Earthquake Story

A powerful earthquake rocked San Francisco Bay area residents on Monday morning at 8:12 a.m., PDT.

The earthquake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, caused a building housing McHenry’s Auto Supply in Hayward at 2342 Plum Street to collapse partially, killing two people and injuring six others.

“I was eating my breakfast when the room started rolling. I dove under the table just as I heard an explosion outside and a chunk of cement flew through my kitchen window. That’s when the screaming start across the street,” Hayward resident, Mike Beamer said.

The names of the dead are being withheld while the notification of their families is pending, and three of the six people injured were seriously hurt enough to be transported and hospitalized at the Hayward General Hospital. There have been no other reports of serious injuries in Hayward, however.

Beamer’s apartment is just across from McHenry’s, and he said he felt a rolling motion that lasted for about 30 seconds, with a big jolt coming in the middle.

There was a quick response to the collapse of McHenry’s auto shop, twenty-one fire personnel, twelve police officers, and five American Red Cross workers arriving the on the site of the collapsed building.

The personnel arrived within four minutes of the quake, said Hayward Fire Department public information officer, Jennifer Vu.

 The earthquake was felt by people as far north as Redding and as far south as Los Angeles. Firefighters used ropes to stabilize the auto shop, conducted a search of the building for victims, and a gas line had to be capped after a gas leak was detected.

The earthquake was a “strong one,” said Menlo Park’s U.S. Geological Survey scientist, Penny Gertz. Its epicenter was beneath the Hayward Hills along the Hayward Fault, which runs beneath the hills.

Huntington Story

Janice Jones, 53, was shot in the leg with her own handgun when it accidentally discharged in her Barstow, California motor home.

While eating dinner, the motor home parked on Beach Boulevard, Jones’ Pomeranian dog knocked the 9 mm handgun off a seat, causing it to discharge when it hit the floor. The bullet entered and exited Jones’ leg and lodged itself in the side of the vehicle.

“It could have been worse,” California Highway Patrol press liaison, Tammy Rye, said. “The bullet hit two inches from the gas tank.”

Jones was transported to Huntington Beach Hospital by ambulance and then transferred to the Irvine Medical Center. The Pomeranian, Tombo, was given over to the Huntington Beach Animal Control officers.

The dog seemed to be malnourished, according to animal control officer, Janet Ngo. It had fresh cigarette burns on its forehead.

Not only was Jones cited for expired license plates and owning a gun without a permit, but the animal control office is exploring filing charges against her for animal abuse for the treatment of her dog.

“It could have done with a little less abuse and a few more of those pork chops,” Ngo said.

Current Events Quiz 10/8/14

1. What percentage of Texas students are considered college-ready compared to the rest of the United States? Page A1 "Texas SAT scores…"
33.9% of Texas students are considered college ready, while the national average is 42.6%.

2. Which group has spent the most money lobbying about Proposition 1 AND are they for or against light rail? Page A1 "Spending heavy on…"
Let's Go Austin is for Proposition 1. 

3. Which philosophy or model is Webb Middle School using to keep at risk students in school and being successful? Page B1 "Webb, Reagan…."
They are models of "community schools." 

4. What big change in sanitation recommendations will help canners this year? Page SA2 "Home canning now easier"
Washing the can lids is just as effective as heating them, which makes it a lot easier for canners. 

5. Of the three "Top Things to Do" on Page D2, which would you like to see or go do the most if you could AND WHY? Page D2 "Top Things to Do"
I'd like to go to the Rooftop Architecture Film series because I think some of the films shown could be potentially interesting. 

Short Answer: On Tuesday the United States Supreme court refused to hear arguments from multiple states about the Constitutionality of a same sex marriage bans which had been overturned in those states. Effectively the refusal to hear the cases means that those rulings will now stand, paving the way for same sex marriages in more than 30 states across the country. What do you think about this ruling and the result? Be sure to tell me why!!!
It irritates me that there's been yet another blockade in the road to marriage equality, but I'm glad to hear that over 30 states are on the way to such equality. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself as well as having several other friends in it marriage equality is of course an important issue to me, though I do think that it's important to remember that once the U.S.A. recognizes marriages with partners of the same genders, the fight for equality will be far from over. Regardless of whether we can marry or not, LGBTQ+ individuals are still at high risk of suicide and hate crimes in America (as well as across the world), and "gay marriage" being ruled as legal will not be the end of such violence, just as the Civil Rights Act of the 60s didn't end racism. 

Lone Star Dispatch - News Evaluation

F1 'STEM's into school curriculum
Mazda starts up a new program to recruit aspiring engineers for racing programs

1.
Who: Mazda, Bowie students
What: A STEM program
Where: Bowie High School
When: last month
Why: to show students there's more than drivers and mechanics when it comes to race cars and encourage them to pursue STEM careers
How: a presentation in the audience

2. 
Last month representatives from Mazda came to Bowie to present their STEM program to students. They explained to students all of the different career types that go into racing, like engineers, nutritionists, and doctors. They brought along a prototype for a clean diesel race car and explained its clean fuel and incredible engine power. 

3. List the people quoted in the story (by name), indicate whether it is a direct quote (that means its in "" marks) or its an indirect quote. If there are no quotes, please indicate no quotes.
Direct: Joel Miller, Jill Harding, Joshua Rocha. Indirect: Mazda and their STEM crew

4. Are there any "statements/transition sentences" that you believe are opinions?
Some of the language used seems to imply an opinion that leans very in favor of the STEM presentation—there was nothing about things that could be improved about it, it was almost as if the author was trying to sell the program. 

5. Read the headline of the story, does it summarize the plot of the story sufficiently?Yes. 

6. Finally, if there is a piece of art, graphic, photograph, etc associated with the story, does it fit with the story you read? This is a simple yes or no. 
Yes. 

Rule changes lead to new game experience

1.
Who: students attending football games, administrators. 
What: the behavior of students at Bowie games
Where: Bowie football games
When: rules established at the beginning of this year
Why: administrators believed that students were behaving inappropriately and causing safety concerns
How: with administrator supervision on the student section of the stands

2.
This football season there have been rules established that will control students' behavior more at football games. The administration has banned noisemakers, baby powder, silly string, and backpacks for safety reasons. This is causing some discontent within the student body. 

3. List the people quoted in the story (by name), indicate whether it is a direct quote (that means its in "" marks) or its an indirect quote. If there are no quotes, please indicate no quotes.
Direct: Stephen Kane, Melissa Pittman, Cole Kuykendall. Indirect: Unnamed members of the Bowie football team. 

4. Are there any "statements/transition sentences" that you believe are opinions?No. 

5. Read the headline of the story, does it summarize the plot of the story sufficiently?Yes. 

6. Finally, if there is a piece of art, graphic, photograph, etc associated with the story, does it fit with the story you read? This is a simple yes or no.
Yes. 

Rebels protest policy at school in athletic shorts

1.
Who: students who believe the dress code unfair
What: a protest of the dress code
Where: Bowie campus
When: Thursday, September 25, 2014
Why: many students believe the dress code is a misogynistic system that targets girls unfairly
How: by wearing Nike shorts, something that was then banned by the dress code

2.
On the 25th of September students protested the Bowie dress code by wearing Nike shorts. Many students, especially girls, believe that the dress code unfairly targets female students. The result of this protest was a slight edit to the dress code stating that the length of shorts would solely determine whether the clothing is "distracting." 

3. List the people quoted in the story (by name), indicate whether it is a direct quote (that means its in "" marks) or its an indirect quote. If there are no quotes, please indicate no quotes.
Direct: Annie Lin, James Otello, Justice Lozano, Vincente Trevino, Allie Clayboss, Kate Buffler. Indirect: Unnamed students who protested, Stephen Kane.

4. Are there any "statements/transition sentences" that you believe are opinions?
No. 

5. Read the headline of the story, does it summarize the plot of the story sufficiently?
The word "rebels" make it sound as if the protest was more aggressive than it was. 

6. Finally, if there is a piece of art, graphic, photograph, etc associated with the story, does it fit with the story you read? This is a simple yes or no.
N/A

Go free to honor coach Landers

1.
Who: Volleyball students
What: an awareness-raising campaign for liver cancer in honor of the late Coach Landers
Where: the Bowie gym 
When: during volleyball games
Why: Coach Jason Landers, someone who affected many students, passed away in June of liver cancer.
How: By wearing specially-designed green shirts

2. 
Coach Jason Landers was someone who touched many people's hearts at Bowie. He passed away in June of liver cancer. Now some of his former volleyball players are raising awareness for the ailment he suffered from by wearing specially-designed green shirts at volleyball games, which can be ordered, as well as auctioning their game ball, the proceeds which will be donated to the American Liver Foundation.

3. List the people quoted in the story (by name), indicate whether it is a direct quote (that means its in "" marks) or its an indirect quote. If there are no quotes, please indicate no quotes.
Direct: McCain (no first name given). Indirect: volleyball players

4. Are there any "statements/transition sentences" that you believe are opinions?
No. 

5. Read the headline of the story, does it summarize the plot of the story sufficiently?
The phrase "go green" implies environmental activism, so upon first reading of the headline it seems like it would be about honoring Landers with doing something for the environment. 

6. Finally, if there is a piece of art, graphic, photograph, etc associated with the story, does it fit with the story you read? This is a simple yes or no.
N/A

Annual homecoming dance returns

1.
Who: the Bowie PTSA and Student Council
What: homecoming dance
Where: the courtyard
When: Saturday, October 18th
Why: there wasn't a Homecoming dance for five years before last year, and the PTSA wants to make it an annual event again
How: they are looking for people to help with costs that the ticket sales don't cover

2. 
Last year was the first Bowie Homecoming dance in five years, and the PTSA and Student Council wants to make it an annual event again. The dance will be held in the courtyard on October 18th. The PTSA are looking for people to help cover the costs or who are willing to get certain supplies for the dance. 


3. List the people quoted in the story (by name), indicate whether it is a direct quote (that means its in "" marks) or its an indirect quote. If there are no quotes, please indicate no quotes.
N/A

4. Are there any "statements/transition sentences" that you believe are opinions?
No. 

5. Read the headline of the story, does it summarize the plot of the story sufficiently?
Yes. 

6. Finally, if there is a piece of art, graphic, photograph, etc associated with the story, does it fit with the story you read? This is a simple yes or no.
N/A

Student of the Month Story

Who: Carissa Smith
What: Student of the Month Award
When: This month (October)
Where: Bowie High School
Why: She is a diligent student.
How: A committee of teachers chose.

The beginning of this month Carissa Smith was selected as the James Bowie High School Student of the Month.

Student of the Month is an award for standout students and a tradition at Bowie High School. Many students use it as a motivator to study and do their work, hoping to get the recognition only nine students each year get. 

"Whenever I was working on an assignment and I was tired I used SoM as a motivator," said Student of the Month, Carissa Smith. 

Carissa, despite being a freshman, has already impressed her teachers and peers in class. There are a huge amount of students at Bowie, and it takes a lot to be chosen as the Student of the Month.

“She always has her hand up, ready to participate, and her essays are truly remarkable. She has some great insights,” Bowie Pre-AP World Geography teacher, Karl Lauer, said. “Certainly. Just from the first week of her being in my class I could tell she would be an excellent candidate for Student of the Month.”

         It takes more than good grades to become Student of the Month. Involvement in extracurricular activities and clubs also goes into the decision, and Carissa isn’t lacking in that area either.

         “I dance and I’m in theatre and I’m gonna sign up for clubs,” Smith said. “As many as possible. I’ll sign up for a culinary arts club and a gardening club.

         Carissa was chosen by a group of teachers who discussed various students’ eligibility for the award. They look at their grades, participation, and involvement with the school’s community before choosing. Carissa thanks Mr. Lauer, her geography teacher, as someone she feels particularly grateful to.

         “I like Mr. Lauer because you can tell he cares about the students,” Smith said.

         The Student of the Month award is given to a very few number of students each year, and to receive it is a great honor. Not to mention it makes parents incredibly proud, as one would expect.

         “I was so proud. I know how many exceptional students are at Bowie, and I know how many are in the running for awards like this. And only nine a year. I knew she could do it, though,” Carissa’s mother, Loraine Smith, said. “Oh yes, she always told me who this month’s student was, and I could tell that she wanted that sort of academic recognition, even if she didn’t say it.