This class has really changed my perspective on writing. It has shown me that journalism can be really challenging, and getting the story just right can take several drafts and some creative ideas! Spicing up your storys when all of them already seem to be the same, can be really difficult to do. This has made me appriciate journalists alot more, and see that their jobs can really be hard.
I did really enjoy this class. It was the first writing course that has actually challenged me, in a very long time.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Last Story
Tenth Story
Frustrated Students and a Full Parking Lot
Students all over the Anoka- Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids campus are ranting about the current parking lot situation. That is, there is not enough space for everybody to park. Some students walk all the way from the goodwill parking lot, a block away. Nearly every student on campus has muttered something negative about how far they have to walk in the Minnesota cold weather, just to get inside. The amount of students tardy to a class just because they are looking or a parking spot, has increased and is beginning to be a problem.
One student by the name of Alisha Terry even went as far as to say, “This parking situation is ridiculous. I drive around for 20 minutes some days just trying to find a spot. The administrative has to understand that is really frustrating. When its really cold outside and I have to walk from the goodwill parking lot, the whole way in all I think about is switching schools. What’s going to happen when there is a bunch of snow on the ground? Then what do I do? Trudge through? I’d rather skip class than deal with that.” These are just a few of the points of many students who are attending the Coon Rapids campus. Some of them are beginning to wonder if things will ever change.
“It just doesn’t seem to me that the school is doing anything to improve what is going on with the parking lots. I just feel that they should be doing more to help us. I hate being late, and sometimes I just can’t help it because there are no spots open. The worst part is, you can tell the teachers are getting angry with people walking in late too. Its just all around a bad situation,” Trina Scherff added, “It’s just a bad start to my day when I can’t find anywhere to park.” Many students also agreed that teacher have become frustrated with the tardiness this semester, even though most of the time its because they can’t find a spot to park.
Another student had an even bigger problem because of medical issues, but replied anonymously reporting, “I have arthritis, and there are a lot of days where my arthritis acts up, and worse in the cold, and it doesn’t help that I have to walk so far in the cold to get in the school. I just can’t take it. They need to solve this issue some how, and fast. I think student enrollment is going to go down for next semester if students do not begin to see some sort of effort put in to solving the problem.”
It seems to me that every student is being effected, and even some professors on campus have made remarks through out the semester. Kristen Olsen, a sociology professor stated, “It’s like the first couple weeks the parking lots are jam packed, and slowly they get less crowed.” She is upbeat and thinks that only the fist two weeks are really that bad, and from then on you find parking spots a lot easier than before.
This semester has had the highest percentage of enrollment yet, which has caused the unexpected parking problem. The Coon Rapids campus was simply overwhelmed with the amount of students, and what to do.
Paxer Yang, a student currently attending morning classes at the Coon Rapids campus suggested an idea, “I know the campus is struggling with ideas of what to do to fix the problem. I think they should turn second parking lot into a parking ramp. Maybe an indoor one. It could work, and maybe with the extra enrollment lately, they could afford to. I don’t know what their budget is, but at least its an idea.” Other students argued that this would create and even bigger problem. While they would be constructing this large ramp there would be an even bigger parking problem, and more people would be frustrated. “Imagine the parking situation as they are building a ramp! I don't like the walk either.”- Anonymous.
Many students noticed the vehicles that are now scattered along the streets, parking alongside the curb. Some said this is frustrating too, because you can’t see getting out of the parking lots anymore with all the cars blocking your view. Some even park in the way of other cars in parking lots, along the curbside, even when there are still parking spots available in the particular parking lot. They simply just do not look for parking spots. In an anonymous poll, one student complained that they were blocked in by one of these students that decide to park on the curb inside of the parking lot.
“Its really frustrating to be blocked in, when your already on a timed schedule, and need to get to work on time, or just have plans. People start to get in the mindset that there are not going to be any parking spots, even if they do keep looking. So they just quit. They give up on looking, and block off someone else. It’s really rude, but at the same time I understand where they are coming from,” Josh Anderson, goes along with Olsen’s response that only the fist couple weeks are really all that bad and from there on it gets better, but people just refuse to pay attention and see what is going on around them.
So far the Coon Rapids campus has not shown any signs that students really are going to refrain from signing up for second semester. Students are still enrolling for the spring 2009 semester.
Note* I could not figure out how to make a side bar actually fit on the screen in word, so this is why I am just writing it below.
Sidebar
Enrollment at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids campus was higher than usual this fall of 2009 semester. This created a parking issue around campus. Many students claim they cannot find parking spots at any time during the day, and struggle to get to class on time.
“This parking situation is ridiculous. I drive around for 20 minutes some days just trying to find a spot.”- Alisha Terry a current student.
(Alisha Terry)
“It just doesn’t seem to me that the school is doing anything to improve what is going on with the parking lots. It’s just a bad start to my day when I can’t find anywhere to park.”- Trina Scherff, another current student.
(Trina Scherff)
“I think student enrollment is going to go down for next semester if students do not begin to see some sort of effort put in to solving the problem.” -Anonymous
Some people do have hope, and really don’t believe it’s as big of an issue as others do.
“It’s like the first couple weeks the parking lots are jam packed, and slowly they get less crowed.” -Professor Kristen Olsen of the Coon Rapids campus.
Some are even coming up with suggestions to help the school.
“I know the campus is struggling with ideas of what to do to fix the problem. I think they should turn second parking lot into a parking ramp.”-Paxer Yang
(Paxer Yang)
For any further questions contact the school at:
The information center:
(763) 433-1240
Or the Ink spot for further reports:
(763) 433-1960
Frustrated Students and a Full Parking Lot
Students all over the Anoka- Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids campus are ranting about the current parking lot situation. That is, there is not enough space for everybody to park. Some students walk all the way from the goodwill parking lot, a block away. Nearly every student on campus has muttered something negative about how far they have to walk in the Minnesota cold weather, just to get inside. The amount of students tardy to a class just because they are looking or a parking spot, has increased and is beginning to be a problem.
One student by the name of Alisha Terry even went as far as to say, “This parking situation is ridiculous. I drive around for 20 minutes some days just trying to find a spot. The administrative has to understand that is really frustrating. When its really cold outside and I have to walk from the goodwill parking lot, the whole way in all I think about is switching schools. What’s going to happen when there is a bunch of snow on the ground? Then what do I do? Trudge through? I’d rather skip class than deal with that.” These are just a few of the points of many students who are attending the Coon Rapids campus. Some of them are beginning to wonder if things will ever change.
“It just doesn’t seem to me that the school is doing anything to improve what is going on with the parking lots. I just feel that they should be doing more to help us. I hate being late, and sometimes I just can’t help it because there are no spots open. The worst part is, you can tell the teachers are getting angry with people walking in late too. Its just all around a bad situation,” Trina Scherff added, “It’s just a bad start to my day when I can’t find anywhere to park.” Many students also agreed that teacher have become frustrated with the tardiness this semester, even though most of the time its because they can’t find a spot to park.
Another student had an even bigger problem because of medical issues, but replied anonymously reporting, “I have arthritis, and there are a lot of days where my arthritis acts up, and worse in the cold, and it doesn’t help that I have to walk so far in the cold to get in the school. I just can’t take it. They need to solve this issue some how, and fast. I think student enrollment is going to go down for next semester if students do not begin to see some sort of effort put in to solving the problem.”
It seems to me that every student is being effected, and even some professors on campus have made remarks through out the semester. Kristen Olsen, a sociology professor stated, “It’s like the first couple weeks the parking lots are jam packed, and slowly they get less crowed.” She is upbeat and thinks that only the fist two weeks are really that bad, and from then on you find parking spots a lot easier than before.
This semester has had the highest percentage of enrollment yet, which has caused the unexpected parking problem. The Coon Rapids campus was simply overwhelmed with the amount of students, and what to do.
Paxer Yang, a student currently attending morning classes at the Coon Rapids campus suggested an idea, “I know the campus is struggling with ideas of what to do to fix the problem. I think they should turn second parking lot into a parking ramp. Maybe an indoor one. It could work, and maybe with the extra enrollment lately, they could afford to. I don’t know what their budget is, but at least its an idea.” Other students argued that this would create and even bigger problem. While they would be constructing this large ramp there would be an even bigger parking problem, and more people would be frustrated. “Imagine the parking situation as they are building a ramp! I don't like the walk either.”- Anonymous.
Many students noticed the vehicles that are now scattered along the streets, parking alongside the curb. Some said this is frustrating too, because you can’t see getting out of the parking lots anymore with all the cars blocking your view. Some even park in the way of other cars in parking lots, along the curbside, even when there are still parking spots available in the particular parking lot. They simply just do not look for parking spots. In an anonymous poll, one student complained that they were blocked in by one of these students that decide to park on the curb inside of the parking lot.
“Its really frustrating to be blocked in, when your already on a timed schedule, and need to get to work on time, or just have plans. People start to get in the mindset that there are not going to be any parking spots, even if they do keep looking. So they just quit. They give up on looking, and block off someone else. It’s really rude, but at the same time I understand where they are coming from,” Josh Anderson, goes along with Olsen’s response that only the fist couple weeks are really all that bad and from there on it gets better, but people just refuse to pay attention and see what is going on around them.
So far the Coon Rapids campus has not shown any signs that students really are going to refrain from signing up for second semester. Students are still enrolling for the spring 2009 semester.
Note* I could not figure out how to make a side bar actually fit on the screen in word, so this is why I am just writing it below.
Sidebar
Enrollment at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids campus was higher than usual this fall of 2009 semester. This created a parking issue around campus. Many students claim they cannot find parking spots at any time during the day, and struggle to get to class on time.
“This parking situation is ridiculous. I drive around for 20 minutes some days just trying to find a spot.”- Alisha Terry a current student.
(Alisha Terry)
“It just doesn’t seem to me that the school is doing anything to improve what is going on with the parking lots. It’s just a bad start to my day when I can’t find anywhere to park.”- Trina Scherff, another current student.
(Trina Scherff)
“I think student enrollment is going to go down for next semester if students do not begin to see some sort of effort put in to solving the problem.” -Anonymous
Some people do have hope, and really don’t believe it’s as big of an issue as others do.
“It’s like the first couple weeks the parking lots are jam packed, and slowly they get less crowed.” -Professor Kristen Olsen of the Coon Rapids campus.
Some are even coming up with suggestions to help the school.
“I know the campus is struggling with ideas of what to do to fix the problem. I think they should turn second parking lot into a parking ramp.”-Paxer Yang
(Paxer Yang)
For any further questions contact the school at:
The information center:
(763) 433-1240
Or the Ink spot for further reports:
(763) 433-1960
Monday, December 7, 2009
Man blames brother in beating death of woman
September 18th 2008, Natasha Waalen was murdered allegedly by her boyfriend, Ryan Boland. Ryan Boland pleaded guilty of being an accomplice to the murdered and told the courtroom that his brother Timothy was the one who committed the murder. According to Ryan, Timothy hit Waalen over the head with a baseball bat in Ryan and Waalen's appartment. Timothy was now charged with second degree murder.
After Timothy committed the murder the two brothers tried to make it look like a motorcycle accident, and left her for dead.
Boland and Waalen had a 4 year old daughter together.
After Timothy committed the murder the two brothers tried to make it look like a motorcycle accident, and left her for dead.
Boland and Waalen had a 4 year old daughter together.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Teacher of the Universe
Teacher of the Universe
About ten years ago Monticello Senior High School gained the help of a well loved woman by the name of Nancy Cassano. Mrs. Cassano used to be a mathematics teacher, until she retired and now helps out full time, teaching students who don’t understand the work in class.
In 2005 Cassano won the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Award, even though she is not technically a teacher at the moment, they made an exception for her because of the inspiration she is among the students here in Monticello. The most interesting part about Cassano is that she completely donates all of her time, she is just a volunteer and is not paid one cent for her work.
Being a mathematics teacher is said to be one of the most challenging things you can do, because if the student doesn’t understand you there is only so many ways you can teach something. However somehow it seems she always finds a way to make the problem become a solution easier than most teachers. Many students even reported that they understood the math problems with her, but not with other teachers and began to feel more confident in themselves.
Around the high school Cassano is like a celebrity everyone knows her and always wants to be in her room. Students feel comfortable going to her about anything, even if it is a personal issue, or just a math problem. Mrs. Cassano never complains, she enjoys her time with the students just as much as the students enjoy her. She is supportive of every student, and is always there to help with any problem you have with a smiling face.
Mathematics is not the only school subject you can find her helping with though. Cassano is there to help with every subject, so even when the students help concerns that they are inquiring about are all different, Cassano keeps a smile on and helps everyone quickly and with good manner.
One student wanted to comment on her work here, he(Billy Ferman) told me, "it seems like even the teachers depend on her to function properly. I mean, there are some really messed up bad kids around here and the teachers always just send them to Cassano. I have seen so many kids turn around and become great stand up smart kids, just from her help. She actually takes the time to see who you are and find out more about you. Cassano makes sure you are okay in all aspects, not just school but that you are okay with every part of your life, and if your not she finds a way to help you through."
Cassano never even takes a day off, even though she is unpaid she is always dependable and always there, from start of the day to finish she stands by waiting to help anyone who walks through her door. Another student commented on her abilities here, "Cassano has always been there when I have needed her. I was failing math because I just couldn’t understand and keep up with the work, and then I turned to Cassano for help. By working with her everyday for the first ten minutes of class I understood all of the problems when the teacher started out the lecture, and I could actually follow along. She is such a wonderful lady, so sweet and concerned about everyone’s well being. I feel like she is another Grandparent of mine, just looking out for me."-Claire Maser. While I was interviewing These students I also noticed an older looking student sitting in one of her chairs, so I walked over and asked his story. It turns out that this student was not actually a student of Monticello Senior High anymore, but was in college and frequently came back to the school to get help from her, and she was still just as willing to help him as she was when he actually attended the high school.
Today Cassano gets at least a few thank you letters from past students in the mail every year, saying that the student couldn’t have got where they are today with out her help. Some even go as far to say that she changed their lives, and they felt lost and confused before she took an interest in them.
In the main commons area, and lunch room hang’s a picture of Cassano smiling at the camera, much like she does while helping a student, with teacher of the year 2005 written below. She has been nominated by students several times since that picture was taken but is yet to win it again.
The overwhelming appreciation and love for Nancy Cassano will not be forgotten by any student who has graduated from Monticello, or is yet to graduate, who knew her well and were changed by her work.
About ten years ago Monticello Senior High School gained the help of a well loved woman by the name of Nancy Cassano. Mrs. Cassano used to be a mathematics teacher, until she retired and now helps out full time, teaching students who don’t understand the work in class.
In 2005 Cassano won the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Award, even though she is not technically a teacher at the moment, they made an exception for her because of the inspiration she is among the students here in Monticello. The most interesting part about Cassano is that she completely donates all of her time, she is just a volunteer and is not paid one cent for her work.
Being a mathematics teacher is said to be one of the most challenging things you can do, because if the student doesn’t understand you there is only so many ways you can teach something. However somehow it seems she always finds a way to make the problem become a solution easier than most teachers. Many students even reported that they understood the math problems with her, but not with other teachers and began to feel more confident in themselves.
Around the high school Cassano is like a celebrity everyone knows her and always wants to be in her room. Students feel comfortable going to her about anything, even if it is a personal issue, or just a math problem. Mrs. Cassano never complains, she enjoys her time with the students just as much as the students enjoy her. She is supportive of every student, and is always there to help with any problem you have with a smiling face.
Mathematics is not the only school subject you can find her helping with though. Cassano is there to help with every subject, so even when the students help concerns that they are inquiring about are all different, Cassano keeps a smile on and helps everyone quickly and with good manner.
One student wanted to comment on her work here, he(Billy Ferman) told me, "it seems like even the teachers depend on her to function properly. I mean, there are some really messed up bad kids around here and the teachers always just send them to Cassano. I have seen so many kids turn around and become great stand up smart kids, just from her help. She actually takes the time to see who you are and find out more about you. Cassano makes sure you are okay in all aspects, not just school but that you are okay with every part of your life, and if your not she finds a way to help you through."
Cassano never even takes a day off, even though she is unpaid she is always dependable and always there, from start of the day to finish she stands by waiting to help anyone who walks through her door. Another student commented on her abilities here, "Cassano has always been there when I have needed her. I was failing math because I just couldn’t understand and keep up with the work, and then I turned to Cassano for help. By working with her everyday for the first ten minutes of class I understood all of the problems when the teacher started out the lecture, and I could actually follow along. She is such a wonderful lady, so sweet and concerned about everyone’s well being. I feel like she is another Grandparent of mine, just looking out for me."-Claire Maser. While I was interviewing These students I also noticed an older looking student sitting in one of her chairs, so I walked over and asked his story. It turns out that this student was not actually a student of Monticello Senior High anymore, but was in college and frequently came back to the school to get help from her, and she was still just as willing to help him as she was when he actually attended the high school.
Today Cassano gets at least a few thank you letters from past students in the mail every year, saying that the student couldn’t have got where they are today with out her help. Some even go as far to say that she changed their lives, and they felt lost and confused before she took an interest in them.
In the main commons area, and lunch room hang’s a picture of Cassano smiling at the camera, much like she does while helping a student, with teacher of the year 2005 written below. She has been nominated by students several times since that picture was taken but is yet to win it again.
The overwhelming appreciation and love for Nancy Cassano will not be forgotten by any student who has graduated from Monticello, or is yet to graduate, who knew her well and were changed by her work.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thirty One Year Old Man Confesses to Killing 17 People
Early morning on May 27th a Women called the county dispatch informing them of some odd happenings around her apartment. At 2 a.m. Glenda Cleveland, 37, reported that her daughter and niece had seen a naked boy on a street corner and that the boy seemed like he needed help. On her call with dispatch she said, "He's been beaten up real bad...He can't stand up....he has no clothes on. He is very hurt."
Cleveland's daughter and niece that witnessed this crime unfolding believed that the naked boy on the street, was just that, a boy. Not a grown male, but a boy. That was Cleveland's main concern in the whole situation. When she called in and reported what she had seen, the dispatcher sent a squad car to the scene.
Later Cleveland was informed by her daughter and niece that they had flagged down a cop car, but the police had taken no information from them about who they were or if they had any additional information. At that point Cleveland and her family began to believe that this child was being raped and she informed the police of her suspicions, "Their names or nothing was taken down and I wonder if this situation was being handled....what it indicated was that this was a male child being raped and molested by an adult." Even through out the conversation with dispatch it seemed like nobody was taking her seriously even as she stated, "The fact is a crime was being committed."
The dispatcher phoned the squad car, after the naked male had been spotted, and the police officers were heard laughing as they reported, "36...Intoxicated Asian, naked male, was returned to his sober boyfriend." The officers kept laughing all throughout the conversation with dispatch. Durring this time they also had a report of a male dragging a naked male who looked injured.
After many phone calls with dispatch, and other officers, Cleveland finally tracked down the car number of the police officer that was sent to check out the situation, who didn't take down any information. Eventually she got him directly on the phone and questioned him about what exactly had happened, and if the situation was being handled correctly. She was told that the naked male was not a child but infact an adult. Cleveland questioned the officer many times, wanting to know if he was positive that the male was an adult, and he said yes. The officer continued to explain that this naked male was a boyfriend to another man in the apartment complex, Jeffrey Dahmer.
Police officers could have saved a life that day. Later they found out that this naked male was actually 14 years old, and was a Laotian boy by the name of Konerak Sinthasomphone. When police had investigated into Dahmers apartment they eventually found 11 mutilated bodies, a month after they had returned Sinthasomphone to Dahmers apartment, and realized they could have saved the boy. Dahmer admitted to killing 17 people, and proceeded to plead guilty. Two police officers, whose names have not yet been released have been suspended.
Cleveland's daughter and niece that witnessed this crime unfolding believed that the naked boy on the street, was just that, a boy. Not a grown male, but a boy. That was Cleveland's main concern in the whole situation. When she called in and reported what she had seen, the dispatcher sent a squad car to the scene.
Later Cleveland was informed by her daughter and niece that they had flagged down a cop car, but the police had taken no information from them about who they were or if they had any additional information. At that point Cleveland and her family began to believe that this child was being raped and she informed the police of her suspicions, "Their names or nothing was taken down and I wonder if this situation was being handled....what it indicated was that this was a male child being raped and molested by an adult." Even through out the conversation with dispatch it seemed like nobody was taking her seriously even as she stated, "The fact is a crime was being committed."
The dispatcher phoned the squad car, after the naked male had been spotted, and the police officers were heard laughing as they reported, "36...Intoxicated Asian, naked male, was returned to his sober boyfriend." The officers kept laughing all throughout the conversation with dispatch. Durring this time they also had a report of a male dragging a naked male who looked injured.
After many phone calls with dispatch, and other officers, Cleveland finally tracked down the car number of the police officer that was sent to check out the situation, who didn't take down any information. Eventually she got him directly on the phone and questioned him about what exactly had happened, and if the situation was being handled correctly. She was told that the naked male was not a child but infact an adult. Cleveland questioned the officer many times, wanting to know if he was positive that the male was an adult, and he said yes. The officer continued to explain that this naked male was a boyfriend to another man in the apartment complex, Jeffrey Dahmer.
Police officers could have saved a life that day. Later they found out that this naked male was actually 14 years old, and was a Laotian boy by the name of Konerak Sinthasomphone. When police had investigated into Dahmers apartment they eventually found 11 mutilated bodies, a month after they had returned Sinthasomphone to Dahmers apartment, and realized they could have saved the boy. Dahmer admitted to killing 17 people, and proceeded to plead guilty. Two police officers, whose names have not yet been released have been suspended.
St. Paul teen charged in fatal shooting
A 19 year- old man has been charged with second degree assault for giving a group of 16 year old boys a gun. Thanksgiving morning the group of teenage boys were playing a game of Russian roulette and a 15 year old boy was shot in the back of the head. The shooter claims he didn't know the gun was loaded.
-Star Tribune
-Star Tribune
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Stress
I relieve my stress by laying down for a nap most of the time. If I can't do that I try to just step back and listen to a song that is cheerful and light for a couple mintues just to relax and collect my thoughts.
Average Alcohol Consumption
Average Alcohol Consumption
Many young adults across America are challenged with the social pressures to drink. How they react can shape their entire lives, and show true character. Kids are known for experimenting in their high school and college ages with drinking, but some can get into some real trouble, and others just can’t kick the habit when they are forced to face the "real world." Either way it is apart of the growing up experience, weather they choose to drink, or not to.
So why do young adults drink, even though it is illegal for them in high school? Many answered that they drank socially in their mid high school years, but when they were even younger it was to get drunk, or buzzed. Only one person answered that they drank it for the taste.
The drinking age in some places are as low as 16, but here in Minnesota is the age of 21. Even though it is illegal, an overwhelming 98% of the students who answered (who are between the ages of 16-25) said that they drank before the age of 21. With 66% of the students between the ages of 14-18 which are the ages you are in high school. Many felt pressured into drinking, or just saw others doing it and accepted that it is okay, so they tried it too, but didn’t necessarily make a habit out of it. Just over 55% of students said that the never drank alcohol regularly in high school, they only tried it. However the remaining 45% of students consumed alcohol at least every couple of months.
Once those students started college, the percentage completely flipped, with 55% of students drinking regularly, and the remaining 45% being split between never drinking and drinking once a month. Also, more women, rather then men were willing to admit their drinking habits, and they were less likely to be drinking more than once every couple of months. Men were more likely to drink at least once a week, or once a month.
Most students are drinking for social purposes but only 42% of them answered that they care that their friends drink, that being that they choose their friends around it, and the remaining students didn’t care at all if their friends drank.
There are a lot of stories on the news, and journals in magazines that are written about students and alcohol abuse at young ages. They say that there is a wide spread problem among Americas young adults with binge drinking and over consumption on general. Scholars believe that kids are out drinking all the time, every weekend and that this develops problems academically, and starting to drink young can change the likelihood of becoming addicted to alcohol. However, if you actually speak with the students, both high school age, and college age, they will tell you that it is not a big part of their lives and that they choose not to drink, or drink only once in awhile.
Most of what we hear seems to be the news exaggerating a few instances of students not being able to control themselves, and binge drinking. In reality it is not as big of an issue as they seem to make it out to be.
Many young adults across America are challenged with the social pressures to drink. How they react can shape their entire lives, and show true character. Kids are known for experimenting in their high school and college ages with drinking, but some can get into some real trouble, and others just can’t kick the habit when they are forced to face the "real world." Either way it is apart of the growing up experience, weather they choose to drink, or not to.
So why do young adults drink, even though it is illegal for them in high school? Many answered that they drank socially in their mid high school years, but when they were even younger it was to get drunk, or buzzed. Only one person answered that they drank it for the taste.
The drinking age in some places are as low as 16, but here in Minnesota is the age of 21. Even though it is illegal, an overwhelming 98% of the students who answered (who are between the ages of 16-25) said that they drank before the age of 21. With 66% of the students between the ages of 14-18 which are the ages you are in high school. Many felt pressured into drinking, or just saw others doing it and accepted that it is okay, so they tried it too, but didn’t necessarily make a habit out of it. Just over 55% of students said that the never drank alcohol regularly in high school, they only tried it. However the remaining 45% of students consumed alcohol at least every couple of months.
Once those students started college, the percentage completely flipped, with 55% of students drinking regularly, and the remaining 45% being split between never drinking and drinking once a month. Also, more women, rather then men were willing to admit their drinking habits, and they were less likely to be drinking more than once every couple of months. Men were more likely to drink at least once a week, or once a month.
Most students are drinking for social purposes but only 42% of them answered that they care that their friends drink, that being that they choose their friends around it, and the remaining students didn’t care at all if their friends drank.
There are a lot of stories on the news, and journals in magazines that are written about students and alcohol abuse at young ages. They say that there is a wide spread problem among Americas young adults with binge drinking and over consumption on general. Scholars believe that kids are out drinking all the time, every weekend and that this develops problems academically, and starting to drink young can change the likelihood of becoming addicted to alcohol. However, if you actually speak with the students, both high school age, and college age, they will tell you that it is not a big part of their lives and that they choose not to drink, or drink only once in awhile.
Most of what we hear seems to be the news exaggerating a few instances of students not being able to control themselves, and binge drinking. In reality it is not as big of an issue as they seem to make it out to be.
Monday, November 23, 2009
First-ever lockdown drills today at Mall of America
Today the Mall of America will have its first lock down drills, ever. The times of the drills are at 10:05 a.m and 9:25 p.m. The police have been preparing for these drills, and lockdown procedures for months, visiting with each individual store to go over procedures. They came up with these lockdown procedures to keep the public safe in unusual circumstances, and to buy the police more time.
A new set of drills will start at the begining of the year and then run twice a month.
-StarTribune
A new set of drills will start at the begining of the year and then run twice a month.
-StarTribune
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Parking Issue at Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Current enrollment at Anoka- Ramsey Community college is alot higher than previous years. This has lead to some problems with parking for students who come on campus for classes. Many students have to walk from the Goodwill parking lot down the road, and some even farther.
The parking situation has led to more tardy students, and all over frustration among the students who arrive later in the day. Students who arrive later than 9a.m. often complain that they are the ones parking far back, or drive around for as much as twenty minutes looking for a parking spot.
One girl from ARCC stated, "I am often late to class because I don't know how much time to plan for walking to class," which seems to sum up the overall adittude students have over the situation. For other students the main concern is the weather that they have to walk through. Some say the worst days are when you have to walk through the snow, ice, or rain when you are parking so far away.
Students have been speaking up, and telling campus directors that this is unacceptable. An almost 70% ratio of the students have complained saying that the school should be doing more to solve this issue, but so far have seen no new improvements. One student even considered the possibility of covered parking ramps in the parking area to make up for the lack of space.
Overall students are annoyed and do believe the school could be doing better to solve this issue.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Truck driver killed after ammonia release
Rosemount police believe a hose in the truck came loose causing the ammonia leak. One of the drivers was found dead on the scene, the other was rushed to the hospital but is still in critical condition. All around the scene has been shut down in order to examine if it is safe for the public.
-Star Tribune
-Star Tribune
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
France
My favorite trip was my trip to France with my French class the summer after my Sophomore year in highschool. We spent two weeks roaming around France checking out castles, beaches, and random other things that were interesting to the culture.
The best part of the whole trip was the people who went. A few of my really close friends were all along on this trip, one of them being a wild, crazy out going girl by the name of Nicci, whom I can now say is one of my best friends.
Nicci was my roomate through out the trip and on the very first night we were staying in a hotel in Paris. When we looked out of our room there were to homeless men on the corner, which were the first I had ever seen in my life, (you just don't see homeless people around my small home town) and Nicci decided she wanted to say hello. She yelled out in a chipper voice, "Bonjour!"
The men walked over tward the window and yelled, "Salut," back up to us, which means Hi.
Then the men started to yell more up to us, and all that we could catch out of it was that they were asking us if we would sleep with their friend. Nicci has a bit of a temper and found a big loaf of bread and chucked it at them. Let me tell you, this girl has some good aim, and hit the man square on the head.
However, this bread was no ordinary bread it was so ridiculously hard that none of us had been able to bite into it. I'm sure that man was mad. Nicci saw it as she was feeding the homeless, but like I said shes a kind of crazy girl. When we saw he was mad we both ducked down underneith the windows and I crawled over to the side window and peered out, the man saw me and started yelling and shaking his fist again. Soon we decided to go into the next room and chill with our friends instead.
Around 3 a.m. we went back into our own room and layed in bed. In France they have no air conditioning, and so we had to sleep with our windows open. I was just drifting off, when I heard Nicci, "Missy....Missy....MISSY!!"
"WHAT?"
"What if the hobo's come and shank us in our sleep?"
"Nicci, we are up four stories and I highly doubt that they can climb four stories of solid brick."
"Oh, okay."
And off she went, sleeping and drooling away.
This is only one of the few crazy nights we had, our whole trip was filled with laughter and joy. It was the first time I had ever been away from home, my parents, my family, and I was never happier.
That was how I spent my first night in France.
The best part of the whole trip was the people who went. A few of my really close friends were all along on this trip, one of them being a wild, crazy out going girl by the name of Nicci, whom I can now say is one of my best friends.
Nicci was my roomate through out the trip and on the very first night we were staying in a hotel in Paris. When we looked out of our room there were to homeless men on the corner, which were the first I had ever seen in my life, (you just don't see homeless people around my small home town) and Nicci decided she wanted to say hello. She yelled out in a chipper voice, "Bonjour!"
The men walked over tward the window and yelled, "Salut," back up to us, which means Hi.
Then the men started to yell more up to us, and all that we could catch out of it was that they were asking us if we would sleep with their friend. Nicci has a bit of a temper and found a big loaf of bread and chucked it at them. Let me tell you, this girl has some good aim, and hit the man square on the head.
However, this bread was no ordinary bread it was so ridiculously hard that none of us had been able to bite into it. I'm sure that man was mad. Nicci saw it as she was feeding the homeless, but like I said shes a kind of crazy girl. When we saw he was mad we both ducked down underneith the windows and I crawled over to the side window and peered out, the man saw me and started yelling and shaking his fist again. Soon we decided to go into the next room and chill with our friends instead.
Around 3 a.m. we went back into our own room and layed in bed. In France they have no air conditioning, and so we had to sleep with our windows open. I was just drifting off, when I heard Nicci, "Missy....Missy....MISSY!!"
"WHAT?"
"What if the hobo's come and shank us in our sleep?"
"Nicci, we are up four stories and I highly doubt that they can climb four stories of solid brick."
"Oh, okay."
And off she went, sleeping and drooling away.
This is only one of the few crazy nights we had, our whole trip was filled with laughter and joy. It was the first time I had ever been away from home, my parents, my family, and I was never happier.
That was how I spent my first night in France.
Charges: Drunk Twin Cities mom with 2 kids in car leads cops on 4-mile chase
A Monticello mother was found drunk driving with a level of .17 thursday afternoon. She had an open bottle of rum in her diaper bag, and a bag of marjiuna in the front seat. Her two kids who are 2 and 4 years old were also in the car, with only one buckled in. Monica Say was brought in and charged on friday morning, after leading the police on a four and a half mile chase into delano. Her court date is December 1st.
-Star Tribune Online
-Star Tribune Online
Monday, November 9, 2009
St. Paul police investigate death of 15-year-old
Bee Vue, 15, was found dead in his bedroom after a drinking party the night before. Some friends were worried about him, and brought him home to sleep. Some family members then took him up to his room, and they found him dead just before they called the police.
-StarTribune Online
-StarTribune Online
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Halloween Costumes
My favorite Halloween costume was a princess costume I wore in my Freshman year of highschool. A friend of mine gave me a princess crown on my birthday and I wore that along with a pink dress my mom wore in a wedding. That night a bunch of my good friends and I went trick or treating. The other costumes that night included, a pimp, a girl, a boy, and a pumpkin. The princess costume was my favorite because it was the most memorable halloween I have ever had, and that's what I was wearing.
Monday, November 2, 2009
5 years in prision for Red Lake man's attack with scalding water, grease
A 42 year old man from Red Lake has been sentenced to five years imprisionment for assulting a women by pouring boiling water, grease, and beef over her head. Ronald Dean Oakgrove Sr. pleaded guilty, but proceeded to tell the women, "I hope you die."
-Star Tribune
-Star Tribune
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Interview with Tracy Youngblom
1. What made you start writing? 2. What influenced you to start teaching a creative writing class? 3. What is your favorite part about writing and why? 4. Who has influenced you, and your writing the most? 5. Who is your favorite author and what readings by them would you suggest for others? 6. Why is writing/teaching important to you? 7. What kind of writing is your favorite and why? (ex. Poetry) 8. When did you start writing? 9. Have you ever tried to get anything of yours published, and if so what? 10. How often do you get rejected/accepted when trying to publish something of yours? 11. If you could meet any author of any time who would it be and why? 12. Any additional comments you may have about writing/reading that you would like to point out.
1) I became interested in writing for two reasons: I was interested in reading, and I had a great5th grade teacher. Since I read so much, and the books got under my skin so much, that I wanted totry to write something that could effect someone. Then, in 5th grade, we did a poetry unit wherewe created a little booklet and illustrated it--published poems that we had to find, and thensome original poems. My teacher just RAVED about my work, and I was hooked because she hadrecognized something in me and praised it. 2) Teaching creative writing rose naturally out of my life as a writer. Writing offers me so manydiscoveries because I learn something from each thing I write, whether it's a poem or an essay.And I think that creative writing requires discipline, attention to detail, andperseverance--and I think those qualities are important to students in any class. So it'sexciting to be able to share my love of writing and help students to see what's good in their ownwork. 3) My absolute favorite part about writing is finishing something and feeling like it'sdone--knowing that I've used words in a specific way to make a point, to effect a feeling, thatnot even a single word should be changed. It takes a long time and a lot of frustration to getthere, but there's nothing like the feeling of having MADE something. I'm not saying I don'tenjoy the process--I do, and I love drafting because I can just write anything I think of--butthe fine-tuning and the sense of completion are the best. 4) Teachers have been my main influence. As an undergrad, I had a teacher for Creative Writingwho was just so good about praising students in class when parts of their poems or stories reallystood out. His praise was limited--he was not the kind of teacher who praised everything, orpraised each student every time, so when he did, we knew that the student had really achievedsomething. I had him for a Fiction Writing course in grad school, too, and he continues to be amentor to me. His name is Lon Otto, at the University of St. Thomas. I also had an advisor in gradschool, David Baker, who was just so tough on me. One time I wrote a critical paper (which was partof the creative writing program) and it really didn't have a strong argument or thesis. He saidhe thought I should write it over--so I did. And he was right, it was better with revision. As forpoems, he was also tough, but I knew that he was no harder on me than on himself. He would say he wasworking on the 40th draft of a poem, or something like that, and he read everything I read thatsemester so we could have good discussions. The greatest compliments he gave me were sending mea poem he was working on, and saying in my evaluation that I was "teachable." But writers have influenced me as well. Shakespeare for the rhythms and images of his language.His phrasing is so powerful and memorable to me: thus the native hue of resolution is sickliedo'er with the pale cast of thought; and thus conscience doth make cowards of us all. As for morecontemporary poets, I have been influenced by the rhythms and syntax of Sylvia Plath and JohnBerryman, and for the overall quality in the many poems of Ellen Bryant Voigt. 5) Favorite author. . .I have to list Shakespeare, and I have to say that the tragedies,especially Hamlet and Othello, should be required reading. Not just the language but theissues are still so moving and contemporary. I'd include John Berryman's Dream Songs and poemsby Sylvia Plath (Mushrooms, Lazy Lazarus); one of my favorite books of poetry is Ellen Voigt'sThe Shadow of Heaven. She also has a book called Kyrie which is a series of linked poems that ismarvelous. And Louise Gluck's book The Wild Iris. 6) Teaching and Writing are important for me because they keep me in touch with other people in acommunity. The interchange of ideas, the chance to talk about important issues and how we cancommunicate well in a world that's chaotic and fast-paced is exciting. And I get a sense ofpurpose from sharing what I know with students--I don't see writing as some mysterious force,but as a way to communicate our experience. It's the connection. 7) This is a great question, because though I'm a poet and am becoming an essayist, I read a lot offiction. I love a good novel, though I don't have any desire to write one. Poems, though, aresomething I read daily, either on-line (Poetry Daily or Verse Daily) or in my side-gig as apoetry editor for an online journal. So I am continually exposed to it--I get through fewerwhole books of poetry than fiction, but I am more exposed to poetry in a continual way. 8) I started writing seriously in 8th grade, when I began what I thought was going to be a hit crimenovel (I was reading a lot of John D. MacDonald in those days). I hand wrote a whole bunch of pages,but I lost it! I never restarted it, but by the time I was a senior in HS I was writing a lot of poemsand getting a lot of encouragement from my English teacher. 9) Yes, publishing is important to me. I send out work pretty regularly, and my firstpublication was in 1993. I have a number of individual poems published in magazines, and I have achapbook of poetry coming out in a year or so. 10) Well, I'm also an editor, so I know that rejection is a more common occurrence for writersthan acceptance. Sometimes the work is not high enough quality, and sometimes it just doesn'tfit with our mission or goals (too long, too informal). I also know that the general acceptancerate for any journal is around 1%--that's because so many people submit poems. So, I have had alot of rejections! But, some acceptances to keep me going. Even if poems are returned with a"No," if there's a handwritten note or a simple comment that shows there's a human being on theother side of the transaction, I feel happy. 11) I would like to meet Virginia Woolf and John Berryman. Both were known for experimenting intheir work, but getting some recognition. Both also struggled with their own personaldemons--and I'd be curious to ask about that struggle, what their interior lives were like. 12) My final word on that topic to anyone who wants to write anything is that you have to READ. Readeverything you can get your hands on. Read voraciously. Read with abandon. If you read, you willbe filled with ideas, which is important, but you will also absorb the subtle ways that languagecan be formed, used, manipulated for effect. You will drink in the language, you will love thewords, you will remember certain phrases that haunt you--and you will become a better thinker,which is essential for becoming a better writer.
1) I became interested in writing for two reasons: I was interested in reading, and I had a great5th grade teacher. Since I read so much, and the books got under my skin so much, that I wanted totry to write something that could effect someone. Then, in 5th grade, we did a poetry unit wherewe created a little booklet and illustrated it--published poems that we had to find, and thensome original poems. My teacher just RAVED about my work, and I was hooked because she hadrecognized something in me and praised it. 2) Teaching creative writing rose naturally out of my life as a writer. Writing offers me so manydiscoveries because I learn something from each thing I write, whether it's a poem or an essay.And I think that creative writing requires discipline, attention to detail, andperseverance--and I think those qualities are important to students in any class. So it'sexciting to be able to share my love of writing and help students to see what's good in their ownwork. 3) My absolute favorite part about writing is finishing something and feeling like it'sdone--knowing that I've used words in a specific way to make a point, to effect a feeling, thatnot even a single word should be changed. It takes a long time and a lot of frustration to getthere, but there's nothing like the feeling of having MADE something. I'm not saying I don'tenjoy the process--I do, and I love drafting because I can just write anything I think of--butthe fine-tuning and the sense of completion are the best. 4) Teachers have been my main influence. As an undergrad, I had a teacher for Creative Writingwho was just so good about praising students in class when parts of their poems or stories reallystood out. His praise was limited--he was not the kind of teacher who praised everything, orpraised each student every time, so when he did, we knew that the student had really achievedsomething. I had him for a Fiction Writing course in grad school, too, and he continues to be amentor to me. His name is Lon Otto, at the University of St. Thomas. I also had an advisor in gradschool, David Baker, who was just so tough on me. One time I wrote a critical paper (which was partof the creative writing program) and it really didn't have a strong argument or thesis. He saidhe thought I should write it over--so I did. And he was right, it was better with revision. As forpoems, he was also tough, but I knew that he was no harder on me than on himself. He would say he wasworking on the 40th draft of a poem, or something like that, and he read everything I read thatsemester so we could have good discussions. The greatest compliments he gave me were sending mea poem he was working on, and saying in my evaluation that I was "teachable." But writers have influenced me as well. Shakespeare for the rhythms and images of his language.His phrasing is so powerful and memorable to me: thus the native hue of resolution is sickliedo'er with the pale cast of thought; and thus conscience doth make cowards of us all. As for morecontemporary poets, I have been influenced by the rhythms and syntax of Sylvia Plath and JohnBerryman, and for the overall quality in the many poems of Ellen Bryant Voigt. 5) Favorite author. . .I have to list Shakespeare, and I have to say that the tragedies,especially Hamlet and Othello, should be required reading. Not just the language but theissues are still so moving and contemporary. I'd include John Berryman's Dream Songs and poemsby Sylvia Plath (Mushrooms, Lazy Lazarus); one of my favorite books of poetry is Ellen Voigt'sThe Shadow of Heaven. She also has a book called Kyrie which is a series of linked poems that ismarvelous. And Louise Gluck's book The Wild Iris. 6) Teaching and Writing are important for me because they keep me in touch with other people in acommunity. The interchange of ideas, the chance to talk about important issues and how we cancommunicate well in a world that's chaotic and fast-paced is exciting. And I get a sense ofpurpose from sharing what I know with students--I don't see writing as some mysterious force,but as a way to communicate our experience. It's the connection. 7) This is a great question, because though I'm a poet and am becoming an essayist, I read a lot offiction. I love a good novel, though I don't have any desire to write one. Poems, though, aresomething I read daily, either on-line (Poetry Daily or Verse Daily) or in my side-gig as apoetry editor for an online journal. So I am continually exposed to it--I get through fewerwhole books of poetry than fiction, but I am more exposed to poetry in a continual way. 8) I started writing seriously in 8th grade, when I began what I thought was going to be a hit crimenovel (I was reading a lot of John D. MacDonald in those days). I hand wrote a whole bunch of pages,but I lost it! I never restarted it, but by the time I was a senior in HS I was writing a lot of poemsand getting a lot of encouragement from my English teacher. 9) Yes, publishing is important to me. I send out work pretty regularly, and my firstpublication was in 1993. I have a number of individual poems published in magazines, and I have achapbook of poetry coming out in a year or so. 10) Well, I'm also an editor, so I know that rejection is a more common occurrence for writersthan acceptance. Sometimes the work is not high enough quality, and sometimes it just doesn'tfit with our mission or goals (too long, too informal). I also know that the general acceptancerate for any journal is around 1%--that's because so many people submit poems. So, I have had alot of rejections! But, some acceptances to keep me going. Even if poems are returned with a"No," if there's a handwritten note or a simple comment that shows there's a human being on theother side of the transaction, I feel happy. 11) I would like to meet Virginia Woolf and John Berryman. Both were known for experimenting intheir work, but getting some recognition. Both also struggled with their own personaldemons--and I'd be curious to ask about that struggle, what their interior lives were like. 12) My final word on that topic to anyone who wants to write anything is that you have to READ. Readeverything you can get your hands on. Read voraciously. Read with abandon. If you read, you willbe filled with ideas, which is important, but you will also absorb the subtle ways that languagecan be formed, used, manipulated for effect. You will drink in the language, you will love thewords, you will remember certain phrases that haunt you--and you will become a better thinker,which is essential for becoming a better writer.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Man found shot to death in Minneaolis
This morning a man what shot to death while sitting in his car in a parking lot.
He was found in south Minneapolis near Groveland Ave. Witnesses said they saw a group of people running away from the car earlier on, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
His identity has not yet been released.
-Star Tribune Online
He was found in south Minneapolis near Groveland Ave. Witnesses said they saw a group of people running away from the car earlier on, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
His identity has not yet been released.
-Star Tribune Online
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Sandra Benitez Visits Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Sandra Benitez Visits Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Benitez was as enthralling in person as she is through her stories. The animation in her voice as she speaks about her novels and her own life shows her true passion: writing. Benitez didn’t always want to be a writer though, when she was younger she didn’t have any idea what she was destined to be. When she was born Benitez had an identical twin, who died a few months later from complications, but she grew up happy just the same. Her Mother was Porto Rican and her Father was a farm boy from Unionville Missouri. They met in Washington D.C and married soon after. Her father joined the foreign forces when she was still really young and the whole family moved to Mexico. She grew up in a lavish house and always had servants while she was young. That’s where she found out the importance of stories. In Mexico there was no middle class, either you were poor or you were rich at that time and she was considered to be rich. Benitez’s servants were mostly illiterate and would have her read their letters to them, and then write responses back as well. While reading she would ask questions and would be observant, trying to read the people she was speaking with. Through this process she learned all about these servants lives and what their stories were.
Reading was very important in her life too. She would read anything and everything she could find just to learn about someone else, and their story. Now she says, “It’s all about story. That is why we text, twitter, and e-mail.”
When she turned fourteen her Father sent her to America to live with her Grandparents to become more Americanized. When she got there life was immediately very different for her. She was used to having servants and getting whatever she needed with out having to do it herself as she said in her own words, “I was a bit of a spoiled brat before that.” Her grandparents home had no running water but instead had an outhouse, and was with out servants. Benitez was absolutely amazed by the outhouse, for it had two seats and she never understood why. Later she was told it was for mothers with children who all needed to go to the bathroom at the same time. From then on she never lived with her family again.
Later in life she married a man from Missouri and moved to Minnesota and has now resided here for 45 years. Then she became a teacher, and began taking writing classes as well when she became to stressed with her regular work. Benitez then started writing at the age of 39. Her first novel she wrote was a mystery murder and when she had a critic review it at a convention he said it was, “flushable.” For a few weeks Benitez was very surprised and upset with this view. Then one day she realized it was flushable and she said her goodbyes to it, and put it under her bed as a sacrifice and it is still under her bed today.
Benitez published her first book in 1973 after thirteen years of trying to get it published. She still gets scared every time she starts a new novel and worries about her characters. Now Benitez waits for the characters to speak to her, and that is how The Weight of All Things came to be. A boy by the name of Nicholas spoke to her in her mind, begging her to tell his story. From there on he lead her through the journey in this book and became a best seller, and won Benitez many awards. Benitez shared some insight with us, “ The simplest things can change our entire lives,” and for her it was listening to Nicholas, learning with him about the story he became.
Article By: Melissa Holthaus
Monday, October 19, 2009
Final Defendant Guilty in Beating of a Vunerable Man
Last October a man by the name of Justin Hamilton, was attacked and robbed. He was taken to a remote area and beat for hours. Now all of the people involved were charged, found guilty and sentenced, the last one being Jonathan Michael Diepold who was the primary attacker.
-StarTribune Online
-StarTribune Online
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Obituary
Melissa Holthaus, 18 years old died Tuesday October 14th from a roller skating accident, at around 7:00 p.m. She was rolling down a hill and hit a patch of black ice, skidded out and ran face first into a pole. The impact was so great it killed her imediatly.
Miss Holthaus was loved by many and was always a joyful person. She loved dancing, quilting, and baking, along with helping out in schools as a mentor whenever she could. Melissa was attending Anoka Ramsey Community College with the intent of transfering to St. Olaf next year to eventually become a journalist.
Visitation will be held Monday October 20th from 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church in Monticello. Her funeral will be Tuesday October 21st at 4:00 p.m.
Melissa leaves behind her parents, Steve and Becky, two brothers, Kent and Mitch, and her boyfriend Josh.
Miss Holthaus was loved by many and was always a joyful person. She loved dancing, quilting, and baking, along with helping out in schools as a mentor whenever she could. Melissa was attending Anoka Ramsey Community College with the intent of transfering to St. Olaf next year to eventually become a journalist.
Visitation will be held Monday October 20th from 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church in Monticello. Her funeral will be Tuesday October 21st at 4:00 p.m.
Melissa leaves behind her parents, Steve and Becky, two brothers, Kent and Mitch, and her boyfriend Josh.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Newspaper Article
Man Shot, Killed by Deputies in Elk River ID'd
Last week there was a shooting at the government building in Elk River, MN. A man by the name of Dana Dempsey entered the building carrying a gun when two police officers noticed and shot him. Dempsey was transfered to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids where shortly after he passed away. Dempsey was already in the courthouse earlier that week because he was to be sentenced for running a methamphetamine lab.
I chose to write about this for a couple special reasons today. First of all my boyfriends mom actually works at this building and I knew about this only minutes after it happened when I got a phone call from my boyfriend because he was upset. He couldnt get any details and he was told to stay away.
My second reason is because Dana Dempsey was the father to someone whom I graduated with who has had a hard life, so this particular article was hard to just look over and ignore for me.
-Fox 9 News online
Last week there was a shooting at the government building in Elk River, MN. A man by the name of Dana Dempsey entered the building carrying a gun when two police officers noticed and shot him. Dempsey was transfered to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids where shortly after he passed away. Dempsey was already in the courthouse earlier that week because he was to be sentenced for running a methamphetamine lab.
I chose to write about this for a couple special reasons today. First of all my boyfriends mom actually works at this building and I knew about this only minutes after it happened when I got a phone call from my boyfriend because he was upset. He couldnt get any details and he was told to stay away.
My second reason is because Dana Dempsey was the father to someone whom I graduated with who has had a hard life, so this particular article was hard to just look over and ignore for me.
-Fox 9 News online
Interview Paper
Religion Still Influences Many
Today I had the privilege of being able to speak with a very socially involved young man. This 20 year old from Princeton Minnesota has the power to influence many youth today, and he does so by helping out at church.
Isaac Jenson helps out with the youth group at United Methodist Church along side the youth group leader who is 23. You can find him at the church on Sunday nights when the youth group gathers for its meetings. Jenson’s' main work is to just sit and talk with the kids, and lead them in their discussions as he says, "I play the games with them and just be there." For most this could mean more than just a few hours a week Isaac spends just chatting and playing games with them, for many it is a safe place where they can just relax and get advice from a trusted adult. It wasn’t always easy though, he had to teach the junior and senior youth when to realize they need to be serious and listen and when its okay to just relax and have fun.
His favorite memory was when he was actually asked to help out in this youth group. Isaac was on a summer service trip in South Dakota helping fix up their homes, and playing with the kids, just helping out any way they could. Then one day he got a call from the youth director asking if he wanted to help out at the youth group gatherings. "It was weird because I was trying to think of a way to get involved in the church," Jenson told us during the interview.
In many ways he has helped a younger generation, but for him it was much more. He was able to find something he loved doing that also benefited others. "This has greatly helped my life in a positive way. I have grown a lot spiritually."- Isaac Jenson
Written by: Melissa Holthaus
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Interview (Kevin Jack)
1. What is your favorite hobby? Photography
2. How did you get involved with this hobby?
I was doing a class paper at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts when I saw interesting photographs of local happenings. It kind of sparked my interest in photography.
3. Why did you start this hobby?
I was focusing a lot on school and my current job and I needed to find something else to do besides going to school, or work.
4. Who introduced you, and instructed you in this hobby?
I introduced myself in this hobby, although I never had any real instruction on how to do it. I decided to take a Beginning Digital Photography class at Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, to help me further my digital photography.
5. Who was the biggest influence to you concerning this hobby?
There really wasn't anyone influencing me on my hobby. I got bored one afternoon and wanted something to do. I took my parents digital camera and started shooting pictures. It was something that grew on me as the years went by.
6. What is the biggest challenge for you, and the easiest?
I haven't had much challenging issues with photography, besides my memory card filling up or the battery dying. No one (so far, knock on wood), has gotten mad at me for taking a photo with him/her involved. Wednesdays at Inver Hills are my long days. I have class first thing in the morning. For a majority of the day, I spend time working on other class assignments. Wednesday evenings I spend about three hours in the computer lab working on my photographs on Photoshop. Basically, I'm on campus from 8:00 in the morning until about 8:30 at night working. Makes it challenging to spend some time with friends and family and do the things I enjoy doing but it is something that I'm interested in. After all, all of us has to sacrifice something in life. The easiest thing about photography is the possibilities for photos are endless. There's always something that is picture worthy.
7. What is your favorite thing about your hobby?
The memories that come with every picture I take. Whether it is a picture with friends and/or family, an event or scenery, every picture I taken has a story of some sort behind it.
8. When did you start this hobby, and do you still continue with it today?
I've been doing it on and off since 2007. I've been doing more photography since I decided to take the photography class, which started in August, 2009.
9. Where do you practice this hobby?
I go everywhere you can imagine in the Twin Cites area. I've taken pictures of my vacation in Northern Minnesota, at the tie-breaker game between the Twins and Tigers (on Tues. 8/6), and the 2008 Republican National Convention. I live about 10 minutes from downtown so it wasn't a chore to get pictures. It is one event (the RNC) that I won't forget anytime soon. As long as it is served by a bus route, I want to explore what the Twin Cities has to offer.
10. How has it impacted your life?
Besides giving me something to do when I'm bored out of my mind, it is giving me a chance to get to know my hometown and surrounding area. Plus it's leading a career, hopefully into photojournalism, although computer graphics doesn't sound so bad.
11. Would you change anything about your hobby? If so what?
I wouldn't really change anything about my hobby. Maybe an actual camera (with a lens) instead of a point and shoot camera that everyone has for everyday usage.
12. What would your life be like with out your hobby?
Probably really boring. It would no doubt help me forget the most memorable moments of my/others life.
13. Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you with something concerning your hobby?
I started this hobby on my own. Really, the only person I can thank is my photography instructor at Inver Hills who introduced new ideas on what I can take pictures of and then edit them on Photoshop.
14. What is the best moment you have ever had from participating in this hobby?
I mentioned this in the beginning of the e-mail but all the memories associated with every picture. Obviously I'm not going to take and keep pictures that bring in bad memories.
15. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your hobby that might surprise/interest us?
I don't know if it will serve as an interesting fact or surprising but I take Metro Transit to my destinations. I see more scenery on the bus than I would if I was driving a private vehicle. But this may. I hate being in pictures. I'm, believe it or not, quite camera shy but I have an outgoing personality. I much rather be behind the camera instead of being in front of the camera.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Murder At North Point Inn
Yesterday morning at a little before 9AM Nina Cortez was caught in a scary situation. Earlier that morning when she got into work she talked with the cook, Kevin Blohm about the night before, and then he proceeded to make her a cup of coffee.
After she had her morning coffee Nina set in counting the revenue. A minute or two later a man came around the corner carrying a knife. Nina started screaming and fell off her roller chair. The man took $130 and walked out with out even a word. She believed the man was not alone, when she heard someone scream, "Get that money out of there." Nina locked her office by then and was waiting when someone tried to get in but wasn't able to. Three to five minutes later the police were there.
When Nina walked out of her office she was able to see blood on the door in the reception area, and on the walls and floor. Kevin was on the floor with a knife wound in his hand and chest. He was dead. The man who robbed Nina was described to be 5' 10" to 6 feet tall. He is in his early 20s with a medium build. At the time he was wearing blue jeans, with a blue plaid button- up shirt, and blue tennis shoes. He also had on a floral scarf tied around his lower face, cowboy style.
Yesterday morning at a little before 9AM Nina Cortez was caught in a scary situation. Earlier that morning when she got into work she talked with the cook, Kevin Blohm about the night before, and then he proceeded to make her a cup of coffee.
After she had her morning coffee Nina set in counting the revenue. A minute or two later a man came around the corner carrying a knife. Nina started screaming and fell off her roller chair. The man took $130 and walked out with out even a word. She believed the man was not alone, when she heard someone scream, "Get that money out of there." Nina locked her office by then and was waiting when someone tried to get in but wasn't able to. Three to five minutes later the police were there.
When Nina walked out of her office she was able to see blood on the door in the reception area, and on the walls and floor. Kevin was on the floor with a knife wound in his hand and chest. He was dead. The man who robbed Nina was described to be 5' 10" to 6 feet tall. He is in his early 20s with a medium build. At the time he was wearing blue jeans, with a blue plaid button- up shirt, and blue tennis shoes. He also had on a floral scarf tied around his lower face, cowboy style.
H1N1 Death
A first grader who was healthy died from the H1N1 flu. It is the second time this year that a child died from this virus who was healthy before. Another boy died september 24th of this year from this virus.
- StarTribune online
- StarTribune online
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Earliest Memory
One of my first memories was when I was around the age of 7. My best friend Rachel and I had built a fort outside in my background while my Dad was sleeping and my Mom was at work. It was just a simple tarp over a big canopy swing but we always had fun believing it was some fairy tale place where no one could ever reach us unless we said it was okay. Rachel has always had a bit of a sweet tooth so everyday we would sneak out of that fort and into my kitchen with my Dad sleeping right there and grab all the candy and cookies we could find, and then we would bring them back to the fort and feast on our good fortune.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
My first day with ARCC
My very first day going to class at ARCC I was 17 years old, and was a post secondary student through Monticello Senior Highschool. One of my best friends was also doing PSEO and had all the same classes as I did. We had absolutly no idea where we were going when we got into the school and got very lost looking for our classrooms. Eventually when we did find our class we realized that we had another kid from Monticello in that class as well, who graduated two years before us. We were also late walking into the class room, not only because we were lost in the school but highway 10 had construction on it and was really backed up.
We were done with class by 11 A.M and needed to head back to the school but we were starving and stopped for food on the way back to the highschool. We needed to be into our highschool rooms by 11:58A.M and it takes us at least 40 minutes to get home. Needless to say we were late to that too.
We were done with class by 11 A.M and needed to head back to the school but we were starving and stopped for food on the way back to the highschool. We needed to be into our highschool rooms by 11:58A.M and it takes us at least 40 minutes to get home. Needless to say we were late to that too.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Rape charges against Coon Rapids bar bouncer dropped
In February Russel Ruzin was accused of raping two women at a bar that he worked as a bouncer at. The charges were dropped this week when evidence came in saying that one of the women and Ruzin were found earlier in the day kissing with both partners in concent.
-Paul Wash, Star Tribune Online
-Paul Wash, Star Tribune Online
Monday, September 14, 2009
Early this morning The City’s Police Department was called in because of a bad crash on I-790. Two tractor trailers created a chain reaction build up when the collided. The build up included 14 cars and four tractor trailers.
One truck driver is especially thankful for his life today when Police Officials noted that his truck full of diesel fuel could have easily crashed or spilled and caught on fire. Part of this man’s truck was damaged when another car collided into it, but after a struggle the truck driver managed to pull it to a full stop on the side of the road.
There were however, some less fortunate souls on the road earlier today. Two people driving earlier were killed in the build up and a remarkable 20 were injured and hospitalized but are still thankfully alive. Four out of these 20 injured were in serious condition. Firefighters came to the rescue and at the scene had to cut tops off of three cars. Drivers and passengers’ who were trapped inside had the help of all five surrounding fire departments. Ambulances and the “Life Flight” rescue helicopter also played a big role in that morning’s events. Two of the four severe injuries were flown 50 miles away to the Trauma Center in Statesville.
Sullivan’s firefighting crew claimed the crash looked like a deadly war zone when they arrived. Bodies were lying along the road; people covered in blood were sitting next to their cars. Even emergency workers added to the chaotic scene while running back and fourth trying to help the injured. All the while sirens were wailing away with the new emergency help arrivals. Sullivan told our reporters that in the eighteen and a half years he’s been serving with the Fire Department he has never seen anything that bad. Emergency help was having problems just finding whose car belonged to whom, and who was a driver and who was a passenger. The entire highway I-790 has been closed until further notice.
One truck driver is especially thankful for his life today when Police Officials noted that his truck full of diesel fuel could have easily crashed or spilled and caught on fire. Part of this man’s truck was damaged when another car collided into it, but after a struggle the truck driver managed to pull it to a full stop on the side of the road.
There were however, some less fortunate souls on the road earlier today. Two people driving earlier were killed in the build up and a remarkable 20 were injured and hospitalized but are still thankfully alive. Four out of these 20 injured were in serious condition. Firefighters came to the rescue and at the scene had to cut tops off of three cars. Drivers and passengers’ who were trapped inside had the help of all five surrounding fire departments. Ambulances and the “Life Flight” rescue helicopter also played a big role in that morning’s events. Two of the four severe injuries were flown 50 miles away to the Trauma Center in Statesville.
Sullivan’s firefighting crew claimed the crash looked like a deadly war zone when they arrived. Bodies were lying along the road; people covered in blood were sitting next to their cars. Even emergency workers added to the chaotic scene while running back and fourth trying to help the injured. All the while sirens were wailing away with the new emergency help arrivals. Sullivan told our reporters that in the eighteen and a half years he’s been serving with the Fire Department he has never seen anything that bad. Emergency help was having problems just finding whose car belonged to whom, and who was a driver and who was a passenger. The entire highway I-790 has been closed until further notice.
Mother of harassment victim disputes other students' claims
A student in the Anoka-Hennepin area claims he was harassed by a teacher, and was forced 20 miles away from his home to seek peace. These teachers were found to have been harassing him because they believed he is gay. Merritt was granted $25,000 for his suffering.
-Star Tribune online
-Star Tribune online
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
three most noteworthy news experiences
1. My all time favorite news coverage was on the murder of Jonbenet Ramsey. She was a little girl who was murdered inside her own house in 1996. I was six years old at that time, which was the same age Jonbenet was at the time of her death. Even today at age 18 I can remember all the news castings about it, and reading it on the front pages of newspapers. The police at the time thought one of the parents had murdered her, but they were skewing the information they had to make it seem to the press like it was the parents. The public turned on them, and most people thought of them as killers. I remember it amazed me that publications that someone who didn't even know the parents could change the mind of so many people and make them believe too, that these people were guilty. It was just so controversial the whole time the investigation was going on. That is why I remember this case so clearly.
2.The second most memorable posting for me was when my neighbor, Rodney was killed by a drunk driver. I was really young, and don't actually remember Rodney very well but I remember all of the hearings for the drunken man posted in the paper, and Rodney's familiar face on the front page. At that time I didn't believe bad things could happen in my town, but the day I read that the judge had set that man free, my view changed. It wasn't only because I knew this man that it was so memorable to me. It was because the press had covered the entire thing, and made the public see the wrong in the situation.
3.The last news experience was when I had just graduated high school. Somebody from our paper right here in town had come in to our school several months before we were to graduate and found out a little bit about all of us. They found out our dreams, our passions, and mostly they got to know us just because they were proud of their towns graduates. To me it was one of the most interesting experiences I have had because for so long I have wanted to be that person who gets to go out and report, and now I had got to see the inner workings of it.
2.The second most memorable posting for me was when my neighbor, Rodney was killed by a drunk driver. I was really young, and don't actually remember Rodney very well but I remember all of the hearings for the drunken man posted in the paper, and Rodney's familiar face on the front page. At that time I didn't believe bad things could happen in my town, but the day I read that the judge had set that man free, my view changed. It wasn't only because I knew this man that it was so memorable to me. It was because the press had covered the entire thing, and made the public see the wrong in the situation.
3.The last news experience was when I had just graduated high school. Somebody from our paper right here in town had come in to our school several months before we were to graduate and found out a little bit about all of us. They found out our dreams, our passions, and mostly they got to know us just because they were proud of their towns graduates. To me it was one of the most interesting experiences I have had because for so long I have wanted to be that person who gets to go out and report, and now I had got to see the inner workings of it.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Introduction
Hi My name is Melissa Holthaus, and usually I go by Missy-Anne. I am 18 (almost 19 on November 20th. I live in Monticello and am going to the Coon Rapids campus currently. I have two older brothers, and the oldest just had a son this July so I am now an Aunt as well.
I have actually wanted to be a journalist since I was about 10 years old! Also, I have won a writing award before through my Dad's work as the "best young writer of the year"- from Twin City Tile and Marble. I super excited about this class!
Right now I am just working on my generals here at Anoka Ramsey, and my plan is to eventually switch to a university. My dream for after college is to open a magazine for girls to help them through adolesence years.
I plan on also getting a minor in photography and business.
Random facts:
Favorite Song: Crazy Mary
Favorite Book: Pants on Fire
Favorite Flower: Daisy & Sunflower
Favorite Color: Lime Green
Favorite Show: One Tree Hill
=] Thats all for now
I have actually wanted to be a journalist since I was about 10 years old! Also, I have won a writing award before through my Dad's work as the "best young writer of the year"- from Twin City Tile and Marble. I super excited about this class!
Right now I am just working on my generals here at Anoka Ramsey, and my plan is to eventually switch to a university. My dream for after college is to open a magazine for girls to help them through adolesence years.
I plan on also getting a minor in photography and business.
Random facts:
Favorite Song: Crazy Mary
Favorite Book: Pants on Fire
Favorite Flower: Daisy & Sunflower
Favorite Color: Lime Green
Favorite Show: One Tree Hill
=] Thats all for now
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