When I started this class I didn't really think that writing journalism stories would be that much different than any other story I've written, but it's a lot different. I learned that instead of expanding and adding details to a story, I should instead keep it to only the facts and keep my opinion out. Attributing information to someone is also very important.
The chapter on journalists and what they sometimes go through to get a story really surprised me. Sometimes they get arrested or are put in extreme danger. I don't think I would ever put myself in danger like that just to get a story.
Journalists have to be very creative in order to think of feature stories and have to be willing and ready to write about any story they are told to. Also, they have to be quick in order to get important stories written so people can get the facts and get them in on time. I have gained a lot more respect for journalists and their creativeness since the beginning of the story.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
New Conference
The West Central Conference posed many problems for the Mora School District—hundreds of dollars spent on travel expenses multiple times each week, athletes and coaches needing to miss parts of school days, and everyone dealing with long bus rides and late nights. Mora decided that it needed a change, and the Granite Ridge Conference was born.
The Granite Ridge Conference includes Mora, Milaca, Foley, Princeton, Zimmerman, Little Falls, and St. Cloud Cathedral. Instead of traveling a typical hour and a half or more for games in the current conference, Mora’s longest conference trip is now about an hour.
After the Rum River Conference dissolved three years ago, Mora became an independent conference. Mora’s Athletic Director, Gary Gauffin, said that being independent often included more travel time than being in the West Central Conference (WCC).
The Minnesota State High School League had placed Mora in the WCC, but Mora athletes and coaches weren’t happy with it most of the time because they had multiple games a week that involved long travel times. Mora High School Junior Evan Kolberg said, “I like the conference change because it’s closer, we get home early, and we don’t have to leave school early and miss homework.”
This was what ultimately led Gauffin and the Mora School Board to start looking at options that would be a better fit for Mora. Trying to get several schools from different conferences to all come to an agreement and make the conference change at the same time was difficult, said Gauffin.
Gauffin said that getting the approval to change conferences from the school board and having to do withdrawal procedures from current conferences was one of the first steps they had to take to make the change.
Six months of meetings and procedures came next. After schools approved the change and withdrew from their previous conference, they had to meet and write a constitution, discuss and approve the financial aspect of the change, address individual policy and procedures for each sport, and discuss the Fine Arts programs and Junior High activities.
When asked about why the school district didn’t change conferences earlier, Gauffin said, “We had tried to form a new conference of more local schools before, but it was not the ‘right time’, so the WCC became our best option.”
It turned out to not be a great option primarily because of the travel issues. Gauffin said that it was difficult for fans and parents to get to some of the games because of the distance, and “passing through St. Cloud was a very unique issue for several trips.” It also cost about $500 for transportation each trip, whereas the new conference will be about $300.
Brandon Ostien, a coach and teacher at Mora High School, said, “I think it will save the school a lot of money, not having to travel as far.” Ostien also thinks that the new conference will not create problems because of long trips and having to get back late on week nights.
Parent of two high school athletes Sharon Weaver agrees, saying, “I think it is good. Not as far to drive and it should be good competition with the schools in the conference.”
Kolberg, Samantha Weaver, and Paige Thielen are all juniors at Mora High School and have experienced many times the problems with the WCC. They all mentioned that the long bus rides and late nights were hard, especially with all the homework they had. All three agree that the new conference will have some good things about it, as well as not so good things.
Kolberg said, “The best part of it is that its closer and we might win more games, the worst part is that I think it will be worse competition.”
Weaver said, “I like that the towns are closer than the conference we’re in now. I think the worst part about the change is that we don’t know the competition as well, but I think they will be about the same level as the WCC.”
Thielen is mostly against the conference change saying, “I like the harder competition we have now, it makes us better. I also like the teams now because they are tougher and better than the teams we’ll have next year. I like that we will have more time for homework though.”
Gauffin agrees with the students that less travel time will be a huge benefit with the new towns. He thinks that the competition level will still be at a high level, even with WCC being “very, very competitive.” He says the new conference includes new towns that are somewhat bigger than Mora, but he expects them and the conference in general to be very competitive. Gauffin said, “A sense of commitment to the group is important, as schools left three different conferences to come together.”
Whether you are for or against the conference change, it’s coming next fall.
The Granite Ridge Conference includes Mora, Milaca, Foley, Princeton, Zimmerman, Little Falls, and St. Cloud Cathedral. Instead of traveling a typical hour and a half or more for games in the current conference, Mora’s longest conference trip is now about an hour.
After the Rum River Conference dissolved three years ago, Mora became an independent conference. Mora’s Athletic Director, Gary Gauffin, said that being independent often included more travel time than being in the West Central Conference (WCC).
The Minnesota State High School League had placed Mora in the WCC, but Mora athletes and coaches weren’t happy with it most of the time because they had multiple games a week that involved long travel times. Mora High School Junior Evan Kolberg said, “I like the conference change because it’s closer, we get home early, and we don’t have to leave school early and miss homework.”
This was what ultimately led Gauffin and the Mora School Board to start looking at options that would be a better fit for Mora. Trying to get several schools from different conferences to all come to an agreement and make the conference change at the same time was difficult, said Gauffin.
Gauffin said that getting the approval to change conferences from the school board and having to do withdrawal procedures from current conferences was one of the first steps they had to take to make the change.
Six months of meetings and procedures came next. After schools approved the change and withdrew from their previous conference, they had to meet and write a constitution, discuss and approve the financial aspect of the change, address individual policy and procedures for each sport, and discuss the Fine Arts programs and Junior High activities.
When asked about why the school district didn’t change conferences earlier, Gauffin said, “We had tried to form a new conference of more local schools before, but it was not the ‘right time’, so the WCC became our best option.”
It turned out to not be a great option primarily because of the travel issues. Gauffin said that it was difficult for fans and parents to get to some of the games because of the distance, and “passing through St. Cloud was a very unique issue for several trips.” It also cost about $500 for transportation each trip, whereas the new conference will be about $300.
Brandon Ostien, a coach and teacher at Mora High School, said, “I think it will save the school a lot of money, not having to travel as far.” Ostien also thinks that the new conference will not create problems because of long trips and having to get back late on week nights.
Parent of two high school athletes Sharon Weaver agrees, saying, “I think it is good. Not as far to drive and it should be good competition with the schools in the conference.”
Kolberg, Samantha Weaver, and Paige Thielen are all juniors at Mora High School and have experienced many times the problems with the WCC. They all mentioned that the long bus rides and late nights were hard, especially with all the homework they had. All three agree that the new conference will have some good things about it, as well as not so good things.
Kolberg said, “The best part of it is that its closer and we might win more games, the worst part is that I think it will be worse competition.”
Weaver said, “I like that the towns are closer than the conference we’re in now. I think the worst part about the change is that we don’t know the competition as well, but I think they will be about the same level as the WCC.”
Thielen is mostly against the conference change saying, “I like the harder competition we have now, it makes us better. I also like the teams now because they are tougher and better than the teams we’ll have next year. I like that we will have more time for homework though.”
Gauffin agrees with the students that less travel time will be a huge benefit with the new towns. He thinks that the competition level will still be at a high level, even with WCC being “very, very competitive.” He says the new conference includes new towns that are somewhat bigger than Mora, but he expects them and the conference in general to be very competitive. Gauffin said, “A sense of commitment to the group is important, as schools left three different conferences to come together.”
Whether you are for or against the conference change, it’s coming next fall.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Taylor Swift
Country artist Taylor Swift released Speak Now on October 25th and sold over a million copies in the first week. Speak Now is the follow-up album to her 2008 CD, Fearless, an album that sold over 2 million copies.
She wrote all 14 songs included on the album by herself about experiences she’s had. Swift says that some of the experiences are ones that everyone saw her go through and others are ones that few people knew about.
On Amazon’s Bestsellers ranking, Speak Now is currently #1 for both country and pop charts. Also, Speak Now is #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 album sales of the week and #1 for the country album sales of the week. Her first single, “Mine”, is playing frequently on both country and pop radio stations.
There has been speculation that some of her songs are written about Taylor Lautner, John Mayer, and also Kanye West. Swift has hidden clues about who her songs are about in the song lyrics, so look carefully!
The Speak Now World Tour 2011 is scheduled to include 87 shows in 19 countries spanning four continents. Tickets start at $25. Go to www.taylorswift.com for more information on buying tickets.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Mission Trip: Jamaica
Run-down buildings, homelessness, poverty, struggling families—these are probably not the words you’d expect someone to use when describing Jamaica. But if you’ve been on three mission trips to Jamaica and witnessed these things with your own eyes, like Ross Gunderson has, they would come as no surprise.
Gunderson is the interim youth director at The Rock, a non-denominational youth center in Mora, MN. He attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College for two years and put his full-time education on hold when he was hired.
The country and people of Jamaica are special to Gunderson because they have taught him many things. Even though many of the citizens are going through tough times, you never hear them complain. Gunderson says, “When I look back on these trips I’ve been on, all I remember the Jamaican people doing is smiling. They do a great job of not judging other people and this makes Jamaica an inviting place.”
When Gunderson was a high school freshman, he went on his first mission trip to Jamaica. Being the youngest member of the group, he was nervous and intimidated. At the same time, he feels that the first time you visit a third-world country it is the time that impacts you the most. He was surprised to see so much poverty and homelessness.
Gunderson feels that one should go into any mission trip with few expectations or pre-conceived ideas. He says, “If you prepare yourself with an open mind and the ability to be flexible on the trip, the rewards will be priceless.” And those rewards can come from many different places. Whether you are helping build a school, church or house; putting on a Bible school to teach local children about Jesus; or just visiting and listening to someone who needs to talk, you are touching lives.
Gunderson explains, “The Jamaican people love to see us come. They get a temporary dose of motivation, and their spirits are lifted when they see that someone does want to help them out. Just seeing us come makes their day better.”
One of those people that wanted to talk was Alfred, a Jamaican that Gunderson built a great friendship with. The group that Gunderson was traveling with met Alfred and got to know him, and then the next trip they went on, about two years later, they came back to the same area Alfred was in and Alfred decided to come to church with them. He then worshipped, prayed, and talked with some of the people from the group and decided to become a Christian. “It was so encouraging! It was my favorite experience on a trip. Since then he still calls and keeps in contact with me,” Gunderson states.
Alfred wasn’t the only Jamaican who was moved by the group’s love, however. Many Jamaicans wonder why people come all the way to Jamaica to help them build schools and churches and spend time with them. Gunderson explains, “This is what a missions trip is all about, and it gives us a chance to show them what it means to be a Christian, tell them about God’s love, and tell them how they can become a Christian.”
Gunderson says that even though the purpose of a mission trip is to serve and help other people, you always get something out of it, too. He says that because the trips are very demanding and cause you to get very tired from little sleep, lots of work, and stress, you improve your communication and listening skills, and grow both physically and spiritually.
“The whole trip is a way God can reveal himself. I see the work He is doing through me and it reminds me of how real He is,” Gunderson says. One of the mottos for a missions trip he went on was “It’s not about me”. He explains that this reflects the core of missions—to put God and others first and yourself last.
A mission trip isn’t always filled with happy memories, as was evident when Gunderson spent time in several orphanages. Most of the children there had severe disabilities. Many of them were taken there because their parents couldn’t afford to clothe, feed, or care for them. Gunderson thinks that it was challenging to connect with them because of the cultural differences we have, but he says that because a lot of them are “starved for attention,” most of the impact you make on them is through your actions, not your words.
For Ross Gunderson, using his life to make a difference depicts the Apostle Paul’s words in Acts 20:24 and gives his life meaning, “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.”
Gunderson is the interim youth director at The Rock, a non-denominational youth center in Mora, MN. He attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College for two years and put his full-time education on hold when he was hired.
The country and people of Jamaica are special to Gunderson because they have taught him many things. Even though many of the citizens are going through tough times, you never hear them complain. Gunderson says, “When I look back on these trips I’ve been on, all I remember the Jamaican people doing is smiling. They do a great job of not judging other people and this makes Jamaica an inviting place.”
When Gunderson was a high school freshman, he went on his first mission trip to Jamaica. Being the youngest member of the group, he was nervous and intimidated. At the same time, he feels that the first time you visit a third-world country it is the time that impacts you the most. He was surprised to see so much poverty and homelessness.
Gunderson feels that one should go into any mission trip with few expectations or pre-conceived ideas. He says, “If you prepare yourself with an open mind and the ability to be flexible on the trip, the rewards will be priceless.” And those rewards can come from many different places. Whether you are helping build a school, church or house; putting on a Bible school to teach local children about Jesus; or just visiting and listening to someone who needs to talk, you are touching lives.
Gunderson explains, “The Jamaican people love to see us come. They get a temporary dose of motivation, and their spirits are lifted when they see that someone does want to help them out. Just seeing us come makes their day better.”
One of those people that wanted to talk was Alfred, a Jamaican that Gunderson built a great friendship with. The group that Gunderson was traveling with met Alfred and got to know him, and then the next trip they went on, about two years later, they came back to the same area Alfred was in and Alfred decided to come to church with them. He then worshipped, prayed, and talked with some of the people from the group and decided to become a Christian. “It was so encouraging! It was my favorite experience on a trip. Since then he still calls and keeps in contact with me,” Gunderson states.
Alfred wasn’t the only Jamaican who was moved by the group’s love, however. Many Jamaicans wonder why people come all the way to Jamaica to help them build schools and churches and spend time with them. Gunderson explains, “This is what a missions trip is all about, and it gives us a chance to show them what it means to be a Christian, tell them about God’s love, and tell them how they can become a Christian.”
Gunderson says that even though the purpose of a mission trip is to serve and help other people, you always get something out of it, too. He says that because the trips are very demanding and cause you to get very tired from little sleep, lots of work, and stress, you improve your communication and listening skills, and grow both physically and spiritually.
“The whole trip is a way God can reveal himself. I see the work He is doing through me and it reminds me of how real He is,” Gunderson says. One of the mottos for a missions trip he went on was “It’s not about me”. He explains that this reflects the core of missions—to put God and others first and yourself last.
A mission trip isn’t always filled with happy memories, as was evident when Gunderson spent time in several orphanages. Most of the children there had severe disabilities. Many of them were taken there because their parents couldn’t afford to clothe, feed, or care for them. Gunderson thinks that it was challenging to connect with them because of the cultural differences we have, but he says that because a lot of them are “starved for attention,” most of the impact you make on them is through your actions, not your words.
For Ross Gunderson, using his life to make a difference depicts the Apostle Paul’s words in Acts 20:24 and gives his life meaning, “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.”
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Mora Cross-Country Team Shines
Junior Emma Johnson tied a school record at the Conference meet on Tuesday.
On a cold and sunny fall day, the Mora Mustang Cross-Country runners took to the trails at Trailview Middle School hoping to impress onlookers and opposing teams at the West-Central Conference North Meet in Mora.
And impress they did, with Emma Johnson running a race that tied the school record, Goodwin Amundson winning the Junior Varsity (JV) race, and many runners achieving personal best times.
Athletes obtaining these personal best times were: Emma Johnson, Bethany Coop, Samantha Weaver, Sam Johnson, Brent Schroeder, Austin Lick, Brendan Johnson, and Nick Fackler.
Team captains Andrew Coop and Emma Johnson, Bethany Coop and Sam Johnson all finished in the top 15 of their Varsity races and earned All-Conference honors.
The Mora Varsity girls placed third out of six complete teams and the Varsity boys placed second; finishing behind St. Cloud Cathedral. Mora’s JV teams both placed third overall. The Junior High runners also did well with both teams placing second.
Andrew Coop led the Varsity boys (4th place/17:00) followed shortly by Sam Johnson (15th/17:54), Tony Nikodym (18th/18:03), Noah Moravec (19th/18:04), Matthew Bostrom (18:20), Brent Schroeder (18:25), and Austin Lick (18:44).
On the girls’ Varsity side, Emma Johnson’s school record also brought her a fourth place finish (15:35). Johnson talked about her race that tied the school record, and said that she felt good during her race and was very excited when she saw her time on the clock. She was followed by Bethany Coop (15th/16:20), Kaitlyn LaFrance (20th/16:34), Ashlee Bahlmann (22nd/16:45), and Rachel Scullard (24th/16:51). Emily Leeb (17:35) and Amber Balvin (17:55) rounded out the Varsity team.
Junior Varsity boys were led by Goodwin Amundson’s first place finish (18:08). Coming in next were Brendan Johnson (8th/19:21), Jon Jones (12th/19:43), Shawn Strom (20:07), and Nick Fackler (20:48).
Rachel Hovland (7th/17:31) and Samantha Weaver (10th/17:39) were the first female Mora JV runners to come in. Rounding out the top five for Mora were Paige Thielen (14th/18:39), Jessica Mathison (18:44), and Jessica Yarger (19:03).
The Junior High boys’ team did very well with three top 10 finishes. Lucas Parsons (6th/11:51), Tyler Orr (8th/11:55), Keyan Weaver (9th/11:55), Calvin Cheney (13:30), and Owen Krueger (13:35) were the top five Mora finishers.
Maranda Bergstadt was the first finisher for the Mora Junior High girls with a fifth place finish (13:02). Amorette Johnson (6th/13:10), Daisy Dixon (12th/13:53), Brooke Oslin (14th/14:14), and Stephanie Brackenbury (23rd/15:07) rounded out Mora’s top finishers.
Coaches Chris Goebel and Rachel Norby were happy with how their home meet went. Coach Norby said, “This was the last race of the season for our junior varsity and junior high runners, and many of them ran their best races or close to best races of the season today. The whole team has been working hard all season, and it was great to see many of the runners perform so well today.”
The Varsity runners will compete at the Sections Meet in Pierz, scheduled for Thursday, October 28th. The races start at 4:00, so come and watch your Mora Cross-Country team!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A Life Filled With Sports Lessons
“Teamwork, hard work, self control, and respect are just a few things I learned and continue to use in my life.” If you heard someone say this, would you think they were talking about family? A job? For Nicole Willms, these important life lessons were learned while playing sports.
When she was three years old, she started playing tee-ball and thereafter was always on a field. Nicole’s two brothers and her parents played sports, so she always had ready coaches.
Nicole was introduced to many sports through the years, and she distinctly remembers one scene. “I can still remember the day my mom tried putting me in dance and I told her there was no way I was twirling in circles! I wanted to play in the dirt!”
At six years old she learned how to play soccer and played her “signature” sport for the next 15 years. She started on the varsity team throughout high school. Nicole also ran track because she “had a lot of speed and it was put to good use.”
Nicole didn’t play softball in high school, but she now plays several nights a week. She even coaches her two and a half- and seven-year old children in the sport because she enjoys watching them learn how to play the sport she loves.
Nicole says, “I enjoy what each sport/team has brought to my life and taught me.” Life lessons and happiness often come from playing sports, and Nicole is living proof of that.
When she was three years old, she started playing tee-ball and thereafter was always on a field. Nicole’s two brothers and her parents played sports, so she always had ready coaches.
Nicole was introduced to many sports through the years, and she distinctly remembers one scene. “I can still remember the day my mom tried putting me in dance and I told her there was no way I was twirling in circles! I wanted to play in the dirt!”
At six years old she learned how to play soccer and played her “signature” sport for the next 15 years. She started on the varsity team throughout high school. Nicole also ran track because she “had a lot of speed and it was put to good use.”
Nicole didn’t play softball in high school, but she now plays several nights a week. She even coaches her two and a half- and seven-year old children in the sport because she enjoys watching them learn how to play the sport she loves.
Nicole says, “I enjoy what each sport/team has brought to my life and taught me.” Life lessons and happiness often come from playing sports, and Nicole is living proof of that.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Interview Transcript
Could you tell me about yourself and give me some ideas of what to interview you on; such as an event or interest/hobby?
I enjoy playing sports, softball, volleyball and broomball. I have 2 kids, 7 and 2 1/2. I work full time in a dr. office and go to school full time in hopes of being an RN. My family is the most important thing in my life.
When did you start playing sports and what interested you about them in the first place?
I have grown up playing sports. I started when I was 3 years old playing teeball (we hit off the tee). I was always at a baseball/softball field
growing up. As the years went on I was introduced to other sports in hopes of liking it! I can still remember to this day when my mom tried putting me in dance and I told her there was no way I was twirling in circles!! I wanted to play in the dirt!! So, I tried basketball at one point in my life and I was okay with it however, I was just too aggressive, what would you expect because I
have two brothers!!
Did you play sports with your family often, which ones?
I had a brother who was 2 years older than me. Plus, my mom and dad were still playing competitive adult softball. I think that's where I got the interest to play ball.
What is your favorite sport and why?
I was introduced to soccer when I was 6 and absolutely loved it!! I played all year round for the next 15 years!
During high school and college did you join any sports teams, which ones?
I played all four years at the varsity level in high school (soccer). I started as a freshman and every year after. In high school I also ran track. I had a lot of speed and it was put to good use. I was all conference in both sports. I neglected to play softball in high school because I wasn’t big a fan of fastpitch. I thought it was too slow and it's a pitcher, catcher game.
What was the biggest life lesson or skill that you learned while playing sports, (such as teamwork)?
I enjoy what each sport/team has brought to my life and taught me. Teamwork, hard work, self control, and respect are just a few things I learned and have been able to continue to use in my life.
Why do you enjoy playing sports?
I enjoy what each sport/team has brought to my life.
Have you ever coached a team? If so, how was that experience?
I have two younger children (7 and 2/12) who I coach and enjoy it very much. I like being able to watch them learn a sport that I love.
Have sports ever been a huge/important part of your life?
To this day I continue playing softball several nights a week and weekends.
How were the coaches that you had, did they put a lot of pressure on you?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sleep Deprivation A Huge Problem
Hannah Swanson
Chapter 11 Exercise 4
October 7, 2010
“Going without enough sleep is as much of a public and personal safety hazard as going to work drunk.” Diana Gant, a professor in the Psychology Department at Anoka Ramsey Community College, has been studying sleep for over 17 years and has found the above statement to be true.
Gant says that the average person gets about seven hours of sleep a night, while the recommended amount for most people is nine to ten hours. She says that, just like people exercise because it’s healthy, people need adequate sleep because it’s healthy.
Sleep deprivation can cause many problems, and Gant gives us these examples: your clothes might feel heavy, you may become very drowsy after lunch, you can become depressed, and you could even fall asleep at the wheel.
As a professor, Gant wants to continue learning and be able to share some of her observations. This is why she decided to study traffic accidents the day after people lose an hour to daylights saving’s time in the spring and also the day after people gain an hour in the fall.
Gant found that there was an 8 percent increase in accidents the day after the time change in the spring. When people gain an hour of sleep, she found that there was a decrease in the number of accidents reported.
“…when people get up just an hour early it’s the equivalent of a national jet leg. The effect can last a week,” says Gant of the time changes.
If you’re wondering how you can solve your sleep deprivation problem Gant says almost everyone in her field agrees on what you can do. The first step is to find a place to sleep that is very dark and quiet. To relax yourself, watch TV or read a book for about an hour before you go to bed. The temperature in your room should be cool, about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
For a good night’s sleep she recommends not drinking alcohol or caffeine and avoiding food, especially foods with a lot of sugar. These can disturb your sleep because your brain becomes much more alert. Most importantly, Gant says to have a comfortable bed with clean and fresh bed linens.
Chapter 11 Exercise 4
October 7, 2010
“Going without enough sleep is as much of a public and personal safety hazard as going to work drunk.” Diana Gant, a professor in the Psychology Department at Anoka Ramsey Community College, has been studying sleep for over 17 years and has found the above statement to be true.
Gant says that the average person gets about seven hours of sleep a night, while the recommended amount for most people is nine to ten hours. She says that, just like people exercise because it’s healthy, people need adequate sleep because it’s healthy.
Sleep deprivation can cause many problems, and Gant gives us these examples: your clothes might feel heavy, you may become very drowsy after lunch, you can become depressed, and you could even fall asleep at the wheel.
As a professor, Gant wants to continue learning and be able to share some of her observations. This is why she decided to study traffic accidents the day after people lose an hour to daylights saving’s time in the spring and also the day after people gain an hour in the fall.
Gant found that there was an 8 percent increase in accidents the day after the time change in the spring. When people gain an hour of sleep, she found that there was a decrease in the number of accidents reported.
“…when people get up just an hour early it’s the equivalent of a national jet leg. The effect can last a week,” says Gant of the time changes.
If you’re wondering how you can solve your sleep deprivation problem Gant says almost everyone in her field agrees on what you can do. The first step is to find a place to sleep that is very dark and quiet. To relax yourself, watch TV or read a book for about an hour before you go to bed. The temperature in your room should be cool, about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
For a good night’s sleep she recommends not drinking alcohol or caffeine and avoiding food, especially foods with a lot of sugar. These can disturb your sleep because your brain becomes much more alert. Most importantly, Gant says to have a comfortable bed with clean and fresh bed linens.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Obituary
Hannah Swanson, a 16-year-old junior at Mora High School, died yesterday evening from unknown causes. She loved to play sports and be with her family and friends. She was mostly excited about being done with high school soon. Her future was undecided, but she was thinking about broadcast journalism or being an ultrasound technician.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Budget Fight
County commissioners and the county sheriff faced off on Thursday afternoon over new police cruisers, sheriff’s deputies, and county funds. “You’re putting the lives of people of this county in jeopardy,” said Sheriff Gus DiCesari.
DiCesari was talking to Commission President Anne Chenn about his request for new cruisers and five new deputies. DiCesari said that eight of the older cruisers have over 150,000 miles each on them and need to be replaced. Buying new vehicles would cost $580,000 over and above the county’s $127 million budget. Chenn said that there is not enough money to carry out the requests, and the commissioners voted 5-2 against the proposal.
The sheriff replied by saying, “This is the first time in my 27 years as sheriff that the county hasn’t allocated money to the sheriff’s department to buy equipment. My deputies can’t keep driving these old vehicles. Something bad is going to happen.”
Later on in the meeting, Commissioner Anita Shenuski discussed why she does not want money to be spent on programs helping migrant workers in the county. She explained by saying, “We never had problems until we began letting migrants come…they are a problem for our law enforcement, our schools and our health care system. They take away jobs from decent people and work for next to nothing and if something gets stolen, you can bet it is one of them that’s taken it. We need to protect local residents from them.”
Chenn denied that immigrants are a problem saying, “Those people who come here to work are decent, hardworking people being employed at jobs that local residents don’t want to do. They add a great deal to the local economy and they pay taxes. You are being a hypocrite when you try to blame those people for everything.”
DiCesari was talking to Commission President Anne Chenn about his request for new cruisers and five new deputies. DiCesari said that eight of the older cruisers have over 150,000 miles each on them and need to be replaced. Buying new vehicles would cost $580,000 over and above the county’s $127 million budget. Chenn said that there is not enough money to carry out the requests, and the commissioners voted 5-2 against the proposal.
The sheriff replied by saying, “This is the first time in my 27 years as sheriff that the county hasn’t allocated money to the sheriff’s department to buy equipment. My deputies can’t keep driving these old vehicles. Something bad is going to happen.”
Later on in the meeting, Commissioner Anita Shenuski discussed why she does not want money to be spent on programs helping migrant workers in the county. She explained by saying, “We never had problems until we began letting migrants come…they are a problem for our law enforcement, our schools and our health care system. They take away jobs from decent people and work for next to nothing and if something gets stolen, you can bet it is one of them that’s taken it. We need to protect local residents from them.”
Chenn denied that immigrants are a problem saying, “Those people who come here to work are decent, hardworking people being employed at jobs that local residents don’t want to do. They add a great deal to the local economy and they pay taxes. You are being a hypocrite when you try to blame those people for everything.”
Thursday, September 9, 2010
First News Story
With bodies lying on the road, people covered in blood sitting near their cars, emergency personnel moving everywhere trying to help victims, and sirens screaming their arrival, Interstate 790 looked like a war zone. This was how local fire chief Tony Sullivan described the aftermath of a 14 car and four tractor-trailer pile-up that happened at 6:45 a.m. this morning.
With two people dead, 20 injured, and two of the most seriously injured flown to the trauma center in Statesville, Sullivan says this is the worst accident he has seen in his 18 years of service. It all started when two tractor-trailers collided, one of them carrying diesel fuel, in the northbound lanes of Interstate 790. All of the city’s fire department’s ambulances arrived at the scene, as well as some from four area cities. Emergency personnel were rushing around trying to help all the victims, while police officers tried to figure out which people were drivers, who were passengers, and who the vehicles belonged to, said Sgt. Albert Wei.
Interstate 690, the alternative route drivers took after the accident, was backed up for three hours after the accident. The traffic problems may continue because Wei is not sure when Interstate 790 will open again.
With two people dead, 20 injured, and two of the most seriously injured flown to the trauma center in Statesville, Sullivan says this is the worst accident he has seen in his 18 years of service. It all started when two tractor-trailers collided, one of them carrying diesel fuel, in the northbound lanes of Interstate 790. All of the city’s fire department’s ambulances arrived at the scene, as well as some from four area cities. Emergency personnel were rushing around trying to help all the victims, while police officers tried to figure out which people were drivers, who were passengers, and who the vehicles belonged to, said Sgt. Albert Wei.
Interstate 690, the alternative route drivers took after the accident, was backed up for three hours after the accident. The traffic problems may continue because Wei is not sure when Interstate 790 will open again.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Summary
http://www.startribune.com/local/north/101846778.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUs
A Coon Rapids father was warned of a fire in his house Monday--not by the fire alarm, but by the family dog. Officials say family members got out safely thanks to the dog. The fire was started by a cigarette on the porch, and damages are estimated at $300,000.
A Coon Rapids father was warned of a fire in his house Monday--not by the fire alarm, but by the family dog. Officials say family members got out safely thanks to the dog. The fire was started by a cigarette on the porch, and damages are estimated at $300,000.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Introduction
My name is Hannah Swanson. I'm a junior at Mora High School and this is my first year at Anoka Ramsey. I decided to do an online class because of its convenience aspects. I chose this particular class because it sounded very interesting and something that I wanted to learn more about. In the future I'm thinking about a career in sports broadcasting and I thought that this would help me get a better idea of how it all works. I hope that this class helps my overall writing habits and also teaches me about all the aspects of journalism and how media affects the world.
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