Blog #18

This article is about The National September 11 Memorial Museum that was dedicated today, and will be opening on May 21 to the general public. The ground zero museum leads people on an unsettling journey through the terror attacks, with forays into their lead up and legacy. There are scenes of horror, including videos of the skyscrapers collapsing and people falling from them. But there are also symbols of heroism, ranging from damaged fire trucks to the wristwatch of one of the airline passengers who confronted the hijackers. The museum and memorial plaza were built for $700 million in donations and tax dollars. Former President George W. Bush issued a statement saying the museum will "help ensure that our nation remembers the lessons of September 11." At the base level, 70 feet below ground, there are such artifacts as a mangled piece of an antenna from atop the trade center and a fire truck cab. Then, galleries plunge visitors into the chaos of September 11: fragments of planes, a set of keys to the trade center, the dust-covered shoes of those who fled the skyscrapers' collapse, emergency radio transmissions and office workers calling loved ones, even a recording of an astronaut solemnly describing the smoke plume from the International Space Station. Sprinkled in are snippets about the 19 hijackers, including photos of them on an inconspicuous panel. This memorial sounds awesome and I hope I will be able to visit it one day.


This article relates to United States Government and Politics because it discusses the building of a national memorial in honor of the terrible attacks on the twin towers on September 11, 2001. It was built from donations and tax dollars.


http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140515/APA/305159911?tc=ar

Blog #17

This article is about women aiding in gangs' crimes. Wilmington Police Department's community relations officer, Linda Rawley, explains that whenever you find a gang, there is normally a group of women working with them. Renting houses for gang-associated friends or ferrying messages back and forth during jail visits were among the examples Rawley gives of the roles women play in gangs. The family structure and social cred that draw young men into gangs are just as appealing to women growing up in the same circumstances. Dominique Olivia Gibbs is an example of one of these such women. She was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling in connection with the January 19 shootout death of 18-year-old Raequan Dupree Rouse. Gibbs, who was 16 at the time of her arrest, was one of four people charged in Rouse's death. Women are now being charged as accomplices in these gang crimes. When gang members are arrested, the police start looking at the females that are affiliated with them. They ask them questions about their nicknames, who their friends and family are, and who their boyfriend is. Investigators also monitor social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.

This article relates to United States Government and Politics because it talks about gang violence and the punishments that are being given to gang members and those affiliated with gang members.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140428/ARTICLES/140429644/1037/news?p=1&tc=pg

Blog #16

This article talks about Queen Azalea Kirsten Haglund and her trip to Wilmington. She first stopped at Pine Valley Elementary School, where the kids sang and danced to the song Roar by Katy Perry. She then stopped at New Hanover Regional Medical Center for a visit with patients and parents staying at the Betty H. Cameron Women's and Children's Hospital. 10 year-old Allison Heath got the opportunity to wear Haglund's crown. The nurse said that she hadn't smiled or laughed since she had been in the hospital, and that this would make kids' days for several weeks to come. The queen wrapped up the day by visiting the Brigade Boys and Girls Club. I think that the Azalea Festival is a great way for the community to come together and celebrate. I also think it is great the the Azalea Queen would go visit all these people to help brighten their days.
This relates to Government and Politics because it deals with the media and how they let others know what the azalea queen is doing while she is here in Wilmington.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140410/ARTICLES/140419979/1004/ARTICLES?p=1&tc=pg

Blog #15

This article is about a teen who was found guilty on Monday of first-degree murder in the April 2012 shooting of Keith Gachett in Hallsboro. Marquice Alexander Antone, who is now 18, could spend the rest of his life when sentenced this morning by Superior Court Judge Gregory. Because Antone was 16 at the time of the killing, the judge could opt to sentence him to life in prison with parole possible after 25 years instead of life without parole, according to the Columbus County District Attorney's Office. Antone, along with 2 others, robbed and killed Gachett, 46, on April 13, 2012. I just don't understand why so many people are killing other people, especially a teenager. I am 18 and I could not even imagine spending the rest of my life in prison.
This relates to United States Government and Politics because it deals with the court system and dealing with the sentencing for crimes.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140325/ARTICLES/140329800/1037/news?Title=Teen-found-guilty-of-murder-in-2012-shooting-death-&tc=ar

Blog #14

Tomorrow will be the 25th anniversary of Best Foot Forward. It began in 1989 as a way for students to win money for their schools. Dianne Avery, the district's former community relations director, worked with parents, local businesses, and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce to fund a mini-grant program. Teachers could receive $500 dollars, for example, to pay for a special class project. But Avery and her team needed a way to decide who would get the money. So Best Foot Forward was born. Back then, schools had to audition to be included in the performance, and the top performers took home the rewards. The format changed in 2005, giving one-third of the elementary schools, one-half of the middle schools, and all the high schools a spot in the show each year. This year, sixteen schools are participating. I think that Best Foot Forward is a great way for students to show their talents to other people. Also, it's a great way to make new friends. I was in Best Foot Forward when I was little and I had so much fun.

This relates to US Government and Politics because it discusses the ways that schools used to get funding by letting students show off their talents.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140313/ARTICLES/140319841/1004/ARTICLES?p=1&tc=pg

Blog #13

This article describes a student from New Hanover that was arrested Monday night during a basketball game. The arrest came after deputies were called at 9:18 about a stolen cell phone. When the deputies approached the student, they could smell an odor of marijuana on him. During a search of the 15 year old, a deputy found heroin. When asked if the boy had anything else on him, he admitted that he also had a .22 caliber handgun. The stolen cell phone was also recovered, but the victim is not pressing charges. The teen was taken to juvenile detention where he was booked on charges of possession of heroin and possession of a weapon on school grounds. I don't know why anyone would have a gun or drugs on them, especially at a school! That is just ridiculous! I think that there needs to be more control on who can have guns because obviously there is not enough control on that.

This article relates to United States Government and Politics because it deals with crime and punishment. It talked about this teenager being charged with possession of heroin and a weapon on school grounds and that he was take to juvenile detention.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140225/ARTICLES/140229793/1037/news?Title=New-Hanover-High-student-facing-drug-weapon-charges

Blog #12

This article is about Marshall Doran, who killed two men Thursday night. A truck driver had hit a patch of ice and had spun out of control. Two other cars stopped to help him: Nathaniel Williams and Larry Kepley. Doran hit both men while driving around the right side of the truck, and drove away. Authorities later found him hiding in a wooded area before he emerged and was arrested. The UNCW student was charged with two counts of felony death by motor vehicle, felony hit-and-run causing death, reckless driving with wanton disregard for others, driving while impaired, possession of a Schedule 2 drug, and resisting arrest. His bail has been set at $500,000. I think it is just ridiculous that two innocent men trying to help out someone in need were murdered. Marshall Doran should not have been driving because he was drunk. And he had drugs in his car!
This relates to United States Government and Politics because it deals with the court system. It deals with charging people for their crimes and setting bails.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140214/ARTICLES/140219825/1037/news?p=1&tc=pg