Another slow day in the world of news...
On Campus:
The Amazing Kate Watt Gets MEISA Grant- WUML's own Kate Watt won a large grant for MEISA, the Music and Entertainment Industry Students Association. Don't forget to show your support by checking out the MEISA Gingerbread House fundraiser at McGauvran on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Congrats Kate!
Deval Patrick to Speak on Campus- Governor elect, Deval Patrick, will join Representative Marty Meehan this Saturday to present "Climate Change: Local Solutions to a Global Crisis.” The event is Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Mahoney Hall Auditorium. All are welcome!
Local:
Merrimack River Body Search Postponed- The Lowell deputy Fire Chief decided to postpone the latest scheduled search for the bodies of Ron Wetmore, the UML student who fell into the river on November 26, and Helena Fells, who went missing on November 28 and is believed to have fallen into the river. A valve had been opened up, diverting some water from going over the Pawtucket Falls in the hopes of lowering the water level enough to explore the rocks below the bridge. Unfortunately, the water has yet to go down enough to safely bring divers, dogs, and boats close to the rocks.
Groton Teens Caught Dealing Drugs- Three teenaged boys from the Groton-Dunstable High School were caught dealing drugs in the school parking lot by the school's assitant principal. The boys were detained and are being referred to Juvenile Court in Lowell. The issue has prompted police officers to resume surprise searches using drug-sniffing dogs.
Popular:
Another Ripper In England? England is experiencing yet another "Ripper" case, this time 5 prostitutes have already been found murdered in only 10 days. This latest killer, dubbed the Ipswich Ripper, has caused the biggest manhunt since the Yorkshire Ripper's killing spree 20 years ago. The biggest difference is the Yorkshire Ripper took 6 years to kill his 5 victims. The speed of the latest murders has police frantically looking for information, but they fear the killer will be striking again soon. Both of these modern Rippers have been named after the infamous Jack the Ripper, who killed five prostitutes in 1888.
Arctic Ice Will Disappear Much Sooner Than Expected- Scientists once predicted that the Arctic would lose its summer ice by the year 2080, however, recent studies show it is melting much faster and will be ice-free by the year 2040. The loss of the ice will result in thousands of indigenous people losing their home and source of food, and there is a big fear that the change will disrupt the North American current and effect climates around the world.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
News Update- 12/11/06 3:30 p.m.
Sorry this took so long, everyone! Changed the format again slightly, let me know if you have any better suggestions!
On Campus:
Online Tutoring Comes to Campus- For the first time, UML students can use an online service to get help with physics and math. From 7 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday, students who are having trouble with late night homework or studying can receive assistance from one of the live tutors. Physics and math are the first two departments to try out the new program, since they have been identified as the two biggest problem areas for students. All of the tutors have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and have been recommended by professors, so ask all the tough questions you need to!
Cardboard City Event Raises Money- 14 UML students recently participated in an event to raise awareness about the needs of the homeless. Phi Kappa Sigma organized the on-campus event, which raised $1200 to go towards the city's Hunger/Homeless Commission. Students had to spend the night out in front of the rec center, with cardboard boxes as their only shelter. It got so cold that they resorted to trash can fires to keep warm. PKS has been organzing the event for 16 years.
College Bowl Winners- This year's results for the College Bowl are in. Individual winners were: Paul Nutter, Steve Holstrom, Martin Gray, Damon Orsi, James Blatchford, Ryan Beaven, Tiffany Avilla and Ryan Grant. The first place team was: "Team SGA," whose members were Damon Orsi, Steven Holstrom, Francis Cannata, James Blatchford and Louis Devito.
Riverhawks Tie Things Up With St. Lawrence- This weekend, the Riverhawks men's hockey team made a 3-3 tie with St. Lawrence. UML goals were scored by Jason Bergeron, Paul Worthington and Barry Goers. This was Goers' first goal of the season. Keep it up Riverhawks!
Local News:
Teens Arrested For Attempting to Rob Pizza Shop- Why you would want to rob a pizza shop is beyond me, but Ariel Hernandez and Juan Ramirez, both of Lowell, were arrested after someone caught them hiding in bushes near a Lowell pizza shop. The two had just placed bandannas over their faces and were preparing to run in with a BB gun. The arrest took place after a brief chase into a wooded area. Some people just really like their pizza.
Lowell Police Make $300K Drug Bust- This weekend, Lowell officers busted three men in possession of over $300,000 in marijuana. Police believe the marijuana was imported from Canada. The three men were caught Friday night, after a month-long investigation and surveillance of the area, a municipal parking lot on Leroy Street. The police also confiscated a number of firearms, including automatic handguns, and several cell phones they are now using as part of the investigation.
Man Dies After Barfight- After being punched in the head once, William Peters died at Captain John's on Westford Street last Wednesday. This was the second death from a fight at the bar since May. The man who did the punching, Alexander Adorno, apparently had some long-term money issues with Peters. The issues escalated to the fight at the bar, which ended in Peters being knocked unconscious by a single punch, and later being pronounced dead by emergency personnel.
Popular News:
Gibson's Newest Movie Ranked #1- 'Apocalypto' brought in $14.2 million after opening this weekend. Critics are surprised, since Gibson's movie has subtitles and has a very unique storyline- it explores the final days of the Mayan civilization. Reviews are good, but it has been called a very "gory" and "brutal" film.
Mariah Carey Sues Porn Star- Singer Mariah Carey is suing the porn star Mary Carey, trying to prevent the busty woman from trademarking her name. Mary Carey is best known for running for California governor against Arnold Schwarzenegger, and of course for her roles in movies like "Double Air Bags 11" and "Boobsville Sorority Girls."
On Campus:
Online Tutoring Comes to Campus- For the first time, UML students can use an online service to get help with physics and math. From 7 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday, students who are having trouble with late night homework or studying can receive assistance from one of the live tutors. Physics and math are the first two departments to try out the new program, since they have been identified as the two biggest problem areas for students. All of the tutors have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and have been recommended by professors, so ask all the tough questions you need to!
Cardboard City Event Raises Money- 14 UML students recently participated in an event to raise awareness about the needs of the homeless. Phi Kappa Sigma organized the on-campus event, which raised $1200 to go towards the city's Hunger/Homeless Commission. Students had to spend the night out in front of the rec center, with cardboard boxes as their only shelter. It got so cold that they resorted to trash can fires to keep warm. PKS has been organzing the event for 16 years.
College Bowl Winners- This year's results for the College Bowl are in. Individual winners were: Paul Nutter, Steve Holstrom, Martin Gray, Damon Orsi, James Blatchford, Ryan Beaven, Tiffany Avilla and Ryan Grant. The first place team was: "Team SGA," whose members were Damon Orsi, Steven Holstrom, Francis Cannata, James Blatchford and Louis Devito.
Riverhawks Tie Things Up With St. Lawrence- This weekend, the Riverhawks men's hockey team made a 3-3 tie with St. Lawrence. UML goals were scored by Jason Bergeron, Paul Worthington and Barry Goers. This was Goers' first goal of the season. Keep it up Riverhawks!
Local News:
Teens Arrested For Attempting to Rob Pizza Shop- Why you would want to rob a pizza shop is beyond me, but Ariel Hernandez and Juan Ramirez, both of Lowell, were arrested after someone caught them hiding in bushes near a Lowell pizza shop. The two had just placed bandannas over their faces and were preparing to run in with a BB gun. The arrest took place after a brief chase into a wooded area. Some people just really like their pizza.
Lowell Police Make $300K Drug Bust- This weekend, Lowell officers busted three men in possession of over $300,000 in marijuana. Police believe the marijuana was imported from Canada. The three men were caught Friday night, after a month-long investigation and surveillance of the area, a municipal parking lot on Leroy Street. The police also confiscated a number of firearms, including automatic handguns, and several cell phones they are now using as part of the investigation.
Man Dies After Barfight- After being punched in the head once, William Peters died at Captain John's on Westford Street last Wednesday. This was the second death from a fight at the bar since May. The man who did the punching, Alexander Adorno, apparently had some long-term money issues with Peters. The issues escalated to the fight at the bar, which ended in Peters being knocked unconscious by a single punch, and later being pronounced dead by emergency personnel.
Popular News:
Gibson's Newest Movie Ranked #1- 'Apocalypto' brought in $14.2 million after opening this weekend. Critics are surprised, since Gibson's movie has subtitles and has a very unique storyline- it explores the final days of the Mayan civilization. Reviews are good, but it has been called a very "gory" and "brutal" film.
Mariah Carey Sues Porn Star- Singer Mariah Carey is suing the porn star Mary Carey, trying to prevent the busty woman from trademarking her name. Mary Carey is best known for running for California governor against Arnold Schwarzenegger, and of course for her roles in movies like "Double Air Bags 11" and "Boobsville Sorority Girls."
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Campus Crime Report
November 22
IPI Lot. 12:56 am. Officer called to report slashed tires. While filing the report, another car with slashed tires was found.
Rec Center. 2:58 pm. Report of stolen wallet with money in men's locker room. Wallet was found two lockers down without the moeny
November 25
Donahue Hall. 9:09 pm. Domestic Disturbance. Shade Bello, student, reportedly stabbed her boyfriend, Nicholas Shay, after he hit her in the face.
November 26
University Ave Bridge. 1:28 am. Call to assist LPD in blocking off the bridge after a male went over the side.
IPI Lot. 12:56 am. Officer called to report slashed tires. While filing the report, another car with slashed tires was found.
Rec Center. 2:58 pm. Report of stolen wallet with money in men's locker room. Wallet was found two lockers down without the moeny
November 25
Donahue Hall. 9:09 pm. Domestic Disturbance. Shade Bello, student, reportedly stabbed her boyfriend, Nicholas Shay, after he hit her in the face.
November 26
University Ave Bridge. 1:28 am. Call to assist LPD in blocking off the bridge after a male went over the side.
Friday, December 01, 2006
News Update
On Campus:
The UMASS Lowell Technology, Engineering, and Math-Science Academy are part of a project that will help test potential courses for TEAMS Academy next year. The courses are going to be such topics as crime scene investigation, and robotics in hopes to get students excited about math and science. The schools participating are Those participating in the experiment are from Andover, Bedford, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Haverhill, Lawrence, Littleton, Methuen, North Reading, Reading, Tewksbury, and Tyngsborough.
UMASS Lowell is granted a $21, 500 scholarship from The Shaw Group in Stoughton Massachusetts. Through this scholarship the company hopes to promote the company's growing nuclear engineering and design operations in Massachusetts.
UMASS Lowell has received a $130,000 grant to promote after school engineering programs. The California-Noyce Foundation, who sponsored the program hopes to support the development of invention workshops' course materials and curriculum. Private donations of $95,000 are also to be used for the program.
Local News:
Joann Weber, the co-owner of the Lowell Spinners has died. Weber, who was only 58 years old had pancreatic cancer and was diagnosed in the spring of 2004. A beloved member of the community, people remember Weber for her generosity and fun-loving spirit. The Weber’s also own a minority share of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, a Manchester, N.H.-based affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
In Ayer, a mother, with her baby next to her crossed the double yellow lines and collided head on with a tractor-trailer truck. Sarah Bonaldi, 21 died in the crash and her 6 month old son Tyler Brooks seriously injured. They were both taken to Nashoba Valley Medical Center, and Bonaldi to UMASS Medical Center in Worcester where she was later pronounced dead, and her son to Children’s Hospital in Boston where he was listed in critical condition.
Pop Culture:
One of Norman Rockwell’s most famous paintings was found behind a fake wall in a house Vermont. The painting was then auctioned off and sold for $15.4 million dollars. A neighbor purchased the painting; entitled “Breaking Home Ties” from Rockwell while the two were neighbors in Arlington, VT. The price set a record for Rockwell, breaking the previous sale of $9.2 million last May.
Two weeks after this Friday’s release of “10 Items or Less,” it’ll be available for download on a website called Clickstar. Morgan Freeman’s production company teams up with Intel to bring movies to the website for people who do not live close enough to cinema’s. Freeman, who also stars in the movie, says that his town does not have a movie theatre, thus being his reason for being so avid.
Eva Longoria is now officially off the market. She and beau basketball player Tony Parker announced that they were engaged after two years of dating. The couple plans for summer 2007 wedding in France with friends and family. How’s that for some happy news? =D
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
News Update- 11/29/06 3:30 p.m.
On Campus:
UML student, Folashade Bello, was arraigned in Lowell District Court on two counts of assault and battery when she stabbed her boyfriend in Donahue Hall Saturday night. Bello's boyfriend, who is not a student here, was visiting when the two got into a fight. Bello stabbed the boyfriend twice, and when police arrived at the dorm room, they found the room covered in blood. The boyfriend was treated at Brigham & Women's Hospital. Bello is due back in court Jan. 26.
There is still no sign of the body of Ron Wetmore, the student who fell to an assumed death from the University Ave. Bridge this past weekend. With the fifth student death of the semester, some administrators and members of the University community are beginning to wonder if the school is providing students with enough support and anti-drug/alcohol prevention. The closest comparable state school, UMaine Orono, has a staff of 9 full time counselors. UML only has 2 full time counselors. There is also now a push for more alcohol-awareness programs, since a recent report shows 50% of UML students participating in regular binge drinking.
UML head field hockey coach, Shannon Hlebichuk was named the National Field Hockey Coaches Association North Region Coach of the Year for 2006. She was also named Northeast-10 Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. After only five years coaching the team, Hlebichuk has led the women to 81 wins, four Northeast-10 tournament titles and the 2005 Division II National Championship.
Local News:
As part of the city's Jackson/Appleton/Middlesex Urban Renewal Plan, Middlesex Street will be returning to the two-way road it used to be previous to 1986. The change is set to happen on April 1, 2007. Some local businesses fear that the two-way version will cause traffic backups, while other businesses are rejoicing, hoping that it will make it simpler to travel around Lowell and give directions. Flyers will be hung up and placed on cars to inform people and police will help direct the new traffic for the first few weeks.
The owner and an employee of North Chelmsford Auto Parts have been charged with receiving stolen property, including two Bobcat construction vehicles and a truck. The investigation has been going on for over two years now.
18 year old Sari L. Lelchook from Acton is facing charges for killing 13-year-old John Martin of Wayland. Lelchook allegedly did not see the boy as she was driving along, and as he was crossing a crosswalk on his bike, she hit him.
Popular:
The Yellow Wiggle will no longer be with the Wiggles, the popular music group that caters to children. The Yellow Wiggle, also known as Greg Page, is suffering from a mystery illness that causes him to faint and lose his balance. He will be replaced by his understudy, Sam Moran.
Verizon Wireless and YouTube struck up a deal Tuesday that will allow Verizon users to upload their videos from camera phones onto YouTube.
UML student, Folashade Bello, was arraigned in Lowell District Court on two counts of assault and battery when she stabbed her boyfriend in Donahue Hall Saturday night. Bello's boyfriend, who is not a student here, was visiting when the two got into a fight. Bello stabbed the boyfriend twice, and when police arrived at the dorm room, they found the room covered in blood. The boyfriend was treated at Brigham & Women's Hospital. Bello is due back in court Jan. 26.
There is still no sign of the body of Ron Wetmore, the student who fell to an assumed death from the University Ave. Bridge this past weekend. With the fifth student death of the semester, some administrators and members of the University community are beginning to wonder if the school is providing students with enough support and anti-drug/alcohol prevention. The closest comparable state school, UMaine Orono, has a staff of 9 full time counselors. UML only has 2 full time counselors. There is also now a push for more alcohol-awareness programs, since a recent report shows 50% of UML students participating in regular binge drinking.
UML head field hockey coach, Shannon Hlebichuk was named the National Field Hockey Coaches Association North Region Coach of the Year for 2006. She was also named Northeast-10 Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. After only five years coaching the team, Hlebichuk has led the women to 81 wins, four Northeast-10 tournament titles and the 2005 Division II National Championship.
Local News:
As part of the city's Jackson/Appleton/Middlesex Urban Renewal Plan, Middlesex Street will be returning to the two-way road it used to be previous to 1986. The change is set to happen on April 1, 2007. Some local businesses fear that the two-way version will cause traffic backups, while other businesses are rejoicing, hoping that it will make it simpler to travel around Lowell and give directions. Flyers will be hung up and placed on cars to inform people and police will help direct the new traffic for the first few weeks.
The owner and an employee of North Chelmsford Auto Parts have been charged with receiving stolen property, including two Bobcat construction vehicles and a truck. The investigation has been going on for over two years now.
18 year old Sari L. Lelchook from Acton is facing charges for killing 13-year-old John Martin of Wayland. Lelchook allegedly did not see the boy as she was driving along, and as he was crossing a crosswalk on his bike, she hit him.
Popular:
The Yellow Wiggle will no longer be with the Wiggles, the popular music group that caters to children. The Yellow Wiggle, also known as Greg Page, is suffering from a mystery illness that causes him to faint and lose his balance. He will be replaced by his understudy, Sam Moran.
Verizon Wireless and YouTube struck up a deal Tuesday that will allow Verizon users to upload their videos from camera phones onto YouTube.
Monday, November 27, 2006
News Update- 11/27/2006 4:30 p.m.
On Campus:
There is still no new information regarding the death of Ronald Wetmore, the UMass Lowell junior who fell to his death from the University Avenue Bridge early Sunday morning. For the latest information, see the previous news update or visit www.lowellsun.com.
The UMass Lowell Physical Therapy Club raised $400 through a wheelchair-basketball-a-thon to help fund a new gazebo at the Lowell Health Care Center. The gazebo was the wish of Phyllis Gimbel, the sister of one of the patients. The project raised $6000 in total for the new gazebo.
Local News:
11 were left homeless after a fire broke out in their Princeton Boulevard home. Four adults and seven children were staying with family when an electrical problem between the two floors of the home sparked a fire. No one was injured, but the home was damaged from the smoke and water.
A 17-year old girl has been cited for crashing into a house in Westford. She was driving a Honda Accord and stopped at a stop sign. She did not look both ways before proceeding, and was hit by a carpet-cleaning van before veering into the side of a three story home. No one was seriously injured.
63-year old Daniel Mullane of Nashua is to be arraigned today on charges of child endangerment. Mullane was arrested this past Friday for attempting to lure a 13-year old girl to his home with the intent of having sex with her. Police say that he tried convincing her he would get her into modeling. Mullane was already convicted back in 1992 for kidnapping a child under the age of 18.
Popular:
To balance out all the negative news (I really did try to find some happy stories, but there are none!), here is a whole slew of some "pop culture" news, pick and choose!
-US marine scientists have found out that humpback whales have a type of brain cell that is also found in human brains.
-Princes William and Harry are planning a huge concert to commemorate the death of their mother, Princess Diana. The concert is going to mark the 10th year anniversary of her death, there is talk of Elton John, Sting, Beyonce, and other royal friends singing.
-Pamela Anderson is divorcing Kid Rock. This is just four months after they did their around the world weddings- 3 weddings in all.
-A flaw in Firefox may allow hackers to get log-in information and passwords from unknowing users. Hackers set up fake websites and when the users log in, the information is sent right to those sneaky hackers.
-Britney Spears went out in a mini skirt and no skivvies, and the press got some photos when she stepped out of her car and lifted a leg a little too high. A cry for attention, no?
There is still no new information regarding the death of Ronald Wetmore, the UMass Lowell junior who fell to his death from the University Avenue Bridge early Sunday morning. For the latest information, see the previous news update or visit www.lowellsun.com.
The UMass Lowell Physical Therapy Club raised $400 through a wheelchair-basketball-a-thon to help fund a new gazebo at the Lowell Health Care Center. The gazebo was the wish of Phyllis Gimbel, the sister of one of the patients. The project raised $6000 in total for the new gazebo.
Local News:
11 were left homeless after a fire broke out in their Princeton Boulevard home. Four adults and seven children were staying with family when an electrical problem between the two floors of the home sparked a fire. No one was injured, but the home was damaged from the smoke and water.
A 17-year old girl has been cited for crashing into a house in Westford. She was driving a Honda Accord and stopped at a stop sign. She did not look both ways before proceeding, and was hit by a carpet-cleaning van before veering into the side of a three story home. No one was seriously injured.
63-year old Daniel Mullane of Nashua is to be arraigned today on charges of child endangerment. Mullane was arrested this past Friday for attempting to lure a 13-year old girl to his home with the intent of having sex with her. Police say that he tried convincing her he would get her into modeling. Mullane was already convicted back in 1992 for kidnapping a child under the age of 18.
Popular:
To balance out all the negative news (I really did try to find some happy stories, but there are none!), here is a whole slew of some "pop culture" news, pick and choose!
-US marine scientists have found out that humpback whales have a type of brain cell that is also found in human brains.
-Princes William and Harry are planning a huge concert to commemorate the death of their mother, Princess Diana. The concert is going to mark the 10th year anniversary of her death, there is talk of Elton John, Sting, Beyonce, and other royal friends singing.
-Pamela Anderson is divorcing Kid Rock. This is just four months after they did their around the world weddings- 3 weddings in all.
-A flaw in Firefox may allow hackers to get log-in information and passwords from unknowing users. Hackers set up fake websites and when the users log in, the information is sent right to those sneaky hackers.
-Britney Spears went out in a mini skirt and no skivvies, and the press got some photos when she stepped out of her car and lifted a leg a little too high. A cry for attention, no?
News Update- 11/27/2006 11:30am
The UML Community mourns the loss of 21 year old, Ronald Wetmore, a junior at the university majoring in Business Administration. According to Police, Wetmore fell from the University Bridge early Sunday Morning. Foul play has been ruled out, and the incident is being investigated by Lowell Police, with assistance from the University Police. As of 10am Monday morning, his body is yet to be recovered. For more information, visit www.lowellsun.com.
As of this morning, The Dean of Students Office and the University's Counseling Center are identifying Ronald's friends on campus and will offer support services as needed. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to call the Counseling Center at extension 4331 if they or anyone they know needs assistance in coping with this painful experience. Employees seeking confidential counseling services also may contact the Wellness Corp., offered through the University's Employee Assistance Program, at 1-800-828-6025.
As of this morning, The Dean of Students Office and the University's Counseling Center are identifying Ronald's friends on campus and will offer support services as needed. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to call the Counseling Center at extension 4331 if they or anyone they know needs assistance in coping with this painful experience. Employees seeking confidential counseling services also may contact the Wellness Corp., offered through the University's Employee Assistance Program, at 1-800-828-6025.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Crime Report
Thursday- November 9
Bourgeois Hall: Room 316 reported a stolen IPod.
Tuesday- November 14
Rec Center: Stolen items from men's locker room.
Bourgeois Hall: Room 316 reported a stolen IPod.
Tuesday- November 14
Rec Center: Stolen items from men's locker room.
Monday, November 20, 2006
News Update- 11/20/06 3:30 p.m.
On Campus:
Unless you've been living in a box or have been unconscious for the past several days, you know that this week is Thanksgiving "break," so just a reminder that there are no classes this Thursday the 23rd or Friday the 24th.
The new Interdisciplinary Lab is up and running in the basement of Coburn Hall. The lab is designed for all students and faculty to have a space where creativity can run wild. There are large work tables for students to work on projects, as well as craft materials, electronic devices, computer terminals and more. Stop on by sometime and check it out, it's a great place to just get some ideas for projects.
After going into overtime, the UML men's basketball team defeated Post University 75-70 this past weekend.
Kevin Wallack, a music major here at UML, is taking part in what started out as a small business and has quickly become a huge success in the Boston area. Wallack is the musical event instructor for "Backyard Jams," which is based in Stoughton. Backyard Jams was started by Matt Kaplan to allow anybody to live the life of a rock star. The group will help you create a band name, design merchandise, professionally and digitally record music videos, and you get to have a lot of fun doing it. Wallack gets to coach groups on musical performance.
Local News:
This year, the Lowell Humane Society on Broadway Street brought an early Christmas present for local pets. Pet owners could get a photo taken of Santa with their dogs, cats, goats, crocodiles or whatever animal they could bring along. For a small fee, you could get a Polaroid of your pet with the big cheese of Christmas. There was also a raffle of pet toys. All the proceeds went to the daily operation costs of the shelter, which takes in over 3,000 animals yearly.
Ayer Firefighters are hosting the second annual Thanksgiving Day 5K Road Race this Thursday. Check in begins at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. at the fire station on West Main Street. For more information, contact the fire department at (978) 772-8231.
Five people were taken to a hospital after being stabbed at a party in Windham early Sunday morning. Police got to the scene after receiving a 911 call. Three of the victims had fled the area, but were later found. None of the injuries were life-threatening.
Popular News:
The new James Bond movie has been pushed aside in the box office by a movie about penguins. The Bond film, "Casino Royale," took in a hefty $40.6 million in the first three days of release, but the animated comedy, "Happy Feet," made just over $42 million. A close race- who would have guessed that more folks would want to see penguins dance than Daniel Craig and nice cars?
Unless you've been living in a box or have been unconscious for the past several days, you know that this week is Thanksgiving "break," so just a reminder that there are no classes this Thursday the 23rd or Friday the 24th.
The new Interdisciplinary Lab is up and running in the basement of Coburn Hall. The lab is designed for all students and faculty to have a space where creativity can run wild. There are large work tables for students to work on projects, as well as craft materials, electronic devices, computer terminals and more. Stop on by sometime and check it out, it's a great place to just get some ideas for projects.
After going into overtime, the UML men's basketball team defeated Post University 75-70 this past weekend.
Kevin Wallack, a music major here at UML, is taking part in what started out as a small business and has quickly become a huge success in the Boston area. Wallack is the musical event instructor for "Backyard Jams," which is based in Stoughton. Backyard Jams was started by Matt Kaplan to allow anybody to live the life of a rock star. The group will help you create a band name, design merchandise, professionally and digitally record music videos, and you get to have a lot of fun doing it. Wallack gets to coach groups on musical performance.
Local News:
This year, the Lowell Humane Society on Broadway Street brought an early Christmas present for local pets. Pet owners could get a photo taken of Santa with their dogs, cats, goats, crocodiles or whatever animal they could bring along. For a small fee, you could get a Polaroid of your pet with the big cheese of Christmas. There was also a raffle of pet toys. All the proceeds went to the daily operation costs of the shelter, which takes in over 3,000 animals yearly.
Ayer Firefighters are hosting the second annual Thanksgiving Day 5K Road Race this Thursday. Check in begins at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. at the fire station on West Main Street. For more information, contact the fire department at (978) 772-8231.
Five people were taken to a hospital after being stabbed at a party in Windham early Sunday morning. Police got to the scene after receiving a 911 call. Three of the victims had fled the area, but were later found. None of the injuries were life-threatening.
Popular News:
The new James Bond movie has been pushed aside in the box office by a movie about penguins. The Bond film, "Casino Royale," took in a hefty $40.6 million in the first three days of release, but the animated comedy, "Happy Feet," made just over $42 million. A close race- who would have guessed that more folks would want to see penguins dance than Daniel Craig and nice cars?
Friday, November 17, 2006
News Update- 11/17/06 11:30am
Trash collector, Christopher McGowan was convicted yesterday, in the brutal rape and murder of fashion writer, Christa Worthington. Worthington was found stabbed to death in her Truro, Massachusetts home in January 2002. McCowen will serve three concurrent life sentences.
Sony's PS3 Release sparks violence. . .
*Early this morning, Boston Police responded to the Copley Place Mall where a crowd of 400 people, all waiting in line for the new PlayStation system, overwhelmed mall security. Luckily, the crowd dispersed and no one was hurt.
*In Putnam, Conn., a person was shot during a confrontation in a line of people waiting outside a Wal-Mart to buy the video game console. The victim was taken to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester with a gunshot wound.
There was no immediate word on the victim's condition.
*In Palmdale, Calif., authorities wee forced to shut down a Super Wal-Mart after some shoppers got rowdy late Wednesday.
*In West Bend, Wisconsin a 19-year-old man was injured when he ran into a pole racing with 50 others for one of 10 spots outside a Wal-Mart.
Recently, Umass Lowell received 15 proposals to design and build its new eighty million dollar advanced nanomanufacturing and biomanufacturing building. The University submitted a request for proposals from developers and is considering five different locations, including two sites in downtown Lowell; the Hamilton Canal area and a site close to the Paul E. Tsongas Arena. Other possible locations include two Lowell campus sites and one on the University's Western campus in Chelmsford.
** Yes, there is such a thing! On 3A! **
UMass Lowell's Assistant Professor Fred Martin of the Computer Science Department, was recently awarded a six hundred thousand dollar, five-year CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation. CAREER grants are awarded to promising pre-tenure faculty researchers to support their early works. The grant will help Martin bring science education to nearby middle schools, in hopes that someday they will continue studying science at UMass Lowell.
Popular:
Sydney, Australia- Steve Spalding of Dallas, Texas recently caught one hundred and sixteen tossed grapes in his mouth in three minutes, hoping to win a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records. He has also set a personal goal of endurance grape catching. He believes he can catch one thousand two hundred and three grapes, thrown from a 15 foot distance, in his mouth in just over a half an hour. Guiness has yet to include an endurance grape catching record.
Sony's PS3 Release sparks violence. . .
*Early this morning, Boston Police responded to the Copley Place Mall where a crowd of 400 people, all waiting in line for the new PlayStation system, overwhelmed mall security. Luckily, the crowd dispersed and no one was hurt.
*In Putnam, Conn., a person was shot during a confrontation in a line of people waiting outside a Wal-Mart to buy the video game console. The victim was taken to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester with a gunshot wound.
There was no immediate word on the victim's condition.
*In Palmdale, Calif., authorities wee forced to shut down a Super Wal-Mart after some shoppers got rowdy late Wednesday.
*In West Bend, Wisconsin a 19-year-old man was injured when he ran into a pole racing with 50 others for one of 10 spots outside a Wal-Mart.
Recently, Umass Lowell received 15 proposals to design and build its new eighty million dollar advanced nanomanufacturing and biomanufacturing building. The University submitted a request for proposals from developers and is considering five different locations, including two sites in downtown Lowell; the Hamilton Canal area and a site close to the Paul E. Tsongas Arena. Other possible locations include two Lowell campus sites and one on the University's Western campus in Chelmsford.
** Yes, there is such a thing! On 3A! **
UMass Lowell's Assistant Professor Fred Martin of the Computer Science Department, was recently awarded a six hundred thousand dollar, five-year CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation. CAREER grants are awarded to promising pre-tenure faculty researchers to support their early works. The grant will help Martin bring science education to nearby middle schools, in hopes that someday they will continue studying science at UMass Lowell.
Popular:
Sydney, Australia- Steve Spalding of Dallas, Texas recently caught one hundred and sixteen tossed grapes in his mouth in three minutes, hoping to win a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records. He has also set a personal goal of endurance grape catching. He believes he can catch one thousand two hundred and three grapes, thrown from a 15 foot distance, in his mouth in just over a half an hour. Guiness has yet to include an endurance grape catching record.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
News Update- 11/16/06 11:30am
Lowell- Two suspects were arrested last night, and charged for possible distribution of a deadly form of heroin. This deadly batch has killed 3 people in the past month. Police fear that the tainted heroin is still on the streets and urge users to quit immediately! Speak to a drug counselor or seek help at the Methadone Clinic on Suffolk Street.
Did You Know that ....
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the US? That more than 45 million Americans are addicted to smoking? That 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 teens in the US smoke?
In honor of the 30th annual Great American Smoke Out, the Community Health Education Club has set up booths around the UML Campus to spread the awareness of the dangers in smoking. Stop by the booths and exchange your pack of cigarettes, or adopt a smoker to recieve a free sunflower and a chance to win the raffle. Raffle items include: Free Dinner, Move Tickets, Hokcey Tickets, and much more!
Panic! At the Disco will perform a sold-out show at the Tsongas Arena on Saturday Nov. 18th, as part of the "Nothing but the Rhymes with Circus Tour"! This award-winning band from Las Vegas, sold more than a million copies of their debut album, "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out." They also won this year's "Video of the Year" at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Popular: Happy fifth Birthday to the IPod! In it's fifth year, Apple has sold more than eighty-one million IPods and controls more than 75% of the US MP3 player market!
Did You Know that ....
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the US? That more than 45 million Americans are addicted to smoking? That 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 teens in the US smoke?
In honor of the 30th annual Great American Smoke Out, the Community Health Education Club has set up booths around the UML Campus to spread the awareness of the dangers in smoking. Stop by the booths and exchange your pack of cigarettes, or adopt a smoker to recieve a free sunflower and a chance to win the raffle. Raffle items include: Free Dinner, Move Tickets, Hokcey Tickets, and much more!
Panic! At the Disco will perform a sold-out show at the Tsongas Arena on Saturday Nov. 18th, as part of the "Nothing but the Rhymes with Circus Tour"! This award-winning band from Las Vegas, sold more than a million copies of their debut album, "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out." They also won this year's "Video of the Year" at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Popular: Happy fifth Birthday to the IPod! In it's fifth year, Apple has sold more than eighty-one million IPods and controls more than 75% of the US MP3 player market!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
News Update 11/15/06- 3:30 p.m.
Local:
The Riverside Community Council and Sacred Heart Neighborhood Improvement Group, both of Lowell, are banding together in a fight against the Pan Am train corporation. In the past, there have been several dangerous chemical spills from the train lines that run in Lowell neighborhoods. After a spill of ferric chloride last month, the groups went into action and held a meeting this week to discuss details. The hopes are to meet with the president of Pan Am soon and work something out to make communities safer.
Police in the Greater Lowell area are on the look-out for a locker room thief. So far, Tyngsboro, Wilmington, Dracut and Tewksbury have all reported thefts in their school locker rooms. Dracut had at least 10 lockers emptied of their valuables in one hit. Police are asking everyone to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
Ayer woman Melissa Reynolds heads off to jail for a 2 ½ to 3 year sentence for the death of Evan Holofcenter in 2001. Reynolds apparently fell asleep at the wheel and swerved off the road, killing Holofcenter as he rode his bike to school. Reynolds just got married three days ago and was hoping to postpone serving her sentence until she could take care of guardianship papers for her daughter.
Popular:
Microsoft has announced that in early 2007, it will be doing an online test of the highly-anticipated, “Halo 3.” The test will be available through Xbox 360 consoles. Sony is releasing its Playstation 3 this Friday, and Nintendo will debut its Wii console this weekend.
The Riverside Community Council and Sacred Heart Neighborhood Improvement Group, both of Lowell, are banding together in a fight against the Pan Am train corporation. In the past, there have been several dangerous chemical spills from the train lines that run in Lowell neighborhoods. After a spill of ferric chloride last month, the groups went into action and held a meeting this week to discuss details. The hopes are to meet with the president of Pan Am soon and work something out to make communities safer.
Police in the Greater Lowell area are on the look-out for a locker room thief. So far, Tyngsboro, Wilmington, Dracut and Tewksbury have all reported thefts in their school locker rooms. Dracut had at least 10 lockers emptied of their valuables in one hit. Police are asking everyone to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
Ayer woman Melissa Reynolds heads off to jail for a 2 ½ to 3 year sentence for the death of Evan Holofcenter in 2001. Reynolds apparently fell asleep at the wheel and swerved off the road, killing Holofcenter as he rode his bike to school. Reynolds just got married three days ago and was hoping to postpone serving her sentence until she could take care of guardianship papers for her daughter.
Popular:
Microsoft has announced that in early 2007, it will be doing an online test of the highly-anticipated, “Halo 3.” The test will be available through Xbox 360 consoles. Sony is releasing its Playstation 3 this Friday, and Nintendo will debut its Wii console this weekend.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
International News
Oaxaca Assembly Defining Actions
Mexico, Nov 11 (Prensa Latina) The congress of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) continues analyzing future resistance actions Saturday, aimed to achieve the resignation of local governor Ulises Ruiz.
After the APPO provisional leadership was dissolved in the meeting s inaugural session Friday, its members will delineate the statutes, the declaration of principles, and action program of the organization today.
About 600 delegates from different popular organizations and local leaders, as well as members forming the APPO barricades since June 17 are attending the forum.
Since then, the APPO has focused on the demanded resignation of Ruiz, Governor of Oaxaca, who is accused of instigating violent repression against the Oaxaca social movement.
Last week, two protesters and an independent American journalist and activist, Brad Will, who came here to support the teachers' strike were killed by gunfire. The shootings prompted Mexican President Vicente Fox to send in 4,500 federal police officers, who were met by a hail of rocks as they smashed through barricades and drove demonstrators out of the city square on Sunday. Protestors have maintained control of the rest of the city.Former CIA Director is proposed to take over as Defense Secretary
Robert Gates, President Bush's nominee to become the new U.S. Defense Secretary, is a former CIA Director with decades of experience in the national security field. He has also served as the president of a major university in Mr. Bush's home state of Texas.
Gates has been a member of the board of directors for corporations and financial institutions, including NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc., Parker Drilling Company, Science Applications International Corporation, and VoteHere, a technology company which seeks to provide cryptography and computer software security for the electronic election industry.
Gates had initially been proposed by Ronald Reagan to become director of the CIA in 1987, but his alleged involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal caused him to remove himself from the senate hearings. He called the election of Marxist leader Daniel Ortega an“unacceptable” course, arguing that the U.S. should do everything “in its power short of invasion to put that regime out.” Gates was appointed Director of the CIA in November of 1991. Gates still needs to be confirmed by the Senate to become Secretary of Defense.
Ortega confirmed as president of Nicaragua
MANAGUA, November 7 — Daniel Ortega was confirmed as president-elect of Nicaragua after 91.48% of the ballots had been counted by the Electoral Supreme Court (CSE).
Ortega obtained 38.7% of the 2,244,215 valid votes counted as of that announcement, and was showing a lead of nine percentage points over his closest rival, which is why his victory was declared irreversible, PL reported.
Former banker Eduardo Montealegre, of the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) received 29% of the vote, while José Rizo of the Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC) was in third place with 26.21%.
After the announcement following the fifth and last vote count by the CSE, Montealegre conceded defeat and congratulated the victor.
Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega, a former Marxist revolutionary who fought a U.S.-backed insurgency in the 1980s, returned to the presidency calling for reconciliation, stability and a renewed effort to pull Nicaragua out of poverty.
(From Human Rights Watch)
U.S.: Congress Should Reject Detainee Bill-
Denies Right of Habeas Corpus, Defines Enemy Combatant Too Broadly
The U.S. Congress should vote down the draft military commissions and detainee treatment bill, Human Rights Watch said today. In denying the fundamental right of habeas corpus to detainees held abroad, defining “unlawful enemy combatants” in a dangerously broad manner, and limiting protections against detainee mistreatment, the bill would undermine the rule of law and America’s ability to protect its own citizens from unjust treatment at the hands of other governments.
In its immediate practical impact, the most damaging of the bill’s provisions is clearly its “court-stripping” provision, which would bar detainees in U.S. custody anywhere around the world from challenging the legality of their detention or their treatment via habeas corpus actions, even if they have been subjected to torture. Innocent people could be locked up forever, without ever having the facts of their case reviewed by an independent court.
If held to be constitutional, the court-stripping provision would result in more than 200 pending cases being ejected from the courts, including the case that resulted in the Supreme Court’s landmark detainee ruling in June.
The bill has other dangerous provisions as well. The latest version of the legislation includes an extremely dangerous expansion in the bill’s definition of “unlawful enemy combatant” – a phrase used by the administration to justify holding a combatant outside of the usual protections given to combatants by the Geneva Conventions. It now explicitly deems persons who have “purposefully and materially supported” hostilities against the United States to be combatants, an unprecedented redefinition of “combatant” that could potentially cover a range of innocent people. Financing and support for terrorist activities are already criminal offenses in the civilian justice system. This definition would pervert any reasonable concept of what a combatant is.
Moreover, the provision also gives carte blanche to the Pentagon to call anyone an “unlawful enemy combatant.” All it requires is that the person be deemed an unlawful combatant by a Combatant Status Review Tribunal (the administrative bodies used at Guantánamo) or “another competent tribunal” established under presidential or military authority.
The bill does, however, narrow the scope of the War Crimes Act; it bars the Geneva Conventions from being invoked in any suit against the U.S. government, gives the president power to interpret “the meaning and application” of the Geneva Conventions, and prohibits the courts from relying on foreign or international law sources in deciding cases involving certain violations of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.
The bill’s court-stripping provisions have drawn critical congressional scrutiny. At Senate hearings on Monday, former diplomats and others underscored the damaging implications of such rules for the treatment of U.S. soldiers who are captured abroad. If the U.S. supports stripping captives of all legal protections, they emphasized, so might other countries.
WASHINGTON -- The Senate unanimously approved $70 billion more for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan Friday as part of a record Pentagon budget.
The bill, now on its way to the White House for President Bush's signature, totals $448 billion. It was passed by a 100-0 vote after minimal debate.
The bill passed on Friday night brings the amount spent by the US on wars and other military operations to $507 billion since September 11, 2001. Total defense spending has reached over $2.19 trillion dollars in the past 5 years, plus over $137 billion on homeland security. In the Federal budget, there are plans to cut over $7 billion dollars from education spending over the next 4 years.
Legislation to convene military trials to prosecute terror suspects was also passed by the house. However, a program validating a warrantless wiretapping program has been postponed until after the mid-term elections.
Monday, November 13, 2006
News Update 11/13/06- 3:00 p.m.
Local Headlines:
The Winter Parking Ban begins November 15th and will be effective through April 15th. Under the ban, cars and bikes are not permitted to park on the streets and sidewalks from 6:00 p.m. to midnight or during snowstorms.
UMaine Orono men’s hockey team crushed UMass Lowell this past weekend in a 4-1 match. Jason Bergeron scored the only UML goal. The loss brings UML down to 3-3-3 overall and 2-1-2 in the league.
A study by UML professor Richard Clapp just revealed that computer factory workers have a much higher chance of dying of cancer than normal folks. Not just a little higher, either. Computer factory workers have a 66% higher chance of getting brain cancer, 79% more likely to get melanoma, males are 62% more likely to get kidney cancer and females are 112% more likely to get kidney cancer.
Lawrence City Councilor Grisel Silva is being investigated by the state Ethics Commission. After Silva and her husband found a gun in their daughter’s bedroom, they called a police officer who happened to be a close friend. They wanted to keep the episode “low-key,” so low-key, in fact, that the gun was never turned in. Both the officer and the Silvas are being questioned.
The Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra will open its 19th season with a free concert on November 17th at 8:00 p.m. The concert will be at the Sullivan Middle School on Draper Street. For more information, visit www.lowellphilharmonic.org.
Popular:
Australian scientists have developed a t-shirt that allows its wearer to create music using an air guitar. With built-in sensors that track arm movements and finger picking imitations, the t-shirt sends the information to a computer that generates the music. The t-shirt can also play the tambourine.
The Winter Parking Ban begins November 15th and will be effective through April 15th. Under the ban, cars and bikes are not permitted to park on the streets and sidewalks from 6:00 p.m. to midnight or during snowstorms.
UMaine Orono men’s hockey team crushed UMass Lowell this past weekend in a 4-1 match. Jason Bergeron scored the only UML goal. The loss brings UML down to 3-3-3 overall and 2-1-2 in the league.
A study by UML professor Richard Clapp just revealed that computer factory workers have a much higher chance of dying of cancer than normal folks. Not just a little higher, either. Computer factory workers have a 66% higher chance of getting brain cancer, 79% more likely to get melanoma, males are 62% more likely to get kidney cancer and females are 112% more likely to get kidney cancer.
Lawrence City Councilor Grisel Silva is being investigated by the state Ethics Commission. After Silva and her husband found a gun in their daughter’s bedroom, they called a police officer who happened to be a close friend. They wanted to keep the episode “low-key,” so low-key, in fact, that the gun was never turned in. Both the officer and the Silvas are being questioned.
The Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra will open its 19th season with a free concert on November 17th at 8:00 p.m. The concert will be at the Sullivan Middle School on Draper Street. For more information, visit www.lowellphilharmonic.org.
Popular:
Australian scientists have developed a t-shirt that allows its wearer to create music using an air guitar. With built-in sensors that track arm movements and finger picking imitations, the t-shirt sends the information to a computer that generates the music. The t-shirt can also play the tambourine.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Campus Crime Report
October 29
Donahue Second Floor. 12:40 am. EMTs were called to check the well being of a female in the shower, possibly intoxicated, who was being uncooperative. She refused care and was referred for a Judicial Referral for Minors in Possession of Alcohol.
Leitch Fourth Floor. 1:16 am. John Degou of Burlington, MA was arrested for trespassing and will be summoned to court.
Riverview Lot. 10:52 am. Student reported his car missing from the lot. A parent had moved it home without telling him.
November 1
University Avenue Bridge. 2:57 am. An officer was stopped by pedestrians who said that a person driving by had shouted racial slurs at them. Claims were unfounded.
November 2
McGauvran First Floor. 2:10 pm. Officers were called to investigate a claim of assault adn battery by Jason Scullin of Georgetown, MA. A report was taken and Scullin was taken to the station.
Donahue Second Floor. 12:40 am. EMTs were called to check the well being of a female in the shower, possibly intoxicated, who was being uncooperative. She refused care and was referred for a Judicial Referral for Minors in Possession of Alcohol.
Leitch Fourth Floor. 1:16 am. John Degou of Burlington, MA was arrested for trespassing and will be summoned to court.
Riverview Lot. 10:52 am. Student reported his car missing from the lot. A parent had moved it home without telling him.
November 1
University Avenue Bridge. 2:57 am. An officer was stopped by pedestrians who said that a person driving by had shouted racial slurs at them. Claims were unfounded.
November 2
McGauvran First Floor. 2:10 pm. Officers were called to investigate a claim of assault adn battery by Jason Scullin of Georgetown, MA. A report was taken and Scullin was taken to the station.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Welcome!
Welcome to the News forum! Here you will be able to access news briefs and editorials from the UML community and the Greater Lowell Area. I urge you to read on and find out what's happening and what's being thought about, around the world today. Each post will be "brand spanking new" and ready for broadcast or for a quick review.
Read on!
~Kate Watt
WUML News Director
Read on!
~Kate Watt
WUML News Director
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