Blog #13

When I took this course, I definitely had my own ideas of what journalism was like. I write things and read articles all the time and honestly, it seemed at first like a very easy style. I was certainly wrong. Writing an article is much harder than it looks.

Before reading about Libel, I had no idea that journalists could impact people’s lives so negatively. I always thought it was as simple as gathering some information and then making a summary…but there are so many things that you need to consider. A simple “slip of the pen” and suddenly you’ve ruined the credibility of someone you may have never met. It takes a lot of guts and a lot of responsibility to be a journalist. I now have a better appreciation of the saying, “the pen is mightier than the sword.”

As someone who writes fiction as a hobby, I never put very much thought into the news-writing style. It always seemed very boring and more than once I wanted to spice things up and add a few exaggerated details, but I quickly realized that news is not fiction writing…it’s real life. Writing to me is at times like art, and having to stick to a certain style was definitely frustrating. But now that I’ve learned the importance of staying objective, it makes much more sense why it has to be that way. If I was allowed to just add whatever embellishments and details I wanted, it wouldn’t be accurate and that’s part of your job as journalist, to tell people what’s going on.

So overall, after taking this course, I now have a better appreciation of what it’s like to be a journalist. It takes a lot of skill, responsibility and good judgment to be effective and by no means is it easy. A lot of thought goes into an article, much more than I would’ve ever guessed. I don’t intend to ever be a journalist, but I think it’s still good to know because now I can better reflect on my own work as a writer. It was a very valuable experience I think.

Enterprise Story (rough draft)

Students Need To Get More Involved With Their Campus

First and foremost, Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) is a place to learn. But there’s more to the college experience than just getting a degree. As the saying goes, it’s the journey, not the destination and the staff at ARCC aims to make that journey as positive and meaningful as they can by sponsoring clubs and activities for students. There is concern however that students aren’t taking advantage of these opportunities and that they could benefit from being more involved in campus life.

As Kyle Johnson, both a student at ARCC and the president of the student government explained, Anoka-Ramsey wants to give students every opportunity to learn and grow. “Participating in clubs and activities gives students the opportunity to gain skills in leadership, meet new friends, and have new experiences,” said Johnson.

Clubs like Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) are especially good for building leadership. PTK does a lot of volunteer projects around Cambridge and around campus. It looks good on resumes and students can gain a lot of valuable experience, explained Johnson.

Students can choose from a variety of clubs to participate in. Most clubs meet a few times a week and range from art to psychology to politics. A full list can be viewed on the campus website as well as in the student activities office. Clubs offer students the chance to meet other people with similar interests. “Making friends is a big part of the college experience and this is an excellent way for them to do that,” said Johnson.

The campus also has numerous activities for students to participate in during the year such as the “stress free week” which offers free activities, food and entertainment to help students relax before finals. Other activities include dances, such as the Blue Grass Chicken Dance and guest speakers who come to the college to talk to students about various cultural, social, and political issues.

Despite all the opportunities students are given however, many choose not to participate. “The college has money set aside for these activities, which are free to students, and we think they should be taking advantage of it. Clubs that don’t get enough members end up being cut and activities that don’t get students, we just won’t do them anymore and that’s really not fair to the ones that do show up,” explained Johnson.

As Cindi Gilbert, the Student Activities Coordinator at ARCC explained, “Each club wants to be successful by having at least 6 or more members attending meetings and helping with events.  Clubs may do less events if they have less people working on them.”

“We do all of this for the students,” said Johnson “It’s unfortunate when students don’t participate because they’re missing out on a lot of great opportunities.” Part of what makes coming to Anoka-Ramsey a great experience is being able to connect to other students and make the college experience more than just earning a degree, he explained.

Why students aren’t participating is a question that members of the Student Activities Office are trying to address, but there are many factors.

 Miranda Baldwin, a student at ARCC, said that while she occasionally attends events, she often doesn’t have the time to commit to a club. Between doing homework and trying to find a job, she explained, it isn’t her top priority right now.

“Most students are quite busy in their home lives with children and work.  It takes extra time and commitment to get involved in clubs,” explained Gilbert. According to Johnson, a large percentage of the student body is comprised of non-traditional students over the age of 25, many of whom are juggling multiple jobs and have other priorities.

Another factor is that ARCC is a transfer school. “I’ve heard a lot of people say they don't get involved in things because it's only a two year campus,” Baldwin said. “Making friends and joining clubs isn’t their main goal. They just want to get a degree move on to the next college.”

So how should the campus go about encouraging more students to participate? “I think the best way is for club members to bring one person each into their clubs.  Personal interactions work the best,” said Gilbert.

“Scheduling things so that it’s more convenient for people is one thing,” said Johnson. “Another thing we could do is advertise ahead of time. Getting the word out to people is really important because if people don’t know about it, they won’t show up.” Johnson also explained that many teachers offer students extra credit for attending events and writing a report about it. While it does encourage attendance, Johnson doesn’t believe it should be done that way. “Students should be willing to go. They should want to go because they want to have fun.”

Student participation affects not only one student, but also many others attending the campus. ARCC offers many clubs, activities, and programs that can enrich the students’ experience on campus and lead to better learning. It is up to students to decide whether they want to take advantage of these opportunities.

Press Release

Mall of America                                                                            

60 E Broadway

Bloomington, MN 55425

                                

                               For Immediate Release

CONTACT: John Doe

Office phone: (301) 555-1212

Cell Phone: (301) 999-444

E-mail: johnd@hotmail.com

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR CHRISTINE MAXWELL WILL DO BOOKSIGNING

Fans of Christine Maxwell’s horror fiction book series can now have the opportunity to meet the author in person at a book signing at Mall of America this Friday and Saturday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. While normally illusive, Maxwell has decided to meet with her fans and promote her newest book, “Palace of Sand.”

Maxwell had this to say about the upcoming event, “Sometimes when I write, I forget that I’m not only doing this for myself anymore. It’s the fans that have brought me this far and I think this will be a great opportunity to thank them and interact with them.”

Maxwell has been writing books for almost a decade now, with four best-selling novels and a movie under her belt with another potential contender on the way. Fans are encouraged to bring their favorite book copies for autographs as well as pick up a copy of Maxwell’s newest novel being released this weekend. The first 100 people will receive a free copy of the book and have it personally autographed.

(###)

ARCC Student Overcomes Hardships While Earning Her Degree

Being a straight A student often takes commitment, determination, and drive. For Miranda Baldwin, a student attending Anoka-Ramsey Community College, it means that and much more after overcoming poverty and near homelessness.

Baldwin began attending Anoka-Ramsey Community College after graduating from Cambridge high school in 2009. Baldwin chose to attend the Cambridge campus because it was close to home, only a 20-minute bike ride. The college’s reputation for friendly staff and affordable classes was also what drew her to it.

“I want to be a scientist in a lab and do research, whether it be the cure for cancer or finding new fuel resources,” said Baldwin. She hopes to earn an Associates degree in science at Anoka-Ramsey, and then transfer to Mankato to earn a Bachelors degree in biological sciences.

Baldwin’s life is not without problems, however. Baldwin has had a history of poverty. “When I was younger, my mom essentially had to raise three kids on a minimum wage salary,” said Baldwin. “Sometimes she got child support, sometimes she didn’t.” Baldwin explained that being a single mother was tough on all of them. Herself, her sister, and her brother didn’t always get the best toys and their food often came from the food shelf. “It was embarrassing to admit to your friends that you were the one eating the food being donated at the school can drive,” Baldwin recalled.

Two years after graduating high school, Baldwin’s mother is still the only one with a job. Baldwin explained that she has done her best to find work. She has applied for various jobs, only to be turned away because of her college schedule. “A lot of people want full time workers who can come in and work overtime. I’m a college student and I have other priorities, so I guess it just doesn’t always work out,” said Baldwin.

Without a steady income, Baldwin has had to rely on grants and scholarships to pay for rent and school. “Without the grants, I probably wouldn’t even be able to come here,” Baldwin said. While she still lives with her mother, she describes the living conditions as tenuous at best. “My sister moved out a while ago, but there are still three people living on one paycheck,” Baldwin explained.

Last year was especially tough, recalled Baldwin. The rent on her mother’s apartment had gone up and she couldn’t support all three family members anymore. Baldwin had to move out. “It was a terrible, unsettling experience, never knowing where you were going to sleep or when you’d get your next shower,” she said.

 Baldwin moved between friends and family, sleeping in a different bed almost every night. “I think I moved eight or nine times that year,” said Baldwin. “First I moved up to Duluth with my dad for a few months, then I was with my boyfriend for a couple months. I didn’t have a job so I couldn’t pay them rent.”

Baldwin recalled the experience of constantly moving and living with different people as sometimes difficult. “Every person and place was different. When I lived with my dad, I had to deal with living in a bat and spider infested basement. Living with some of my friends, it was a very Darwinian experience where you tried to eat the groceries and hoard your food first, otherwise, you were stuck buying your own food,” Baldwin explained. In the end, she was thankful for the support from her friends. “Without them,” she said, “I would’ve probably been on the streets.”

During this time, Baldwin was still attending Anoka-Ramsey Community College. She was determined to earn her Associates degree and enrolled full time. “It was tough, but I managed to keep my GPA above a 3.7,” said Baldwin. She received high grades in all her classes that year and landed a part time job working at the campus bookstore for the summer.

After almost a year of moving around, Baldwin’s mother found a cheaper apartment and she was allowed to move back in. With four years to go before graduating, Baldwin can look back and find some comfort in the fact that she is doing something to change her situation for the better. By earning her degree, she hopes to not only become independent and financially secure, but also to pursue her passion in science.

ARCC instructor discusses yearly class field trip to South Dakota

Jeff Knapp, an instructor at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, has a passion for science and the outdoors. Each year he shares this enthusiasm with students by bringing them on a weeklong camping trip into the wilderness of South Dakota where they can experience classroom material in real life.

The camping trip has been a favorite part of Knapp’s Geology course since 2005, when he first proposed the idea. “I identified it as something that was missing at this campus,” Said Knapp. Growing up, he took many outdoor fieldtrips with his classmates and has fond memories of these experiences. Instead of having a normal lab component with the class, Knapp decided to replace it with the weeklong trip and get students outside.

“I enjoy interacting with young adults and students because I grew up doing these activities,” Knapp explained. “If I don’t take these students out there, who will?” Students gain only so much from textbooks and homework assignments. Knapp wants them to get as much out of his class as possible and taking them on this camping trip is an excellent way for them to learn and gain experience working in the field.

“I’m trying to make something available to students to get them excited about learning,” Knapp further explained. He believes that students can benefit from seeing real life examples from the textbook such as rock formations and fossils. He also wants to give students the opportunity to experience something new outside the classroom.

“You gain so much life experience by doing these things, not just academic experience,” said Mr. Knapp. Students will get the real camping experience when they come on the trip. Students will have the basic amenities such as running water, showers, and toilets since they’ll be staying at a campground. They will however be sleeping outside in sleeping bags and will be responsible for cooking their own food on a campfire and cleaning up after themselves.

The trip is designed to be both a fun experience and a culmination of everything learned in the course. Students will be given a journal to keep track of different things they see on the trip such as rock formations, stratification in rock layers, and the formation of minerals and different type of landmasses. They will also be encouraged to make sketches and take pictures of what they see.

Along with learning about geology, students will have the opportunity to explore many different areas of South Dakota, including caves, state parks, museums, abandoned mines, and fossil dig sites. Students will also be kept busy with a variety of activities such as hiking, panning for gold and watching local wildlife.

Mr. Knapp’s geology course is only offered during the summer on the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Cambridge Campus. The eight week course is open to everybody and costs the same as a regular four credit course plus a $300 fee which covers lodging, food, and transportation for a week. If students are interested, Mr. Knapp has information about the course on his website at www.geo-site.net.

Men tal Health and Wellness Event

Mental Health and Wellness Event

Cordelia Anderson, a prominent speaker and advocate for the prevention of sexual violence, spoke at Anoka Ramsey Community College’s Mental Health and Wellness event yesterday afternoon.

Students and faculty alike were encouraged to take part in the event and talk to various local agencies and organizations whose booths lined the hallways. Some of the groups included the Vet Center, which helps council and rehabilitate veterans, and the Green Dot program, whose goal is to prevent violence and assault by encouraging people to speak up. Students were given a variety of resources as well as free screening for depression, PTSD, and mood disorders.

The highlight of the event was a visit from Cordelia Anderson, a well known speaker with 35 years of experience working with abuse victims and their abusers. Anderson runs Sensibilities and Prevention Services, which offers training and consultation and works with a number of organizations dedicated to ending sexual violence.

Anderson’s speech focused on the “Demand the Change” program launched by MNCASA, the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The program’s goal is to prevent commercial sexual exploitation and sexual violence by encouraging people to speak out against it and change the way it is viewed by society.

“The reality is, we live in a sexually toxic and pornified environment,” began Anderson. She referred to a number of pictures in her slideshow, ranging from billboard ads to children’s toys, explaining that while are there a lot of sexual messages used in advertising and media today, very few of them offer a healthy view of sexuality in general and many promote gender stereotypes.

In her many years working to prevent sexual violence, Anderson focused on teaching others how to not be victimized. Today, she addresses the bigger picture of what causes these problems and why they persist.

One of the problems she discussed was how sexual violence and sexual exploitation have become normal, accepted aspects of society, making it difficult to for people to speak up or recognize it. “If it’s just the way it is, if it’s perfectly normal, we’re not gonn’a speak up,” Anderson said.

“We are a consumer culture, and sex is a commodity,” Anderson further explained. She referred to the supply and demand aspect of society as another problem. Advertising, she said, especially products geared toward men, uses women’s bodies to sell products and promote the idea of women as commodities.

Anderson also explained how industries and the media reinforce and promote sexual violence and exploitation by influencing trends and redefining what is normal and acceptable, creating expectations in both men and women and defining what their roles are in society. These kinds of messages can also be profitable. “People make a lot of money knowing how to draw us in,” Anderson said.

Because many of these ideas are rooted in today’s popular culture, change is not easy. Many people do not want to act against what is normal, even if it means letting harmful trends continue, Anderson explained. People can help change these perceptions by speaking up, becoming socially accountable, and inspiring others to change as well.

Interview with Nicole Zur

Interview with Nicole Zur

Nicole Zur has always had a passion for the written word. It was this same passion that inspired her to pursue a career in a field she loves.

Nicole’s interest in reading began at an early age, when she began to read at two years old. As a toddler, she would read to her family and babysitters for fun. Over the years, she continued to excel at reading as well as her other pastime, writing.

“Because I like to read so much, naturally, I began to love writing,” Nicole Said. She enrolled in a variety of different classes ranging from business writing and creative writing to the study of British literature. Nicole had found something she enjoyed and excelled at.

Nicole had been going to school a year in a half for a Ph.D. in pharmacy when she decided to switch majors. Many members of her family had a Ph.D. and she felt pressured to earn one herself. “Eventually, I came to accept that pharmacy really wasn't what I wanted, but what my family wanted for me.” Nicole was apprehensive about announcing her decision to her parents, fearing that they wouldn’t support her, but this was not the case. Her parents encouraged her to follow her passion and were surprised that she hadn’t pursued it earlier.

Today, Nicole is majoring in journalism with a minor in public relations. She began taking her undergrad classes this semester, and has two years left before she is finished. Nicole hopes to become a book editor and publish a fiction novel she has been working on.

Transcript

Interview Transcript:

Q:  What is your favorite hobby? 

A: I love to read. I know it sounds boring, but it's my favorite thing to do. 

Q:  What is it about this activity (or thing) that you like the most and why?

A: My favorite things about reading are that it's an enriching source of entertainment. I feel like I'm actually putting my brain cells to use, rather than wasting them staring at the television. I like that when I read, time seems to pass more slowly and makes my days longer. The thing that I like the most about reading is that it activates my imagination and inspires me to daydream about things. Sometimes, when I'm reading really imaginative books, like Stardust, I can imagine the fantastical worlds that the characters live in.

Q: How long have you been doing this hobby?

A: My mom tells me that I was two when I started learning to read. She says she was amazed, because by the time I was in preschool, I could read better than my babysitters. When I was a toddler, I used to read to my family and babysitters for fun. As I got older and spent even more time reading, I began to really excel at it.

Q: Why did you start it?

A: I don't really remember, but my mom tells me that when I was a baby, she would read to me before bed. She says that I just started associating the words she was saying with the words on the pages all by myself.

Q: What is your best memory of this hobby?

A: My favorite memory of reading is the day I read Pride and Prejudice. Yeah, I read it in one day. I was in my second year of high school. I had watched the movie and I knew that it was based off of a book, so I decided to go out and buy the book the next day. When I grabbed it, I was nervous because I had studied Jane Austen and knew that she was an author of intelligence and wit, and the language of the time period was very different from what we know today. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I grasped the content of the book easily, and I fell in love with the characters, humor, and irony. It's my favorite book to this day, and I read it once a year or so.

Q: Has this hobby influenced your choice of career (or study) or anything else meaningful in your life?

A: Yes, it has. Because I like to read so much, naturally, I began to love writing. I took many, many classes to study the art of writing, from business writing to creative writing. I also took classes to study modern novels as well as a few classes on British literature, dating around the Romantic and Victorian eras. After taking all of these classes, I decided to change my degree. I had initially planned to go to college for a Ph. D. in Pharmacy, and I decided to change to a major in journalism with a minor in public relations. I want to do something that I love and that I excel at. I also decided to start a blog back in August, and I have about 250 followers now. I write book reviews and poetry, as well as simple blog posts about whatever I feel is important to speak to. I'm also working on a fiction novel that I hope to publish some day.

Q.) Is there a favorite genre of book that you like to read? 

A: Yes, my favorite genres are science-fiction and historical fiction. I'm not a fan of science-fiction as in "spaceships and intergalactic travel" but more like Neverending Story-esque, or Lord of the Rings. I like historical fiction because I'm very interested in history. I'm also a huge fan of myths, lore, and imagination, so when history is combined with something more imaginative, I feel that there's nothing better.

Q: Where are you currently taking your classes for your journalism degree?

A: I'm taking a business communications class for my PR minor and I'm taking my first journalism undergrad classes this term, which include communications classes, a journalism class, and a class about the constitution. It seems that the constitution doesn't have much to do with writing, but it actually does. I have to spend a lot of time learning about what's legal in the world of writing, and where these laws came from and how they will affect my job.

Q: How long have you been working on your journalism degree? Are you close to graduating?

A: I'm not close to finishing. I just started my undergrad classes this semester, so I've got about two years until I'm finished. Fingers crossed.

Q: How far along where you in your pharmacy degree before you decided to switch majors? Was it a hard decision?

A: I was about a year and a half along, which isn't too bad, considering it's a 6 year degree and I would have spent another year or two in residency. I had chosen pharmacy because my family is full of people who have Ph.D. degrees, and many of them are actual doctors. I was under a lot of pressure to get a degree in the medical field because it's such good money and there's great security. Eventually, I came to accept that pharmacy really wasn't what I wanted, but what my family wanted for me. Announcing the change to my family was hard, I was nervous as all hell. I thought that my mom and dad would be really upset, but in actuality, their responses were surprisingly accepting. Both of them said that they were surprised that I hadn't chosen a career path that followed reading and writing in the first place. After I told them, they weren't just accepting; they were rooting for me. My mom said "well, duh. You're so good at writing!" and my dad said that it made the most sense because writing was my strongest passion and skill.

Q: What do you plan to do with your journalism degree? (work for a local newspaper, be a news reporter?) What do you think you would like to write about?

A: I don't actually want to become a reporter. I'm hoping to become a book editor some day. That's my dream job. 

Q: What is the fiction novel you plan to write/publish about? Was it influenced by what you read? 

A: The novel I plan to write about is a novel of historical and religious fiction. It was absolutely inspired by my favorite genre of reading. I started with a simple and rather undeveloped kernel of an idea and I did a boatload of research. I spent hours and hours poring over religious texts. After I had learned a lot about what I'd been researching, I spent about an hour trying to force myself into my writing mode, and next thing you know, nothing could stop me. When I really get into it, the ideas all come together. When I get started, I always worry that I won't have enough ideas to keep contributing to the plot, but once I get going, they just don't stop. Granted, I spend twice as much time editing my work as I do writing the first draft. Sometimes I cut whole pages, sometimes I add a little. 

Q: When did you decide to start writing and why?

A: I've always written. I have a natural ability. I've always been told that I'm skilled, not just by friends and family, but by my teachers too. I didn't even realize it until I started taking college classes to hone my skills, but until recently, I was still rather underdeveloped. I've learned a lot, and the things I learn are interesting and it makes me want to write even more because I have serious confidence in my skills now. Even if I fail and make no money in the field later, I'm learning about and making an attempt at something I really love. I don't think I'll ever regret that. I started getting serious about writing about a half a year ago, when I came forward and told my family that I want to make a career of it. I'd always written for fun, but I never took it seriously or used as much effort as I could have. Now that I know it's what I want to do, I try with all my might to write well. I think it's working... so far.

Story 3

Injured Bicyclist Released From Hospital

Marsha L. Taylor was released from the hospital Tuesday after a bike accident left her in the hospital with multiple injuries.

The accident occurred while Marsha was in Pine City after her U.S tour. She was taking a ride on 72^nd Street when a car hit her from behind and she was thrown from her bike. The next thing she remembers is waking up in the hospital.

Marsha suffered multiple injuries from the accident including a mild concussion, a broken neck, arm and pelvis as well as six broken ribs. “They were especially concerned about the broken neck,” she said. “One doctor said I had what they called a hangman’s fracture. She said it was a miracle that I wasn’t paralyzed.”

A few weeks later, doctors discovered that Marsha was also suffering from internal injuries. Her intestine was perforated, and her liver and gall bladder were also damaged. These complications had caused her skin to turn bright orange. “When my mother saw me, she said I looked like a Halloween pumpkin.” Marsha went back to the hospital and now has to attend rehabilitation three times a week.

Marsha, 37,  has been riding bikes since she was in college. While looking for work, she often killed time waiting for interviews by riding her bike. She eventually became involved with other riders and participated in many races. “Since then, it’s been a major part of my life. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without bicycling,” said Marsha. She has ridden over three-thousand miles so far this year and participated in the annual Governor’s Bicycle Tour and a U.S. Tour that has taken her across the United States

Her attitude toward biking has not changed since the accident. “I still want to ride,” she said. “If I could, I’d be out there right now, but it’s hard to ride a bike when you have to use crutches.”

Natascha's Obituary

My Obituary

Natascha Watercott, age 20, was found dead in her Pine City apartment early this morning. The details of her death remain sketchy until police investigate further.

She was known to be an avid reader and writer and had plans to publish a number of unfinished horror novels. She was finishing her 2-year transfer degree at Anoka Ramsey Community College in Cambridge and was set to transfer to the University of Madison in the Spring of 2011.

“She always liked bugs,” said her mother Anke. “When she was little, she would spend all day digging around for them in the yard.” Natascha had planned to pursue a degree in entomology (insects) at Madison. She told her parents that she wanted to study insect behavior in hopes of changing society’s perceptions of them.

Natascha was born on July 1^st, 1991 in Fort Benning Georgia. Her family moved Pine City Minnesota a year later where Natascha was known as a model student and kept an average 3.7 GPA throughout high school. She also excelled in college, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and becoming a regular on the Dean’s list.

Natascha is survived by her parents, Anke and Jerome Watercott and her older sister Nina. The date and location of the funeral has not yet been decided, however Natascha had mentioned that she wanted to be buried next to her younger sister Michelle near Mt. Raineer in Washington.

Story #2

Story #2

A meeting between the county sheriff and the county commissioners took place Thursday afternoon to discuss additional funding for the police department.

Sheriff Gus Dicesari told the county commissioners that he needed additional funds to hire new deputies and buy cruisers to replace eight of the older ones which all have about 150,000 miles on them.

“It is getting too costly to maintain the older vehicles and they spend too much time in the repair shop,” said Dicesari. “My deputies can’t keep driving these old vehicles. Something bad is going to happen.” The estimated cost of the new cruisers and staff is $580,000.

The commission voted against giving the department additional funding 5-2. Commission President Anne Chenn explained that there isn’t enough money to cover the equipment and staff that the sheriff had requested. Dicesari was told that he would have to make do this year.

Increased health care costs and higher fuel prices have caused the county to run short on funds. Additionally, the county spent $30 million on a new prison to help with overcrowding.

News Story 1

A tractor-trailer containing diesel fuel collided with another trailer early this morning on I-790, leaving two dead and 20 injured.

At 6:45 a.m., two tractor-trailers crashed into one another, causing a destructive chain reaction involving two other tractor-trailers and 14 cars. Adding to the mayhem, one of the trailers was hauling highly volatile diesel fuel. “It was very lucky that it didn’t roll over or dump any fuel or catch fire,” said Sgt. Albert Wei of the local police.

While the driver of the diesel-truck was unharmed, there were two confirmed fatalities and at least 20 injured, four with life-threatening injuries. All of the local fire department’s ambulances were dispatched along with those of four other neighboring towns and a helicopter from Memorial Hospital.

Fire chief Tony Sullivan likened the scene to a war zone when he arrived. There were “bodies laying along the road, people covered in blood sitting next to their cars.” In his 18 and a half years with the fire department, he had never known such carnage. Amid the chaos, police officers couldn’t tell drivers from passengers or who belonged to which car, remarked Wei.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Traffic meanwhile was temporarily diverted to I-690 until further notice, adding to the already congested rush-hour traffic and backing up cars for nearly three hours.

Introduction

Hello,

I'm Natascha Watercott. The instructions for this intro-blog were sparse to say the least, so here goes something.

My main excuse for taking this class is simply that I love writing. I'm currently working on a few novels and hope to become a well-known horror writer someday soon. Between school and work, it’s slow going. I began writing while I was in elementary school and never really stopped. My major inspirations were the likes of Bentley Little, Clive Barker, and Stephen King whose works I read obsessively as a child. I don't know that I'm cut out for hardcore journalism, but I figured I may as well try something new while I still have the chance. In taking this class, I hope to diversify my writing skills and perhaps learn a new skill or two. I've never written a news story before, so this should be a great learning experience.

This is probably my third year attending Anoka Ramsey. I already have my AA in liberal arts and am currently deciding what to do with my life. I may end up going to Madison this spring for a degree in entomology. I've always had an interest in animals and nature, so I'll see if that works out. I originally wanted to earn an English degree, but every English professor I've talked to has told me the same thing: It's only good for teachers. Thankfully, being a writer does not necessarily require a degree. I'm perfectly fine with it staying a hobby.