Size of the auto-converted Parquet files:

23.4 GB

Number of rows:

13,399,600